We interviewed FC Copa Alum Achim Younker. Achim was a standout player for FC Copa Academy and collegiately at Johns Hopkins University. While with Copa, he was a part of a FC Copa Academy Juventus team that was ranked #1 in New Jersey. At Johns Hopkins, Achim ranks 14th in school history in career points with 69. A two year captain, Achim majored in Public Health.
Can you please describe your experience with FC Copa? My time with FC Copa was a period of hard work and immense growth. I entered the club during my junior year of high school, unsure of my path and commitment to the sport. A year later, I graduated from the program and was on my way to play college soccer at Hopkins. I attribute a lot of this success to my teammates and coaches at FC Copa- without the competitive edge and attention to detail that was a necessity in every Copa training session, I feel like I wouldn’t have unlocked my full potential. In what ways do you recognize and celebrate Black History Month? I don’t really celebrate Black History Month in any particular way because I don’t think its significance should be confined to only these 28 days. Black History is American History, and we would all be remiss if we didn’t recognize this and take time to reflect in other months. With that being said, I am always grateful for those who trail-blazed and worked so that I could have the opportunities that I do now. One of my goals in life is to continue to push the boundaries of achievement for future generations, just as so many Black historical figures have done for my generation. Who has served as role models and influencers in your soccer/professional career? My mother and father are undoubtedly my biggest role models and influencers in life. They’ve given me every opportunity I’ve had growing up and continuously demonstrate what it means to live a life of integrity. In terms of my soccer career, my coaches during high school (Coach Marty Berman, Coach David Snyder, Coach Roberto, Coach Lori, and Coach Joe) were all very important because they instilled in me the confidence that I needed to take the next step towards a successful collegiate soccer career— confidence that I still carry with me today.