Albion Soccer Club’s Noah Gins at World Cup
Noah Gins, Technical Director at Albion SC, a prestigious youth soccer club in San Diego, California is reporting from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil from inside the Italian National Team camp as they prepare for their next World Cup match: Italy vs. Costa Rica game on June 20th
While many soccer coaches and soccer players who live in America may be attending the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, few are part of a prestigious National Team and are able to go behind the scenes and discover the real competitive side of the World Cup. Noah Gins, the Technical Director for the nationally acclaimed Albion Soccer Club based in San Diego, California has joined with the Italian National Team @ the 2014 World Cup and provides an insider view for SoccerNation News readers.
Italy is in Group D and emerged victorious from their first World Cup game last Saturday, June 14th, against England with a final score of 2-1. Then, Italy lost to Costa Rica 0-1 on June 20th. Today, the team played Uruguay losing 0-1 and are out of the World Cup. Uruguay advances to the Round of 16 with the victory over Italy, who for the second consecutive World Cup, goes home after the group stage.
Noah Gins Reporting from inside the Italian National Team Camp before their defeat:
The fever of World Cup happens every 4 years and it always amazing how much the world connects through the beautiful game. Being here with the Italian team has made for a World Cup experience with an amazingly unique perspective.
We are watching the team train and prepare to for Costa Rica. It was excellent to see them work and watch how they communicate together. Communication on the field is so important for success.
The training session started with the basics of the game. So many people think that at the highest level of soccer there must be complexity to the training and having played pro myself, and seeing the best professional clubs train in the world, we are often reminded how simple this game really is. (Watch the video of the Italian National team at practice in Brazil before their World Cup match.)
It is an awesome experience being with the team. Sharing the hotel and seeing the level of details surrounding the team is incredible.
When the team has downtime, we have the chance to see all the players hang out and relax. It has been great to meet the player’s families.
One of the great behind the scene experiences: I see the behind the scenes details such as crew screening brand new jerseys for game day. Each player gets two new Jerseys per game.
Fun Fact: The Italian National Team brings their own cooks to the World Cup – the team has cooks who travel with the players and prepare the proper meals. The food is amazing. Amazing fruit and meat… And outrageously good coffee.
Keeping the players safe and focused: The team is sequestered safely with 24-7 security keeping all outsiders out. There is even a police boat in the water protecting the hotel from outsiders attempting to enter from the beach. The hotel has completely been reconfigured to cater to the needs of the Italian National team and their families.
Courtesy of Puma, Albion SC coaching staff is in Brazil and has joined in with the Italian National Team.
