Just like he planned, former Cherry Valley soccer star Alex Witte made his professional soccer debut last week, and now he’s ready to continue on his path to stardom on the pitch.
Witte, the Rockford-area soccer player who headed off to a pro soccer academy in Cincinnati last year, entered in the second half to replace an injured goalie for the Minnesota United FC 2, the reserve team of Minnesota United FC which competes in MLS NEXT Pro. He allowed a pair of goals, but also had four saves, including a diving stop on a breakaway, and he showed flashes of what he’s made of.
“It was pretty surreal, and I’ll never forget the experience,” Witte said of entering the game in front of nearly 12,000 fans at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. “And I played pretty well… It was just a little taste, though.”
Witte started in goal for FC United of Manchester’s youth program in 2024 and was invited to the All-American Golden Cup last year. Before that he played a season with the Rockford Raptors, and played in two other Midwest soccer clubs.
He was the starting goalie for the FC Cincinnati Academy U16 squad last year, which led to his pro debut earlier this month.
He has remained steadfast, and continues on the path he set forth for himself.
“This is a whole different level, so I knew it would take some time, and I knew I would have to work my way up, and earn everything,” Witte said. “But (this pro debut) showed me that I’m close, and I just need to keep working. It’s still a long journey ahead. But this is my plan.”
Witte did not play in last Sunday’s 3-2 win over Austin. Instead it was Kayne Rizvanovich who manned the net. But he hopes to get some more time in soon.
Minnesota United FC plays again July 19 in Kansas City, Missouri, and then returns home for a July 31 game. It is managed by head coach Fernando Adi, and play home matches at the NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota.
He will be entering his senior year of his online schooling, and plans to graduate early. After that, if he’s not drafted into the MLS, he plans on picking a college to pave his way for more time in the pros.
“I’ve had some colleges reach out, but I’ve got some time,” he said. “This is a fun time; but a busy time.”
Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and sign up for the Rockford High School Sports Newsletter here at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears and Blackhawks to local youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Cherry Valley’s Alex Witte makes pro soccer debut, aims to keep climbing
Reporting by Jay Taft, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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By Jay Taft, Rockford Register Star | USA TODAY Network
