Ed Puskarich lives in Texas.
But he has another home.
Gothenburg, Sweden.
This Gothia Cup will be his, yep, that’s right…23rd!

Ed, a well known face for everyone in the Gothia Cup organization, has been bringing Stars ‘n Stripes to Sweden since the late ´80′s.

He says: ”I enjoy returning each summer to Gothenburg as it is my 2nd home and with so many friends, it is my 2nd family as well.”

This year, Ed is bringing three teams, boys 16, boys 14, and girls 14, and as always – look for them to be competitive and successful.

Ed Puskarich played professional soccer in the US for 19 years, including one year in the MLS with Dallas Burn. He went on working as an assistant coach for Dallas and now runs a club in Dallas called TFC, Texas Football Club, with more than a thousand players.

Soccer has indeed become a popular sport in America, especially with the kids. ”It is the older generation where we struggle, but it’s getting better all of the time”, Puskarich says but points out that soccer has grown for many years and that the MLS now is producing quality players and teams.

USA’s Men’s national team shocked the world by beating Spain in last year’s Confederations Cup and now enjoys success in the World Cup starting off with a 1-1 tie against England. Maybe that’s just what’s needed to increase the interest for what’s still – at least by some – considered to be a girls or a kids sport?

”I don’t think soccer is considered a girls sport, as it is basically 50/50 with boys and girls playing. Our USA national team for the girls gets the most respect because of our success but both girls and boys are thriving in the States. As for our Men’s national team, yes we are getting more and more respect around the world. Many US players are playing in Europe and in some of the top leagues in the world and this exposure gives our soccer even more and more respect”, Puskarich explains.

There’s no doubt that if Team USA would go far in the World Cup it would be a boost for soccer in a country where sports like American football, baseball and basketball are way above the rest. But Puskarich points out that so many good things have happened, and tells how soccer already has developed in his country.

”Two major areas have increased our level. 1. The level of coaches – many ex professional coaches are coaching full time and this allows them to give back to the community and the kids. 2. Facilities – in today’s society, we have to have facilities for the kids to play. American kids don’t go in the streets and play soccer, they play when practices are organized and the fields are available.”