Sibling stars strike the pitch

BY JUAN CHAVEZ, STAFF WRITER

IN THE WORLD OF SOCCER, fashy stories and games are mostly at the professional level. Among these stories, two local brothers shine with dreams to play professionally. Sophomore Gabriel Carrizo, an explosive player on the left wing position, lights up the pitch with his skills and determination. Junior Sky Carrizo, another versatile winger, brings a dynamic attacking presence with an ability to create scoring opportunities. The Carrizo brothers started playing soccer when they were five years old, and got the chance to play with the Inter Miami Special Olympics team because they had close connections with the staff and both made the cut as unified partners.

The Inter Miami Special Olympics lineup include qualified athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, those without disabilities being the unified partners. Those who are selected for the team are able to compete in minor competitions and games against other teams. This significantly increases inclusion in the community and uses sports to help remove barriers that keep others separated.

“My brother is one of my best friends,” sophomore Gabriel Carrizo said. “We had the opportunity to volunteer for the Special Olympics because we are both very close to the coach.”

The Carrizo brothers got the opportunity to play a match in New York against the New York Red Bulls Special Olympic Team on Aug. 27 at the Red Bulls Training Facility. The IMSO team won with a score of 5-0 with both brothers scoring and assisting goals.

“Being able to score alongside my brother was pure joy and raw emotion; it was a rush of pure adrenaline and happiness,” junior Sky Carrizo said.

The IMSO team had the privilege of meeting Inter Miami’s official team, including stars like Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi, before watching Inter Miami defeat the Red Bulls 2-0 in Major League Soccer, with special seats provided from the team. The brothers felt very inspired and accomplished after training and practicing so many years for a memory like this. For both Carrizo brothers, they had the opportunity to recognize just how much work and effort they put into soccer.

“It was very exciting meeting all the Inter Miami players, ” Gabriel Carrizo said. “Meeting all the players motivated me to work and play even harder.”

“The feeling of meeting someone like the Inter Miami players is indescribable,” Sky Carrizo said.

For now, Gabriel Carrizo will continue to play soccer for Gables. After high school, he hopes to play in a Division One university and make the first team with Inter Miami given his connections to players and coaches in the team’s foundation.

As for Sky Carrizo, he also plans to keep playing soccer for Gables and university, but he is unsure whether he wants to play professionally with Inter Miami. His dream is to explore opportunities with other clubs in the MLS and potential academies abroad to see where his talent and passion may take him.

The brothers’ journey serves as a testament to the power of unity and inclusivity in sports, showcasing how soccer transcends boundaries, bringing together athletes with diverse backgrounds and abilities to share their passion for the game. The Carrizo brothers' dedication to their soccer dreams and their commitment to teams demonstrate their talent to inspire others.