Men’s soccer competes internationally for the first time in Costa Rica

Men’s soccer competed internationally for the first time when they traveled to Costa Rica for a series of preseason games from June 30 to July 12.

The NCAA allows college athletic programs to take an international trip every four years. This year’s tour abroad consisted of the Rams playing five games over the span of 12 days against youth national and professional teams.

“On the field our team has continued to grow and progress toward making another positive step from where we left in the spring,” wrote coach Dave Giffard in a blog post detailing the trip.

Throughout the trip coaches and players updated a daily online blog on vcubehindtheuniform.com, briefing fans on how they spent their time both on and off the field. Between games and practice, the team spent their free time sightseeing and at the beach.

“A couple of the guys and I went out to the beach at night and were amazed with what we were greeted with in the sky,” senior midfielder Brandon Eaton wrote in the blogpost. “With no city lights to obstruct the view we were able to see a rare abundance of stars in the night sky.”

Before leaving for Costa Rica, the team participated in programing such as daily nutrition and physical preparation sessions with VCU trainer James Benzel and strength coach Guil Moreira. Giffard also brought in different speakers to chat with the team, including Steve Zakuani, a former Congolese soccer player, and Marine Corps Captain William Yarborough.

The team began fundraising for the tour in 2010. Giffard said this summer was the perfect opportunity because the foreign tours are restricted to returning players.

“We wanted to take a group with a lot of returners in order for them to get as much out of it that they could,” Giffard said. “We brought back a lot of returners from last year so from that perspective I think it was a really good time to go.”

Each fall, the Black and Gold are only allowed 21 practice opportunities, twice a day, to prepare for the new season. In addition to the five matches Giffard and the Rams played in Costa Rica, the team was allowed 10 extra days of practice prior to their departure.

“When we sat down to plan out this trip, there were so many things that we had hoped to accomplish and gain from this experience and to be honest, in every way the trip has exceeded our hopes and expectations,” Giffard wrote in the blogpost.

The coaching staff periodically shuffled the room assignments, placing players with new roommates.

In addition to players gaining additional playing time, the trip served as a pivotal opportunity for team bonding.

“Like anything, you have natural people that you’re around that you’re more comfortable with than other people and so you probably spend a little bit more time with people that are like you or that you’re friends with,” Giffard said. “This gave us a chance to spend time with other guys they don’t know as well.”

The Rams dropped their first game of the season 2-1 in overtime to Stetson University at Sports Backers on Friday.

The Rams returned to action Sunday night at Sports Backers against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Results were not final in time for production.

Staff Writer, Gabe Hauari
Gabe is a junior majoring in print/online journalism with a general business minor. Along with writing for the CT, he also doubles as the editor of Rams Review, a student-run blog covering VCU sports. Gabe primarily enjoys writing about sports and someday hopes to grace the halls at ESPN. You can usually find Gabe waiting in line at Chipotle, playing FIFA at his apartment, or quoting “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” // hauarig@commonwealthtimes.org