Family is a driving force for Wauconda seniors Antonio and Diego Valdes.
The identical twin brothers said several family members even travel from other states to watch them play soccer.
“Playing for my family is a very special thing to me,” Diego Valdes said. “Knowing that they are there supporting me and being a part of something that I love is everything.
“Family comes first, and I want to show that I love them by playing good. So I use my family as motivation to be my best on the field.”
The Valdes brothers have another family member pushing them on the field. Teammate Sebastian Klein’s older brother Justin is married to the Valdes’ older sister Isabella.
“It’s definitely fun, and since we’re related, we’ve gotten to know each other more,” Antonio Valdes said. “Our chemistry is way better since we’re comfortable around Sebastian.”
Klein, who also is a senior, pointed out that it’s a unique situation.
“It’s not often that you have a sibling with such an age gap to you,” he said. “The fact that Diego and Antonio are in the same situation also gives us a connection, but having my brother and their sister being married brings that connection even closer.
“What is funny is people’s reactions when they learn about the closer family relationship we have. It’s not something anyone really expects to hear.”
Wauconda coach Tim Miller has come to expect to see, if not hear, the Valdes brothers, who are three-year varsity players. Antonio Valdes, a midfielder and team captain, and Diego Valdes, a defender, are key starters for the Bulldogs (10-4-1, 5-2), who tied for second place in the Northern Lake County Conference standings and will play Vernon Hills in the Class 2A regional semifinals on Oct. 21.
Miller also noted that Antonio Valdes, who has a 4.58 GPA, and Diego Valdes, who has a 4.55 GPA, excel in the classroom too.
“Antonio and Diego are quiet and reserved and all business,” Miller said. “Both are good representatives of our team. Antonio is always in the middle of the field and doesn’t get a lot of the stat stuff, but he’s the heartbeat of the team. Diego was moved from center back to outside back so he can mark the best player on the opposing team.”
Antonio Valdes, who missed five games with a high ankle sprain, has tried to be more vocal. The Bulldogs have lost three starters over the course of this season.
“Besides my injury, I think this season has gone pretty good,” Antonio Valdes said. “I’ve tried to make an impact on other things besides stats.
“It’s really cool to be a captain. It’s a big responsibility, and I have to answer the younger players’ questions when they come to me.”
The Valdes brothers have high hopes. Wauconda advanced to the 2A sectional finals last year.
“We’re a talented team,” Diego Valdes said. “We have to keep pushing forward. We’ve had some struggles, but that should make us stronger when we get to the playoffs.”
Antonio Valdes doesn’t take anything for granted.
“I’m living the childhood my parents never had,” he said. “My mom and my dad both had rough childhoods and were forced to be an adult fast, so it inspires me to work harder and be the best I can be in school and sports to make them proud.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.