When asked “How was soccer practice today?”, most kids’ answers usually aren’t “It was great, we scrimmaged Argentina & I fielded shots from Lionel Messi & Sergio Aguero.”
Even if that was their response, the odds the asker believes it are usually set securely at 0%.
However, if several Earthquakes Academy & PDL affiliate Burlingame Dragons FC players were to say just that, they’d be telling the 100% truth.
In preparation for Argentina’s opening Copa America Centenario match vs. Chile at Levi’s Stadium, the world’s top-ranked team trained at nearby San Jose State. Argentina were seeking a professional academy to train with for the week, leading into what would eventually result in a 2-1 victory over Chile at the sold-out home of the 49ers.
Members of the U-16, U-18 & Burlingame Dragons FC squads answered the call & had the opportunity to rotate training days for a full week. Argentina arrived on May 31
st
, and trained everyday but Monday.
From defending set pieces, to slotting right in during finishing drills, the academy players won’t soon forget the chance to train with some of the best players in all of world soccer.
U-16 goalkeeper Dominic Peters lived a net minder’s dream, participating in multiple days of morning training sessions.
“It was just surreal, speaking to Sergio Romero during finishing drills, he said. “He gave me a few pointers while we took shots from the San Jose State players.”
“I was put into a finishing drill on one of the last days with all of the Argentine strikers. Messi, Aguero, Lamela, he added. “They were all participating. It was probably the best experience of the whole week. These are world-class players. Every shot was either nestled into the top corner or off the bar. It’s unreal.”
Still he kept his head through the drills, as he was asked to.
“More than anything, that training was not for me, said Peters in reflection. “It was for the Argentine players to get ready for Chile. I had to go into the training thinking that and to be prepared to work hard and do my job.”
It’d be easy to become star-struck with players from FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur & Paris Saint-Germain surrounding you, but Peters did his best to stay in the moment.
“Before the training, I might have been a little bit shocked, he laughed. But once the balls came flying at me it was all about trying to stop as many shots as I can and challenge these guys as much as possible.”
Finishing drills weren’t at all the extent of the academy’s play with
La Albiceleste
, however. Each day, Argentina had a specific goal for the session, whether it was set pieces or preparing for Chile’s expected formations while wearing red bibs to mimic the Chilean uniform, the Quakes were briefed and put through a short morning training session to be fully ready before the national team joined training.
“I know they learned immensely from the coaching staff as well as playing with and against literally, some of the best players in the world,” said Quakes Technical Director Chris Leitch.
In one of the final days of preparation, Quakes Academy players midfielder Irvin Somera & forward Danny Musovski actually played with Argentina in a scrimmage against a mixed squad consisting of Academy & Dragons players in which Argentina took a 1-0 defeat.
Though only a scrimmage, it was a fantastic learning experience for the Dragons and a cherry-on-top of the memorable week.
“[We learned] so many valuable things,” said Dragons FC Head Coach Eric Bucchere. “Most importantly I'd say just being able to see those players and that level first hand was pretty special.”
“Both the players from the Earthquakes Academy in the Dragons did really well, he added. “They played with confidence and perspective and you could tell that they were really enjoying themselves, which always has a positive impact on performance.”
Chris Leitch also expressed gratitude to the Argentina Football Association for the learning experience.
“They truly made us feel like we were apart of their special group and their preparation as they headed into their match against Chile, he said. “Our players on the U-16 and U-18 teams as well as those on the PDL team, got the chance of a lifetime and handled themselves like young professions through this experience.”
