TestimonialsWhat a great experience this was for the kids - and the rest of the family. We've had the good fortune of going on the Gothia trip with Mattias not once, but twice, pre and post Covid. The first trip operated flawlessly, and we were so impressed at how Mattias and his team struck just the right balance of coaching, soccer, fun and a bit of freedom to create an experience the kids loved and also learned from. The 2022 post-Covid trip was anything but flawless. When the airline (SAS) went on strike just a few days before departure, Mattias and team sprang into action. And this is when we saw just how amazing Mattias truly is. He managed to reroute 80 players and family - in small groups - through half a dozen cities to make it to the first tournament in Denmark on time. Only someone with Mattias's experience, connections, local knowledge, and lifelong friends could have pulled this off. And he did it without losing his calm and congenial demeanor. We highly recommend Kodzoman Soccer and the Gothia Cup program and can't think of anyone better to entrust our kids with as they travel across the world.
Thank you so much Kodzoman Soccer! Jim & Katy C. I was fortunate enough to work with Mattias as both a player and an assistant coach and I cannot say enough good things about my experience. I played competitive youth soccer for Mattias for 3 years and had the opportunity to travel to Sweden with him as a player as well as returning many years later as an assistant coach on the trip. I went on to play college soccer at UNC as well as professional soccer for the Houston Dash of the NWSL, and am so grateful to Mattias for his early influence on my career. Mattias brings passion and energy to his role as a coach and manager. He makes trainings and games fun for his players, while providing skillful, age-appropriate coaching insights to help each player improve as an individual as well as part of the team. He makes an effort to connect with each of his players, whether it’s on a year-round competitive team or during the two-week Europe trip he leads every summer. I have fond memories of the Denmark and Sweden trips as both a player and coach. This is a world-class opportunity for kids to gain exposure to international soccer and see how excitement for the game transcends borders and nationalities. The trip is incredibly well organized and Mattias takes care of every last detail. I would highly recommend this trip for any player and family considering it. Kelly McFarlane (former Branson HS and Marin FC player, UNC National Champion 2012) My son went on the Kodzoman Soccer Trip to Denmark and Sweden two years in a row. Each time, he came back with a bit more self-confidence and a huge smile on his face. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and was amazingly well taken care of by Mattias and the other coaching staff. First off, Mattias is a logistics grand master. His ability to coordinate and keep track of all of the kids, coaches, staff, and extended families who join for parts of the trip, is unrivaled. I have no idea how he managed so many moving pieces without ever breaking a sweat. Second, the destinations for this trip are ideal for the age group. The towns are clean, quiet and easy going and everyone speaks enough English for that not to be an issue. As a result, the kids get to stretch their legs, get a taste of being a bit independent and are still 100% safe. The staff is always around to help of course, but the choice of destinations really makes this trip work. Third, the Gothia Cup is truly unique. The opening ceremonies are on par with an olympic event with fireworks, pop stars and a parade of nations. There is no tournament or other soccer event in the USA that comes anywhere close and just being there in the stadium in Gothenburg is a life-changing experience. The combination of these amazing destinations, the chance to make friends with and play soccer with kids from around the world, and Mattias and his amazing staff makes this trip second to none. You won’t find a nicer, more trustworthy group of people to take your child anywhere. I highly recommend this experience to any young soccer players who can join. - Leslie V.P (parent) After 25 years of coaching soccer at all sorts of levels (club, high school, and college) I’ve got a lot of memories. Almost 20 of those years I was coaching in Marin, dozens of teams, hundreds of players, and thousands of games. I can say without equivocation that when I look back at my most enjoyable, and most memorable, coaching experiences, at the top of the list are the times I went to Europe with Mattias and our teams from Marin. I’ve been four times. I thought about trying to list all my favorite parts of these trips, but it’s just impossible. The train rides with the team to Kviberg, the ferry from Denmark, the charm of Dana Cup, the grandness of the Gothia cup…. I could go on forever. Every trip was different, of course, yet every trip shared the wonder of thousands of people coming together from all over the world to celebrate the game of football. For coach and player alike, I cannot recommend this experience enough. And every time I spend a single minute reminiscing about Sweden with Mattias and these players, I always come back to the same exact question: when do I get to go back? Jason W (Coach) The trip to Gothia cup was such an incredible experience for both our daughter and family. It was the first time she flew so far by herself. We felt so confident she was with Mattias and his group because we heard how professional he ran the trip. My daughter experienced playing against different teams from all over the world. When we arrived to watch some of the games, we got there for the huge opening ceremony that looked like the Olympics literally. Hotels were central to where the games were played. The players looked so happy and relaxed. I loved that they got around by train in Gothenburg because they got to enjoy the city. My daughter wrote her college essay on her experience because it really made an impact on her soccer career and life in general. Hilary H m, parent This is fantastic. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to let your kids see the world of soccer. Cup No1 in Denmark is a fun tournament in a quiet seaside town. A safe place to get accustomed to playing in Europe. Gothia Cup is something quite different - one of the biggest tournaments in the world. Both are international events. We sent our sons with Matthias - it was their first trip alone outside of the country. Matthias has everything organized, is a friendly and supportive surrogate parent, and always kept us updated with photos and messages. He’s also a coach and a true soccer fan. If you have the chance to give your kids this experience, we encourage you to do so, for their soccer and their social development.” Rob Horrocks and Jane Richardson Some of my fondest memories as a youth soccer player are when Mattias was my coach. He played a massive role in teaching me the fundamentals of the game while also encouraging my passion and competitiveness for the game, that ultimately led me to be able to play in college at UNC and professionally in Scotland and Sweden. The amazing trip he led us on to the Gothia Cup in Sweden, was not only a formative experience of my childhood and as an athlete, but also inspired me to play professionally in Sweden as an adult. Mattias has the rare combination of expertise and compassion that is so critical for the best of soccer coaches and leaders. I was always challenged, and excited about learning and working hard, but also had so much fun. Having fun is the most important part of the game and especially for young players to stick with the game, and Mattias really takes this to heart. Having such a positive soccer experience growing up with coaches like Mattias, has now inspired me to coach myself and try to provide the same experience to more young women. I can't recommend Mattias enough as a coach and a person. Darcy McFarlane (former Branson HS, Marin FC and University of North Carolina player) Both of my sons have exceptional memories of their senate soccer summer trips to Denmark and Sweden organized by Mattias. For both, the trip was their first experience traveling “on their own.” Playing soccer with their friends was fabulous but more importantly, my wife and I saw a certain maturity upon their return. To this day, they talk about of their great memories from the trip. -Matt Yamini (Parent of Darius 2003 and Cameron 2005) |
|
