TERESOPOLIS, Brazil - In Brazil, soccer is life. The Millsaps Majors men's soccer team found that out quickly when they arrived on March 12 in the mountainous region of Teresópolis and the beautiful beaches of Búzios, when they performed a training session with CBF coaches, and when they played against professional teams. Three coaches and 17 Majors made an eight day trip to Brazil during Spring Break. Truly an experience of a lifetime, the trip opened the teams eyes to a soccer culture like no other.
“The respect and love that the Brazilians show for the game is unbelievable,” said Head Soccer Coach Lee Johnson, “This was a once in a lifetime experience.”
The Majors stayed in the soccer complex of the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol, better known in America as the Brazillian Football Confederation or CBF. It is home to the Brazilian National Team. The players and coaches slept in the same beds as other past great Brazilian players such as Kaka, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Robinho.
The Majors began at the CBF in Teresópolis where they participated in three training sessions where things were a little different than back home in the States.
“It's much more practical in the United States, but in Brazil, everything is technique” said junior defender Taylor Harrison. “We spent an hour alone on touch which even involved juggling tennis and ping pong balls.”
Senior goalkeeper Dylan Broussard adds, “We start out doing small technique drills and everything would get bigger and more complex, they had a wealth of knowledge.”
Training sessions were not the only aspect Brazilian futbol the Majors were able to experience; Millsaps had the opportunity to play against three professional teams in Estacia, the Brazilian Air Force, and Cabo Frio. The men got a firsthand experience of how much the game means to the Brazilians.
“It rejuvenates me to see how much the game is enjoyed over there,” said Johnson. “Their speed, movement off the ball, and technique was superior and will help us this upcoming season.”
“(Soccer) is culture over there, it has a higher meaning,” added junior midfielder Drew Moroux. “These teams are feeders into the national team and they are out there to prove something at all times, it's beautiful.”
The Majors also found out that this was more than just a game to the Brazilians; for many, it is a way to make a living.
“It opened our eyes to how fortunate we are,” said Broussard. “We are able to attend college for a future and play the game we love. These men are trying to make it as professionals and avoid poverty.”
Members of the Millsaps team explored Brazil not only as athletes, but also as sightseers. They attended a Brazilian match between rivals Flemengo and Fluminense, two of the finer futbol clubs in Rio de Janeiro. The team enjoyed soccer on the beautiful beaches and even got to go to the Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer Statue.
The team feels that their experiences with the world's premier soccer country will impact the Majors this season and in the future.
“We learned a lot about each other and built camaraderie,” said Moroux. “We were able to bond with each other and learned new styles of play thanks to them.”
Harrison added, “The competition was far superior but they taught us to keep a sense of composure and to make the best decision possible.”
The Majors are back home now and prepare to report for the 2011 season in August. Their first game is on September 1 against Louisiana College in Pineville, La. Despite being back in the State, Millsaps will keep the memories of Brazil close to them.
“It was a truly first rate expierence,” said Coach Johnson as they came back home.
