This past summer a team of fourteen boys flew to Chicago and represented the Villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown in the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) National Games.

Teams from all over the United States gathered to play soccer and represent their home towns.

The team arrived in the Windy City and hit the ground running by training rigorously for three days. The training began in the morning with a three-mile run prior to breakfast. Breakfast was followed with a few hours of work on the field. The players then had free time to relax and unwind.

On a Tuesday night, the Opening Ceremony ushered the official start of the Games, where all 162 teams were announced and paraded around the field. "Soccerfest" was held Wednesday,and on Thursday the tournament started.

After our fifth game the Horsemen had a .500 record with 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie. We came in third in our division and it is important to note that the 2 teams from our pool, that advanced, were the champions and the runner-up for our age group.

There are two unsung heroes who went above and beyond the call of duty. They are Mary Sullivan and Judy Bourque, mothers of the players. It would be difficult to imagine the trip without them.

We are very proud of the performance our Horsemen showed, and pleased with all they accomplished. Next stop, Hawaii in 2008.