Touchline - Winter 2022

PENNSYLVANIA’S LEADING YOUTH SOCCER PUBLICATION

SOCCER PROFILES:

TOP USMNT MOMENTS TITLE IX’S IMPACT GOOD OF THE GAME MOMENTS

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #15 MONROE, GA

BILL NUTTALL MAURICE EDU

ANGELO’S SOCCER CORNER GET READY FOR THE WORLD CUP! FOOTWEAR, FAN APPAREL, & EQUIPMENT Wide Selection, Great Price, Great Service!

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A partnership for the good of the community.

Through the Gear for Good initiative, Subaru, its Philadelphia-area retailers, and the Philadelphia Union are collecting new and gently used soccer gear and offering it to Philadelphia area youth soccer teams in underserved communities.

Join us by donating your soccer equipment at Gear for Good collection bins located at Subaru Park or your local participating Subaru retailer.

Learn more at PhiladelphiaUnion.com/Subaru

Subaru is a registered trademark.

CREDITS PUBLISHED BY: Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer 4070 Butler Pike, Suite 100 Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 Phone: 610-238-9966 Fax: 610-238-9933 E-mail: info@EPYSA.org Website: EPYSA.org EXECUTIVE BOARD President - Jeff Sommer First Vice President Lennie Brown Second Vice President Bill Fuller

WORLD CUP PREVIEW 16

Treasurer- Jim Brown Secretary Melissa Murphy Weber Registrar - Jim Christian State Youth Referee Administrator - Jeff Tener District 1 Commissioner Becky Barlow District 2 Commissioner John DiGiuseppe District 3 Commissioner Bill Ross District 4 Commissioner Eric McKitish (incumbent) District 5 Commissioner Scott Merritt District 6 Commissioner Phil Frederick (incumbent) OFFICE STAFF Chief Executive Officer – Chris Branscome

SOCCER PIONEER: BILL NUTTALL

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MAURICE EDU HAS SEEN IT ALL

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Special Soccer Times Are Upon Us

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Hunter SC: 60 Years of Service

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Title IX’s Impact in Eastern Pennsylvania

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THE USMNT IS READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD

28 FIFA World Cup Venues 30 Predictions Corner 32 Good of the Game Moments

22 World Cup Match Schedule 26 Top Moments in USMNT World Cup History

35 Coaching Education Calendar 36 World Cup Media Guide

Chief Operating Officer – Kelly Connor

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Technical Director – Mike Barr Director of Soccer Development & Performance – Gary Stephenson Marketing & Events Manager – Kelsey Tepel Registration Specialist – Michele Brown Registration Assistant Meghan Petroski Coaching Department Administrator – Gabrielle (Bree) Benedict Grassroots Soccer Manager JT Dorsey Outdoor Cups – David Jones Technical Program Manager- Evan Tyler TOUCHLINE Editor-in-Chief – Chris Branscome Editor – Kelsey Tepel Designed and printed by A.E. Engine, Inc.

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SPECIAL SOCCER TIMES ARE UPON US

W Chris Branscome

Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

The work being done today on our local fields may produce top players, but it’s also creating future coaches, administrators, referees and fans.

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e continue to experience exciting times here in Eastern Pennsylvania. As of this writing, we are only a month away from the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and a week away from the Philadelphia Union playing for the MLS Eastern Conference championship.

Both teams are special to us as they feature homegrown Eastern PA players. This is a tribute to the efforts of all of our clubs and leagues for providing the training and development at younger ages, as well as competition and opportunity in older age groups.

It’s well known, as you’ll read on later in this issue, that the US Men’s team is bolstered by Hershey native and former PA Classics player, Christian Pulisic as well as goalkeeper Zack Steffen who played for West Chester United and FC Delco. Two other local Delaware Valley residents, Brendan Aaronson (NJ) and Mark McKenzie (DE), starred for the Union before heading overseas. And we can’t forget US assistant coach BJ Callaghan, one of our former ODP coaches.

The Union, who’ve had an extraordinary run in past three years, is anchored by head coach Jim Curtin, an Oreland native who played youth soccer for Hunter. Through the Union’s academy program, several local players have been introduced to the first team and have made major contributions to the Union’s success. Brandan Craig and Quinn Sullivan both grew up playing at Lighthouse SC, Fishtown AC and Philadelphia SC. Craig and Sullivan are also featured on the US U20 team that qualified for the next Olympics in Paris.

There are many more players, and coaches, in development throughout the state. Each of the players and coaches mentioned above all started like everyone else, at their local community club. They all played on many of the same fields and against the same clubs, just like so many of you. So as you watched the MLS Playoffs and as you are about to watch the World Cup, I hope you can feel that connection. These professional, world class players have the same roots as you. We cheer for these teams as they are our professional and national teams, but they are very much our local teams. I can’t wait localize this even more when they come to Philadelphia in four years!

I hope it feels a little more special over the next few weeks as you watch these championship events. You should know that your clubs and your players had a part in developing these teams.

The players and coaches mentioned above learned their craft by playing with or against many of you. In ways big and small, you helped these players to be ready for these moments. All of you running our community based clubs, coaching and playing in our community clubs, you make a difference. The best thing, is many more moments lie ahead. The work being done today on our local fields may produce top players, but it’s also creating future coaches, administrators, referees and fans.

As we enter into the holiday season, our staff and Board thank you for the efforts you all bring to make soccer so special in Eastern Pennsylvania. Whatever our successes may be in MLS Cup or World Cup, we believe it’s truly a tribute to all of you. Have a happy holiday!

Hunter SC 60 YEARS OF SOCCER AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

BY TOMMY BRAUER, HUNTER PRESIDENT

HUNTER SOCCER CLUB BEGAN IN 1962 AS A RESPONSE TO A CALL FOR physical fitness from President John F. Kennedy. Originally called St. Luke’s Soccer Club, it was made up of a group of Cub Scouts under the leadership of John Hunter.

John Hunter, a native born Scotsman, came to this country with a love of soccer.

He took St. Luke’s Cub Scouts and taught them the game of soccer with a volleyball at Abington High School’s playing fields.

Mr. Hunter received support from Episcopal Academy when the school sent him its discarded shorts, shoes, and equipment. After some early years teaching soccer to the community children, along with Hans Peters, Mr. Hunter helped form the Intercounty Soccer League (ICSL) some 40 years ago.

For its colors, St. Luke’s Soccer Club adopted the royal blue and white colors of St. Luke’s school’s athletic teams and for its jersey, the blue and white horizontal stripes.

Besides the color scheme of St. Luke’s teams, these stripes stem from the uniforms of Queen’s Park Rangers (QPR), a famous English professional soccer team. Some QPR players would come to Glenside in the summer for Hunter’s soccer camp.

As a matter of fact, the early Hunter uniforms actually came from England and were exact duplicates of QPR’s teams.

That tradition continues today with the blue and white horizontal stripes that we call the “hoops.” Hunter also keeps the tradition alive with its current alternate jersey of blue and pink horizontal stripes that are worn all October for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Although there are religious overtones in the original St. Luke’s Soccer Club name, the soccer club was and is non-denominational. To this day, Hunter Soccer Club does not discriminate against any of its participants whether coaches or players because of their religious backgrounds, race, or gender.

Hunter is a non-profit organization that also works closely with Upper Dublin SC, AC United, Jenkintown Youth Association, Chestnut Hill Youth Soccer, St. Luke’s, Roslyn Boys and Girls Club, Fox Chase, and other local soccer and sports clubs to ensure the youth in the area are given every opportunity to create memories learning to love the “Beautiful Game” of soccer.

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In 1970, John Hunter passed away and to honor the memory of its founder, St. Luke’s Soccer Club became Hunter Soccer Club.

The club still depends on contributions from many unsung heroes.

Hunter relies on volunteer coaches to run our travel and intramural programs as a way to keep costs down for our over 1,500 players and their families in our community.

The strategy to use volunteer coaches hasn’t diminished the quality of the training or the level of play that Hunter teams have been able to achieve. Hunter had a team win the Indoor State Cups, another team win the Outdoor State Cups, and a team qualify for Nationals this year.

Hunter also relies heavily on parent and coach volunteers to run the Jack Walsh Tournament, a Columbus Day tournament that was started over 30 years ago and has grown from 16 teams to over 510 teams this year.

The tournament has grown so big that Hunter partnered with Upper Dublin Soccer Club to make sure the continued growth of the tournament didn’t diminish the quality of the tournament.

Hunter also relies on Abington Township as well as the Abington School District to provide us with fields to serve our players. Abington Township provided Hunter with the guidance and approval to install the first synthetic turf field in the Abington area last year.

Hunter received the Service to Youth award from Abington’s Youth Task force in 2007 and were named club of the year in 2012 from the South Eastern Pa. Youth Soccer League. Hunter is also one of Inter County and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s original clubs.

After 60 years, Hunter Soccer Club remains a strong, vibrant, community-oriented organization dedicated to helping the youth in our area create memories that will last a lifetime. Many Hunter alumni have come back to coach or help train the players at the club as a way of creating new memories for themselves and their players.

As Hunter President Emeritus Ralph Bocchino says, “Once you’re in, you’re in for life” which holds true in the Hunter Soccer Family.

HOW TITLE IX SPURRED 2 WOMEN TO SUCCESS IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

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to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026. his year marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX which Coming out of this influx were swarms of talented female states that no person should be denied the right to athletes from all over the country. Such is the case of Kelly participate in academic programs and opportunities Connor, the current Chief Operating Officer of the Eastern that receive federal financial assistance. Today, Title IX Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association. has made so much progress that the accessibility of all sports for Connor hails from Wallingford, PA and attended Strath Haven girls and women is no longer an issue. This is the feeling of Alison High School. After four years, her team’s Grove, co-founder of the Grimm & Grove success as well as her individual skills communication firm in Philadelphia. Grove resulted in some scholarships. was born a few years before Title IX and grew “I think anyone who gets a scholarship up in Needham, Massachusetts. Similar to whether it be academic, or athletics is a huge today, soccer was popular in Massachusetts, thing,” Connor said. “It takes off that huge and Grove played for her high school team pressure of when you come out of school and in the fall and a travel team in the spring. have to start paying loans right away.”

She later attended American University from Connor had many scholarships but 1985-1989 which did not have a collegiate decided that Florida State was meant for her. women’s soccer team.

Throughout her years the team was one of the “That year they had a men’s Division One best in the country and even ranked number team that won the whole championship,” one while she was a senior.

Grove explained. “I remember thinking ‘wow, In addition, during her freshman and senior that’s weird. There’s a men’s team and year in college Connor got called up to train there’s not even a women’s team.’ I don’t with the under-19 and under-21 U.S. Women’s think I was enlightened enough at the time National Teams. to be frustrated by it but looking back on it I “It was awesome,” Connor describes. You think that was odd.”

ALIS ON G ROVE would go out to California and train at the However, after becoming a parent to three Home Depot center. Megan Rapinoe, Becky girls and a boy, Grove sees the effects of C O -F OU N DE R G R I M M & G ROV E Sauerbrunn, they were all around my same Title IX with all of the sports her kids are year in college and so they were coming involved in. up through the ranks as well. It was really “I look at all of the choices for girls,” Grove challenging but it was also a lot of fun.” reflects. “There are girls’ golf, field hockey, After college Connor’s career in athletics lacrosse, basketball, and softball teams. shifted and she went to graduate school at There’re so many choices. I don’t remember University of Central Florida and was part having those types of choices when I was of its DeVos Program which allowed her to growing up.” complete her MBA and Masters of Sport In addition, Grove’s exposure to Title IX Business Management. increased when her public relations firm “A former teammate went there and I kind of started working with Billie Jean King and followed her path. The last six months of your the Philadelphia Freedom and World Team program was either to get a job or internship Tennis in 2010. in a sports industry. So, I had latched on with “Working with her was an incredible the women’s pro team here. I knew I wanted experience,” Grove describes. “It truly is one to work in sports management at some level of the greatest privileges of my life. She’s the whether it was college athletics, but this just most well intentioned, generous, yet toughest made sense. It’s kind of how the path went.” person I’ve ever met.”

After two seasons in the front office at the Grove explains how Billie Jean could be KE LLY CONNOR Philadelphia Independence of the Womens recognized by anyone, old or young, today, C O O E A S T E R N PE N N S Y LVA N I A Professional Soccer league, Connor was hired and even if they could not name her, they YOU T H S O C C E R at Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer in 2011. would associate her with women’s rights and She’s worked her way through the ranks to her work with equal pay. become one of the most experienced and respected women in “Billie’s work was a game changer and will continue to be a soccer administration. game changer,” Grove said. “I don’t know if anyone will have that As a result of Title IX, both Grove and Connor’s successful influence again.” stories are just two out of the many that have occurred in the past Now, rather than unequal accessibility in sports, Grove sees fifty years and that will continue to emerge today. Their histories the influx of talent that Title IX has brought about. And today, as players and executives make them great role models for all Grove is having an even greater effect on soccer as she has youth soccer players and have helped soccer grow in this country. served as one of the managers of Philadelphia’s successful bid

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Soccer Pioneer: Bill Nuttall

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ill Nuttall uses the word “soccer pioneer” frequently when you talk to him when the truth is – he may be one of the greatest pioneers in American soccer history. You won’t hear him describing it that way.

Whether it was playing on the field at a high level, coaching on the field, broadcasting the sport, helping literally build the early 1990s World Cup teams for the women and the men, or even getting into the business of representing companies that market soccer equipment and accessories, it seems that Nuttall has been on the front line of soccer history in the same way Forrest Gump seemed to be in the right place for 30 or 40 years of American History. Of course, Nuttall didn’t arrive by luck as Gump did – even though the US soccer legend will tell you luck had a big part in it. Nuttall arrived in those key spots of American soccer history through persistence and love for the world’s greatest game.

PIONEER ON THE FIELD

A KING OF PRUSSIA NATIVE, Nuttall was a rangy, 6-foot-3 goalkeeper during his playing career, dating back to his days in the greater Philadelphia area in the late mid1960s. As he puts it, club soccer as we know it didn’t exist back then – so he had to go elsewhere to fine-tune his game. He only began playing the sport as a junior in high school at Upper Merion.

In the ‘60’s there was no Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. As strong as that structure is today, it wasn’t established until 1972. Nuttall wished there had been, but the reality was youth soccer was not as organized back then.

“I’m not a product of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association, but I am a product of Eastern Pennsylvania soccer, that’s for certain,” Nuttall said.

Since there were little no youth soccer associations in the Philadelphia suburbs in the mid1960s, and the high school season usually lasted around only 15 matches, HS coach and legendary soccer mentor Jim Baxter (who founded the King of Prussia Soccer Club for youth players) encouraged

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Nuttall to improve his game in the local ethnic leagues – which were much tougher than high school soccer or any youth league would have ever been.

Here, Nuttall played against men whose backgrounds had embraced soccer since the turn of the 20th century. Nuttall’s biggest focus in athletics was vastly different than the way many U.S. citizens viewed things. Though soccer had deep roots in the area, there was a broader view that soccer was somehow “un-American” and the “Communist game” – even though the world’s superpowers in soccer were generally close American allies.

These were the players Nuttall learned to repel shots from. They loved the game, they knew the game, they excelled at the game – and then they’d break bread while sitting together in sportsmanship after the game, much like they all embrace each other today as soccer brethren after a gut-wrenching international match. The young netminder was learning lessons, playing with or against the United GermanHungarians, Ukrainian Nationals, various Italian teams, – you name it, he learned from it. They were lessons

that helped him down the road.

It was a melting pot, as Nuttall puts it, and he continued playing in the league in one form or another when he was home from college – spanning nearly seven years.

Nuttall was in love.

He used that Philadelphia experience to wind-up playing college soccer at Davis & Elkins College, a then-NAIA program (now Division II) in West Virginia. While there, he was named NAIA First-Team All-American at the goalkeeper position.

“My mom always said to me that I was an all-American in the wrong sport,” Nuttall joked. “She said that in all of these other sports, their all-Americans end up making good money.”

Two national championships and one national runner-up season later while in college, he ended up being signed by the Delaware Wings of the American Soccer League in 1971.

Nuttall moved on to the top tier, North American Soccer League in 1974. The NASL is where Nuttall would get a chance to face off against the world’s greatest player of all-time -- Pele. He would go on to make memories with the Miami Toros from 1974-76.

I am a product of Eastern Pennsylvania soccer, that’s for certain.

BILL NUTTALL ON HIS TIES TO THE REGION

PIONEER BROADCASTER NUTTALL WRAPPED HIS NASL PLAYING CAREER IN south Florida when England’s legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks -- who had been a leader on the 1966 English national team’s championship effort at home in the World Cup – joined the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the team’s name of the franchise after it changed from the Miami Toros.

It was time for Nuttall to take his next pioneer step. He decided to stay in the game, and he was hired by college soccer power Florida International in Miami, where he coached from 1975-79 (56-18-1 record). He actually landed the job while wrapping up his professional playing career.

In 1979, he took a shot at landing a gig that makes your head spin when you think about it today. Nuttall was on the front end of a pioneer all-sports cable channel (drumroll, please) – the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network – ESPN. Few people thought it would work. Nuttall wondered too when he wandered into a trailer on a lot in Bristol, Conn. one day in 1979.

“I was on a (FIU) recruiting trip in New York, and I thought I’d just go up to Bristol and follow up on a resume I had sent to do broadcasting for soccer. They’d advertised they would be doing some soccer games on this new network,” Nuttall explained. “Bristol was hardly a Mecca of, well, anything. It was a freaking single-wide trailer.”

He hadn’t heard back from ESPN, and figured he’d just check in about it. The secretary let him sit down, and

legendary ESPN leader Scotty Connell walked in to greet Nuttall. The result of following up? Nuttall got a chance to be a part of the very first national soccer broadcast in American history – an Indiana vs. Minnesota Big Ten championship match. Nuttall remembers Indiana going up six goals by halftime, and thought – “what in the hell am I going to talk about now”?

Welcome to broadcasting.

Later, he was asked if he’d be interested in doing this pioneer thing called “sideline reporting” for a TV soccer broadcast – something being tested in the hopes it could be used for other sports. Nuttall agreed to try it out but was not selected. He was beaten out for this new gig by a guy named Verne Lundquist, who became a legendary sports broadcaster in the booth.

PIONEER SOCCER LEADER MEANWHILE, NUTTALL STAYED INVOLVED WITH THE game of soccer as the Director of Player Personnel of an indoor soccer league (MISL). While there, he witnessed the dominance of Tatu, the Brazilian goal-scoring monster who posted 736 goals in 557 matches for Dallas between 1984 and 2003. Nuttall also began his first work with soccer gear and clothing giants like Mitre, and Diadora.

In July 1991, the United States Soccer Federation chose Nuttall to lead their efforts to build up American men’s soccer ahead

NUTTALL’S TAKE ON THE USMNT AT THE 2022 WORLD CUP “There’s obviously a lot of pressure on (coach) Gregg Berhalter, and I think if they don’t have a good showing, they’ll go in another direction. It’s very difficult to go two cycles coaching a national team ... About 16 of the top guys I think are playing in Europe. This was the philosophy, getting top-notch experience overseas, and getting some of the best players out of the MLS ... I don’t think Berhalter is thinking about developing a young team for 2026, he’s thinking about getting out of pool play and making an appearance in the next round. I’m not sure (building for 2026) was the top reason for having a young group, but I think that plan is good.”

ON THE US HOSTING THE 2026 WORLD CUP “I’ll catch every game that I can catch, I’ll tell you that.

Philadelphia put together an unbelievable organizational pitch together. I was very impressed with the presentation they put together. The management of the stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) is top-notch, and that was a big thing that won them over pretty quickly. It’s good they gave it to Philly. Selfishly, I’m glad they did. Objectively, the field is perfect to host this.”

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of it hosting the 1994 World Cup. The team lost all three first round games in 1990 in Italy, sending essentially, a college all-star team after a 40-year hiatus from the event. There was no way the US wanted a repeat of that performance on its own soil.

And Nuttall was a key part of the massive success that happened in 1994, with the Americans hiring a Serbian-born soccer architect named Bora Milutinovic – who measured up the situation and talent at hand and led the U.S. out of the Group Stage and into a July 4th matchup with Brazil in the Rose Bowl. Nobody could have scripted it better.

Bora was hired by Hank Steinbrecher, a Davis & Elkins college teammate of Nuttall’s and the U.S. Soccer General Secretary.

“The U.S. is going to host the 1994 World Cup, and this was the first time the World Cup had been awarded to a third-world soccer country,” Nuttall said. “People wondered if it was a big mistake that the U.S. was given it. But we are a big-event country. We always put on a show when it’s a big event.”

Nuttall was tasked by his former teammate Steinbrecher and U.S. soccer president Alan Rothenberg with working with Bora to create an international schedule that would prepare the Americans for what lied ahead. And away he scheduled.

They housed every prospective player in Mission Viejo, Calif. – before nearly all of the players played abroad and Major League Soccer (MLS) even existed. At the training center they’d chosen, the team built its chemistry and embraced Bora’s plan to survive Group Play. American pride had been wounded in Italy four years earlier, a true soccer minnow in an ocean full of predators. But that would not be the case in 1994 in front of its massive crowds and soccer-mad American soccer fans. After surviving group play, the U.S. would hold the eventual world champions, Brazil, to a 1-0 knockout-stage win.

It all started with a 21-match international slate in 1992 – a full two years before the Cup. That was followed by an eye-popping 34-match slate in 1993. Since the home nation doesn’t have to go through qualifying, the Americans could focus on just adding a mass of friendlies and add they did – with Nuttall leading the way. Not only did they need live action to augment the training, they also needed revenue – and that came, too. Matches were scheduled against world powerhouses like Brazil and Germany drawing crowds of 50-60,000 for those games. Many other games were scheduled with a variety of strong european and South American teams The U.S. continued to play their CONCACAF rivals such as Mexico, Canada, Jamaica and Panama.

Smaller crowds would attend those games, between 10,000 and 20,000 fans. Additional matches were scheduled with newly formed countries from the post-Cold War Era, like Armenia, Estonia, Moldova, and Ukraine. When these

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PELE VS. NUTTALL

matches were played, Nuttall had flashbacks to when he sat down for meals following those ethnic league matches.

Something about this sport transcends politics.

“You know, the idea was to just get some games, but really it was quite a history course,” Nuttall said.

“Less than three years after the Iron Curtain (when the former U.S.S.R. broke up), these countries were playing us. Their players couldn’t believe it.

“What does freedom mean? It’s when you can go into a grocery store at 3 a.m., as some of those players did, and have the ability to buy whatever you want to eat, whenever you want to – instead of waiting in a bread line on Tuesdays only. It was quite an experience, for them and for us.”

A PIONEER WAY OF MAKING A LIVING IN 1966 WHEN HE WAS A SENIOR student at Upper Merion High School, Nuttall never could have imagined he’d work his entire life in and around the sport of soccer. He was around for or a part of some of America’s biggest moments, biggest names – and in truth, he is one of the big names.

In truth? His mother’s all-American son did indeed make a fine living in soccer, just like all those other sports’ all-Americans did. He was an American pioneer when it came to being able to do that, too.

“Sometimes, you don’t end up at a job you intended to be in, and you end up with a lifestyle you love, and you make a good living,” Nuttall said. “I’ve been very blessed that way. Sometimes you kick yourself, meeting all of these guys, along the way.

“I’ve been fortunate to check all of these boxes, I guess.”

Indeed.

It was April 18, 1976 – the day Nuttall kept the great Pele from scoring a goal.

“We were losing 1-0 late against the Cosmos in Miami (Tamiami Stadium),” Nuttall recalled. “It was the first game of the season that Pele was actually going to be playing in. I’m watching the ball coming down one side, and the cross comes in and there’s Pele at the top box all by himself.

“I went out, and I flattened him. I wasn’t going to let him dance around and make me look like a fool. What I did?

Today it would have been a red card, and I didn’t even get a yellow. I would have been suspended for a few games, today. That’s just the way the game was then.

He received a penalty kick for it.”

He continued.

“Everybody gives me credit for saving the penalty kick, but it wasn’t as big a deal as people make it out to be. He walked up to the ball, waiting for me to dive and he hits this dink shot. I think he was waiting for me to move, and I didn’t. He hit it to my right, and he hit it very softly – it’s not like he rammed it down my throat.”

Much “Edu” About Everything WHEN IT COMES TO SOCCER, MAURICE EDU HAS SEEN IT ALL

BY TERRY JACOBY

Maurice Edu enjoyed an amazing soccer career during his playing days, including playing in Europe at the highest levels, wearing the USA jersey in the Olympics and World Cup, and starring in the MLS, including a stint with the Philadelphia Union. The former No. 1 overall MLS draft pick and MLS Rookie of the Year recently talked with Touchline magazine and touched on a number of topics including youth soccer then and now, his time playing in Europe and with the U.S. Men’s National Team, and his thoughts on the upcoming World Cup.

Let’s kick it off at the very beginning.

“I started playing soccer when I was 4 years old,” says Edu, who was born in Southern California. “Both of my parents are Nigerian and they both had a passion for the game and passed it down to me and my siblings. For as long as I can remember, there was a soccer ball in the house.

Edu soon kicked that ball out of the house to a much more competitive pitch, finding success playing club soccer at a young age.

“It was very competitive back in my day,” he says. “I was fortunate to play on some competitive and successful teams that won State Cups and we even won at Regionals. At that time the next stage was Olympic Development Program (ODP) so I went from club to ODP and that’s where I got my first taste playing youth national events and where the college recruiting process began for me.

“Obviously, youth and club soccer has changed dramatically over the last couple of decades especially with the introduction of MLS academies. Kids today at a very young age get the opportunity to train with first-team pros where the speed of

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play forces them to mature at a faster pace by having to compete with older and more experienced players.”

Edu says it’s important for young players to define what they want to get out of their soccer journey.

“Some kids just want to enjoy playing this great game and that’s the most important thing, to enjoy it and not take it for granted,” he says. “Some want to play soccer in college and get a scholarship while others want to play at the highest level. I think the club system today with all of the opportunities is a good thing. There is a clearer path for someone who wants to play professional soccer someday if that’s what they want to do.

Everyone is different and everyone has different goals when it comes to soccer. First and foremost enjoy it because this game can be taken away from you tomorrow and it also can be unfair at times. So enjoy playing the game when you get the opportunity because it’s the best game in the world.”

Edu says there also are more resources available to young players today than when he was kicking the ball around in youth and club soccer.

Maurice Edu will be a host on the FOX broadcast team for the 2022 World Cup.

“I always tell kids to appreciate every opportunity and take advantage of everything that’s out there,” he says. “Every training session is a chance to get better. Be a student of the game and ask questions. Watch the professional games on TV, follow a healthy diet, listen to your coaches and stay focused on your goals. There are a lot of ways to get better.”

Edu was a First Team All-American at Maryland where he helped lead the Terps to the NCAA College Cup National Championship in 2005. He was the first overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, won the MLS Rookie of the Year Award with Toronto.

He soon packed his bags and headed overseas.

Edu left MLS in 2008 to move to legendary Scottish Premier League side Glasgow Rangers where he won multiple titles and forever endeared himself to fans with a 90th minute winner in a Glasgow Derby, against Celtic FC. While with Rangers, Edu played in the UEFA Champions League, including scoring a goal against Spanish Giants Valencia.

Even today, Americans sometimes don’t get a warm welcome from fans and critics on the other side of the pond. But Edu says “that’s changing.”

“Yeah, I mean I saw it changing while I was over there,” he said. “We have to go over there and earn our stripes and it’s a challenge we welcome. If you have the ability to play over there then you already know what it’s going to take to succeed. You have to earn those stripes every single day and you can’t take a day off. If you take a day off, there might not be a tomorrow because that’s how competitive it is over there.”

Edu, who also played for Stoke City in the English Premier League, and spent time in Turkey on loan to Bursaspor, said he enjoyed his time playing in Europe.

“I ticked some boxes I wanted to tick,” he says. “I got to not only play in Europe but also played in Champions League, which was always a dream of mine. Playing in that environment where soccer is king was really a special experience and one I will never forget. The fans are passionate, sometimes ruthless and always honest. I wanted to be in a place where the fans viewed the game with the same passion and intensity that I did and that place was definitely Europe.”

Edu made his international debut for the United States against Switzerland on Oct. 17, 2007, and was included in the U.S. team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. He played in all three of the group matches at center back.

Edu, who appeared in 46 games for the United States National Team, also appeared at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. On June 18, against Slovenia, he volleyed in a free kick from Landon Donovan in the 85th minute with the game tied at 2–2, but the referee disallowed the goal in a very controversial call.

Wearing that USA jersey was a very special and emotional feeling for the California native.

“Playing for your country is the ultimate dream,” said Edu, who also was on the provisional roster for the 2014 World Cup. “You grow up your whole life with that pride. The narrative growing up in my house and playing with my friends was always, ‘Mo gets the ball, Mo shoots, Mo scores and the US wins the World Cup.’ That was always it. That was the ultimate dream. The World Cup is the biggest stage in the world for our sport and to be able to play in it gave me such great pride.”

Speaking of pride, Edu says he’s always been “bullish” on this young American team and he’s not changing course now.

“A fully healthy team could really surprise a lot of people,” he says. “When the time comes, this team will rise to the occasion. I like their chances, I really do. Even a quarterfinal berth is within their grasp but first you have to crawl before you walk. We need to be healthy and get off to a good start.”

Following his time in Europe, Edu returned to the States and played parts of two seasons with the Philadelphia Union before injuries kicked him into retirement.

“We hosted two Open Cup finals while I was there. The fans were always great, passionate and honest and they appreciate good football and also appreciate a team that works hard.”

Edu, 36, who currently works for Fox Sports commenting on MLS matches, has picked Philadelphia to reach the MLS Cup. “To see the growth and positive direction the team has gone in since I was there is really incredible,” he said. “It’s been great to see now as both a fan and a commentator. I think Jim (Curtin) has grown as a coach and has done a great job taking this team to the next level.”

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

15

2022 WORLD CUP

PREVIEW

Virgil

VAN DIJK

GROUP A

16

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Qatar

Ecuador

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 50 COUNTRY CODE: QAT WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1 (2022) PLAYER TO WATCH: Qatar won the Asian Cup in 2019 and have plenty of experience but keeping the ball out of their net will be a huge challenge. The last line of defense is goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb. The 32-year-old has over 75 international caps. There also is depth at the position with Meshaal Barsham.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: 44 COUNTRY CODE: ECU WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 3 PLAYER TO WATCH: Moises Caicedo, who joined PL Brighton from Independiente del Valle last year, is one of the young stars to watch in Qatar 2022. The 20-year-old midfielder has drawn interest recently from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool. Caicedo is still under contract until 2025 and Brighton would love him to sign an even longer deal.

Netherlands

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 8 COUNTRY CODE: NED WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 11 PLAYER TO WATCH: Netherlands features some big names on defense including Virgil van Dijk. The Liverpool defender fired in the winning goal as Netherlands defeated Belgium 1-0 in late September to end their Nations League campaign unbeaten. Van Dijk, however, has had a challenging start to the season at Liverpool – along with many of his teammates. epysa.org

Senegal

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 18 COUNTRY CODE: SEN WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 3 PLAYER TO WATCH: Sadio Mane converted a penalty shot in a shootout victory over Egypt in March to send Senegal to the World Cup. Mane is a Champions League and Premier League title winner with Liverpool but he hasn’t exactly flourished on the sport’s biggest stage. But he certainly has the talent to be a big-impact player in 2022.

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USA

England

Wales

Iran

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 16 COUNTRY CODE: USA WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 11 PLAYER TO WATCH: When

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 5 COUNTRY CODE: ENG WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 16 WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 19 COUNTRY CODE: WAL WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 2 WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 20 COUNTRY CODE: IRN WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6 WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Iran

healthy and given a chance, Christian Pulisic is an elite player. He proved it in early October when he earned a rare start and scored his first goal of the season in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over the Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

The USA needs Pulisic healthy and on the pitch.

FULL PROFILE ON PG 24

Gareth Southgate is going to be a manager under the microscope. He is going to have to make some big decisions and his lineup will surely come under scrutiny – regardless of who he sends on the pitch. Injuries to players such as Kyle Walker, Trent AlexanderArnold and Reece James won’t help.

Does Harry Maguire play? What about Marcus Rashford? How to best use Phil Foden and get the most out of his potential? How far do you go with Harry Kane and/or Raheem Sterling?

PLAYER TO WATCH: Gareth Southgate is still tinkering with his starting lineup but Manchester City’s Phil Foden should be a lock. The 22-year-old scored three goals in City’s 6-3 derby win over Manchester United. Pep Guardiola once said that Foden is the most talented player he’s ever seen. “So far, he’s been (almost) as good as advertised.“

Health. Wales will field a veteran side with the likes of Gareth Bale, Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter, Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies and Joe Allen. If they can all - or most - stay healthy, Wales will send a very strong lineup to the pitch. They have been very competitive with the best teams in Europe the past few years and if Bale is healthy, they should advance out of Group B.

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Gareth Bale knows how to win – he has five Champions League titles and three domestic titles with Real Madrid. The 33-year-old attacker, now in his first season with LAFC in MLS, will be a player to watch in Group B. He has experience, has always been a great finisher and still has great speed.

is not new to the World Cup stage.

The country has appeared on six occasions: 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. While they’ve been there, they haven’t gotten very far, never getting out of the group stage in six tries. The odds are stacked against them again - and that’s not even factoring in the off-the-field issues and distractions. The Iran team is experienced and is very similar to the 2018 team. Worth noting: Iran beat the USA in France in 1998.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Mehdi Taremi’s goal against Iraq sent Iran to the World Cup. The striker scored 20 league goals last season to help lead Porto to the Portuguese title.

His bicycle kick against Chelsea in the 2021 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals was nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award.

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Mexico

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 3 COUNTRY CODE: ARG WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 18 PLAYER TO WATCH: Lionel Messi is always the player to watch whenever or wherever he plays. And this appears to be the 35-year-olds last time he will step on the pitch at a World Cup. On the program “In First Person,” Messi said that “surely yes” it will be his last World Cup and that has given him extra incentive to win the title.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 13 COUNTRY CODE: MEX WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 17 PLAYER TO WATCH: Hirving Lozano, the 27-year-old striker, has unlimited potential who is still trying to find consistency.

Lozano has been struggling with Napoli in the Italian Serie A and there have been reports Liverpool and Manchester United is showing interest in bringing him to the Premier League. Stay tuned.

Saudi Arabia

Poland

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 51 COUNTRY CODE: KSA WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6 PLAYER TO WATCH: Salman Al-Faraj scored the equalizing goal on a penalty kick in a 2–1 victory over Egypt in their last group stage match of the 2018 World Cup. It was Saudi Arabia’s only win in the tournament.

More recently, he helped lead Al-Hilal to a Saudi Professional League championship.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 26 COUNTRY CODE: POL WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 9 PLAYER TO WATCH: The 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski can still put the ball in the net - in many different ways. A striker for La Liga club Barcelona, he is simply one of the most successful players in Bundesliga history and has scored more than 600 senior career goals for club and country.

Robert

Argentina

LEWANDOWSKI

GROUP C

Hugo

LLORIS

GROUP D

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

France

Tunisia

Denmark

Australia

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 4 COUNTRY CODE: FRA WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 16 PLAYER TO WATCH: Hugo Lloris has been called everything from the greatest goalie in the world to reckless. Both were on display in the 2018 World Cup final. He lifted the World Cup trophy after France defeated Croatia in the final but also allowed Mario Mandžukić to score their second goal as Lloris tried to dribble past him.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 10 COUNTRY CODE: DEN WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6 PLAYER TO WATCH: Christian Eriksen is known for his technical abilities and set pieces. He’s also known as the player who suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the pitch in Denmark’s game at the Euro 2020. He’s back on the pitch, both at Manchester United, where he signed a three-year deal, and with Denmark. epysa.org

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 30 COUNTRY CODE: TUN WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6 PLAYER TO WATCH: Dylan Bronn played in his first international competition in 2017 and has been a top player for Tunisia ever since, earning 35 caps for his country. The 27-year-old center half is in his first season with Italian Serie A club Salernitana and played in two games and scored a goal vs.

Belgium in the 2018 World Cup.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 38 COUNTRY CODE: AUS WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6 PLAYER TO WATCH: For the fourth year in a row, Maty Ryan was the highestrated Australian player in FIFA 23. After struggling for regular game time with Real Sociedad last season, the outstanding goalkeeper currently plays for Danish club F.C. Copenhagen and captains the Australia national team.

Spain

Japan

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 7 COUNTRY CODE: ESP WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 16 PLAYER TO WATCH: Sergio Busquets is the veteran of the Spanish national team, and is likely to serve at its captain.

He played on the 2010 World Cup championship team, and he’s a rock in the midfield. He has 139 caps for his national team, and is a Barcelona mainstay.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 24 COUNTRY CODE: JPN WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 7 PLAYER TO WATCH: MF Takumi Minamino is currently playing for Monaco in Ligue 1, coming over from Liverpool after two seasons in the EPL. He’s also played in the Austrian Bundesliga. Minamino is Japan’s leading scorer with 17 goals coming into the World Cup.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 11 COUNTRY CODE: GER WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 20 PLAYER TO WATCH: Thomas Muller is 33 but you wouldn’t know it. The Bayern Munich player has served as captain of the national team and is still a major contributor.

He has 118 caps for his country and has scored 44 times. He will be a key player on a young German side that wants to reestablish itself in the eyes of the world.

Costa Rica

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 31 COUNTRY CODE: CRC WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6 PLAYER TO WATCH: MF Bryan Ruiz seems like he’s been around forever. Well, he has been. He scored six times in the 2010 World Cup, and he also has played in the 2014 and 2018 versions of the tournament. He leads the team with 29 international goals coming in.

Thomas

Germany

MULLER

GROUP E

Luka

MODRIC

GROUP F

Belgium

Morocco

Croatia

Canada

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 2 COUNTRY CODE: BEL WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 14 PLAYER TO WATCH: Eden Hazard has been the captain for a while now, and the 31-year old forward has an astounding 122 caps, while tallying 33 times for his country. The Real Madrid star will be relied on heavily by one of the top sides in the world, along with MF Kevin De Bruyne.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 12 COUNTRY CODE: CRO WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6 PLAYER TO WATCH: Luka Modric is one of the top talents in the world, and is plying his trade at Real Madrid. He has won Croatia’s top footballer award six straight years and 10 times overall. He has scored 23 times coming out of the midfield for Croatia, and even at 37 years of age, he’s still a big-time player.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 22 COUNTRY CODE: MAR WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6 PLAYER TO WATCH: DF Achraf Hakimi will turn 24 just before the World Cup, and he’s already a sensation on the back line at PSG in France. He can defend, he can push into the attack – and he has some talented national teammates who play at a high level in Europe.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 41 COUNTRY CODE: CAN WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 2 PLAYER TO WATCH: D Alphonso Davies, who will turn 22 in November before the World Cup, has older, more seasoned national teammates – but he’s the future of Canadian soccer on the backline. That’s why he’s with Bayern Munich. He has contributed 12 goals to the Canadians in just 34 matches, even while playing in the back.

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Brazil

Switzerland

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 1 COUNTRY CODE: BRA WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 22 PLAYER TO WATCH: It’s hard to believe Neymar only turned 30 years old earlier this year, as it seems the striker has been terrorizing opponents much longer. The PSG standout has tallied 75 times in 121 caps for the Brazilians, just two short of Pele for the all-time leading scoring role on the all-time best team in soccer.

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 15 COUNTRY CODE: SUI WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 12 PLAYER TO WATCH: Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka has been the captain of the national team and plies his trade at Arsenal, and was at Gladbach in the Bundesliga before that. He has tallied 12 goals in 106 appearances for the Swiss, and will be counted on heavily in November.

Serbia

Cameroon

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 21 COUNTRY CODE: SRB WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 12 PLAYER TO WATCH: Aleksandar Mitrovic is a proven scoring machine at striker, and he’s not even 30 yet. Currently at Fulham in the EPL, he has scored 90 times in England, and he has scored 50 times for Serbia as a co-captain with Dusan Tadic (Tadic’s club: Ajax in The Netherlands).

NEYMAR

GROUP G

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 43 COUNTRY CODE: CMR WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 8 PLAYER TO WATCH: Striker Vincent Aboubakar is a talent who spent most of his career playing in Europe. His top career stop was at Porto in Portugal where he scored 36 goals between 2014-20. The 30-year old has scored 37 times for the Cameroon national team.

Luis

SUAREZ

GROUP G

20

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Portugal

Ghana

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 9 COUNTRY CODE: POR WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 8 PLAYER TO WATCH: Who do you think we’re going to put here? Cristiano Ronaldo played in the 2006 World Cup and he’ll figure prominently at age 37 in Portugal’s chances at the 2022 version of the tournament – spanning an astounding five all-time tournaments. He’s the world’s all-time leading scorer (117).

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 61 COUNTRY CODE: GHA WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 4 PLAYER TO WATCH: Ghanaian MF superstar Thomas Partey is in the prime of his career, turning 29 over the summer, while he is still playing at Arsenal. He has 14 international goals in 40 caps with Ghana, and is a two-time Ghanian Footballer of the Year (2018 and 2019).

South Korea

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 28 COUNTRY CODE: KOR WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 10 PLAYER TO WATCH: Son Heung-min has served as captain of the South Korean side before, and he’s the team’s leading scorer (35 goals) coming out of the midfield. The Tottenham stalwart will be counted on for leadership and firepower in a challenging group. epysa.org

Uruguay

CURRENT FIFA RANK: No. 14 COUNTRY CODE: URU WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 14 PLAYER TO WATCH: World star Luis Suarez may be 35 years old, but age isn’t going to keep him from playing for Uruguay in the World Cup. He’s the country’s all-time leading scorer (68 goals) and he scored 147 during his time at Barcelona before coming home to play domestically at Nacional.

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

23

THE USMNT IS READY TO

• USMNT Coach Gregg Berhalter

TAKE ON THE WORLD

C

ompetition is always a good thing - and so is depth. The USMNT has many strengths heading into the World Cup including between the pipes. Zack Steffen, the Pennsylvania native, left on loan from Manchester City in August for Middlesbrough FC and is the projected starting goalkeeper for Team USA. But Matt Turner, who gave up a starting job with the New England Revolution for a backup role at Arsenal, could be the go-to keeper.

Injuries are always a concern heading into the World Cup. Two key players appear to be getting healthy and fit. Tim Weah came off the bench to make his first two league appearances of the season for Ligue 1 club Lille in mid-October. And Gio Reyna played in two games off the bench in mid-October for Borussia Dortmund.

It would be a huge surprise - and shock - if Walker Zimmerman isn’t in the USMNT starting XI when the US team begins Group B play. The Nashville SC center back has 33 Caps and will bring not only his great skill to the pitch but also experience and leadership which will be hugely important considering the young US side.

Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams have been key contributors for Leeds United this season and getting big minutes in high pressure matches will only help the Americans.

GREATER PHILADELPHIA AREA STANDOUTS

BRENDAN AARONSON

CHRISTIAN PULISIC

Born in Medford, New Jersey, Aaronson spent his entire youth career in the Philadelphia Union system, playing for the club between 2015-18. He went on to play for the Bethlehem Steel, then a USLC team that set players up as a feeder system for the Union. Aaronson’s play with the Union in the MLS and with the national team youth system caught the attention of European clubs, and he moved to Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg before signing with Leeds United in England earlier this year. He should fit as an attacking midfielder/forward in the World Cup.

Born in Hershey, PA, Pulisic spent most of his youth career with PA Classics, before Germany’s Borussia Dortmund picked him up when he was just 16 years old. He began his senior career with Dortmund in 2016 and posted 81 caps and 10 goals as a youngster before moving to Chelsea in England in 2019 (83 caps, 20 goals). He has 52 caps and 21 goals already for the U.S. men’s national program, and he’s only 24 years old. He’s a lock to start in the World Cup.

MARK MCKENZIE

ZACK STEFFEN

Born in The Bronx, N.Y., McKenzie ended up growing up in Bear, DE. He ended up joining Brendan Aaronson in the Philadelphia Union youth system and also played one season at Wake Forest. He began his senior career with the Union’s feeder team at the USLC level, the Bethlehem Steel, before moving up to play with the Union in the MLS. Now he’s in Belgium with Genk. He’s expected to contribute as a reserve on the back line.

Born in Coatesville, PA, Steffen came up through the ranks with West Chester United and FC Delco youth systems before ending up with the Philadelphia Union youth program.

His longest stint was with the MLS’ Columbus Crew, but since joined Manchester City – where he saw limited time in the nets. He has 29 international appearances for the USMNT and is expected to be in contention for the starting position, along with Matt Turner.

FORWARD LEEDS UNITED (ENGLAND)

FORWARD CHELSEA (ENGLAND)

DEFENDER GENK (BELGIUM)

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

GOALKEEPER MIDDLESBROUGH (ENGLAND)

epysa.org

USMNT STANDOUTS FROM COAST-TO-COAST

KELLYN ACOSTA

JESUS FERREIRA

JORDAN MORRIS

ANTONEE ROBINSON

One of the more seasoned USMNT players with 53 caps coming in, the 27-year-old Acosta would bring added depth to the bench. Only DeAndre Yedlin has more experience in the current national team pool.

The 21-year-old Ferreira is one of the candidates to start at the No. 9 striker position – one of many, to be honest. It appears he’ll get at least an opportunity to prove he’s a starter, and he’s already scored 7 times for the USMNT.

This 28-year-old product of Stanford and the MLS is a guy that adds depth on the front line and could be a real spark off the bench if given the chance. He’s one of the most experienced guys on the team with 49 caps.

This 25-year-old is clearly a starter on the backline, manning an outside back position. He will be one of the cornerstones of the 2022 World Cup effort and has nearly 30 caps already in his senior career.

TYLER ADAMS

AARON LONG

YUNUS MUSAH

LUCA DE LA TORRE

The 23-year-old Adams may man the No. 6 position for the U.S. for many years to come, and clearly he’s a starter. He sees the field extremely well and treats the game like a chess match – always thinking three steps ahead.

The 30-year-old has seen his share of action with the USMNT and has proven to be one of the more consistent defenders on the national team for a few years now. He’ll be a key reserve.

He’ll turn 20 during the World Cup on Nov. 29, and likely has more World Cups to come after this one. Many expect him to be in the starting lineup for the USMNT, and he already has nearly 20 caps as a teenager.

He’s only 24 years old, and some pundits see him as a fringe-chance starter for the USMNT in the World Cup. He doesn’t have an abundance of experience with the senior national team, but he plays club at a high level.

SERGINO DEST

WESTON MCKENNIE

GIO REYNA

MATT TURNER

Dest has been plying his trade in Italy’s Serie A as a 22-year-old, playing for one of the oldest powers in the elite league at Italy. He’s a guy who can man up on defense and still be a threat in the attack and should man a starting spot at outside back.

Truly one of the USMNT’s big stars, the 24-year-old McKennie is gaining valuable experience at Juventus in Italy and is expected to be a near lock to be in the starting 11 at the World Cup. He’s a true cornerstone.

Reyna will turn 20 right before the USMNT kicks off the group stage. The son of one of the top players in USMNT history, Claudia Reyna, Gio has been playing at a high level in Germany at Dortmund.

Will it be Matt Turner of Zach Steffen in the starting XI for the United States. That’s one of the biggest questions being asked coming into the World Cup. Truth is, either one would be strong.

MIDFIELD LOS ANGELES F.C. (MLS)

MIDFIELD LEEDS UNITED (ENGLAND)

DEFENDER A.C. MILAN (ITALY)

FORWARD FC DALLAS (MLS)

DEFENDER NEW YORK RED BULLS (MLS)

MIDFIELD JUVENTUS (ITALY)

FORWARD SEATTLE SOUNDERS (MLS)

MIDFIELD VALENCIA (SPAIN)

FORWARD DORTMUND (GERMANY)

DEFENDER FULHAM (ENGLAND)

MIDFIELD CELTA VIGO (SPAIN)

GOALKEEPER ARSENAL (ENGLAND)

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

25

TOP MOMENTS IN US MEN’S WORLD CUP HISTORY 1930

U.S. finishes in third place in the inaugural World Cup held in Uruguay. Bert Patenaude, who played professionally in Philadelphia, scores FIFA’s first ever World Cup hat trick.

1950

U.S. shocks the world and upsets England 1-0. US team captained by Philadelphia’s Walter Bahr gains immortality with Joe Gaetjens only goal of the game.

1990

The U.S. returns to the World Cup after a 40 year hiatus. Paul Caligiuri’s goal vs Trinidad and Tobago and sent he and his teammates Tony Meola, John Harkes and Tab Ramos to Italy

1994

The host US team defeats a highly favored Columbia 2-1 in front of 93,000 at the Rose Bowl. The win sends in them into the knock out round.

1994

July 4, 1994 an iconic match vs eventual champion Brazil in the knockout round.

BOBBY

CONVEY 2006 USMNT PLAYER & PHILADELPHIA SC COPPA ALUMNI

2002

The U.S. beats Portugal 3-2. US goes up 3-0 in the first half against Portugal’s’ “golden generation.”

2002

Dos a cero! The US beats Mexico in the round of 16. Brian McBride and Landon Donovan score for the US in South Korea. The Dos a cero legend is born.

2006

Eastern PA at the World Cup. Bobby Convey (Philadelphia SC Coppa), Chris Albright (Juniata, Council Rock) and Ben Olsen (FC Delco) play for Bruce Arena’s squad in Germany.

2010

Landon Donovan scores in stoppage time to beat Algeria. The US wins its group the first time in world cup history.

2014

Tim Howard has 16 saves in extra time loss to Belgium. Howard gives a legendary performance in the round of 16.

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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FIFA WORLD CUP VENUES

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Eight Qatar stadiums to host Middle East’s first football showpiece Seven new stadiums have been built in Qatar to host the 64 matches. This will be the second time that the FIFA World Cup will be hosted in Asia.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup was cohosted by Japan and South Korea.

All the venues are located within a 55-km radius of Qatar’s capital city of Doha. The Al Bayt Stadium will be the host for the opening ceremony and FIFA World Cup 2022 opener between hosts Qatar and Ecuador on November 20.

Lusail Iconic Stadium has the largest capacity (80,000) among the eight venues. It will also host the final and closing ceremonies.

STADIUM

CAPACITY

1. Al Bayt............................................60,000 2. Lusail..............................................86,250 3. Al Rayyan.......................................40,000 4. Qatar Foundation..........................45,350 5. Khalifa International.................... 48,000 6. Al Thumana....................................40,000 7. Al Janoub.......................................40,000 28

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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SOCCER IS YOUR PASSION.

ORTHOPAEDIC CARE IS OURS. At Premier, we care for athletes and families alike.

That's why, as the official orthopaedic provider of the Philadelphia Union since inception, we've dedicated ourselves to getting our patients back in the game - on the field, and in everyday life.

Premier is committed to providing our patients with the highest quality musculoskeletal care in the Philadelphia region.

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S PREDICTION

We asked coaches and referees in the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer universe who have ties to countries participating in the World Cup to make their predictions on 2022 World Cup.

CORNER

WHAT COUNTRY WILL WIN? ARGENTINA

John O’ Rouke N. IRELAND | STATSPORTS

BRAZIL

Gary Davis WALES | FC BALLYHOO

KYLIAN MBAPPE

WHAT COUNTRY SHOULD WIN? FRANCE

FRANCE

PORTUGAL NEYMAR

PORTUGAL | REFEREE

FRANCE

Austin Siodlowski

BRAZIL VINI JR.

POLAND | PENN FC ‘06

BRAZIL

Barry Davey ENGLAND | FC EUROPA

ARGENTINA

Gino Di Florio CANADA | CAPITOL AREA SOCCER CLUB

BRAZIL

Richard Chinapoo TRINIDAD | CAPITOL AREA SOCCER CLUB

BRAZIL

Fernando Carrizo CHILE | EPA COACHING STAFF

Gabrielle Benedict

FRANCE

USA | EPA COACHING STAFF

GERMANY

Antonio Bayon SPAIN | EPA COACHING STAFF

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

KYLIAN MBAPPE

BRAZIL

Tony Cunha

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GOLD BALL AWARD (BEST PLAYER)

epysa.org

LIONEL MESSI

LIONEL MESSI

GABRIEL JESUS

LIONEL MESSI

KYLIAN MBAPPE

LIONEL MESSI

ENGLAND

ARGENTINA

BRAZIL

ARGENTINA

USA

SPAIN

WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP?

WHAT GAME ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO WATCH?

Sophie Firger

PORTUGAL

USA V. ENGLAND

Valerie Haly

USA

AJ D’aversa

Declan Stephenson

MESSI OR RONALDO

MESSI

USA V. ENGLAND RONALDO

BRAZIL

USA V. ENGLAND MESSI

ENGLAND

USA V. ENGLAND MESSI

Ryan Herbert

USA

Jackson Desenberg

USA

Bryce Herbert

USA

USA V. ENGLAND MESSI

USA V. PORTUGAL RONALDO

USA V. ENGLAND MESSI

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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GOOD OF THE GAME A. OWEN FAGAN (PLAYER): The Southampton Kings’ goalie, Owen Fagan, had shutouts in two of our three games in the Owen Fagan’s teammates piled on him in congratulatory celebration Mount Laurel United Columbus Day tournament.

B. LANGHORNE STRIKERS U10 GIRLS: Small town club with big dreams bringing home the Cup to Langhorne, PA. Celebrating one of the biggest moments in these 9 & 10 year olds lives with a State Cup victory.

C. WARMINSTER STRIKERS U15 GIRLS: Warminster Strikers crossed the field prior to their semi-final state cup match with Northern United Union to present former coach Dana Foulds with flowers and wish her and her team good luck in the match.

D. CARSON WASHINGTON, BRYCE HEFFLEGER: Teammates being just as happy, if not happier, when someone scores.

E. CARSON WASHINGTON, OWEN COYNE: Keepers, even the emergency ones, need a little help from their friends.

F. NEIL COOPER, CARSON WASHINGTON: A good coach often believes in you more than you believe in yourself.

G. PETER SCHMIDT: Referee helping player up after a foul.

H. U15 PRUSSIANS BOYS - BLUE: Boys give fist bumps to the ref after a great game. Respecting the refs is essential to the game! Way to go, boys!

I. COACH AND ELLA RUGGERIO: Our coach works us hard and is never disappointed in us. He’s always there to cheer and motivate us through our good and bad. I cant wait to see how far our team goes and everything else we accomplish. Love this entire team.

J. COACH MATT ANGSTADT AND JAYDEN KREISER: Coach Matt always knows the right words to say to his players in order to teach them and motivate them. He always has them focus on the next move/play and to work hard.

K. HANOVER AREA YOUTH SOCCER - U6: Proud parent sharing their love of the game during the season opener.

L. HAYS- ABRIANNE AND BROOKE: Young referees stepping up to fill the vacancies for the good of the game.

M. HAYS- WESLEY AND ALEXIS: Senior players being role models to the little ones on and off the pitch.

N. COACH AMANDA BEZNER: Coach Amanda is our kids number one fan and biggest cheerleader and supporter.

O. EVAN CHARNLEY: Evan Charnley, a 2010 Boys White player for Phoenixville Area Soccer Club, puts his arm around an opposing player after the player had a particularly frustrating moment. The image captured an excellent display of sportsmanship during the weekend tournament match.

P. COACH KYLE JERROM: Coach Kyle with Valley Soccer Club not only celebrates the wins, he teaches these boys how to handle the tough games as well, ALWAYS finding the bright spots. A true coach that teaches these boys both on and off the field.

Q. PAHS BOYS VARSITY/PASC U18 BOYS: Current U18 Phoenixville Area Soccer Club boys came full circle by walking out onto the field while joined by the current U8 PASC travel team; the team many of the U18 players were on in youth. The older boys were great role models for the U8 team.

R. COVENTRY HURRICANE 2.0: After every game - win, lose or draw the first thing this team does when the whistle blows is high five the keeper.

It’s their little way of remembering that they win as a team and lose as a team.

This picture is particularly special because the keeper is wearing a shirt in honor of #20’s big brother, who is a pediatric cancer survivor and G-Force is the name of his fundraising group. Soccer brotherhood at its finest!

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

A

B

G H

L

M

N

MOMENTS

CELEBRATING MORE THAN THE GOALS & GREAT PLAYS

C

F

D E

I

J

K

Q

O

P

R Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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OUTDOOR CUPS

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! SCAN THE QR CODE TO REGISTER

U12-U17

U18-U19

WHY ATTEND CONVENTION?

An Extensive Collection of Soccer Education

Your Coaching Community Connected in One Place

The Business of Soccer Happens Here

Scan this QR code for more information on our event!

To register, visit UnitedSoccerCoachesConvention.org

Recognition for Your Accomplishments

DECEMBER Dec 2

7:00-9:00pm

11v11 Grassroots Rose Tree (Classroom)

Penncrest High School

Dec 3

9:00-11:00am

11v11 Grassroots Rose Tree (Field)

Dec 10

1:00-4:30pm

11v11 Grassroots Back Mountain

Dec 10

9:00am-12:30pm 9v9 Grassroots Back Mountain

Dec 10

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Starfinder Foundation Referee Course

---

Dec 11

---

Starfinder Foundation Grassroots Coaching Course

---

Sleighton Park Misericordia University Misericordia University

JANUARY Jan 8

10:00am-1:00pm 7v7 Horsham

Jan 11-15 ---

Select Soccer Center

US Soccer Coaches Convention

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CHECK EPYSA.ORG FOR MORE COURSES ADDED OR EMAIL ETYLER@EPYSA.ORG

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

INDOOR CUP JANUARY 21- FEBRUARY 5, 2023

The Eastern Pennsylvania Indoor Cup is a series of one-day tournaments that determines state champions from the under-9 to under-19 age groups.

With two levels of play in each age group, the Indoor Cup is the best way for teams to challenge themselves against statewide competition between the fall and spring seasons.

EACH TEAM IS GUARANTEED THREE GAMES, WITH WINNERS IN EACH AGE GROUP TAKING HOME MEDALS. THE REGISTRATION COST PER TEAM IS $395.

SCAN THE QR CODE OR CONTACT DAVID JONES AT DJONES@EPYSA.ORG

TO REGISTER & LEARN MORE

World Cup Media Guide What to follow, what to listen to, and where to watch, to properly prepare and enjoy the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

What to Follow THE U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM / @USMNT THE OFFICIAL USMNT site and social media accounts feature everything and anything on the U.S. team, including behind-the-scenes videos, highlights, feature stories, live updates, stats and much more.

FIFA.COM

THE OFFICIAL FIFA World Cup web site includes the latest news, results, match schedules and so much more. FIFA also is working on a wide range of topics from improving the women’s game and developing football around the world to ensuring better football governance structures.

JONATHAN TANNENWALD (@THEGOALKEEPER)

THE INQUIRER’S veteran soccer reporter is the go-to source for soccer in Phildelphia and eastern Pennsylvania. If there is a local angle, he will find it. He covers the Union, MLS, the NWSL, and the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams.

ENGLAND’S TAKE

FOLLOW THE outspoken and often hilarious English press: The Sun (thesun.co.uk/ world-cup-2018); The Guardian (theguardian. com/football); The Daily Mail (https:// www.dailymail.co.uk/ sport/fifa-world-cup); and The Independent (independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup)

Apps

Streaming

FIFA+ | FOOTBALL ENTERTAINMENT

FOX OR FS1

WATCH ALL 64 matches on either Fox or FS1. Both channels are available on every major streaming service in the United States. 35 matches will be on Fox; 29 on FS1.

THE OFFICIAL FIFA app is for all things soccer and includes fixtures, lineups, top stories and more. Rewatch iconic games and discover untold stories on this free app.

FORZA FOOTBALL SOCCER SCORES

FORZA IS THE COMPLETE soccer app! Live scores, the fastest push notifications and video highlights during the game. They have complete soccer coverage for more than 1,450 leagues and cups around the world.

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

TUBI

TUBI — THE FREE and ad-supported streaming service (aka “FAST”) owned

by Fox, also will have a ton of World Cup content.

What To Listen To

TOTAL SOCCER SHOW

The Athletic’s Total Soccer Show has been covering American soccer for years.

These are hour-long podcasts presented daily that cover everything on and off the pitch.

If you enjoy analysis, silliness and entertainment this is the podcast for you.

IN SOCCER WE TRUST

In Soccer We Trust is a CBS Sports podcast that celebrates the beautiful game of soccer with a focus on the United States. Among the hosts are former USMNT players Jimmy Conrad, Heath Pearce and Charlie Davies.

WORLD CUP GAMES BROADCAST LIVE ON TV ON FOX

BBC FOOTBALL DAILY RADIO 5 LIVE

Your daily dose of football reaction, debate & analysis from the Premier League, EFL and beyond, plus interviews with the biggest names in the game.

Entertaining and informative.