Alejandro Barroso Leads Boys Soccer Program For First Time

Photo from JFK Boys Soccer | Varsity Boys Soccer travel to compete in NCS.

This year, the John F. Kennedy High School boys’ soccer program entered a new chapter by starting off the season with a new head coach, Coach Alejandro Barroso. This new implementation was meant to bring a fresh perspective and renewed purpose to the program.

This new role for Barroso also comes with a personal connection along with his years of experience.

“[Kennedy] is my alma mater, I came here from ‘89 to ‘93 and this will be my son’s senior year here playing for the team,” said Barroso.

Barroso’s inspiration for taking on the coaching position also involved the lack of progress he saw in the program. “

I’ve been watching the boys’ soccer program through a parent’s point of view for the last 3 years, and in that time, there was really no growth in the program,” remarked Barroso. “So what I want to do is to start building it up through fundraising and everything to get the program back to where it used to be so that the kids can enjoy soccer.”

The progress made this year has been evident, as the varsity team won nine games and placed second in the league.

Kyle Hsu (11), who plays for the boys’ soccer varsity team, described how Coach Barroso has already made an impact on the team from a player's perspective.

“I think the team has really adapted to the new playstyle of the coach and it has just been really great for us to have a change in our system,” stated Hsu. “I think the boys soccer program has definitely had its ups and downs, but this year has definitely been an improvement.”

Barroso described his approach to coaching as putting an emphasis on player experience.

“I’m a player’s coach,” explained Barroso. “Each kid is different with their own mindset, so I have just been adjusting myself to them, and being able to understand them and see where they’re coming from.”

Coach Barroso plans to continue staying with the boy’s soccer program and hopes to further make an impact on players’ high school experiences.

“That’s been my main goal, allowing them to enjoy the sport,” concluded Barroso.