Boys soccer: Vernon Hills' Nambo savors leadership role

Taking on leadership means a lot to a soccer team these days. A player that has stepped into that role at Vernon Hills for his senior season is Valde Nambo.

He's going to be the one that controls and directs the midfield for the Cougars this season, his third on he varsity team.

"Valde has a very high soccer IQ," Vernon Hills coach Mike McCaulou said. "His ability on and off the ball make him a very dangerous player game in and game out. His technical ability is at a collegiate level and he makes every one else around him better."

One of the best qualities and abilities that surrounds Nambo's game is what he can do on the field, which makes him different from other players.

"I just know what to do with the ball before I even get the ball," Nambo said. "I just look around the field for the open space, where I can pass or dribble the ball."

Where does that type of talent come from? Maybe from coaching or starting to play soccer at a young age of 7. But, Nambo noted it's also from playing the game constantly and watching the English Premier League matches on the weekends.

"He has become stronger and faster, along with making quicker decisions," McCaulou said. "He's a collegiate caliber player right now and what makes him even more dangerous is, he is humble."

Humble or not, you really don't want to see Nambo on the field with the ball making his next move before you even know where he or the ball goes.

"Valde is so grounded, and he's a team player," McCaulou said. "We're not the same team without him."

Dealing what was different over the last year and seeing the soccer season shifted to the spring was a learning experience with the opportunity of just getting on the field playing.

"The whole COVID thing this past season showed us something different with no playoffs," Nambo said. "But we do have a chance this year. It really wasn't the same with the masks, playing three games a week, and we ended up with a lot of injuries."

Nambo will be expected to carry the Cougars to another level, whether in the Central Suburban North, as they seek a league title, or even further into the postseason.

"The best thing I look for is teamwork," Nambo said. "Every team has good players and not so good players. But, leadership plays a big part pulling the team together on and off the field."