While many students were suffering through menial jobs or humiliating internships this summer, the Wesleyan men’s soccer team was training in Argentina. This was the third international trip the men’s team has taken during head coach Geoff Wheeler’s 11 year tenure (following trips to Great Britain in 2002 and Brazil in 2006), and it will likely be the last for the foreseeable future: A conference ban on international travel went into effect Sept. 1.

Due to budgetary constraints, the team had to fight for the chance to leave the country. The players had to fundraise extensively over the last three years, including soccer clinics, delivery of final exam care packages, and more.

Even before NESCAC banned international trips, the Wesleyan administration considered a moratorium on foreign travel in light of the continuing financial crisis, and initially instructed Wheeler to put the trip on hold. However, 2009 tri-captain Jory Kahan ’10 outlined the team’s concerns about its three years of work going to waste in a letter to President Roth. The letter detailed the team’s recent fundraising efforts and passion for the trip, pleading the president to reevaluate the decision. Roth ultimately allowed the team to proceed.

So on Friday, August 14, the 21 players, along with Wheeler, a trainer, and Chris Cheney, head coach of the Kimball Union Academy boy’s soccer team, left JFK Airport for the 11-hour flight to Buenos Aires. Along with sightseeing, attending tango and gaucho shows, and a traditional barbecue and horseback ride in the countryside, the team played against five local soccer clubs, team attended three professional games, and trained frequently at the Mapuche Country Club . The team was also privileged enough to visit the famous Estadio Alberto J. Armando, known worldwide as La Bombonera, home to one of Latin America’s most famous soccer club, Boca Juniors. After 10 days, they returned home with an invaluable head start on preseason training and team bonding.

The team has 17 returning players from the 2008 group, including ten that started at least seven games. This veteran group will look to improve on last year’s 5-8-2 record, and the Cardinals get their first chance to show how they’ve developed when they travel to Little Three rival Williams on Saturday.