The Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club Youth Boys U7 Team, the Hurricanes, won the TACA Airlines CUP in Hempstead 2-0 in the championship game in July and were honored in August on the steps of 1550 Franklin Avenue by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, elected officials, and representatives from Latin American airline TACA for their victories in the multi-cultural event held in Hempstead each year.
But this was only the start of an incredible summer for the program.
From Aug. 10 to the Aug. 20 the MPSC Thunder (U8) traveled to Argentina and competed against some of the world’s top professional youth clubs such as legendary Argentine teams Club Atlético River Plate, Club Platense and Racing.
“The experience of playing in Argentina itself was priceless, but we believe this opportunity was more than just developing soccer skills. It helped develop them as individuals by continuing to foster qualities such as leadership, team work, work ethic and relationship building as well as enhanced their cultural experience.” said one of the parents.
A key part of the trip was a two-day cultural excursion to a small town called Pigue‘ where the boys played two games against local clubs and donated clothes, shoes, cleats and soccer jerseys put together by the players, management, parents, and fans of the Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club.
“We believe this trip was an impetus for our boys to further explore different cultures and develop the open mind required to co-exist in the globala society they are growing up in,” a club official said.
For more information about the Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club Youth program, please visit www.mpscyouthsoccer.com.
