German Soccer Club Visits CUYS

Thanks to an introduction made by Sarah Pickens at the U. S. Soccer Foundation, the venerable German soccer club Eintracht Frankfurt visited CUYS’s Soccer for Success program at Main Street School in Upland yesterday.

Armin Kraaz, a former player and currently the Head of Sports Projects - Americas in the club’s International Relations department, led over 30 kids in a memorable afternoon of training and other fun.

“It’s what we do - share our love of the game with the community,” stated Mr. Kraaz, who was assisted by Tom Fraehmke, a New Jersey resident who became a fan of the club while living in Frankfurt years ago, and Colton, a Delaware County teen who aspires to play soccer in Europe someday. The Main Street Soccer for Success staff, Yolanda Jackson, Tamia Cottman and Tiaira Butler, were also on site helping to support the event, along with CUYS Founder and Board Chair Brent Jacquette and Main Street’s principal, Ms. Medley.

The children enjoyed learning new drills that tested their coordination, focus and reaction times, then played scrimmages with the day’s guest coaches giving them tips and guidance in the course of the action.

“Eintracht is a German word that means ‘unite,’” explained Mr. Kraaz. Chester Upland Youth Soccer and Eintracht Frankfurt are now forever united by the memory of this special day.