Week 4 – Alec Laible
As my team and I end the first month since our arrival in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, I am reflecting on my variety of emotions and our constant activities. I, Alec Laible, want to give you an insight on what happens during a week at the Integrated Academy at Schalke 04.
Bright and early at 7:30 AM, a fresh new Monday makes it appearance on our schedule. After a tiresome 20 minutes of preparing for the day, we all head down to the lobby for the buffet-style breakfast, which is open from 6:30 AM to 10 AM every day. Beginning with crispy croissants and fluffy breads, to the cold, refreshing selection of cheeses and meats, and the assorted vegetables and eggs — you can become overwhelmed with the sheer quantity of food. Plus, add in the variety of juices, yogurt, and fruits — there is an enormous amount to chose from. Once I grab my plate and pick a seat, I prepare a warm tea and do some light reading before our training, which begins at 10 AM.
Around 9:50, the team will walk half a mile to today’s training grounds, greet the coaches by saying “Good morning,” and get physically and mentally prepared for practice. Trainings could be tactical plays, defensive positioning, offensive attacking plays — anything that will make us better in game.
Afterwards the soccer training session ends, the team takes the equipment back to our Schalke Academy storage room and we head back to the hotel for lunch, which begins right after training. Our chef, Anna, provides us with a variety of proteins, carbs, salads, vegetables, and fruits, making sure that we are staying fit but can also enjoy the meal at the same time. Before our second training at 1:30 PM, players can relax and enjoy a little down time.
For me, I unfortunately must ice my shins and elbows from previous injuries. At 1:15 PM, we begin our journey back down to the fields to have the second training session of the day. A much more intense and driven practice, filled with tactical plays and scrimmages. Once finished, we can do whatever pleases us until dinner which is at 6 PM. For my roommate and I, we prefer playing video games, watching movies, or working out. Dinner is served with a new variety of food, such as chicken or beef, ranging from carbonara to curry. We talk, listen to music, laugh, and then head back up to the rooms to watch movies. Although it is early, we hit the hay around 10:30 PM to be responsible for the next day ahead.
As you can see, that is just one day in the life of a player here in Germany on the Schalke Integrated Academy U18 team from the USA.
It certainly does take a toll onto your body after constant training and workouts, which I think is good. You eventually become adapted to the constant work being put in and the drive and thirst for more increases. On some days, about twice a week, there will only be one training session. This allows players to go to restaurants, travel to nearby cities, or train more on their own if they would like. Sundays are always available for traveling, if there isn’t anything that has to be done. For example, a group of us went to a nearby zoo called ZOOM Erlebniswelt. We spent the whole day exploring and learning about new animals and then went to a restaurant afterwards. While we did have to walk a little bit, trains are available anywhere that you would like to visit. Some of the other players tend to visit Dusseldorf and Essen frequently. All these trips can be made possible through the transit cards we were given. They allow us to travel anywhere around Gelsenkirchen for free, which is a good thing, or else we would all be going crazy.
While some players came here to play around, others came so their dreams could be achieved. To be successful, players must have constant grit and drive at every practice so that they can become their best. To even be close to having my dream become possible, I must work every single day to be me best.
Even when the weather changes from sunny to rainy instantly, or you must walk half a mile to the turf hall, you constantly remind yourself of what must be done to achieve what you want. Thankfully, I am always face-timing and talking to my family so that I don’t go crazy being here away from everyone. It does affect you and becomes shocking — but slowly you realize that this is it — this can be the first step to something great.
And, outside the hotel, during practice, in the city, anywhere you go, we represent Schalke. How amazing is that?
Alec Laible, #1 Goalkeeper
FC Schalke 04 Integrated Academy Blog
Week 3 – X Hafer
My 3rd week within the Schalke04 integrated soccer program was fantastic. the coaches in Germany are much more knowledgeable about fussball compared to back at home in the USA and have taught me already so much about the game.
In my free time this week, I spent it mostly stretching and doing schoolwork however, I did have some fun events with my teammate — like movie night, walking around my new hometown of Gelsenkirchen, and watching other Schalke 04 matches. Overall, it was a great, and productive week.
At first, it was hard living in a new country and adapting to new customs without any family by my side. Now, I am well situated and quite enjoy being in Germany learning more about soccer every day. I was disappointed on Wednesday because I did not start the match against Schermbeck, but when I went in, we turned the match around and ended tying the game. The team we played was not very technical but they worked much harder than us, and I think this is why the game ended in a tie.
The practices here are very different than back at home, the Schalke 04 coaches always have a new drill, training many different aspects of our bodies. Some of the morning and afternoon soccer practices are focused on position-based training, other days we train to become stronger physically — and we also have cognitive sessions where we have to think very fast and we do extremely technical drills. Additionally, we had tests done to calculate if we biologically developed later or earlier than our actual birthdate.
Every day I learn something new … getting me one step closer to my dream of becoming a professional soccer player. It is a blessing to be here.
X Hafer, #3 Defender
FC Schalke 04 Integrated Academy Blog
Week 2 – Andres Lopez
This is the beginning of our second week being in residence in Germany and training with our two Schalke coaches. We are living within walking distance to the soccer fields and the professional stadium.
On Monday, August 16th, our team had 2 trainings with our Schalke coaches. The first soccer training was very different compared to a typical “normal” practice.
This practice was about discovering and recognizing our “bad” eye. We were each given an eye patch to cover our dominant “good” eye so that we could strengthen our “bad” eye. We then did some passing drills and I found it challenging as it was hard to measure the distance between the player and the ball. This soccer training was focused on eye-hand-leg coordination and we all need more practice.
Our second practice later in the day was pretty fun, we got to scrimmage and work on our positioning as a team. We have another match this week and we are preparing.
On Tuesday, August 17th, we had soccer training in the morning and a German language class in the afternoon. The German class was difficult because our teacher was teaching us way too much the first day. And the class was entirely in German, and as a player training at Schalke, I am eager to learn how to speak the country’s language, I do not know more than a few words.
On Wednesday, August 18th, we had 2 soccer training sessions. practices, our first team practice was incredibly intense. We did a 3v1 rondo drill and then scrimmaged shortly afterwards. Our second training was focused on strength and coordination with Coach Evan. We had 8 different stations set up, all with different equipment. In some stations, we would be squatting with weights and in others, we would be jumping over hurdles.
On Thursday, August 19th, our team had training on defensive and offensive positioning. In the afternoon, we had a second German class that was still very difficult. We started to learn sentences and useful daily words.
On Friday, August 20, morning practice focused on our offense being high pressed by our defense. I feel that we performed well defensively on high pressing and interrupting their gameplay.
On Saturday, August 21, we had our speed test at the indoor facility.
We first started with a warm-up and then got straight into it. We started with the short distanced run and we ended with the beeping test that would calculate how long we could run before giving up.
Later on in the evening, we went to the cafeteria near the fields and we watched FC Schalke 04’s pro team play. They unfortunately lost but it was a cool experience to be surrounded by my new soccer teammates watching the first team play and wearing the same logo as the pros.
On Sunday, August 22, we had an off day so 3 of my new Schalke Integrated Academy U18 teammates and I decided to take the train to Düsseldorf and Dortmund. The city of Dusseldorf was surprisingly empty but we later then found out that nothing was really open on Sundays, so that’s the reason why nobody was there. We then decided to explore our new surroundings and took a train to Dortmund that was only about 45 minutes away. When we arrived, we rented electrical scooters and rode to the Dortmund Stadium. At around 5 we left Dortmund and arrived back at our hotel — just in time for dinner. Pizzas were served, and they were great.
Andres Lopez, #5 Midfielder
FC Schalke 04 Integrated Academy Blog
US cooperation: U18 team arrived at Schalke
Six training sessions, the first game, and a tour of the stadium: some eventful days lie behind 21 American talents. The young Americans have been training at Schalke since Thursday (12 August) as part of a partnership between the International Soccer Academy (ISA) and Knappenschmiede.
With an opening event on Wednesday (11 August), those responsible at Knappenschmiede and ISA welcomed the 21-man squad of the new U18 team to Schalke. Before the first session on the pitch started on Thursday morning, the players got to know the coaching team the evening before and were given their equipment for the coming months. Head coach Jens Grembowietz and assistant coach Julian Kaliczok handed each player his royal blue jersey for the first session in the shadow of the VELTINS Arena the following day. The young players, who come from all corners of the United States, completed their first exercises on the ball under the watchful eye of Peter Knäbel, Director of Sport and Communication, and Mathias Schober, Director Knappenschmiede and Development.
FC Schalke 04 and International Soccer Academy Launch News Picked Up By Over 122 Media Channels
FC Schalke 04 and International Soccer Academy Launch Integrated Academy With American Youth From Across the USA
Head Coach Jens Grembowietz and Assistant Coach Julian Kaliczok to lead Integrated Residential Academy of American players at FC Schalke 04
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its ongoing mission to provide a solid pathway for elite players aspiring to play abroad, International Soccer Academy (https://internationalsocceracademy.com/) has announced today the inaugural group of 22 U.S. players who have moved to the FC Schalke 04 (https://schalke04.de/) campus in Gelsenkirchen, Germany and will immerse themselves in the professional environment for the duration of the 2021-2022 football season. FC Schalke 04 scouts finalized the roster selection after an extensive nationwide search and thorough online evaluation process.
Coached by UEFA A licensed coaches hired by FC Schalke 04, the groundbreaking International initiative focuses on the inaugural Under-18 team of elite U.S. youth soccer players training at the famed Knappenschmiede and competing against regional academy teams.
“We have had good experiences with Matthew Hoppe and Weston McKennie,” said Mathias Schober, Director of Knappenschmiede and Development. “When the opportunity came up to partner with International Soccer Academy, we saw the chance to further strengthen our position on the American market. It’s also a great challenge for our coaches to train an international team and develop the young U.S. players, but also themselves.”
Schalke has appointed Jens Grembowietz as the full time head coach leading the group of young Americans. Grembowietz, a former Schalke Academy and FC Schalke 04 II player also suited up for Dynamo Dresden and Preußen Münster before retiring in 2016 to become a coach.
“I am very much looking forward to my new task and am excited to get to know the team soon,” Grembowietz said. “Training with the young U.S. talents for a whole year is also a completely new experience for me. In addition to intensive training sessions and games, I expect that we will have a lot of fun. It is also important for me to bring the players closer to the German and especially the Ruhr culture.”
2021-2022 U-18 International Soccer Academy-FC Schalke 04 Integrated Academy Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Cameron Hein (Frostburg, MD), Alec Laible (Rock Hill, SC)
DEFENDERS (3): Alex Hafer (Kingsville, MD), Tidiane Keita (Montreal, Canada), Jaime Villanueva (Tualatin, OR)
MIDFIELDERS (13): Dillon Bardhi (Scarsdale, NY), Pedro Bottene (Oxford, Michigan), Christian Chandler (San Antonio, TX), Jake Chung (Bellevue, WA), Reece Gaylor (Texarkana, Texas), Trace Higham (Acworth, GA), Andres Lopez (Chula Vista, CA), Antonios Loukas (Lake Worth, FL), Paolo Millan (Delray Beach, FL), Gavin Müns (Gig Harbor, WA), Christian Poehlein (Pennington, NJ), Christian Rodriguez (Port Orange, FL), Joseph Teutimez (Cypress, CA)
FORWARDS (4): Keiquon Aaron (Brooklyn, NY), Alex Cole (South Orange, NJ), Michael Divano (Bremerton, WA), Colin McGinnity (Colbert, WA)
Julian Kaliczok is the assistant coach, and is also a former Schalke Academy player. He has coached previously at SpVgg Erkenschwick, DFB Base Gelsenkirchen and VfB Waltrop.
“I am looking forward to accompanying the boys as assistant coach for a year and observing their development,” Kaliczok said. “Developing talent is an exciting task and I am curious to see what we can achieve during our time together.”
The Integrated Academy players will live at the 4-star stays by friends Gelsenkirchen, a 5-minute walk from the Schalke stadium and training fields.
“We are happy to welcome these players,” said Kai Brock, FC Schalke 04 Project Manager.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ACADEMY (www.internationalsocceracademy.com):
Founded by Eddie Loewen and Diane Scavuzzo, International Soccer Academy is the world’s leading youth soccer to professional career bridging program, with an ongoing mission to provide a solid pathway for elite players aspiring to play abroad. Providing real, authentic and expert development opportunities with top European professional soccer clubs, International Soccer Academy is focused on developing successful players who are driven to reach their goals of signing a professional contract, or play Division 1 soccer.
Since inception of the first session in October 2020, four International Soccer Academy players have signed contracts to be paid to play soccer in Europe.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Diane Scavuzzo – Co-Founder
[email protected]
+1-858-531-8300
SOURCE
International Soccer Academy
Related Links
https://internationalsocceracademy.com
USA cooperation: U18s team arrive at Schalke
It’s been an exciting few days for the 21 young Americans that have been training at Schalke since Thursday (12/8) as part of a cooperation with the International Soccer Academy (ISA), with the talents from the United States taking part in four sessions, playing their first game and also getting a closer look at the VELTINS-Arena on a stadium tour.
Week 1 – Christian Rodriguez
Wednesday … day arrival. The night was full of fun and laughter as we were finally all together to meet and get our jerseys. We met our coaches and the personnel who created this program, and over dinner, all the players sat together and we learned more about each other — finding out previous youth soccer clubs and where we came from.
That was really the first bonding moment.
Thursday … The first training was intense and very scrappy, everyone was fighting to show off their abilities. The second training was a stretching workout session which was intense and good for the body, especially as some of the players were just off a plane the day before.
The meals are good and healthy, but also different at the same time compared to what we normally eat in the US.
Friday … We had a morning session that ended in an open scrimmage —The small match had very high intensity and good quality, especially as we have only been together for a few days.
Before training, team pictures were taken on the park Stadion pitch. We also had our first Team Meeting today — It was good and we talked about our team being a family as we go through this journey.
Saturday … was game prep with training to figure out possible starting group since we had a match the next day. This was also a day where everyone tried fighting for a spot with intensity as well as scrappiness.
Sunday … Today was our first game. It was good to see how we played together, despite the result. For being only a few days in, our first game went well knowing we have months to train and play together to get better. We got to see each other’s abilities in the match, as well as how the team gels together. It is all new. And, it is exciting.
Christian Rodriguez, #31 Defender
FC Schalke 04 Integrated Academy Blog
FC Schalke 04 and International Soccer Academy Launch Integrated Academy With American Youth From Across the USA
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its ongoing mission to provide a solid pathway for elite players aspiring to play abroad, International Soccer Academy (https://internationalsocceracademy.com/) has announced today the inaugural group of 22 U.S. players who have moved to the FC Schalke 04 (https://schalke04.de/) campus in Gelsenkirchen, Germany and will immerse themselves in the professional environment for the duration of the 2021-2022 football season. FC Schalke 04 scouts finalized the roster selection after an extensive nationwide search and thorough online evaluation process.
Proud to partner, FC Schalke 04 and International Soccer Academy offers a solid pathway for players aspiring to play abroad and who dream of becoming a professional soccer player like Matthew Hoppe
Coached by UEFA A licensed coaches hired by FC Schalke 04, the groundbreaking International initiative focuses on the inaugural Under-18 team of elite U.S. youth soccer players training at the famed Knappenschmiede and competing against regional academy teams.
“We have had good experiences with Matthew Hoppe and Weston McKennie,” said Mathias Schober, Director of Knappenschmiede and Development. “When the opportunity came up to partner with International Soccer Academy, we saw the chance to further strengthen our position on the American market. It’s also a great challenge for our coaches to train an international team and develop the young U.S. players, but also themselves.”
Schalke has appointed Jens Grembowietz as the full time head coach leading the group of young Americans. Grembowietz, a former Schalke Academy and FC Schalke 04 II player also suited up for Dynamo Dresden and Preußen Münster before retiring in 2016 to become a coach.
“I am very much looking forward to my new task and am excited to get to know the team soon,” Grembowietz said. “Training with the young U.S. talents for a whole year is also a completely new experience for me. In addition to intensive training sessions and games, I expect that we will have a lot of fun. It is also important for me to bring the players closer to the German and especially the Ruhr culture.”
2021-2022 U-18 International Soccer Academy-FC Schalke 04 Integrated Academy Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Cameron Hein (Frostburg, MD), Alec Laible (Rock Hill, SC)
DEFENDERS (3): Alex Hafer (Kingsville, MD), Tidiane Keita (Montreal, Canada), Jaime Villanueva (Tualatin, OR)
MIDFIELDERS (13): Dillon Bardhi (Scarsdale, NY), Pedro Bottene (Oxford, Michigan), Christian Chandler (San Antonio, TX), Jake Chung (Bellevue, WA), Reece Gaylor (Texarkana, Texas), Trace Higham (Acworth, GA), Andres Lopez (Chula Vista, CA), Antonios Loukas (Lake Worth, FL), Paolo Millan (Delray Beach, FL), Gavin Müns (Gig Harbor, WA), Christian Poehlein (Pennington, NJ), Christian Rodriguez (Port Orange, FL), Joseph Teutimez (Cypress, CA)
FORWARDS (4): Keiquon Aaron (Brooklyn, NY), Alex Cole (South Orange, NJ), Michael Divano (Bremerton, WA), Colin McGinnity (Colbert, WA)
Julian Kaliczok is the assistant coach, and is also a former Schalke Academy player. He has coached previously at SpVgg Erkenschwick, DFB Base Gelsenkirchen and VfB Waltrop.
“I am looking forward to accompanying the boys as assistant coach for a year and observing their development,” Kaliczok said. “Developing talent is an exciting task and I am curious to see what we can achieve during our time together.”
The Integrated Academy players will live at the 4-star stays by friends Gelsenkirchen, a 5-minute walk from the Schalke stadium and training fields.
“We are happy to welcome these players,” said Kai Brock, FC Schalke 04 Project Manager.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ACADEMY (www.internationalsocceracademy.com):
Founded by Eddie Loewen and Diane Scavuzzo, International Soccer Academy is the world’s leading youth soccer to professional career bridging program, with an ongoing mission to provide a solid pathway for elite players aspiring to play abroad. Providing real, authentic and expert development opportunities with top European professional soccer clubs, International Soccer Academy is focused on developing successful players who are driven to reach their goals of signing a professional contract, or play Division 1 soccer.
Since inception of the first session in October 2020, four International Soccer Academy players have signed contracts to be paid to play soccer in Europe.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Diane Scavuzzo – Co-Founder
[email protected]
+1-858-531-8300
SOURCE
International Soccer Academy
Related Links
https://internationalsocceracademy.com