Christian Mederos is a typical high school athlete at first glance -- and a typical 17-year-old who spends hours on the Internet.

But unlike most teens, his time spent online entails something more than social networking, emailing and browsing the web.

He spends plenty of time reading blogs, news stories and the latest updates in one subject he says is his passion: soccer.

"I make sure I am up to date with what is going on," said Mederos, a team captain for the Eastlake High boys soccer team. "I like to keep informed on the latest transactions, the latest scores and how the world of soccer is shaping up."

The teen has one particular interest. His favorite club, Cruz Azul from Mexico City.

"I'd have to say that is one of my weaknesses," he said. "I shouldn't spend so much time online and should focus more on my homework."

That's where Mederos, a senior, stops resembling most teen athletes. Despite being a standout player on the Titans roster, Mederos has a quality Eastlake coach Martin Casas says is not common in the soccer community, particularly in the South Bay.

"He has to be the most humble and inspiring player I've ever had," Casas said. "There's something about kids in our area. They come into teams with huge egos, thinking they are better than the team. Christian is nothing like that. That's why he's the leader of the team."

Mederos' attitude is appreciated by his teammates. They see him as their leader not only for his ability to get along with everyone but mostly for his skill on the field.

You must earn respect off the field after earning it on the pitch.

Mederos has done so.

"He is a true teammate," said Hector Rivera, a midfielder for the Titans, who play Jan. 5 against Mt. Carmel. "He's straightforward and leads by example. He's clear about everything."

Rivera, 16, should know. He knows Mederos well. Both grew up playing soccer and became friends in elementary school where they played pick-up games in not just soccer but basketball, racquetball and anything that required athletic development. Both players' families are close. Mederos' dad, Eliseo, is Rivera's godfather. The families often hang out.

"Christian is someone you can rely on to bring the best out of you," Rivera said. "He can be serious when he has to but he can crack a joke here and there."

Mederos doesn't joke on the field.

He is the Titans bloodline. He is in charge of steering the attack and setting up players' marks on defense.

"When we have the ball, every play has to go through Christian, there is no doubt," said Casas, who is in his second season as the boys coach. "He's the difference maker. I tell you, in the last 10 years of this program, he is the best player we've had."

The coach is not kidding.

Eastlake has struggled to make an impact in soccer. When people hear Eastlake they probably think football and basketball, two traditional winning programs.

Casas, who coached the girls team for four seasons before taking over the boys team, believes this year's soccer squad can change perceptions. This team is filled with experienced players who spend most of the year playing with their clubs. But Casas credits the Titans' recent success, in the most part, to Mederos.

The Titans are a different team without him.

Eastlake is 3-2-2 as it enters the last stretch of non-league matches. Both loses came when Mederos was not on the field as he nursed a slight pull in his right quad that kept him sidelined for three weeks. He's missed four games.

The Titans lost to Southwest and Rancho Bernardo by one goal and played to a scoreless tie with Mar Vista without Mederos.

"It was hard to get into a rhythm and keep possession with him not in there," said Casas, who has coached Mederos on his club team since the forward was 12. "We expect to compete in this (Mesa) League but in order to do so, we have to have Christian in there. The injury has forced him to use his left leg more now. He can actually blast the ball with his left now, so, that could be a good thing."

Mederos has scored three goals and raked in two assists in the three matches he's played. He is expected to return to action in January just in time for the Titans to take on last year's CIF Division III runner-up Cathedral Catholic.

"I should be ready to go by then," Mederos said. "I've gotten some treatment and have kept up with some physical training of my own, working out on the beach."

Mederos is often there. He lives in Imperial Beach. That's where he met Rivera. Mederos commutes to Eastlake daily. It's a sacrifice his family was willing to make. They felt he had a better shot at a better education there.

It seems the move has paid off.

Mederos is also a standout in the classroom. He carries a 3.0 GPA and is taking several AP classes. His scholastic achievements and skills on the field have caught the eyes of several university scouts. Amid a handful of those is San Francisco State, a school Mederos is considering. He wants to be a high school teacher just like Casas, his coach.

"I am real close with my family, so, I'd probably prefer to stay close to home," said Mederos, the youngest of three and the only male. "But San Francisco State or Monterey Bay would be cool to go to. I want to go where I get the best opportunity to play and eventually get a chance at becoming a pro."

He won't make it to either if his grades drop. Casas is making sure that doesn't happen. He is often reminding his star player to keep up with his work. Mederos usually complies.

When he's not doing schoolwork, it's likely because he's working out or kicking around a soccer ball. But most likely he's on the Internet, reading some soccer blog.

Ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com