Multisport athletes are not uncommon in high school; picking up an entirely new sport in high school is less common. Sophomore Jay Wieland had played baseball since the age of six. This past season on the junior varsity baseball team had not worked out for Wieland.

 “It was getting boring. I wasn’t playing as much as I had hoped,” said Wieland.

After the season and school year ended, Wieland decided to try something new and tested the unchartered waters of local soccer pitches, even different games on his Xbox. A love for playing FIFA 14 prompted Wieland to play actual soccer. After playing soccer recreationally with his friends, Wieland became more serious about the sport.

 “I played with my friends at Hencken [Paul Hencken Soccer Fields] and I went to a D.C. United camp over the summer,” said Wieland.

 Wieland’s love affair for soccer grew from playing FIFA, to playing recreationally, into deciding to try out for the school’s team. Although he played on a travel baseball team last summer, Wieland steadily grew out of his baseball phase, as soccer appealed to him more. After rigorous trials, Wieland was selected to be on the junior varsity team. His affinity for soccer transferred into professional fandom. Wieland is now a fan of Tottenham Hotspur Football club of North London, England. Although his favorite team plays across the Atlantic Ocean, Wieland has no problem remaining a fan.

 “There’s a lot of apps that help you watch the games and they’re on T.V., too,” said Wieland.

 The international soccer atmosphere has impacted Wieland in multiple ways; whether it was FIFA or watching Tottenham on T.V. Wieland even models his game after European footballers.

 “I probably model my game after Zlatan [Ibrahimovich]. I dare to Zlatan,” said Wieland.

 Wieland looks to further his soccer career by continuing to hone his craft on virtual and physical soccer pitches while developing his passion for his newfound love.