SMOKEY POINT, WA—Randy Galvan lit up the scoreboard with goals during his high school years with the Tomahawks of Marysville Pilchuck. He spent years scoring and leading Gala FC to trophies. A year in the NWAC with the Everett Trojans saw him produce 2 goals and 3 assists. He was a rookie on the 2019 Steelheads Western Washington Premier League Championship team. What comes next?
In 2021 Randy is showing a knack for drawing penalty kicks at crucial moments for the Steelheads. He has done so twice. First at Grays Harbor and then more recently against Kirkland FC. Rio Alcorta converted both times. His tricky speed and low center of gravity combined with excellent ball control allow him to surprise defenders.
Randy’s performance April 18 against Kirkland earned him Lair Athletic Company Steelhead of the Match honors.
A Family Affair
Steelheads Director of Soccer and Head Coach Dagi Kesim knows Randy well. “I have coached 13 players from his family; brothers, a cousin including current players Cesar Galvan (brother) and cousin Fabian (Panduro). I have coached Randy for 7 years. I trained him.”
The new season is providing fitness challenges for all players, but they are looking beyond that. “It’s an amazing feeling to be back out on the pitch with the boys!” Galvan exclaims. Randy is just happy to be back playing. Match fitness will come with work, but he’s already producing for the Fish.
As for those PK calls, Randy says he just tries to maintain his dribble and this makes his runs in the box dangerous. Kesim knows the ability to lure defenders comes from the training ground. “I was spending a lot of time when Randy was younger trying to teach him moves and how to play number 10. He is a tricky player. His quick feet are hard to stop. He pulls a lot of fouls and gets lots of bruises.”
The Upside
It’s easy to dream about the “upside” for a player like Randy. He knows that hard work is the only way to realize his potential. “Dagi is helping me grow week by week and the next step is just being more aggressive up top, finishing my opportunities…and to keep on training.”
Kesim sees what Galvan might one day become. “A fit Randy is a top level player. We get a long well and won many trophies together. He understands me and my system well. I hope to see him play in a pro league one day.”
Big Time Moments
The Steelheads used Randy’s first PK call to take the lead against the Gulls in Aberdeen on April 3rd (eventual 4-1 win). Against the Kirkland Goats on April 18 the Fish were down 1-0 past the 60 minute mark. Earlier Galvan had been slammed to the pitch in the box running down the left side. There was no call. Then Randy tried the other side a few minutes later. Again he was fouled. This time the whistle blew and Alcorta’s conversion drew SnoCo FC level in an eventual 2-2 draw.
The Steelheads are warming up as the season goes along, and Randy might already be a step ahead in tactics, if not fitness. “We’re coming off a big break because of Covid-19,” Galvan says, “but we are playing well. A few things we can fix, but we will improve as the season goes by and continue to train hard.”
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