Landing and Settling In
Following a great spring season all of Capital's returning players were given the chance of a lifetime..the chance to not only go visit places in Brazil, but to play the great game of soccer with some very technical and talented Brazilian players. After much anticipation and preparation from everyone involved in the Women's Soccer Program the group of 20 returning players and 4 coaches set off to the Detroit airport where we flew off to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
We arrived on Brazilian soil on August 6th and set off to Campinas, Brazil where we stayed on a private camp ground. The camp ground provided many amenities on site including a full size swimming pool, soccer field, futsal court, bamboo forest, game room with ping pong and Foosball tables and a full kitchen where homemade breakfast lunch and dinner were provided by the site's staff.
The Futsal Court Full Size Swimming Pool
Bunk Houses Full Size Soccer Field
Dining Area Dining Room
GAME DAY
As day one wrapped up and everyone tried to catch up on sleep from the red-eye flight they were also preparing for our first game while in Brazil. Game 1 was against Bonfim, a club from Campinas. We came away from this one with a win and saw some great things from our returning players. This is where the excitement for the 2013 season really started to set in!
Following the game against Bonfim we headed to our first professional game to watch where Guarani take on Vila Nova. With the connections through our guides Juliana and Fernando we were allowed access to the clubs trophy room where many trophy's and pictures dated all the way back to the 1900's are on display.
Immediately following our trip to the trophy room we headed to the stadium where the girls joined the fans in the support of Guarani. Many of them even joined in on the chants and cheers with the surrounding fans.
Post Game Dinner was at the Churrascaria where meat is cooked in churrasco style, which translates roughly from the Portugese word for "barbecue". This isn't like any ordinary barbecue that we would be used to in the states; the waiters walk around with rotisserie style meats still on the skewer and they cut off the amount you want at the table. This put just about everyone in a meat coma!
Smiling Hippos, Saltwater & PBR
Day 3 started off with a bus trip to Sao Paulo where we visited the Zoo Safari. Here we rode in Safari SUV's and drove through the Zoo making pit stops to feed the animals. We even had a very affectionate and loving camel who was willing to give kisses to the players and Coach Kouns as they stuck their heads out of the car windows.
Following the Zoo Safari we took a very scenic drive to the Beach in Santos. It was chilly when the girls stepped off the bus but they didn't let that stop them! More than half of the team took the risk of the brisk wind and got in the ocean water! (They lasted about 20 minutes..) Immediately following the beach we had dinner at the camp ground then set out on yet another bus for a trip to see Claudia Leitte perform a concert. After arriving we realized that the site was the equivalent to a state fair in America. We quickly learned that not only would we be seeing a concert, but also a full on rodeo including a Professional Bull Riding competition! After waiting a mere 2 hours after the concert was assigned to start, Claudia Leitte finally came on stage and the group got to experience some Brazilian live music!
Hand-made Fair & Futsal
After a long night at the rodeo and concert we had an early breakfast then jumped on a bus to head to the hand-made fair where vendors set up at a market and sold home-made goods including: wind chimes, purses, jewelry, artwork, shoes and much more. This allowed the girls some time to search for gifts for themselves and their friends and family back home! Immediately following we headed back to Guarani where the team played both Guarani and University of Campinas in futsal match-ups. It took the girls some adjusting; as the Brazilians play was very technical and creative but was great to see that speed of play! After competing against the two teams our girls were able to mix in with the Brazilians and play alongside them. It was great to see the enthusiasm and creativity that our girls played with!
Following the futsal match-ups we were given the opportunity to see the Guarani women's trophy room where pictures and trophy's from former women's teams are held. These pictures featured our host: Juliana Filipe and her crazy hair from back in the day!
GAME DAY: ROUND 2
Our second game took place in Sao Paulo against Portugesa; a team that is very well known and very successful in Brazil. The atmosphere was infectious as we walked to the field and could hear cheering from the indoor and outdoor futsal courts. We walked out to a state of the art turf field which was used for the first time earlier that day. Our girls came out strong as we scored in the first 13 seconds of play to go up 1-0. We continued finding success as we went up 3-1 before getting heavy legs and a couple injuries leading to a 3-3 tie. Post-game the teams exchanged jerseys...and a few dance moves before joining each other in a post game Brazilian barbecue which Portuguesa hosted during Father's Day in Brazil!
Following the Brazilian barbecue the team headed out to watch the second Professional game of the trip; a home game for the Corinthians against Vitori. All of the girls got into game spirit by purchasing jerseys outside the gates in support of the local team in Sao Paulo.
GAME DAY: ROUND 3 & Capoeira
Game 3 was against another club of Brazil called Americana. After a long week of travel, walking, training and with heavy legs we fought hard but fell in a tough loss.
Post game was a bit of a different approach this time as the girls took on the art of Capoeira: a Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics and music. Not exactly the cool down or recovery their used to but it sure was entertaining!
(You should see some of their cart wheels!!!)
Boldrini
Here at Capital we encourage the members of our team to reach out to communities for support. While in Brazil we took a trip to the Boldrini Cancer Research Hospital where they treat and house children and their families who are suffering from cancer. Upon arrival we watched a video on the hospital itself and the way they operate their health system within the hospital. We learned that any money spent at the hospital gift shop went right back into cancer research in their search for a cure. With this information every member of the group purchased gifts in the shop to give to the children of Boldrini in hopes of bringing a smile to their face and encouraging them throughout their recovery. We were able to go into the play room on sight and connect with the kids through playing Foosball, dress up, playing on the slide and coloring. It was a great way for the team to connect with children and their parents during their time of need.
Following the hospital we took off back to the campground with a grain of salt as we all continued packing up our suitcases, wet towels and bedding to head back to the bus and off to the airport! Brazil was a wonderful experience! And we are already looking forward to another trip in the upcoming years!!
Coming Soon on the Blog:
Preseason insight on the 2013 Capital Women's Soccer Team!
Don't forget to follow us on twitter: @CAP_WSOC
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