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Macoumba Kandji, one of the most gifted players I have ever coached, arrived at East Mecklenburg in 2003 from Senegal. He told me he had tried to help his family by earning money in penalty kick contests on the streets of Dakar. Now, he's a starting forward for the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.
Mac's arrival at East Mecklenburg coincided with a large number of foreign-born players coming to Charlotte-area schools. Before that, from 1987 to 2003, I coached a handful of players from other countries.
I was fortunate in that many of those players, representing virtually every continent in the world, were talented with a passion for the game that was not evident in many of my U.S.-born athletes.
Their creativity was encouraged by learning to survive in pickup games in their home country where there were no coaches or parents to straightjacket their imaginations.
Myers Park's first state final under coach Bucky McCarley (2003) was made possible by one of the best goals I have ever seen, scored by Brian Souza from Paraguay - a blistering shot from 30 yards into the upper right corner of the goal.
Athletes from Mexico and Sweden contributed significantly to last year's state championship for Myers Park. McCarley says these players provide an opportunity to break down stereotypes, and expose biases and mischaracterizations of nationalities.
Olympic coach Matthew Merrill has benefited from many quality foreign-born players over the years and agrees with McCarley that the diversity of playing styles encourages others to consider changes in their own game.
In 2006, South Mecklenburg had two players from Ecuador - goalkeeper Jose Intriago and midfielder Jaime Triceri (currently playing professionally in Ecuador) - who played pivotal roles in its state semifinal season. In East Meck's 2004 season, including a state final appearance, six of the starting players were foreign born, each from a different country.
Some of the top foreign-born players at Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools this season include Myers Park freshman forward Hussein Ali from Somalia; East Mecklenburg's leading goal scorer Riffin Kajangu from the Congo and midfielder TJ Jallah from Liberia, and Olympic's Edgar Medal from Mexico.
Public School Playoffs
Eight of the top 10 soccer teams in this week's Sweet 16 enter the public school playoffs on a roll. No. 10 Gastonia Ashbrook has the longest winning streak at 15.
The team that seems to have made the biggest rush at the end is No. 7 North Mecklenburg. Coach Paul Kikta's Vikings won the tough I-Meck Conference going away, finishing the season with nine consecutive wins.
The surprise team of the playoffs could be No. 11 Providence, which finished the season with three strong wins, but must play on the road against always-tough Winston-Salem Reynolds. The winner of that game must go on the road again for a probable game against undefeated Greensboro Page.
Other 4A first-round matchups to watch include Mooresville (15) at Olympic (14), perennial state power Mount Tabor playing at No. 2 Myers Park and South Meck at North Meck.
One of the biggest advantages for 3A powers Charlotte Catholic (No. 1 in the Sweet 16), Marvin Ridge (5), Concord Robinson (4) and Ashbrook (10) is that perennial 3A state power Asheville Roberson has moved up to 4A.
In the 3A playoffs, Marvin Ridge appears to have the easiest draw, with its biggest obstacle a possible third-round game against Northwest Cabarrus.
The biggest game in the 3A could come in the second round if Ashbrook faces No. 6 Hickory. Look for a potential regional semifinal match between Concord Robinson and Charlotte Catholic.
In the 2A bracket, No. 9 Salisbury seems to have the easiest route to the regional final, but No. 12 Shelby must get by the only team to beat Salisbury this year, West Davidson, in a potential second-round matchup.
