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MICHAEL "MIGUEL" KERN: TESTIMONIAL

Madrid, Spain- Spring 2008

CLUB: La Meca de Rivas

Michael Kern, a Toledo, Ohio native, trained with Spanish Preferente Club La Meca de Rivas in Spring 2008.

Espana 2008

By: Miguel Amadis Clark Kern

Well...I really don't know where to start? I thank God for every opportunity he has blessed me with and I pray that I will accomplish my goal or anything that stands in my way. My dream has always been to be a professional Futballer and I know I can accomplish my dream, regardless of what anyone has to say.

It all started about a year ago when many people told me I had too much skill to be here playing in America. At first, I didn't think much of it but when more and more people told me to go and catch your dream I knew exactly what I needed to do to become a better Futballer, and that was to play overseas. Many ideas came up but I didn't know what I had to do to have a chance playing. I e-mailed, called, anything I could do, I did and my efforts came short many a time.

That was until I found FARA and President Michael Carlson. We began talking on and off and exchanging ideas but nothing was certain. After months of thinking and working countless hours for money, I knew what I needed to do to become the best player I can be. I told Michael I wanted to take the IFX month exchange. After talking, months have passed and I finally had enough money to embark on my Futbol journey. The team was called La Meca de Rivas, a 4th Division Preferente team from Madrid, Espana. After countless hours of hard work and planning, I left Toledo to Madrid in early spring.

La Meca de Rivas team photo - 2008

When I first arrived, I had no idea what I got myself into and wanted to turn around and go home. But something told me to fear no more, it was my time to grow. So I settled in and got used to everything and then training started. I quickly saw how quick, strong, and smart Spanish Futbol is up close and was in awe (but never intimidated). Training gradually got easier and easier and I adapted to the level of play quickly. Although I had some off times, everything was generally great. I was invited to play in "el tournamente de nacional", where we played professional teams from Brasil, Columbia, Ecuador, and many more. The tournament went great and I worked my way onto the starting 11. Everything went by so quick and before I knew it, it was time for me to leave.

Overall, being in Espana was great! The people, culture, food and FUTBOL were amazing and I will never forget it. Rivas seemed like brothers to me and I hope I get to see them again sometime. I thank God for having blessed me this opportunity and I hope this is just the stepping stone for my Futbol career.

Thank you for everything, Miguel Amadis Clark Kern