Coyne Selected to USA D3 All-Stars for Brazilian Tour
"It's an opportunity of a lifetime," said Coyne. "I'm really excited to play with the All-Stars from all across the U.S. It should be exciting."
The Mansfield, MA native and Bishop Feehan graduate will tour Brazil starting May 19, playing against the top Under-22 teams from Brazillian states of Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro. The USA D-3 All-Stars, which consists of 16 players from three countries and is conducted by USA Sports Tours & Events, will play a total of five games in eight days in Brazil.
"It's a rare occasion to go to another country to do something you love," said Coyne, an All-New England Collegiate Conference First Team pick.
Lesley head coach Paul Vasconcelos agreed on the value of the experience.
"I believe Jamie will benefit tremendously from playing in a
soccer-rich country such as Brazil," he said. "This will be a trip
Jamie will always remember."
In addition to the exposure to Brazil's best while playing
alongside America's top Division III players, Coyne is also looking
forward to the trip's cultural aspects.
"We'll be touring through Rio, around the 2014 World Cup stadium. The 2016 Olympics are there, so we're supposed to see that, then play five games, but there's definitely a cultural expectation on the trip."
Said Ron Smith, of USA Sports Tours & Events, "This tour is designed to expose players to a great soccer experience while providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for educational, cultural and social growth."
Also a 2010 NECC All-Tournament team selection, Coyne departs for Orlando, Florida in six weeks, where the USA D-3 All-Stars will engage of two days of training starting May 17. The team, which will be coached by Steve Kimble, head coach at College of St. Benedict, will open its tour in the City of Jundai on May 19.
Courtesy of Lesley Sports Information
