African Sports Monthly JUNE 2019 ISSUE I Vol 2 | Page 10

"It was always
my dream to
pay it forward"
"through my friends’
support and observation,
I learned how to take my
playing knowledge and
apply it to coaching and
training"
work as a coach and we are one
family supporting and looking out for
each other with the full backing of the
Club’s Executive and Technical
Directors. SYC has a soccer program
that has close to 3000 players, and it
also provides programs in a wide
range of other sports, including
lacrosse, rugby, football, track,
baseball, futsal, volleyball, and
softball, to name a few. I coach
youth travel soccer. I am currently
the head coach for the (2006) girls
team, (2000) Boys and girls teams,
and I have been asked to start
coaching a team for older, college-
aged players. The club plays in
various travel soccer leagues like
CCL, NPL, EDP, NCSL and ODSL.
We also have one of the largest
number of recreational soccer
players of any area club, running our
own league and participating in a
suburban regional league.
Coach Ahmad Sasso
Former Pro Soccer Player
Players of all skill levels are welcome
at SYC. I am also the head coach for
the West Potomac High School
Varsity boys team and I have been
with that program for 5 years now. I
have been blessed to work with the
best coaches and kids, alongside
their very supportive parents. I have
been doing this for almost 18 years
now and everyday is a blessing as I
look forward to it. My community is
out of this world. We all connect well
and are always there to give a
helping hand to each other. This
makes it easier for anyone coming in
as you feel right at home as you
transition to life here. I thank God for
the support and opportunities given
by all the people I’ve crossed paths
with. It is truly a blessing to be able to
serve in this capacity.
ASM: We have it told that the DMV is
the bedrock of Youth Soccer
development in the USA? Is that true
and do you share in that sentiment?
Ahmad Sasso: I’m in Virginia and
over here we called it the Tri-State;
which is Maryland, DC and Virginia. I
believe we have a very strong soccer
environment in this region, and
development is good thanks to all the
quality coaches who help to keep
standards high. I won’t say the
bedrock, as America is big and I am
sure there are other amazing youth
developmental programs in other
regions of the country, which are also
very good. This area is very diverse
and you know, with diversity you get a
lot of different talent. I would agree
with you though that the talent pool
here is outstanding.
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ISSUE I • VOL2 • JUNE 2019