Eat Soccer Exclusive: Portuguese Futsal Player Cabral

There is a quote from one of my favorite movies, Akeelah and the Bee that goes something like this, “there are 50,000 teachers all around you.”

Although this was a piece of advice given to Akeelah, a little girl who was preparing for her moment in the spotlight at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, I believe this piece of wisdom rings true for those of us who are working to reach our highest potential in soccer, futsal, footvolley or freestyle.

While training with Coach Eric Parada and the open men’s team Grupo Recreativo Escorpiões Futebol Clube, I had the pleasure of learning from and playing with Euclides Cabral. Cabral is a highly accomplished futsal player who helped his club accomplish the impossible-climbing the ranks from the 4th division to the top national division in Portugal in less than 4 years time.

In this first clip, Cabral agrees to serve as one of our 50,000 and provides us with some excellent advice—and its sprinkled with some great footwork by a few of the guys at Grupo Recreativo Escorpiões. Enjoy!

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

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.

Calendar Note: Catch Messi with Argentine Squad in US

After World Cup fever subsides, there still could be another opportunity for you to catch some live international action stateside. According to a published comments from a spokeswoman at Cardenas Marketing network, Lionel Messi alongside his Argentine teammates are slated to play in the U.S.

Although no dates are confirmed, the exhibtion game will fall during the international fixture periods when clubs are required to release players to national teams. These periods include Aug. 11, Sept. 3-7, Oct. 8-12 and Nov. 17.

Stay tuned!

ALL ACCESS REALITY: BUDWEISER'S 2010 World Cup BUD HOUSE

As mentioned on my most recent installment of Eat Soccer Radio, Budweiser is underwriting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 32 individuals to spend 5 weeks in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

As part of their sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup, Budhouse is a reality show that will allow its participants to attend World Cup matches, live in a luxurious compound of some kind in Cape Town, take a number of excursions throughout Southern Africa, participate in charity work, meet FIFA soccer/football stars, and have unprecedented backstage access.

It's my understanding that this is not a classic competition. There are likely to be some opt-in contests for prizes along the way, but this is not going to be your typical Big Brother/ Road Rules grueling- feats-of- endurance fest. It's also not currently set up to be filmed 24/7, but rather when there are games or activities occurring that production wants to cover.

If you a)know someone who's a huge soccer/football fan b)know someone who is *from* one of the 32 qualifying countries for the World Cup (listed below) and c)speaks English, please pass this along to them.

Deadline to submit your completed online application at Budhouse is Friday, February 26th. Don't miss out!!

Best Buy Has 15 Teen Spots for Coca Cola International Camp

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love when the World Cup rolls into town. It provides so much opportunity for so many people to participate in soccer activities in arenas that one would only dream of!

Most of the contests that I have mentioned to date have been for the 18+. However, I am pleased to announce that Best Buy will be selecting 15 teens to go to South Africa from June 15-20th. The fifteen soccer players will have the opportunity to participate in the 2010 Coca Cola International Soccer Camp AND attend a World Cup Match.

The @15 Soccer Camp Sweepstakes contest is open to teens between the ages of 13-16 who are members of www.at15.com. Membership on www.at15.com is free.

In order to enter, teens take the SparkFinder survey - a digital tool that helps teens identify their interests and talents - and complete the official entry form.

Upcoming Interview: Red Bull Street Style Competitor

NFL Player Ahmad Carroll Encourages the Global Soccer Community

Putting together the latest episode of the Eat Soccer! radio program felt like an offensive attack in the last third of the field. You know how that feels. You got the ball at your feet, a player coming down both wings and a defender quickly coming to make that last minute slide tackle. You have 5 million ways to play the ball and less than 5 seconds to react. No margin for error lest it be off to the bench for you.

Well, it was the week of the American holiday (Thanksgiving), I had agreed to do a speaking engagement on Thanksgiving morning and I still needed to put together an amazing show to hit the airwaves. It wasn't your typical week, but as we footballers know, there is nothing typical on the pitch.

While thinking about some previous training sessions, I thought about a fun drill that many of you have done in the course of your training days. I don't know the name of it, but the coach has you to lay on the ground. Sometimes you are on your stomach. Other times you are on your back. The drill goes through a variety of postions, but the purpose of the drill is to help you improve your response time when you get knocked down on the field.

This drill caused me to think of one guy who I think is the ultimate "comeback kid." Ahmad Carroll was selected by the Greenbay Packers in the 1st round of the National Football League draft. Since becoming a professional American football player, he has experienced a number of setbacks that would've caused lesser athletes to call it quits.

Since we train at the same gym in Atlanta, I have had the opportunity to witness Ahmad's resilience-to disregard the naysayers and get back up when he's been down. It is an amazing story that is still unfolding. In case you missed our interview on Thursday, you can listen to it on the radio player above or at Podbean.

To continue following Ahmad Carroll NFL journey and his Humble Grind Foundation efforts, become his friend on Facebook or Myspace.

Freestyle Friday: Concrete2Green

My first Freestyle Friday entry comes courtesy of Concrete2Green. I had the pleasure of visiting their futsal center in Eastland Mall and playing quite a few pickup games. Great courts. Talented players. Fabulous multi-level viewing. Check them out when you are in the area!

World Cup 2010: Yes, I Can!

The call has been put out. The FIFA World Cup 2010 needs volunteers! Are you up for the challenge? If you can speak excellent English and one additional language, you can answer the call to action. Here’s an overview of the open call courtesy of Chad Thomas at African Soccer Renaissance. Make sure you check out his international radio show on SABC 2000.

“FIFA is looking for nearly four times as many volunteers as at last month’s FIFA Confederations Cup 2009.The Confed Cup required the services of 4 000 volunteers from approximately 40 000 applicants. For next year’s 2010 FIFA World Cup the total numbers required has been upgraded to a massive 15,000 people.The volunteer programme for the FIFA World Cup is a global initiative, as 70% of volunteers will come from South Africa, 20% from the rest of Africa and the remaining 10% from the rest of the world. Anyone who is 18 or older on 1 March 2010 and has a good command of the English language can apply to be a volunteer.

Volunteers will be required in virtually all sectors pertaining to the World Cup, namely: accreditation, administration, environmental services, welcome and information services, information technology and communication, language support, rights protection programme, logistic services, marketing, media volunteers, protocol services, spectator services, ticketing volunteers, transportation, hospitality and ushering services, and finally volunteer management.Those interested in volunteering for language support will need to have a solid command of English, as well as one of either: French, German, Portuguese, Spanish or an assortment of other languages.Applications will close on 31 August 2009.

Pre-selected, i.e. short-listed, candidates will be notified after November 2009 (but by no later than 31 January 2010) for interviews in the host city they have indicated a desire to work in. These interviews will be conducted during January and February 2010 in said host cities.The successful volunteers chosen from this interview process will then be taken through extensive training in March and April 2010 in all nine of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

As is usual with volunteer programmes, the volunteers will not receive a salary for their work, but will however be given a stipend on the days they work to cover any possible expenses they may incur on the day. They will in turn also go home with the knowledge (and lifelong memories) that they were an essential part of the greatest sporting event not only in Africa, but the entire world.”

Volunteering has its perks. Believe me. I put it to the test with the World Football Challenge last night at the Georgia Dome…

Guest +1: Street Soccer Cup 2009

Upon my return from a playing stint in Brazil last year, I came across a television program which detailed the journeys of several teams participating in the Homeless World Cup. It was an amazing testimony to the power of soccer and how these soccer programs are changing countless lives for many whom society counts out.

July 31st-August 2nd, the city of Washington, DC will serve as the host city for the Street Soccer USA Cup 2009. The teams provide homeless men, women and youth with an opportunity to score goals on the field while working to achieve their goals off the field. Players from across this weekend's tournament will be selected to represent the United States of America in the next Homeless World Cup in Milan, Italy.

To volunteer or attend the Street Soccer USA Cup 2009, go to www.streetsoccerusablog.com.