For DME Academy goalkeeper Nico Holmes, the journey to Sarasota has been about more than soccer. It has been about finding the right environment, building confidence, and developing the mindset needed to pursue his ambitions.

Every young soccer player has a story. For Nico Holmes, that story has taken him from his early childhood in Colombia to Charlotte, North Carolina, and ultimately to Sarasota, Florida, where he is continuing to develop as a goalkeeper with DME Academy on our U17 MLS Next team, currently in first place in Florida North Division.

Along the way, he has experienced different environments, adapted to new challenges, and discovered that becoming a better player requires more than talent alone.

For Holmes, the move to DME has been an important step in both his athletic and personal development.

A Passion for Soccer That Started Early

Holmes grew up in Colombia, where soccer is deeply rooted in everyday life. From an early age, the game became a constant presence in his life.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always had a ball at my feet,” Holmes explained. “Growing up in an environment where soccer is the main sport really helped me throughout life.”

His passion for the game has remained with him through every stage of his journey. Growing up in Colombia also influenced the players he looked up to, with Colombian star James Rodríguez standing out as one of his biggest inspirations.

But Holmes’ path to becoming a goalkeeper was not always planned.

When he began playing in North Carolina, he started as a striker before one of his coaches encouraged him to move between the posts. He eventually embraced the position and continued developing as a goalkeeper.

Today, he is still relatively new to the role but growing quickly!

“What’s something people might not know just by watching me? I’ve only been playing goalkeeper for about three years.”

In a position that demands confidence, concentration, and resilience, Holmes is continuing to learn and grow, building the foundations for what he hopes will be a long future in the game.

Leaving Charlotte for a New Opportunity

Before joining DME Academy, Holmes spent several years playing in North Carolina, where he competed in MLS NEXT Homegrown and experienced high-level youth soccer, including trips to major events such as MLS NEXT Cup.

Those experiences helped shape him as a player and gave him the opportunity to see the level of competition required to progress.

However, when the opportunity to move to Sarasota to attend DME came along, Holmes saw the potential for something more.

“I’m definitely getting really good exposure here at DME,” he said. “The coaches really help you on a personal level. They sit down with you and talk about different colleges you might go to, and they help you improve throughout life and soccer.”

The decision was exciting, but it also meant leaving behind familiar surroundings, friends, and family.

“Everybody can get nervous, but I was definitely excited to come to a new state, a new environment, new everything.”

Adapting to life in Florida brought its own challenges. The warmer weather was a significant adjustment, and being away from loved ones was not always easy. Nevertheless, Holmes quickly began to feel at home.

He particularly appreciates Sarasota’s beaches, the welcoming atmosphere, and the friendships he has developed since arriving at the school.

His first weeks at DME helped confirm that he had made the right decision.

“Like three weeks in, I could definitely tell it was good for me to move here, especially for soccer, because I could tell that I was getting better and stronger.”

Looking back, his advice to his younger self is simple: be patient.

“You’ve got to be patient, and it’s going to be worth the move.”

Finding the Right Environment at DME Academy

One of the biggest differences Holmes has noticed since joining DME is the training environment.

He describes his previous experience as more relaxed, with less intensity during training sessions. At DME, he has found an environment that challenges him to work harder, remain focused, and give his best every day.

“The biggest difference is definitely the environment,” he explained. “Here, we go very hard, and we train at an intensity that gets you better every day.”

For Holmes, that intensity is not simply about working harder for the sake of it. It is about developing habits that translate into performances on the field.

He believes that competitive training sessions prepare players to handle the demands of competitive games. Every repetition, every save, and every session becomes an opportunity to improve.

The coaching staff has also played an important role in helping him settle into his new surroundings.

Holmes appreciates the personal attention he receives, particularly the guidance that extends beyond soccer. His coaches help him work toward his athletic goals while also discussing college recruitment and other aspects of his future.

“They always push me to do my hardest and be the best self I can be,” he said.

Just as importantly, he feels respected and supported within the program.

From his first days at DME, Holmes felt welcomed by the coaches and teammates around him. He describes the team chemistry as strong, with players who enjoy spending time together both on and off the field.

That sense of belonging has helped him develop confidence and feel comfortable taking on new challenges.

His favorite memory so far came during his first game with DME. Despite feeling nervous beforehand, encouragement from his coaches helped him gain confidence as the match progressed.

After making his first save, he began to settle into the game.

That moment became an important step in his adjustment, giving him confidence to carry into subsequent matches.

Beyond the League Label

One of the most interesting aspects of Holmes’ journey is his transition from MLS NEXT Homegrown in North Carolina to MLS NEXT Academy at DME.

From the outside, a change in league designation might appear to represent a change in competitive level. However, Holmes’ experience has given him a different perspective.

Before arriving in Sarasota, he wondered whether the competition would be lower. After playing more games with DME, he has come to believe that the quality of competition is not determined by a label alone.

“I don’t think there’s a big difference,” he explained. “I’ve seen teams that we’ve played here who would be just as good, if not better, than teams I played in Homegrown.”

He points to the competitive level of teams DME has faced, including Jacksonville, as an example of the quality he has encountered.

For Holmes, the comparison also comes down to the way teams prepare.

“If you don’t train in a competitive manner in training, it won’t translate to games. That’s what we do all the time. We train hard and go hard every day.”

His perspective reflects an important lesson from his transition: player development depends on the daily environment, the quality of training, and the opportunities a player receives to compete and improve.

At DME, Holmes believes he has found a combination of competitive training, playing opportunities, and individual guidance that supports his ambitions.

“Definitely game time and exposure,” he said when asked what matters most in becoming a better player. “DME has both of them.”

He also values the support he receives in preparing for the next stage of his career. From creating emails to exploring colleges and making connections, to college visits, like the school field trip to Florida Southern last month, he sees recruitment guidance as an important part of the overall experience.

For a player who hopes to continue playing at the collegiate level, those opportunities matter.

Developing the Right Mindset

While physical development and technical improvement are important for any goalkeeper, Holmes identifies one area as particularly significant in his progress at DME: his mindset.

He believes the change in environment has influenced the way he approaches training, games, and challenges outside soccer.

“My mindset has improved coming to DME,” he explained. “I train harder, which makes me do better, and I’ve taken that as a mindset, which means that I have to give it my all in every training, every practice, every game, everything, every little touch.”

That mentality has become central to how he views his development.

Rather than focusing only on the final result, Holmes is learning to appreciate the importance of consistency and effort in the process. He understands that improvement comes from repeatedly challenging himself and maintaining the right attitude, even when things become difficult.

He also feels that the confidence shown in him by his coaches has helped him believe more in his own abilities.

The impact extends beyond soccer. Holmes says he has become more mindful of his actions and more positive toward himself and others.

For him, the move to Sarasota has helped reinforce the idea that personal growth and athletic development go hand in hand.

A Life Built Around Soccer

Like many dedicated academy players, Holmes balances school, training, strength work, and recovery as part of his daily routine, all at DME. As one of our FT student-athletes, Nico is rising quickly, but more importantly managing it all in a competitive environment- a skill college coaches look for.

His days involve attending school, training, spending time in the gym, completing schoolwork, and making time to rest before the next session.

Away from the field, he enjoys spending time at the beach and exploring Sarasota. He has also discovered a favorite waterfront restaurant where he enjoys going for tacos.

These moments provide a balance to the demands of his soccer schedule and have helped him build a life in his new home.

When challenges arise, his family remains an important source of support.

Holmes credits both his mother and father for always being there for him, while also recognizing the role his coaches play in making him feel comfortable and supported.

His father, in particular, has been one of the biggest influences on the person he has become.

“He taught me never to give up,” Holmes said.

That lesson continues to guide him as he works toward his goals.

Looking Ahead

Holmes has clear ambitions for the years ahead.

In the short term, he wants to help DME compete for the league title, perform well at major events, and continue developing as a goalkeeper. He also hopes to earn opportunities to participate in MLS NEXT Cup-related events and showcase his abilities at the highest possible level.

Looking further ahead, college soccer is a major objective.

He hopes to enter his senior year with strong college opportunities and continue developing throughout his collegiate career. Beyond that, he dreams of playing professionally, while remaining committed to playing soccer at whatever level he can reach.

His ambitions are matched by an appreciation for the process required to achieve them.

For Holmes, success is not simply about reaching the next level. It is also about continuing to learn, building confidence, and becoming a more complete player and person.

“Coming to DME Academy has taught me that having the right mindset makes you a much better player and person.”

It is a lesson he hopes to carry with him throughout his career.

And as Holmes continues his journey in Sarasota, his story is still being written — one training session, one save, and one opportunity at a time.

DME Academy is proud to support Nico Holmes as he continues to develop, pursue his goals, and build the foundation for his future in soccer.