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Testimonials I want to let you know that Matt and I were with the team in Salvador, Brazil last summer for about 10 days and had quite a lovely time. Lots of soccer, lots of sightseeing, Brazilian food, beaches, all really nice. We stayed in a Brazilian-style hotel with a view of the ocean and a magnificent breakfast buffet. The boys got up early to eat and go to the practice facility, which was a club stadium and fields where Mani had played professionally. We parents were free to do what we wanted, including being bused to locales of our choice while the kids practiced, then we went to the scrimmages which occurred most weekdays afternoons. Weekends we were all together at the beach, hanging out under the palm trees eating and drinking , swimming, playing beach soccer (if you were one of the boys--I did not do that!). Also lots of time for shopping--nice jewelry, crafts (fine and folk art both), cashews, beautiful wood bowls, utensils, etc., and things that I'm sure I admired and can't remember at the moment. Very reasonably priced, esp in light of the dollar's steady decline. It is a really nice way to combine a vacation with soccer training the Brazilian way, which I think has been very beneficial to Matt's play-- -- Barbara Bovbjerg, Washinhton,D.C. The trip to Salvador was a great experience that we will always remember. Sam really benefited from the training at Vitoria Football Club and having the opportunity to play with other Brazilian youth teams. We were all impressed with both the level of play and the camaraderie off the field, and I think the kids had a chance to develop a real appreciation for the significance of soccer in Brazil. The food and sightseeing excursions, particularly to Solar do Unhão and the beaches, were terrific, as well. Thank you so much for organizing the trip and making it a great success. -- Mike Lilek, Bethesda, MD I enjoyed the trip to Brazil. You planned it so well This past summer I went to the Brazilian Training session for two weeks. It was my first year going so I had no idea of what to expect. We trained with the F.C. Victoria Club and played against numerous other clubs. The trip was a great experience and showed me first hand how fast soccer play can destroy teams that are not used to it. The Brazilian style of soccer includes many one-touch passes and quick dribble. This trip has showed me what I should work towards in order to become a better soccer player. -- Keppy Akpaete, Silver Spring, MD I enjoyed the trip to Brazil. You planned it so well and the hotel was a
good place to stay. I've told you that I wished to stay some more.. -- Patrick Atuonah, Seabrook, MD I wanted to thank you for the role you played in organizing the Predators’ wonderful Brazil trip. I know it had to be hard to respond to all of the various requests, suggestions, likes, and dislikes of so many parents and kids. You were always so helpful and responsive. And Michelle is such a gem; we were all so lucky to have her with us as well. Sam had a great experience and our whole family really enjoyed the trip. Thanks again.....and see you on the sidelines this fall. -- Rosnam Wisman, Bethesda, MD My trip to Salvador da Bahia in Brasil was great! I was impressed by the Brazilian players ability to pass and control the ball. I am more confident of my soccer skills after these two weeks practicing and playing at the Vitoria Soccer Club. I traveled by myself so I had to be pretty independent and even had to wash my own soccer clothes. The Brazilian kids we played with were friendly and we traded Nike and Adidas clothes for their Brazilian jerseys and bags. The beaches were clean and the water was warm, the Capoeira show was lots of fun. I was able to get in touch with my Brazilian heritage and learned a lot of Portuguese. Can't wait for next year; hope we go to Rio so I can meet "as garotinhas cariocas"! -- Adriel Cabello, Olney, MD Our trip to Salvador da Bahia, Brazil was a wonderful adventure! My son had the time of his life training and playing with the kids from Brazil whose love for the game of soccer is immeasurable. He learned new foot skills and field strategy, and some Portuguese while doing it. The Brazilian kids were not only excellent players, but very friendly as well. The experience for the parents was also very pleasant. While we waited for the kids to return from training, the van was available to us for sightseeing and shopping. During the weekend, parents and kids went to the beach to relax. The beaches were beautiful and the water was warm and clear. The boys played soccer on the beach and caught a few waves. Overall, we had an excellent time. -- Gloria Barron, Gaithersburg, MD
The trip to Salvador, Bahia, Brazil was wonderful. The locals were extremely friendly and hospitable, the beaches and downtown Salvador fun to visit, and the training for the team was excellent -- the teams the boys played against were superb. The speed, skill, and ability of the Brazilian teams to open the field was a source of inspiration. It would be impossible to play against so many teams at such a high level in a camp here in this country. Mani and his family were incredible, making sure both parents and kids had plenty of activities outside of soccer, and that all ran smoothly. Going to Brazil was a valuable time for the team and parents to bond.
The Brazil Trip. This was a very rewarding experience for me personally. Before we left, we had this advice on what to do and what not to once in Brazil: ..don't wear fancy clothes; walk in groups; don't carry too much money on you at any time; nothing to attract attention. The insinuation was high crime, cruel people, cold weather, etc. When we got there, the contrary was the case.
I found the people to be very friendly and personable. The weather was alway nice. The environment was very wholesome. May be because I come from that kind of climate, I felt very much at home - the food, the vegetation, the beach... Walking down the road, I felt like I was in Calabar - Cross River state, Nigeria. I was supprised to see that we have the same kind of food stuff. The palm trees, cocanut trees, Cashew and the road sign to Lagos made me feel like I was in a bus to Ikoyi - Lagos, Nigeria.
Moreover, they say seeing is believing: taking the boys there to see and feel the game by themselves was a greate idea. They got to see how well boy their age, and even those younger than they are can do. They got to see what soccer game really is. I hope they learned something from their Brazilian friends; and, I hope with your coaching, they will one day be as good as the Brazilian boys. All the best.
Long live Predators, long live Coach Mani!
I looked at numerous overseas trips to Europe, and Brazil for soccer. Most programs focus on touring, with some games and perhaps a token training session or two. Mani's soccer trip has the focus on soccer. The players train with the best of the best – teams, players and coaches. Mani, due to his relationships within the Brazilian Soccer Community is able to get players and teams a very special and unique opportunity which is normally unavailable to outsiders. They train side with teams of youths who are vying to become the next generation of Brazilian professional players. The level of play/training is so far above what most players ever see in the US that most people are astounded. Touring is done primarily on weekends for the players although there is ample free time during the week as well. The timing of the trip makes it a perfect preparation for the player looking to get ready for fall/school tryouts in mid to late August. --Ray Wertheim, Team Manager, NCSL MSC Predators U-15 Our trip to Brazil this summer was quite relaxing and fun. While the boys trained with Mani and the local coaches, the adults were chauffeured everywhere to sightsee, shop and shop some more. Although we do not speak a word of Portuguese, the Santos and the drivers made sure that we were well taken care of! David and I particularly enjoyed the dance show and the many scenic sites we visited. I also enjoyed the walk along the beautiful beaches outside of the hotel. David said the training has improved his skills, and he enjoyed playing with the Brazilian players. I would recommend the trip to anyone who is considering. The only caution is that it may take a little time for the fast-paced Washingtonians to adjust to the Brazilian way of living. --David and Emily Chow, Bethesda, MD Training with the Brazilians improved me as a player, and playing against them improved our team. I had a really good time when we weren't playing, too. The hotel was right on the beach, we went out for great food every night, and we had a lot of fun at the samba clubs. --Matt Bovbjerg, Bethesda, MD I had reasonably high expectations. I must admit that I was surprised by what I saw. The training (facility, coaches, games, etc.), hotel, food (breakfast and dinner every day), and sightseeing tours that were included in the package were all much better than I had expected. The hotel was located on Rio's nicest beach and the weather was nearly perfect (highs in the low 80s and lows in the high 60s) most days. A luxury bus picked up the parents, coach, and boys at the hotel and took us to a (usually) different, but always very good, restaurant every evening. The Zico training facility and personnel were first rate. It felt like you were at the private training facility of one of the world's best professional sport teams. The boys trained twice a day and worked with Brazilian coaches on technical skills and Zico specialists in each area: defense, offense, and goalkeeping. To give you some idea how much the boys liked it, Mani made one afternoon practice voluntary to allow for a special sightseeing trip and all the boys decided they would rather practice because the training was so good. In addition, the team played a number of games against Brazilian club teams, including Flamengo. Although the Brazilians always won (e.g., Flamengo by 9-1), the boys said they learned a great deal by playing them and looked forward to each game. Interestingly, a group of 5 boys arrived 2 weeks early. They trained every day during the week with a Brazilian club and felt that this was extremely valuable and enjoyable. They then trained with their U.S. team for an additional 2 weeks. The hotel and training facility are in Rio's safest area, so safety was never a concern for anyone. From a safety perspective, it felt like training in a major U.S. city. Since we toured as a group led by a Brazilian, we never found ourselves lost or in a dangerous place. We saw all the major sights both in and around Rio during the 2 weeks, including the 2006 Brazilian Cup championship game (Flamengo beat Vasco da Gama to win the Cup) and another professional soccer game. I was never bored. All the boys and parents had a great time...and this was the second year in traveling to Rio for most! In summary, I can't imagine a better training option. Although not cheap, every parent said that the value of the trip (for their sons and them) far exceeded the cost. From a personal perspective, it was probably the best vacation value I have ever had. --Richard Miller, Bethesda, MD Julian told me that the training was with and playing against the best players he has ever seen. I thought the trip was incredible. From seeing Rio,( what an amazing city )to seeing soccer everywhere. The boys worked hard and enjoyed the trainers. The competition was VERY good. Food was wonderful. Exciting doesn't do justice to our two visits to the Maracana!! The hotel was fantastic as was ouir view of the beach. You and Leda did a great job organizing it and working so hard to keep everyone happy. THanks for including our boys in the trip. We all miss Brazil so much after being home just a few days!! --Jeff MacMillan, Silver Spring, MD "The Brazil trip was a great family experience, lots of soccer training with the best clubs in Rio coupled with the opportunity to visits all the sights of Rio and absorb the culture." --Krishnam Rajagopalah, Bethesda, MD "Challenging and practical soccer training for our boys, delightful sight-seeing and dining experiences for their families, all within the magnificent setting of Rio. There was truly something for everybody on this trip. With all the fun we had, we felt that we were at family camp, with meaningful soccer coaching and a cultural education thrown in. Thank you for all your planning, guiding, interpreting and energy which made it a memorable and wonderful adventure for us." --Lucinda Leach, Potomac, MD "The Brazil soccer training camp was excellent. It allowed my son the opportunity to see how boys in another country actually train and play the game. Training and playing against Brazilian boys was a real eye-opener for many of the kids (and the parents). Watching and experiencing the skillfulness of the local players helped motivate the boys to want to take their skills to "the next level". Watching and playing with the Brazilians made the boys realize how much more soccer they could learn. The enthusiasm the Brazilian boys had for training and playing soccer was wonderful to see and experience. The uniqueness of the training environment and the ability to play several "friendlies" with the Brazilian boys, including beach soccer games, kept the training regimen fresh for the boys. Overall, an extremely worthwhile trip and training experience!" --Joe Joseph DiPeppe, Gaithersburg, MD
“I cannot imagine a better way to help a team or player move to the next level in soccer. The training and bonding that occurred no doubt helped our team move to the first
division where they now are. My son literally cannot wait to return this coming summer.”
--Ray Wertheim, Bethesda, MD “We enjoyed 2 beautiful weeks in Brazil last summer. The competition in
Brazil for our age level was amazing. The level of intensity in the training
@ Zico Center was the best you could possibly imagine your child to have the
experience of. My son improved on his technical skills and maturity level.
It was a great experience and we are looking forward to going again this
summer for 1 month.”
--Donna Pack, Rockville, MD "For Bruno the soccer trip to Brazil last summer was a unique experience. He was particularly excited about being instructed by outstanding former professional soccer players and playing against some of the best youth teams in Brazil. Bruno's confidence and soccer skills improved further, and he came back home even more excited about soccer." --Ricardo Velloso, Bethesda, MD “My soccer skills, especially my moves and ball control, improved so much as a result of my training at Zico, that I felt like a completely changed player when I returned.”
--Will Ryan,
Gaithersburg, MD
"The soccer training at the Zico Center is the best in the world. Soccer is a way of life for these Brazilian coaches and there are none better anywhere. My son not only improved his soccer skills substantially, he learned more about Brazil from his friendships with the coaches and Brazilian players than he could have from any tour. Through the training regimen, he also learned a good deal about himself."
--Lawrence Eiser, Silver Spring, MD
"The brazil trip was very fun and very interesting. It has helped Kian in his soccer skills. There was a difference from when we left to when we came back from brazil. He has improved a lot. It was a very fun and
unforgettable event for Kian. He loved it. I would highly recommend going on this trip to brazil. Its worth everything."
--Shahah Kassraei, Potomac, MD
The Brazil trip was a fantastic experience for both of us. The opportunity to experience the different culture as well as train in that environment was invaluable for Danny's development. Upon his return from Brazil, the skills he exhibited and the confidence to use those skills we both greatly improved. It was definitely a worthwhile endeavor.
--Dale Kawamura, Rockville, MD
"My son was deeply impressed with the passion and intensity with which
every Brazilian boy played soccer. They never let up or give less than
100%. This is something that can't be taught, it has to be experienced
first hand. It was an important life lesson for him. In addition, the
coaches were in his words "awesome." His play showed a quantum
improvement after two weeks in Brazil and I could say the same of the other
boys from his team who shared this experience."
--Thomas Howell, Washington DC
"Daniel tremendously enjoyed his two weeks in Brazil. Not only was it a incomparable opportunity to train and develop as a soccer player, but he was also able to experience a different culture. He especially enjoyed training at the Zico center where the team played a series of games against junior professional teams. He also thoroughly enjoyed the beach in Rio de Janeiro where he learned the Brazilian game of soccer-volleyball. After returning from Brazil, we could see a difference in his intensity and appreciation of the game. It was well worth the trip. He hopes to return again next summer."
--Kim Doherty, Silver Spring, MD
Zach said that he thought he learned a lot from his participation and that playing against the Brazilian kids was a great way to do that.
My observation was that the training through the camp coaches and the opportunity to play against these talented young men both contributed to greater skill, more confidence about his skills and increased enthusiasm about the game of soccer. Additionally, he seemed to have benefited from and thoroughly enjoyed the kind of bonding that happened with the kids at Zico and the kids on the beach as they communicated through the game of soccer, not having a common spoken language.
--Zach Malanoski and Mary Hufnell, Bethesda, MD
My sons' individual and team soccer skills greatly improved after their Brazil trip. The kids also had a fun cultural experience and the adults had a treat time too!
--Katherine Whitaker, Potomac, MD
My soccer skills, especially my moves and ball control, improved so much as a result of my training at Zico, that I felt like a completely changed player when I returned.
--Lisa Ryan, Gaithersburg, MD
The trip to Brazil under the direction of Coach Mani Santos was a once in a life time experience. Kyle not only improved his soccer skills through the coaching of the Zico Center staff and by playing with Brazilian boys his age, Kyle received a life lesson on Brazilian culture, soaked in the sites and sounds of Rio de Janiero, and bonded with his U.S. teammates.
--Neal Wilson, Potomac, MD |