Soccer players going to Europe

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Soccer players going to Europe — Brighton's Swain, Hartland's Minor to gain international experience

By Dan Strawser
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

Two Livingston County soccer players are going to do their best to represent the United States during a trip to Europe this week.

Andrew Swain, a senior at Brighton High School, and Zack Minor, a junior at Hartland, are traveling to Germany, Italy and Austria as part of Soccer International.


Franco Pertot has been coaching high school soccer in Michigan for three decades and has been taking both boys and girls teams to Europe for the last 25 years.

"It's a great experience," Pertot said. "It's great to see places, different cultures. They play a different style (of soccer) over there. That's what I think they'll learn."

Pertot approached Swain and Minor after watching them play in Brighton's 2-1 overtime win against the Eagles in district competition last season.

"We went to parent meetings and learned more about it and more about (Pertot)," said Randy Swain, Andrew's mother.

The players have to pay to make the trip, which Pertot said helps cover travel and arrangements he makes to set up games with other youth teams in Europe. He added that the trip is open not only to the soccer players, but their families as well.

"Our oldest daughter, Amanda, (20), is studying in Italy, so we're going to connect with her and then meet up with Andrew and the rest of his team later in the week in Italy," Randy said.

Andrew went to Italy for his sister's graduation trip and is looking forward to returning there.

"This is the last thing I'm doing for soccer," Andrew said. "It's a great way to finish my career I guess you could say. I'm looking forward to playing teams from other countries. I think it will be fun to play against people and show them what America is about."

Swain and Minor are familiar with some of the other team members, as well.

"I know a couple of them," Minor said. "Jeremy Flora (Milford's goalie), he's on my club team, the Livonia Meteors. I've played with a couple of the kids. There's kids from Flint, Clarkston, all over."

Swain will be attending the University of Michigan and doesn't have plans to play soccer other than possibly in a recreation league, but Minor will be back with the Eagles next season.

"I think it's great for him to get out and play at that level," Hartland coach Andrew Kartsounes said. "To add travel into that is an even bigger plus. Soccer is the world's biggest sport. To see it in a place with rabid fans and where it is the biggest sport will just be great.

"It can only be a positive for him. He'll bring that back to our team in the fall. It will be his senior year, so it should be a very exciting year for him."

Pertot said the team will be engaging in various activities, including sightseeing, on a daily basis. In the past he's taken them horseback riding and rafting, among other things.

Swain and Minor said they were particularly looking forward to watching a professional European soccer match.

The pair will get to watch Inter Milan against Juventis on Saturday in an Italian Series A contest.

"It's going to be memorable for them," Randy said. "... They'll be meeting new people, playing a game they love in another country, plus getting some culture, too, not just sports."

Contact Daily Press & Argus sports reporter Dan Strawser at (517) 552-2860 or by e-mail at dstrawser@gannett.com.
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