Soccer giant visits the little guys
Manchester United coaches offer a little international perspective for a West Pasco youth club.
By STEVE LEE
Published August 8, 2006
HOLIDAY - When he became the West Pasco Futbol Club's coaching director in 2004, Karl Kukec vowed to get more exposure for the league founded in 1979.
Kukec, who also coaches the Mitchell High girls team, did his part by guiding the West Pasco under-18 girls to the U.S. Youth Soccer Association Southern Regional title in 2004. That team, which also won a Region C Cup, played in the National Director's Cup that season.
Not to diminish those accomplishments, but nothing could top the boost the local club received last month after a visit from international coaches. Neil Scott, Andy Dixon, John Parrot and Ken Baggaley, trainers for Manchester United's soccer program, worked with select West Pasco players at the Holiday Recreation Complex.
"It was really a great thing for our area," Kukec said. "You get a bit of international flair. That's always good. West Pasco is not just an afterthought anymore."
Added West Pasco coach Steve Doyle: "It just shows that West Pasco is doing everything it can to elevate the game."
The Manchester United coaches also had stops in Boston, Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, as part of a Nike tour. West Pasco is a Nike affiliate.
"For our club, it's a statement," Kukec said. "We're on the map. They didn't go to Tampa. They didn't go to Clearwater. They came to us. And they're talking about coming back next year."
Jeff Gray, a West Pasco competitive coach, said those in the soccer community grasp the impact such highly regarded international visitors brought to the area.
"We're on their radar now," Gray said. "Man U is the New York Yankees of the soccer world."
While soccer instructions and drills may not vary much, Gray and Kukec said the messengers may have had a greater impact on those in attendance than the message itself.
"American coaches are good, too, but I think with these guys it's the passion," Gray said. "They preach intensity. They preach touches on the ball. The attitude of Man U came with them, so maybe a kid listened more attentively."
"They want to help American soccer become more popular," Kukec added. "That's where things start, grassroots programs for the kids."
Contact Steve Lee at lee@sptimes.com