Team USA Tryout Reaction
Team USA forward Robbie Findley back in contention for the 2022 World Cup
What a turnout it was. Players came from far and wide to take part in the trials as the reputation for small sided soccer continues to grow in the U.S after 2 outings from the national squad in Lisbon and Greece.
The weekend was viewed as a success from coach Tom Hurdle who commented: “One of the most exciting elements of this process is getting out onto the pitch and starting to see the potential of what the squad might look like come April 2022. After a long, almost 2 years away from the pitches it was great to get to interact with the returning guys who are some really quality human beings, and then to get to meet some new faces. On the pitch the talent level exceeded our expectations as a coaching staff and that sets us off on the right foot.”
Some familiar faces were on display such as Robbie Findley, Scott Crandall and Andrew Weber but there was plenty of fresh talent on display as Team USA replenish the squad after a second round knockout in Greece in 2019.
Coach Hurdle commented: “A lot has changed since the last World Cup (Crete 2019) both on and off the pitch! Some players have stepped away and that opens up opportunity for some new guys to step in and show what they have to offer the team. It’s going to be fun to see how we can blend experience and fresh new talent together”
Next up for the team will be monthly training camps where 24 players will battle it out for the 12 seats on the plane to Cozumel in 2022.
Coach Hurdle said: “There is already a lot of competition to make the training pool, never mind the final squad. Everyone is competing for the opportunity to represent their country and will need to be at their best to achieve that. Competition is healthy and creates an environment where our players will be challenged to perform at the top of their ability session after session. This will certainly give the coaching staff some very tough decisions to make when it comes to finalizing the squad, but it will ultimately result in an elite training camp environment that will help prepare Team USA to be the best version of itself come April 2022. ”
The stage is beginning to take shape in Cozumel with the ISF working hard behind the scenes in difficult circumstances due to COVID to get the 6v6 tournament back on the world stage. An amazing event is anticipated and Coach Hurdle had this to add on Team USA’s experience at the previous 2 events:
“We’ve had two incredible experiences at the last 2 world cups. The standard of socca has risen significantly over each event and we expect that to be the case again in Mexico. In both World Cups we were knocked out by eventual world champions (Germany ‘18 and Russia ‘19). We have learned a lot from those two experiences and we are as hungry and motivated as ever to try and exceed our previous performances and win the Socca World Cup in 2022”
Team Director Adam Thelwell weighed in by saying: “We’re excited to get back to business. It’s been a wild year for everyone globally with the pandemic ripping through day to day life. To get the team back out on the pitch and start preparations on and off the field is an amazing feeling and we can’t wait for the tournament to come around”
Stay up to date with all things Team USA on Facebook and Instagram @teamusa6v6
Photographs by Grace Stufkosky
