Alex Allain overcame broken foot to become top forward for CBA boys soccer
Alex Allain started his career with Christian Brothers Academy in eighth grade and has since developed into a top striker for the Brothers. Courtesy of Alex Allain
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Alex Allain was in pain, but he didn’t know why. The freshman entered Christian Brothers Academy’s September 2024 game against Cicero-North Syracuse with just three minutes left in the first overtime period.
Twenty seconds after he subbed in, having spent most of the contest on the bench, the ball came to him. With a swing of his aching left foot, he put the ball in the back of the net, leading the Brothers to a 2-1 victory.
But he was playing with a broken left foot that he had injured while leaping for a header three games prior.
“At that moment, I didn’t feel any pain in my foot,” Allain said. “It seemed like it all went away.”
After getting an X-ray, he was sidelined for the rest of his freshman season.
A year later, the sophomore forward picked up where he left off, finishing his season with 15 goals — ranking him 45th in New York. He also added four assists, bringing his total to 34 points. As he looks forward to his junior year, he’s also begun considering his potential college recruitment as well.
“I’ve had some really good forwards play here, and his mentality is second to none when it comes down to scoring,” CBA head coach Joe Papaleo said.
Allain’s time playing with Brothers started in eighth grade. He was brought up to its varsity team at the end of his eighth-grade season for the CBA’s sectionals run, getting a few minutes in the sectional final.
Since then, he’s taken the lead in scoring and played a big role in numerous matches. Allain scored three goals in his two appearances this season against Chittenango, which held a winning record at the time. He both scored and provided an assist against Skaneateles. Papaleo attributes Allain’s offensive success to his selfishness in front of the net and how he’s always looking to score.
“Sometimes I say, ‘You could have passed the ball there for a tap-in,’” Papaleo said. “But I never want to take that drive away from a forward who just got a nose for the goal. And that’s Alex.”
Alex Allain dribbles across midfield in one of Christian Brothers Academy’s games. In his three-year career, including a start in eighth grade, Allain has racked up 17 goals. Courtesy of Alex Allain
Allain said that he’s always looking to score; it’s “second nature.”
However, that’s not the case for his club team. Conversely, Allain looks to pass more for Upstate Elite Soccer Academy because its skilled players and fluid playstyle encourage greater ball distribution.
His club career started when he was 7 years old with Liverpool Soccer Academy, but he’s bounced between clubs since then. After that team disbanded, he joined UESA. At LSA, he met his current club head coach, Gale Agbossoumonde, a former professional soccer player who also attended CBA and played in Major League Soccer and the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Agbossoumonde said he quickly noticed Allain’s standout talent, noting that he held his own against older kids in the club. Agbossoumonde also mentioned Allain was a good ball handler and made smart decisions.
“When I met him, I knew he had all the tools to be a good player down the road,” Agbossoumonde said.
Among Allain’s main attributes are his dedication and poise in scoring situations. Those stem from his preparation. He trains almost every day and keeps in shape by running, especially during the offseason. Regardless of the time of year, he makes a point to touch a soccer ball daily to maintain his skills. Allain’s hard work helps him remain composed in front of the goal.
On the rare occasions he does have a missed opportunity, he makes sure to quickly forget his mistake and instead looks forward to his next chance.
“I have a very short memory and get over anything that happens,” Allain said. “So, if I miss opportunities early in the game, then I just have to forget about them and play with confidence.”
Allain got a taste of the sectional final as an eighth grader, which CBA went on to win 2-0 against East Syracuse Minoa. Now, in his final two seasons of high school, Allain hopes to get another shot at a medal — this time as the main man up front.
“I just really want one more sectional medal, and I want to be a big part of it,” Allain said.
Recently, Allain has begun thinking about his career beyond high school. He eventually dreams of playing Division I soccer. But ultimately, he’d be content with any opportunity that comes his way, he said.
“Knowing college soccer, I think it’s a big possibility for him,” Agbossoumonde said.
