USA 2 : Visitors 1

A second day of demonstrations and a clinic was covered by the local media today. The team gave several interviews and Nico was one of the featured players. Free clinics are offered to amputees who would like to learn how to play soccer. They are open to able bodied participants who would like to appreciate the challenges of competing on crutches. Kicking and dribbling skills are covered and participants also have an opportunity to play against members of the US National team. The event was a great success and hopefully the media coverage will lead to additional financial contributions to the AASA (American Amputee Soccer Association). Mark, Marie, Sophia, Rose and Rory arrived late in the afternoon to observe the tail end of the clinic, join us for dinner, and attend the NASL Minnesota Stars soccer match at the NSC Stadium. During halftime the US National Amputee Soccer team had an exhibition match against a local able bodied team (they were only allowed to play the ball with one leg). Nicolai was the first to score with a shot that careened through the legs of the keeper. The opponents responded with a nice goal of their own. With seconds remaining in the 12 minute match, Nico recognized that the goalie was far off his line and launched a full field shot that went over his head and secured the 2-1 win for team USA. Maya who was with us for the entire day was extremely helpful as the team videographer and the footage she captured will no doubt be used in the videos we are producing for the team.