“My personal goals this season is to take at least ten shots per game and to score one goal each game.” That aggressive mindset sets the tone for how sophomore Juan Galvan approaches every soccer match in a Poteau uniform, with confidence and clear expectations for himself as an attacking player.
“The team morale has been amazing this season,” Galvan said. “Everyone is dying for the season to start, our confidence is through the roof, and we know we will do good this season.” That energy has carried over into training and preparation as the Pirates look ahead to a big year.
Galvan made sure to credit his coach’s hands-on approach, saying, “If a player has a bit of trouble, he will take them out and coach them individually. Coach Hall played a huge part in that.”
“Some of our goals are to win the few tournaments that are coming up and obviously to win state,” Galvan said. “To achieve this, I am working on myself and working with some of my teammates to build up our chemistry.” That chemistry shows up on both sides of the ball. “I think our biggest strength has to be our finishing,” he added, “and we have one of the best keepers, Jonathan Baeza, and we make him work constantly with all the good shots we take.”
He can play many roles for his Poteau club: “The main position I play is center attacking mid (CAM) and occasionally I play left and right wing (LW) (RW),” Galvan said. His ability to read defenses is a big reason for his success. “When reading a defense, I always look for when the player starts to put pressure on me,” he said. “As soon as he puts pressure on me, he opens up my teammate, and I break their defensive line.”
Once he steps on the field, confidence takes over. “My mindset when I step onto the pitch is I am the best player here, no one here is better than me.”
“When I graduate, I want my legacy to be the best midfielder that has stepped in Poteau,” Galvan said. He also shared what people may not see. “Something fans or outsider might not know about this team is how hungry we are for this season.”
“My favorite memory in a Poteau uniform has to be the win against Sallisaw,” he said. “It was so intense, and I just had a lot of fun that game.” Galvan, a sophomore, summed his future up simply: “Plans after high school is to hopefully get a scholarship to college.”
