April 11, 2022

The French Connection

Hope Thao is sharpening her skills with Rush French partner in Europe

It’s one thing to prepare to become a professional soccer player by pushing yourself on the training pitch and facing challenging competition. Then there’s Colorado Rush Academy 06 forward Hope Thao, who’s taking her preparation to another level.

 

Hope, whose goal is to play professional soccer in the near future, utilized Rush partner Etapsport to train with a French youth soccer club this past month.

 

“I really wanted to get a taste of what it was like to play here,” she said. “What is the culture like, what is the soccer like, anything that can help me better prepare to play professionally here one day.”

 

Etapsport’s Romain Thévenoux, who coordinated Hope’s trip, aims to provide exactly the type of experience Hope and other aspiring professional players want.

 

“Our role is to bring players here who want to discover what soccer is like here as well as the culture and make new friends, too,” Thévenoux said. “We try to create a real cultural experience here by finding families for the players to stay with whether they are coming for a short trip or want a longer stay.”

 

Last summer, Hope played and trained in Spain, staying in a dormitory style housing.

 

“That experience was a little different and more focused on just soccer since we stayed at a boarding school during the week and spent time with our host families on the weekend,” Hope said. “But staying with a host family the whole time here, I’ve been able to experience more of the culture.”

 

But Hope has also enjoyed her experience on the pitch, training with different players and styles that differ from what she’s used to.

 

“I think tactically, it’s very different here than in the U.S.,” Hope said. “We play a little more physical than they do here in France, which is a little more technical and the ball movement is different, including the style of play. In the U.S., we play a little more direct, but in France, they seem to use the entire width of the field and maximize the use of their wingers more.”

 

Hope, who plays forward for her Colorado club, has broadened her understanding of different forward positions while in France.

 

“I play everywhere,” Hope said. “I play the 9 and the 10 and also the 7 and 11. I think that I’ve gained a lot more knowledge on these positions since I’ve been here, especially the 7 and 11 and how they like to play those players with their left back and right backs.”

 

Hope admits that training in Europe isn’t for every player, but it can be a great experience depending on a player’s goals and how willing a player is to try something new.

 

“If players are willing and courageous enough to go overseas, they have to be very open-minded to criticism and growth because that’s what we all need to become better people and better players,” she said.

The post The French Connection appeared first on Rush Soccer.

Hudl Flex User Guide

By Lucas Sampaio • October 10, 2024
Coastal Families, Hudl TV has been a fantastic addition to our game streaming this season. Below, you'll find links to the Hudl Flex User Guide to assist anyone responsible for setting up and recording with the Hudl Flex cameras. We also have a recorded video call from Hudl with our Coastal Rush players that covers some helpful topics. Be sure to check out these helpful tutorials and resources for Coaches, Team Managers, Athletes, and Parents: Athletes Guide to Hudl : Share this out with athletes and parents for a walk through of all things Hudl on the Athletes side of things Coaches/Managers Resource Guide : Share this out with coaches for a step by step walk through of the Hudl platform on the coaches/managers side of things Coastal Rush Hudl Fan Landing Page : Share this out with friends and family who can’t attend games in person and want to watch via livestream If you have any additional questions, please email Coach Kyle at kyle@coastalrush.com.

Coastal Rush Soccer Breaks Record with 57 Player College Commitments for Fall 2024

By Lucas Sampaio • June 24, 2024
[Pensacola, FL, June 24, 2024] - Coastal Rush Soccer, a soccer club within the largest youth soccer organization in the world, is celebrating a remarkable achievement with a record-breaking year of college commitments for Fall 2024. The National average for high school soccer players continuing their athletic journey in college stands at 7.5%, but Coastal Rush Soccer has surpassed expectations with an impressive 57 college commitments, which is 5x the national average. This outstanding success is directly attributed to Coastal Rush’s College Advisory Program (CAP). The announcement of 57 college commitments sets Coastal Rush Soccer apart as a leader in nurturing young soccer talent and providing them with opportunities to further their education while pursuing their sports dreams. The organization's commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes has clearly paid off, with a significant number of players set to embark on their college soccer careers in the upcoming fall. Rush Soccer's College Advisory Program (CAP) has been a great resource in guiding players through the college recruitment process, ensuring that they are well-equipped to make informed decisions about their future. The local CAP offerings led by John Michael Guidroz, Felipe Lawall and Nick Cooper offer personalized support and expert advice, the CAP has empowered players to explore their options and find the best fit for their academic and athletic aspirations. "Our College Advisory Program (CAP) team is dedicated to empowering players through the college recruitment process. With a proven track record of exceeding the national average in college commitments by 5x times, CAP offers unparalleled support and guidance to families. No other club equips players for success quite like Rush Soccer. We are very proud of all of our athletes that will be attending college, for athletics and academic excellence,” said Josh Tyler, Global CAP Director for Rush Soccer. Kyle Sealy, Boys Director of Coastal Rush Soccer, adds, “By prioritizing academic excellence and holistic development, Coastal Rush has created a pathway for young athletes to pursue their passion for soccer while securing their future through higher education. We are very proud of each of our players for attacking the recruiting process head on and finding a fit for themselves academically as well as programs that fit their needs as individual players” Kenny Skinner, Girls Director of Coastal Rush Soccer, also adds, “We at the club would like to show our gratitude to all those who have helped the players find their fit at the next level. In addition to our local CAP directors we also have many great coaches and directors at the home club who have helped our student athletes. Also lastly, a big congratulations to all the players in making this next step!” As Coastal Rush Soccer continues to make a mark in the world of youth soccer development, the organization's emphasis on empowering student-athletes to achieve success both on and off the field remains at the core of its mission. With 57 college commitments for Fall 2024, Rush Soccer is setting a new standard for player development and college preparedness in the soccer community.

Coastal Rush Spring Update

By John Guidroz • March 22, 2024
Quick Spring Update 2024
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