Dallas, TX - January 18, 2010 - U.S. Soccer legend Claudio Reyna didn’t let a little rain - well, a lot of rain - prevent him from hosting soccer clinics in Dallas and San Antonio for Texas youth players. Youth soccer players in both
cities were granted the opportunity to meet and learn from the man thought by many to be the best U.S. born professional soccer player in the history of the sport.
Friday night’s clinic in Dallas may have been cancelled due to inclement weather, but that didn’t prevent dozens of young fans from the Dallas Texans soccer club to crowd into the clubhouse to hear Reyna speak about his career and achievements on and off the field. The future soccer stars were then treated to an autograph signing and photo opportunity with their soccer idol.
The following day in San Antonio, Reyna was able to get on the field and mentor members of the U18 and U16 Classics Elite Soccer Academy (CESA). Members of CESA were thrilled at the opportunity to kick, pass and juggle
alongside one of the best soccer stars the sport has ever seen.
"I stood there listening to Claudio teach us and thought to myself, ‘This is really surreal,’" said U18 player Ally Smith. "Growing up, you dream of meeting your hero, but never imagine that will actually happen, let alone get advice from him."
"I love any opportunity to give back and pass on my experience to kids who have the same hunger I did as a youth," said Reyna.
Capping off the weekend, Reyna announced a ground-breaking Texas vs. Mexico youth soccer tournament, Red Bull Battle de Toro, headed to Texas this summer, culminating in a championship between Texas’ best youth soccer
team and Mexico’s best youth soccer team in San Antonio. Beyond featuring premier youth soccer talent, the tournament will pay homage to the incredible soccer rivalry between the U.S. and Mexico.
The winning team will get the remarkable opportunity to travel to New York to play in Red Bull Arena, opening in 2010. Red Bull Arena is described by Reyna as, "the most beautiful and state-of-the-art soccer-specific stadium this country has ever seen."
Reyna, former captain of the U.S. National Team and member of three U.S World Cup teams, retired as team captain of the New York Red Bulls in 2008. He now devotes significant time to coaching soccer to youth across America.
He hopes to instill in young men and women a love for the same hard work and commitment to excellence in both sport and life that playing soccer instilled in him.
For more information contact:
Keith Peterson at (480) 221-5154 or keith.peterson@us.redbull.com
