The Plantation Eagles Soccer Club recently hosted and defeated a team from outside the United States.
With its victories over the Swedish Eskilsminne IF Under-15 A- and B-level soccer clubs at Pine Island Park, the Plantation girls’ soccer teams capped April without a loss. The Eagles’ Under-13, Under-14, Under-15 and Under-17 girls’ teams all won or tied the two games they each played.
Nearly 100 spectators were on hand for the two-day competition with Eskilsminne IF. John Ramos, the Eagles’ director of coaching and player development, called the event a success. "[It] provided a great amount of exposure for Plantation’s soccer club and for Pine Island Park," he said.
The Eskilsminne IF girls’ soccer club teams came to Florida in mid-April to participate in the International Countryside Easter Tournament in Tampa Bay. The Swedish A-level soccer club defeated Clearwater Soccer Club to win the tournament championship.
After the tournament, the Swedes toured Orlando, including a stay at Walt Disney World. They concluded their trip with a home-stay program in which they lived with Plantation Eagles players for a few days and played select Eagles teams in scrimmages. The matches included two 35-minute halves, and the Eagles dominated from start to finish.
"The Sweden teams seemed exhausted from their stay in Tampa and Orlando," Ramos said. "We played real hard and we were able to get great results."
The United Soccer Academy approached Ramos six months ago to organize the event. The Soccer Academy, formed in 1988, has long been coordinating matchups between teams traveling overseas and teams in the United States. The Eagles benefited from the experience.
"This was great for our club from two perspectives," Ramos said. "It was a great cultural experience for our players. Our players’ families offered their homes and were able to interact with their players and see how they behave. The event was also great because we were able to compare our playing style to the girls from Europe."
Ramos also said the Eagles would like to host a similar event in the future.
"Our teams were able to play at a high level and played good soccer against a competitive club from Europe," Ramos said. "Our club always likes to entertain new ideas, and we have an open-door policy. Hopefully, it can work out and we can host a team from Europe once again."
The event was one of the last before early-season play begins in three months. Most teams will play a 12-game schedule, consisting of scrimmages and tournaments, beginning in August. The Eagles will play against other club teams across the state or play against local teams, depending on the levels of all clubs.
