Biography
By Jim Hague
So just how much did Brian Barrera love the game of soccer to return for one more year at Rutgers-Newark?
Try enduring three ACL surgeries in his knees – two on the right knee, one to the left – with the final one taking place in the fall of 2012.
A lot of other people would have given up instead of going through the agonizing and torturous rehabilitation that comes with reconstructive knee surgery.
“I almost had the thought,” Barrera said. “You know what they say, three strikes? Well, with me, it was three knee surgeries. It was really difficult. I wanted to come back one last time and show everyone I could still do what I wanted to do. I had some pretty bad luck, but I wanted to come back and play my last year. I wanted to come back to try to win the NJAC (the New Jersey Athletic Conference).”
After going through the eight-month test of mental toughness and determination two previous times, Barrera was hell bent on giving it one more shot.
“I definitely knew the grind,” Barrera said. “This time, it was actually more difficult, because I gained a lot of weight in the time off. But as the season was coming, I pushed myself. I was hoping for the best and gave it all that I had.”
That says a lot about Barrera’s intestinal fortitude and drive.
“It’s not easy,” Rutgers-Newark head men’s soccer coach Kevin East said. “But he spent all year getting ready for this season.”
Barrera has returned with a vengeance. One of the Scarlet Raiders’ captains, Barrera is a fixture in the offensive attack, even though he has only two assists thus far this season.
“He’s having a great season,” East said. “He’s our catalyst in the midfield. He moves the ball around and gets us going. He’s linking up and finding open guys, getting us to move forward. His play enables us to open up other things. He’s not getting a lot of stats, but he’s a major part to a lot of the stuff we’re creating.”
East believes Barrera’s main contribution comes from maintaining the ball.
“He does a great job with his ability to keep the ball, then making all the right decisions,” East said. “He’s a lot smarter than most players and has a great soccer IQ.”
East said that there was no hesitation about Barrera returning for his final season of eligibility.
“He’s come back better than ever,” East said. “Brian is as good with the ball at his feet as anyone we’ve had.”
Barrera first went to Union County College after graduating from Union High School, where he earned a host of all-state and all-Union County honors. At Union County College, he helped the program to win the 2009 junior college national championship before transferring to R-N after one season at UCC.
Since his arrival at R-N, Barrera has been a full-time starter and this season has added the captaincy to his resume.
East said that Barrera has become more of a complete player this season.
“He had to get better off the ball,” East said. “He wasn’t the best defending. He had to put the work in when he didn’t have the ball. Without a doubt, it’s more of a mentality to get back and defend, to have the willingness to put in the work. He’s learned to go both ways, become more of a box-to-box (penalty area to penalty area) player. It’s great to see him work tremendously hard all over the field.”
Barrera feels somewhat disappointed that he hasn’t contributed more on the stat sheet.
“Honestly, I feel I haven’t gotten that much recognition because I don’t score,” Barrera said. “My teammates say that I am, but I don’t feel it. It gives me that added push and motivation to keep working hard and continue what I’m doing. I’m actually trying so hard to score. I’m just not coming through. If I keep trying, it will happen soon enough.”
“He’s been a little unlucky,” East said. “He’s getting into position to score, but he just hasn’t scored. But I tell him that he’s the guy who makes us go. He’s always doing something that leads to someone else scoring.”
East said that Barrera is more of a silent leader.
“He’s a quiet kid, not a ‘rah-rah’ type,” East said. “He has this internal motivation to do well every time he’s on the field. He’s not running around, screaming or anything. He’s a very respectful, polite kid. I tell him sometimes he’s too nice. But he’s doing everything I ask of him. He’s been a great person for us to have in our program.”
Barrera is excited about the Scarlet Raiders’ prospects this season. The Scarlet Raiders own an impressive 11-3-1 record and are among the top teams in the NJAC.
“I feel we have a really strong squad, the best we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Barrera said.
It also helps that Barrera’s cousin, Daniel Naranjo, is also on the Scarlet Raiders’ roster this fall. Naranjo is one of the team’s leading scorers with six goals and four assists.
“We’re real close,” Barrera said. “This is actually the first time we’ve ever had the chance to play together. I know his style and he knows mine, so that’s a big help. We’re very close, both on and off the field. It’s really great having him with me this season.”
Barrera is majoring in criminal justice at R-N, with the hope of landing a job somewhere working in forensic files.
For now, he’s just enjoying his final season – one that at one point looked like it never would happen.
“I definitely didn’t want to give up,” Barrera said. “I wanted to see if I could make it back. I’m glad I did.”
