Campos twins double trouble
TUSTIN — Late in the AYSO Area Q boys’ 10-and-under championship match, two defenders crowded Dylan Campos’ space near the sideline.
Campos, playing for the Green Tigers, just smiled at the Killer Geckos’ players. One stood behind him and the other in front.
“Sorry, you’re surrounded this time,†said Geckos defender Jameson Smith before the throw-in went to Campos.
The Green Tigers were able to stop Campos on the play, but not his identical twin brother soon after.
Travis Campos beat everyone to a loose ball, showcasing the kind of speed that only his brother could match on the field. Seconds later, Travis scored, giving him four goals, accounting for much of the scoring in the Green Tigers’ 6-0 victory at Tustin Sports Park Monday night.
Every time a Campos player scored, their coach, Bruno Campos, who happens to be their father, too, got more animated on the sideline.
Bruno, who’s from Morocco, knew he was on his way to guiding the Green Tigers past the Killer Geckos, coached by his good friend Malcolm Phillips, who’s from South Africa, for the third time this season.
A lot stood out during the 50-minute match between the two Corona del Mar teams from Region 57. Bruno’s personality, the neon-like jerseys the Killer Geckos sported.
But Travis and Dylan stole the show with their superior play, helping the team advance to the AYSO Section 11 Championships in San Marcos next month.
“We did pretty good,†Travis said. Well, Travis said he scored seven times in a match once, so four is just a “pretty good†night.
Dylan added the Green Tigers’ other two goals. But before the Campos brothers started booting practically everything they touched into the back of the net, the Killer Geckos pushed the tempo early.
Phillips appeared optimistic once his team earned the match’s first corner kick. It would be the first of eight, forcing the Campos brothers to concentrate on defense.
“I was kind of scared after [the start],†Dylan said. “It was them attacking mostly. Then we got one break.â€
Like any quality team, the Green Tigers (19-1-1) capitalized on their opportunities to go ahead, 3-0, at halftime.
Travis put away the first chance. He dribbled to his left before cutting to the right to blast a shot deep in the box, giving the Green Tigers a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the match.
Phillips told someone on the sideline, “I told you they’re dangerous.â€
Dylan exhibited his quick footwork five minutes later for everyone to marvel at. He beat a defender, forcing the goalkeeper to come out before Dylan, from atop the box, hit the open net to put the Green Tigers up, 2-0.
“It’s just unbelievable that two players can make a big difference,†Phillips said.
Travis and Dylan had to wait to make an impact against the Killer Geckos again. Bruno said the match was postponed three times because of the recent heavy rain.
It took some time, but the Campos duo delivered time and time again. So often that Dad said, “I don’t want to win by this much because [Malcolm’s] my friend.â€
DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at david.carrillo@latimes.com.
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