The most popular sport in the world continues to gain momentum. During the last 30 years, participation in soccer, or futbol as it is known to many around the globe, has seen a steady rise in the United States.
Although lagging other countries, the overall popularity of the sport is quickly advancing in the U.S. In 1994, the World Cup was hosted by the U.S., and two years later Major League Soccer (MLS), a popular professional league was organized. Both the men’s and women’s U.S. national teams have seen a significant rise in talent and fan support, with the women consistently ranking among the top teams in the world according to FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Futbol Association). This year, television ratings for the recently completed FIFA World Cup were the highest ever in the U.S. In the last 5 years, it is estimated that more children aged 8-17 are playing soccer (futbol) than American football.
In the Chattanooga area, the popularity of soccer is also growing. In 2009, and with the assistance of corporate sponsorships, the Chattanooga Futbol Club (CFC), a semi-professional organization that competes in the National Premier Soccer League, was formed. Youth programs are also thriving in such locations as Redoubt, Middle Valley, East Ridge, and the North River YMCA. Well-established and new soccer associations are offering recreational and select programs for young people. With the explosion of interest in youth soccer, high school and college programs are also growing in spectatorship.
Behind the excitement and growth of soccer in Chattanooga are local men and women who have played the game and who have dedicated their time and talents outside of their professions to advance the sport. They are passionate about growing the game and advancing the skills of our youth, not only for the sport, but also for life.
“I have been involved in soccer from the youth level here in town for 15 years,” relates Sean McDaniel, Chattanooga Futbol Club General Manager. “Youth soccer has been very strong, and that has been good for those involved. What we have seen and been surprised about is the nice progression of casual soccer fans. Every week the crowd is a little bigger, and the excitement over the World Cup has helped us.”
The idea for the CFC started when McDaniel, along with other supporters of soccer: Krue Brock, CFC Assistant Coach Jimmy Weekly, Sheldon Grizzle, Tim Kelly, Daryl Heald, Marshall Brock, and Paul Rustand got together to revive semi-pro soccer in this city. Today these men serve on the board of directors along with the brother of Krue, Hamilton Brock and several others. Now in its second season, the CFC is hitting its stride. The team is officially amateur, with none of the players receiving salaries. However, many of them are collegiate players or accomplished amateurs who, in fact, have an opportunity to progress to a professional league and ultimately even MLS.
Volkswagen has recently become a principal sponsor of the CFC. The automaker’s sponsorship of soccer in Europe made its association with the city’s semi-pro team a natural fit. Volkswagen is also the sponsor of the D.C. United MLS team.
“It is no secret that VW is a huge soccer supporter,” says McDaniel, who played at Covenant College. “They are the flagship sponsor of Wolfsburg, one of the premiere teams in Germany, and the VW commitment to the sport is enormous. They have shown a commitment to the development of the sport and want to be affiliated with the highest level of soccer in the cities where they are located.”
While the CFC is autonomous from other soccer organizations in the Chattanooga area, its players and coaches participate regularly with camps, clinics and the general promotion and growth of the game in the area. CFC Coach Brian Crossman has been in the city for 26 years as a teacher and soccer coach at Covenant College. He coached McDaniel and Brock during the mid-1980s and continues to teach at Covenant.
Among the standouts for the CFC team are Baylor School and University of Richmond alumnus Fynn Glover; Mississippi brothers Drew and Russell Courtney; Thomas Clark, who came to Chattanooga to work for Krystal Corporation; and Irvin Espinal of Dalton, Ga. International players include Chris Ochieng of Kenya and Milligan College student Andrew Stewart, who hails from Great Britain.
Along with the success of the semi-pro CFC, youth soccer associations abound in the Chattanooga area providing recreational opportunities as well as select programs, which usually involve tryouts and travel commitments for advanced players aspiring to play in college and possibly beyond.
Among the longest running soccer programs is the East Ridge Soccer Association (ERSA). Started 30 years ago, the ERSA was born at Camp Jordan Park under the pioneering spirit of people like Ron Barry and Mike Steele, the current mayor of East Ridge. From the late 90s, the select soccer program has grown from four select teams to 32 teams this year. Irene Pagnani, director of communications, says, “The success of the program is evident by the success of its players.” She goes on to say, “Whatever level they decide to play on [recreational or select], they will reap the benefits on and off the field for many years.” Irene points to exercise as the most obvious plus in an age where “technology has young kids glued to their computers and television. Having the opportunity to be outdoors and get some exercise is of great benefit.”
Multi-tasking and time management also become second nature to many young soccer players as they learn how to incorporate sports into already busy schedules. “By the time a player enters middle school, they are busy practicing sometimes twice a week, doing homework, and preparing for exams and school assignments. It’s amazing to go to play a tournament in another state and when you enter the lobby of the hotel, you find a group of soccer players with their books spread out with laptops, having a study session between games,” says Irene.
East Ridge has seen young players develop into well-rounded adolescents, displaying attributes that will benefit them well into their collegiate and post-collegiate careers. As an association, East Ridge says they are extremely proud when one of their players signs a letter of intent to play at the collegiate level. Many coaches can recall coaching a particular child at the recreational level and are proud to hear of their accomplishments at the collegiate or semi-professional level. Irene remarks, “When the players are successful at what they pursue, we as an association are successful for providing them the support they need to fulfill their journey.”
Another of the longest running youth soccer programs in the area is the Premier Soccer Academey (PSA), founded in 1997 by Pedro Kozak, a 14-year veteran of professional soccer. Originally from Argentina, Pedro played with Club Atletico Lanus in the Argentine First Division. He then coached the Canadian Under-17 Boys National Team and the Toronto Blizzard team of the American Professional Soccer League, subsequently holding other coaching positions on the national and international level. He currently holds “A” licenses issued in Canada and by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), along with Olympic and Argentine Soccer Association licenses.
Currently fielding six teams in Chattanooga, which include 90 boys and girls ages 9 to 17, the Premier Soccer Academy has helped develop a number of the area’s top high school players while also sending several on to the state Olympic Development Program. “The mission of PSA is to provide training to area youth, regardless of race, creed or color, in an environment of fun, commitment and discipline,” Pedro comments. “PSA is composed of several levels of youth select soccer teams which are affiliated with the Premier Soccer Association.
“We have open tryouts and practice three times a week – sometimes four,” he continues. “We play tournaments on weekends all over the region, and that is where college coaches watch the players and many of them get scholarships.”
Pedro, who previously coached the Chattanooga Express semi-pro team several years ago, sees his full-time commitment to coaching as an edge for the players at PSA. “The main thing is the practical experience which I have as a coach and player,” he reasons. “Soccer is our passion in Argentina. A number of players who have already been playing select soccer come to try out with us, and there are many others who are trying to move ahead with their skills.”
Pedro says that select soccer definitely prepares kids to be “complete players” who are conditioned and perform well under pressure. Paving the way for the Olympic Development Program and college scholarships to Division I schools, select soccer provides the opportunity for a bright future.
In the spring of 2009, a new league of teams, the Chattanooga United Futbol Club (CUFC), was formed. Since then, it has grown to approximately 350 participants ages 8 to 18.
“I watched soccer growing up and saw a World Cup game in Spain,” recalls CUFC President Trevin Bernarding. “I played in college and came to Chattanooga to work at Blue Cross Blue Shield. My daughter played when we lived in Atlanta and continued at Middle Valley, and I helped on the board of directors and coached there.”
According to Bernarding, three youth soccer associations – Middle Valley, Redoubt, and North River – are primary feeders for the programs at CUFC, which promotes the sport through select programs that include travel and a substantial training and practice regimen.
“In soccer there are two basic levels,” he explains, “recreational, which is ‘come one come all,’ and the select, which is what Chattanooga United is all about. Select is more competitive than recreational soccer. Our main draw is our coaching staff, which works with parents and players who want to go on to the next level in the sport. All the coaches have played in college and received national licenses, so what we offer is a place to develop players in very competitive situations.”
Patrick Johnston, CUFC Director of Coaching, explains, “We are select, and that means we are for those who want more from the game than just recreation. We seek competition which will always challenge our players. Recreation is just that. Select is a different commitment.”
Johnston, 46, began playing soccer at the age of 9 while growing up in South Florida. He played collegiately at Duke University and earned All-American honors in 1985. He competed with the U.S. National Youth Team and the U.S. Olympic Team prior to the 1984 Summer Olympics.
“I grew up playing four sports as a kid,” Johnston remarks, “and soccer was far and away the most fun. For the last 25 years or so, the sport has been the number one participant activity for kids in this country. The top levels are starting to become more lucrative, and there is more available to top level players in terms of scholarships and playing professionally now than ever before. This inertia will continue. Soccer gives kids a healthy focus, and it’s also a fantastic way to make what are lifelong, lasting friends.” He continues, “They have a common interest. They travel together, they’re together two or three nights a week and, they’re together most weekends.”
With committed players and coaches and a growing legion of fans, the popularity of soccer will continue to grow across the U.S. and around the world. In Chattanooga, with the commitment of men and women dedicated to the progress of the sport, there is no doubt that futbol will continue to entertain the city and positively impact the lives of our youth for years to come.