By Matt Phelps
A few Island soccer players received the chance of a lifetime last summer by traveling to Brazil to play soccer. This year their families, along with the Eastside Football/Soccer Club and families from Bellevue, returned the gesture and hosted a soccer team from Brazil.
“It hasn’t been difficult at all,” said Heather Erdmann, a host parent. “All these kids love soccer.”
The Brazilian players come from Sao Roque and are hosted by the 16-and-under and 18-and-under teams of the Eastside Football Club. The team stayed July 14-31.
“Soccer and Brazil are as synonymous as the United States and baseball,” said Eastside Football Club head coach Fernando Barros, who helped organize the exchange. “When you are born in Brazil, your first steps as a child are to juggle the ball. It is a great cultural and soccer experience for us to be able to host the team.”
Erdmann’s son, Derek Johnson, went to Brazil last summer. The Erdmanns hosted Vinicius Claro as a part of the exchange this year.
“I was expecting some problems, but the kids can communicate pretty well using the Internet,” said Erdmann.
The differences in language and culture have been the only small hurdles for the five Mercer Island families that shared the duties of hosting the kids from Brazil. Some of the Brazilian players had never seen snow before, so a trip to Mount Rainier took on even greater meaning.
“We had waffles every morning and some of the children had never even seen them before,” said Erdmann.
Islander Wil Nelp spent three weeks in Brazil last summer.
“It was awesome,” said Nelp. “There were some definite cultural differences. They take soccer to the extreme and it was a great experience.”
Nelp recalled seeing the game played anywhere the locals could find enough space.
“You really get to learn how to play soccer,” said Nelp. “Communication can be tough . . . There are a lot of awkward silences.”
The 20 players that have come to Washington vary in age from 10- to 16-years-old. Five of the 22 players have spent their time on Mercer Island. The Nelp family hosted two players. Each athlete splits time between two house holds since there are more host families than visiting players.
Skill wise, the Brazilian players have been able to hold their own against the Eastside Club players despite the fact that they are smaller physically and are a few years younger.
The Brazil team beat every American team they played except their host Eastside Football Club team. During a tournament, they both advanced all the way to the finals where the Brazil team took a 2-0 lead at the half. The Eastside team finished the game with a flurry of goals to win 3-2.
“They just play soccer differently with different soccer techniques,” said Nelp.
Alex Haas and Chuck Vallieres, who played for the Mercer Island High School varsity soccer team, along with Nelp, were also host families.
Nelp said that he wants to return to Brazil to play soccer next summer despite the fact that the team has no immediate plans to return.
“I would love to go back next summer,” said Nelp. “It was just a great experience.”