Tormenta FC caught up with MLS Next ’08 keeper Alejandro Fernandez ahead of his trip to the 2025 CONCACAF U17 World Cup Qualifiers with the U17 Puerto Rico Men’s National Team (PRMNT). Fernandez and Puerto Rico kick off the tournament on Monday, Feb. 10, against Bonaire.
Tormenta FC Coach Terri Chawirah, who splits his time with the MLS Next Academy program and the Tormenta FC Men’s USL League One team, says the up-and-comer has a high ceiling due to the 17-year-old’s size at 6’3”, and his apparent raw abilities.
“Al’s fundamentals keep improving, and he is a team leader. To play for your country, you have to not only be good, but you also need to be a voice of reason and act like a captain. Al clearly checks those boxes.”
Tormenta FC USL League One Assistant Coach Terri Chawirah
Sam Jones, a keeper with Tormenta FC’s Men’s USL League One team, who also coaches throughout the Tormenta FC Academy ranks, also believes that Al is deserving of this opportunity. “He’s been with Tormenta FC’s Academy for about six years now, and he’s just a great kid,” said Jones. “Al is very intense and consistently works hard. He definitely has a lot of natural talent, and he is big, strong and athletic.”
An inspiration for certain, Alejandro is yet another example of where Tormenta FC can point its players who have dreams and are willing to work.
Q & A with Alejandro “Al” Fernandez:
How much experience have you had with the Puerto Rico Men’s National Team program?
Al: My first exposure to PRMNT was being invited last summer to Stetson University (Deland, FL) to try out at an Identification Camp. They kept four players from that camp, who they invited to a second camp two days later. I was the only keeper selected, and I played pretty well throughout both of the camps. They invited me to return to Stetson for another tryout camp in December 2024, where I was blessed to be offered a spot to play for Puerto Rico in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier.
What is next with the PRMNT program in 2025?
Al: I am currently training with the PRMNT in Kendall, Florida, and we leave for Honduras tomorrow to play in the CONCACAF U17 World Cup Qualifier Group Stage. There will be 35 countries from the Americas divided into eight groups. We are in Group D, and we play on February 10 against Bonaire, then February 12 against Honduras, and finally on February 15 against Sint Maarten. If we win Group D, then we, and the other seven group winners will go to Qatar for the FIFA U17 World Cup from November 5-27.
You’re a goalkeeper! Why? How do you handle the pressure of such a key position?
Al: I enjoy the pressure because I have always been the kind of person to set high expectations, and somehow I am able enjoy myself and lock myself out of getting distracted by things like goals, or calls that don’t go my way. I do my best to stay in the mindset of just playing my game, and having my eyes set on what I want to do in that game, let my body go fluidly, and just go with the flow of the game.
Tell us about the coaches in the Tormenta FC program.
Every coach I have ever had in Tormenta FC has helped me; I’ve been really lucky! Terri Chawirah is our head of the U17 Men’s Tormenta FC team, and has instilled a real belief in me that has really boosted my confidence. Coach Drew DeJohn brought me up through Tormenta FC’s USL Academy team, and showed a ton of confidence in me, really exposed me to that super high performing environment. Previous coaches like U15 Coach Amin Qasim (now with MLS Minnesota United) and U16 Coach Phil Nieland had a lot of belief in me, and really helped me develop quickly. Sam Jones is a great coach, too, and he continues to be a goalie on Tormenta FC’s USL League One team. We have similar characteristics, and work ethics, so we can relate to each other.
Where were you born and raised, and where have you been going to school?
I was born in Miami, FL, and moved to Bluffton, South Carolina at ten years old, and that is where I began playing for Tormenta FC ever since. I am eligible to represent Puerto Rico because my mother, Patricia, was born there. I transferred into River Ridge Academy and now I am a student at John Paul II Catholic High School. I have a little brother named Francisco, who we call “Paco.” He gave soccer a good try, but his passion is clearly music.
You have spent much time away from South Carolina while your classmates are in school every day. How do you keep up with your education?
I like to stay focused, and all of my teammates are in the same situation. So, I’m not alone in this challenge. We rally each other to keep up with our academics because we know that we will be sorry if we come home way behind. I need to have a smooth transition back into school when I return. Time management is always going to be a key skill in trying to chase my dreams.
