Cris Cuellar missed the last day of school at Mattituck High School last month, but he had a valid excuse.

He had to attend the France-Senegal World Cup game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Actually, he was part of the match, holding a FIFA flag during pregame ceremonies.

It was the opportunity of a lifetime for the Tuckers goalkeeper.

After all, how many high school players get that close to world-class players at a World Cup game?

“It was a great experience,” Cuellar said last week, after the month-long spectacle came to an end with Spain hoisting the World Cup trophy.

Cuellar, who will be a senior this fall, and two other captains of SUSA FC teams were selected by boys technical director Eddie Hackett. SUSA is a youth soccer academy based in Central Islip.

“We got picked because we were a local team near the stadium,” he said.

The three players learned the news through a text message from Hackett.

“He asked us if we could go,” Cuellar said. “I don’t think any of us took a chance to say no. We all said yes. I was excited.”

Cuellar said his teachers gave him permission to go.

When he told friends and family the news, Cuellar received a different reaction.

“They couldn’t believe it. They thought that I was lying to them,” he said.

On June 16, Cuellar and the other flag holders waited outside the stadium and practiced their routine for the 3 p.m. match. Ten minutes before kickoff, they walked into the venue holding blue FIFA flags.

“When you walk out through the tunnel and see thousands of people, they look like they’re staring at you,” he said.

There were restrictions. The flag holders could not talk to the players or bring their phones. Friends and family had to capture Cuellar’s experience for him. His older brother Oswald, a former Mattituck midfielder, recorded the moment on video.

“The players would be not even five meters, like a centimeter away, from us,” the younger brother said. “That was so cool.”

Cuellar added that it was cool to see two of his favorite players, Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and France midfielder Rayan Cherki, up close.

“It was great seeing them in person instead of far away or on TV,” he said. “It’s definitely a different experience being right next to them. You can see them talking to each other. You can see how they move off the field and on the field. It’s great.”

After the ceremonies, the flag holders were given seats in the lower deck. They watched Kylian Mbappe and France defeat Senegal, 3-1.

“You really see how much the players try in real life instead of seeing them on TV,” Cuellar said.

Cuellar hopes the World Cup experience offered a glimpse of his own future. His goal is to play professionally.

“It’s a great feeling being at a stadium with thousands of people watching you,” he said.

He has forged a reputation for taking booming kicks, including long free kicks. Cuellar has scored three goals for the Tuckers and one for SUSA.

“It’s a great feeling that I could help my team in the attacking third of the field,” he said.

Perhaps no one appreciates Cuellar more than Tuckers head coach Dan O’Sullivan.

“Cris is an incredible young man who is valued in so many ways,” he said. “On the field, his leadership and work ethic are top-notch. He is the ultimate leader in the back who is always communicating with his players and knows exactly what needs to be said and done to pick up his teammates at any given point.”

Beyond the World Cup, Cuellar has experienced a busy summer, playing for his SUSA team in national tournaments and for Mattituck in the Town of Brookhaven Summer League. He backstopped a 7-0 victory over Bayport-Blue Point on July 22.

“Off the field, Cris’ passion for soccer is second to none,” said O’Sullivan, who noted that Cuellar commutes daily to the SUSA complex for year-round goalkeeper training. “That doesn’t stop him from attending all offseason school events, where he values the opportunity to lead his teammates and peers.”

O’Sullivan added that Cuellar is heavily involved in the community and works at North Fork United, helping teach and train players.

“I am so excited for this upcoming season and for Cris’ future after high school, wherever soccer may take him — and I know his opportunities are countless,” he said.

Cuellar was optimistic that the Tuckers  (7-7-3, 7-4-1) will build off last year’s strong effort, which ended with a heartbreaking shootout loss to archrival Center Moriches in the Class B semifinals.

Mattituck kicks off the season at Southampton on Sept. 4 at 4:30 p.m.

“I think we’re going to do great,” he said. “We have a great team, kids that have always played together. Hopefully, we make it really far.”

The post Mattituck soccer star relishes his moment on World Cup stage appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

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