Senior Spotlight: Glenbrook South's Kevin Perez's Father Big In His Development

Injuries have forced the offensive-minded senior to fill a number of roles this season for the Titans.

Kevin Perez - Photo Credit - Rebecca Gould

Glenbrook South senior Kevin Perez is doing more than he ever would have expected as a Titan. Productivity was always an expectation, but the number of ways he has produced has been notable.

The Titans have started the season 5-5-3 while Perez has played at nearly every spot at midfield and forward on the pitch. The Titans are winners of 3 of their last 4. Perez has a team-high 7 goals and also has an assist. He has scored 2 goals recently in wins over Niles West and Prospect.

The following is a Q&A conducted with Perez about CSL soccer, bonds with teammates, who instilled his love for the game, and more.

CSLV: What were your expectations for this soccer season coming in, and how do you think the team is playing so far?

KP: “My expectations coming in were really high. I think they were very high compared to what other people would think because I knew what the incoming players had to offer and the returnees as well. I knew compared to last year we would play a different type of soccer, to where last year we depended on our defense and our strength. This year would be very different and we’d be a very technical team possessing the ball and attacking. So far the team has been developing game by game and it’s honestly good to see because in the beginning, we could find our style of play but game by game we’ve been improving our game and possession style to become a very difficult team to go against, we showed that when we went toe to toe with our most difficult opponent yet Evanston Township High School. For us that game meant a lot because it signified us we are becoming stronger and stronger and continuing to strike at the opponent.”

CSLV: How do you think you’ve adapted and fit into this new playing style?

KP: “I knew from the beginning the offensive side and a lot of things would depend on me. I think (the) possession style fits my style already so it wasn’t so hard to fit in to it. I think the hardest part was putting the work in to score goals while at the same time playing 4 different positions to support my team.” 

CSLV: What positions have you been playing this year, and how have teammates and coaches helped you adapt to the different spots on the field? 

KP: “I started off at my favorite position left wing and right wing where I’ve played for a majority of my career. Then after an injury on our first game that happened to Conor Beach I was switched to striker where I was forced to learn the style of play in 40 minutes to help the team. Afterward our other key player Luca Piekarski got injured and he’s our main (No. 10) midfielder so coach asked me to play the midfield position to help which is where I sort of began to defend and control my midfielders. Then he changed me to a (No. 10) where it was more of an attacking midfielder. Afterward (Coach Reggie Lara) continued to try me as a center defensive mid at the (No. 6). It’s been very hard to adapt to new positions that require new things out of me when my mentality is mainly to score goals.”

CSLV: I know you’ve been facilitating a lot for others and scoring goals. Even with all the changes, how good do you feel about producing for the team as you have as a senior?

KP: “It feels amazing to be a player that produces something on the field. Especially as a senior because it feels like the pressure is on me and I love to thrive under that. I like putting the troubles on my shoulder so my underclassmen can continue to play as they wish.”

CSLV: How long have you played soccer overall, and on varsity? And what most helped you develop as a younger player growing up? 

KP: “I started at around age 5 and I think I started putting in effort at around age 15. I’ve been in varsity my senior and junior year. I did debut my first game my sophomore year even though I technically wasn’t on the team then. As a player my dad has been a huge part in my development he’s always pushed me to be my best version and constantly wants me to become a better player.