The Drill: Eswin Hernandez is a major force in area soccer

WORTHINGTON — Eswin Hernandez is the main coach and co-owner of the Worthington Community Football Club. Hernandez has been a staple of the soccer community since moving to Worthington in 2006.

Hernandez was a semi-professional soccer player in Guatemala and an instructor at a prestigious soccer academy. When he came to Worthington, Eswin started playing in various adult leagues in the Worthington area.

In 2015, Hernandez made the jump from player to organizer — and began organizing summer tournaments that continue to take place from sunup to sundown at Buss Field on Sundays. His league has grown into one of the biggest in the area with upwards of 30 clubs competing. His league added two winter seasons that have been taking place at JBS Field House.

The Bulls are gearing up for their first season in the United Premier Soccer League. The top team practices twice a week at the JBS Field House. Hernandez said he looks forward to the season and he expects his team to perform to the best of their abilities. Hernandez said he admires responsible soccer players.

The Bulls ran U17 and U19 teams in their first year, but now in year two they have pivoted to a semi-pro team and U19 team. Both teams saw large numbers of tryouts this past winter. Mario Cordova helps coach the semi-pro team on Tuesday and Sunday at the JBS Field House.

Growing up in Guatemala his biggest inspiration was a man of limited financial means who made the leap from amateur to professional soccer. The man would put his best effort in every practice, and would often take a bike or walk to practice when he lacked means of other travel. Hernandez said that seeing this in his youth was a big inspiration for himself.

Hernandez keeps busy with the soccer scene in Worthington, but when he has a free moment he enjoys spending that time with family. His favorite food is black beans and that they remind him of growing up in Guatemala.

To see a video of Eswin Hernandez, go online to www.dglobe.com . Here’s a sample of our interview:

QUESTION: How did you get started in the Worthington soccer community?

ANSWER: Well, I moved from Guatemala in 2006 and I started playing for the adult league — just a regular player — and then you know in about 2015, I started making the tournament. So that is how I have been involved more in the community for the last (few) years.

QUESTION: In your estimation how capable are both the WCFC teams?

ANSWER: We are thinking that they are very good. We think that we have a lot of players on the U19 that we could bring in for the semi-pro team already. So I think we are going to be a very competitive team.

QUESTION: Who is the person that has inspired you most in sports?

ANSWER: A guy from my hometown in Guatemala. He was like a really poor guy, with amazing talent. He worked really really hard, tried (out) for many teams until he went and played professionally in my country. So he didn’t have the expenses to travel and sometimes he had to take a bike to be able to go to practice... So when I was a little kid, I saw in him what effort that he put in every practice, and he started playing amateur, all the way to professional. So I think that he is the most inspiring person to me.