3 minute read
Special Soccer Times Are Upon Us
Chris Branscome
Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
We 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!
