The 2012 Homeless World Cup Ends, a New Chapter Begins!
Street Soccer USA had an epic time at the 2012 Homeless World Cup in Mexico City! Joining in with 42 other countries, the USA men ended a competitive tournament week with an action-packed match against our neighbors to the north, Canada, that went into penalty shootouts, where we placed 36th overall, and 3rd in the Community Cup series with France, Switzerland, Morocco, Greece, Germany, Guatemala and Canada. Although, losing to Canada was a tough blow, our guys took the experience in stride, knowing the real victories in life are off the field, and are now back in the US, aiming for higher goals in their own lives.
The USA Women's Team, aka, the Lady Salamanders, respectably finished 10th overall, a record-breaking best, in the Women's Homeless World Cup! With 3 wins and 2 intense matches lost in electric penalty shootouts, a fighting spirit from the Lady Salamanders was palpable at every match.
Our admirable coaches and program directors competed in the Coaches' Tournament with three almost back-to-back matches, finishing in 2nd place with an ardent display of one of our main mottos, "Play with Heart!" Kudos to Lawrence Cann, Rob Cann, Peter Fink, Otto Rodriguez, Lisa Wrightsman, Tiffany Fraser and Eric Chandler on their outstanding effort.
But, it wasn't a week for just soccer. It was a week of being interspersed in a multi-cultural environment, making friends from all over the world, climbing up to the top of the Aztec pyramids at Teotihuacán, meeting the US Ambassador in Mexico City and leaving with the experience of a lifetime.
Congrats to the entire Street Soccer USA 2012 National Team! We'll keep up with them and let you know how things progress for them post-Homeless World Cup.
Mens' Team: Peterson Saby, Donald Nicholson, Abdulkadir Mohamed, Munasar Mohamud, Edwidge Jean, Tony Ewing, Patience Mizero; Head Coach: Peter Fink
Women's Team: Erin Gram, Nathena Espinoza, Doloris Lockwood, Sarah Chambers, Nicole Chisolm, Carol Rodriguez Osorio, Kate Mannusa, Stephanie Mueller; Head Coach - Otto Rodriguez
