Pedro Vega, selected the 6A Offensive Player of the Year last season with Sunnyside, is headed to his native Mexico to play for the Puebla FC Sub-17 team in the youth Liga MX.
He signed with Puebla FC two weeks ago.
Vega, who hails from Nogales, Sonora, tallied 72 points as a sophomore in 18 games last year with the Blue Devils. He scored 29 points and had 14 assists.
“He had tried to get accepted into the Mexican academy teams a few times prior to coming to us,” Sunnyside coach Casey O’Brien mentioned. “He was passionate about working hard every day and he turned himself into an amazing player with his work ethic.
“He learned how to connect with his teammates and play the game in a much sophisticated and team oriented way. He worked on his speed and strength, which will allow him to compete with grown men at the professional level.”
In a 7-0 victory against Rincon/University, Vega made five goals and produced two assists. He turned a hat trick in the first 29 minutes in the match.
He made his formal debut with Puebla FC-17 during Matchday 2 of the Apertura Tournament, playing 45 minutes as a second-half substitute against FC Juárez last weekend.
“I’m most proud that he was a 3.0 student even though he was learning English the whole time,” O’Brien stated of Vega’s time at Sunnyside. “He showed up every day and was one of our hardest workers. His dream was always to play for Mexico and in Mexico and he is taking the steps toward that dream.
“In his one full year at varsity he was the 6A offensive player of the year which is super rare for a Tucson kid to win. He was a level above for much of our season and he got a lot of college attention. We are sad to lose him but we are so proud to see him take the steps towards his dreams. My goal as a coach is to get the kids to their dreams and that’s what happened with Pedro.”
Vega finished the regular season ranked 10th in Arizona for total points (62) and 12th in goals (26) before postseason tracking finalized his 72-point total.
“I can’t wait to see where this takes him,” O’Brien mentioned of his journey with Pueblo FC. “He’s already breaking through with his team. He made the travel roster, made the starting 11 and who knows what’s next? Sunnyside kids are the hardest workers around and that work ethic will take kids like Pedro far.”
Recommended for you
