What's Next

This weekend, Keller-Sarmiento will put on the Harvard crimson for the last time, marking the end of a career that has boasted 21 goals, 16 assists and All-Ivy honors, and also the commencement of a life that will not include organized soccer.

"Soccer here has been a very positive experience." Sarmiento said. "If is sad that it ends, but I have a lot of other things to do."

Here he doesn't pause or doesn't hesitate, he just sort of changes the channel as smooth as ever, and begins talking about his future--both short and long range. A government thesis on the relationship between multinational companies and the Argentinian government is first on the agenda, as well as organizing activities as president of the Italian Club (he speaks four languages).

In the spring, Mauro plans to play some soccer in informal leagues around Cambridge and gain some on-the-job experience doing research for an international business in the area.

Like many other seniors, he doesn't think he has really taken advantage of all there is to offer culturally and otherwise in Boston. "With my afternoons free, it will be nice to go see a museum or drive into the country somewhere," he said.

Mauro's next three years are to some extent already mapped out for him by the Argentinian government.

"In Argentina you must do a year of military service, so I'll be going back there," Keller-Sarmiento said. "After that I'll probably work there for a year and a half and then come back to the states for business school or perhaps to study government. And also to play some alumni games against my brothers," he adds.

Even as Mauro looks to the future, if just an afterthought, soccer is there.

"I think I'll always play soccer--in pick-up games or in clubs," he says. "Just like Americans always say 'let's throw it around,' I'll always say let's kick it around."