“The coolest part about watching every one of Spain’s training sessions from start to finish is noticing how much fun they have. You can see on their faces how much fun they have. They enjoy being around each other. They have enjoyed their time here.”

Curtis Blair, the boys and girls soccer coach of The Baylor School, where Spain trained during its Chattanooga-based 2026 World Cup campaign. (Chattanooga Times)

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Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla has written freelance articles about soccer for more than 30 media outlets in nine nations. The winner of eight United Soccer Coaches Writing Contest awards,...