African Sports Monthly JUNE 2019 ISSUE I Vol 2 | Page 8

JUNE 2019 , ISSUE I VOL . 2
ASM: The Sport of Soccer has slowly but surely risen to become one of the sports disciplines of choice in
the USA. How do you feel about that?
Ahmad Sasso: I absolutely agree with that, even though the U.S. still has a long way to go, both in creating
a culture and environment for soccer to displace other sports in popularity.  Football, baseball, hockey
and basketball are still more popular in the U.S, with well-established pro leagues. 
But at the youth level, there are many more kids playing soccer than all these other popular pro sports. 
So, I am excited and at the same time very optimistic that it will continue to rise in popularity and that the
players are developing in all aspects of the game. 
We see great players from Europe, Africa and South America coming in to help boost up the pro league;
Major League Soccer, and the pro clubs have established their own development academies, which is
establishing a foundation for other clubs – like Springfield Youth Club where I coach today – to grow
excellent and strong youth programs for now and the future. 
I have been coaching and training in the U.S. for awhile now, and through the years there has been a
steady growth of national and international coaching education programs which will help the kids in the
future. 
Soccer’s appeal is universal, which makes it easy for all to connect on a level like no other sports
regardless of culture.
Coach Sasso With Hollywood Actor Idris Elba
Coach Sasso in his early years with East End Lions FC
Coach Sasso With his studentsa
ASM: What do you think is league around the world. It your players and the
the Future of Soccer in the is amazing how the sport is community your serve.
USA? marketed and structured in the U.S even with all these Ahmad Sasso: I am
Ahmad Sasso: I can see a other major sports going currently working as a
bright future on the on. I am very optimistic head coach and technical
horizon, but there is still a that it is just a matter of trainer with an
lot of work to be done. time before it explodes and organization called SYC
More and more kids are becomes the top sport. (Springfield South County
Youth Club) and it is one of
now playing and watching
the game, with media also ASM: Tell us a little bit the largest clubs in the
providing different ways to about your Organization,  DMV. 
It is an amazing place to
watch games in every 
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ISSUE I • VOL2 • JUNE 2019