One on One With North Texas’ Alex Araneda

The Southern California youngster is working his way into the starting XI picture for North Texas Soccer Club. He sat down with Afterburner soccer to talk a little about his journey to Frisco.

While the result didn’t go his way, Alejandro “Alex” Araneda got his first start of the season yesterday against Austin FC 2. In fact, it’s kind of hard to miss the tall, lanky 20 year old center back in the lineup, now on his second year in North Texas.

Alex is a native of Southern California and started playing when he was 4 years old. After high school, he worked his way into crucial minutes with California United Strikers, who play their games at Championship Stadium in Irvine, CA. That opportunity led him to a tryout with North Texas.

“I just love playing,” Alex said about his motivation. “I’m always trying to get better and get better opportunities. Keep remembering the dreams I had when I was younger, all the work I put in, keep pushing no matter what.”

His journey to California United was almost a fluke.

“Right after high school, I was trying to find teams. There was a good minute I was going to stop playing for good,” he said. “One of the days, we were walking through Great Park in Irvine, and the California United Strikers manager was walking by. I introduced myself and then he invited me to try out. Three days later, they wanted to sign me.”

He is thankful for that opportunity to help him grow as a player and begin to make a name for himself. “It was really good. The Strikers gave me a really good opportunity, trying me out in different positions. They had a lot of trust in me.”

As he got more minutes and developed his skills, the open door to North Texas appeared. During a preseason scrimmage, a guy was scouting the sides and Alex stood out. He approached him after the match and promised an opportunity with North Texas. After thinking it through, he jumped at the opportunity.

The transition has been interesting, a group of players who are younger but very talented.

“The players here are better, but with the Cal United, they were older and more physical,” Alex said about the differences between the two teams. “When I first came here though, I knew this was the group of players I needed to surround myself with to get better.”

Of course, making the jump to North Texas and the FC Dallas organization also played a part in this opportunity.

“When you see all the big names and the players they have produced, FC Dallas is one of the main places you want to go,” he said. “They have a good reputation for developing players. I knew I would be putting myself in the right place.”

With his first start this season under his belt, the defender knows he has work to do to improve. That begins with experience, just getting more minutes, figuring out how to help the team in whatever capacity he can.

It’s important to know that he actually came to North Texas SC as a midfielder, playing as a 6 in the center of the pitch. However, coaches and staff have transitioned him to center back, a position he is growing more and more comfortable in. His size certainly boosts his opportunities there.

However, there have definitely been challenges as he is under his second head coach in his short time with the North Texas.

“Javier Cano likes to play more possession-based, and Coach Kah was more aggressive — lets go win the ball. Either way, we should be able to play either style well,” Alex said about the differences between the two coaches.

Playing for North Texas means surrounding himself with other talented players, and some of them in particular have impressed.

“Definitely Carl Sainte for sure. He is someone that even last year when he came in, this guy is going to be able to help us win. Tyshawn too, as a new player coming in and playing phenomenally. He is one of our best players,” Alex smiled. “Up top, definitely Hope. Super special player, always creating chances. Just fun to watch.”

Alex knows it will be a long season and he has work to do. The whole team does, especially after dropping two straight losses despite the strong start to the season. While the locker room energy is positive, the key will be for the squad to stay focused and keep figuring out how to take the next step.

Finally and most importantly, Alex gave a shout to his preferred taco place in Frisco. “There’s a place called Chito’s, a Mexican place. That’s the place I go to a lot.”