He is an Attleboro native, plays a key role on the Attleboro High School varsity soccer team and is on the path to become a professional soccer player. Meet Dominik Machado, Bombardiers' center midfielder.
Machado's dream is to play for the New England Revolution, the Foxboro-based professional Major League Soccer (MLS) team owned by New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft. He may have the chance to reach that dream with his role on the New England Revolution's Under-16 developmental team.
After reading about the team, Machado took a stab at trying out against dozens of other players from all over New England. Today, he is one of 23 Rev's U16 players.
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Each MLS team has U16 and U18 developmental teams that compete against each other during the season and Winter Showcase tournaments.
The goal of the Revolution's U16 developmental team is to prepare the players for the U18 team, according to coach Bryan Scales. The best players go off to play in college and some will ultimately play for the senior team, the Revolution.
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"Dominik is very passionate about the game," Scales said. "He's an outstanding young man and is very mature and is a responsible person on and off the field."
Machado has already played in tournaments in Arizona, Florida and North Carolina and has enjoyed some perks including being treated to last year's MLS All-Star game played at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
The Revs launched their youth development teams in the 2008-2009 season with U16 and U18 squads, so at this point, no players have yet moved on to the Revs first team, according to Revs spokesperson Lizz Summers.
AHS coach Peter Pereira said Machado is a leader and playmaker.
"His focus on the game is very acute and his work rate is very high," Pereira said. "Dominik displays good leadership on and off the field and that is his biggest strength."
What does the coach think of his pro prospects?
"Dominik has a certain drive and is very determined to succeed," Pereira said. "Dominik (also) has the qualities, the smarts and the talent."
Machado loves the sport of basketball, but chose to focus on soccer because of his height. A modest Machado believes he was given some natural ability, but credits his success on something else.
"I wouldn't be where I am now, without hard work," Machado said. " I want to get a full scholarship to play college soccer and my goal and dream is to play professional soccer."
