He had gone from not being the leading scorer on his own team to being ranked among the top 100 boys soccer players in the country and a college scholarship player at North Carolina.

The Athens Drive senior proved he was worth all the newfound attention when he took the field, becoming a one-man wrecking crew who was invited to play for the United States' under-18 team.

"I'm still in a bit of a shock. I never thought of me, as a player, making it this far - ever," he said after being named to the U.S. roster. "It's so incredible what I've done for myself."

Opposing coaches held their breath when the ball met his feet. League rivals tried double-teaming him.

But with using an array of skilled maneuvers, Vandermaas-Peeler torched them for 27 goals and 16 assists in 26 games for the Jaguars. He had the second-most points (70) in the Triangle area and was named co-conference player of the year.

After leading his team to the 4-A state quarterfinals, Vandermaas-Peeler was named N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year.

And in a December trip to Tel Aviv, despite playing with two teammates currently in Major League Soccer, he was the only U.S. player to score in a set of three international games against U-18 teams from France, Germany and Israel.

"I had trapped the ball at the top of the (box), beat one defender and hit a shot in the upper left corner with my left foot," Vandermaas-Peeler said. "My trip to Israel is one I will remember forever and I hope to keep working hard and get the opportunity to put on the U.S. jersey again."