The Faces of Houston Futbol

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The Faces of Futbol

By Matt Malatesta

Images by Diana Porter

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Soccer is considered the beautiful game around the globe. Houston's is no different, as thousands of athletes participate in soccer throughout the year.

Like many other sports, the high school season melts into the select season and around the calendar we go. Soccer gets ready to launch as the Year of 2013 begins and several Houston-area teams looking to win state gold this spring.

The Morton Ranch boys and the Seven Lakes girls nearly accomplished that feat a year ago, but both fell in the state finals.

On the boys' side, there will be several of the usual suspects vying to be the city's top team, including The Woodlands, Klein and Kingwood, but up comers Morton Ranch, Langham Creek and Clements are also scrapping for top billing. The Elsik Rams are the hippest team to have a top preseason polls as several studs return for coach Vincenzo Cox.

It's wide-open on the girls side. In Class 5A, Seven Lakes lost several starters to graduation but have a nice program in place. Staying out west, the Cinco Ranch Cougars feel that 2013 could be their year to break out for a state run.

The Woodlands' under coach Dina Graves will be talented up north along with the Klein Oak Panthers, who are loaded with studs. Don't sleep on Kingwood because the Mustangs' stable in ful again. Clear Lake, Clear Springs and Pearland will be the players down south. In Class 4A, Kingwood Park and Friendswood will be two of the teams to beat.