Amani stepped off the bus into the crisp afternoon air of Amsterdam on Friday, April 6, 2012. A biting chill nipped at his cheeks as he zipped his red Utrecht track jacket up to his chin. Overhead, patches of pale sunlight broke through a blanket of low, steel-gray clouds. It was cold and partly cloudy – typical early April weather in the Netherlands. He could see his breath puff in little white clouds as he exhaled.
The parking lot in front of the hotel bustled with activity. The FC Utrecht U17 team had finally arrived at their lodgings for the Aegon Future Cup, and excitement crackled in the air despite the cold. Amani grabbed his duffel bag from the bus's luggage compartment and slung it over his shoulder. Around him, teammates stretched their legs and exchanged wide-eyed looks at the surroundings.
