Panda Cup was created and started by Alex Schindler. His love for the game started playing soccer as a child and continued playing as a professional. Alex left home at 17 with a one-way ticket to Paraguay to be one of the first American youths to play profesionally in a foreign country. He put himself out on the fields until the owners and coaches noticed his talents. He played for little money and food, but that was enough. After playing for San Lorenzo he returned to play for the Chicago Shockers. The experience playing in a different country was life changing and provided experience he could not have obtained if he had merely stayed in the States. Shortly after playing for Chicago, an injury cut his profession short but not his love for the game.
He returned to finish college to obtain a masters degree. He has continued to coach youth soccer and has taken many teams from stumbling youngsters to well skilled players off to college with scholarships as well as several that went on to play profesionally.
Alex maintains an "A" coaching license, one of the most difficult to obtain. Over the last 20 years of coaching youth soccer he has taken many teams to different countries to play foreign teams. The experience is unmatched and is now available for our youth locally during the Panda Cup USA Tournaments or in foreign countries with our Panda Cup Tours.
Alex decided on the name Panda for his tournament because it is an international symbol and a unique animal species. The panda is a symbol of conservation. With this in mind, Alex created a unique tournament to conserve peace and friendship in the context of soccer matches. His tournament has been met with praise and excitement. Everyone is welcome !
This page last modified on Friday, August 10, 2007
