It’s Their Turn to Shoot for the Stars

Jose Soto, Carlos Silvestri and Paolo Maldonado may not be household names in the United States. But the three members of the Peruvian national soccer team and their teammates were greeted with cheers Tuesday as they entered Santa Ana Stadium to give local schoolchildren a few pointers.

The visit was arranged by Peruvian-born Amalia Villaran, an assistant principal at Heninger Elementary School who convinced the soccer team to visit Santa Ana while they are in Southern California for the U.S. Cup ’97 of soccer.

Having the soccer pros share their knowledge was meant to reward the approximately 230 students from three Santa Ana Unified School District elementary campuses for good grades, citizenship and athletic ability.

And added Villaran: “We wanted them to at least know what soccer is all about.”

The consul general of Peru, who also helped arrange the visit, is based in Los Angeles but came to observe the activities.

“It’s good for people to see Peru involved in other things besides drugs and terrorism,” said Fernando Montero, referring to the reasons his country normally makes the news.

The children were divided into groups of about 24 and rotated through different workshops that included kicking, “heading” the ball and trying to score on Silvestri, the goalie.

“It’s fun because you get to play with real soccer players,” said Heninger Elementary student Rocio Sanchez, 10.

Sanchez also echoed an anti-drug message organizers hoped to send to the children, who received free T-shirts, water bottles and soccer balls courtesy of corporate donations.

“We can play sports,” Rocio explained, “instead of being out in the streets.”

The students were not the only ones sweating Tuesday morning. The soccer pros stretched, strained and grunted as they fielded the balls kicked by the youngsters.

Although they face off today against Mexico in a championship match, the Peruvian players were happy to work with the students.

Team member Jose Soto, who noted that the United States is not known for its soccer players, laughed and said, “This is very important; it will help form good players.”