Soccer
Favorite athlete: Andres Iniesta
Favorite team: Atletico Madrid
Favorite memory competing in sports: National League showcase in Panama City, FL.
Most embarrassing/funniest thing that has happened while competing in sports: My center back dribbling through the entire other team and then completely missing a shot inside the six-yard box.
Music on playlist: Rap
Future plans: Go to a college of my choice to continue my academic and athletic careers.
Words to live by: “Success isn't determined by how many times you win, but by how you play the week after you lose.” Pele.
One goal before turning 30: Be a successful Physician Assistant.
One thing people don’t know about me: I am the only person from my family that was born in the U.S.
By Mary Jane Souder
Mateo Infante is a young man of few words.
That’s just fine with Upper Moreland soccer coach Justin Allegra because according to the Bears’ coach, the senior captain chooses his words wisely.
“He leads by example,” Allegra said. “He’s not a kid that’s going to rah rah and get the team riled up. He’ll go over and do one-on-one kind of briefings and things like that.
“That’s where he’s going to lead, and that’s the best thing for him. He’ll do a captain’s practice – all the things you don’t really see, he does.”
Infante is a rare two-year captain for the Bears, and listening to the senior center mid describe his style of leadership, it’s almost as if he’s taken the words out of his coach’s mouth.
“I try to lead by example,” he said. “I always talk to my teammates individually and tell them what I think, I try and get their heads up and keep them motivated through the game.”
Infante – a three-year starter – has been a force in the middle for the Bears since he stepped onto the field.
“He’s hardnosed,” Allegra said. “He’s not the tallest kid, but he’s very fundamentally sound. He’s not afraid to run through a ball.
“If he sees that the game’s a little chippy, he’s not afraid to get in there. He’s just a hardnosed player, but he realizes when his finesse needs to kick in. He plays in the center, and he’s pretty much my quarterback in the midfield.”
Infante also excels off the soccer pitch and is in the top 10 of his senior class. He aspires to one day become a physician’s assistant.
“I really like helping other people, and I really am interested in science and health care,” he said of his career choice.
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Infante grew up in a soccer family and has been playing soccer since his community league days as a four-year-old, following in the footsteps of his brother, Juan Pablo Infante, four years his senior.
“In terms of soccer, he motivates me a lot,” Infante said. “He was a really good soccer player too, and I just wanted to be like him and hopefully overcome him.”
Infante got his start on the club circuit at a young age with a team in Philadelphia. When he was 12 years old, he moved to the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals, and for several years, he was on the Philadelphia Union Academy. In 2016, he was back with the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and is still part of that club.
For Infante, it’s always been soccer.
“I never played any other sports,” he said.
During his time with the Philadelphia Union Academy, Infante – who has seen the country playing soccer - travelled to Qatar for a showcase tournament. It was a memorable experience for the UM senior.
“Adjusting to customs of everyday life was a lot different, just adjusting to all the customs, the religion over there,” Infante said. “It was really dry and hot during the day, and we usually played at night because of it.”
The passion of the players from Qatar also stood out.
“Just how they played – they put so much effort into it,” Infante said. “It was a different way of seeing how people played it. It almost seemed like it was a life or death situation to them.”
Infante has good memories of his sophomore year when UM advanced to districts.
“With the high school, it’s been a rough journey sometimes, but this year I really love it,” he said. “Being a captain, I’ve really learned a lot of things from my team, and being with my friends, it’s just been a great journey.”
With his sights set on playing at the collegiate level, Infante admits it was tough losing the spring season with his club team due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was hard to be looked at by college scouts and to be recruited,” said Infante. “I really want a nice balance (in college). I don’t want to just go for soccer.
“I’m really interested in being a physician’s assistant, so that plays a big part in my choice, but losing a big part of my junior year, it really put into perspective what it means this final year and to make the most of it.”
Infante is interested in both Alvernia and Johns Hopkin, but for now, he’s enjoying every moment of his final high school season. Ask him what he enjoys most about his high school soccer experience, and he doesn’t point to a game.
“Honestly, it’s just being around the guys and just having the chance to play,” he said.
Having Infante in the midfield is a coach’s dream.
“For a coach, it’s great,” Allegra said. “I don’t have to worry about him in the middle of the field. I know the midfield is literally taken care of. He acts as my distributor and facilitator for the entire team. This kid’s great.”
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