USA GROUP STAGES

Brazil
Denmark
France
Hong Kong
Kyrgistan
United States

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Lawrence CannDirector of Street Soccer/Advocacy5 Hanover Square, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10004Office: 212-400-7044 Fax: 212-400-7005 Mobile: 646-385-1714

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US draws old friend, Denmark in HWC 1st game.

9am est USA kicks off 2009 Homeless World Cup vs Denmark.
See LAs Jorge Revolorio at the draw here.
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Lawrence CannDirector of Street Soccer/Advocacy5 Hanover Square, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10004Office: 212-400-7044 Fax: 212-400-7005 Mobile: 646-385-1714

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U.S. Team Headed for Milan and the Homeless World Cup - Goal Blog - NYTimes.com

http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/us-team-headed-for-milan-and-the-homeless-world-cup/
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Lawrence CannDirector of Street Soccer/Advocacy5 Hanover Square, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10004Office: 212-400-7044 Fax: 212-400-7005 Mobile: 646-385-1714

This email contains proprietary information and may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please delete it immediately. Although HELP USA has taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this e-mail, the company cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of this e-mail or attachments.

Take off and landing

Lodgson sleeps. Carlos and jose in rome.
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Lawrence CannDirector of Street Soccer/Advocacy5 Hanover Square, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10004Office: 212-400-7044 Fax: 212-400-7005 Mobile: 646-385-1714

This email contains proprietary information and may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please delete it immediately. Although HELP USA has taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this e-mail, the company cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of this e-mail or attachments.

Mike Powell with SSUSA

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Lawrence CannDirector of Street Soccer/Advocacy5 Hanover Square, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10004Office: 212-400-7044 Fax: 212-400-7005 Mobile: 646-385-1714

This email contains proprietary information and may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please delete it immediately. Although HELP USA has taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this e-mail, the company cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of this e-mail or attachments.

we are taking off

Good by usa. Here we come italia. Blogginng from the runway. Chris lodgson of new york is already asleep. See you in italia!

SSUSA National KEEPER, Wes Colter from Sacramento

Minnesota Feature

check out the link about Youthlink MN's SSUSA team

Street Soccer SUSA '09 Nationals: Ebony Wright

WSOC TV feature about Ebony Wright, link here.

Support Ebony in her journey, link here.

Here's a shot of Ebony in action:

Jorger Revlorio, number 10

Jorge was abandoned at 2 yrs old. He met his mother for the first time when he was 1, but they didn't get along. Jorge acted out and spent his teens in juvenile detention in LA, after that he lived in a group home, then slept in a park, and after that he paid rent to sleep in the living room of an uncle. Now he rents his own room and is registered for classes, but can't start until he get a night job. He loves soccer and last week made the SSUSA national team. He's number 10 in our book. Help him participate in the Homeless World Cup. Be a number 10 and make donation of 10 dollars or more online right now.

Ethan Zohn Award for Courage Winner: Sammy Al-molhem

Sammy Almolhem was the recipient of Street Soccer’s award recognizing courage, but where he has shown the most bravery has been persevering off the field. Sectarian militias in Iraq widowed three of his sisters, kidnapped a brother, and killed some of his cousins. Almolhem, still an Iraqi citizen, served the U.S. Army as an interpreter for six years.

“I dreamed of coming to the U.S. since I was 13,” says Almolhem, now 42. He moved to the U.S. just fifty days ago.

Working as an interpreter for the U.S. Army in Bagdad put him and his family in grave danger. “I know I am going to lose my life, but these are my friends now,” he recalls thinking to himself about the decision to accept a dangerous post. Almost all the other interpreters with his unit left, rather than accept the danger.

Some of his neighbors knew he was collaborating with the U.S. military. “If I stayed another night there, I might have been killed,” he said, remembering the tough decision to move his family to Jordan and Lebanon while he lived at the base in Baghdad.

Almolhem, his wife, and his three daughters are reunited and living in Charlottesville.

After cutting his chin performing a miraculous diving save, he put his injury into perspective: “With the army we saw lots of blood,” he explained, blood dripping down his jersey. “I used to carry guys on my shoulders.”

Almolhem is receiving less support than he expected upon arrival, but says he wants to “depend on himself.”

He recently interviewed for a job at a hospital.

To Almolhem, Street Soccer seemed like a natural pastime, “most Iraqi farmers play soccer in the streets.”

Thanks to Marcus Williams, who wrote this piece (Reporter, StreetSense - Washington, D.C.)

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Katalyst Coaches Award Winner: Jose Acuna

On August 2nd at the SSUSA Closing and Awards Ceremonies, Jose Acuna the coach of Street Soccer Minneapolis was honored with the Kevin Carroll Katalyst Coaches Award. Jose coached Street Soccer Minneapolis to become SSUSA Cup 2008 Champions and 2nd Place in this year's tournament. He works for Youth Link, and their team name "UP TOP." Jose is pictured here with his players.



Jose grew up in Costa Rica and explains that "soccer has been a major part of my entire life." He continues, "they say that Costa Ricans are born with a soccer ball under our arms. I never belonged to an actual team with formal training as a player, but soccer was an intricate part of daily life."

Jose belonged to various social work groups in Costa Rica and he would visit kids and adults in different settings from orphanages to nursing homes. He and he colleagues used soccer as an incentive for the youth to excel in school and their personal lives.

At Youth Link, he works with homeless youth as an Outreach Worker and has been with the organization for 15 years. As he explains SSUSA programming and the annual SSUSA Cup "creates a new lens for them [the team] to look at life through, that will hopefully continue to inspire them as they pursue their goals in life."

He further explained, "I was very honored to be the recipient of the Kevin Carroll Katalyst Award this year. The ability soccer alone has to transform lives is simply amazing. My hope is to continue this opportunity for the youth through the Homeless Soccer Cup and expand it further by by pursuing my own program. My hope is to establish an international program called "STOP THE WORLD IT'S SOCCER TIME.'' The goal is to distribute soccer balls to impoverished and war-torn communities. My belief is that despite the many adversities we may face as humans, when you are on the field the world stops and the only thing that matters is taking possession of the ball and scoring a goal. In those moments pride, joy and happiness are found, if only for the moment. And hopefully this will also begin a catalyst for change in those communities."

Jose, we salute you!

San Fran Wins SSUSA CUP 09, Sacramento wins Fair Play Award

DC Players featured

If you like the music this weekend.....

If you like the DJ's playing this weekend at the Street Soccer USA Cup, here is a list of who they are and their websites where you can find more information about them.

Friday, July 31, 12:30pm (National Anthem): David Correy –

David Correy doesn't want his fans to shuffle. "If you take someone's iPod, they might have everything from Pink to M*Picture* aroon 5 to Rihanna, to Justin Timberlake to Kanye West to Carrie Underwood," says David. "I want to embody all those artists in one." Armed with a powerful voice and a passion that knows no borders, this soul singer is poised to become just that - a 21st century global pop-star.

Born in Brazil, David came to America in his infancy after immense poverty forced his birth mother to put him up for adoption. David's adoptive parents raised him in Annapolis, Maryland, where his passion for music would quickly earn him starring roles in numerous high school musicals.

David Correy is ready to take over pop-charts around the globe. "I'm an international artist because of where I'm from and what I came from," says David. "I want to inspire people to never give up and know that their day is coming. You just have to keep on fighting."

Friday, July 31, 8am – 12pm: Harvey Rhames aka DJ Harvey Dent –

After the passing of his maternal grandmother when he was a child, DJ Harvey Dent retrieved a clock radio from the boxes of belongings that had to be moved. From that point on, his love of music grew as he listened to various radio stations in the Baltimore/DC area. Harvey started to collect music on his own though living in a mostly music-less home. His love of music was unlike his parents, especially his mother who described his purchases of music as a "waste." This did not discourage him, as he went on to use his love and collection of music into the focus of becoming a DJ. To date DJ Harvey Dent has performed at many venues in the Baltimore/DC area and has opened for many artists such as The Pharcyde, Styles P, Camp Lo, Dionne Farris, Fertile Ground, Oddisee, Hezekiah, Juggaknots, and Ursula Rucker. His podcast/mixtape series, High Yellow Soul, is a perfect blend of his first love, Hip-Hop fused with soulful R&B/Neo-Soul.

Friday, July 31, 1pm – 4pm: Joseph Robinson aka DJ Huck Fin

Friday, July 31, 4am – 7pm: Raj Stewart aka DJ E-Nygma -

Currently, E-Nygma serves as lead DJ/producer for an online radio show and podcasts hosted by Herkules (on-air personality, WPGC 95.5FM, DMV market) while preparing for the 2009 launch of a website/podcast with members of the Junior Varsity Crew, while balancing selected gigs and residencies. For airplay, interviews, or features for Herkules' World Online, contact teamherk AT gmail DOT com. For DJ bookings, remix and production work, or formal music reviews, contact djenygma AT gmail DOT com. EPK, mix samples, and one sheet available upon request.

Saturday, August 1, 8am – 4pm & Saturday, August 1, 8am – 12pm: Greg Burke aka DJ RIQ

In 1992 RIQ jumped on the DJ scene full blast playing local house parties, concerts and nightclub events in addition to making numerous guest appearances on Buffalo’s long-standing radio alternative WBNY - FM. From this point on he was heavily involved with the local Hip Hop scene not just as a DJ but also as a freelance writer interviewing who’s who in the world of R&B and Hip Hop for The Buffalo Challenger Newspaper. As the years progressed and RIQ became more creative as a DJ, his style became a part of the flourishing mixtape scene in 1995 where he produced various 90 minute DJ mixes that featured exclusive freestyles from national acts and first run singles that had listeners cramming for more of his exclusive original mixes. In 1997 & 1998 RIQ won back-to-back Buffalo Music Awards for “Best Hip Hop Mixtape DJ”.

In addition to RIQ’s superior DJ skills, he is also the owner of Shocksound Promotions. Shocksound specializes in Record Label Consultation, National Radio Promotions and Brand Marketing. Some of Shocksound’s main clients include Koch Records, Babygrande Records and Duck Down Records to name a few.

Sunday, August 2, 1pm – 4pm: Joe Falero aka DJ Killer Joe Falero

DJ Killer Joe Falero was born in Santurce , Puerto Rico. He is one of the best Salsa DJ in the U.S. and the Caribbean. DJ-KJF won the Major League Salsa DJ Award and Joe is the only DJ/Bandleader in the Washington, DC metro area. He is the director of Joe Falero & DC Latin Jazz All Stars winners of two Stuck on Salsa Awards. Joe has performed at venues like the Kennedy Center, Washington Convention Center, Mary Weather Post Pavillion, Lincoln Theatre and many other clubs in the U.S. with many of the salsa legends like; Celia Cruz, El Gran Combo, Gilberto Santa Rosa and many more. Joe was inducted into The S.O.S. Salsa of Fame in 2007.

Thanks to the Commonwealth Gastropub!

Street Soccer USA wants to  thank Commonwealth, the People's Gastropub for their generous contribution to the Street Soccer USA Cup. Commonwealth is sponsoring tomorrow night's Opening Dinner for our arriving street soccer teams. We would to thank the restaurant for helping us welcome our teams to Washington DC, and kicking off the 2009 Street Soccer USA Cup on a very high note.

Commonwealth Gastropub is a British-inspired, American-bred restaurant, in the heart of DC. They are located only one block away from the Columbia Heights metro station.

A "gastropub" is new concept that began in Britain. A gastropub is pub that serves more than your average pub food. The idea is to use fresher ingredients, better chefs, and an overall higher quality of food. The goal of Commonwealth is to integrate this idea into the Columbia Heights neighborhood.

Commonwealth has received many endorsements since their opening regarding the quality of food and service. Street Soccer USA would like to offer in addition to that and endorsement for their commitment to sport for social change!  

Ted Leonsis, Number 10

Individuals are moved every day by films they see, articles they read, stories they hear. It is not everyday however that individuals are moved and then act on it. Ted Leonsis has made a habit of this uncommon behavior.
When Ted decided to produce Kicking It, he elevated the profile of sport for social change to new levels. That could have been enough and certainly would have been enough, but Ted was moved, and it is his habit to take action.
Thanks to Ted’s leadership through the Leonsis Family Foundation, the SSUSA Cup is here in Washington, DC for the second year in a row. Ted’s leadership established a platform on which SSUSA and its players have built a national movement. For all this and for the time he has spent with our players, especially Craig, Ted is number 10.
Be like ted and visit "Be Number 10."

Remember Kickoff on Friday: 12:30 PM at 10th and H Street, Kastles Stadium more info here

Number 10: Margaret Lindsay

Margaret fights as hard as she laughs. Both abilities served her well in overcoming drug addiction, codependency, and homeless. More than that Margaret reconnected to her family, and has worked for three years now as a custodian at Johnson C. Smith College. Playing soccer connected her back to her glory days running track in high school.

Ask Margaret about the soccer team, and she likes to talk not about the games, but a team hike we took. We climbed a small foothill, which she calls a mountain. "It was a mountain, Lawrence." She says with her hearty laugh. "I didn't think I could do it, but I did climb it didn't I?" Oh yes you did Margaret, and that's why you are a number 10.

We ask you to be a number 10. Help us keep our promise to be their four our players, but being a leader on and off the field. Donate 10 dollars or more to Street Soccer USA. Donate and read about other number 10s at http://tiny.cc/number10

Sally to the Rescue

Sally Foster is driving 9 men who are homeless in a conversion van nearly 2,000 miles to the nation's capital.

Why? The Street Soccer USA Cup of course.

This fantastic voyage is a great lesson: anything is possible. Thanks in this case, to Sally.

Sally has been a financial contributer to our cause for the last two years. She follows our every blog and believes in our mission and understands the power a supportive community can have on someone facing poverty. From 1992-2005 she taught junior high aged immigrants in Dalhart, Texas, ESL and taught spanish at Dalhart ISD. She learned about Street Soccer USA through her daughter Elyse. Texans look out for each other,and that is why, when the Austin Entourage coaches both had prior engagements, Sally stepped up to make the trip a reality.

Sally is famous in her family for making long road trips to visit her daughter in North Carolina or her other daughter in Colorado. Now she's doing the same for Street Soccer USA. "I can't imagine that they would practice for the tournament and then not be able to participate, I'm happy to drive them." From Texas to DC it's 1527 miles and two days to make it in time for team check in at Kastles Stadium on Thursday. She has outfitted the team with 2 sets of travel shirts and a pantry of snacks and gatorade to make sure they are healthy and nourished for kickoff on Friday.

St. Louis Roadies in the News!

Check out the latest of the Street Soccer USA teams to be featured by their local media. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently covered Keith Deisner and his St. Louis Roadies as they prepare for the SSUSA Cup.

Only three days to go!

Eto'o is my hero'o

We are blogging about Street Soccer and Samuel Eto'o has relevance. Why? Because Street Soccer is about overcoming poverty/homelessness and it's about the world game we love and share.

Now, what's great about this link is that it refers to Thomsas N'kono, Cameroon goalkeeper in 1990 when Cameroon became the first African nation to "break through." Cameroon, known as the Indomitable Lions, made the quarterfinals, losing to England in penalties in an epic match. Roger Mila and company stole the world's imagination, including one American boy's from Virginia. 8 years later I found myself on scholarship to study a summer in Cameroon. It was the 1990 World Cup that drove my curiosity to get to that country one way or another. I played soccer there, of course, on the local team, and in some ways I never left West Africa.

So I am impartial . . . but I also know a great striker when I see one--as a former outside back. Inter have made a great deal for a uniquely motivated individual. Eto'o has been overlooked by media again and again as Barca and the world press prefer to focus on other players, perhaps more marketable ones. In Barca beside scoring goals, Eto'o dealt with racial violence during matches. Opposing crowds threw bananas at him and a couple times he had to walk off the pitch. He has preferred to focus on football rather than let the racists disturb or distract him. His indomitable psyche is a great example to the Street Soccer USA players, who must deal with stereotypes, judgments, social injustice, on a daily basis. We hit this message everyday, don't let others distract you from your goals. While I love to root against Inter and the hilarious Mourinho, I would cheer from the bottom of my heart if Eto'o, my hero'o, would lead inter to Champions league glory. Comments? agree or disagree?

Dr. Gupta's Blog Speak on Street Soccer USA

Dr. Gupta himself visited Street Soccer Atlanta. Check out this article on his blog http://tiny.cc/JRJAx

WHO WE ARE: Contender #13- Austin

Tad Christie, pictured above was selected from last year's Austin Team to join the US National Team at the Homeless World Cup. Tad took full advantage of the opportunity and trained hard, improving himself as a player. As he forges ahead, Tad, though he is no longer homeless, has whole new set of challenges. He is working presently in his spare time with Craig Hutcheson to continue the Austin program which Sabelyn Pussman started a year and half ago. Tad was featured last winter in People Magazine. The article details the story of the impact that Street Soccer USA had on his life.

Austin returns this year with a new group of dedicated individuals. Coach Craig Hutcheson is getting the youth of Austin involved. Last season youth team Lake County United sponsored SSUSA on their jerseys.

Charlotte Team featured in News Story

North Carolina Rep Street Soccer 945 of the Urban Ministry Center in Charlotte was recently covered in this news piece by Michelle Bailey of WBTV. Follow SS-945 twitter updates at CLT_SSUSA.

WHO WE ARE: Contender #12- Street Soccer Atlanta

Street Soccer Atlanta returns for their third Street Soccer USA Cup in 2009. Atlanta, the winner of the Fair Play Trophy in 2006 in Charlotte, is organized by the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless (MATFH).