XL Soccer Tours provide opportunity for three MPS teams to play overseas
Waltham, 12th August 2010; Three teams from the MPS Premier Team Program recently participated in a ten day trip to England which included game play, sightseeing and the opportunity to attend high profile professional soccer matches.
The MPS U14 Bulldogs and MPS U14 Knights / Crusaders participated in the Arsenal International Soccer Festival while the MPS U14 Lady Knights competed against youth academy sides from professional clubs including West Ham United and Watford.
"The tour laid on by XL Travel Tours was an enjoyable experience for everyone involved and something that will live with the players for many years to come,” said MPS Knights / Crusaders U14 Head Coach Martyn Emery. “The players had an opportunity to play against high quality teams, not only from England but also different European countries, and the experience was fantastic. The entire tour gave the players a chance to experience a different cultures and the way of life in England.”
The highlight of the boy’s tournament was the MPS Knights / Crusaders team who advanced through the group stage of the event with a 1-1-1 record against teams from England and the US. The team coached by Martyn Emery were eventually eliminated from the knock out cup by Arsenal SSC Cyprus in the playoff rounds.
The MPS Lady Knights enjoyed great competition against the youth academy teams of London based professional clubs. The team coached by Sarah Dooley tied West Ham United 1-1 and losing to Watford FC ladies.
In addition to the action on the park for the teams, the MPS players enjoyed a visit to some of the leading tourist sites in London and also went on a boat trip on the Thames river.
All teams attended professional games at the Emirates Cup tournament where the players enjoyed action from the AC Milan v Lyon and Arsenal v Celtic. The players also attended Wembley Stadium to sit back and enjoy the FA Community Shield contest where Manchester United defeated Chelsea 3-1.
To round out the trip, players also enjoyed a stadium tour of Chelsea FC home Stamford Bridge and attended a training session at the home of Arsenal FC and Fulham FC.
“The trip was full of activity and the players enjoyed every minute of it,” said Emery. “We look forward to returning with a new set of teams in 2011 and beyond and thank XL Soccer Tours for the opportunity.”
For more information on the XL Soccer Tours please visit www.xltravel.com
