Antonio Campos carries the blood of his legendary father, former Galaxy and Mexican nationwide group goalkeeper Jorge Campos. Maybe extra essential, he carries his household’s resilience after they labored to get well from the lack of their residence within the Palisades fireplace.
Throughout Antonio Campos’ first season with the Cal State Fullerton soccer group, he seeks to put in writing his personal story and assist his group win.
“Just being in college is a success. I feel blessed,” stated Antonio, who’s finding out enterprise whereas combating for minutes as a Division I goalkeeper.
He was born in Los Angeles and grew up within the Pacific Palisades space, the second son of Jorge Campos and Canadian Marcy Raston. His sisters selected to deal with volleyball: Andrea, the eldest, just lately signed with knowledgeable membership in France after a profitable faculty profession. Antonio, alternatively, was torn between basketball and soccer. At Loyola Excessive, he performed level guard, though his peak, at 6 toes, restricted his minutes.
Antonio Campos stands apart from his dad and mom, Marcy Raston and Jorge Campos, whereas sporting Cal State Fullerton gear.
(Courtesy of Campos household)
“Michael Jordan inspired me to play several sports,” stated Antonio, who additionally performed baseball and volleyball.
Coaching classes along with his father through the COVID-19 pandemic led Antonio to finally deal with soccer and the goalkeeper place.
“With my dad, everything is intense. Lots of training on the beach, reflexes, technique, cutting crosses. Things he did better than anyone else,” stated Antonio, who doesn’t draw back from his surname however doesn’t need it to outline him.
“I don’t feel pressure. I prefer to teach the values my father instilled in me,” Antonio stated.
Galaxy goalkeeper Jorge Campos celebrates throughout a 1996 recreation towards the San Jose Conflict on the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
(Getty Photos)
He’s a part of the primary era in his household to attend faculty within the U.S. and he is aware of that his path extends past soccer.
In Mexico, Antonio additionally didn’t really feel he had a lot of a future, as his personal father, Jorge, criticized goalkeeper trainers in that nation final yr.
“It’s incredible that after 30 years, 40 years, we don’t have a modern goalkeeper, of that style, like Manuel Neuer, Ter Stegen,” Jorge stated in a latest interview with ESPN.
Antonio was drawn to Cal State Fullerton as greater than only a place to enhance his soccer expertise. The group’s philosophy, centered on service, ambition and private improvement, resonated with him and his household.
“We emphasize being good people. If you go far, you’ll be better socially and culturally,” defined George Kuntz, the Titans’ veteran coach.
Antonio had had doubts about taking part in faculty soccer.
“I didn’t want to play at the university level because first-year goalkeepers hardly ever play,” he stated.
Nonetheless, he was assured that everybody would have actual alternatives in the event that they earned them by way of coaching.
Between the posts, he should battle for minutes towards high quality teammates Eoin Kennedy, Asger Hemmer and Emanuel Padilla. Fullerton opens the common season on Thursday at Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Okla.
“I want to play, yes, but I also want my teammates to improve. It’s not just about me,” Antonio stated.
In 2024, the Titans stood out for his or her offensive prowess, however in addition they ranked among the many worst groups within the nation in objectives conceded. That’s why Fullerton strengthened its protection with 4 goalkeepers on the roster. Antonio is rising as one of many promising gamers, with an athletic profile and an bold persona that has impressed the teaching workers.
“He’s brave, has good technique and is improving tactically,” Kuntz stated.
Earlier this yr, Antonio’s focus was pulled away from soccer by a household emergency.
In January, the Campos household residence was one in all greater than 6,800 destroyed by the Palisades fireplace.
“We lost everything. I couldn’t get anything out,” stated Antonio, who nonetheless will get emotional whereas speaking about his household’s loss.
That day, he considered going residence, however he determined to go to soccer coaching after receiving a message from a pal. The change of plans stored him secure.
Antonio was accustomed to evacuations and didn’t fear in regards to the close by fires. However after studying that his residence had burned down, the loss was each materials and emotional.
“My mom was devastated. It was her first home in this country,” stated Antonio, who highlighted his father’s power.
“What surprised me was seeing my dad laughing and joking the next day. I never saw him cry. He set an example for us.”
Among the many misplaced objects, Antonio regrets he couldn’t save a necklace that his uncle gave him earlier than he died.
“He supported me when I quit basketball. He told me I was going to be a professional. It hurt me to lose that,” Antonio stated.
Nonetheless, the hearth additionally introduced the household nearer collectively.
“The most important thing for me was that my family was safe,” Antonio stated.
Now, the Campos household lives a couple of miles from Antonio’s new college whereas Antonio works to create his personal story on the pitch — one which he hopes, like his father’s, can encourage others.
This text first appeared in Spanish through L.A. Instances en Español.
