When math instructor and former head soccer coach Corindo Martin was pursuing his degree in mathematics at Southern Methodist University, he spent a summer abroad in Sittard, a quaint town in the southern tip of the Netherlands, to practice soccer.

The village is renowned for its many churches, particularly the Gothic style St. Peter’s Church, which was first built in 1292.

In Sittard, he stayed in a soccer sporting school, a facility for athletes to focus on training and developing skills.

Having injured his shoulder before going on the trip, he used the training sessions to regain full fitness. Martin’s daily routine revolved around playing soccer. Every morning, after waking up, he attended a morning training session, followed by a visit to the town to eat lunch, visit the local bakery or grab groceries. Even though Martin did not speak Dutch or Flemish, the two biggest languages spoken in Sittard, he was able to get by because of the kindness and hospitality of the locals.

In the afternoon, Martin would train again, and he usually played soccer matches in the evening. Since Sittard was nestled between the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands, he often played teams in the Belgian Second Division. Yet it didn’t take long for him to realize that he was outmatched by his European counterparts, who could kick balls from 30 meters the way Martin kicked balls from 12.

Despite not being a standout player, the residents of Sittard loved Martin. Whenever Martin strolled through the town’s cobblestone streets to explore and immerse himself in the local culture, he would catch the eyes of the townspeople looking at him. News of an American’s arrival traveled quickly throughout the small town of Sittard, and to the locals, Martin was a novelty.

While preparing for one of his games, he was flooded by little children who wanted to get his autograph and even touch him.

Initially, Martin wondered why the children were forming a crowd around him, especially since he was usually used as a substitute during games, and the children had never seen him play.

Yet the chorus of all the Dutch kids chanting “American” made him quickly realize that the children were fascinated by the fact that he came from the United States.

It wasn’t just the little kids who were intrigued by Martin’s presence. Even during his games, he could feel the attention of the fans. Spectators would point and whisper about the American playing in their league.

At the end of the summer, Martin came back to the United States with a greater understanding of soccer.

He witnessed athletes play “Total Football,” a revolutionary Dutch style of soccer dependent on fluidity and simplicity. He took his experience and knowledge back with him which helped him with his coaching positions in the following years.