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Ecuador builds World Cup team from a local soccer academy

High school graduates throw their caps into the air outside the soccer stadium Banco Guayaqui as they celebrate their graduation from the Reinvented IDV school run by the Independence del Valle soccer club in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

A high school senior takes the graduates' oath during his graduation ceremony at the Reinvented IDV school run by Independence del Valle club in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Parents and friends applauds high school students during their graduation ceremony at the Reinvented IDV school run by the Independence del Valle club in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Youths listen to their coach during training at the Independiente del Valle club in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Members of the Independiente del Valle under-17 youth soccer team plays a match against Mushuc Runa in Tisaleo, Ecuador, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

WAITING ON OTHER NAME - Gipson Preciado of Independiente del Valle's under-17 youth soccer team, right, fights for the ball during a match against Mushuc Runa in Tisaleo, Ecuador, Saturday, Sept.3, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Youths leave for lunch break during classes run by the Reinvented IDV school at the Independiente del Valle club in Quito, Ecuador, Monday, Oct.17, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

WAITING ON NAME Youths attend class at the Reinvented IDV school at Independiente del Valle club in Quito, Ecuador, Monday, Oct.17, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

The Independiente del Valle soccer team parades for fans in an open bus after winning the Copa Sudamericana 2022 in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Cristhian Loor, goalkeeper of the Independiente del Valle U-17 youth team, blocks a ball during a match against Mushuc Runa in Tisaleo, Ecuador, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Fans of Independiente del Valle soccer team celebrate winning the Copa Sudamericana 2022 in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Youths play soccer at the Independiente del Valle club in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Coach Sergio Cedeno instructs the Independiente del Valle under-17 youth soccer team during their match against Mushuc Runa in Tisaleo, Ecuador, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Coach Nicolas Serrano teaches youths at the Independiente del Valle soccer club in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Youths attend class on storytelling at the Reinvented IDV school at the Independiente del Valle club in Quito, Ecuador, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Youths warm up for training at the Independiente del Valle soccer club in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Soccer fans watch Independiente del Valle under-17 youth team play against Mushuc Runa in Tisaleo, Ecuador, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Youths attend class at the Reinvented IDV school at the Independiente del Valle club in Quito, Ecuador, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Youths play around at the end of training at the Independiente del Valle soccer club in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. The club trains young men in soccer while providing them with up to a high school graduation and has become a key source for the country’s national soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Ecuador builds World Cup team from a local soccer academy