SSUSA Around the Country
Chicago:
Boot Camp for Chicago: The week before the National Cup, the Chicago adult teams went to a “boot camp” at Indiana Dunes, Indiana. There, each player wrote down a goal they completed so far this year and a goal they hoped to accomplish moving forward. Then, players hiked six miles on sand dunes to reach the beach all while carrying four 5′ x 7’ PVC pipes which were filled with water. Faced with the grueling task, the SSUSA team from Chicago pulled through and learned a lot about one another in the process.
The National Cup: Despite a thirteen hour car ride, the Chicago Mens and Women’s adult teams came to the National Cup excited as ever. The players gave 120% effort in all games with the women’s team charging into the championship match, but losing to the champions Minneapolis. Leading goal scorer, Alma Velazquez, led the team with twenty-five total goals and constant motivation. Jasmine Alamilla, the team goalkeeper, used her defensive prowess to keep Team Chicago in many games and to boost team spirit.
The men’s team came in first place in group play, but came up short in the knockout competition, placing them fifth overall. Everyone’s efforts and attitudes were spectacular, despite losing in the playoffs. Team Chicago also came in first place in the “Amazing Race” team building competition. Team captains Jorge Ochoa and Jarveay Harris kept the team in high spirits with constant their positive reinforcement and high performance on and off the field.
Sacramento:
The National Cup: Nineteen men and women represented the Sacramento chapter of SSUSA in the 2017 National Cup Philadelphia, flying across the country to join eleven other cities as they celebrated goals on and off the field and fought for the Championship trophy and spots on the Homeless World Cup National Team. Players returned from the tournament with increased confidence, feelings of empowerment, a renewed understanding of healthy relationships, and most importantly, a strong support system moving forward.
Hope Solo, SSUSA newest Celebrity Ambassador, presented awards to players and announced who SSUSA would send to Oslo, Norway to represent the United States in the Homeless World Cup. SSUSA’s relationship with Solo began in December 2016 when SSUSA Sacramento received a generous donation of nine boxes of soccer goods from the U.S Women’s National Team legend.
Shauntel Payton and Michelle Santos of Sacramento were both chosen for the National Team, despite fighting over who would goalie in order to wear Hope’s gloves a few moments earlier! Eventually everyone wore the gloves, giving the team some extra confidence. For Shauntel, hearing Solo call her name was, “like music to my ears.” Shauntel, who has loved and played soccer all her life said that having Hope watch her play, and then announcing her as a member the Homeless World Cup team was a moment she will never forget. For Shauntel, moments such as playing in front of Solo, participating in a city-wide Amazing Race activity and laughing at the hotel with her teammates, are memories only made better because her brother was by her side for the trip. Shauntel has previously experienced a life of inconsistency and homelessness and Street Soccer USA has helped Shauntel be motivated to set and reach goals that will lead to more opportunities for her and her siblings.
Michelle Santos, a mother of three, survivor of homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, and mental illness shared that her favorite aspect of SSUSA and the trip to the National Cup is the camaraderie shared with her teammates and being part of something great. A shining example of all SSUSA hopes its players will achieve off the field, currently, Michelle works at Sister Nora’s Place at Loaves and Fishes for Women as an advocate, she has obtained permanent housing, and recently got her license back. She is a leader amongst her teammates and a role positive role model to all the women that she works with.
Michelle also shared that the most memorable part of the weekend was the team activity, The Amazing Race. Santos loved being partnered with another team, people she otherwise would not have gotten to know. She enjoyed all of the challenges and the opportunities it gave her to laugh, build relationships, and make memories with new people. While the hardest part of the trip for Michelle was an ankle injury, Michelle says that being able to travel to places like New York and Philadelphia are dreams come true. When asked about the experience of being named to the National Team by Hope Solo, Santos said she was “unsuspecting and words cannot explain the emotions behind this. I can say I truly felt overwhelmed and flooded with gratitude and amazement”. Michelle’s seventeen year old daughter has looked up to Hope ever since she started playing soccer as a child and this is a moment both will cherish for a long time.
Pedro Garcia from the Sacramento men’s team was also named to the SSUSA Men’s National team and will be traveling to Homeless World Cup as well. The Sacramento Men’s team won the tournaments Fair Play award by demonstrating the most “spirit and good sportsmanship” during the Cup. The Lady Salamanders took 3rd overall in the tournament after a tough loss to Chicago in the semi-finals, but everyone had an amazing experience.
Philadelphia:
By Players, For Players: Nether United players (left) served pizza, pasta salad, and other delicious dishes to the Street Soccer USA adult teams from 12 different cities during lunch time at the 2017 Philadelphia Cup. Later that day, Nether won the Under 12 Boys division despite working the lunch shift. Congrats to all.
CASA: The largest Adult Soccer League in the Mid-Atlantic teamed up with Street Soccer USA (right). CASA volunteers served lunch to 150 Homeless Adult players during the Philly Cup in June. A big thank you to CASA president, Tim Hampson, for providing all the support.
Drexel Dragons Refereed 130 Games at Street Soccer Cup: A Herculean task to referee over 130 Street Soccer games in 95 degree weather? 
No problem for Drexel University’s men’s soccer players and coaches. Head Coach Doug Hess and Assistant Coach Tunde Ogunbiyi volunteered their coaching staff and players to ref over 130 games at the Philadelphia Cup. Many thanks to the players and coaches who came out during their exam period to referee.
PHL Summer League Play Starts in July: Registration is under-way to develop a grassroots Summer League on the mini pitch and in other locations around Philadelphia this summer. This includes both youth boys/girls and adult men/women. Interested individuals and teams, email: Oliver@streetsoccerusa.org
From Queens to Philly’s Rocky Steps: What a Referee does to get into Street Soccer: Ronnie Castaneda, an 8th grader at the Walter Crowley School of Leadership in Elmhurst (Queens), NY, became an unlikely candidate to referee 25+ games during the recent Philadelphia Cup. Ronnie previously volunteered to referee in SSUSA tournaments in Queens. Then came the Philadelphia Cup–Ronnie’s big break. Determined to become the best referee he could be, Ronnie rode the 6:00 AM bus from NYC to Philly and jumped onto the field at 9:30 AM, ref’ing until the job was done at 6 PM. Congrats and a huge shout out to Ronnie Castaneda for living the Street Soccer USA Dream!
Philly Street Soccer Social and Volunteer Recruitment Event: On Wednesday, June 28, Street Soccer Philadelphia kicked off a series of Wednesday nights around the Mini Pitch in Kensington. Several SSUSA partners sent volunteers and had fun playing on the mini pitch while grilling burgers, meats and veggie items pitchside. Future Wednesday night gatherings will include Adult League Play. Volunteers, adult players and coaches and Street Soccer partners joined in.
San Francisco:
Bay Area Scarf Fundraiser: On June 2nd the wonderful SSUSA-Bay Area Supporters helped the San Francisco National Cup Team Fundraise raise its goal of $5,000 by selling scarves. Thanks to those of you who volunteered, donated, purchased SSUSA Scarves, or bar-tended to support SSUSA. Thank you for supporting our squad and making our National Cup experience in Philadelphia possible.
MYEEP Interns: SSUSA Bay Area is excited to show off our fabulous MYEEP Summer Interns! The Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program (MYEEP) is a “collaborative of nonprofit organizations that provides workforce development to youth in 11 different neighborhoods in San Francisco.” In the last month, our interns have devoted their time to Street Soccer trainings, practices, and special youth community events in order to understand what it means to be a part of the SSUSA community. As new challenges arise, they work together to embody the SSUSA life skills taught throughout our programs. Whether it’s simply showing up each day for work, playing with heart, providing that extra burst of energy while coaching, or leaning on one another to build their triangle of support, they have provided a unique flare to SSUSA Bay Area Community. We are excited to watch this partnership grow!
Coaching Corps In-Person Training: SSUSA-Bay Area’s partner Coaching Corps came out to our Western Addition SSUSA Parks to lead 22 of our Youth Program Coaches in a Sports Based Youth Development Training. Our coaches enjoyed mock practices and learning tricks to the trade. Everyone was able to fine-tune their practice planning skills, especially focusing on positive group management, transitions, and attention getters, so they can make youth practices the best they can be.
Deltas Professional Soccer Player Saalih Muhammed attends East Bay Street Soccer Tournament: SSUSA-Bay Area hosted its seasonal Street Soccer Fest with the Eastbay Collaborative for Underserved Children in Richmond, California. Youth from five schools across the East Bay competed in an intense tournament. They were motivated by local professional all-star Saalih Muhammed who plays wi
th the NASL Franchise, SF Deltas. Saalih was inspired by the effort and commitment all the youth demonstrated during the tournament, and had encouraging words for all participants. Thanks to Saalih for helping to make our event a success!
Mo’MAGIC Summer Outings: It’s all smiles and laughter as our Bay Area Street Soccer Coaches and Volunteers dive into the fun at the Mo’MAGIC Summer Play Days! Hosted at various SF Parks and Recreation Centers, these events allow SSUSA and Mo’MAGIC to live out their aligning missions as they work to transform the community through the “MAGIC of collaboration,” and of course, the EXCITEMENT of soccer. The one of a kind SSUSA bouncy courts drew quite the crowd as members of all ages, genders and backgrounds, joined in for some friendly competition and whole lot of cheering. A truly special sight to see!