ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – The South Central PA Soccer Academy (SCPASA) 07 Lions of Adams County are preparing to travel to Germany to compete in two “friendly games.”
“Most of our guys are graduating, so this team basically has one more year to come together,” assistant coach Damian Michaels said. “So this is going to be kind of the last trip.”
Most of these teens have been playing soccer together since they were U9s. The group played for several different soccer organizations until Michaels supported a transfer to SCPASA so they could compete at a higher level.
The team is made up entirely of volunteer coaches like Michaels, who give these teens space for their love of soccer to continue to grow. They play on a “lopsided” field borrowed from a local elementary school, and the coaches mow the grass themselves before games.
They may not have the best facilities or vast resources, but they do have the key ingredients of players with a passion for football and coaches and staff with a passion to share their love of the 'beautiful game'. There are two.
Lions center midfielder Quade Clark said, “I've been playing soccer for as long as I can remember, and I think the reason I've been able to do it this long is because of Coach Damian.'' Ta. “I think he’s probably the biggest reason for that.” [our] The core group of players has been together for a very long time. He's probably the reason why so many of us love this game so much. ”
Mr. Michaels spent eight years in Germany while his father was stationed there. There, Michaels played soccer for FC Pirmasens and the Kaiserslautern American High School team, before being recruited by Goldie-Beacom University to continue his soccer career.
“What I've always wanted to do with them is take them in and show them what I went through,” Michaels said.
So the team is making it happen. They have about a year left to play together before many of them graduate high school and potentially leave the area. They intend to “end” this journey by going on one last adventure together.
“For me, obviously I'm excited to play against a contender there, but I just think about the whole experience of being with the team in a different environment. . . . It should be fun,” Clark said. he said.
Clark's teammate Carlos Mendez expressed similar excitement about the trip.
“The team bonding and the travel overall should be fun and we'll be playing against the German tournament so it's going to be interesting,” Mendez said.
Michaels set up the Lions to play in Pirmasens, Germany in July.
Mendez has been abroad once before, but neither he nor Clark have ever been to Germany.
Of course, a trip to Germany with 16 players and two coaches isn't cheap. The players and Lions support staff have been busy fundraising for the trip.
The team co-captains wrote and sent letters to local businesses in Adams County asking for help with the trip, and many responded with very generous responses. They also plan to do yard work for local families and hold a soccer clinic for local children to raise funds for the trip. They also participated in a candy fundraiser.
They set up a GoFundMe for the trip so that friends and family who aren't in the area can also donate.
The boys have saved up their own food and other expenses for the trip, but will need help with flights, lodging, and transportation.
They worked hard for this opportunity and proved themselves to be talented soccer players despite not having as many resources that other teams have.
Where they come from or what they have doesn't change what they can do.
“We played in tournaments and played teams like downtown New York City,” Clark said. “It's crazy that we say, 'Where are you from?'” And they're like, “I'm from Manhattan,” (and they're) like, 'Where are you from?' Something like “Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.” It's really cool to see that we get to play with those kids too. ”
The mother of one of the players emphasized the team's ability to maintain their strength.
“The level of play doesn't drop. They're even, just as talented,” said Beverly Michaels.
Now, thanks to the passion of coaches and a strong support system of community members, the SCPASA 07 Lions will soon take their talent to the pitch in Germany. No matter where this group goes after high school, the memories will remain with them.
