Left to right: Dani Alvarez, head coach Ross Sandberg, and Luca Almeida line up during the signing ceremony for the Butte College men's soccer team on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Butte College in Butte Valley, California. And George Shaw. (Justin Couchot/Enterprise-Record)
BUTTE VALLEY — Despite playing from countries around the world before arriving in Butte County, many of Butte College's men's soccer players repeatedly say the team is a family.
The Roadrunners, led by head coach Ross Sandberg, announced Wednesday a three-person sign language class. Defender George Shaw, midfielder Daniel Álvarez Izquierdo, and wing/sweeper Luca de Assis Almeida led the Roadrunners to a 15-2-4 record in their freshman season, leading them to the Golden Valley Conference. He helped them achieve a record of 8 wins, 6 losses, and 6 draws and a 3rd place finish. As a second year student.
The three will now part ways and continue their journey on the pitch at the four-year level. Shaw, a native of Chesterfield, England, signed with a Division II university in the District of Columbia. Izquierdo, a native of Zaragoza, Spain, signed with Division II Ohio Dominican University. Almeida, a native of Brazil, signed with NAIA New College of Florida.
When asked about the first signing class of the offseason, Sandberg talked about the adversity all three players have overcome.
“This day is all the more valuable because all three of these guys have had to deal with a lot off the field, whether it’s their personal lives back home, injuries here or coming back and getting injured and playing. ,” Sandberg said. “They're all going to leave here very prepared for the next chapter of their lives and chasing their dreams because of what they've had to overcome over the past two years. He will be very successful at the level.”
Shaw was the Roadrunners' captain and started all 19 games for the Roadrunners as a sophomore and was one of only two players to score two goals from the last line.
“He's not yelling orders and saying things that are counterproductive,” Sandberg said. “If it’s not productive communication, everyone shuts it down.
“George will do very well because of his size, speed and personality. What makes these three different is that they accept that they are a family and in addition to being good players, , that you have to be a good person.”
Shaw said he adjusts for the temperature difference between England and Butte County and trains in Butte County's hot summers. He said his playing style has changed, as have other players. Izquierdo and Almeida said America's style of play is more physical than their home country, but Shaw said England's style of play is more physical, so he has learned to adapt to the contrary.
Shaw grew up in a small town in England, now living in the American capital, and is excited to have new experiences again after his stay here.
Izquierdo started 12 games in a midfield position during the 2023-24 season, appearing in 18 games and recording four goals and three assists. After discussions with potential coaches, they were looking for a player who could play both long and short passes, as well as someone who could press the attack and provide assists for the team.
Izquierdo said Butte is like family to all of the players, helping them prepare for the next level as people and players. The biggest improvement he's made is being able to play a more physical game and now he feels more ready for the next level.
“Danny brings calmness to the midfield,” Sandberg said. “He is very technical, has good vision and is very relaxed on the ball, but he does not relax with a sloppy, lazy playing style. They make difficult passes look easy, and I think that will reflect next year as they get even more speed and size.”
Sandberg described Almeida as a player who plays with flare, is good with both feet, is very technical and has an unpredictability that “no coach can match.” Almeida suffered a knee injury in a 2022 playoff game and continued to fight hard to get to where he is today.
Almeida, who left Brazil at age 16 and attended high school in Connecticut for three years before playing one year at Iowa State, reiterated that he was always looking for a family outside of his own. He discovered that at Butte College and is grateful for it.
“I came here when I was 16 years old. We all leave our families and friends behind and head for this,” Almeida said. “We all look for a place to find family outside of our homes, and Butte is one of those special places. As the years go by, people change and new people arrive, but we still We are together. Coach Ross has always been like a father figure to us, so even when we are far from home, our family is always with us.”
Almeida chose New University while searching for schools in Florida. He gets a glimpse of his hometown along with the climate and his family there too.
“I have lived in the United States for six years, but the last two years in Butte really helped prepare me for the next level and experience California as well,” Almeida said. “We had a great team here and we were always fighting for playoffs and titles. I feel like it really helped me grow as a player and prepare me for the next level.”
