Duchini Providing Scoring Punch For Men’s Soccer Team
The moment felt surreal to Edoardo Duchini as his teammates mobbed him on the soccer field at Kendall Campus on Aug. 22.
Seconds earlier, Duchini had taken a pass from Guilherme Soares Martins and deposited it into the net. The goal, Miami Dade College’s first in nearly 35 years after a decades-long hiatus from the sport, was enough for a 1-0 win versus defending national champion Monroe College.
“Immediately after the goal I got goosebumps,” Duchini recalls.
Nearly a week later, the forward continued his hot start, scoring two goals versus Blinn College, leading the Sharks to a 2-1 victory.
Duchini is part of a potent three-man rotation up front that includes Cheick Dounkasse and Alejandro Cumplindo.
His explosive scoring ability—Duchini leads the team with nine goals—has helped the Sharks get off to a 7-0-2 start in their comeback season.
“We haven’t lost yet,” said Sharks’ men’s soccer coach Giuseppe DePalo. “Edoardo has been an important part of that.”
Duchini started playing soccer for the Caronno Varesino Eagles in Italy when he was four years old. He remained on the squad for six years.
By 2017, the soccer enthusiast had latched on with Morazzone where he stayed for three years. After breaking his fibula, he started playing for a developmental team—Varesina—and had a breakout season, scoring 30 goals in 28 games.
After the season, he was promoted to the team’s 17U team when he was 15. With his profile raised, others began to take notice. Soon, Como 1907—a major first league club—reached out to Duchini. He played for them from 2019-22, followed by a season with Castellanzese 1921.
“In Italy we have a different concept of football,” Duchini said. “Football was my life 24/7. Inside and outside the pitch.”
But Duchini wanted more life balance and started looking at school’s in the United States. It was during a recruiting stop in Miami that he met with DePalo.
The two had an instant connection. DePalo’s family lives just a 20-minute drive from Duchini’s hometown of Varese in Italy.
At MDC, Duchini is learning English but has blended in well with his teammates who hail from places such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, France, Haiti and the United Kingdom.
“Edo has a positive impact on the team, and is always boosting the morale in the locker room before and after the game,” said Sharks midfielder Javier Prieto. “He always has a smile on his face and is eager to play.”
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