Match Updates & End of Seminar

Friday August 26^th,

This past Saturday we had a home game against Brighouse Old Boys and lost 2-0. The whole game was a bit of a mess, as we came out half asleep and the whole team was off this game. Our touches were off, we could not finish, our passing was inaccurate and we were overall just slow. It was unfortunate because we were far technically the superior team, but on the day nothing worked for us and it was one of those games that later on the season we will look back at and wish we gained more points from. Thankfully our keeper had a fantastic game because without him the lost could have been much worse. After the game we were all down on the performance but it is going to be a long season. On Monday we had our first fitness practice with and X-British Gladiator (like from the old television show) named Q (I think) and we did a bunch of different exercises and circuits for the entire practice. It was an intense and tough practice that I actually enjoyed but the next day I could barely move. Wednesday we had another home game against Mount Saint Mary’s and they were sporting old school Celtic FC jerseys, which I liked. But we started the same way we played on Saturday and by half we were down 3-0. Then we turned it around the second half and came back to tie the game 3-3. We kept pushing for the fourth goal, missed a P.K. (in the first half) but never could get the fourth goal, and again dropped points to a team who we definitely see ourselves as being technically superior than. Thursday was our last day of our Freshman “sports and Society” Seminar class, but we have a review and final this upcoming Tuesday an we have a research project due in two weeks. We have games on Saturday and Sunday of this week and on Sunday we have our first Showcase game against Football League Two side Reserves Bradford City, which will be a fantastic opportunity. Monday is a Bank Holiday in the UK so there will be no school, practice, and pretty much nothing will be open. Our other four classes start on September 5^th and the other students move into the flats around September 10^th. I am actually excited for school to start and to start seeing more people my age!

Below are some other pictures from around campus

Second Match-First Win

August 18^th, 2011

Yesterday we played at Horbury Town, which was around 25 minutes away from campus. The first thing I noticed was that our stadium was ten times better than this complex/ field, and as the second years told (I played with the first team again) me, was that our complex was going to be the best out of all the teams would play in this league. The field we played on was literally on a hill, so one half you played going uphill, while the other half you played going downhill. We started the game slow and went down two-zero at half. The other team dominated in the air and we gave away way to many fouls in are own half.  As well we playing uphill the first half so this put us under a lot of pressure. In the second half, we scored early on from a cross and a near post tap in and after the other midfielders and I started to win more 50-50 balls, and got stuck into tackles the momentum started to change. The game got a little “chippy” and the other team started to foul as it seemed they could not get it out of their half and we started to frustrate them. Soon the game became tied 2-2, off a short corner kick play, and from them on we knew that we were going to win. But then the whole tide of the game change when both a guy on their team and a guy on our team received red cards. Towards the end of the games we pushed on and scored the third goal off of a break away and then killed the game with a fourth goal on a breakaway. It felt good to beat this team because by then they were running their mouths more than playing and it would have been disappointing to lose to them because we were the far superior side. As well, it was great to get the first win of the season. As for school, I did excellent on my midterm for my Sports and Society class and we do not have class tomorrow or next Friday. Saturday is our next game for the league and next week we have two more games.  Cheers!

Below are some more pictures from the campus and a picture of me during the game.

First Match Day!

August 13^th, 2011

Today is the day. I am so antsy I woke up at seven in the morning and could not go back to sleep. It is the first game day and I could not be happier for this moment because I never thought this would ever happen. This is the first stage in hopefully a long, successful process for me. I know it will be small baby steps but I am just ready to start my playing career in the UK. Another exciting factor was that we got our kit today, which I must say, is the best kit I have ever had. It was just the practice and warm up kit (the game kit is at the field when we get there) but man it looks sharp. It is time for me to head on out; hopefully we get a win on the first day

August 13^th, 2011-continued

Well that was quite an experience I must say. I played with the second years (first division team) at South Leeds Stadium and it was a beautiful stadium (for pictures click here). It was about a twenty minute drive to the stadium so that was a nice way for me to get to see some of Leeds. Our stadium was right next to Leeds United Stadium and LU had a home game today so it was buzzing all over the area. It was crazy to see all the Leeds fans outside the stadium supporting the club they loved and looking at the stadium reminded me of how far I have come and how one day I could be playing at that level, in that big of a stadium. As for the game, we were not playing boys; we were playing, ugly, nasty, dirty, 200 pound, missing teeth, physical, men.  The team we were playing finished third in this league last year. We were coming in as the young, college, American kids, with the nice uniforms, boots, and warm up kits so from the beginning they were out to get us. And within 15 minutes of the game one of starting strikers was taken down from a nasty tackle from behind and will probably be out for at least two to three weeks. I played a decent game for my first game in the UK, but it was a tough match to play when it was more of a physical, pushing, shoving match then actual football. And because of that there were moments when they dominated us but overall we hit the post once, almost scored off their keeper’s mistake, and caught them off a kick free kick but couldn’t put it home. Overall they did not have any clear scoring chances and it was an interesting experience to see how physical the lower levels of English football were. After the game they served us food at the stadium and our choices were a chip sandwich (French fries sandwich) or a Meat pie covered with smushed peas...welcome to classic English food!!!! I can tell you as of now I am so sore and tomorrow I probably will not be able to move. A lot of the guys are going out to some clubs tonight in downtown Leeds so that should be an exciting adventure as it will be my first night out in Leeds. I have another game either Monday or Wednesday (or maybe both). It is time for football to totally take over my life. I am just so blessed and happy for the opportunity I have and appreciate all the support from my friends and family back home.  Love and miss all of you guys! 

Update

August 11^th, 2011

The first four practices have gone really well so far for me and I am continuing to enjoy my time here in the Queen’s land. Everyday at practice we meet new coaches who either played in the Barclays Premier League or coached some level of professional English football club and it is amazing to see all of these connections that we are developing and all the new options and doors we are opening not only in England bit in other European countries for our football dreams.  Today the first years scrimmaged the second years and I played with the second year’s team and you could see the development of some good football. It felt good playing with the second years and I felt good about my performance. All this week I have had to take part in an annoying picture scavenger hunt for my Sports and Society class that is mandatory but is allowing me to get to know the area a bit more.  There is a midterm in the Sports and Society class coming up on Monday which should not be to difficult and the first match is only two days away and I am getting pumped. No matter what team I play for I will just be excited for my first official match in the UK!

Community Shield

August 7^th, 2011

Today me and a couple of first years went to a local pub to watch the Community Shield game, Manchester United vs. Manchester City. The pub was pretty packed and it was intense as the rival fans were shouting their chants, cussing at each other, and beers were being tossed, as “lads” were already drunk at 2:30 in the afternoon. It was nice though to sit, have a pint of beer, and be a part of this rich culture and environment, interacting with the British people, and really getting an understanding of their passion for the game. As I talked to some British guys they actually were surprised at how much I knew about the Barclays Premier League as we talked tactics. They say it is a totally different game over here and I tell you what the aroma and tension that was in the air was breathtaking throughout the ninety minutes.  I personally thought Manchester City played a decent game and took their few chances well, yet Manchester United were by far the better team and definitely deserved the win. The second goal by Manchester United (Nani’s first goal) was an absolute beautiful sequence of passing. I was mesmerized as it reminded me of Barcelona FC. That is the style of football I would love to play. As the game started to change toward Manchester United’s favor the buzz in the pub became more contagious and the fans were going wild. The Manchester City fans sat back in their chairs disappointed and praying they could finish the second half tied and maybe manage PK’s. But literally the last play of the game Nani scored on a break away and as the pub erupted and Manchester United fans went crazy I found myself lost in an abyss, not knowing what to do but to cheer (even though I dislike Manchester United) because at that moment I felt part of something so special and this was certainly a great first pub experience. Tomorrow is our first practice and I ready to start the soccer part of this experience with a bang.

First Kickaround

August 6^th, 2011

Today’s game went well against the Missouri ODP team. There was no winner because we ended up mixing players onto their team because they needed subs and during the middle of the game the coach would come up and talk to you and become acquainted, which was somewhat annoying since all we wanted to do was play. Here is a link about the game, where it talks about me and another first year in the game http://riasa.org/blog?hid=181. So the first session was a success and now I am ready for the program to swing into full gear and for practice to start on a daily basis. Soon we will get our full training and game kits and next Saturday we will play in our first league match. I can not wait until that day comes.

Oreintation

August 5^th, 2011

So this past four to five days have been our orientation for the program. Unfortunately since school does not start until early/mid September campus is a ghost town-but it is also our preseason. Orientation has consisted of the basic “freshman orientation week” events, along with placement tests, another tour of downtown Leeds, meetings with faculty and staff, campus tour and loads more.

Click here to see pictures of my flat (dorm) and campus

Click here for more pictures of the Leeds (Headingley)

It has been crazy trying to adjust to the new environment and culture of England. For basics I still say dollars and cents instead of pounds and pence, I still say soccer instead of football, everybody says cheers to end every conversation, phone numbers start with 0 instead of 1, and when I tell British people I am from Tallahassee, Florida there first response is “Oh that is where Disney World is right”? It still boggles my mind they have self checkout grocery stores here, that I have to cook my own food, that I am living on my own (and practically wiping my own butt in a foreign country), and that there is toilet literally in my shower. I have been trying to get a job this past week, but just like getting my student visa it is a very complicated process that takes time and tons of patience on my part.  I set up a bank account, registered with a doctor, and have been looking for a cheap phone to use, but that is still in the works, as I need to earn some dinero. It finally dawned on me how much I never appreciated having a car till I got here, because now I have to walk everywhere, unless I want to pay around 5 dollars to take a bus downtown, or walk around 10 minutes to the Headingley shopping centers. And think going up hills with all of those groceries in your hands, really makes you rethink how much “junk” you are going to purchase.  It has been really fun to get to know the other first years over this week. All of us have come here for the same dream, yet are all in support of each other and I can tell this is a good group. We have kids from Egypt, Peru, Canada, Scotland, South Korea, and all over the United States. It will be interesting to see how these relationships develop, if any problems occur, and we are all anxious to see the arrival of the second years.

As well, this week the rest of the first years and I have started a class called “Sports and Society”. So far it has actually been interesting (it is about sports how could it not be interesting?) and we watch movies ever other day. The only down side is that it is a seminar so it is a three hour class 9-12…oh and it is Monday-Friday. We are taking it before school so we can get one class out of the way before so during the first semester we can have one less class to take and will have less stress/class work and can focus more on the football. Because it has been so crazy this week we have not been practicing at all which has been a bummer. Some of us have been playing pickup during the week and there is a gym on campus. At the moment there is construction being done on two or three new fields for us, which I am excited about because our practice field now is a tad bumpy. Tomorrow we are supposed to have a small practice/scrimmage against a Missouri ODP team who is doing an England tour and is ending here at Leeds so that should be fun to get out and run around.  Even though tomorrow is the first showing and the coach cannot judge too much off this performance, I am hoping I make a good first impression. Wish me luck!

Arrival

August 1^st, 2011

England is absolutely breathtaking! What a first day must I say? The funniest thing happened to me as I am first entering the country. So me being lazy I was the last one off the airplane, and thus the last one from my flight to get in line for customs and passport inspection.  As usual the annoying airport staff were yelling at us to fill out a standard form with your passport that allows you to enter the country. As other flights came in, an African American lady with her baby daughter got in line behind me. As the man who was yelling at people in line and checking to see if they had filled out this form or not passed this lady and I, she stared at him dazed and confused. She did not understand the process at all and the guy was being a total jerk to her and really did not give her any help at all. So as that man walks away I offer to hold her baby and told her what to write on her form since I knew what to do. To my amazement when she opened her passport her last name was Touré. I thought ehh probably a coincidence and did not think another second about it. As I easily passed through the passport checkpoint I waited to make sure this lady got through, which she did. As we passed through the door and I looked to see where my baggage claim conveyor belt is I thought to myself that now this is where we go our separate ways…wrong. As I turned to go to my conveyor belt (which was separate from all the other flights) the lady followed me, practically attached to my hip. As I was walking I thought oh lord there is no way I can be the father to this baby and why is this lady following me? As I thought of a way to escape from this lady once I have collected my bags, off in the distance I heard African music being played from somewhere.  Then I heard a deep voice say, “Okay so how long until you think I will get my bags” and I saw two kids dancing to this African music. Suddenly the girl next to me screamed “Kolo”! And the man at the lost luggage office, Kolo Touré, (which happened to be right by my baggage claim conveyor belt) turned around and hugged the girl. At that moment I am dazed, shocked, and somewhat embarrassed because I have already started to dance to the African music and Kolo and the lady are staring at me. The lady and Kolo started to speak in French and he thanked me for helping his cousin through the passport inspection process. Then he started to two-step with his children and me and on day one of my three-four year adventure in England I have created a memory of a lifetime. Of course I get a photograph with the guy and he wished me the best of luck. But what a story huh!

As I left the airport I traveled by train from the Manchester airport to Leeds. It was the first time I had ever been on a train and must I say it was such a spectacular way of seeing the city of Manchester and also the countryside. The valleys and hills were so beautiful and although the ride was tiring (about an hour and 15 minutes overall) I was thoroughly entertained by the English countryside and the three year old next to me as we made faces at each other. From the train station I took a fifteen minute taxi ride from downtown Leeds to my University campus, which is in the area/county/section known as Headingley (if you were to describe exactly where you where in Leeds). As I arrived at the beautiful campus I was happy and relieved to finally be at the place that will be my home for the next three to four years. As I unpacked my luggage from the taxi and used my pounds for the first time in the UK it finally set in that everything I have dreamed for in my life, could now be possible, and I could not be more thankful for this fantastic opportunity that I had been given. The rest of the day consisted of me checking in with the RIASA (Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy) staff, meeting the other first years, moving into my flat (room), and taking a tour of Headingley. After the tour me and some of the other first years played some 7 v 7 in “the acre” so we got a little workout in to a long, somewhat boring day. Right after dinner (which was hosted by a fine Italian restaurant) I passed out because I had literally been up for two days.  I can not wait for what the rest of orientation.

The Beginning

July 31^st, 2011

And so it begins, the journey of a lifetime.  Something I never thought would happen in my life has come true.  After the most stressful and complicated summer of my life, calling the UK Visa Embassy daily, emailing school officials certain documents, tracking legal documents through UPS, DHL, FedEx, trying to renew a passport and get a student visa, (studying abroad is not an easy task) I am finally boarding my plane from Atlanta to Manchester, England and I have mixed emotions. Excited for the program and all the possibilities that could come from it, yet somewhat nervous for the unknown, sad to say goodbye to all the loved ones, and determined and confident to conquer what is to come.

So a little about the program. It is called Richmond, the American International University in London, but we are studying in Leeds. The school has three campuses (London, Leeds, Rome) and this specific soccer program (and other main athletic programs) is located at the Leeds campus at Leeds Metropolitan University, Headingley Campus.  So I will be receiving an International Business degree while I am here and attending an American soccer academy with roughly 35 other “lads”. There are about five teams you can play for in the academy; university team, u19 team, first division team, second division team, and showcase team. On Saturdays we play in the West Yorkshire Men’s League and depending on whether you are a first year (freshman-which I am in this program at the moment) or second year (sophomore) decides whether you are on the first division team or second division team in the Men’s league at first. But as we settle in and school gets started (school does not start till early/mid September) the teams will get shifted around if the manager believes players deserve the chance. The showcase games are the big games against the pro youth academy teams (Blackburn Rovers, Hull City, Manchester City…). I am not really sure how the u19 or the university team is working out but will update you on that once I find out. Here is a YouTube video about the progam. Also, here are two links to the home websites for the programs http://riasa.org/home and http://www.richmond.ac.uk/content/riasa.aspx. Well it is time to board next time I speak with you I will be in Leeds!