By Lizzy Snell
Media Intern
When Burnley FC took the field last night there was one section of fans in the National Sports Center Stadium who could sympathize with the English team’s long flight across the Atlantic.
The U16 boys’ team, Mayfield Sefton FC, from Liverpool, is the lone English team participating in this year’s SCHWAN’S USA CUP, presented by PUMA.
The Mayfield boys admitted that Burnley is not their favorite pro soccer team, as Burnley is close to 60 miles away from Liverpool. But they still plan to cheer them on.
“Our favorite is Everton Football Club, from Liverpool,” said Jack Webster, 16, a midfielder for Mayfield. “But I’m still backing [Burnley]. I’d like to see how they cope with the heat and the grass. It’ll be hard [for Burnley] to be what we are, but they’ll do well,” he added with a smile.
Webster called Monday night’s Opening Ceremony an “amazing and euphoric” experience.
“We’re proud to represent England,” he said.
Many of the players agreed that the Opening Ceremony was their favorite event so far.
“There were a lot of pretty girls to be quite honest,” Webster said. “The ratio was good.”
On the field, the Mayfield players have noticed a big difference in style between American and English soccer.
“We just need to keep playing our game of football,” Webster said. “Play as a team, as a unit. Keep the ball on the floor, keep it moving up on the fence. Play ‘liquid football’ – free flowing. ”
“The difference is you can’t tackle,” said Connor Millington, a 16-year-old midfielder. “It’s more non-contact (in the U.S.)”
Head coach Ryan Durkin said he thinks it is great having Burnley playing in at SCHWAN’S USA CUP.
“It will really be interesting to see how they’re going to cope with the football and the ground and we’re excited to see it.”
Durkin said he had heard that SCHWAN’S USA CUP was “one of the best in the world” so they had to come out and participate in it.
“Hopefully people that we’re talking to, people from everywhere, hopefully they’ll come over to England and play with us,” he said.
Mayfield played the Bermuda Gombey Warriors, from Bermuda, in their first round of pool play games on Tuesday. They tied 1-1.
Connor Millington scored Mayfield’s lone goal in the 25th minute.
“I got a free kick about 50 yards out,” he said. “I tried to put it on the keeper, put him in danger and I lobbed it [and it] went in the goal.
“The game went well [overall], we played as a team, made long distance shots with good results. We should have won; if we play like that we can beat anyone.”
They also played in the Weekend Tournament, finishing with a 1-2 record and missing the playoffs.
“We really need to step our game up now,” Durkin said about beginning the week tournament. “The weekend had a big learning curve but we need to step our game up. [We] just got to let the ball do the work rather than just sprinting around, pass the ball around and we can easily win.”
The match up against Bermuda was one that Durkin and his team were excited about.
“How many other teams have played against Bermuda? These lads can go home and say they played against Bermuda, and that’s just fantastic, that’s what USA CUP can do for you,” he said.
“Opening Ceremonies was great,” added Durkin. “Just seeing these boys have the time of their life, just their enjoyment…it’s amazing the amount of people and it was great to see these lads enjoying themselves.”
Durkin said that his Mayfield team has already talked about wanting to return to SCHWAN’S USA CUP, and hopefully return as defending champions.
“Yeah, they’ve said they want to come back and it’s not even over yet. [
Winning is] the plan. Yeah, that’s what we’re here for."
Left to right: Jordan Edwards, Jack Webster and Connor Millington of the Mayfield F.C. from Liverpool are already looking forward to a future return trip to Schwan's USA CUP.
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