AMsportstours

2011-02-04T04:58:00.000-08:00

Lindsay sharp interviewed on Dynamo TV about how the team are enjoying Houston and how they have benefited from the experience they have had.

Click on the link below to see the full interview!

http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2011/02/video-am-sports-tours-visits-training

AMsoccer Club Trip to Houston 2011 - Enjoy the blog!

2011-02-02T16:05:00.000-08:00

http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2011/02/video-am-sports-tours-visits-training

Tuesday & Wednesday 1st/2nd January

2011-02-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

A note from Director of Coaching, Neil McCallum

Parents and AMsoccer,

We would like to thank you for allowing your boys to make the long trip over to the States this past week. The level of play and style of play that your boys have decided to invest in is a credit to all involved. The total football approach takes considerable courage of coaches and players at youth level & offered a contrast to the American style.

Everyone your children came in contact with absolutely loved them. They were respectful and kind and mixed in with their host families in such a way that the mothers did not want them to leave!!

This is a credit to you as parents as well as the role in which Austin, his staff and the soccer school play in the continued develop of your sons, on and off the field.

I believe it opened their eyes to the world and will inspire them to continue with their football and education in order to follow whatever their dreams may be.

We would welcome with open arms a group from the AMsoccer Club to participate in one of our events in the future.

Thanks

Mac McCallum

Director of Coaching

Eclipse Soccer Club

A note from AMsoccer Director, Austin MacPhee
I would like to thank Eclipse Soccer Club for their wonderful organisation and goodwill extended to our group. It would not be possible for these kids to have had this experience if it wasn't for the logistical, financial and personal support by the staff and families of your Club. This support allows us to offer other young Scottish players an experience that will develop them both on and off the pitch, serving as a motivation to follow their dreams and achieve their potential.

Thanks Mac (Eclipse Boss) for your committment to this project & delaying your surgery so you could ensure things went smoothly. Hopefully the lads banter made a week on crutches well worth it!

Finally would like to thank the players parents for trusting Lindsay, Ross & myself to take your kids to the other side of the world. Your support of this project means future players can have this opportunity. Last but not least, kids, a big well done, hopefully this can motivate you to achieve your potential on & off the pitch.

2011-02-02T15:17:00.000-08:00

The boys make the long trip home after a fantastic week in USA, checking in at Houston International Airport, connecting in Amsterdam and finally arriving in Edinburgh at 10.45am.

Monday 31st January

2011-02-01T08:45:00.000-08:00

Team dinner on the last night in Texas, USA!

The final game

2011-02-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

The team put on their best performance of the tour against Eclipse Soccer Club with 245 completed passes and three excellent goals, 1 from Gavin Milne and 2 from Med Kapasi as the players manage to achieve all of the objectives set by the coaches. We took great heart when one of the American players said, "it's rubbish playing against you guys, we never get the ball". It has been great to be able to work with the players for a sustained period and their improvement throughout the tour has been very rewarding. The clips below show excellent ball retention and clever linking play resulting in a shot on goal.

At training with Houston Dynamo 2 times MLS Champions

2011-02-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2011/02/video-am-sports-tours-visits-training

The team spend time at the Houston Dynamo training session to see first hand the intensity, skill and work rate of a professional player. Head Coach Dominic Kinnear has a laugh with the kids and explains what he looks for in a player.

Soccer schools manager Lindsay Sharp is interviewed for Houston TV and the local media show an interest in a foreign visiting team & their methods & performance.

The team learn what doing well at school and football can lead to

2011-02-01T07:55:00.000-08:00

The boys visited the University of Houston in the morning. AMsoccer are keen to educate players & parents of the opportunities for talented players who are also good students through scholarships in USA. The boys visited the University of Houston's facilities which exceed those of professional Clubs in Scotland and are common place in USA. Those who continue to work hard to improve both their football skills & academic ability have the opportunity of moving to USA playing football like a fulltime professional & doing a University degree on a scholarship worth over $100,000 when they leave High School. The boys were amazed by the facilities and see below interview with the strength coach as the University sports staff seek to help all athletes achieve their potential.

Stength & Conditioning room

University Basketball Stadium

Sunday 30th Jan

2011-01-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

The boys put on a spirited display against Chivas from Mexico. Chivas are the team from Guadalajara, Mexico, a city of 4 million people. Their youth system has produced players such as Javier Hernandez (Manchester United) & Carlos Vela (Arsenal). It is testament to the selected group from AMsoccer in North East Fife that the coaches have the confidence to put a team on the same pitch. The Chivas boys they played against today will be the stars of the future, and we hope some of our players can too. This was the fourth game of the tour and the first game we have lost on passcount with Chivas completing 196 passes and AMsoccer 165. The game kicked off at 7.30am. Following the game the boys had a welcome "day off" from training and sightseeing and spent the days relaxing with their host families. Tomorrow the boys will visit professional club Houston Dynamo and watch the first team training before playing their last game against Eclipse Soccer Club at 5.30pm Houston time.

Saturday 29th Jan

2011-01-30T10:52:00.000-08:00

After two excellent performances the team are invited to a team dinner. The boys dressed up in their kilts and Aidan played the bagpipes before dinner. Although tired they enjoyed dinner, relaxing in the jacuzzi and "hanging out" with American kids. The bottom photo shows that Scott and Matthew were too "distracted" to look at the camera...

2011-01-30T10:39:00.000-08:00

The boys are now used to the increased pace of play and put together some fantastic moves with the encouragement of the coaches. Action below is an example of the way they are playing and the progress they are showing. The team build well from the back and show good patience on the ball, and support off the ball resulting in a great 13 pass move involving 8 players with Med nearly scoring. On and off the pitch they have shown an excellent attitude and team spirit.

2011-01-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

AMsoccer Club before game 3 of the tour. The opposition was Texans Soccer Club who have over 10,000 players. The boys put on a fantastic display of patient passing football and are imrpoving with every game (see video clip above).

2011-01-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

AMsoccer Club prepare for game one against Inner City. The players performed very well and Matthew shows that size doesn't matter shaking hands after the game with one of the opposition.

Friday 28th Jan

2011-01-28T22:46:00.000-08:00

The team visit the venue where the tournament will be played tomorrow, although they seem more interested in other teams in the tournament... roll on tomorrow where AMsoccer Club have two games.

2011-01-28T22:41:00.000-08:00

The team finish an afternoon training session to prepare for the game tomorrow morning against the Texas State Champions. Inner City All Stars are the best team born 1998 from the "lone star" state of 25million people... could be in for a game.

2011-01-28T22:35:00.000-08:00

The boys enjoy a morning at Houston's Alligator Park where they become snap happy...

Thursday 27th Jan

2011-01-27T23:32:00.000-08:00

The boys return to their host families after a great day where they enjoyed time at the NASA Space Station and performed very well in AMsoccer Club's first international fixture. Nice words from this groups host family and it looks like Scott will be washing the kit!

2011-01-27T23:21:00.000-08:00

AMsoccer Club's first International Game v. Space City FC. The friendly was a warm-up game for the tournament, and allowed Tournament Director Neil McCallum to see AMsoccer Club in action for the first time. "After watching AMsoccer Club tonight, I am truly amazed at the way they pass the ball, they don't play like British players and must have enjoyed 70% possession. American soccer is based on speed & strength and the way AMsoccer Club play will be of great interest with many small, young techincal players. A wonderful opening goal by Jonathan Cartwright & a well deserved Man-of-the-match award for Dylan Cluckie who was fantastic throughout,i don't think he gave the ball away. They will be a positive addition to our tournament & are delighted to have them at their staff in Houston."

2011-01-27T23:03:00.000-08:00

The boys enjoy their pre-match meal of pasta and salad, we have been working hard to ensure they eat a healthy diet and understand the importance of preparation if they want to be an elite athlete & achieve their potential. Jamie, after conquering his fear of pasta, attracts a couple of groupies poolside!

2011-01-27T22:57:00.000-08:00

The small people in red tracksuits put the size of the rocket into scale, NASA was an amazing experience for all, oh, and the tracksuits are getting washed now by Scott (see host family video clip)...

2011-01-27T22:52:00.000-08:00

The boys visit Nasa on a particularly poignant day for NASA, as it is the 25th anniversary of the Challenger Disaster which killed all 7 crew.

2011-01-27T22:43:00.000-08:00

The boys visit mission control during a tour of the NASA Space Station, as the photo shows "Houston we have a problem, 14 small ones and a big 6ft 3 problem, or is that a rocket?"

2011-01-27T22:31:00.000-08:00

Quote of the day, Med Kapasi:

Dylan - "The host families daughter fancies Jack!"

Jack - "No she doesn't, she fancies Med"

Med - "Can you blame her?"

Wednesday 26th Jan

2011-01-27T01:57:00.000-08:00

The team returns to their host family homes in Sugarland, Houston. They returned from the basketball in the stretch hummer limousine after a mammoth 36 hour trip which has taken them from their homes in North East Fife, to Edinburgh airport, onto a connecting flight in Amsterdam, leading to a 10 hour flight to Houston, then a transfer to get "kilted" in a host family home in Houston, Texas & then onto the NBA Basketball game in Downtown Houston before going back to their various homes in Houston where the American families of Eclipse Soccer Club will make them very welcome. Tomorrow a visit to NASA & their first game...

2011-01-27T01:41:00.000-08:00

The team enjoys their first NBA Basketball game and all of the Razamataz that comes with American sport!!!

2011-01-27T01:34:00.000-08:00

The boys set off in style for the NBA Basketball game Houston Rockets v. LA Clippers.

2011-01-27T01:26:00.000-08:00

AMsoccer Club transport to the NBA Basketball game!

2011-01-27T01:20:00.000-08:00

The team arrives at a host families home in Houston.

2011-01-27T01:04:00.000-08:00

The staff at KLM Airlines compliment the teams behaviour & manners.

2011-01-27T00:54:00.000-08:00

The team prepare for the 10 hour flight from Amsterdam to Houston...

2011-01-27T00:50:00.000-08:00

The boys meet at 4.30am for the flight from Edinburgh to Amsterdam...

Safe Arrival!!!

2011-01-26T15:42:00.000-08:00

The boys arrived safely in Houston this afternoon and all is well.

They will settle into their homes for the next week before travelling to watch the Houston Rockets live this evening!

More information and pictures will follow soon.......

Wednesday - Day 1

2011-01-26T02:02:00.000-08:00

The boys are now well on their way to Houston. Departing this morning from Edinburgh Airport at 6:05am they arrive in Amsterdam for a very brief stay at the airport before departing for Houston Intercontinental Airport.

All the essentials are provided for the boys on the plane including a crazy golf game, which I think Steve has the AMsoccerschools record of 4 under par!!!! :)

The boys will touch down in Houston at around 2:00pm (CST). Houston is around 6 hours behind the UK!

From here you will get regular updates on the boys progress.......

2011-01-25T05:29:00.000-08:00

AMsoccerCLUB Squad

Eclipse Invitational Tournament

Houston, Texas

2011

Houston Count Down!!!!

2011-01-25T05:26:00.000-08:00

We are now within 24 hours of the boys setting off for Houston!

We wish the boys all the best and be sure to enjoy this unbelievable experience!!!

Wednesday 19th January 2011 - Houston 98's training

2011-01-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

This is part of a training session that the players took part in. In this video, the players are focussing on retaining the ball using switch play.

AMsoccerCLUB Houston Tour 2011

2011-01-12T07:08:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the AMsoccerCLUB Houston Tour blog!

Follow the AMsoccerCLUB 98's elite team as they prepare and travel to Houston, Texas to play in a pro youth tournament hosted by Eclipse Soccer Club.

There will be regular updates on how the boys are preparing for the tour right up until they set off for Houston, where there will be daily updates and pictures of their progress.

Join us in wishing the boys all the best and enjoy this unbelievable experience!