BBVA Compass Wants Soccer Aces

Who wants their big shot to play in Europe? On April 10th, you can seize the opportunity in Houston, Texas. Houston Baptist University will be the site for pro soccer hopefuls who want to land a spot on the new reality show entitled Soccer Aces.

Soccer Aces is an international reality show that seeks to discover talented players from around the world who dream of becoming future soccer stars. The show will include up-and coming players as well as older, more experienced players who have not been able to break into the professional arena.

Selected finalists will travel to La Academia in Spain where they will live and train together as if they were actual members of a professional soccer team.
Sponsored by BBVA Compass, the winner will receive a tryout with a BBVA club in Europe. For those who want to participate, click here. The show will be broadcast on GolTV in May.

Mark Your Calendars: 2010 Verizon Copa Alianza

Now in its 7th year, the schedule has been released for the 2010 Verizon Copa Alianza. The premier soccer tournament, which includes youth and adult divisions, is a collaborative effort of Verizon and Alianza de Futbol Hispano, the nation's leading organization dedicated to the development and support of amateur Hispanic soccer.

The series of local tournaments will begin in April. More than 1,150 teams and 20,000 players will compete in the Verizon Copa Alianza and Copita Alianza local tournaments in 2010. The winning teams from the adult division will have the opportunity to square off against the reserve squads from professional MLS and Mexican division clubs. Named competition includes the U-20 Mexican National squad, Chivas and America. More than $90,000in local prize money is up for grabs.

In the youth division, players will receive the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of college and pro scouts. Matches will be played in ten cities across the U.S.

To learn more about match information in your area, go to Alianza de Futbol.

Kickstarting Footvolley: Footvolley.Rio.Bikini

For the last month or so, I have been working on generating new content for my website and preparing for some upcoming international trips. I have footvolley on my mind as there is an upcoming competition in May. To prepare for this, I will be heading to Rio for some fast paced, no nonsense training. Would you like to join me on the adventure? Well, here is your opportunity! We are producing a web doc about this upcoming training stint called Footvolley.Rio.Bikini. It will chronicle my life training and playing against some of the best footvolley players in the world. I am excited about the training and about shooting the project. Ironically, the company that I am using to shoot the project is a native Brazilian who is a graduate of SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design). Isn't the world small? Moreover, the people over at Kickstarter liked the project so much that they have added it on the site. The goal is to raise $1,000 to kickstart the 1st episode of the project AND I am offering some cool prizes. You should definitely check it out. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/qiana/discover-a-brazilian-adventure-footvolleyriobik

Bafana Beats Me to Brazil

In the midst of taking care of a few loose ends for an upcoming trip to Brazil, I happened to learn that Bafana Bafana is doing its World Cup 2010 preparations in Teresopolis! The selection of the Brazilian training ground, which serves as a training site for the Brazilian sides, only makes perfect sense because this is the home turf of Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Having a good dose of Teresopolis high altitude, mixed with the energetic environment of Joga Bonito, will serve South Africa’s national side well. The team has several practice matches scheduled with area clubs Volta Redonda, Boavista, Fluminense, Cruzeiro and Botafogo.

Want an Upgrade? Visa & Abbey International Offer World Cup 2010 Trip

Already a worldwide FIFA partner, Visa is joining forces with Abbey International to offer its clients the opportunity to receive (2) tickets to the FIFA World Cup Final, pre-match hospitality,(3) nights stay at a 4 star hotel and GBP 1,500 towards return flights.
To throw your name in the pot, you must apply or request an upgrade to a Visa Platinum or Visa Infinite deferred-debit card, available with the Abbey International Gold account. The contest concludes on April 30, 2010.

T-Mobile Launches Nokia 5230 Nuron with FIFA Contest

T-Mobile USA is throwing its hat into the FIFA World Cup 2010 bonfire with a contest for its customers. It recently launched a national campaign called El Llamado del Futbol (The Calling of Soccer) which will give soccer fans a chance to win one of 10 trips for two to South Africa.

During the period of March 3-April 19, customers will have the opportunity to submit their names of hopes of landing to an all-expense-paid trip for two to South Africa in June for a five-night, six-day experience of a lifetime. To enter the contest, click on the El Llamado de Futbol hyperlink.

You can submit an entry daily, and entry will count toward the final drawing of the sweepstakes promotion.

In addition to this contest, T-Mobile will be providing FIFA merchandise, mobile content and opportunities to meet soccer legends at its retail locations. These events will be in conjunction with the release of the Nokia Nuron. To keep a tab on T-Mobile soccer events in your area, make sure you check the T-Mobile El Llamado del Futbol campaign web site.

More chances to go to South Africa-I love it!

March 3rd: Degree Men Brings the Futbol Fiesta

In support of today’s Mexican National Team friendly against New Zealand, Degree Men will kick off its street-level Futbolote Challenge at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Futbol Fiesta will take place four hours prior to match time (4:00 p.m. PST) and will include a meet and greet with legendary Mexican National Team soccer players such as Felix Fernandez, co-host of Univision's sports program Republica Deportiva and Martin "El Pulpo" Zuniga and Alberto Garcia Aspe. The former national team players will put their soccer skills to the test at the Degree Men Futbolote Challenge--a life-size version of the popular foosball table-top game where people take on the role of foos men--and show fans who is the ultimate Mexican National Team soccer legend.

Fans in Charlotte, New York, Chicago and Houston will be able to Face the Degree Men Challenge at Futbolote pre-game celebrations at Futbol Fiestas in their respective cities.

To get news on the Mexican National Team, friendly games and Degree Men Futbolote highlights as well as participate in exclusive Degree Men and Mexican National Team experiences follow the brand by visiting Facebook.com/DegreeFutbol and DegreeFutbol.com.

Chop Down the Phone Tree with RainedOut

It’s the day of the big soccer game, and the weather is less than ideal. Is the game on or not?

One dad’s frustration with calling the league hotline prompted a brilliant idea-RainedOut.

RainedOut is a free service that allows coaches and club directors to notify parents and players via text of game cancellations, field changes, volunteer requests or last minute details. Messages can be sent to phones or social network profiles.

If you are the chief organizer for your club’s activities, make sure you take a look at RainedOut before the spring season gets started. It could save everyone a lot of time and frustration.