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Cesar Montes
Rachael Keating

Soccer Has Always Been Present

| By: Matthew Hutchison

Cesar Montes battled through adversity to play at the next level.

The Western Illinois men's soccer team's 2019 season has had its share of trials and tribulations. Eying an 0-11 record to start, back-to-back seasons without a tournament qualification appeared to be in sight, but the Leathernecks never gave up hope.

The regular season is now in Western's review view, and it clawed its way to a co-regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the Summit League Tournament.
 
The challenge wasn't anything new for Cesar Montes. He joined the program two days before its first exhibition match, and his journey to a purple and gold kit wasn't easy.

Montes played for the Chicago Fire Soccer Academy for two years with the hope of turning pro. The club has produced 13 players who went on to play Major League Soccer (MLS) teams and plenty of others that have played college soccer. 

His performance was monitored by coaches at the next level in the academy everyday. However his soccer career started to fade once he heard the sad news back home. 

"After my parents got divorced, I couldn't afford to play academy anymore," Cesar said. "I didn't have a ride there, and it was too far away."

Heading into his junior year of high school, the thought of furthering his career seemed questionable. He had trained with players who began to get collegiate offers, but he didn't enjoy the same experience. 

Not wanting his playing days to end, Cesar joined his high school soccer team and was an immediate leader. Things were heading in a more positive direction for the midfielder, but like clock work, when things seemed confident, another pitfall -- at the age of 17, Cesar was asked to help support his family. 

"I had to stop playing soccer and start working because I had to help my mom with paying bills, so I didn't have time for soccer after school."

While his fellow classmates were making college visits and deciding where to call their new home, Cesar didn't have time to think about it. He needed to help keep his family a float. Once the school bell rang and others went home to relax with family, he went to coach to support his. 

Working to keep his family a float, he turned to the thing that vanished shortly from him, soccer. A different side of the game became the avenue he used to care for his loved ones. 

"I was a coach for soccer, and I spent a year coaching kids from all ages and skill levels. From high-level academies to basic stuff with eight-year-olds." 

Wanting to develop those into the best player they can be, Cesar's new role on the pitch resulted in improvement to his own game. 

"Coaching really helped me to simplify and understand the game better more than anything. From going to something very difficult and explaining it to a little kid, it really helps you understand the sport better and makes you connect better." 

Cesar's resume of training spread locally and kids traveled from surrounding areas to train with him. His grit and determination wasn't foregin for his family members to display. 

"My mom always told me that her dad always worked hard for everything and he was able to give everything my mom wanted. She always reminded me of that and that's who I looked up to."

Blanca, his mother, inspired her son as she never allowed the hard times affect the family. 

"She worked extremely hard, always finding more jobs that she can do to give my sister and me everything we need."

The following year Cesar had connections to play professionally in Brazil, but he couldn't afford it and remained in the Chicago land area. 

His opportunity of playing soccer at the next level seemed to be terminated, but a connection between his high school coach, former Leatherneck (2007-10) Cosimo Patano, and Dr. Eric Johnson led to a walk-on trial in August. 

After a year off from soccer, Cesar's resiliency led to his collegiate debut Sept. 11, 2019, against Green Bay and a spot on the postseason roster. 

His chances to play Division I soccer were slim, but when he stepped on the pitch he knew he belonged. 

"My hard work during pre-season and the training sessions that followed helped me to prove that I was able to play at the highest level. Getting opportunities to play in games brought upon more confidence in my abilities and increased the new relationships with my new teammates." 
 
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