2007年VOA标准英语-US Soccer Getting Boost With Better Youth Coach

By Mohamed Elshinnawi
Washington
03 September 2007
 

Forty years ago soccer promoters in the United States relied heavily on bringing foreign superstars to play in the North American Soccer League. They introduced the best in soccer through Brazilian legend Pele, popular Dutch player Johan Cruyff, Italian goal scorer Giorgio Chingala and Germany's best defender¹ Franz Beckenbauer. It is different now, with U.S soccer promoters and professional clubs relying more on American talent to create a new generation of players.  VOA'S Mohamed Elshinnawi visited D.C. United's Soccer Academy in Washington, D.C. to explore the new approach.

Promoting soccer - U.S.  kids playing soccer

The U.S Soccer Federation² has created a nationwide development academy to provide elite³ players with the best possible opportunities, utilizing⁴ local soccer academies like the one connected to D.C. United of Major League Soccer in the United States. John Measner is D.C. United's director of youth development.

"The new academy was created to try to help some of the deficiencies that we have here in the U.S. I think too many kids do not get enough good training, so with the academy the focus is going to be on training and eliminating some of the extra burdens that the kids have here in this country."

Tommy Soehn

The academy's primary focus will be on training elite teams for players under age 16 and under 18. Another soccer academy in Los Angeles is named after and run by English superstar David Beckham. D.C. United head coach Tommy Soehn discusses the benefits of a national development program. "I know that D.C. United is going to do a real extensive program, and I think it is vitally important throughout the country. "

D.C. United professional players are expected to serve as role models for young soccer players at youth camps. Youth soccer player Nick Mattingly finds their presence inspiring. "They teach you how to do better at soccer, more at their level, so I guess it is raising you up to a higher level and it's really great to see professional players at a camp."

Nick says he hopes one day to be a professional player in Europe like Freddy Adu. The Ghana-born superstar joined D.C. United at age 14 and signed recently for the Portuguese⁵ club Benfica.

John Measner

John Measner played professionally in France and Germany. He says D.C. United is a good spot to produce world class soccer players."We are very proud with what we have done with players like Freddy Adu and Bobby Convey coming at 14 years old, 16 years old.  D.C. United has done a fantastic job with developing players like that."

With its soccer academy providing two full teams to the national development academy, and hosting friendly games with prominent soccer teams from the English Premier⁶ League, D.C. United is determined⁷ to promote soccer in America.

1 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

2 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

3 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

4 utilizing   

v.利用，使用( utilize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Utilizing an assembler to produce a machine-language program. 用汇编程序产生机器语言的过程。 来自辞典例句
• The study and use of devices utilizing properties of materials near absolute zero in temperature. 对材料在接近绝对零度时的特性进行研究和利用的学科。 来自辞典例句

5 Portuguese   

n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语

参考例句：

• They styled their house in the Portuguese manner.他们仿照葡萄牙的风格设计自己的房子。
• Her family is Portuguese in origin.她的家族是葡萄牙血统。

6 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

7 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。