PepsiCo MVP Economou
gets special delivery from Guzan
By Patrick McGavin
Few things could top the drama of this year's PepsiCo Showdown title of the PepsiCo Showdown for Lyons and senior defender Nick Economou.
The Lions overcame a late deficit in its first round game against Burlington Central. They outlasted St. Charles North in a game that took three days to finish. On the verge of elimination in the semifinals against Deerfield, keeper Matt Vear made two remarkable saves and the Lions eventually prevailed on penalty kicks.
Saving the best for last, Lyons' midfielder Adrian Valadez averted another potential shootout as he blasted home a ball in double overtime as the Lions beat Libertyville 2-1 at DePaul University at the end of last month.
Enter U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Guzan punctuated the team's victory in high style. Just days removed from playing against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, the Aston Villa star visited Lyons on Wednesday morning to personally present the tournament MVP belt to John Economou, the Lions' standout defender.
"There were a lot of great players at this year's tournament, but I thought since we won the tournament, there was a pretty good chance somebody from our school would get the MVP belt," Economou said. He said he had no inkling of Guzan's specific role in the presentation.
He sensed something was afloat.
More than 100 students from Economou's morning study hall observed the special ceremony with Guzan. The surprise appearance also marked a Chicagoland homecoming. Guzan grew up in Homer Glen and was introduced to the game through his involvement with the Chicago Magic youth soccer club. The Providence graduate played collegiately at South Carolina.
"I was once in Nick's shoes as a high school player, so I knew this was going to be a cool moment and great honor for him to receive the MVP belt, especially in front of his peers," Guzan said. "I'm excited I could be the person who delivered the belt."
Economou had a palpable excitement.
"I've watched Brad on television with the U.S. national team and with Aston Villa. I watch the English Premier League games on Saturday morning every week," he said.
During his opportunity to talk with Guzan, Economou revealed his own considerable knowledge of EPL and joked with Guzan about the questionable trading of Christian Benteke to Liverpool.
Lyons has made a special habit of playing well at the PepsiCo Showdown after qualifying for four of the last five championship games. Winning its first title since 2012 was exhilarating enough. This was the feather in the cap.
"It was still pretty amazing somebody so famous would come to our school," Economou said.
The event marked a significant personal thrill for Economou, who is not planning to play competitive college soccer. He said he expects to play club at one of the six schools he has applied.
Economou's high school career nears its end as the Lions' season turns full circle.
Lyons (13-5-2) is the third-seed in the top-heavy Class 3A Riverside-Brookfield Sectional and opens state tournament play Tuesday in its own regional. The Lions' semifinal opponent is Young, who they defeated 1-0 in their season-opener.
Uncharacteristically, the no. 5 Lions have gone just 3-3 after winning the PepsiCo title.
"We've been up-and-down every since winning the tournament," Economou said. "At this point we just want to get back to where we were, get focused. And our whole mindset with the state tournament is just to survive and advance."
gets special delivery from Guzan
By Patrick McGavin
Few things could top the drama of this year's PepsiCo Showdown title of the PepsiCo Showdown for Lyons and senior defender Nick Economou.
The Lions overcame a late deficit in its first round game against Burlington Central. They outlasted St. Charles North in a game that took three days to finish. On the verge of elimination in the semifinals against Deerfield, keeper Matt Vear made two remarkable saves and the Lions eventually prevailed on penalty kicks.
Saving the best for last, Lyons' midfielder Adrian Valadez averted another potential shootout as he blasted home a ball in double overtime as the Lions beat Libertyville 2-1 at DePaul University at the end of last month.
Enter U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Guzan punctuated the team's victory in high style. Just days removed from playing against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, the Aston Villa star visited Lyons on Wednesday morning to personally present the tournament MVP belt to John Economou, the Lions' standout defender.
"There were a lot of great players at this year's tournament, but I thought since we won the tournament, there was a pretty good chance somebody from our school would get the MVP belt," Economou said. He said he had no inkling of Guzan's specific role in the presentation.
He sensed something was afloat.
More than 100 students from Economou's morning study hall observed the special ceremony with Guzan. The surprise appearance also marked a Chicagoland homecoming. Guzan grew up in Homer Glen and was introduced to the game through his involvement with the Chicago Magic youth soccer club. The Providence graduate played collegiately at South Carolina.
"I was once in Nick's shoes as a high school player, so I knew this was going to be a cool moment and great honor for him to receive the MVP belt, especially in front of his peers," Guzan said. "I'm excited I could be the person who delivered the belt."
Economou had a palpable excitement.
"I've watched Brad on television with the U.S. national team and with Aston Villa. I watch the English Premier League games on Saturday morning every week," he said.
During his opportunity to talk with Guzan, Economou revealed his own considerable knowledge of EPL and joked with Guzan about the questionable trading of Christian Benteke to Liverpool.
Lyons has made a special habit of playing well at the PepsiCo Showdown after qualifying for four of the last five championship games. Winning its first title since 2012 was exhilarating enough. This was the feather in the cap.
"It was still pretty amazing somebody so famous would come to our school," Economou said.
The event marked a significant personal thrill for Economou, who is not planning to play competitive college soccer. He said he expects to play club at one of the six schools he has applied.
Economou's high school career nears its end as the Lions' season turns full circle.
Lyons (13-5-2) is the third-seed in the top-heavy Class 3A Riverside-Brookfield Sectional and opens state tournament play Tuesday in its own regional. The Lions' semifinal opponent is Young, who they defeated 1-0 in their season-opener.
Uncharacteristically, the no. 5 Lions have gone just 3-3 after winning the PepsiCo title.
"We've been up-and-down every since winning the tournament," Economou said. "At this point we just want to get back to where we were, get focused. And our whole mindset with the state tournament is just to survive and advance."