Taking nothing for granted

The first 12 years of his life, nothing came easy for Christian Botuli.

As a youth living in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Botuli played soccer on paved parking lots and without shoes - no matter how hot the weather was.

And the ball was oftentimes crafted out of clothes.

"Life was super hard," said Botuli, a sophomore forward for the North Idaho College men's soccer team. "We didn't have anything. Most kids would just play soccer in the street and we didn't have good soccer balls, so we had to make a ball with some clothes, tie them into a circle and shape. Usually, you just played in a small street with up to 20 kids."

Injuries were just something that players dealt with back then.

"You just kept playing," Botuli said. "You're not really paying attention to it and it really helps you build up your soccer skills. There's great players in Congo, but there's nobody to guide you. Growing up, you go to school and play soccer. All you really do is go play soccer. That's what kids grow up doing there. The school isn't the best because of the economy - so that's all we have is soccer."

Kinshasa has a population of just over 9 million, according to a 2012 census.

If someone had a soccer ball, it was the most prized possession they had.

"We'd play in our bare feet, so when it was really hot, it was difficult," Botuli said. "I've got a lot of scars on my legs from that, and it's probably not the best thing to do. There was no such things as cleats or a soccer ball. If you had a soccer ball, you pretty much try to protect it like a baby. If you give it to anyone else, it's gone."

Botuli and his family moved to Denver when he was 12 years old to escape poverty and try to realize his dream of playing soccer.

"It was definitely hard," said Botuli of the move. "During the winter season, it hits and it's a pretty harsh cold."

When he was 15, Botuli was invited to join the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer Academy program.

"They've got the best facility around," Botuli said. "It was hard being there, because I didn't enjoy the cold - especially when you're from the Congo and used to the sun all the time. Coming to Denver, it's just cold, and I've got plenty of blisters on my arms because I didn't cover up the right way at first."

Botuli played for the team until he turned 18.

"Making the Rapids Academy team is an achievement on its own," NIC men's soccer coach Ken Thompson said. "Denver has a huge player pool and being under the direction of MLS player development is a truly unique situation."

Botuli wound up at NIC thanks to Thompson, who took over as NIC coach two years ago. Thompson played college soccer at Gonzaga.

Botuli didn't qualify academically to attend Gonzaga out of high school, but intends on going there to play his final two years next fall.

"The reason why I came here was because Gonzaga saw me play soccer (in high school)," Botuli said. "I didn't really know what I was going to do after high school. Coeur d'Alene isn't the place I dreamed of playing soccer, but it's a challenge. When I came out here, since Day 1, Ken has been like a second father to me. He pushes us all to do well in school, as well as on the field. Here, I'm getting playing time and with my age (20), I feel like I need the experience and showing new guys and getting them into the circulation is fun."

Thus far, Botuli has three goals for NIC (4-2-1) this season and has started each game. Botuli had one goal as a freshman, playing in only six games near the end of the season.

"I know the hardest thing in my life is going to be when I've got to retire and can't play soccer anymore," Botuli said. "It's been everything I've dreamed of. I grew up playing it and made a lot of friends playing the game. Our co-captain John (Ray) has taught me a lot about life and friendship. Soccer is just everything to me."

"He's a more effective leader this year," Thompson said. "He's actually less vocal this year, which has had a bigger impact on the team. He thinks ahead and talks about situations (soccer and non-soccer) before they occur - in the van, the hotel, in social situations here in town. He's been a little more open about it this year having guys help evaluate his performance, and it rubs off. We have a few guys that really play hard and tough, but Christian's example has given them concrete examples of how to focus on a few things each game."

"I'm very lucky and blessed to be where I'm at right now," Botuli said. "There's so many good players that are in Congo and don't get a chance to train with a good soccer ball and a facility like this. I don't take anything for granted. I've got a different view of life than others. Coming from a country like Congo, everything is hard. You just go with it and find a different way to leave and make it. To get to come here and play soccer in America - it's the land of opportunity, so anything you can dream of can come true. I know there's so many other kids in Congo that would die for the opportunity to be in my shoes, so I really don't take anything for granted - either here on the field or in school."

NIC travels to Peninsula College today, then returns home to face the Idaho club team on Saturday.

"We've got great team chemistry this year," Botuli said. "The biggest difference was last year as a freshman, the sophomores were doing their own thing and this year, we're all friends and treating each other as equals. Before this season even started, we all had a meeting and each of us had paper and a pen and wrote down what our common goals are - to do well in school and have a 3.0 GPA - and play for each other. If we fail this season, we'll fail as a team, and off the field is where we can see that we've got that friendship."