He’s the 20-year-old, 6 foot 4 inch goalkeeper on the Moorpark College men’s soccer squad, whose physique and playing style has been compared to Manuel Neuer, the German International goalkeeper who plays for Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga.

As the last line of defense for the Raiders, California-born Daniel Moreno has the difficult task of keeping his team in the game and stemming the tide of the hordes attacking his territory prowling for goals.

“I grew up on the soccer field,” Moreno said. “My whole family played. My dad, my older brother and older sister all played.”

Desiring to improve his soccer skills and gain valuable experience from the European masters of the game, Moreno was accepted into a soccer academy program with a Spanish League team based in Catalonia in northeastern Spain.

“I chose Barcelona because I wanted to learn the language,” Moreno said. “Barcelona is my favorite club, and I thought if I learned their style it would be beneficial to me. Almost all of [the clubs] in Spain play a similar style; tight passes, close play, everything on the floor, very dynamic.”

In September 2013, the 18-year-old Moreno packed his bags and set off alone to follow his dream. He traveled almost 6,000 miles from his home in Chatsworth California to the Catalonian capital of Barcelona on the Mediterranean Sea in search of sports adventure.

He became the goalkeeper for Unio Esportiva Rubi, a Fourth Division Spanish League team, founded in 1932 and located in the district of Rubi, a suburb of Barcelona. He lived there with a host family and two other players from the same program who played for other clubs.

Even though he took classes in Spanish during his nine month stay, Moreno credits the total cultural immersion for helping him learn the language. His educational opportunities in other subjects were limited, however, because the classes they offered were either in Spanish or Catalan.

“I’d do it again if I could,” said Moreno. “Learning the language and learning how to be by myself and being an independent person is very important.”

A Kinesiology major at Moorpark, Moreno said he wants to eventually transfer to UCLA and play Division One soccer. His goal is to become a personal trainer teaching fitness at gyms and health centers.

Moreno said he tries to stay in shape by eating and drinking the right foods and wants to gain more muscle in order to play the game he loves at a four-year college.

Raiders teammate Nicholas Hughes said that Moreno and Neuer share similar playing styles, adding that they have comparable physiques and even a passing resemblance.

“Daniel plays just like him,” Hughes said. “He’s so tall and big, he blocks shots on goal. A powerful shot on goal and he still blocks it.”

Moreno looks back and fondly recalls the most memorable moments in his Spanish League soccer academy career.

“[It was] winning our last game of the season against the number one team. I stopped two penalties and we ended up beating them 2-0.”

Summing up his overall European experience, Moreno offered the following advice to those who might wish to follow in his footsteps.

“Whether it’s to further your education or to play soccer, stick with what you love. Staying with the passion is greater than any defeat.”