A backyard game turned into something much bigger for Lincoln High School senior Joe Gonzalez.
Dallas ISD says Gonzalez is believed to be the first student-athlete in district history to earn an international soccer scholarship. This fall, he will go to Preston, England, to attend the University of Lancashire while playing for Macclesfield FC.
At Lincoln, Gonzalez is known as “Captain Joe.”
“What do we do? Get busy! Take a warmup lap!” Lincoln soccer coach Stanley Haines shouts across the field as practice begins.
For Gonzalez, soccer started with family.
“When we used to have a little cookout or something, we would probably be playing in the backyard,” Gonzalez said. “We used to call it a casadita.”
He said soccer has always been part of his family’s identity.
“My whole family was into soccer, but my brother was the connoisseur of soccer,” Gonzalez said.
By his freshman year, Gonzalez was already playing varsity.
“I went into varsity as soon as I was a freshman, and I got thrown right into the fire,” he said.
Haines said Gonzalez stood out right away.
“He had the commitment, he had the responsibility, he was very motivated,” Haines said. “I knew this kid was special.”
By sophomore year, teammates and coaches had given him the nickname “Captain Joe” for his leadership and impact on the field.
Under Gonzalez’s leadership, Lincoln’s soccer program found playoff success and drew new attention. Haines said Gonzalez changed the culture around the sport at the school.
“Joe is creating his own legacy,” Haines said.
“Wasn’t a soccer program, but now it is a program,” Haines said.
Now, Gonzalez is getting ready for his move overseas.
“Their level is what I was looking for,” Gonzalez said about the chance to play in England.
His older brother, Alan Guerrero, said the opportunity makes sense.
“I’m very proud because where he’s going in Europe, the levels are a bit higher,” Guerrero said.
Gonzalez is also graduating as Lincoln’s salutatorian and finishing high school with an associate degree through an early college program.
“I’m going to graduate salutatorian, so I’m second in my class out of 130,” Gonzalez said.
His mother, Jannet Guerrero, said his determination has shown since he was young.
“Desde chiquito… siempre lo que él ha querido lo ha tenido,” she said. “Since he was little, whatever he’s wanted, he’s achieved.”
She said preparing to watch him leave for England is emotional, but rewarding.
“Estoy feliz porque él va cumplir sus sueños,” she said. “I’m happy because he’s going to fulfill his dreams.”
His father, Jose Gonzalez, said faith has guided the family.
“Adonde quiera que vaya… Dios siempre va a estar con él,” he said. “Wherever he goes, God will always be with him.”
As he prepares to move overseas for the first time, Gonzalez said he feels excitement, not fear.
“I’m going in blind,” he said. “I’m not scared, I’m just very excited to go.”
Before he leaves Texas, Gonzalez said he is also looking forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches coming to North Texas.
“All my life we’ve just seen it on TV,” Gonzalez said. “To be able to have that almost in my backyard, it’s huge. To be able to witness that in person is life-changing.”
Gonzalez graduates from Lincoln High School on Sunday, May 24, 2026. He departs for England in September.
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