At just three years old, Cooper Tyler kicked his first soccer ball at the YMCA. Now, as a junior captain, he’s leading Trinity toward a State Championship. Tyler has been playing soccer for as long as he can remember, competing at two of the city’s top clubs, Javanon FC and Louisville City. Inspired by his dad and his brother Jacob, who currently plays soccer at Centre College, it is no secret that he is the next big name in the household.

The decision to switch clubs came when Tyler’s dad accepted a coaching position at Louisville City. “My dad got a job offer as a coach over there, so he took that up, and he brought over most of the players from his team at Javanon to play at Louisville City, so I joined him,” Tyler said. “The competition was better, and it really helped us develop faster.” This exposure to challenging opponents has been fundamental in Tyler’s growth as a soccer player.

Tyler credits much of his skill to constant practice, especially his one-on-one training sessions with his dad. “We’d spend multiple hours a day working on technical ability,” he said. His father’s guidance, along with his brother’s influence, continues to motivate him as he strives to bring a State Championship back to Trinity.

Looking ahead, Tyler hopes to continue playing in college while pursuing a degree in finance. When asked about colleges, he said, “I’d probably say Kentucky because they have a good program. I just have to get the looks from them, and why I would go there… it’s pretty close to home, they have really nice facilities, and I feel like I would fit in their culture really well.” Even as he dreams of collegiate soccer, Tyler’s focus remains firmly on the 2025 season and winning a State Championship.

As captain, Tyler plays a vital role in preparing his team for big games. “Before the game, I try to get everyone calmed down, relaxed, in the right mindset, and ready to go. You can’t take a moment off in these games because they are very emotional, so you have to lock in,” he said. His ability to steady both himself and his teammates is one reason he was chosen as captain.

When asked about upcoming post-season play, Tyler singled out one opponent: Saint Xavier. “During the regular season, we play them, so hopefully we can make a statement there and win, but that’s not all, because regular season doesn’t really matter. Once we step into regions, that’s when it really matters,” he said. As post-season approaches, Tyler and the team are ready to do whatever it takes to bring a long-awaited State Championship back to Trinity.