By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
July 27, 2011

A sea of red jerseys filled the soccer complex at Manual Career Technical Center Sunday, July 24. Approximately 300 youth ages five to 17 signed up for the Verizon Wireless Youth Soccer Clinic to learn from area top athletes, coaches and professional players.

Now in its sixth year in Kansas City, the clinic has grown in numbers every year, said Miguel Bassail, Verizon Wireless multi-cultural marketing manager for the midwest.

“Even in the bigger markets, we don’t get the numbers we have here (in Kansas City),” he said.

This year, Verizon Wireless is hosting 18 free soccer clinics across the U.S., which provides youth with a free soccer jersey, sports sack, sports towel and instruction and autograph with a soccer star.

During the Kansas City clinic, former Colombian pro soccer player Carlos Valderrama signed autographs and talked to the young players about excelling in life and in academics. He also instructed the youth on the field.

One Kansas City family, the Costillas, won a private meeting with Valderrama prior to the clinic.

Iris Costillas’ two sons ages eight and 14 were so excited to meet the soccer star, they couldn’t sleep the night before, Costilla said.

“It was a great opportunity to meet him,” she said.

Both she and her husband view soccer as a sport that keeps their sons out of trouble, Costilla said.

Her sons enjoyed the clinic, she said, and received insider tips they may not have received otherwise.

“It’s important because coming from a professional (soccer player) they won’t take that word for granted,” she said.