Playing the most international of games, Oswego senior Johnny Rodriguez gravitated toward a style that transcends language.
He almost had to.
In early September, when Rodriguez arrived at Oswego with his parents from Chihuahua, Mexico, he had limited command of English.
“At the beginning, it was very difficult,” Rodriguez said, speaking through an interpreter. “When I started playing, I learned how to socialize at school and have more friends.
“The team took off and we started to win games.”
Rodriguez arrived two weeks after the start of tryouts, but Oswego coach Gaspar Arias sensed something special.
“Even though it was two weeks after our normal tryouts, he asked if there was an opportunity,” Arias said. “He was not in great shape, but after a couple of training sessions, we saw how quick he is and how fast he is shooting.”
The 5-foot-5 Rodriguez, a lightning-fast forward, has been instrumental in Oswego’s turnaround.
The Panthers (12-9-3) started the season winless at 0-4-1 but have gone 12-5-2 with Rodriguez in the lineup. He has scored eight goals with three assists.
Arias said Rodriguez plays with a nonstop motor.
“He is relentless,” Arias said. “Once he gets the ball at his feet, you expect a shot right away.”
In the Sept. 18 championship game of the Plainfield Classic, Rodriguez recorded the hat trick in a 3-1 victory over East Aurora. He scored all three goals in the second half.
Senior forward Diego Contreras was impressed.
“He’s the kind of guy who says ‘I’m going to score three goals’ or ‘I’m going to do this or do that’ and he ends up doing it,” Contreras said.
Contreras said about half the players on Oswego’s team speak Spanish. He recognizes a kindred spirit in Rodriguez, who has bravado and an electric playing style.
“He reminds me of myself when I came here as a freshman four years ago from Venezuela,” Contreras said. “I didn’t know how to speak English either, but the guys on the team really helped me learn and develop.
“Everything is new for Johnny, but he has adapted really well.”
Contreras said Rodriguez brought that combination of daring and verve with him from Mexico.
“When we first started playing, Johnny reminded me of the game in Venezuela,” he said. “He’s a really good talent and he knows what to do when he has the ball at his feet.”
Rodriguez is a classic quick-twitch player, explosive with the ball. He generates tremendous speed, with power on his shots.
“I like to play not as a solo talent but as part of the group,” he said. “I really like passing the ball. It doesn’t really matter if I make the goal or anybody else as long as the goal gets done.”
Growing up in Chihuahua, he was the only member of his immediate family who played soccer. He started in youth leagues at age 5.
“My parents didn’t play,” Rodriguez said. “But they always took me to games ever since I was little.”
The game has also functioned as the crucial bridge to his assimilation to a new country, language and culture.
“Communication is still the biggest adjustment I’ve had to make,” he said. “And the game itself is a little different from what I’m used to in Mexico.”
Rodriguez gets his first taste of the state playoffs Tuesday night as Oswego opens up play with a Class 3A Batavia Regional semifinal against Metea Valley.
That part is universal.
“We feel very confident about how we are playing right,” he said. “And I am very excited because this is my first playoffs.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.