Monthly Archives: February 2010

US WNT Defeat Norway, Face Sweden Monday in Algarve Cup

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Natasha Kai and Abby Wambach Celebrate

AP Photo/Armando Franca

OLHÃO, Portugal (February 26, 2010) – Forward Abby Wambach scored two goals, including the game-winner in stoppage time of the second half, to lead the U.S. Women’s National Team to a dramatic 2-1 victory against Norway in the second match of Group B at the 2010 Algarve Cup.

The USA will now face Sweden on March 1 in Ferreiras (9 a.m. CT live on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker) for a berth in the championship game. Sweden trounced Iceland 5-1 in the other Group B match today, scoring four goals in the second half, meaning the USA will need a tie or a win over the Swedes on Monday to make its eighth consecutive appearance in an Algarve Cup title game. The USA has six points from two wins and Sweden has four points from a tie and a win.

In Group A, China defeated Denmark 2-0 while Germany handily defeated Finland 7-0. China would have to defeat Germany in the final Group A match to earn a place in the championship game. The Germans just need a tie to advance to the March 3 final at Stadium Algarve.

Register Now – Michler Youth Soccer Coaching Clinic March 6th!

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CANCELED
Youth Coaches, get ready for the upcoming Spring season with Terry Michler, twice the NSCAA National Coach of the Year. On Saturday, March 6th, Coach Michler will offer a 6 1/2 hour session entitled “Team Building”, the perfect kick start to help you either begin your planning for the season or help answer questions you might have about your approach. Here’s the agenda for the day:

Agenda:
9:00 – Philosophy of Team Building
9:30 — Off The Field factors
10:00 — On the Field factors
10:45 — Building Blocks
Lunch (included)
1:00 — 4 v 4 as a Model
2:30 — Practical Application
3:00 — Closing Remarks

Recommended for Coaches of Youth Players, age 8 to 18. Come alone or bring your Club Coaches for this fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the best.

Cost is $20 for the day and includes lunch from Big Momma’s coffee shop, located on Commercial Street in Springfield. Orders will be placed during the morning session. The event will be held at Lake Country Soccer and we invite coaches to attend the full session or to sit in a portion of the session in between games (the Champions Challenge Tournament is being hosted this weekend as well)

When: Saturday March 6th
9:00 am until 3:30 pm
Where: Lake Country Soccer
Conference Room & Futsal field
Who: Youth Coaches!

Register by calling Ole at 417-597-4314 or email him – Ole @ SGFsoccer.com

Download the CBC Dutch Touch Coaching Clinic Flyer

Terry Michler is the all-time Winningest high school soccer coach in the United States. In his 39 seasons he has won over 800 games and six state championships, including the 2009 Large School title. More than 200 of his players have played college soccer and more than 30 have played professionally. He has been named the NSCAA National Coach of the Year twice. Come learn from the best!

SGFsoccer.com Tweets on 2010-02-27

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Shelby Stewart And Ian Kennedy – Springfield SC Players of the Year

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Springfield SC Players of the Year

Springfield SC Players of the Year - Ian Kennedy and Shelby Stewart with Eric Sorlie

Springfield SC announced their Players of the Year for 2009 at their annual banquet last night. With an attendance of well over 500, the club recognized Ian Kennedy (Kickapoo) and Shelby Stewart (Parkview) as their Players of the Year. Chosen for their performance, team impact and sportsmanship, the two join a select group of players who have developed in the program.

Shelby Stewart has signed to play soccer for the Missouri State Bears next Fall. Shelby was featured here early in a report on her signing. Stewart heads into her senior year with the Vikings, where she will be a three year Varsity starter after not playing her freshmen season due to transfer limitations. Stewart scored 25 goals to go along with 11 assists her junior year at Parkview. Her speed and leaping ability are top-tier and will be critical elements in her development as a college player. She just wrapped up the basketball season where she was a starting forward for the Vikings, who lost to District finalists Branson Monday in the first round.

Ian Kennedy has signed to play soccer for the William Jewell Cardinals, a team that is moving from NAIA to Division II in the Fall of 2010, effectively trading Evangel and the HAAC for Drury and the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Joining his former teammate from the two-time State Championship squad, Ryan Squires, Kennedy will likely play a similar role for the Cardinals as he did for SSC. Ian is coming off of the Quarterfinal run the Chiefs made in 2009 where he was the emotional leader that made Kickapoo the top team from the region. He will hone his play this year as a member of the defending MRL Premier Division champions this Spring.

UPDATE: as Prof Richard Garrad notes in the comments, “William Jewell will hopefully be provisionally accepted to Division II during the 2011-12 academic year, and become an active Division II program in 2012-2013″. He’s keeping a closer eye on the program then I since there is another Falcon playing for the Cardinal’s, his daughter Megan. A conversation on Monday with the coaching staff at MO S&T indicated that they are still working on the Fall 2010 schedule because it will include Wm Jewell.

Ashley Shannon, Carthage Lady Tigers, Signs With Pratt CC

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Carthage Tiger logoFrom the Carthage Press, by Cody Dyer, comes the news that Shannon becomes first CHS female soccer player to sign

Ashley Shannon knows all about upstart soccer programs.

Shannon, an outside midfielder and backup goalie, helped jump-start Carthage High School’s girls soccer program last season. Now, Shannon will help build Pratt (Kan.) Community College’s soccer program, which kicks off its inaugural women’s soccer season in the fall.

Although school was canceled Friday because of a winter snowstorm, Shannon was able to sign her letter of intent with Pratt (located west of Wichita off Highway 400) at Southwest Missouri Bank.

Shannon becomes the first Carthage High School Lady Tiger soccer player to continue her academic and athletic career at the collegiate level. Also, she becomes the first player to sign with Pratt, although several others have “verbally” committed, according to first-year head coach Jerrid Schicke, who made the long trip to Carthage.

Schicke, who was an assistant at Independence Community College, said Pratt becomes the 13th team added to the Kansas Jayhawk Conference, which houses three to five nationally ranked teams annually.

“We’re going to have a very competitive schedule,” said Schicke, “and the market we have for our female athletes is exponential because we’re right outside the Wichita area.”

“We need Shannon to improve throughout her senior season,” said Chris Rogers, Carthage High School head soccer coach. “This is great for our program and an excellent opportunity for Ashley.”

I missed Shannon in the 3 games I covered last season, so no photo I’m afraid. I’ll be certain to rectify that problem early this season!

Chris Shuler, Real Salt Lake

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Chris Shuler, Real Salt Lake

Chris Shuler, Real Salt Lake

Major League Soccer pre-season continues and I went looking for information on Chris Shuler, who was chosen in the 3rd round in January, 39th overall. While Chris played his prep ball in Chicago and at Creighton in college, he has Springfield ties. His Dad Chris is an active referee at Lake Country Soccer and his cousins are Michael and Tyler Bennett, Kickapoo and Springfield SC players. The photo came from a pre-season report on RSL Soap Box along with this note:

I was impressed with the pace and intensity shown by both the veterans as well as the new comers, the size of Chris Schuler is simply impressive. It is easy to read that a guy is 6′ 4″ but when you see him moving around and with the other players it is easy to see why many experts think RSL may have gotten a real steal in the 3rd round of the draft:

You can also catch a short audio interview on the KeepinitReal website. Chris is learning the ropes already regarding no inflammatory comments, I’m only a rookie and I’m looking forward to the opportunity. Smart man.

SGFsoccer.com Tweets on 2010-02-25

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  • “The Rest of the World” vs. South America in St. Louis! Humanitarian soccer match at Jones Dome ~ http://bit.ly/9XhtEf /via @ACStLouis: #
  • Congrats to @missouristbears Handball Team for winning another national championship this past weekend. Way to go BEARS! /via @CoachJonLeamy #
  • El Salvador goal – Corrales scores against the run of play after running onto a long ball. El Salvador 1, #USMNT 0 59th min /via @ussoccer #
  • And the real call – El Salvador goal! Brutal back-pass header by Evans intercepted by Morales & scores. 60th USA 0:1 SLV. /via @GrantWahl #