Reprinted from:	Frederick News Post
	Date:	Aug 19, 2008
	Kicking it in Brazil
	Greg Swatek | News-Post Staff
	Seeking to test their limits and broaden their horizons, Philip Bucheimer, David Saidi and Jonathan Zurita recently traveled to the mountains north of Sao Paulo, Brazil for a three-week stay. But this was hardly a vacation for the three 17-year-old Frederick County soccer players. They trained for close to seven hours a day in "perfect" weather with other youths from around the world, listening to world-class instructors they barely understood at the Oscar Training Center near Aquas de Lindoia. Together, the trio organized the trip on the Internet through TetraBrazil, a non-profit organization that provides soccer training to American players and coaches both in the U.S. and Brazil. "At first, language was a barrier for everyone," said Zurita, a senior on Urbana High School's team. "It was hard to know what (the instructors) wanted us to do in training. We probably didn't look too bright in training a couple of times because we didn't understand a thing that was said by the coach. Luckily, though, there was an American there from New York who spoke fluent Portuguese and was able to translate for us when he could." Bucheimer, a senior on Middletown High School's soccer team, said there were roughly 15 American and three British players training with them at the training center, which can house up to 100 international players in dormitory-style living at any time. "The living conditions were pretty much what you would expect in a typical college dorm room minus the air conditioning or heating," he said. "That was perfectly fine because the weather in Brazil was perfect." Communication was a much more pressing issue. "We really wanted to try and talk to the players and coaches, but it was difficult because they spoke Portuguese and didn't speak much, if any, English," Bucheimer said. Language aside, the trio from Frederick was tested in many other ways. "For the first few days, I had trouble keeping up with the quickness of the Brazilians," Zurita said. "However, after a couple of days of training there, I was able to cope with it and keep up. But the Brazilians' foot skills with the ball are so quick and fast. They were far superior to any American that I know." Bucheimer said it was the highest level of soccer on which he has ever played. "Even the younger kids, around 14 or 15 years old, were really good," he said. Saidi, a senior teammate of Zurita's at Urbana , said the common characteristics of play at the training center were a fast pace and short passing. "The players are always very aware of where the other players are on the field," he said. Saidi was surprised by the level of friendliness with the people he encountered. "They were very friendly and nice. Always greeted you with a thumbs up," he said. Zurita found that aspect to be a striking cultural difference between the U.S. and Brazil. "No matter what the conditions, it seemed like the people found some way to have fun," he said. "One major cultural aspect in Brazil is pretty obvious -- soccer. You can go anywhere in Brazil and you will find soccer or futsal (a version of indoor soccer) being played." Bucheimer found that sort of climate rewarding. He said soccer was much more than a game to Brazilians. It was a way of life. "I was happy to be in a culture where soccer was No. 1 and nobody even mentioned football or baseball or basketball or golf or hockey," he said. During their trip, the three boys ate plenty of chicken, steak and beef. Their entr?es were usually served with rice and beans. Zurita even gained an appreciation for Brazilian fruit. "I seldom eat fruit, but in Brazil it was better tasting and I enjoyed eating it with every meal," he said. Now that the trio has returned from the trip, all of them are anxious to translate what they have learned onto the local soccer fields. In addition to the high school soccer season, they have all played together for FC Frederick for roughly the last six years. "The trip exceeded my expectations. I did not think that it would be so good," Saidi said. He added, "I think the trip will help with my passing skills and my touch of the ball has improved." Zurita said, "I think the Brazil trip made me a better soccer player all around. It made me smarter as a player, which will allow me to see the field in a whole different way. I am faster, stronger, and in way better shape than I was before I left for Brazil. "All three of these things will help me during this upcoming high school season. I hope to be a great asset to the Urbana Hawks this upcoming fall season. And I know that the trip made to Brazil will help me achieve this goal."