China News Service, Haikou, August 5 (Reporters Wang Xiaobin and Li Yufan) — The opening ceremony of an exchange visit by a university soccer team from Pennsylvania, United States, to Hainan was held on August 4 at Yingya Shengpide School in Hainan. Twenty faculty and student representatives from the United States will visit Haikou, Qiongzhong, Wuzhishan and other locations over the next few days, during which they will play friendly soccer matches against local teams and participate in cultural experience activities, including Baduanjin and Qiong Opera mask painting.
On August 4, the opening ceremony of an exchange activity featuring the university soccer team from Pennsylvania, USA, visiting Hainan, was held in Haikou. Photo provided by Hainan Yingya Shengpide School.
The event was guided and supported by the Hainan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and hosted by Hainan Yingya Shengpide School. Wei Haiying, the head soccer coach of Hainan Yingya Shengpide School, is the youngest national team player in the history of Chinese women's soccer. As the representative of the host institution, Wei Haiying has a unique experience from a match in the United States. In 1996, at the Atlanta Olympics, women's soccer became an official sport for the first time. Wearing jersey number 7, Wei Haiying, as a member of the Chinese women's soccer team, came on as a substitute in the semifinals when her team trailed Brazil 1–2. She scored two goals, helping her team stage a stunning 3–2 comeback victory to advance, ultimately securing the silver medal. That match became a classic in the history of Chinese women's soccer.
"Now, thirty years later, that number 7 player who once ran through Atlanta, USA, is now welcoming young friends from Pennsylvania, USA, on the campus of Hainan. Soccer is just like this—it allows people from different countries and different eras to find common ground on the green pitch," said Wei Haiying. During this exchange, her American friends brought their soccer culture to Hainan, and "we, in turn, will showcase China's warmth and Hainan's distinctive characteristics to them. We hope that beyond the competition, you will take the opportunity to experience the local customs and traditions of Hainan, and bring back authentic stories from here to share with your families and friends in the United States."
The Pennsylvania State University student soccer team is primarily composed of players from Journey FC, with all members hailing from various universities in Pennsylvania and making their first trip to China. Head coach Cole Goodman stated that this journey to China offers far more than just a chance to play matches—it provides an opportunity to understand Chinese culture, engage with local communities, and build friendships.
Gao Kewen remarked that while the final whistle will eventually blow and every game will conclude, "the beginning of everything today will not end with that. Years from now, what people will remember will not be who won the game, but who chose to stand together and move forward hand in hand." He believes that upon returning to Pennsylvania, the team will carry back not only competitive results, but also cross-border friendships, exchanges that broaden their horizons, and the kindness and warmth they have experienced here.
Victor Lopez, a junior at Pennsylvania State University, specially brought home gifts—such as chocolate—from his hometown to present to new friends; other teammates also prepared small gifts for one another. Lopez expressed his honor at being warmly welcomed upon arriving in Hainan, noting that "this trip to Hainan has changed my life, as it has given me material to share with those around me and even with my future descendants."
Following the opening ceremony, the Pennsylvania State University student soccer team played its first friendly match against the Haikou International Talent Home soccer team. Next, they will continue to engage in friendly matches against the Qiongzhong Bengene soccer team and the Wuzhishan Laozhoufu soccer team.
The head of the Hainan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office stated that this year marks the inaugural year of the full implementation of the closed-door operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port. He expressed hope that American youth football players would have the opportunity to experience firsthand the developmental vitality of the Free Trade Port following its closure, as well as its local cultural charm; he also hoped that young people from both countries could build mutual understanding through their tactical coordination during the matches, and forge lasting friendships through post-match conversations and camaraderie.
中新网海口8月5日电 (记者 王晓斌 李宇凡)美国宾夕法尼亚州大学生足球队访琼交流活动开营仪式，8月4日在海南英雅盛彼德学校举行。来自美国的20名师生代表将在未来几天走访海口、琼中、五指山等地，期间与当地球队进行足球友谊赛，并参加八段锦、琼剧脸谱彩绘等文化体验活动。
8月4日，美国宾夕法尼亚州大学生足球队访琼交流活动开营仪式在海口举行。海南英雅盛彼德学校 供图
活动由海南省外事办公室指导支持，海南英雅盛彼德学校承办。海南英雅盛彼德学校足球总教练韦海英是中国女足历史上最年轻的国脚。作为此次活动的承办方代表，韦海英有一段特殊的美国比赛经历。1996年亚特兰大奥运会，女子足球第一次成为正式项目。韦海英身披7号球衣，作为中国女足的一员，在半决赛1比2落后巴西时替补登场，连入两球帮助球队3比2逆转晋级，最终收获银牌。那场比赛成为中国女足史上的经典。
“如今30年过去了，当年那个在美国亚特兰大奔跑的7号球员，今天在海南的校园里迎接来自美国宾夕法尼亚的年轻朋友们。足球就是这样，让不同国家、不同年代的人，在绿茵场上找到共同语言。”韦海英说，这次交流，美国朋友把他们的足球文化带到海南，“我们也将把中国的热情和海南的特色展现给你们。希望大家在竞技之余，多感受海南的风土人情，把这里的真实故事带回美国，讲给家人和朋友听。”
8月4日，美国宾夕法尼亚州大学生足球队与海口国际人才之家足球队进行友谊赛。海南英雅盛彼德学校 供图
美方宾夕法尼亚州大学生足球队主体为启程足球俱乐部(Journey FC)，球员来自宾夕法尼亚州各大学，全部是第一次来中国。主教练高科文(Cole Goodman)说，这次的中国之行，远不止是比赛的机会，而是了解中国文化、走进当地社区、建立友谊的机会。
高科文说，终场哨声终将吹响，每一场比赛都会结束，“但今天开启的一切，不会因此画上句号。多年以后，人们记住的，不会是谁赢得了比赛，而是谁选择站在一起、携手前行。”他认为，球队回到宾夕法尼亚时，带回的不仅是比赛成绩，还有跨越国界的友谊、拓宽视野的交流，以及在这里感受到的善意与温暖。
宾夕法尼亚州立大学大三学生Victor Lopez特地从美国带了家乡的巧克力等伴手礼，赠送给新认识的朋友，其他队友也各自准备了小礼物。Lopez说，落地海南受到的热情欢迎让他感到荣幸，“这次海南之行，改变我的人生。因为我有谈资，可以和身边的人乃至我以后的后代讲述”。
开营仪式后，宾夕法尼亚州大学生足球队与海口国际人才之家足球队进行了首场友谊赛。接下来，他们将与琼中奔格内足球队、五指山老州府足球队继续交流切磋。
海南省外事办公室负责人表示，今年恰逢海南自由贸易港封关运作全面实施开局之年，期待美国足球青年能近距离感受自贸港封关后的发展活力与本土人文风情，也愿两国青年在足球赛攻防配合中建立默契，在赛后谈笑中结下友谊。
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