Robert Maplay spent the formative years of his youth playing pickup soccer in an Ivory Coast refugee camp.

The hardships Maplay and two older brothers endured while living in the camp from 1990-2003 never sapped his zest for life and soccer. The sport was his salvation then, and it could be now.

Maplay, a 20-year-old Hillcrest junior, is among 18 finalists for Sueño MLS, a made-for-TV event that aims to find undiscovered talent through a series of tryouts. FC Dallas and Chivas USA are hosting the tryouts. Spanish-language network Univision airs "Sueño MLS 2008" on its sports magazine show Republica Deportiva/

The Sueño MLS event in Dallas drew more than 2,000 participants at an initial tryout Feb. 22-25.

The remaining field of 18 will scrimmage an opponent Saturday. Shortly afterward, the field will be narrowed to those players who FC Dallas officials believe have a realistic shot of earning a spot on the club's developmental roster. Those select finalists will participate in a two-week trial with FC Dallas. One winner will be selected March 30 and given a chance to earn a spot on the club's developmental roster.

"I'm trying to give myself the hope that I will be able to be one of the best players," Maplay said. "I don't know if I'm going to make it or not, but I'm excited to make it this far."

Robert Maplay's father, Johnson Maplay, a police lieutenant, was shot and killed in 1990 during civil war in Liberia. Robert's oldest brother, John, was killed a month later.

Robert and two older brothers – Francis and Yagba – were separated from the remainder of their family during a gun battle later that year. The three brothers left behind their mother, Sarah; brothers William, Augustine and Sieh; and sister Patricia, all of whom are now in a refugee camp at Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The brothers hope to resettle their mother in Dallas soon and have started the process with the help of the International Rescue Committee. The brothers speak to their mother about twice a month but have not seen her since the separation.

In September 2004, the United Nations refugee agency resettled Francis, Yagba and Robert in Dallas.

A month later, Robert, then a 16-year-old, enrolled at Hillcrest. Although he could speak three African languages and some broken English, he could not read or write because he had no schooling in the refugee camp.

For his first year, Robert was enrolled in Hillcrest's English Language Institute, which prepares immigrant and refugee students for the rigors of mainstream class work that will be taught in English. However, most of those children have been formally educated.

"He struggles with his reading," said Hillcrest coach Browning Stupp, who tutors Robert. "It's hard to read at this level. But, if you've lived ... in a refugee camp, the catch-up is going to be for the rest of your life."

While Robert has made significant strides in his class work, he may not have enough of the basic skills to pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, the standardized test required for a high school diploma. Despite that, Robert hasn't given up on his education.

"What impresses me is his perseverance and his wonderful attitude," said Julie Pederson, Robert's American history teacher. "He always keeps trying

Stupp said he has received several inquires from college coaches about Robert. However, Robert's educational background makes it virtually impossible for him to enroll in college. Robert drew college attention the previous two seasons, when he starred at forward for Hillcrest's team. He was named district MVP each year and was SportsDay's 2006 newcomer of the year.

Robert is now enrolled in mainstream classes.

Randy Hester met the Maplays through the Northwest Bible Church shortly after their 2004 arrival and serves as a surrogate parent to them. Hester said Robert can remain at Hillcrest another year. He and the Maplays are trying to determine whether Robert should stay in high school or enroll in a GED program.

"We want Robert to get as much education as he can so he can function well," said Hester, who now lives in Austin but visits the Maplays three to four times a month.

Robert is too old to participate in high school and club soccer. His only organized soccer training has been his two seasons at Hillcrest and brief stints with the Longhorns and Dallas Texans club teams.

FC Dallas declined to give a specific assessment of Robert's skills, saying it would be unfair to the others remaining in the Sueño MLS competition. He has been working at defender as well as forward.

"He has the skill to play professionally," Stupp said. "Whether he has the will to do it is up to him. This is a door that we are opening up for him."

Sueño MLS appears to be that opportunity.

"My biggest fear is that he has a gift and it gets wasted," Stupp said. "I don't want him stocking stores 40 years from now when he can make a living with his feet. And if he makes a living with his feet, maybe people will see what a special kid he is and continue to help him."

Through it all, Francis and Yagba have insisted that Robert remain in school while they work to support the family. Francis works as a security guard, and Yagba works in a warehouse. Although Robert works part-time as a valet at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Francis and Yagba pay the majority of their bills. They wire the rest of their money to their mother.

"Everyone knows that education is the key to making our life better," Francis said. "This is why he should learn. I'm happy watching him play soccer. I feel like that will be his career."

Robert dreams of repaying those who have helped him, especially his brothers.

"When I see them working late hours, I sometimes feel sad because they are walking in the cold or waiting for a bus," Robert said. "It's not a good life to live. So I'm trying to do what they are telling me to do – work hard so I can be a successful person and be able to help them out."