United States men's Paralympic soccer team

CONCACAF
Founded	1913
FIFA affiliation	1914
CONCACAF affiliation	1961
President	Sunil Gulati

The United States men's Paralympic soccer team is operated by the United States Soccer Federation. The team is currently training for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at Beijing, China. Their coach is Jay Hoffman, former head coach of the United Soccer Leagues Virginia Beach Mariners, and several team members are in a residency program at Virginia Beach. Comedian Josh Blue is an active player.

The team plays Football 7-a-side, and players must be significantly affected by cerebral palsy, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. "Football 7-a-side" is the standard term for the game formally known as "C.P. Football," and international tournaments are hosted by the International Paralympic Committee, FIFA, or CP-ISRA. Although each player suffers from a neurological disorder, most display no cognitive or intellectual disability. Team selection and tournaments are competitive, and tend to be run like professional sport organizations. The USA team trains at the Olympic Training Center at Chula Vista, California, and the Home Depot Center at Carson, California.

[edit] External links

• US Soccer
• International Paralympic Committee