It was wet, it was windy and it was very muddy but NCE Soccer represented the United States in style against some of England’s top Academy teams.

For one week they lived the life of professional academy players, living together and playing against the best young players in the UK.

Bonding as teammates, forming friendships for life and delivering a very defiant message about the state of US Soccer.

Thirty players formed two boys and girls squad for the NCE Soccer Pro Player Pathway Tour to England in February superbly supported by a travelling army of family and friends cheering their every move.

The players, led by coaches Scott Middlemass and Josh Feliciano, were a credit to themselves, their families, club sides and NCE Soccer impeccably.

Coach Scott, said: “They were a credit to themselves and it was an honor to lead the trip.

“It is a terrific trip for the players, it provides them with a taste for the professional game, playing against players who dream of playing for their hometown clubs.

“For many of those players this is it, they have of playing professional and maybe don’t have the back-up option of College or University soccer and that brings an ‘edge’ our players maybe don’t face in America.

“That level of intensity, that feeling of playing against players literally playing for their future, brings a whole new dimension to the game and our players stepped up to the challenge and certainly showed their qualities.

“The feedback from the English coaches was fantastic to hear and they have certainly set the bar high for future NCE Soccer touring teams having shocked the likes of Preston North End and delivered a real scare to leading academy Blackburn Rovers.”

The two squads touched down into the UK after an overnight flight from JFK and were straight into the action with a training session at Manchester City’s former training ground, Platt Lane.

Then it was off to Old Trafford, home to Manchester United and a VIP behind the Tour scenes with NCE Soccer founder John Curtis, a former graduate of the famous Manchester United Academy.

There was an extra treat for the players as they were trailed by MUTV for a documentary (soon to be released) on Coach Curtis and NCE Soccer.

Saturday morning provided the two squads with their first opportunity for game time, playing against Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre District teams on two very wet pitches.

Coach Josh, said: “It was the first challenge for the girls as the weather in the UK had been pretty miserable in the run-up to the door but the players took to it like a duck to water, getting stuck into tackles and working their socks off against a decent team.

“They were absolutely covered in mud by the end of the game but they adapted really well and stuck to their game, producing some pretty decent football and certainly loving the challenge.

“Then it was off to sample the local culinary delights with fish and chips by the seaside before the players watched a proper local derby watching Preston North End host Blackburn Rovers.”

The boys delivered a shock for Preston North End on the Sunday by beating their Academy team with a stunning performance whilst the girls were put their paces with a training session after their opponents were forced the cancel the game.

Then it was back to their Cheshire base and the opportunity to watch Manchester United take on Luton Town in a traditional England setting.

Monday saw the two teams travel to Blackburn Rovers world famous Category One status Academy for a specially organised session with their professional coaches.

After the morning workout the tour party travelled to Anfield, home to Liverpool Football Club for a behind the scenes tour before finishing off the day watching Everton U21s against Nottingham Forest U21s.

Coach Scott, added: “Tuesday was always going to be a tough test for both teams as they returned to Blackburn Rovers to play competitively against their Academy teams.

“Both teams did really well, the girls worked really hard, gelling together terrifically and managing to hold them off, tying the game nil-nil whilst the boys got off to a great start but were narrowly beaten by their hosts who had some super players in their team.

“Then we were off for a VIP Tour inside Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers home and another of Coach Curtis former clubs. It is a super ground, you can smell the history and it was great for the players to go behind the scenes. They even found a couple of photographs of John.

“As a special treat, the entire squad were then whisked to the Etihad Stadium, the home of the Champions, to watch Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Brentford before returning to the hotel with some fairly shattered players and supporters.”

The Tour follows a fairly packed schedule and on Wednesday morning the squad travelled to Tranmere Rovers for a training session with their professional academy coaches before the final matches of the tour – and a terrific way to finish.

Coach Josh, added: “There is no better way to finish than with a win and both the boys and girls delivered against two top teams.

“The girls really came together and thumped Wirral Schools six nil whilst the boys triumphed against Tranmere Rovers with a resounding three-one win, playing some terrific football to bring the curtain down on a terrific tour.

“It was a great trip, it is always a packed schedule and both teams performed brilliantly, really throwing down a marker to prove their quality and leave the pro teams with something to think about.”

The touring party, staying in the fabulous Mottram Hall Country House which boast famous Premier League neighbours including Mo Salah, Kevin De Bruyne and most of the Manchester United team, then enjoyed an end of tour meal with mini awards ceremony.

The players and coaches were asked to select their Players of the Tour, with Ella Kusnick and Kaelen Kunar (Players Player) and Andy Kramer and Chasten Cassidy (Coaches Player) celebrated for their achievements on and off the pitch.

Then, it was off to the pool for a late night swim before the packing began and the journey back to the States and some time to recover after a packed week of top flight soccer.

Would you like to participate in NCE Soccer’s Pro Player Pathway Tour or join any of NCE Soccer’s international touring teams to England, Italy, Brazil and Sweden?

Players must selected from within NCE Soccer programming and tryouts for the Spring will be held next month at venues across America.

To find your nearest tryout click the following link and apply for your place now via this link.

View Gallery