Desire to learn the game has turned Aaron Zhao into a force for Rochester FC

May 16—ROCHESTER — Aaron Zhao has been all over the world, soccer always first in mind.

Spain, Portugal, Canada, Croatia. They all have helped the Century graduate develop into the player he is today, with Zhao taking stylistic soccer ingredients from each of those places.

Now the 19-year-old is ready to put them on display as one of the more promising members of Rochester FC's USL League 2 team.

Zhao will line up at midfield for Rochester FC when it opens its season at 1 p.m. May 16, on the road against Sueno FC (Bolingbrook, Ill.). He'll line up as one of the most soccer schooled players Rochester FC has ever had.

"I've been to a lot of places," Zhao said. "It was all soccer at those places. I wanted to play at the highest level and I was looking to develop myself as a player. I would say it improved my game a lot being exposed to different styles of play. And the soccer competition is better outside of the United States. Since high school, I think my understanding of the game has grown a lot."

Zhao was always one of the most promising players on his Century High School team. He finished his senior season with three goals and 10 assists, playing midfield.

Zhao got to that point in good part due to his obsession with the game. He could be found with a soccer ball in his possession more often than not, always working on his game, always training.

He spent a good deal of his time in his backyard with his athletic father, Chunfeng Zhao, playing one on one in soccer.

"My dad is a big soccer player and he was a big athlete in general, with soccer and hockey and volleyball," Zhao said. "He was a really big influence on my development. I'd play 1-on-1 against him. I have a lot of fond memories of that. I beat him almost every time. But I was very grateful that he was there with me in the backyard."

Zhao spent last fall playing for Division I Chicago State. But he had a change of heart when the season was done and transferred to Rowan University, a Division III school in New Jersey that is annually a top-12 team in the country.

He said that his Rowan team is going to be young, but brimming with talent.

There is hope that this Rochester FC team is also brimming with talent. Rochester FC coach Muharem Dedic sure likes what he has in Zhao.

"Aaron is a hard-working kid and a great kid," Dedic said. "And he's a great listener. He wants to improve all the time. He loves the game. At this level you have to love it because it is almost like a job. You are just one step from being a professional."