New Super Soccer league unveiled in Chester
CHESTER » The centuries old sport of soccer, the most widely watched competition in all sports, will have a new take on the classic formula in Chester thanks to the newly formed Super Soccer league.
Eric Asomugha, the founder of the Federation of International Super Soccer, announced his plans for the fledgling league at the Chester City Council meeting on Wednesday supported by Recreational Services Manager Duane Lee.
“We will be the ambassadors for the United States of America,” Lee said. “This is the first. It originated in Chester.” Along with federations formed in Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa and Egypt, the Chester team will send players to the international stage in 2019 in what Asomugha called “the mini-World Cup.”
Super Soccer differs from the sport it draws influence from in a variety of ways. The field remains the same dimensions, but plays with one less player, 10 on 10. Time is stopped when the ball exits the field of play — “no time wasting,” Asomugha said — and players compete in 40 minute halves with no extra time.
Most importantly will be the usage of the “superkick,” which is awarded when a player inside his or her own half commits any infringement, offering a free kick from the 13 meter mark from the goal line.
Asomugha said this increases both the speed of play and the number of scores in a game. He added that while normal soccer might encourage one player to dribble the ball upfield, Super Soccer encourages team play.
“It’s highly technical, high disciplined, because it’s takes teamwork and group coordination,” Asomugha said. “From the midfield to the back end you move carefully, many onetouch passes with teammates, you don’t try to dribble. “It’s very fast.” Asomugha said the purpose of the sport was not to undermine or replace the game of soccer, but rather introduce a different take on it.
“Super Soccer is not created as an opposition to normal soccer, it’s just an alternative sport,” Asomugha said. “It’s giving an outlet and opportunity to play something different.”
“It’s a contribution to humanity, sports-wise.”
Chester Community Liaison Darren Laws will serve as the Chester Super Soccer Federation president.
“We do have some local sponsors who are very excited to be a part of Super Soccer,” Laws said, who declined to name the sponsors in the early stages.
He did speak highly of what the league will bring to Chester.
“One of the things that I think makes this really important, it helps build leadership, character, self-esteem,” Laws said.
Asomugha echoed
“We’re trying to give an opportunity to people by contribution a commonality between two nations,” Asomugha said. “With Super Soccer we’re going to create federations, we’re going to create teams and clubs.”
The Super Soccer clinic, which will teach children the rules and flow of the sport, will be held from August 21st until the 25th from 10 a.m.-noon and an evening session from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Park in Chester on Seventh and Engle streets. those sentiments.