Park View Soccer Star Obdulio Funez Named Viva Loudoun Athlete of the Month

Sterling, VA (May 12, 2017) – Please join us in congratulating Park View’s Obdulio Funez as the April 2017 Performance Edge/Viva Loudoun Athlete of the Month!

The senior forward is finishing his Patriot career in style as he recorded 25 goals and nine assists through the first 13 games of the season. In the month of April, Funez scored a whopping 16 goals in just six games, that’s an average of nearly three goals per game.

“Last year I assisted a lot but this year I’ve taken more of a scoring role for the team,” Funez said. “I’ve improved my finishing, getting around the goal and finishing my opportunities.”

Obdulio Funez recorded at least three goals in four straight games during the month of April. (Photo © Aaron Wyche)

During his hot streak in April, the scoring machine recorded four consecutive hat tricks, which started with three goals against Falls Church on April 5, followed by three-goal performances against Freedom-South Riding and Loudoun Valley, and capped off with a four-goal output against Woodgrove on April 24. Not only did he score three goals against Loudoun Valley, but he also assisted on three more in that contest.

“What’s been getting me going is all the practice my coach has been putting us through, we do a lot of shooting in practice which has helped me score a lot more this season,” Funez said.

Funez’s strong play has helped propel the team to a 12-2 start in 2017 after a perfect 6-0 in April, and all this coming just one season after winning the Virginia 4A State Championship. The Patriots finished the 2016 season 19-3 and knocked off Chancellor in the finals on June 11 to bring the title back to Sterling.

“Winning states was very emotional for us and for the school because the last time we won was 25 years ago, so being able to bring back a championship to Park View and to the community made it emotional and special for us,” he said.

The four-year varsity competitor has had an incredible run with Park View, as he finished with 17 goals and 23 assists as a junior and had three goals to go along with 11 assists as a sophomore.

Funez was named the 2016 Loudoun County Player of the Year. (Photo © Aaron Wyche)

His impressive stats and key contributions to a state championship in 2016 earned him player of the year honors in his conference and region, and was named to the all-state first team. He was also recognized as the Loudoun County Player of the Year.

“My favorite award was Loudoun County Player of the Year because it was special to get noticed as one of the best players in our county,” Funez said.

He gives a lot of credit to Coach Arturo Jimenez for bringing the team together, motivating them properly, and working on the right things during practice.

“Over the years, he [Coach Jimenez] has helped boost my moral and confidence each game since freshman year,” Funez said. “He tells me no matter how many shots I miss I can make the next opportunity. And he has trained me hard enough to get where I am now.”

In terms of playing in college, Funez has interest from George Mason, North Carolina Wesleyan and Keystone College at this point. He is looking forward to playing at the next level and believes his skill-set and vision on the field can be a major asset to his future team.

For now, he has unfinished business in Sterling as he hopes to carry his team to back-to-back state championships, and he just might earn a few more individual honors along the way.