Jaap Stam is the new coach and has added a new assistant as well for this MLS team, as announced by GM Gerard Nijkamp.
At just 47 he is now at the helm of his 4th club, Reading of England from 2016-'18 then Holland's PEC Zwolle 2018-'19 and last year Feyenoord. That followed a great 15 year stint in the pros with many top clubs across the Netherlands, England & Italy, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester Utd, Lazio, AC Milan & Ajax.
Given the ways of the world, the MLS team has been most gracious in having this event with professoinal photos for graduation taken over May 25-29. This is something I have never heard of before and allows for a different photo for the soccer enthusiast in all of us. UMB is presenting this unique opportunity and it is the most recent program for Sporting Serves, the philanthropic outreach of the team and The Victory Project came together with other community partners to help familes locally.
For the next week, ending May 26, the garb inspired by the Gov., son of a SJU alum and his words, "New York Tough" this aptly named "St. John's Tough" will support the SJU Bread & Life Blessed & Virgin Mary Help of Christians food pantry. This has been helping those in need in Brooklyn & Queens alike since 1982. It provides almost 3,000 meals daily via a soup kitchen, a mobile soup kitchen and food pantry Queens has aided with over 400 families and 1,000 people served there.
Soka Afrika is an award wining documentary as it looks at players being taken from Africa with the promise of soccer success in Europe. Many do not meet with such a great fate as there are many obstacles from dirty player agents, injuries, shattered promises even family shame.
I quote this straight from their email:
"We have come to an agreement that we believe is in the best interest for the sport in the United States. As we move forward, the US Soccer Federation and the US Soccer Foundation will work together to provide access and opportunities for all soccer players across the country, particularly those in low-income communities and others in need."
The largest youth soccer group in the nation has gotten together with MLS for a newer and better pathway to pro soccer. They have combined on professional development, coaching education & talent identification tools for the USYS members.
This announcemnt came out of NYC today that the top tier of American soccer would unite with the largest youth sport group here to deal with soccer athletes and their groups here.
The new normal is possibly being established in pro soccer, Germany starts, MLS has begun to train etc., but what of the local youth player? May 9, the TOPSoccer of the West Hempstead Chiefs scored with their drive by to players homes. It began at three and traversed the area, passing by the homes of each of the 16 players from West Hempstead, Franklin Square & Malverne.
This program, is set to benefit those in grade school for keeping at their reading while they #StayHome through these difficult times. The hope is to give them a push in reaching the goal and help undertand how vital goal setting is away from formal education. Those who finish and achive the goals, will get free ticket with the purchase of another for specific home games.
Here's the How To:
1. Read a trio of books at your grade level. Track your work via the Goals Tracker.
2. Read all 3 and fill in a form. Find it at new-york-red-bulls.activation.mvpindex.com.
This, announced on the 6th, just one day after the league opened up again for training is cause for concern. Yordy Reyna is now in a 14 day quarantine due to his actions. Team officials placed him under this restriction as they consulted with their medical staff, following his breaking club and league standards to go by relative to physical distance. MLS is now well aware of the occurance and the team will stay in touch with them as they go over this happening.
It is now well over a decade old and doing far more things, one is now to help all through this time of the Coronavirus crisis, the Kicking & Screeening Soccer Film Festival. #SoccerFilmFriday, each week they pick another flick for your viewing enjoyment, this one does not disappoint. Celtic Soul was screened at a recent festival in NYC and features the comedy of #JayBaruchel.
