June 4, 2010

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - International soccer superstar Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (Ronaldinho) of the Brazilian National Team visited the University of San Diego where he hosted a youth soccer clinic for 40 children from the San Diego area.

Ronaldinho's visit was held at Torero Stadium with the cooperation of Nutrilite, the USD Athletic Department and the men's soccer coaching staff. Also in attendance was Nélson de Jesus Silva, also known as Dida, a former goalkeeper for the Brazilian National Team.

"It's not often you have Ronaldinho and Dida visit Torero Stadium to put on a clinic, so it was an outstanding affair," said head coach Seamus McFadden.

Ronaldinho arrived just after 1:00 p.m. and after a short pep talk to the young athletes, the clinic staff broke them up into their groups where they performed drills which he observed. Each group would do their drill and would break after ten minutes giving Ronaldinho a chance to report on what he saw and how the kids could make improvements in their ability. The children selected for the camp came from underprivileged areas of San Diego, as well as FC San Diego and a local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club.

Following the drills, Ronaldinho took about 15 minutes to sign autographs for every participant who attended the clinic and then spent about 15 minutes with local reporters answering questions in both Spanish and English.

"It was an honor to host two internationally known soccer players and we are pleased with the result of the clinic and how much fun the children had," said McFadden.