DC United's Thabiso "Boyzzz" Khumalo Visits Street Soccer DC

DC United Mid-Fielder, Thabiso "Boyzzz" Khumalo, joined the Street Soccer DC practice this week. Generous with his time, Boyzzz spent time talking with the players, answering questions and even offered to come back for a visit and support their efforts as the work toward the SSUSA Cup.



Boyzzz pictured here (Right) with Megan Hustings (National Coalition for the Homeless) and Chris Parkinson (Street Soccer D.C)

Boyzz was born and raised in Soweto, South Africa, and in fact is still connected to home through his foundation that aims to offer scholarship for South African youth to study in the United States.

Boyzzz was signed by D.C. United on 9/12 and made his club debut on 9/13 in 2-2 draw with FC Dallas. His first League goal came in United's 5-2 loss to the LA Galaxy on 10/20. He finished the season with seven League appearances (six starts) and notched a goal and an assist in 468 minutes on the field. He also played in all six CONCACAF Champions League games (four starts).

Street Soccer DC thanks DC United and Boyzzz, and Linh Le for coming out to visit the team.

WHO WE ARE: Contender #2- Forth Worth NTX Stars

In October, 2008, Dr. Warren Wilson and Karla Gray began discussing the possibility of becoming involved in the Street Soccer program in Fort Worth. Both had participated in sports all their lives, but neither had played soccer. Undaunted, they moved forward in faith and in December, they met Griff Jacobsen, who volunteered to help coach the team. The Presbyterian Night Shelter, located in the Near East Side area of Forth Worth, kindly offered a place for the team to meet during inclement weather. Another business person in the area donated the use of a vacant field, where players meet on Mondays and Wednesdays for practice.

Over the next few months, the program evolved. Ryan Robbins signed on as coach and Warren Wilson moved on to other ventures. Now, with the help of volunteers around the community, the Fort Worth Program is thriving. Two evenings each week, you can drive past the playing field and find from eight to 15 young men deeply involved in the game.

"These guys have learned to lie for survival and not to trust anyone," says Gray, "The day they open up and begin to trust us is the day we can start helping them to change their lives.

And change their lives is exactly what is happening. One player is taking his GED in hopes to start college in the fall. One player is studying for his ASVAB test to fulfill his dream of joining the army and yet another is leaving soon for his first mission trip, one step closer to his goal of becoming a minister.

The Street Soccer Forth Worth team has taken on a wide array of challengers since its formation last year. They have traveled to Texas Christian University and scrimmaged against the TCU Women's Soccer Team and went to Austin to face off against the Street Soccer Austin squad. To follow their progress as they prepare for this summer's 2009 Street Soccer USA Cup, go to www.streetsoccertexas.org

WHO WE ARE: Contender #1- The Richmond Rebels

Rob Ukrop, the coach of the Richmond Rebels, has been involved in soccer his entire life. During his soccer career Ukrop has won numerous awards and titles at both amateur and professional levels. He is arguably most famous for winning NSCAA player of the year while taking Davidson College to the final four in 1992, and for scoring the first two goals in MLS history as a member of the New England Revolution.


Rob, a Richmond native, began his soccer career as a breakout star for Collegiate School, a local Richmond prep school . He continued his soccer career at Davidson . In Ukrop's four years of eligibility he was able to bring the school soccer notoriety with his astounding play. During his senior year, Ukrop led the nation with 31 goals, and guided Davidson to the NCAA Final Four. While still in college Ukrop went to the World University Games with the United States U-23 Team. During the games, Ukrop scored twice and had an assist in a win over Italy. In 2004, Davidson retired number 6 in honor of Ukrop and inducted him into the Davidson Hall of Fame.



After graduation, Ukrop began to play professionally. He started for the Richmond Kickers of the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL), and helped the team make the playoffs in only their first season in 1993. Ukrop also played on the Baltimore Spirit of the National Professional Soccer League, and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1995, Ukrop rejoined the Kickers and helped the team win a USISL title. In that season he was name an Atlantic Division All Star, and MVP of the U.S. Open Cup.

In 1996, The New England Revolution of the MLS drafted Ukrop 65th overall. Ukrop scored twice in his New England debut. By that summer Rob had returned to his original professional team; the Kickers. When Rob Ukrop retired from playing professionally in 2004, he held the record in Kickers all-time goals, assists, points, and matches. In 2007 Ukrop was inducted into the Richmond Kickers Hall of Fame.


To this day, Rob is actively involved in the Kickers youth program. In addition, Rob is the head coach was the Richmond Rebels Street Soccer team. The Rebels are Richmond's local Street Soccer USA affiliate and are organized through the Daily Planet. Rob was introduced to the program by Lawrence Cann, the founder of Street Soccer USA and fellow Davidson Soccer Alumni. Rob and the Rebels are part of a long list of advocates of the sport for social change intiative. They use the power of sport and teamwork to help the homeless of Richmond off the streets.


The team kicked off their second season last month and looks to take home the Street Soccer USA Cup this summer. Recently they scrimmaged against Richmond City of Central Virginia Soccer Association. For more information on the progress of the Rebels see their blog at http://richmondstreetsoccer.wordpress.com

The Street Soccer USA Cup will be held July 31-August 2 at the Washington Kastles Stadium on H Street between 9th and 11th streets NW in Washington DC. Admission is free, so come out and see if the Rebels can take home the Leonsis Trophy and this years bragging rights.

Montogmery County Street Soccer

Organized by the Human Restoration Foundation in Rockville, Maryland, Montgomery Country Street Soccer has been working hard on their soccer skills and rehabilitation and recovery programs. The program and model they are developing is one that they hope to replicate across the state of Maryland. Graduate of their programs remain a involved in giving back to new players and to the larger community.



The team is coached by Carlos Fernandez and Luis Felipe Romero

You can read more about the team in this recent news story

New York Athletic Club

Friday, by invitation of Peter Mullany, a Pelham resident and soccer aficionado, Street Soccer NYC traveled to the New York Athletic Club for their first ever 11 a side match. After coming up with the idea of the match and reaching out to SSNYC, Peter reached out to his group of pick-up soccer buddies, many of whom are members of the NYAC. Nearly 22 of them showed up to face off against the HELP USA squad of 14. SSNYC, without Dexter and Chris, both out because of work, relied upon our more recent members and the help of intern Kyle Curasi. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. Zack, Angel, and Osman stood out for their efforts and special mention should go to Mark Fritz who played his position very well.

The best part of the evening was the bonding and deeper understanding we built amongst ourselves, struggling to stay organized on such a big field. That was only matched by the warm welcome and feeling of acceptance that the men and their families from Pelham gave us after the match, hosting a barbecue there at the Club. As we mentioned at the meal, we would like to invite our new friends to learn more about our program and efforts off the field as well as for them to come back to Ward's Island for a "Home and Away."--We are feeling good with two away goals to our credit : )

In addition to our grateful thanks to Peter and his crew for the game, the equipment and the balls, our thoughts and prayers go out to Melissa, who fell and broke her wrist at the end of our match. We understand Melissa is a much loved and respected trainer to the youth in the Pelham community and we wish her a speedy recovery.

Power of Sport Summit

Lawrence Cann, founder of Street Soccer USA, presented at the at the Power of Sport Summit this past Thursday June 18th.

The Power of Sport Summit was hosted at Northeastern University in Boston. The two day event focused on the relationship of sport and social responsibility.

Lawrence's presentation described how and why Street Soccer USA was founded, the success and accomplishments of the program, and the future for SSUSA. In addition, Lawrence described the role the organization has played in integrating sport with social responsibility.

The Summit was an interactive meeting of those in field of social justice and sport. Experts in the fields of research, education, and advocacy were on hand to celebrate, reinvigorate, and advance this very important work. Some of the key issues that were discussed included the role that sports play in influencing and enhancing overall society and what further actions are needed to merge the sport and social responsibility.

The objective of the Summit was to generate discussion around current trends, including what's working, what's possible, and what important actions are needed to help advance this initiative.

Street Soccer USA is proud to to have been part of this event, and wants to thank everyone in attendance for making this conference possible.

D.C. Knights Road to the SSUSA Cup Continues...

The Washington D.C. Street Soccer Club, known as the D.C. Knights have continued their practices in D.C. Recently, the DC Parks and Recreation Department Facilitated the approval of a space for the D.C. Knights to practice just near the offices of Neighbors Consejo. Many thanks to Tunis Abdullah, of DC Parks and Recreation for his support of D.C. Street Soccer and SSUSA.



In addition, the D.C. Knights have been invited to participate in the MLS Futbolito 4v4 Tournament at the Maryland Soccerplex on Saturday, July 11, 2009. More details about this tournament and other tournaments coming soon.

Street Soccer USA Cup and Road to 2009 Homeless World Cup

Check out the latest post in the New York Times Soccer Blog about the Street Soccer USA Cup and Homeless World Cup!



http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/street-soccer-usa-cup-and-road-to-2009-homeless-world-cup/

Gerardo Gomez nominated as an All Star Hero

Gerardo Gomez (last on the left) has worked with Andrea Marchetti of Jovenes Inc in LA to develop their street soccer program. The talented LA team finished second at the SSUSA Cup last year and sent two people abroad on our national team. One, Johnny Figueroa is now coaching the team while he studies at the community college.

Gerardo has been working as an advocate and activist for many years and is a former board member of the National Coalition for the Homeless. He’s now nominated as an All Star Hero from Los Angeles. L.A. Dodgers will honor the 3 People Magazine All Star finalists and some community members in the pre-game ceremonies before they play the Oakland A's this coming Thursday, June 18th at 7:10pm.

In addition, People Magazine is selecting one person from each community to represent their cause nationally. To vote go to www.peopleallstars.com . Once here, you can click on the DODGERS LOGO and submit your vote under Gerardo Gomez. The top vote getter from each team will honored at the 2009 MLB All Star Game in St. Louis!

Having the opportunity to go to the All Star Game will not only give Gerardo the opportunity to represent the L.A. Dodgers but more importantly it will provide the opportunity to bring awareness to the issue of Homelessness.

Vote for Gerardo to raise awareness and recognize his great work. Way to go Gerardo!

PASSBACK!

SSUSA wants to recognize one of our partners, the Passback Program, in their efforts to help in the sport for social change initiative. Recently, Passback donated an assortment of gear to our Atlanta and Richmond Street Soccer teams. This contribution included equipment such as shorts, socks, cleats, scrimmage jerseys, and more. We are thankful for their generosity, and our proud to be have a relationship with such an outstanding program.

The Passback Program, which began in 1989, provides soccer players of all backgrounds which the equipment needed to play the beautiful game. They are powered by EuroSport and the US Soccer Foundation, and work closely with the MLS and WPS to help distribute soccer equipment across the globe.

Visit their website to find out more about the 3rd Annual Passback Tour, and to help them reach their goal of collecting one million items!

Street Soccer San Francisco in the news

Recently, local San Francisco television news network KTVU, attended one of the Street Soccer San Francisco's practices on Treasure Island. They did a great piece, and helped inform the San Fran community about SSUSA's sport for social change programs.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmShS8VDlRg

The Street Soccer USA Cup will be held at the Washington Kastles Tennis Stadium in Washington D.C. from July 31 to August 2.
(We'll forgive KTVU for forgetting to mention this)

Goals 7,8,9

Street Soccer New York City ended its losing streak last night with a 9-9 draw. It was a back and forth game the entire night, and SSNYC scored with 30 seconds left to preserve the tie. There's two games left in the season and SSNYC looks to finish strong. Next game is 11 PM Tuesday night at Chelsea Piers. Check out some of the highlights from last night.

Introducing Street Soccer D.C.

Street Soccer D.C. (known as the D.C. Knights) has been hosting practices for the last three weeks. The club is made up of players associated with Neighbors Consejo, which offers solutions to ensure that services and programs are available to the Hipanic/Latino individuals and families in Washington, D.C. Specifically, Neighbors Consejo offers substance abuse treatment, and transitional housing.

In addition, the National Coalition for the Homeless and Street Sense D.C. are both integral partners in recruitment, management and awareness of the Street Soccer D.C. team, as well as Street Soccer USA overall.

The team practices every Wednesday from 5:30pm - 7pm at the Kennedy Recreation Center in Washington, D.C. The team is Coached by Dan, Chris and Spencer Helfrich, and Chris Parkinson.

SSUSA on NBC's TODAY Program

Soccer becomes lifeline for homeless

I'm just saying . . .

Research shows value of soccer. Link here

Blue Bombers are #1

Pictured above is a group of 3rd graders called "The Blue Bombers," a soccer team fromin Takoma Park, MD
The team has been together since the boys were in kindergarten - the
fall of 2005. Also pictured is their coach from the beginning,Trevor
Alleyne. In the words of the parents, Trevor is, " a wonderful coach and leader."

The Blue Bomber collected $160 for Street Soccer USA and became the first soccer team in the nation to collect money for the homeless. We salute our brothers and sisters in the beautiful game, The Blue Bombers. Soccer teaches many lessons, and helps with our personal development. Most of all, it helps point to our common humanity. Thank you, bombers for helping others access the power of the beautiful game to change their lives.

You are the first team in the country to a Street Soccer USA, Soccer For Social Change thumbs up! If you can make it to DC in July, we'd love to recognize you at our annual Street Soccer USA Cup, July 31-August 2nd at Washington Kastles Stadium in downtown, DC. Keep in touch!

CALLE / Street Soccer USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Street Soccer USA and CALLE to create sellable street art.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 19, 2009 - Street Soccer USA and CALLE have announced a partnership to create limited edition pieces of street art available to the public. Street Soccer USA, a non-profit organization that empowers the homeless and impoverished youth and adults to improve their lives through sports are using the program to create revenues for the upcoming Street Soccer USA Cup (July 31 – August 2) in Washington, D.C. CALLE is a street wear brand with a unique niche in street soccer based in Los Angeles . . .
The street art will initially be available on tee shirts but there are plans to expand to headwear and other accessories as part of the SSUSA line and as the partnership strengthens and the demand so dictates. The co-op is supported by Shep Messing, CEO of Global Sport Group and active advisory board member for CALLE. “It is very exciting when two great organizations, CALLE and Street Soccer USA, with a vision to help the less fortunate unite in their strengths and create something unique to the market” said Messing. Messing joined the CALLE board earlier this year with the noblest of reasons. “To find those kids on the street, give them hope that they one day might become a Ronaldinho or a Messi, and then to represent them into the professional ranks is where I hope to add value to the movement. It’s one of the most exciting boards that I belong to and I am so excited for these young guys and their vision. I support it 110%”
link to attached document for full release.
Street_Soccer_USA_and_CALLE_-_Press_Release_Final%5B1%5D.doc

Street Soccer Stars in Charlotte put together impressive season, fall short in semifinals of local league play

Our team of Street Soccer 945 program graduates, the "Street Soccer Stars" we call them, had an amazing season in the newly formed Revolution Athletics Soccer League in Charlotte. This group is great because they serve as inspiration for our players on the 945 Team and also because I, most of time, can pick up spectators at the Urban Ministry Center and then meet the team at the game. Elmer, Dave and Michael and Tim drive themselves to the game in their own cars. Wow, they have come so far!

We started out the season 0-3. The team then rebounded and won 7 games in row. We entered the playoffs as the #6 seed and faced off against the #3 seed Wings Select. Craig Holley, star of the Sundance documentary Kicking It, played his best game of the season at marking back. Craig had the job of marking our opponent's best forward, a strong and physical player with a cannon shot on both legs and a spin move that had weakened the legs of many defenders. Craig held him up and did not stab in, only when the opponent turned and showed Craig the ball did he step in and make a tackle. Time and time again Craig held him up, won the ball and released it to our triumvirate of attackers who on this night looked like Brazilians passing back and fourth, slotting in easy goals. This seemed a little too easy so Mike McGregor, Homeless World Cup 2007 team member, bicycled in our 5th goal and we were able to hold of a late surge by the Wings and advance to the semifinals by a score of 7-3.

The semifinals took place just 30 minutes after our quarterfinal victory and we started the game on our heels taking shot after shot which Craig, volunteer Curtis Gardner and Keeper Tim Cummins (HWC '08) were able to deflect. We were able to keep them out of the net while we re-organized and got into our game. This was a beautiful game. Both teams fought hard and played fair. The score was 1-1 with five minutes left. Elmer Nunez (Homeless World Cup 07) confronted an attacking player in the middle of the field and what sounded like an explosion was a ball-to-foot contact in which Elmer won the ball for a one on zero breakaway with the keeper. On this bouncy, dirt patched field, Elmer could not collect the ball where he wanted it and sprayed a shot wide of the goal. We were in shock. The next possession in what appeared to be another defensive stand for us quickly turned into a moment of chaos as the ball was turned back over and a free man at the back post put it past Tim in the only spot open...the roof of the net. We did not go down without a fight. Dave McGregor, HWC 2006, slipped through defenders and found himself a small opening in which he took a toe-poke shot that clanged the post and went out. We took our final push and earned a corner. The ball was played low and hard into the penalty area and bodies banged together and a deflection shot pinged right for the goal but only the keeper blocked it and fell on it. He was on top of the line and we appealed for a goal but it was not in. Our winning streak was over. The excitement now is that we are consistently going toe-to-toe with some of Charlotte's best amateur players. Pictured here is part of the team. Front row, SS-945 Team support Ebony, Coach Rob, Nori. Second Row Michael McGregor, Miguel, Elvis, Dave McGregor, volunteer Curtis. Not pictured Elmer Nunez, Craig Holley and Tim Cummins. The Stars will start vying for that first elusive title again next week when the league re-starts. Street Soccer 945, the team that will represent Charlotte at the Street Soccer USA Cup this summer, will start league play this Wednesday, May 20th. Please check back for complete game schedules. Thanks for your support.

NYC comeback, Goals3,4,5,6

.
SSNYC, fresh off back to back victories, was beginning to think this soccer thing was easy. Word has spread of their talent, and this time the opponent was prepared. SSNYC fell behind 9-0 before getting their first goal. The second half was another story. Resilience is a quality that people who struggle with homelessness need to exhibit everyday. SSNYC was apparently well practiced. Some of the goals above are part of their comeback. From 13-3, SSNYC came back to finish the game 15-13. It was no easy comeback either and if it were not from the star heroics of the opposing goalie, SSNYC certainly would have deserved victory. Enjoy the Dexter and Jarvis show of goals here

Street Soccer Chicago gets Playoff Birth

Street Soccer Chicago had 35 fans on hand in their final game, a tough loss to end their, in fact, triumphant first season. Or did it? They found out they in fact qualified as the wild card team and will play in the first round of the playoffs next Thursday. SSCHI has captured the the public's hearts and the players' potential, three quarters of the players having moved into jobs or housing since they first started the program in September. Good luck next week!

Just for kicks . . .

Review of NYTimes Sunday Front Page . . . go team

Goal 2

Enjoy this goal by Street Soccer NYC's Dexter Barnett.

SSUSA part of Kasltes' Championship Season

Lawrence Cann (3rd to the right of the World Team Tennis Trophy) Street Soccer CEO and Founder, was on hand with Mayor Fenty of Washington DC, DC Councilman Jack Evans, DC Sports and Entertainment Commission CEO Erik Moses, Great Washington Sports Alliance president Robert Sweeney, and Washington Kastles World team tennis coach Murhpy Jensen, Thursday as the Kastles announced they will host the World Team Tennis Championships on their home court.

Mark Ein, venture capitalist and philanthropist, also announced that the Street Soccer USA Cup and trials for the Homeless World Cup will take place in the same 3,000 person center city stadium July 31st-August 2nd. Mark has brought the community in DC together through the sport of tennis, and his support of Street Soccer USA shows his concern far beyond his own backyard, providing our team of people battling homelessness the chance to play in a first class sporting arena. Our hats are off to Mr. Ein.

Please link to www.streetsoccerusa.org to learn more about the cup and how to volunteer, and how to come cheer at this free event for the whole family.

Street Soccer NYC Images: in route. Next Tues. Game-9pm

Check out some images from Street Soccer NYC, Dex on the subway, Jarvis in uni and out, Ray, Charles, and our team walking to the game in the rain.
Next match is Tuesday at Cheslea Piers, 9pm

SSUSA visits St. Alban's

At the invitation of Hart Roper, Dean of Admissions at St. Alban's, Will Mazzuto of Street Soccer USA and I traveled to this beautiful boy's preparatory school nestled on a breezy hillside behind the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

Hart Roper, besides being a dedicator educator, husband, and father of two baby girls, has been my soccer buddy as long as I can remember. We played together on the club level, reaching the final four in the nation as U-17's and were both recruited to play at Davidson. In fact I probably would not have made it very far in soccer at all if Hart's mom hadn't given me rides to so many games, tournaments, and practices. So my soccer life has been synonymous with Hart's. He even came to Charlotte and trained with our 2007 Homeless World Cup team before they went abroad a couple year's ago. St Alban's is lucky to have such a good man working in support of their students, not to mention coaching their varsity soccer team.

In the words of the school's website St. Alban's creates "an intimate community that thrives on close relationships between faculty and students, on daily family style lunches, on a challenging yet caring environment." I was struck when I read that because it is very similar to what we try to do for our street soccer players, just substitute soccer practices for "daily style lunches."

I was also struck while attending such a lunch at how the school provided structure and support. In describing the upcoming field day, one teacher told the students what to wear, where to be, when to be their, how to act while there, as well as how not to act. This type of instruction and guidance is exactly what most of our players have lacked, growing up in poverty, changing schools, changing families, etc.

When I gave a presentation to the middle school students I tried to contrast what I had seen at the lunch with the lives of many of our participants. The students were very impressive. They spoke up, responded, asked questions, and genuinely engaged in the question, "what would it be like for me to be homeless."

In the end several of the students came up afterward offering to volunteer at our cup and we set up a tentative challenge match for our July 31st Street Soccer USA Cup tournament against St. Alban's. We hope to see many of the students, faculty, and parents at the matches representing the school, sharing their impressive community with our players by supporting them as fans. We look forward to recognizing the group on the PA. Perhaps they will win the top fan group award at the cup. Who is going to challenge them?