FDNY v NYPD Red Bulls Promo Video
MLS Game to benefit Sergio Foundation
MLS and Red Bulls are hosting the 2nd Annual Mayor’s Cup on August 28, 2010. This “friendly” between the FDNY Soccer Club and the NYPD Soccer Club will take place following the Red Bulls v. San Jose fixture which starts at 7:30. The FDNY club dominated last year’s game winning 3-0. The NYPD is looking for a better showing this year and has been training non-stop
This is a great opportunity to see the new arena and see Henry and others up close. Tickets are $20 with half of that benefitting the Sergio Villanueva Soccer Foundation. Please contact me via email or phone for tickets.
Hope to see you on the 28th
The Future is Now
Big time play from the Americans on Wednesday. Hopefully, Bradley will keep Onweyu on the sidelines and give the US a chance to win on Saturday. A win will help keep the focus on US Soccer and will allow this sport to continue to grow domestically.
I find it hilarious to listen to NY Sports Radio this week while mosts of the hosts try to intelligently discuss “the beautiful game”. Clueless!!!
And my favorite part of this year’s World Cup is to listen to US Soccer “fans” (Most who have never seen more than two matches in their lives) complain about how the US was “robbed”. EVERY team can complain about one or two calls that went against them. But now that the US is involved – The game must change..Too Funny!
The Future of US Soccer
Tomorrow we will find out the future for US Soccer in this country. For years we have said that we are ready to compete with the best in the world. Well, tomorrow is put up or shut up time. The cards have fallen in our favor and we need to demonstrate that we are ready to play 90 minutes of football. Hopefully, Bradley will bench Onyewu (# 5) and our back four will be solid. It seems a long time ago, that the FDNY Soccer Club was in Germany representing the Foundation and promoting goodwill in that country. One memory that will stay with me forever is conducting the youth clinic at the Baumholder Army Base on Father’s Day for the children of our men and women serving downrange. I wonder how may of those dad’s and mom’s are still with us and I hope that no harm has come to the families we met while there. While Brazil and Argentina look to be the top two teams, I believe anything can happen in the round of sixteen (maybe a phantom penalty kick call)
Grecians Fighting Relegation
Our friends at Exeter City go into the final 2 games of the season 2 spots above relegation.
They could have secured their continued place in League One a few weeks back, but an own goal in added time took back 2 points. We wish the Grecians well and look forward to seeing them fight for promotion next year!
Come on You Spurs –
While Torres is not conceding the battle for 4th place in the premeirship comes down to the last 3 weeks with Man City, Aston Villan, and Spurs fighting for 4th place. I will be rooting for Harry’s boys to finish strong as Man City could use the Silver Fox in goal as their top keeper is out after suffering a shoulder injury last week
Scholarship Recipient Signs Pro Contract
I was very pleased to find out that Richard Martinez, the Men’s recipient of the Sergio Villanueva Endowed Soccer Scholarship at Hofstra University, has signed a professional Contract with the Puerto Rican Islanders of the USL. Rich had a great career at Hofstra and was the CAA Defensive Player of the year in 2009. He had six caps for the Puerto Rico National Team in World Cup qualifying and shares the qualities that made Sergio such an incredible individual. Rich’s dad is a NYS Trooper and Rich has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity given to him and has shown his own willingness to help us fulfill our mission of promoting goodwill through the world’s game.
We wish him well and will continue to follow his career. We hope to have an interview with him shortly.
We hope to have an update on all our scholarship winners soon. You will be impressed with their accomplishments both on and off the pitch.
The Pied Piper of Haiti
As a team of NYPD and FDNY rescue units travel to Haiti to assist in recovery efforts, our prayers and wishes go out to all those who have suffered during this tragedy. Viewing this tragedy, brings many of us to remember the vivid images of 9/11 that are etched into our collective souls. This disaster, however, also brings back memories of a trip that I took as a Beach Channel High School Senior as a member of the Junior Explorers Club.
As part of the Marine Science program offered at Beach Channel, students were able to take trips during spring break every year and sail around various locals. In 1977, I sailed around Annapolis on a 45-foot sloop crossing Chesapeake Bay and visiting St. Michaels, MD with 6 other HS Juniors.
In 1978, a trip was planned to Haiti. I, along with 5 other High School Seniors and a Retired Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy traveled to Port-Au-Prince to meet up with a 54-Ketch and its Captain. As I look back, I cannot fathom what my parents were thinking, allowing me to travel to Haiti during the Poppa Doc/Baby Doc rule. Nevertheless, we arrived safely and I was taken aback by the poverty that I saw on the 20 minute Jitney ride from the airport to the dock. Arriving at the dock, we were informed by the Captain that he had arranged a private charter for the last part of our trip, so we would have to find other accommodations for a few days. We sailed for three days and then found lodging at a local orphanage where I played basketball for hours along with 15-20 boys, some who were amputees and others who were suffering other maladies. I was able to walk up into Petionville and came across a group of younsters who were playing soccer on the local pitch witch would make most of our local soccer fields out to be Anfield. The rock and glass strewn pitch without a blade of grass was home to these boys. Their enthusiasm was not dampened by their surroundings and they seemed out to impress the visitor. Spirited play was observed and my only mistake was giving a goal scorer some loose change I had in my pocket. For the rest of the day, much like Pied Piper, I was followed by at least 30 youngsters, which seemed to grow as word spread of my generosity. Politely begging for whatever I could give them, these boys a prime example of innocence. My Chuck Taylor Low Tops, a timex watch, some blue jeans and shorts were gladly exchanged for a demonstration of soccer skills. I returned home with a greater appreciation for what our life in the US provided.
Promoting Goodwill
In light of the recent attack on the Togolese National Team, the mission statement of our organization resonates even more clearly. Promoting international goodwill through the global sport of soccer will continue to be our focus. We will continue to honor Sergio by our deeds and actions, both on pitch and off.
Our website has recentlyadded this blog and we welcome all comments.
Our friends in Liverpool had their important fixture with Tottenham postponed due to weather, while the Grecians of Exeter City are in a relegation battle to stay in League 1. We wish both teams 2nd half success!
We wish all our friends a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.
