Richard Obert

azcentral sports

Not long after leading Chandler Hamilton to the state soccer championship, junior forward Josh Drack was on his way to Portland, Ore., to join the Timbers Academy.

Drack said that he moved in with a host family, enrolled at Lincoln High in downtown Portland and is playing high-level soccer at the academy.

He calls academy soccer "the best soccer in the U.S."

Drack, who led Hamilton with 25 goals and 12 assists, isn't due back to Arizona until July when the academy season is over.

But Drack said he doesn't think he will come back to Hamilton.

"We are excited for him to pursue his dream to play at the highest possible level," Hamilton coach Nicholas Markette said. "We would love to see him back at Hamilton after the academy season is over, but either way, we support him."

MORE:Complete Arizona high school sports coverage

Drack said the transition to playing for the Timbers' Under-16 Academy team "has really been easy."

"You play against the best players and always have exposure to college and national scouts," he said. "The training here is intense.

"We lift before practice then actually play soccer after that. In this high level of soccer they push you to play quickly, so soccer doesn't really become a physical sport but more a mental one. The big change for me moving here is definitely the rain. It rains here every day pretty much but I'm getting used to it."

He said his daily routine is go to school, which ends at 3:20. He walks back to his place, eats and gets ready for training, which starts at 4:30. He says usually gets back home at 7:30 for dinner. Then there is homework and bed.

"I've already played three games and have scored one goal," Drack said.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.