Name: Jordan Gomolin

To: Dr. Timothy Oleksiak

Date: 8/9/19
Subject: Catching up with Brookline soccer sensation Herivaux

The subject of my profile article is my friend Zachary Herivaux. Zach is someone who I grew up
with, and also someone who is very well known in the soccer world. He is a professional soccer
player here in the United States, and his story is very unique. I believe this story is timely and
relevant for anybody who follows sports, and specifically, soccer. A lot of the biggest moments
in Zach’s life have transpired recently, and thus, I think this article is very timely. In specific, one
of the themes touched on in this piece is adversity, and I think anybody can relate to Zach’s
story in some capacity.

Anything you need to know about Zach can be seen in the actual article itself. There is not much
more to expand on in that regard. In terms of what publication venue this work might appear in, I
believe either the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, or a more local venue like Brookline.com or
Mass Live. Zach already has had several articles written on him in all of these venues, and I
know they reach people, because more and more articles on him keep getting written. Zach is
well known in the greater New England area, and he is seen as a hero in the soccer community,
so articles on him will always get around.

There is not much I need you to know about my project. Zach is a quiet kid, and talking about
some of his struggles, was not easy for him. This is understandable, and I appreciate him for
even letting me interview him. I tried to display how everybody, no matter what status you are,
goes through some sort of adversity. In that way, it’s relatable to my last piece I wrote. Lastly, I
took on the voice of the publication in this article. It could be the voice for any of the venues I
listed above.

Catching up with Brookline soccer sensation Herivaux

Viral videos of him gliding past defenders, en route to scoring breathtaking goals, started
surfacing when he was only twelve years old. By fifteen, he was named as one of the top five
under 17 soccer players to watch in the world by FourFourTwo Magazine, the most acclaimed
soccer magazine in the United Kingdom.

For a kid growing up in Brookline Massachusetts, a small suburban town outside of Boston, the
limelight was intense. His father Pedro, a former professional player himself, trained Zach from
the time he could walk. Whether it was running hills, sprints, or juggling the soccer ball for
hours, Zachary’s work ethic was put on display at Baker Field, a small athletic field and park
were many local Brookline natives gathered. While most of these families met here to relax, or
bring their kids to the park, Pedro had Zach working. While Zach wowed the crowds with his
dazzling display of footwork and shooting, Pedro would talk to the families that would gather
around, often telling them how his son was destined for greatness.

Thanks to his father's outspoken nature, the magazine press, as well as the viral videos of him
faking defenders out of their shoes, Zach became a star. Despite all the people who spoke in
favor of him, Zach’s on field performance is what gained him popularity. His play is what had
many people labeling him a “prodigy”, or “mini Ronaldinho,” as Zach’s game, and hairstyle, was
strangely similar to the Brazilian legends.

Since his early youth days, Zach went onto star for the New England Revolution Academy,
becoming the best player on one of the most high profiled teams in the country. During his
senior year of high school, the club signed him to a professional contract, making him their third
ever homegrown signing. Since inking that contract, now almost five years ago, much of
Herivaux’s mindset remains the same.

“ For me, my mindset has never changed. I have to keep working day in and day out.”

This is a mindset that Herivaux, now a grown up, has truly had to rely on during his time with the
Revolution first team. The club contains a deep and talented roster, where players are fighting
each week for spots. Herivaux has been one of the players who has had trouble getting serious
minutes with the first team. He happens to be a young player, on an older team, and is still
fighting for his place. Last season, he was loaned out to San Antonio FC for a month, a team
that plays in the USL, which is below the MLS in hierarchy.

Herivaux ended up only playing five games in San Antonio, before the Revolution called him
back. In those five games, Herivaux dominated, scoring one goal and adding multiple assists.
For Herivaux, his strong stint with San Antonio, reminded him of how good he can be, showing
why the Revolution signed him out of high school.

“ I was not getting any real minutes with the Revs, so it was great for me to go to another team
and get some meaningful playing time,” Herivaux Said. “I thought I showed a lot of people,
including the Revolution organization, the type of impact I can have on a game.”
Herivaux has still had trouble cracking the Revolution Lineup, as he has been loaned out this
year to the Birmingham Legion, a team based in Alabama, that also is in a lower division.
Heriviux has starred for the Legion this year, proving to be one of the teams top players, but for
Herivaux, he is not satisfied.

“ Obviously, when I signed a contract with the Revolution, I thought I would play a bigger role
within the team. I did not expect to end up playing games with teams in lower divisions, but I
know that this is only temporary.”

Herivaux feels he deserves a real chance to play with Revolution, as he has had no problem
starring for the Haitian National Team. Herivaux, the son of a Japanese mother and Haitian
father, chose to play for Haiti over Japan and the United States.

Earlier this summer, Herivaux and his Haitian teammates shocked the soccer world when they
came in third place at the Concacaf Gold Cup. The Gold Cup, a prestigious tournament that
takes place over the summer, was comprised of some of the top national teams in the world,
including Costa Rica and Mexico. Haiti knocked off Costa Rica in the playoffs, and barely lost to
powerhouse Mexico in the semi-finals. Every game was nationally televised, and for Herivaux, he
hopes people were watching.

“I feel like with Haiti, I was able to show the soccer world what type of player I am. For whatever
reason with the Revolution, I have not been able to really get on the field and show my skills, but
I am thankful for the opportunity the Hatian national team has given me.”

This was not Herivaux’s first rodeo with the Hatitan team, as his first senior appearance with
Haiti came last year against, none other than, Japan. The game was played in Nissan Stadium in
Yokohama Japan, in front of 70,000 people. Herivaux started, and played the whole game, in
front of family and friends.

When describing the moment, Herivaux smiled, and said, “ It was one of the happiest days of
my life. To be able to make my debut with Haiti, and play in the country I was born, it was
definitely a moment I will never forget.”

Growing up, Herivaux always envisioned himself playing on the big stage. His favorite player is
Lionel Messi, who is regarded by many as the best soccer player of all time. Besides just playing
the game, Herivaux and his dad would watch games of Messi and study the Argentines
beautiful footwork. After the games, the two would go into their backyard, and try and replicate
what Messi had done. Herivaux recalls spending hours playing and pretending it was him on the
big stage scoring goals.
“ I wanted to be just like him,” Herivaux said laughing. “ I always imagined what it would be like
to be that good, and also what it would be like to play against him.”

For Zachary Herivaux, that moment came last May, when Haiti played Argentina in a friendly
match in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was Argentina's send off game before the world cup, and
for Herivaux, a chance to grace the field with his childhood idol. Herivaux started for Haiti and
gained high praise from legendary commentator Ray Hudson. However, the little maestro known
as Messi, was superb on the night, scoring three goals, leading Argentina to a 4-0 victory.

“Messi is just on another level. Being on the same field as him, I was able to see how quick with
the ball he truly is,” said Herivaux. “ It’s just crazy to think that I grew up idolizing him, and now
here I am playing against him. It took awhile to sink in.”

As someone who grew up with Zach, It was fascinating to hear him speak so highly about
another player. Zach is one of the most competitive people I know, and I have rarely seen him
pay homage to another player. It was neat seeing him brighten up and speak about what he can
take away from watching Messi. I believe it shows a sign of maturity in my friend, in terms of
him realizing that he needs to improve in certain areas.

Leading up to the game, Herivaux approached Messi in the tunnel and asked if he could have
his jersey after the game. Messi, being true to his word, gave Herivaux his jersey after the match
and praised the young Revolution player. It was not a long conversation, but for Herivaux, it was
all he needed to hear.

“He first asked me where I played professionally, and then he told me he thought I was a very
talented player and to keep working hard,” Herivaux said, as he looked at the Argentines jersey,
which now hangs in his room.

For Herivaux, working hard is nothing new. It’s what got him to the level he is at now and is what
he hopes propels him into more prominent minutes with the Revolution. However, hearing his
idol praise him, gave Herivaux a new source of energy and Inspiration.

“ I have always had people tell me how they thought I was talented, but to hear it from the
greatest soccer player ever, it just felt totally different,” he said. “It just fueled me with a different
type of confidence, a confidence that I hope helps me reach new heights.”

Now a 23 year old, Herivaux is a seasoned professional, who has seen it all. He is in the final
year of his contract with the Revolution and is excited about what the future has in store for him.

“ My goal is to play somewhere in Europe, and despite my lack of time with the Revolution, I
know I have the ability to play at the highest level.”
The road to fame slowed down for Zach, once he signed that first professional contract. As
mentioned, he has not been able to consistently crack the Revolution lineup, and that reality has
been tough. Some critics have gone as far as labeling him a “bust”, and Herivaux hears all of it.

“ I see some negative things people have written about me, but it’s all part of the business. At
the end of the day, I am playing the game I love, and am working as hard as I possibly can. I will
live with the results.”

Zach admits he didn’t have that much adversity growing up. He worked hard, and did not come
from the wealthiest of families, but his soccer abilities paved the road for him and his family. It
made all of their lives much easier. He concedes that the adversity he has faced so far in his
career has toughened him up.

“Most definitely it has made me stronger. I was always so much better than everyone, and I
worked to be better, but playing professionally is different. You are playing with people who are
all the best.”

Zach is in fact thankful for the adversity he has faced. He is learning to embrace it, as he knows
it comes in his chosen career path. He always wanted this lifestyle, as he turned down a full
scholarship from Providence College, to turn pro. He says he is “built for this.”

“Adversity is apart of life, and eventually it will hit everyone. I’m not the type of person to run
from it.”

Once labeled the next big thing, Herivaux is on a mission to make it big, and he won't stop until
he is.

“ I am still young, and I still have a lot to prove. All my trials and errors will only fuel me more.
You have not heard the last of my name.”
 Annotated Bibliography

Perry, Phil. “Brookline Teen Herivaux a Prodigy on the Soccer Pitch.” Boston.com, The
Boston Globe, 26 Aug. 2012, www.boston.com/news/local-news/2012/08/26/brookline-
teen-herivaux-a-prodigy-on-the-soccer-pitch.

This is an article written by Phil Perry, who is now a very well known broadcaster for the
network, Boston Sports. The article was written in 2012, and the focus of the piece is my
friend, Zachary Herivaux. Zach was in highschool with me during this time, and was the
center of attention in the New England soccer world. I used this article, as well as the two
that follow, as somewhat of a guide, in writing these types of sports profile pieces. The
article is not exactly current anymore, but it was still written for an authentic publication,
and written by someone who is well regarded in New England sports.

Souza, Scott. “Brookline's Zachary Herivaux Helps Haiti's Gold Cup Run.” Brookline, MA
Patch, Patch, 10 July 2019, patch.com/massachusetts/brookline/brookline-resident-
represents-haiti-gold-cup.

A more recent profile article on Zach, written this past July. The article also talks
somewhat about Zach’s life, focusing on his recent time playing in the Gold Cup with Haiti.
This article had more questions being asked to Zach than the previous one did, but as
mentioned, this article is focused more on a specific moment in Zach’s life. My profile on
Zach is longer, and it focuses on more aspects of his life. Either way, this article still
helped me format mine.

Vautour, Matt. “What's It like Facing Lionel Messi? For Brookline's Zachary Herivaux, It's an
Inspiration: Matt Vautour.” Masslive.com, Masslive.com, 26 June 2018,
www.masslive.com/sports/2018/06/lionel_messi_encounter_left_br_1.html.

The last profile article I found on Zach. Also written within the past year, this profile
focuses in on Zach’s experience playing against Messi, the greatest player of all time. It
gives more background info on his life than the last article did, which I think is good. In my
profile, I tried to give a good amount of background on Zachs life, before diving into
specific instances in his life.
 Tulane University Athletics. “Not Your Average Student-Athlete: A Feature Story About
Joanna Lapucha.” Tulane University Athletics, Tulane University Athletics, 25 May 2016,
tulanegreenwave.com/news/2013/5/8/Not_Your_Average_Student_Athlete_A_Feature_St
ory_About_Joanna_Lapucha.aspx.

An interesting profile on Joanna Lapucha, a student athlete at Tulane University.

Chronicles her high school life, excellent GPA, and her unique story behind becoming a
track runner at Tulane. Definitely a timely article, and I really liked the descriptive nature
that the author takes in this piece. I really feel like I got to understand who Joanna is. This
profile definitely helped me craft my own piece, in terms of the writing style I wanted to
use.

MacMullan, Jackie. “The Waiting for Gordon Hayward Is the Hardest Part.” ESPN, ESPN
Internet Ventures, 6 Mar. 2019, www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26131924/the-waiting-
gordon-hayward-hardest-part.

An article written by Jackie MacMullen, one of the most famous sports columnists in New
England. Profile is on Gordon Hayward, the player for the Celtics who suffered a
gruesome leg injury in his first game with the team. An emotional read, as Hayward talks
about some of the internal trauma he has had to endure since that time. I think the article
is very well written, and was published on ESPN, the most notable sports website in the
world.

Love , Kevin. “Everyone Is Going Through Something: By Kevin Love.” The Players'

Tribune, 2018,www.

theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/kevin-love-everyone-is-going-through-something.

The Players’ Tribune is a forum that allows current professional athletes to write on various

topics. The article I chose to use is a piece written by Kevin Love, a star basketball player for

the Cleveland Cavaliers. The topic of his work centers around mental health issues, primarily his

own struggles with depression and anxiety. Love details his own first experience with panic

attacks, and it was almost identical to mine. I feel I related to this piece the most, and it is also

reassuring to see someone in Love’s position deal with the same things I have had to endure.

Obviously, I wish no one had to deal with issues like this at all, but Love’s truthfulness about his

struggles, could help the everyday person deal with their battles.
Lubarsky , Olivia. “The Invisible Competition: Mental Health Within Athletics.” Mental Health

America, 26 Feb. 2019, www.mentalhealthamerica.net/blog/invisible-competition-mental-health-

within-athletics. A

A story of a college athlete that mirrors mine in some way. This piece is in The Mental Health

America journal, and is written by Olivia Lubarsky, a student-athlete at Towson University. She

chronicles the struggles that modern day collegiate athletes face, in terms of athletic

expectations, versus the battles that many of them face internally. She then goes into her own

story of being a college athlete and dealing with an injury, much like I did. As mentioned, her

story is very similar to mine, and was good to read before starting my own essay.

Ali, Shainna. “The Invisible Competition: Athletes and Mental Health.” Psychology Today,

Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/modern-mentality/201805/the-invisible-

competition-athletes-and-mental-health.

An article written in Psychology Today, by Shainna Ali. The piece was different, in that it was

broken down into many different topics, with each section touching on something new. One

section was focused on talking about the stigma regarding mental health. One section talked

about the need to get help if you are struggling. These were two of several sections that

touched on all things mental health.

“Athletes Are Admired, Idolized, and Often Distressed.” Healthline, Healthline Media,

www.healthline.com/health/athletes-and-mental-health#6.
This story, published in healthline, is also about high level athletics, and how that can lead to

struggles with one's mental health. The piece talks about the hardships many professional

athletes have to endure before reaching the top level, and how many viewers might not realize

how that affected them mentally. I never really thought about this topic in this way, and it was a

very timely and fascinating read.

Flanagan, Linda. “Why Are So Many Teen Athletes Struggling With Depression?” The Atlantic,

Atlantic Media Company, 17 Apr. 2019, www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/04/teen-

athletes-mental-illness/586720/.

Another story about an athlete who was obsessed with their chosen sport and suffered a

grueling injury. Much like myself, this person did not know how to handle adversity, as they had

never really been injured before. Putting so much effort into the sport their whole life, this

woman was now faced with a hard time. It’s so interesting reading about other people's

hardships, as I am finding many of these stories are identical to mine. When I got injured, and

became very down, I thought I was the only person dealing with this issue. It can be a very

isolating feeling, but years later, I am realizing I was one of many.