U.S. adds late goal to tie with France as the Nike International Friendlies kicks off

A sparse yet exuberant crowd was on hand to watch the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team draw even with France 2-2 in first game of the Nike International Friendlies.

The game was held at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, which will also host the 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase from Dec. 2-6.

"This place, when it’s full of young athletes, is magical and the effect on the economy is magical," said Rex Jensen, president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, LLC, the company that built the 75-acre, multi-sports facility. 

Organizers expect upwards of 15,000 spectators this weekend as the Nike International Friendlies continue.

Even before the spectators gather, more than 3,000 athletes will compete on 154 soccer teams.College coaches and national team scouts will also be in attendance.

Jensen estimates the event will have a $6 million impact on the local economy.

"What I really wanted to do was create a place where we could do events like this on a recurrent basis," Jensen said. "If you really think about economic development — jobs, small businesses in the area, hotel rooms, restaurants — what better form of it could you get than parents following their children around to some of these organized tournaments that last for several days."

Two dozens events and tournaments have already been scheduled for 2012 and are expected to have a minimal economic impact of around $60 million, according to Jensen.

As Jason Puckett, Director of Sports for the Sarasota County Sports Commission, points out, the event is also adding more tourism to the area.

"We’re attracting several thousand soccer players to Sarasota County, Manatee County and the Lakewood Ranch area," said Puckett.  "They’re coming down and spending money in restaurants and our hotels, really bringing people to the area for the first time that might never have come to Sarasota if it wasn’t for an event like this."

The entire campus is privately-funded.

The weekend's event marks the ninth time overall that the Nike International Friendlies, previously called the Nike National Team Friendlies, has come to the area.

"The last time we had a tournament like this, Burger King ran out of hamburgers, Dunkin Donuts ran out of donuts and Publix ran out of subs. So this time we set them all an e-blast saying ‘Get ready, a tidal wave is coming,’" said Candice Mcelyea, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Schroader-Manatee Ranch, Inc.

There is hope that showcasing international talent will boost the sport’s popularity both locally and nationwide.

"To have the opportunity to see the best youth players in America, Turkey, France, Brazil I think is a tremendous opportunity for the community," said Tim Mulqueen, Lakewood Ranch’s director of sports.

"You don’t have to be 300 pounds like a football player or 6’8" like a basketball player. You can be a normal-sized kid and have the opportunity to excel in soccer," Mulqueen said. "I think that’s why it appeals to the masses and it’s a great sport for kids and for families."

The U.S. plays Turkey on Friday and concludes with Brazil on Sunday, Dec. 4.  Both games start at 5 p.m.