Boys’ soccer preview: MAST Academy becoming a soccer power on Key Biscayne

Andres Angel’s plan was to become a chef.

Instead, he’s cooking up something special as the boys’ soccer coach at MAST Academy, a public school located on Key Biscayne.

Angel, a 38-year-old native of Venezuela, came to the U.S. a decade ago to work in the culinary arts. But, as a former pro soccer player in his country, coaching his favorite sport was as an idea as tasty as a crème brulee dessert.

Eight years ago, Angel started out coaching the under-19 and U-15 teams at the Key Biscayne Soccer Club. Then, prior to last season, he was offered the job coaching MAST, and he accepted.

“It was a great opportunity,” Angel said. “I was already familiar with the community and the players.”

That continuity helped the Makos finish 14-3-2, winning their second straight GMAC title, beating Miami Beach 1-0 in the final.

Angel, though, hasn’t forgotten a pair of tough losses at the end of the season. MAST gave up a last-minute goal in a 3-2 district-final loss to SLAM. Following that, MAST lost 2-1 to Downtown Doral in a regional quarterfinal.

The good news for MAST is that the program is growing – from 27 players last season to 40 currently. Of those 40, about 15 of them are part of a developmental squad that Angel is preparing for future games/seasons.

As for 2025-2026, eight starters return, including David Holztreguer, a senior from Brazil who scored 12 goals and dished five assists last season, making first-team All-Dade.

“I’ve known that kid since he was 11 years old, and the change he has made to become a soccer player has been insane,” Angel said. “He started out on our ‘D’ team at Key Biscayne Soccer Club, and in his second year with us he was on our top squad, and he scored 41 goals.

“Last year was his first with the high school team, and he scored the winning goal in the GMAC final. He’s determined to get better every day. He sets a plan, and he works.”

Three other MAST seniors to watch are Guilhermo Volkart, a midfielder from Brazil; Julen Goris, a fullback from Argentina; and Gonzalo Garcia, a center-back from Spain.

Junior Santiago Varela will start the season as the top goalkeeper, but Franco Iturbe and Salvador Correa are competing hard.

The goal for the Makos is to win the Class 3A state title. American Heritage Delray won it last season, and Miami’s Gulliver Prep reached the state semifinals.

Angel said the three “pillars” of his program are: respect, commitment and discipline.

The Makos have a lot of kids who grew up playing soccer in Latin America, including Colombia and Venezuela.

“We’re lucky that we have a lot of talent,” Angel said. “We’re disciplined on defense, but we’re also good in transition, and we know how to do damage.

“To me, soccer is like chess. My job is to give our players the tools to understand the game.”

MORE OUTLOOKS

• Gulliver (19-3-2) came up just short of winning three state titles in a row and breaking a tie with Clearwater Central Catholic for the most championships in state history with 10 when it lost in the Class 2A state semifinals last season. The Raiders return a strong senior-heavy squad led by midfielders Gabriel Derzavich and Gonzalo Senior, defender Zach Latham and forward Marco Balestrazzi.

• Columbus went 13-7-4 last season, making the 7A regional finals. This season, the Explorers have a deep, senior-laden team led by fourth-year starting center-back Sebastian Tamargo. Jorge Gonzalez-Tello is coming off a 13-goal season, and the entire team recently took a private tour of Inter Miami’s pro soccer facility.

• Belen went 15-6-6 last season, making the 4A regional finals. Top players this season include junior forward Luis Garcia-Chacon (17 goals); midfielders Andres Lopez-Gottardi and Fernando Mendoza and goalie Julian Quijano.

• LaSalle (10-5-3) is armed with nine seniors, including midfielders Andre Zeron, Nicolas Nauta; Rafael Murta. Senior defender Henry LaRosa is another player to watch.

• South Miami (5-12-0) will be led by senior center-midfielder Kevin Aiz, who last season produced four goals and eight assists.

• Ransom Everglades (2-13-1) is rebuilding with a large roster and the hunt for quality on the pitch. The top players are senior Jake Davies; junior Lucas Piedrahita; and sophomore Sebastian Daes.

• Palmetto (7-3-4) returns a strong defense after allowing just eight goals last season. Noah Portugal, a standout senior center-back, is the team captain. Senior Logan Cruz controls the midfield, and senior Luca Segrera runs the wings.

• Westminster Academy (9-22-1) returns nine starts led by junior midfielder Sean Sabetimani, junior goalkeeper Nathan Swart, junior midfielder Jonathan Aguiar Jr. and junior center back Michael Vasquez Jr.

• Jackson (11-4-1) advanced to the regional quarterfinals last season and returns a strong squad led by junior midfielder Brandon Hernandez and sophomore forward Chris Guerra.

• Coral Gables (7-6-2) returns senior midfielder Gabriel Carrizo and junior midfielder Thiago Beccera.