Decatur Soccer DIANA PABLO DIANA IS IN HER SECOND YEAR as a member of Coach Scott Sandlin’s U12 Funino Player Development Program team. Rather than have an assignment to a particular position, Sandlin says, “At U12 PDP we don’t put players into positions permanently, we want for them to learn how to play all over the pitch, but Diana has excelled this year as a central attacking midfielder. She is an extremely smart player who is always looking to improve and to challenge herself. She always has a ball at her feet; before, during and after practice.” Sandlin coached Diana last fall when she was stepping up from a U9 team to play with this older group. He said she was one of, if not THE, youngest player on the team. “But you would never know it in practice. Diana’s ability to learn a skill or situation and then to apply that into a game setting isn’t a fluke. She never stops playing and that has translated into her being both a great soccer player and a joy to coach.” Coach Sandlin says Diana’s vision is “absolutely amazing,” allowing her to see passing lanes. She isn’t afraid to play a pass to space to allow her teammates to run onto or to turn away from danger to find a better option. He says Diana has flourished into an unbelievable player. She is dedicated to improving and helping others around her to improve. “Her teammates love playing with her because they know she is going to put them in a position to succeed on the pitch — and that she will have them in stitches laughing off of it!”