A local high school soccer player is one step closer to achieving his lofty dreams.

After a sophomore season at Libby High that earned him Class A All-State honors, Johnny Davidson will begin training with the Montana Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. The program selects a pool of outstanding players who may one day represent the country in global tournaments.

“This is way cool for Johnny,” Mark Petersen, Davidson’s head coach of seven years with the Kootenai Rapids said. “He’s a scoring machine for us. He’s scored more than 100 goals with the club.”

Davidson plans to attend training sessions in Belgrade this weekend before traveling to Phoenix for a New Year’s tournament.

“The first tournament is supposed to have over 500 scouts,” Davidson said. “It’s exciting. I tried out in Polson about a month ago. It was actually a practice. I just want to improve and compete with the top talent.”

According to Petersen, Davidson was not planning to participate until a program coach inquired about a particular Libby striker. The hope is that Davidson’s play against heightened competition will spark similar interest from college coaches.

“I think this will be the ticket for that and maybe further,” Guy Davidson, Johnny’s father, said. “The kid just wants to play soccer. I’d like to see him get an education, too. He attacks everything full on.”

Davidson scored 10 goals and four assists this season with the Loggers. His high school head coach, Charlie Webster, is careful commending his standout sophomore, but allows that Davidson is something special.

“North Conference coaches who have been coaching longer than me could not remember the last time a sophomore was selected to the All-State team,” Webster said. “The team usually consists of seniors and some rare juniors. Very rarely have sophomores ever been selected.”

Before commanding the pitch, Davidson was a menace on the wrestling mat under his father’s tutelage. Petersen describes his player as an “incredibly fast, tough kid.” While those attributes can make a player stand out in Libby, is it enough to make it on the national stage?

“Like all players, he has his weaknesses that will be exploited at higher levels,” Webster said. “In single A soccer Johnny does very well. Playing against AA players will be a good test at a higher level. I am very happy for Johnny and hope he thrives.”

Davidson said his new teammates all display impressive skills. One kid can juggle a ball 5,000 times. There are plenty of fast kids. It will be a challenge for Davidson.

USA Soccer’s website lists zero active professionals from Montana. Davidson is still years away from contemplating professional and collegiate offers, but still, he can dream.

“I just want to excel in soccer,” Davidson said. “I want to play in the MLS (Major League Soccer) to start and then just see where it takes me.”