Maryland State Youth Soccer Association

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Maryland State Youth Soccer Association
Olympic Development Program 1995 Girls
International Travel 2009
Denmark and Sweden (Depart Evening of 4/5, Return
4/13)
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Mission

• For many years teams from Maryland State Youth
  Soccer Association have traveled to different
  countries to participate in the worlds greatest
  game while breaking down barriers of language,
  culture and geography. The combination of
  playing quality opponents, excellent facilities,
  visiting professional games, guest coaching, and
  great sightseeing are opportunities we will
  continue to provide for MSYSA players.

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Why Europe?

• Competition The opportunity for our players to
  play against the best opposition, offering game
  experiences they cannot achieve in the U.S. (May
  2008) Mens FIFA rankings had 14 of the worlds
  top 20 from Europe Womens FIFA rankings had 13
  of the worlds top 20 from Europe. In 2006, the
  top four teams in the FIFA World Cup were from
  Europe Italy, France, Germany and Portugal
  respectively. Six out of the top eight teams in
  2006 were also from Europe. In 2007, two of the
  top four teams in the FIFA Women's World Cup were
  from Europe Norway and Germany.
• Culture The great food of Italy, the fantastic
  sites of Denmark, England and Scotland, the
  opportunities for our players to learn and grow
  are lifelong.
• Coaching Guest sessions by some of the top
  professional and national staff coaches give our
  players a unique learning experience.

www.msysa.org
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International Soccer Travel

• Our teams developed more in four games on
  international trips than in three months on our
  training field. All of our teams from age ten and
  up travel at least once per year.
• Academy Director of English Professional Club

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Why Denmark and Sweden?

• Top quality youth girls programs.
• Ranked 7 and 3 respectively in the FIFA world
  womens soccer rankings (July 08).
• Availability for U.S. players to play against
  Regional and National youth teams.
• Top quality facilities.
• No travel visa requirements for U.S. Citizens.
• Good flight options from Mid Atlantic region.
• Future professional playing/try-out opportunities
  for our female players. (Daniel Malagari a
  former UMD and MSYSA ODP player played
  professionally in 2007 with Fortuna Hjørring, the
  top womens team in Denmark)
• Highly respected coaching programs with strong
  emphasis on player development.
• Limited language barriers, English is spoken as a
  second language by most Scandinavians.
• Excellent cultural opportunities.
• MSYSA Girls ODP have established relationships
  with top clubs since their first visit to Denmark
  and Sweden in Spring, 2008.

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FC Nordsjaelland

Stay on-site at this Copenhagen based
professional club with excellent soccer
facilities right on your doorstep.
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What others have Said!

• I had a fantastic time and the trip far
  exceeded my expectations.  As a chaperone, it was
  a pleasure getting to know the girls and their
  personalities on and off the field.  For the
  girls, the trip was a great introduction to
  international travel, adapting to other cultures
  and customs as well a terrific soccer
  experience.  I would recommend the experience to
  anyone interested in advancing the intellectual
  and athletic education of their child.  Thank you
  for a job well done.
• Kenneth Stipcak, Maryland Girls ODP, Denmark and
  Sweden 2008 trip

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Other activities

• Visit top level professional soccer game
• Visit to the wonderful capitol city of Copenhagen
  and also spend a day in Sweden, less than one
  hour from Copenhagen.
• Social Activities

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Accommodations

• Farum Park Sports and Conference Center is in a
  unique location built into the stadium of the FCN
  soccer club, a division I club based just outside
  of Copenhagen.
• The facility is ideal for top-level soccer
  training and games as it has 5 soccer fields
  within 300 yards of the hotel.

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