Leal family enjoys rare soccer match on opposing sidelines

Jose Leal has relished watching his son, Emiliano Leal, play soccer through the years. On Friday the Alief Taylor coach was trying to get a goal past him and his Tompkins teammates.

The Leals faced one another on the pitch for the first time in a non-district match at Crump Stadium. Emiliano Leal helped Tompkins post a 5-0 shutout with his father on the opposite sideline and family in attendance.

"It was great," Emiliano Leal said. "He has good tactics and a good team. I was glad to win."

Jose Leal, in his ninth season as a head coach and 23rd as a teacher, coached his son during much of his development in club competition, first with the Katy Youth Soccer Association and later with the West Houston Soccer Club.

Having worked with Emiliano Leal from a young age, the Lions coach had another opportunity to see his skills at the varsity level Friday.

"The first time he was very young, he was like four years old," Jose Leal said. "It was fun because he's my son. I love the sport. I taught him some stuff and he obviously has developed into the next level. I'm very happy that he has progressed all this way."

Emiliano Leal is one of three siblings to attend Tompkins, including Jose Leal Jr., who played three sports and part of the school's first graduating class before earning a degree in business from the University of St. Thomas.

Nadia Leal, a sophomore, played in the I-10 Shootout with Tompkins' junior varsity team Saturday morning. Lorenzo Leal recently finished his eighth-grade football season at Woodcreek Junior High and is on track to attend Tompkins next fall.

All three siblings, along with mother and 20-year Alief ISD teacher Karina Leal, were in the stands for Friday's match, which was competitive for 50 minutes before the Falcons broke it open.

Taylor (1-2-2) put the first shot on goal less than two minutes into the match and nearly scored late in the half on Cesar Efrain Hernandez Regalado's header. But Tompkins had most of the scoring opportunities in between.

Ryan Sharma broke the scoreless match in the 22nd minute as a pass deflected toward him in the box. He beat the goalkeeper on the far side for a 1-0 halftime lead.

Tompkins (5-1-1) took over with three goals in a six-minute stretch, started in the 28th minute by Eloy Ferrero's steal and rocket inside the near post.

The Falcons scored four minutes later when Jose Ramos knocked home a rebound after a hard shot by Marco Boone. Cameron Burke made it 4-0 two minutes later, following another diving save by Jamir Guerrero with a strike from 20 yards away.

Taylor had one of its best chances midway through the second half, but a well-placed free kick by Bryan Enrique Chuc narrowly missed being tapped in by an open teammate. The Lions entered the match with one goal, a 1-0 victory against St. Louis Catholic (Louisiana), but have also posted three shutouts.

Andrew Boddington scored Tompkins' fifth goal, while Sharma, Ramos, Braden Lehner and Roman Ryabchenko were among those credited with assists. Jason Stone and William Duncan combined for the shutout in goal.

"Second half was much better," Emiliano Leal said. "First half it was a tight game. We almost gave up a goal right there on the kick inside the box, but it was a good match overall."

Listed as a midfielder, Leal has played primarily defender this season and started at center back against Taylor. He also scored during Tuesday's 3-0 victory against Katy in the District 19-6A opener.

Tompkins, which qualified for its first state tournament in 2021, has outscored opponents 18-3 in seven matches this season. The Falcons have a big week upcoming with Cinco Ranch and Seven Lakes on the schedule.

"Our goal right now is Cinco Ranch, our next match," Emiliano Leal said. "We've got to beat them first. Our goal is to win district."

ENLACE ORIGINAL: <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/hs-sports/article/Jose-Emiliano-Leal-family-HS-boys-soccer-17717916.php#photo-23366671″ style=»color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline»>Leal family enjoys rare soccer match on opposing sidelines (houstonchronicle.com)

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