Former Tide players return to the pitch to establish soccer family atmosphere

First-year Everett High boys coach Rodney Landaverde helps organize inaugural alumni game set for Nov. 23

By Joe McConnell

First-year Everett High School (EHS) boys soccer coach Rodney Landaverde is giving back to his alma mater in more ways than just coaching the team he once played on in the previous decade. Landaverde, a 2018 EHS graduate, who is a biology, anatomy and physiology teacher at the high school in its Science Department, is also organizing the first annual boys soccer alumni game that is set for next Saturday, Nov. 23, at Everett Memorial Stadium, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Admission is free.

“This year will mark the very first-ever Everett High School boys soccer alumni game,” said Landaverde. “We currently have 70 alumni and counting ready to play in the game, ranging from the graduating class of 2000 all the way up to last year’s graduates. The current senior class will also be participating in the game, as they are now (members of the alumni),” said Landaverde.

“Among the many alumni who will be playing in the game will be a handful of players who have done remarkable things in soccer on the next level, others who have given back to the community as coaches, teachers and city workers and some more who have passed through the program and have already given back to future generations of soccer players (in town), including myself.”

Besides Landaverde, former EHS players and coaches Oswaldo Constanza and Eric Chajon are spearheading this undertaking with the hope that it becomes an annual event. Constanza played in the EHS program from 1998-2000, and then coached the Tide from 2012-18. Chajon played for the Tide from 2008-11, and returned as an assistant coach from 2016-18.

“The program has had a lot of success since the mid-2000s with multiple (state tournament) runs,” said Landaverde. “During that time, the team in 2016 knocked off No. 1 seed East Boston. The 2009 and 2022 teams won GBL titles, while the 2003 team went undefeated (15-0-2). Many players also went on to play successfully on the collegiate and graduate school levels.

“This program is now in a place where we have the structure, support and opportunity to gather former players, who proudly represented Everett and are looking to build and reestablish the soccer community that was once very close, which is another reason why we’re hosting the first annual alumni game,” added Landaverde. “It will be the first step to gathering everyone together to relive the times shared on the (pitch), while also showing support to the current players on the squad.

“During my time as a student-athlete at EHS, I was able to connect with many older and younger players, and have maintain a relationship with them beyond school, and this game is just one of many opportunities we will use to revive the Everett soccer legacy. We’re also hoping to reach out to those who were a part of the program before the early 2000s. We are hoping that they will reconnect with the program, as well.

“As I continue on this journey with this program, I’m looking forward to establishing and maintaining a culture, where any current or former EHS soccer player has a way to connect with alumni or (future) high school players in order to become a role model on what it takes to be a successful soccer player here in Everett, and later as an integral member of the community.”