???Soccer is slowly beginning to gain the popularity that American sports like football and baseball have had for decades.
???For junior midfielder Martin John, the growing popularity is perfect for showcasing the skill that he displays on the field week in and week out.
???John was born across the Atlantic Ocean in the United Kingdom, where he resided for the first five years of his life. He then jumped from place to place, moving to Italy and ultimately Ottawa, Canada.
???Initially, John devoted everything to soccer. In high school, John played volleyball and water polo in addition to soccer. At a point in his life where he had to make a choice on which sport to focus on, John chose soccer.
???"Playing [multiple] sports was time consuming," John said. "I had to choose one and I knew I'd rather play soccer."
???When it came to college, America was the land of opportunity. Initially, he chose the University of Maine but wasn't pleased with soccer play and the program. After two years, he felt that a change of scenery would benefit his game.
???When his mother moved to New York City, John saw his chance to capitalize on the opportunity and receive aid while still changing colleges. While searching through the many options that the SUNY system has to offer in the academic arena, he was able to narrow it down considerably. Eventually, John decided that the Bulls were the right team for him.
???"In the end, I picked [Buffalo] because it seemed the best choice," he said. "In fact, I planned on attending here even if I didn't make it on the soccer team."
???John is very family oriented and loves to see his scattered relatives as much as possible. His Columbian mother lives in Manhattan and he visits her two times a year. His father still lives in Canada with his older brother and his twin sister. They meet at Christmas and sometimes in the summer.
???Life after college depends on what occurs over the next year. John is weighing his options on what area he wants to focus his life. If the athletic road is closed, he'll see where he fits in the workforce.
???"Playing it by ear and seeing where it takes me is my idea," John said. "I'm very carefree and I don't like to stress."
???After everything is said and done, John wants to end up in South America. He hopes that he can settle down and relax on the continent due to the fact that life down there seems to suit his preferences more.
???"I love their carefree . . . way of life," John said. "I'll be able to salsa and take things slow."
???John loves his time at the University at Buffalo and says it is much better compared to Maine. He regrets not being here his whole four years but believes that everything happens for a reason.
???"I love walking around campus and seeing new faces every day," said John. "I'm really happy that I chose to come here."
