Peter Alexander Chang
After receiving a rare invitation to train with a top German soccer academy, Palos Verdes teen Peter Alexander Chang hopes to make his mark overseas.
Chang is a sophomore at Palos Verdes High School and plays for the varsity soccer team. This past summer, he caught the attention of former Bundesliga player, Marcel Lowitsch, who now lives in Los Angeles. Lowitsch recommended Chang to the top-tier Bundesliga Youth Academy, Rot Weiss Essen. In January, Chang completed a trial training with the team and was invited to come back this summer.
“It was an amazing and rare opportunity,” said Chang.“The level of play is very high in Germany, and I feel fortunate to have been invited back. My goal is to someday play soccer as a professional, so this was an important chance for me to get noticed.”
Chang attended daily training sessions with Rot Weiss Essen and watched several of their games. He also took part in private athletic sessions with Bundesliga professional trainers.
“I got really good feedback on my ball skills, but one area that the coaches want me to focus on is becoming physically stronger,” said Chang. “That’s what I’ll be focusing on for the next few months.”
Peter Alexander Chang is one of a few South Bay players that Lowitsch has taken an interest in.
“There are a lot of talented kids in the U.S.,” said Lowitsch.“In Germany, people think that it’s only American football, basketball and baseball that interest young people here. That just isn’t true. I see a lot of potential in these American kids and want to give them the chance to showcase their skills.”
