‘Can Barça’, springboard for young soccer players to the USA
The United States is increasingly one of the most sought-after destinations for established players like Raúl, Villa, Lampard and Gerrard, for example, to finish their careers. It’s also popular for young people wanting to combine soccer with studies. For the latter, their great opportunity comes on the weekend of 27 and 28 June, when the second set of ‘tryouts’ is due to be held in Catalonia. It will be held at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despí, organised by the Catalan Soccer Federation (FCF) and the ‘Sports Unlimited’ company. The program is called ‘University Soccer Adventure’ (USC).
About 50 young people between the ages of 17 and 23 will take the tests under the watchful eye of technical experts from four prestigious North American universities: West Virginia, Butler, Charleston and Cincinnati. The goal of the Americans is to raise the standard of their teams. According to Gerardo Piris, coordinator of the sports part of this initiative, the tests will consist of training sessions in small venues followed by matches with 7 against 7 and 11 against 11.
The players chosen will benefit from scholarships at the universities mentioned earlier, where they will have to combine soccer with their studies. Getting good grades is essential. That will allow them in the future to work in what they want and become soccer professionals. It’s precisely this idea that the organisers want to emphasise the most: that the young players aren’t forced to choose between soccer and studies. Anyone interested can find out more through the FCF. The fashionable Major League Soccer (MLS) is ready and waiting.
