At United Soccer Club's 2014 Fall Classic, dcunited.com spoke to Councilmember Charles Allen, D.C. United Defender Sean Franklin, parents of children in the program as well as coaches of United Soccer Club.
D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen
With this being your first time out here, seeing this program, what do you think of the USC program?
Allen: Oh I love it. I love it. I’ve only been out here for 15 minutes and I already recognize a lot of people from the neighborhood. I see folks from our schools and our local PTA’s. To me it just shows what D.C. United is in our city already, a really great partner and actively engaged with our youth.
What impact do you think the USC program has on the local D.C. youth?
Allen: I think we’re seeing soccer in our city grow in popularity, grow as something kids really want to do. One of our challenges of course is having enough field space to give those kids the opportunity to play, but something like this gives kids all over D.C. and the region the opportunity to see what professional soccer looks like. We can see it on TV, we can see it in the stadium, but getting onto fields like this is just a whole different experience and so it’s fantastic for the kids and for the families to see what this can do.
How do you think the community benefits from this program?
Allen: I think that the city, the whole region, and our communities really benefit from something like this. Again these kids, this is a great experience. I was just talking to Sean [Franklin] from the team, to get the players out walking with these kids, these are their role models, these are the folks they’re excited to see on TV or see in real life at the stadium, to get the chance to walk off the field with them, it’s just a whole great experience and so I know the kids and the families love it.
D.C. United Defender Sean Franklin
Watching the kids in this program, some learning the game for the first time, how does that make you feel as a professional soccer player for D.C. United?
Franklin: It’s great. I’ve been talking to some of these kids and a lot of them started way younger than I was and it’s great to see that at such a young age, that passion for the game. Hopefully there will be some future D.C. United players out there today.
How do you think these kids benefit from this program?
Franklin: Just being able to interact with other kids. I think that’s the main thing, just meeting people and experiencing things. For them to get the opportunity to come out on a Saturday and have some fun, it’s nice to see that.
How do you think the community benefits from this program as well?
Franklin: Even though they might not come from the nicest areas, seeing these kids being able to play, I think it brings a community together, just wanting the best for their children.
We see a lot of families out here today, what do you think that does for the family unit, bringing them together?
Franklin: It’s always nice when you have your family and their support. You see these parents and they’re just so proud of their kids. It’s just a great event.
Adrian Van Seventer: Parkview Coach
You’ve been coaching these kids all fall, how does it feel to see them out there competing with other teams?
Van Seventer: Oh it’s great. They have games during they season, but they really look forward to having the big tournament against all the other sites. It’s really exciting for them.
Do you see a lot of progression through the season leading up to the tournament?
Van Seventer: Yea. I’ve actually been coach of this site for three seasons and even over the seasons they’ve gotten tremendously better.
Looking at the USC program as a whole, what do you think the impact is on the kids in this program?
Van Seventer: Well it gives them something to look forward to after school. We talk to a lot of kids about performing well in school and then coming afterwards to practice. I think they’re really proud of it too. I see them wearing their jerseys when they’re not playing and things like that.
How do you think the community benefits from this program?
Van Seventer: Oh I think they benefit quite a bit. Half the players brought their family today and they’ve been following us around and cheering them on. It brings them all together.
What do you think the best part about this program is?
Van Seventer: I like how often we meet them and I like how it’s right after school. It gives them something to do. These kids just like to play soccer so it’s nice to give them an opportunity to do so.
Paul Lewis: Longbranch Coach
You’ve seen these kids progress all season, how does it feel now seeing them compete with all the other teams?
Lewis: It feels great. I love being able to coach them and see their progression throughout the season. It’s awesome to see them work together and achieve different goals together.
Looking at the USC program as a whole, what impact do you think it has on these kids?
Lewis: I think it gives them the chance to break away from the norm of going to school, having to go back home and do homework and all that. It gives them a chance to run around and get some exercise and just be able to hang out with other kids.
How do you think the community benefits from this program?
Lewis: Once again it gives them the chance to experience life in a different way. It’s a cohesive effort to work together towards one goal. It’s a team sport so they have to work together.
Does it bring families together too?
Lewis: Definitely. I think it brings all the families together. It brings everyone from different cultures and brings everyone from different backgrounds together and they’re able to watch their kids do well through soccer.
What is the best part about the USC program?
Lewis: Honestly the best part is just playing soccer. I love soccer and I’m sure all these kids love soccer as well. Their parents get to see them and I’m sure they enjoy watching their kids do well on the field.
Martin Welles: Parent of 3 Amidon kids
How does it feel seeing the kids out there today, competing against all the other teams?
Welles: What’s great is this is our [his kids/site] third tournament here and the skill level, and the intensity, and the competition is improving as well. Not only on our team, but the other teams are getting better. So that’s what really makes it nice.
For you personally, how does it feel for you watching your kids go through this program and now in this tournament?
Welles: My kids are really fortunate. I don’t know if they know how fortunate they are to have a program like this at their school. Many rec leagues and things like that are after school hours, they start at six. We’re fortunate that D.C. United comes to the school. They’re there three days a week. They started a new program where the teachers now are helping out and that’s really improved the team.
How do you think these kids benefit from the USC program?
Welles: I think the majority of the kids here probably haven’t been exposed to soccer at all. Especially you look at the different communities, the Hispanic community probably, but the African American community probably not. It brings it down to a level and there’s some real talent out here, maybe they’ll move up and get a college scholarship out of it.
How do you think the community benefits from this program?
Welles: Well we have a neighborhood school, so most of the kids in the community are in the school. It gives them something to do, there’s not cost to it and it’s three days a week so it’s good.
What do you think the best part about the USC program is?
Welles: It’s the affiliation with D.C. United. It adds a little pinash to it than just being a rec team. D.C. United is a pro team. So just having that affiliation is really great.
Blanca: Parent of second grader in program
How does it make you feel seeing your child playing out here in the tournament with the other kids?
Blanca: For me it’s very exciting to see they are giving this opportunity to play and enjoy the games with other kids. For me they’re giving me emotions seeing them getting the opportunity to love soccer, love futbol. It’s important for me to see them happy and enjoying what they’re doing.
How do you think your child benefits from this program?
Blanca: I think the benefit is that they’re motivated to exericise and do something for the future like maybe they’re planning to continue playing soccer. It’s very important because I see a lot of kids and a lot of parents that need to be given that support. It’s not just the D.C. United organization that should be giving this kind of opportunity. There should be a lot more consistency in giving kids and parents this kind of support.
How do you think this program benefits the community?
Blanca: I think the benefits they have here are just they’re giving the opportunity to meet a lot of people in the same spot and in the same community. Maybe they know eachother, but it’s not necessary for them to speak the same language. I’m from a different country, but the futbol, it’s like the union between everyone to give that support to the kids.
Will Beichner: Volunteer
Is this the first time you volunteered for this tournament?
Beichner: Yes
So how do you feel seeing all the kids out here having fun and competing?
Beichner: It was really exciting to see all the kids out here having fun and enjoying the game. It turned out to be a nice day and it looked like they were having a lot of fun. It was really nice to see all the hard work of the volunteers this morning and how it paid off with all the kids.
What made you want to volunteer today?
Beichner: My friend found out about it from one of our things at school and he asked me if I wanted to do it and I said ‘yea I’ll give it a shot’ and I did it.
How do you think these kids benefit from the USC program?
Beichner: Oh I think it does tremendous things for these kids. It gives them something to do and keeps them out of trouble. It keeps them healthy by exercising and playing a fun sport.
How does this program benefit the communities in D.C.?
Beichner: I saw a lot of parents out here supporting their kids and that was really nice. It helps bring the community together. Different parents of different kids come together to watch the kids compete,
What was the best part about today for you?
Beichner: Referring. I liked referring. It was really fun. There’s a lot of passion in these young kids. You can just tell how excited they are just to be out here playing.
