Monthly Archives: January 2009

Keeping Up With Jack

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Jack Jewsbury mnt_tackleA few items to point to for anyone interested in keeping up with Jack’s efforts at the US Men’s National Team camp in California.

Video from practice on Saturday

THEY SAID IT: “Core training – good. Ice bath – not so good.”
- Kansas City Wizards midfielder Jack Jewsbury, following Thursday’s training session in the gym.

Hillcrest Road, the KC Wizard’s blog (check out the new redesign), collected some questions from readers for Jack to answer. I submitted one that got modified somewhat

Q: Is U.S. Assistant Mike Sorber offering any tips to a fellow Billiken?
A: It’s nice to have a familiar face around since I played for Coach Sorber for two years at St. Louis. He’s pointed out a couple of things for me to focus on while I’m here at camp. Hopefully I can improve steadily at those things over the course of my time hear to make an impression with the U.S. coaches and come back to the Wizards as an improved player.

I had some other info pointing to the lack of attention Jack’s getting while all the talk is of the youngster’s in camp. Sorber was an unknown going into the 1994 World Cup where Bora Milutinovic ultimately named him the most valuable player. Let’s hope another SLU graduate gets a chance to shine at defensive mid.

Registration for Midwest College Showcase Ends Tonight

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Your final opportunity to register for the Midwest College Showcase is today. Registration will end at midnight tonight.

The Showcase, in it’s 2nd year, is an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors, both boys and girls, to play a pair of indoor games in front of a large number of regional college coaches.

The event is Monday January 19th (President’s Day) and runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Details and registration information is available on the Springfield SC website.

PASL Premier: Springfield Demize Knock Out La Fuerza

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PASL Premier: Springfield Demize host La FuerzaSpringfield Demize – 8
La Fuerza – 2
In front of a crowd of 180, the Demize forced themselves on “La Fuerza” tonight at the Lake Country Soccer Dome. Led by Mike Gow’s 4 goals, the Demize took control midway through the second quarter with 3 goals in 3 minutes, taking a 4-2 lead that they never relinquished.

The visitors scored first this evening, taking advantage of a Demize penalty, scoring with the man advantage. While Springfield came back to take a 2-1 lead, La Fuerza kept it close when they tied it at 2-2, with all of the goals coming during man-advantage situations.

It was Gow (MSU/Lebanon) who got the eventual game winner, when he one-timed a ball that came from the right side to his position just outside the box on the left, and a second a minute later to extend the lead to two midway through the second half. The Demize tightened up their defense and moved to 3-0 on the season with the win.

Goals were scored by Dave Emnett (Drury,SLUH), Kyler Temple (Drury/Kickapoo), Taylor Stacy (Drury/Lincoln NE) and Quincy Conduff (Hendrix/Kickapoo) this evening. Rodolfo Monroy and Jensel Olascoaga scored for La Fuerza (Edwardsville, IL).

Video and photos will follow.

Hanks And Tracy Win Hermann Trophy Awards

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socceraward625jan10From the St Louis Post-Dispatch: Marcus Tracy, Kerri Hanks are honored as college soccer’s best

When Wake Forest forward Marcus Tracy was in St. Louis two years ago, it was during an ice storm that disrupted the NCAA College Cup at Hermann Stadium. Wake Forest lost in the weather-delayed semifinal played in freezing temperatures.

When Notre Dame’s Kerri Hanks won the MAC’s Hermann Trophy that same year, she wasn’t on hand to get it. That year the trophy presentation was the same week as the Women’s College Cup, and Hanks was in Cary, N.C., with her team. She got the news via satellite.

It was a much different experience for both this time as they won the MAC’s Hermann Trophy, awarded to the top men’s and women’s collegiate soccer player. Hanks got to experience the festivities that go with the presentation; Tracy got to stay warm.

Kerry is quoted in the article looking forward to playing in the WPS (Women’s Professional Soccer) which will hopefully begin play this summer. Different story for Marcus. While considered the top draft pick in the upcoming MLS draft, apparently he’s headed overseas, looking for more money then MLS will offer a college draftee.

US Men’s Team 2008 Goals

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Sure would be cool to see Jack Jewsbury on the pitch for the US in 2009. The first possibility for a cap comes in the exhibition game against Sweden on January 24th. Join us at Coester’s for the game, which begins at 7:30 pm.

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World Cup 2010 – Whistleblower Gunned Down

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2010 WC Logo By Bill Archer, Big Soccer correspondent:

By all accounts, Jimmy Mohlala was that rarest of creatures, an honest man.

As Speaker of the Mbombela local municipality, and a former executive within the South African Football Association and member of the World Cup organizing committee, he built a reputation as someone who was outside the influence of the rampant political corruption which is the norm in most of South Africa and the ruling ANC, of which he was a member.

Unfortunately, standing up for the little guy and crusading for the truth only goes so far when you run up against the combined power of big money and national politics when they’re on an all-out greed run.

Like, for example, the 2010 World Cup.

That’s the opening, which then explores the corruption Jimmy was exposing

Under South Africa’s “Land Redistribution Act”, large tracts were given (or given back) to tribes and clans who could show historical ownership rights. The site for the Nelspruit Stadium was given to a clan who in turn hired the Matsafeni Trust to manage it.

But when that site was chosen for the stadium, a trust administrator sold 6000 acres of land he didn’t own to the municipality for one Rand, or about eleven cents US. It was later revealed that the administrator is a business partner with the Mayor and another local politician. Imagine that.

It appears that there is little being done to address the issue. The Mail & Guardian explored the corruption issues a year ago but no changes have taken place, other then Jimmy’s murder. A murder the local police are refusing to tie to Jimmy’s efforts to expose the corruption.

A reminder that our beautiful game is simply a money game. Like South Africa’s efforts to eradicate the shacklands that might affect tourism during the games.

I didn’t think I could get more cynical but these stories are exposing significant tragedies. The final result of 130 years of fighting. And how about this latest example of Blatter and Warner and their fifadoms.

Thunderdome XXVII – 4v4 Modified Futsal Tourney at Crowder College

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Thunderdome XXVII, sponsored by the Crowder College men’s soccer team, will take place from January 30-31, 2009. Thunderdome, the longest running indoor tournament, will be held in Crowder’s Bob Sneller Gymnasium on the Neosho campus beginning at approximately 5 p.m. and continuing throughout the night until completion.

The open tournament play follows a modified Futsal format. Teams are organized into groups of four and guaranteed three matches. The top two teams from each group advance to a single elimination knock-out tournament.

Sixteen teams, with a maximum of 10 players per team, will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Players may not be on more than one team roster and rosters may not be changed after the start of the first game. Play will be conducted with four field players and a goalkeeper.

Pre-payment of $150 per team is required by January 19, 2009. A $50.00 discount is offered for those sending more than one team.

Complete information about the draw, schedule, rules and guidelines will be sent to registrants by January 23, 2009. Players will be required to sign a waiver before their team’s first match.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to Coach Brad Smith at (417) 455-5443 or by e-mail here.

Jeremy Alumbaugh, Springfield SC, Coaching At MLS Combine

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U15 Springfield SC vs Metro United SC Premier I’ve been waiting for the formal notice but instead I’m going to point to a recent post on “Soccer by Ives” that provides the MLS Combine rosters as well as Coaches. Coach Alumbaugh (pictured on the left with Dale Schilly, who runs Metro United) will be working with Bobby Clark, University of Notre Dame on the adidas adiPure squad.

Update – I received a press release from SSC, here’s a portion of it

Springfield Soccer Club Director of Soccer Operations Jeremy Alumbaugh has been selected by the Combine Committee to serve as an Assistant Coach during the MLS Player Combine. Alumbaugh will assist Bobby Clark from the University Of Notre Dame with the adidas adiPure team. “I’m excited to have been selected to attend the MLS Player Combine and work with the next generation of MLS and hopefully US National Team Stars.” said Alumbaugh. “Having worked with some current MLS players and National Team players in the past, it will be good to be back in that environment again. I want to thank MLS and adidas for this opportunity and it will be an honor to work with someone like Bobby Clark.” MLS Head Coaches, Technical Directors as well professional scouts from other levels of play are expected to be in attendance at the combine.

The Combine gives MLS coaches and general managers a final chance to evaluate talent in preparation for their draft day selections. The MLS Superdraft will be held next Thursday in St Louis, as part of the NSCAA Convention. The Combine runs from Friday until Tuesday, with a series of games scheduled during the event (see below). The Combine includes the nine players already signed to Generation Adidas contracts, two of whom are member’s of Jeremy’s squad.

Last year’s class of nine Generation adidas players produced six of the first eight overall selections in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, including the top three selections – Chance Myers (Kansas City Wizards, No. 1 overall), Brek Shea (FC Dallas, No. 2), and Anthony Beltran (Real Salt Lake, No. 3).

Combine Schedule
Saturday, January 10
2:30 PM Predator PowerSwerve vs. adidas Tunit (Lockhart Stadium)
4:30 PM adiPure vs. adidas Tiro (Lockhart Stadium)
Sunday, January 11
3:00 PM adidas Tunit vs. adidas Tiro (Lockhart Stadium)
5:00 PM Predator PowerSwerve vs adiPure (Lockhart Stadium)
Tuesday, January 13
9:15 AM Predator PowerSwerve vs adidas Tiro (Lockhart Stadium)
11:15 AM adiPure vs adidas Tunit (Lockhart Stadium)

adidas adiPure squad
Alec Dufty (University of Evansville)
Neal Kitson (St. John’s University)
Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe (George Mason University)
Raphael Cox (University of Washington)
Danny Cruz (Generation adidas/University of Nevada Las Vegas)
Juan Guerra (Florida International University)
Jack Traynor (University of Notre Dame)
Darrius Barnes (Duke University)
Matt Besler (University of Notre Dame)
Graciano Brito (Quinnipiac University)
Aaron Clapham (University of Louisville)
Jokull Elisabetarson (University of North Carolina – Greensboro)
Wes Knight (College of Charleston)
Paul Nicholson (Rio Grande University)
Jean Alexandre (Lynn University)
Jordan Seabrook (University of South Florida)
Jeremy Hall (Generation adidas/University of Maryland)
Otto Loewy (Winthrop University)

Coaches: Bobby Clark (University of Notre Dame) and Jeremy Alumbaugh (Springfield United Soccer Club)

Congratulations to Jeremy. I hope it doesn’t get too warm for him in Southern California Ft Lauderdale this weekend!

PASL Indoor: Springfield Demize Host St Louis La Fuerza Saturday

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The Springfield Demize PASL take on La Fuerza Latina this Saturday at the Lake Country Soccer Dome. The Demize will look to stay undefeated on the young season and continue to play a tight team concept. The team is 2-0 and have a +7 goal differential in those two games. They are ranked #13 of 51 teams in the PASL Premier League.

Michael Gow (Missouri State/Lebanon Yellowjackets), Jeremy Brown (Missouri Southern/Amateur) and Kaleb Romero (TDSC/Nixa Eagles junior) are our leading scorers with 3 goals apiece.

Come out and support the Demize and get a chance to win a free ticket at the gate. Game time is 7:00 PM.

Every paid admission this Saturday (Jan. 10) will be entered for a chance to win a FREE ticket to the next Demize PASL home game which will be Sunday February 1 against the Kansas City Kings. The Kings are the reigning Midwest Division Champs and National Qualifiers.

Midwest College Showcase – Registration Closing Soon

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SSC is hosting their annual college showcase for high school juniors and seniors interested in playing soccer at the collegiate level. Numerous scouts from all collegiate levels will be in attendance and will receive player’s information on each player in attendance. There are still a few spots available.

When: Monday, January 19, 2009 (Martin Luther King Holiday) – 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Where: Lake Country Soccer Dome, Springfield, MO
Who: High School Juniors and Seniors, BOYS AND GIRLS
Costs: $55 per player (includes t-shirt and contact information for all college coaches)

All registration should be performed on line – Midwest Indoor College Showcase Application

Please insure the entire on-line application accurately completed before hitting the submit button. The confirmation page should be printed out immediately after registration (because the confirmation page is only available at this time) and sent to the address with the $55 registration fee. In the event the confirmation is not printed, or lost – please use this page as your alternate payment invoice.