USYF England Trip 2025
Below is a dynamic map-based travel journal 🗺️ . You can explore our journey by selecting different days to see the places we visited. Some locations include embedded videos that you can watch by clicking the icons.
Our layover in Atlanta was scheduled for three hours. We had imagined spending the entire time relaxing in the airport lounge, eating at a leisurely pace and getting some rest. I even skipped lunch at home, partly to save my appetite, and partly because I was worried that overeating later in the lounge might cause some very inconvenient digestive issues during the journey.
Reality turned out quite differently. After arriving at the international terminal in Atlanta, we discovered that access to the lounge required waiting in line, with an estimated wait time of 80 to 120 minutes. In the end, we waited for a full hour and twenty minutes. From the moment we finally got inside to the time we had to sprint to the gate to board the plane, we had only about 15 minutes to hurriedly eat before rushing onto the flight.
Interactive Map Journal
December 24, 2025 – Christmas Eve Departure
On Christmas Eve, we set off filled with excitement. Our journey began at RDU Airport in North Carolina, where we flew first to Atlanta for a connection, then onward to our final destination – Manchester, one of the UK’s historic industrial cities. Manchester rose to prominence during the Industrial Revolution and was once the world’s first industrialized city, renowned for its textile industry and later for its influence on labor movements, music, and football.Our layover in Atlanta was scheduled for three hours. We had imagined spending the entire time relaxing in the airport lounge, eating at a leisurely pace and getting some rest. I even skipped lunch at home, partly to save my appetite, and partly because I was worried that overeating later in the lounge might cause some very inconvenient digestive issues during the journey.
Reality turned out quite differently. After arriving at the international terminal in Atlanta, we discovered that access to the lounge required waiting in line, with an estimated wait time of 80 to 120 minutes. In the end, we waited for a full hour and twenty minutes. From the moment we finally got inside to the time we had to sprint to the gate to board the plane, we had only about 15 minutes to hurriedly eat before rushing onto the flight.
December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
Manchester Arrival
After a seven-hour flight, we arrived in Manchester on Christmas Day. As we stepped off the plane, we were greeted by bright sunshine, which immediately gave us the feeling that this would be a wonderful and meaningful trip.
We initially planned to walk to the airport train station, but a taxi driver informed us that since it was Christmas Day, all public transportation was suspended. With no other option, we ordered an Uber and headed to our hotel, the Britannia Manchester Hotel. The hotel is housed in a historic building dating back to the Victorian era, reflecting Manchester’s industrial past.
After checking in, all three of us collapsed onto our beds to rest. We had planned to head out again around 3 p.m., but only I managed to wake up. As dusk approached, I went out alone to explore the area. I walked to the Chinatown arch and looked around at nearby restaurants. On Christmas Day, it seemed that only Chinese restaurants were open.
Back at the hotel, I woke the girls and we walked to a Chinese restaurant we had noticed earlier in Chinatown called Szechuan Kitchen. We ordered three dishes – curry chicken balls, braised pork belly, and fish-fragrant eggplant. The total came to ÂŁ65, which felt rather expensive, especially with a mandatory 15% service charge.
This was my first meal in the UK. After dinner, we stopped by a bubble tea shop called Cha Yan and ordered several drinks. Since all supermarkets were closed and we couldn’t buy bottled water, bubble tea ended up serving as our water for the day.
We initially planned to walk to the airport train station, but a taxi driver informed us that since it was Christmas Day, all public transportation was suspended. With no other option, we ordered an Uber and headed to our hotel, the Britannia Manchester Hotel. The hotel is housed in a historic building dating back to the Victorian era, reflecting Manchester’s industrial past.
After checking in, all three of us collapsed onto our beds to rest. We had planned to head out again around 3 p.m., but only I managed to wake up. As dusk approached, I went out alone to explore the area. I walked to the Chinatown arch and looked around at nearby restaurants. On Christmas Day, it seemed that only Chinese restaurants were open.
Back at the hotel, I woke the girls and we walked to a Chinese restaurant we had noticed earlier in Chinatown called Szechuan Kitchen. We ordered three dishes – curry chicken balls, braised pork belly, and fish-fragrant eggplant. The total came to ÂŁ65, which felt rather expensive, especially with a mandatory 15% service charge.
This was my first meal in the UK. After dinner, we stopped by a bubble tea shop called Cha Yan and ordered several drinks. Since all supermarkets were closed and we couldn’t buy bottled water, bubble tea ended up serving as our water for the day.
December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day & Old Trafford
Visiting Old Trafford
We originally planned to explore the city on Boxing Day morning, but we slept until 3 p.m. Instead, we rushed to a grocery store in Chinatown to buy some food as a makeshift dinner. After eating, we prepared to head out at 6 p.m. to Old Trafford to watch the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Just before leaving, my wife texted me from Costco back home. She had taken the car in for tire maintenance and discovered that the windshield was cracked. It wasn’t clear whether it happened at Costco or earlier, but either way, insurance would cover the repair.
We took an Uber to a tram stop about a ten-minute walk from Old Trafford, then followed the crowd toward the stadium. Outside, we stopped to see the Munich Air Disaster Memorial, including the clock frozen at 3:04 p.m., commemorating the tragic 1958 plane crash that claimed the lives of players, staff, and journalists. We also visited the Sir Matt Busby statue and the Busby Babes memorial before entering the stadium.
The tickets were a Christmas gift from a British classmate I knew during my university days in Michigan, who had heard that we wanted to attend a Premier League match.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was absolutely electric. The Premier League truly deserves its reputation as the best league in the world. Manchester United narrowly secured a 1:0 home victory over Newcastle United.
After the match, fans streamed out singing chants all the way to the tram station. It was a truly wonderful day.
Just before leaving, my wife texted me from Costco back home. She had taken the car in for tire maintenance and discovered that the windshield was cracked. It wasn’t clear whether it happened at Costco or earlier, but either way, insurance would cover the repair.
We took an Uber to a tram stop about a ten-minute walk from Old Trafford, then followed the crowd toward the stadium. Outside, we stopped to see the Munich Air Disaster Memorial, including the clock frozen at 3:04 p.m., commemorating the tragic 1958 plane crash that claimed the lives of players, staff, and journalists. We also visited the Sir Matt Busby statue and the Busby Babes memorial before entering the stadium.
The tickets were a Christmas gift from a British classmate I knew during my university days in Michigan, who had heard that we wanted to attend a Premier League match.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was absolutely electric. The Premier League truly deserves its reputation as the best league in the world. Manchester United narrowly secured a 1:0 home victory over Newcastle United.
After the match, fans streamed out singing chants all the way to the tram station. It was a truly wonderful day.
December 27, 2025 – Team Check-in & First Training
First Full English Breakfast
In the morning, we checked out of our first hotel and moved to the hotel where the US Youth Futsal National Team was staying. We had also booked a room there. After storing our luggage and completing player registration, we walked to a brunch spot called Cafe 19.
To our surprise, there was a long line outside. The restaurant is famous for its Full English Breakfast, so we waited for about half an hour in freezing winter wind, around 0°C, before finally being seated.
The quality of the breakfast lived up to our expectations. While most of the ingredients are simple and could easily be found in American supermarkets (with the exception of black pudding, a traditional blood sausage), having a traditional English breakfast on a winter morning in England felt special.
The meal cost us about $80. Sommer and I both ordered the Full English Breakfast, while Sydnie chose the American-style breakfast…. OK…
Afterward, we returned to the hotel and checked into our room. In the afternoon, we followed the team to their first training session, held at a large fitness complex with multiple indoor courts. When we arrived, we saw a group of Chinese players who had just finished playing badminton.
After training, Sommer went to eat with the team. Sydnie and I went to a nearby supermarket to buy some simple food for dinner and the next morning’s breakfast. At 8 p.m., we walked to a hotel across from our previous one to attend the USYF Futsal Association Welcome Meeting. We heard that on December 31, during a visit to Manchester City’s Academy, there might be a chance to meet City players, including possibly Erling Haaland.
To our surprise, there was a long line outside. The restaurant is famous for its Full English Breakfast, so we waited for about half an hour in freezing winter wind, around 0°C, before finally being seated.
The quality of the breakfast lived up to our expectations. While most of the ingredients are simple and could easily be found in American supermarkets (with the exception of black pudding, a traditional blood sausage), having a traditional English breakfast on a winter morning in England felt special.
The meal cost us about $80. Sommer and I both ordered the Full English Breakfast, while Sydnie chose the American-style breakfast…. OK…
Afterward, we returned to the hotel and checked into our room. In the afternoon, we followed the team to their first training session, held at a large fitness complex with multiple indoor courts. When we arrived, we saw a group of Chinese players who had just finished playing badminton.
After training, Sommer went to eat with the team. Sydnie and I went to a nearby supermarket to buy some simple food for dinner and the next morning’s breakfast. At 8 p.m., we walked to a hotel across from our previous one to attend the USYF Futsal Association Welcome Meeting. We heard that on December 31, during a visit to Manchester City’s Academy, there might be a chance to meet City players, including possibly Erling Haaland.
December 28, 2025 – Match Day 1
Match Day 1 – One Assist
I went alone on the team bus to watch the first match day’s morning training session. After returning, I visited another convenience store, then rested at the hotel around noon.
At 2 p.m., we traveled with the team to the National Cycling Centre near the Etihad Stadium for the first match against Sala Futsal. Although the team lost 3–5, Sommer recorded an assist.
After returning to the hotel, Sydnie and I explored a third convenience store but didn’t find anything particularly interesting. We went back to the hotel to eat and rest. The next two days would follow the same routine: training in the morning and matches in the afternoon.
On the way back, Sydnie and I went to Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana on Portland Street. Our original plan was a pizza place behind the hotel, but it turned out to be closed. After dinner, we rested and prepared to wake up early the next day for breakfast in the Northern Quarter.
At 11:30 a.m., I walked back to the hotel, stopping at a Tesco Express along the way to buy water and drinks. In the afternoon, Sommer played her third match against the Merseyside County Schools Football Association team. The first half was very evenly matched and ended 0:0.
In the second half, Sommer intercepted the ball during a scramble in front of goal and scored the opening goal. After that, everything clicked, and the team scored two more goals to secure a 3:0 victory.
At 2 p.m., we traveled with the team to the National Cycling Centre near the Etihad Stadium for the first match against Sala Futsal. Although the team lost 3–5, Sommer recorded an assist.
After returning to the hotel, Sydnie and I explored a third convenience store but didn’t find anything particularly interesting. We went back to the hotel to eat and rest. The next two days would follow the same routine: training in the morning and matches in the afternoon.
December 29, 2025 – Match Day 2 & Pizza Night
The alarm went off, but we simply couldn’t get up, so we slept until noon. After handling some emails, we took the team bus back to the same venue for the match against Samba All Stars, which the team won by a large margin.On the way back, Sydnie and I went to Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana on Portland Street. Our original plan was a pizza place behind the hotel, but it turned out to be closed. After dinner, we rested and prepared to wake up early the next day for breakfast in the Northern Quarter.
December 30, 2025 – Match Day 3
In the morning, I walked to a breakfast spot in the Northern Quarter called Cafe North and had a large Full English Breakfast. I then wandered over to Manchester Cathedral and went inside to explore.At 11:30 a.m., I walked back to the hotel, stopping at a Tesco Express along the way to buy water and drinks. In the afternoon, Sommer played her third match against the Merseyside County Schools Football Association team. The first half was very evenly matched and ended 0:0.
In the second half, Sommer intercepted the ball during a scramble in front of goal and scored the opening goal. After that, everything clicked, and the team scored two more goals to secure a 3:0 victory.
December 31, 2025 – Etihad & New Year’s Eve
In the morning, we visited Etihad Stadium for a stadium tour and stopped by the Manchester City official store to buy clothing and souvenirs.After missing the return team bus, Sydnie and I took an Uber back. Sommer went with the team to visit Manchester City’s Academy, where they also had lunch. In the afternoon, we walked about 15 minutes to the National Football Museum, located next to Manchester Cathedral, met up with Sommer and her teammates, and toured the museum together.
That evening, the three of us went to a Sichuan restaurant in Chinatown for our New Year’s Eve dinner.
January 1, 2026 – Travel to London
On New Year’s Day, we woke up early and boarded a coach to London. Shortly after passing Birmingham, we stopped at a motorway service area near Northampton for a meal, then continued on. We arrived in London around 3 p.m. and checked into a Hilton hotel near Wembley Stadium.In the evening, we went to a nearby supermarket to buy some essentials, then returned to the hotel to plan the next day’s London itinerary. We also booked a Thames River cruise from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge.
We had originally planned to visit the British Museum to see ancient Chinese artifacts, but advance tickets were only available starting January 4, and we likely wouldn’t have enough time, so we decided to skip it. Many Chinese people hope these artifacts can “return home,” but I genuinely believe they are better preserved in the UK. Given China’s social instability and the possibility of future political upheaval, cultural relics should not be viewed solely in terms of national ownership, their artistic and historical value belongs to all of humanity. Had these artifacts remained in China, many might have been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.
January 2, 2026 – London One-Day Tour
We woke up at 6:30 a.m. and had breakfast at the hotel’s third-floor restaurant. It was a solid buffet featuring a Full English Breakfast along with yogurt, croissants, and other items.At 9 a.m., a bus tour picked us up and took us on a brief, rather superficial loop through central London. Although it lasted three hours, we didn’t see much—just passing glimpses of Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. We stopped near St. Paul’s Cathedral for a restroom break but didn’t go inside; I stepped in briefly on my own. The tour then dropped us off near Haymarket Street by Trafalgar Square, where we began exploring independently.
We walked through Trafalgar Square to the Royal Horse Guards, watched the mounted guards on duty, passed the Cabinet Office in Whitehall, and viewed 10 Downing Street from a distance. We then walked south past Big Ben to Westminster Millennium Pier. Thanks to the Thames cruise tickets we purchased the night before, we skipped the line and boarded the boat after a 15-minute wait.
It was extremely cold on the river, but we enjoyed close-up views of the London Eye, Millennium Bridge, London Bridge, and several other bridges along the Thames. The boat docked near Tower Bridge, and after disembarking, we walked across the bridge to take a look at the Tower of London. We then took an Uber back to Haymarket Street.
Sommer suggested dinner at Haidilao Hot Pot London Piccadilly, and it was a pleasant surprise to enjoy hot pot in London. Afterward, we walked through Chinatown, bought some souvenirs from small street shops, and returned to the hotel. Once back, I sent Sydnie upstairs while I went to a nearby Tesco to buy drinks and some alcoholic beverages.
It was an exhausting day, but we managed to see most of London’s major landmarks in one day. We didn’t make it to Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, or the British Museum, those will have to wait until next time.
London Highlights
January 3, 2026 – Final Match & Farewell
After breakfast, we skipped Sommer’s 9 a.m. team bus to the training ground at Queenswood School and took the 10:15 bus instead, allowing us to sleep a bit longer. We arrived around 11 a.m.. Queenswood is a private girls’ school with over a century of history, and the opposing team, Bloomsbury Futsal, borrowed its facilities for the match.We waited there for about three hours before the match kicked off around 3 p.m.. The team secured a narrow 1:0 victory. Sommer nearly scored on a rebound opportunity in front of goal. By the time the match ended, dusk had fallen.
We returned to the hotel, stopped by a Tesco, briefly wandered through a nearby small mall (which had little in the way of souvenirs), then went back to the hotel to watch the Bournemouth vs. Arsenal match on TV. After showering, we attended the USYF Farewell Meeting at 8:15 p.m. on the third floor, then returned to our room to pack and sleep.
January 4, 2026 – Return Home
We woke up at 6:30 a.m., had breakfast, and headed to the airport. After spending two hours in the airport lounge, we flew from London Heathrow, transferred in ReykjavĂk, Iceland, and returned to North Carolina.Our UK trip came to a perfect conclusion, rich in experiences and deeply rewarding.
