As part of a cultural and coaching exchange sponsored by the U.S. State Department and the Academy for Educational Development, the Argentine coaches are in the U.S. to learn how Americans coach girls and women. 

Argentina has a rich tradition of turning out soccer superstars on the men’s side, but lacks the same success with its women and girls.  The coaches are looking to the U.S. to provide some ideas on how to close this gap. The coaches’ itinerary included attending a Washington Freedom press conference, studying the effects of Title IX on women’s soccer development in this country, joining the Barra Brava to cheer on D.C. United at a recent game, and attending various practices in the DC Metro area.

On Tuesday, DC Stoddert coaches Marsha Garcia, Mohan Telfer, Hannah Wenzel, and Kate Samsot conducted practices for their GU13 and GU14 teams while the Argentines observed.  Director of Coaching Len Oliver was on hand to answer questions about league play, coaching contracts, licensing courses, and the general practice environment that American coaches create for girls. After the sessions, coaches Samsot and Telfer joined the delegation for a social outing at Kavanagh’s Pizza Pub on Wisconsin Ave.