THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 9, 1996 TAG: 9608080165
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 52 lines
When the Virginia Olympic Development Program's U-18 boys soccer team takes the field Saturday against a team from Dusseldorf, Germany, there will be a distinct Beach FC soccer feel to the team.
The group left Thursday for Germany to compete in the Mannheim International Under 18 Invitational tournament with four Virginia Beach players in tow.
Kempsville's Adam Schultz and Kevin Knott, Princess Anne's Billy Peterson and Green Run's Mark McMullen are all members of the Virginia U-18 ODP team.
The actual tournament is set for Aug. 16-18 in Mannheim, but the Virginians will get in three ``friendlies'' beforehand. There will also be a day of training with German coaches and players at the country's national training center.
``This will probably be the best competition any of us have ever seen,'' said Schultz, last year's Tidewater Player of the Year and a striker for Virginia's delegation. ``We're all looking forward to the new experience and competition.
``It's only going to help improve our game.''
The group also will get plenty of sightseeing in during the visit and will experience German culture by staying with families from the host team.
``I'm looking forward to it also,'' said Mark McMullen Sr., a chaperone for the group. ``I spent some time over in Germany and it's going to be nice to return.''
Knott will play left mid for the team alongside McMullen. Peterson will join Schultz on the front line.
``It's going to be pretty cool,'' Peterson said. ``And I think we'll be able to show everyone that American soccer is pretty good.''
The team will actually play a team of professional 18-year-olds from Turkey.
``Definitely the toughest competition we'll see,'' McMullen said. ``It's more physical and faster and we're going to have to play the best we ever have to compete.
``Even so, it will be good experience for all of us.''
The Virginians will likely become media dolls, as a pair of German television stations are planning extensive coverage of the stay.
``And it sounds like we'll be able to have some fun while we're there,'' Knott said. ``I'm excited.''
The Hampton Roads Soccer Council is overseeing any donations to help with the trip and Marilyn Schultz can be contacted at 474-4492 to answer any questions. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
On team are, from left: Adam Schultz of Kempsville, Billy Peterson
of Princess Anne, Kevin Knott of Kempsville and Mark McMullen of
Green Run. by CNB