Soccer Team Represented Manayunk Foundation in International Meet

According to 15-year-old Eli Ramos, soccer is not simply something he loves, but something "that takes his breath away."

"I'm just so passionate about it," he said at the in Manayunk where he's been playing for several years. "I love everything about it."

And it was his passion, committment to the team and essay the landed him a spot on a team that competed in the Gothia Cup in Sweden in July. 

The trip was completely sponosred by SKF, an organization that hosts a "Meet the World" meet each year in different parts of the world and chooses different organizations to participate. 

This year the Manayunk-based team was chosen. 

"They learn a lot about themselves through trips like this," Coach Steve Jackson said. "Traveling gives them such a different perspective."

The boys weren't thinking about worldly views though, they were more focused on the ball. 

"Every team had their own style and was unique in a way," Ramos said. "It was a dream to see how other people around the world play what you play."

The team played against peers from Norway, Sweden, Guatemala and the United Kingdom. 

While the team didn't win the competition, the soccer players said they still took a lot away from the experience. 

"I didn't know what to expect but it was great," Stewart Mena, 16, said. "It was so clean and everyone was so nice over there, it was really cool to see."

While their soccer skills took them across the world, Jackson said the sport also teachs them things that will benefit them a little closer to home. 

"Soccer lends itself to a lot of real-life situations because no matter what the coaches say, once that whistle blows it's really up to the players, it's not like basketball where the coach can be yelling from the sidelines," he said. "Every time the ball moves something changes and that teaches kids to adapt, make quick decisions and follow through on them."

While it's too soon to tell if the team will be tapped for next year's "Meet the World" competition, the group said they're always ready to go. 

"We'd love to partner with them again," the coach said. "The experience these guys had was incredible, it's something that will stay with them forever."