By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Ozzie up for the challenge
Ozzie Ramos and ASC San Diego
Central Valley High School grad Ozzie Ramos and ASC San Diego will battle FC Arizona in the West Region Final of the National Premier Soccer League Playoffs on Saturday in Mesa.

Central Valley High School grad Ozzie Ramos and third-seeded ASC San Diego will travel to Mesa later this week to face second-seeded FC Arizona in the West Region Final of the National Premier Soccer League Playoffs.

The winner between ASC San Diego (14-5-1) and FC Arizona (14-1-5) will advance to the July 27 NPSL National Semifinals.

“I’m already visualizing scenarios for Saturday,” said Ramos, a rookie center defensive midfielder. “We’ll be prepared. Obviously, we’d like to win it in 90 minutes. But if we need to play overtime or go into penalty kicks, we’ve already done that twice.”

“I like playing in big games with more pressure. There’s more exposure. That excites me.”
Ozzie Ramos

“I like playing in big games with more pressure,” he added. “There’s more exposure. That excites me.”

Ramos helped ASC San Diego secure a berth in ASC’s first-ever West Region Final by scoring twice during last Friday’s 3-1 penalty-kick shootout win over host Crossfire Redmond during their semifinal matchup in Washington.

He tallied a goal in the 70th minute and converted a PK.

“It was nice to be able to do that in front of friends, former teammates and my former assistant coach,” Ramos said. “I went to school in Seattle.”

ASC San Diego upset top-seeded FC Golden State 4-2 on penalty kicks in the NPSL quarterfinals on July 8.

Ramos and ASC San Diego are two victories away from securing a berth to the Aug. 3 NPSL National Championship.

“We’re not thinking that far ahead,” he said. “We’re just focused on the next game.”

Ramos has collected five goals and four assists during his rookie season with ASC San Diego.

“It’s been a big learning experience so far,” he said. “This is my first year with the team. I was training with Academica FC of Turlock before coming here.”

Ramos totaled seven assists and one goal while starting 36 of 39 games during his two-year career with the Seattle University men’s soccer team, which had a combined record of 31-10-6.

Ramos filled a key role as the Redhawks advanced to the NCAA Division-I Tournament in 2017.

He earned all-Western Athletic Conference honorable-mention accolades.

Ramos spent his first two years of college at San Diego State.

He saw action in all 38 of the Aztecs’ games.

He collected two goals, dished out one assist and attempted 39 shots while starting 31 times.

Ramos was voted San Diego’s top newcomer his freshman year.

Ramos graduated from Central Valley High School in 2014.

He tied for first in California in assists (29) and ranked fifth in goals (31) during his final season with the Hawks. He also claimed the WAC Most Valuable Player award for the second year in a row.

Central Valley posted a program-best 26-2-0 overall record, captured their sixth straight conference title and advanced to the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.