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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A young Concho Valley soccer athlete returns from an overseas summer tournament.
As the world embraced a summer of soccer unlike any other in 2026, one San Angelo athlete chased his dreams. Kirin Kirts, an 11-year-old soccer athlete, was selected earlier this year to represent Team USA in Limerick, Ireland at the Treaty Cup from July 22-24.
“It was amazing,” Kirts said. “I had the time of my life. I got to do new experiences and meet some new people.”
After a series of early group stage matches to open the tournament, Kirin guided his team to the championship match, where they finished as runners-up in penalty kicks. Throughout the tournament, Kirts played four different positions: striker, center midfielder, center back and goalkeeper. Regardless of outcome, Kirts’ mom Ciera couldn’t be prouder of him.
“Kirin seemed to have natural soccer IQ from a young age,” Ciera Kirts said. “I’m proud of his growth on and off the field. He has become a better teammate and personal growth is important to us.”
The Kirts family’s trip to Ireland also marked their first time overseas.
“I was nervous,” Kirin Kirts said. “But after [Team USA] played a couple times, I felt like I was still playing in Texas. So, I just felt like I could play and be focused.”
What’s next for Kirin? The offseason. He looks forward to another season with local clubs San Angelo Elite and his new team, Alliance FC. Simply put, the grind never stops.
“[My next goal] is to go to anything that could make me better,” Kirin Kirts said. “After this [interview], I’m going to get dropped off at the facility.”
While he was overseas, Kirts made a handful of new friends, not only from his team but from abroad too.
“Some of [my new friends] came from the United States, and some of them came from Ireland,” Kirts said.
Kirts’ early success is a prime example of how hard work and dedication pay off, and it’s all worth it when one chases their dreams.
For more on Kirin’s story, click the video below to learn about his journey leading up to the Treaty Cup.
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