Moving to America from a foreign country can be hard to adapt to. In order to make it all easier, some gravitate toward activities they are familiar with.
Many members from the soccer team have come from all around the world; however, there are still some difficulties the players and coaches face.
“Sometimes the language and communication can be an issue but some players have been great,” Coach Kevin Kloth said.
With the difference in languages, some things can be misunderstood. Other players on the team have been very helpful.
“They’ve stepped up and served as translators and they help explain things and bring concerns of the players to my attention,” Kloth said.
Not all aspects of soccer are the same. From working on ball control to the level of human contact, players agree it is different from what they are used to.
“Soccer is way different here. The level of physicality is way higher here than in Bolivia,” sophomore Gabi Martin said. “In Bolivia, we were more about technique and here we are more about trucking people.”
Others agree that the technique focuses are different.
“In Argentina there is more running and ball control, and here there is more passing,” freshman Augustin Barcellona said.
According to coaches it is great to have diversity on the team, as it gives the other players experiences that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
“I think it’s great for the guys on the team to have teammates who bring different experiences, who have grown up playing soccer in different countries, with different customs and stuff like that.”
Playing soccer hasn’t just helped those students in getting used to the area but it has also helped many make friends. Foreign exchange student, senior Emil Sturup thanks soccer for introducing him to most of the friends he has now.
“The first practice was like two days before school and I made friends that I could talk to when I came to school,” Sturup said. “I think if I hadn’t played soccer, I wouldn’t know anybody.”
Kloth also recognizes the hospitality the teams bring and how welcoming they all have been.
“I think it’s been fantastic looking at a couple players who are new to the school, new to the country, and new to parts of our culture,” Kloth said. “I think some players have done an absolutely amazing job at welcoming them and making them feel apart of the team and kind of going out of their way just to make sure everyone is on the same page.”