Two Brothers, Two Champions
By Ian McDade
Of the 18 teams Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer sent to the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships this year, six won their respective age group championships, the most of any state. Among those victorious teams were Lehigh Valley United 95 and 97. Besides coming from the same club, these teams share another unique quality. There is a blood relation that connects the two.
Ayomide Opeyemi plays for LVU 95 under the direction of coach Greg Ramos. Ayomide’s younger brother, Moyinoluwa, plays for LVU 97 with coach Robert Hurley. While there is a slight age gap, the brothers experience the same training and compete at a high level.
Ayomide and Moyinoluwa like to spend their free time kicking the ball around together, believing it is beneficial to their game. Besides the training, they simply enjoy playing the game with one another. 
“When we play together, we both become better,” said Ayomide. “Training together helps me a lot because Ayomide pushes me to be better,” said Moyinoluwa.
The brothers are not only influenced and made better by playing together but also by watching their favorite world class players. Ayomide’s favorite player is Lio Messi. “Messi is always able to bring his “A” game whenever he plays,” said Ayomide. Moyinoluwa models his game after Zlatan Ibrahimivic.
While each brother has already experienced a taste of victory at such a young age, their hunger persists. They both wish to move on to Division I schools and turn professional.
“Ayomide has the potential to attain his goals, goals which are most certainly within his power,” said coach Greg Ramos. “I expect him to achieve success in the future.”
Of Moyinoluwa, coach Robert Hurley says he is one of the more dominant players in the region. “He is a tremendous athlete and he has limitless potential,” said Hurley. “He has progressed geometrically as a player and I expect him to reach his goals,”
Even before playing his first game at regionals, Ayomide had a good feeling about the outcome. “I felt something special would happen,” said Ayomide. “[Now], the feeling of knowing that my brother and I won is great.”
“Our hard work paid off,” said Moyinoluwa.
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer congratulates these two brothers for leading their teams to victories and for inspiring each other.