Confidence has been, and always will be, one of the most important factors in a player's success at every level of soccer. From youth games to MLS, a player’s confidence is an infectious, yet intangible tool that plays a major role in their ability to compete.
For FC Cincinnati Academy defender Dom Lester, his confidence was crucial in staying true to himself on his path to success.
“Confidence is the key. There have always been people getting picked over me, but at the end of the day it’s whatever, that’s life. I just have to work on myself and how I’m doing and not worry about what’s going on around me. Just lock in and be focused on myself.”
Lester, who is regarded as one of the brightest players in the country in the 2010 age group, has become a key contributor in the FC Cincinnati Academy since joining the club. He primarily plays with the U16 team but has also featured with FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS NEXT Pro on occasion. At 15 years old, Lester has also been called into the Jamaican U17 National Team, helping them qualify for the 2026 U17 FIFA World Cup later this summer in Qatar; the first time Jamaica has qualified for the tournament since 2011.
Soccer has always been part of Dom Lester’s life, where he started playing soccer around three or four years after watching his uncles play and wanting to be like them.
“My passion for playing the sport is probably my uncles because they brought me into the game, and ever since then, I’ve just loved it,” Lester said. “Both of them did play soccer. They didn’t get the chance to play collegiately… I just wanted to be like them.”
Like many kids in the FC Cincinnati Academy, Lester remembers the lockdowns from the COVID-19 pandemic well; a moment which had a significant impact on their lives made only more dramatic by the age they experienced them. Being so young, the world's pause took a year away from their development and stagnated their growth.
So while the COVID-19 pandemic was a roadblock, for Lester it kick-started his work ethic and determination, which have carried him throughout his young career.
During the lockdown, Lester trained with his older brother Jaylen, getting hundreds of touches every day —practicing dribble moves and developing a competitive edge that, at times, got a little chippy. Normally, Lester wouldn’t have had as much time to put into his craft, but with him and the rest of his family quarantining, he went all in.
“We quarantined during Covid and trained with each other and were super competitive. Sometimes we fought, I’m not even gonna lie. That’s just brotherly love at the end of the day,” Lester said. “My big brother. He always pushes me and wants me to do better every day,” Lester said. “We also just work off of each other and just strive to be better. We know what we’re capable of.”
Dom’s older brother, Jaylen, is also a player in the FC Cincinnati Academy, currently on the U18 team.
In 2021, at just 12 years old, Dom Lester was elevated to the Red Bull New York Academy U12 team, getting the call-up from the Red Bulls Pre-Academy team; a significant stepping stone in Lester’s career, putting him on the map and giving him recognition for all his hard work.
“It was good. I feel like I made my family proud. Just keep pushing at the end of the day and always keep going no matter what,” Lester said.
After spending considerable time with Red Bull New York, Lester joined to FCC Academy’s U16 team. He later made his debut with FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS NEXT Pro on August 15, 2025, against Toronto FC II.
For a young player, the move from Red Bull New York to FC Cincinnati was a new experience and introduced some challenges. A new club, moving to a new city, acclimating to a new culture – all of which can be challenging for anyone, but especially for an academy player. That said, it didn’t take long for him to fit in with his new club. And as Lester got more comfortable, his raw talent and confidence in his abilities began to become apparent.
Playing with FC Cincinnati 2 also helped bridge that gap for him, giving him a goal to reach for and a new level to challenge himself at, even though he admits he wasn’t quite at the level he needed to be yet.
“Being with FCC 2, I feel like my first couple weeks I was kind of nervous, but as I gradually got into it, I feel like I started fitting into the group more,” the young player explained. “I would definitely say the physicality, and the technical ability coming into it (were a challenge). Especially the physical part. I know they’re bigger than me and stronger than me, but it’s just the mentality to try and be like them."
Lester was listed as a midfielder with Red Bull New York’s U13 team but made the switch to defender with FC Cincinnati. Most often deployed as a wingback, his experience on both sides of the ball sets him apart and has made him an impressive talent.
“I played wing before and right back, so it was a fit for me. I love to attack and I also like to defend, so it was just a really good place for me,” Lester explained. “I definitely like attacking though. Scoring goals, nothing is better than that.”
Outside of soccer, Lester enjoys staying active by playing basketball with friends, and makes sure to carve out time for himself to unplug from soccer for even just an hour or two.Â
“I don’t really have a favorite team, but I have a favorite player—Kyrie,” Lester said.
Kyrie Irving is a point guard for the Dallas Mavericks who is known for his dazzling dribbling. The NBA star's influence on Lester can be seen in his play style, controlling the pace of the game just like the All-Star point guard, and in the way he approaches his goals.
Lester is just like any kid who had a favorite player growing up. However, for Lester, he has a chance to become that favorite player that so many kids wanted to be, and, in a bit of serendipity, hopes to replicate Irving’s contributions by bringing a championship to his own Ohio team one day.
With Lester not even 16 years old, the future is full of possibilities. No matter what Lester encounters as his journey continues, one thing will remain true—his confidence will never waver.
