BOSTON – Suffolk men's soccer, in coordination with XL Sports, has announced the Rams are headed to England next week for a trip that includes culture and competition.
The Rams head to London Saturday, Aug. 4 for the program's inaugural foreign tour, with stops set for Lichfield and Staffordshire before heading back to the United States Sunday, Aug. 12.
"This trip will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for our players and coaches," Director of Athletics Cary McConnell said. "Soccer is a huge international sport and no larger than in England so for our student-athletes to experience this passion is exciting. But, I am also excited about the cultural experience the student-athletes will share. This trip to England is a great way to enhance their education."
The Rams will compete in two to three matches versus top tier English opponents including an academy team in Lichfield, which is a surreal feeling for the head coach.
The nine-day journey also includes a ticket to a top English Premier League game and a chance to tour and train at St. George's Park, the training center and home to England's national teams.
The Rams are coming off their third consecutive GNAC postseason run with nearly every starter from a year ago back on roster. Following its trip abroad, Suffolk will have just five days before the official preseason kicks off on the blue-and-gold's home field of James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park to prepare for opening day, slated for Labor Day Weekend.
ABOUT XL SPORTS
A pair of soccer coaches from Boston, Massachusetts, wanted to bring their squads to England to show them the birthplace of soccer, but companies were few and far between. The coaches extensive knowledge for England helped them plan such a successful trip that upon their return other programs asked them to plan their own trips and 15 years later, XL Sports is the leader in sports travel, which provides sport focused packages to the most exciting global events.
XL Sports' client lists includes some of the top tier programs include Duke, Harvard, Georgetown and Washington.