Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

United Sport

Second Annual People of the Planet Soccer Tournament April 6 at Kidd Brewer

Story by Sam Calhoun

No matter their race, religion or ethnic background, when people step onto a field as part of a team they feel equal—they are teammates with a common goal—making it easy to see why the second annual ASU People of the Planet Soccer Tournament kicks off this year’s ASU Diversity Celebration on Sunday, April 6, when soccer players of all ages and economic backgrounds from the United States and 35 foreign countries will gather at ASU’s Kidd Brewer Stadium for a fun, unifying and educational tournament.

“The goal is to bring players from the United States and those from across the world to celebrate diversity on the soccer field with the Boone and ASU community. The ASU Diversity Celebration is always in search of putting together programs to introduce unity and diversity in our community. This tournament was accepted as one of the components of the Diversity Celebration two years ago. The event brings together the community and players from across the world to have a fun and educational day,” said Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, coordinator of the tournament and ASU computer science professor. “Soccer, more than anything, brings people of different ethnic backgrounds, religions, languages and cultures together across the world. This is a great phenomenon, often referred to as a culture, that brings messages of peace, harmony, education and health.”

The tournament takes place from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and there is no cost to participate. All players receive a custom-made jersey and an event medallion keepsake.

Four adult teams and eight youth teams will play at the tournament.

Two adult teams from the United States will face off against two international teams that are comprised of players from 35 foreign countries. The two international teams are Space (black jerseys) and Fire (red jerseys), and the two American teams are Earth (green jerseys) and Water (blue jerseys).

From 9:00 to 10:15 a.m., Space plays Earth, and from 10:25 to 11:40 a.m., Fire competes against Water. In the afternoon, Earth meets Fire from 2:00 to 3:25 p.m., and Water battles Space from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m.

New this year, eight youth teams will compete in the tournament. Two U8 boys’ teams, two U8 girls’ teams, two U10 boys’ teams and two U10 girls’ teams are being formed. U8 teams are comprised of 6, 7 and 8 years olds, and U10 teams are comprised of 9, 10 and 11 year olds. Any local or visiting child is welcome to attend and participate.

“We still need more players for the youth teams, in particular in the U8 boys and girls age group,” said Tashakkori. “Every two teams are adopted by one of the adult teams, thus they will have the same name as their mentoring team.”

The youth teams will play one game against a team of the same gender in their age group. The two U8 boys’ teams and the two U8 girls’ teams play parallel on the field from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m., and the two U10 boys’ teams and the two U10 girls’ teams play parallel on the field from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Youth players should bring soccer shoes, shin guards and bark-colored soccer shorts. All adult teams will play with white socks, but U8 and U10 players can bring socks in the color of their choice. Shirts are provided for all players to keep.

“The intention for the kids is education,” said Tashakkori, who said that flags from all the countries represented will be displayed on the field during the games. “We would like the younger kids to come and learn about the countries with representation. We have provided links on our website to all the countries from which we have players, and will provide a small questionnaire with five questions for kids who will come to the stadium. Kids will receive prizes for answering three of the five questions correctly. These questions are about the countries we have players from. There will be maps and reference material at the registration table.”

Youth players can also register to carry small flags with the adult players before each game.

“I would like to thank people for coming to Kidd Brewer Stadium and for bringing their kids to enjoy a full day watching these great players celebrate diversity and sportsmanship,” said Tashakkori. “This is an historic event and one where everyone can learn so much by just meeting the players from different parts of the world. Kids will have a chance to meet the international players, take pictures with them and have them sign their passport, which we will provide.”

People of the Planet Co-Chair Ben Popoola, the People of the Planet Committee and the ASU Equity Office helped coordinate the tournament. Blue Horse Promotions, Inc., BooneWeather.com, Krause Construction Company, Inc., Los Arcoiris Restaurant and M-Prints, Inc. sponsor the event.

For more information, a complete schedule and a list of the represented countries, click to www.cs.appstate.edu/soccer.

Want To Go?

Date: Sunday, April 6
Time: 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Kidd Brewer Stadium, ASU Campus
Cost: Free

A Message from the People of the Planet Soccer Tournament Coordinator

Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, coordinator of the People of the Planet Soccer Tournament and ASU computer science professor, is passionate about soccer and the unifying aspects of the international game. He recently reflected on how his love affair with the sport evolved.

“As a kid growing up playing soccer on dirt fields, I learned early on to share almost everything I could afford with my teammates,” he said. “I grew up with 17 to 18 players who were part of my team. We learned to mentor each other on the sideline to do well in school so our parents would let us play soccer. We learned to help out teammates who were growing up in abusive families have comfort. Early on in my young age, I learned that when I was on the field, it wouldn’t matter how poor or rich I was. I learned that it wouldn’t matter how I would practice my religion and what my ethnic background was. The time I was on the field, I had 18 players who were my brothers. We were a family regardless of background. We were the messengers of peace and understanding in our community.

“I never lost my love for this sport, this great culture, and with the support from ASU’s great leaders, I proposed to establish the [People of the Planet] tournament three years ago,” he added. “It is great to see the peace and unity through this sports and educational event in Boone.”

Sidebar

LA Mountaineers’ Journey to the U.S. Cup Qualifier Ends in Penalty Shoot Out

Much more than diversity education came out of last year’s People of the Planet Soccer Tournament. Players from the United States, Germany, Mexico, France and Iran—all who live in the High Country—decided that playing together once a year wasn’t enough and formed the LA Mountaineers (LAM), an over-30 adult team.

LAM began a journey in October 2007 to qualify for a spot at the U.S. Soccer Cup when they participated in the State Soccer Cup in Asheville. LAM won its division in Asheville, leading the team to the North Carolina State Cup Final in Greensboro, where LAM faced off against Highbury FC of Raleigh on January 19. Highbury FC won the game on the last penalty kick in the penalty shootouts that came after the 90-minute game expired, and after two 15-minute overtime periods.

Ironically, the game in January 2008 was not the only time these teams would face each other in another big match in the same year. The two teams played again in Statesville on Saturday, March 22. The winner would go on to the 2008 U.S. Cup in Seattle.

“There were more similarities between this match and the first one they had played in January than differences, just like a déjà vu,” said Tashakkori. “As for the differences, there was no sign of the snowstorm that dominated the State Cup Final game for about three hours, but we had a huge wind that was mostly blowing side to side for about three hours.”

In the first half, both teams played cautiously. The most serious chance of a goal came for Highbury when LAM’s keeper, Jarrett Franklin, spoiled the one-on-one encounter with the Highbury’s sticker. Midway through the second half, Highbury scored the first goal of the match. LAM intensified its attacks, but was caught by surprise on a counterattack ten minutes later that resulted in a penalty kick for Highbury when LAM’s last defender committed a foul in the box.

“There was a deadly silence on the field, but almost everyone who had seen Jarrett Franklin in the past knew that was going to be yet another fantastic save by one of the greatest keepers the state,” said Tashakkori. “The great save shifted the momentum quickly toward LAM, which paid off when Matthew McFall scored the equalizer on an amazing long shot eight minutes before regulation ended.”

With the score tied at 1-1, the two teams went into two 15-minute overtime periods, just as in their previous match in January. As the first overtime period was heading to expire with no score, the match seemed to be favoring LAM. But early in the second overtime period, an unexpected disaster hit LAM when one of its key players on the midfield, Lou Brancourt, was sent off for receiving his second yellow card of the day. Soon after, LAM was awarded a penalty kick that could decide the outcome of the game on a fast break by Audan Parks.

But, Highbury’s goalkeeper saved LAM’s kick. Midway through the second overtime period, Highbury took a lead. With one man down, LAM took a risk by switching the game to 3-3-3, sending their sweeper and stopper up front and adjusting in the back to cover the space. Just a minute before the time expired, Cliff Hampton put the LAM equalizer on the right side of the goal on a fantastic shot from behind the box. As the second period expired, just like in the first match, the decision was once again to be made on penalty shootouts, and just like the first match, LAM lost on a one-goal difference in penalty kicks.

“LAM’s journey to the U.S. Cup that began in October 2007 ended with this great game,” said Tashakkori. “The players on the LA Mountaineers still made history as they were the first team to go to the State Cup and make it to the State Cup Final.”

LAM’s defense was the best of the Over 30 teams in the regular season as it allowed the fewest number of goals in regulation game play.