Soccer teams travel to Spain for Cerdanya Cup
By Lynn Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer Ashley Hogan (from left), Bill Groben, Lucas Olszewski, Caige Turner and Chase Farnsworth get in some play time before heading to Spain to compete in the Cerdanya Cup.

Traveling to Europe is becoming an annual tradition for Chesterfield United's youth soccer players. Last week, 31 players from the league's 13 and under and 15 and under teams traveled to Barcelona, Spain to compete in the prestigious Cerdanya Cup against dozens of top flight teams from Spain, Italy, France and Russia. Previous teams have been invited to similar tournaments in Italy twice and Sweden in 2006.

"Soccer is more emphasized in those countries," said Joe Pugh, who coaches Chesterfield United's 13 and under team. "There is a totally different level of enthusiasm and support for the sport. It's really a lifestyle in these countries. It's very exciting for the kids to experience that level of enthusiasm for their sport."

During the trip, there were parades for the competitors and larger crowds at games. But it was the higher level of competition that caused the most excitement.

"The European kids are signed to play professionally at a much younger age, and we have kids that have the potential to play at that level. They will be scouted by the European clubs and may be invited back to train or even signed," speculated Pugh prior to the trip. "It has happened before."

In addition to play, the 10-day trip also allowed time for sightseeing and learning about Spain's culture.

John Roach coached the 15 and under team during the tour, and Pugh mentored 15 players, including the lone girl, 12-year-old Ashley Hogan, in the younger group.

Hogan attends Midlothian Middle School and has been playing soccer since age four. She takes a rather pragmatic view of the trip and the competition. "I'll learn some new skills and how to play better, and it will be a challenge playing with boys," said Hogan.

Her brother, Brian, plays on the 15 and under team. "She is the most committed person I have ever seen," said Bill Hogan, Ashley's father. In total, six families each sent two siblings on the trip.

Cosby High School freshman Adam Nelson has become somewhat of a world traveler through the Chesterfield club. He was one of the players who traveled to Spain last week, and two years ago, he went to Sweden, Germany and Holland.

There are definitely differences between the European and American soccer clubs, he says.

"They communicate a lot more and better on the field."

Nelson barely had time to catch his breath after his high school team made it to the State AAA Final Four before boarding the plane for Spain.

Financially, sending 55 players, coaches, parents and siblings halfway around the world, and feeding and housing them for 10 days would not be an easy task even with unlimited funding. Chesterfield United had no source of outside funding for the almost $140,000 needed to finance the trip. Aggressive fundraising and sponsorships by Target Marketing, and Angelo's and Bandito's restaurants helped reduce the out-of-pocket expense for parents.

"It's a fantastic example of Richmond spirit and the local communities coming together," said Pugh.