Soccer: Viva Le France!

Tony Altobelli

NEWPORT BEACH - The Slammers, a Newport Beach-based boys-under-11

soccer club has been chosen as the only school in the United States to

compete in France in an international youth soccer tournament in June.

“The French Soccer Network wanted our country to send kids to

represent the United States and to expose them to what soccer in Europe

is really all about.” Slammers Manager Rachel Gunther said. “At that

level, it’s a pretty even playing field against the Europeans. They don’t

become quite as dominant until a later age.”

After an impressive season where the Slammers, led by Newport Beach’s

Brady Condon, Logan Condon, Justin Morehead, Jarrett Daniel and Richard

Gadbois, have compiled an astounding 32-2 record in the Gold Division and

a No. 1 ranking in the 1,100-team Coast Soccer League.

The Slammers, who have outscored their opponents, 126-14 this year,

also have a top-three ranking for the State Cup, which is set to begin in

February.

The Slammers now face their biggest competition, the all-mighty

dollar, actually about 25,000 of them.

“We’ve started already,” Gunther said. “We’re doing the candy sales

and garage sales, but obviously, our biggest goal is to get a corporate

sponsor.”

With an interesting blend of youngsters from Newport Beach, Huntington

Beach and Mission Viejo, teaming up with intercity kids from Santa Ana

and Norwalk, the results have been stellar.

“It’s been a great exercise in getting along with others,” Gunther

said. “We have a little United Nations team that is very culturally

diverse.”

Despite the diversity, the Slammers have put together a little dynasty

on the soccer field with a solid blend of speed, teamwork and respect.

“To see the way this team has come together, it’s really been

amazing,” Gunther said. “They’ve been together for less than a year and

they’re already achieving such high goals.”

Coached by Armando Rocha, who played professionally in Mexico for a

number of years, the Slammers will compete in the Nomads Thanksgiving

Tournament at UC San Diego.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” Gunther said, referring to the

tournament. “There’s even going to be some college coaches there to check

out some of the older players, but this is one of our biggest tournaments

of the year, without a doubt.”

The goal is to bring the entire team to France for this tournament,

which requires a significant amount of money.

“Some of the kids we have can barely afford the sign-up fee for the

Slammers, much less a trip to Europe,” Gunther said. “We have five months

to do it and we’ll do everything we can to make sure the team gets there.