BOCA RATON, FL (Monday, January 14, 2008) – Over 200 Boys and Girls ages U13-U17 turned out at McChesney Soccer Park in Port St. Lucie for the first Schulz Academy team tryouts in the area for the upcoming 2008 season. Players from Stuart Soccer, Port St. Lucie, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Indian River Soccer Club (Vero Beach), Jupiter Sting, and host Mako Soccer Club were vying for spots on various Schulz Academy Super Y-League teams (U13-U17 Girls and Boys), the U.S. Development Academy teams (U16 and U18 Boys), the US Club Soccer Champions Cup (U14, U16, U18), and Schulz’s US Club Soccer National Cup/National Collegiate Showcase teams. The tryouts were organized by Tom Power, founder of Florida Soccer Academy, with the full cooperation of the Treasure Coast area soccer clubs. Dr. Josef Schulz attended the tryouts where he experienced a warm reception from club officials, coaches, players, and parents alike. Overall the event was well run and the players in attendance all worked hard in demonstrating their quality as well as their desire to be a part of Schulz Academy.
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| A number of players stayed after tryouts to take group pictures with Dr. Schulz and Tom Power. About 80 players and coaches are pictured in this photo. |
“It was very important for us to reach out to the Treasure Coast Area and offer our programs. Over the years we have had some of our biggest talents coming from the Treasure Coast. Players like Edvin Worley, Lyle Dankenbring, and Joey Buschini made big impacts on our teams and even traveled with us to Europe where some scouts from top European clubs saw them play. Zack Herold who is from Port St. Lucie is one of four Schulz Academy players in the U.S. U17 Residency Program preparing for the FIFA U17 Men’s World Cup in 2009. I was very pleased with the turnout, the enthusiasm of the players, and the cooperation from all the clubs. If we work together in this way it can only be very positive for all the players.” stated Dr. Josef Schulz, the Academy Director.
The two hour tryout also caught the organizers by surprise in terms of attendance. But fortunately, Tom Power was prepared as he had coaches from his FSA organization on hand to manage the different age groups. Mako Soccer Club, in addition to hosting the event, also provided some coaching assistance, big thanks to Al Soricelli, the Mako Head of Coaches, and Nick Butala, the president of Mako.
Tom Power, President of Florida Soccer Academy: "I knew that players and parents in our area are interested in playing on a higher level, but the huge number of players showing up for the 1st "Schulz Academy Treasure Coast" Tryout also exceeded my expectations. I am very excited about the good things happening in our area. The Schulz Academy opportunities bring a new drive to our soccer community".
“I was very impressed with what I saw”, said Gary Cole, Schulz Academy Girls Director. “The quality of our Girls teams for the Super Y-League will now mirror that of the boys. We will have strong U13, U14, U15, and U16/U17 Girls teams. With this quality, we should have multiple Girls teams at the North American Finals this year. I am looking forward to the start of the Super Y-League season later this year.”
Additional tryouts will be held in the Treasure Coast area later this month to be hosted by Hobe Sound Soccer Club (January 27th). Two tryouts will be held in Boca Raton on January 20th and 27th.
