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LIVERPOOL, England -- Wilton residents Ryan McNamara and Ian Hoffmann, who play soccer for the premier club Everton America visited the club's professional training grounds in Liverpool last week.

Everton America is an official partner of Everton FC of the English Premier League.

Ryan, who plays for the Everton U12 Team, and Ian, who plays for the U11 Team, were part of a group of 19 players that trained at the state-of-the-art facility known as "Finch Farm."

The training ground houses both the Everton first team and the Youth Academy. The week consisted of daily training with the Everton Academy coaches as well as competitive games against some of the local Liverpool youth teams.

Both Ryan and Ian were also selected by the Everton Academy coaches to participate in evening training with the Everton Academy players.

Everton's Youth Academy is recognized as one of the best in England. Wayne Rooney, who now plays for Manchester United, began his career with the Everton Youth Academy.

For Ryan and Ian, having a chance to play alongside some of the best young talent in England was certainly the highlight of the week.

Ryan, who was making his second trip to Finch Farm, noted the difference in choices for English and American kids.

"The sport is so much bigger here," he said. "Back in the U.S. there are so many sports to choose from -- basketball, lacrosse, hockey. Here, they focus all of their attention on soccer. It certainly shows in the level of play."

The week concluded with a trip north to Preston to see the Everton first team play a pre-season game.

For two boys who love the sport of soccer, it was a perfect way to end a very memorable week.

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