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Eddie Pope’s new team is Loudoun Soccer

22 Feb, 2008

By: Chris Hummer - Potomac Soccer Wire Editor

Loudoun Soccer has secured the services of Eddie Pope to assist in player development and act as an adviser and ambassador for the club. Pope is originally from High Point, North Carolina and is a bona fide product of the American system of soccer development. His goal is to bring that experience to youth of Loudoun Soccer's travel program in many ways, and he'll begin work in the next few weeks.

Pope has won three MLS Cup Championships, a U.S. Open Cup, a CONCACAF Champion's Cup, and an Interamerican Cup with D.C. United from 1996 - 2002. He went on to play five more years in MLS with the Metrostars in New York and then Real Salt Lake, before retiring at the end of last season. He also represented the United States in three consecutive World Cups from 1998 through 2006 and at the 1996 Olympic games.

Pope's services were secured by Dave Edwards, Director of Coaching for the travel program at Loudoun Soccer. Edwards said, "Pope is a real product of the American youth soccer system; from rec, to travel, to college, and all the way to three World Cups. It is our goal to increase the quality and experience level of the coaching overall [in Loudoun Youth Soccer] so we can provide the best development environment possible. People like Eddie are going to help us make it to that level.”

After moving to Loudoun County from Salt Lake City and taking a job with the Major League Soccer Players Union, Pope began searching for a youth soccer club to get involved with near his home. He approached Loudoun Soccer after he researched them on the internet and listened to advice from friends with ties to the club. After contacting the club by email, it didn’t take long for Pope and Edwards to agree that Pope’s experience,  would be invaluable to the youth of Loudoun County.

“I feel I have a lot to offer kids. I have a wealth of knowledge to pass on,” said Pope of his plans for working with the club. “It would be a shame for me to keep that to myself. I definitely want to pass that on.”

While the commitment has been finalized for Pope to work with Loudoun Soccer , the exact details of the role the World Cup star will play on a daily basis are still under discussion. Pope and Edwards aim to provide a plan to the club's members prior to the opening of the Spring soccer season.

Whatever the actual role, Pope says he definitely wants to be out on the field teaching players what it takes to make it all the way. “I’ve been there at every level, and my job will be to take those kids that are interested in that, and to help them achieve their goals.”

Pope thinks he can also contribute by helping the parents of players. “Soccer is still young here, so for those parents that don’t have a soccer background, it’s sort of hard for them sometimes to choose where their kids should be and what level they should be playing, and for what team, etc. Hopefully, I can help simplify that [for the parents]."

For the players and parents lucky enough to spend time with Pope, they should cherish every word. He is living proof that you can achieve your dreams as an American soccer player by coming up through the American system.

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