gothia cup

The date was Feb. 5 2001. The day began like any ordinary day. I woke, up went to

school, went to soccer practice, but when I got home that day, I received a special letter in the

mail. The letter was from United Soccer Academy International and they were inviting me to a

try-out for their soccer team. The soccer players that make the team represent U.S.A. in the

Gothia Youth World Cup. I was ecstatic and shocked that I’ve been given this opportunity to join

their team. The try-out was on Feb. 15, 2001 at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.

One week went by and the day for the try-out was finally here. My emotions were mixed

with excitement and nervousness at the same time. There were around thirty-to-fifty kids at the

facility with their soccer balls ready to give it all they got to be on this team. After around a two

and a half hour try-out they told us, “Thank you for coming out, and we’ll contact you in two to

three weeks by mail...