SANFRANCISCO => NEW YORK => MANCHESTER, England - June 26-27, 2023
Day 1 - Start of the Journey
It was an early rise this morning but the excitement for the trip easily overcame the lack of sleep. The bus departed Santa Clara University at 5 a.m. which afforded us an extra half an hour sleep thanks to Ryan Merz (associate athletic director of compliance) catching the flight delay from the night before.
We flew out from San Francisco airport to JFK airport in New York for a three hour layover before the transfer into Manchester, England.
Manchester is home to two of the most famous football clubs in the world, you are either Man U Red or City Blue. Both have arguments for supremacy. We will hit the ground running with a tour of Old Trafford, home to Manchester United, and then a light training before settling in for the night. On Wednesday, we are off to train at the Etihad training ground and home to the 2023 treble winners, Manchester City. It doesn't get much better than this.
Fun fact: This year's trip to England isn't men's soccer's first international tour to the land of bangers and mash. The last trip was in 2003, which coincidentally was our same year of our trip to the College Cup. For all intents and purposes we hope this is a sign of things to come this season.
Wish our Bronco lads well.
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— Santa Clara Men's Soccer (@SCUBroncoSoccer) June 27, 2023
�� SFO
�� JFK
Next stop: Manchester, England#SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/XQXaPv9mPG
Day 2 - Arrival/Old Trafford
After touchdown at Manchester International Airport we were shuttled to a proper English breakfast at Cafe North. If there was one thing that was most valued all day it was ….. coffee. Coffee to help us stay up and adjust to the time change. Coffee at breakfast and lunch and anytime sleep seemed eminent.
The tour of Old Trafford spoke of the amazing history of the club and manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Not many managers have accomplished what he has and the club owes him a great debt. In his 26-year tenure they finished no worse than third in the Premier League, arguably the best in the world.
Following the tour and lunch we headed to training for a light session. It was a small training club much like a local gym, but with a handful of mini pitches. Multiple seven aside games with players of all age playing just shows how much they love their football here.
Dinner at a traditional local pub on the private second floor allowed for some team karaoke. It was a America's Got Talent -Manchester Edition.
Finally a good long night's sleep and we are set for Man City in the morning for training and stadium tour.
We will sleep well.
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— Santa Clara Men's Soccer (@SCUBroncoSoccer) June 28, 2023
�� Thanks for the tour, @ManUtd !
Be sure to check out our Instagram Story (@scumenssoccer) for the latest happenings on our tour.
➡️ https://t.co/gg45MSkmJo#SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/iTYvH3nnhA
Day 1 @SCUBroncoSoccer Tour ���� | Day 1 Video ��
— Vertex Soccer (@VertexSoccer) June 28, 2023
• Breakfast at @cafenorthmcr
• Tour of Old Trafford
• Light Training Session at @powerleagueUK
• Dinner at Abel Heywood #vertex #vertexsoccer #scumens #football #santaclara #england pic.twitter.com/ahC0JFtzyy
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