Two young Greencastle soccer players returned from a recent trip to Portugal with an even greater appreciation for the sport they love.
Jesse Faye, a first-year student at Greencastle-Antrim High School, and Evan Scholl, an eighth-grader at Greencastle-Antrim Middle School, used their spring and Easter breaks to participate in the Maryland Youth Soccer Association's Olympic Development Program. I traveled to Lisbon.
Both have been playing soccer since they were four years old and dream of playing professionally.
Jesse is the son of Joyce and Joe Faye, and Evan is the son of Billy and Jay Scholl.
What did they experience in Portugal?
In addition to training, they played international friendly matches against Portuguese youth club teams, winning three out of five matches. The group also visited several professional stadiums and trophy rooms and had one-on-one sessions with professional players from the Benfica academy.
The players learned new skills and learned their strengths and weaknesses compared to overseas players.
“They tracked and toured where Cristiano Ronaldo played,” Joyce Fai said of the Portuguese professional footballer. “They walked among the legends of the game.”
One of the highlights was watching a match against Lisbon's professional soccer team, Benfica, and watching them win, taking them to the top of the league.
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The trip with the WorldStrides organization also included visits to historical sites, landmarks, and beautiful locations in and around Lisbon.
“They had a once-in-a-lifetime experience that inspired them, encouraged them and continued to fuel their dreams of being the best in life and football,” Fay said.
She said members of the Greencastle and Antrim communities helped fundraise for the trip and sent the boys abroad with prayers, thoughts and kind words.
