Orr Barouch is a recognizable face in Netanya. He and his mates can walk around the town and are easily identified as heroes on the city streets. The locals love their soccer and especially the players who are part in parcel the fabric of the yellow and black \u201cDiamonds Army\u201d, Maccabi Netanya. Diamonds are closely associated with the city named in honor of Nathan Straus as it was at one time a major hub for the merchants and their gems. Straus co-owned the great department stores Macy\u2019s and A&S in New York City where the supporters of their sports teams are some of the most loyal and passionate in the world just like in Netanya.<\/p>\n
Netanya and Orr Barouch you could say have the same qualities as New York; \u201cif I can make it there, I\u2019m gonna make it anywhere\u201d as the great Frank Sinatra song declares. \u201cIf you can succeed, you\u2019ll be remembered forever,\u201d Barouch tells me. But along with the terrific fans & fandom comes the pressure, and as in New York, Netanya has plenty of that to offer.<\/p>\n
Born in Haifa to Chaim & Yaffa, Barrouch moved with the family to California at the age of four. \u201cI didn\u2019t have much of a problem blending into the West Coast as I started to play soccer by the age of six in The Valley area of Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barouch\u2019s father always supported his son in his quest to become the best soccer player he could be and was very influential in his development. The 6\u201d2 striker started to bloom as a 13-year old under Travis Kikugawa while at Real So Cal U15. Kikugawa plays a massive role to this day in Barouch\u2019s life, “I’ve got to thank Travis for helping me with my work ethic. He was the first to really instill this most important value that has helped me ever since. On the pitch I try to emulate the best players in the world be it Ronaldo (Portugal & Real Madrid great), Robin van Persie (Manchester United striker) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Their drive and mental toughness is second to none and allows me to be focused game in and game out.\u201d<\/p>\n