itnsa_abroad_soccer_tours

In The Net and United Soccer Academy will be offering three international programs for individual players for 2007-2008.

The Brazil Tour will be a very soccer intensive trip with matches against Sao Paulo FC, Portuguesa Santista, Santos FC, and Guaruja FC, plus a stadium tour of Santos Stadium, the home of Pele.

The Italy Tour will include stays in Rome, Florence, and Como/Milan. During the Italy Tour players will attend two Serie A matches, one at Olympic Stadium in Rome and one match in Milan at San Siro Stadium.
Teams will participate in the Como Lake Cup.

The Britain Tour will be a very soccer intensive trip with matches throughout London and Manchester, plus a stadium tour to EPL Champion, Chelsea FC.

In The Net Soccer Academy has been chosen to represent the state of NH by United Soccer Academy International in selecting players (boys and girls between 10 & 18 years old) to train and compete abroad in Europe and Brazil.

The program is set up for Individual Player Sign-Ups and/or Team Sign-Ups, and will not replace existing club or ODP teams; but enhance your game providing each player with a wonderful opportunity to compete
worldwide.

Below is the list of upcoming tours and dates:

2008 Italy Tour - March 15-25, 2008

2008 Britain Tour - July 15-28, 2008

2008-09 Brazil Tour: December 26, 2008 - January 4, 2009

Patrick has been personally selected to bring one of the teams over on the Italy trip.

Not interested in the above tour locations or the dates do not work for you, you can bring your team ANYWHERE in the world ANYTIME of the year to compete.

For further information, please contact Patrick Mulcahy (patrick@inthenetsoccer.com).

Stephanie Bernier (Bill, BU14. Brazil '05).

The New Years Eve celebration in Brazil was surreal!
Thousands of people on the beach, offering roses, candles and perfume to The Lady of the Sea. At midnight there were more fireworks than we've ever seen! Truly amazing! Tradition is that you must jump 7 waves at midnight for good luck (there are many traditions apparently, but this was the most daring). Most of the boys and some of the boosters gave it a go.

Today started at the beach with one of the Moms and myself. The boys had their goal setting meetings with the coaches. After all that, we had a game against a club team that feeds players into one of the first division pro teams. Every player here has an absolutely sublime first touch! This has been a wonderful opportunity for us to see what else is out there at Bill's age as far as talent goes. You really don't know what's outside New England, let alone the world, when it comes to great players and their day to day training/game routine. The games down here are far more faster with and without as well as more physical; it's not malicious, but very intense!

Today was funny, Bill made friends with the kid that he was marking during the game. We have a very nice photo of the 2 of them together!! After the match, the kids (Brazilian), decided they need to teach us to dance, so they invited our players into a circle while they clapped and taught them the steps!! Then the ref (professor, he's called here), took off his shirt and started demonstrating this crazy Hapkido they do here!! It's kind of a make believe sparring match with a lot of flying spinning Tae Kwon Do kicks! Bill was all over that; I've got some fantastic video!

Beach soccer at night before dinner and then to bed...Life is good!

The United Soccer Academy boosters / staff have done a great job with us parents showing us around and keeping us busy while the kids are training and doing their team building exercises. All the players have been great and Bill has made so many new friends with kids from around the U.S. and world. The coaching staff are all very qualified and approachable which has made this an easy and fun playing environment for Bill. All the accommodations and travels have been very organized, comfortable and professional.

Thank you so much Patrick for making us aware of this wonderful opportunity; it has really opened our eyes and has been an incredible experience as a parent and for my son as a player, both on the field and off. We would definitely highly recommend you and United Soccer Academy for soccer touring overseas.

Dennis Charles (Drew and Dan, BU14. Brazil '05).

Firstly, Barb and I want to thank you for orchestrating and managing a wonderful trip for us and the boys. Also, thank you for all your support (email & calls) during our decision making and sign-up process. Our trip exceeded our expectations on every level - soccer, cultural, and socially (we greatly enjoyed making new friends with the other parents!

The Brazilian people were very friendly to the American soccer players (and their parents). It was quite the experience. Our soccer activities took us to some nice areas and some very poor areas. In all cases the Brazilian people were very proud hosts. Matches often started with the teams exchanging gifts and handshakes; the games ended with more handshakes, more gifts, the boys trading t-shirts and trying to communicate with one another. The
Brazilians love to have their picture taken and more than once the players were asked to pose with a player from the other team or even with a young female spectator (I think the kids felt like stars).

The kids did well and won three matches (& lost three). At halftime of their 7th game the coaches surprised everyone and traded players; creating mixed teams. Another terrific experience. The Brazil players were very skilled and impressive - kind of made the boys realize that there are skill levels beyond what they had ever considered.

Our weather was hot and humid with temps in upper 80's most days. We spend 3 days in Sao Paulo and 5 days in Santos; a city on the ocean (boardwalk type area) and the home of Pele'.

I think the boys really enjoyed the trip. I think they enjoyed all aspects of the trip. They bonded with their US teammates, enjoyed the cultural aspects of playing and meeting Brazilians, and experienced some great soccer. They also learned and played a little futsal. We even purchased a futsal ball to bring home.