Monthly Archives: March 2010

Major League Soccer – Seattle vs Philadelphia Tonight on ESPN2

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Chloe Gonzalez, Philadelphia Union supporter

Chloe Gonzalez, Philadelphia Union supporter (Eddie's daughter)

Opening Night for Major League Soccer kicks off with a match between the defending champion Seattle Sounders and the new boys, Philadelphia Union, at Qwest Field in Seattle. The match is being broadcast live on ESPN2, beginning at 8:30 pm so we should all be able to catch the game following High School soccer today.

Seattle coach Sigi Schmid has said that a big piece of the Sounders’ puzzle in Year Two will be increased defensive intensity. Seattle is betting that the raucous sellout crowd, combined with extensive defensive pressure, will be enough to breach the Union’s defense in the first match of the MLS season Thursday night at Qwest Field.

“We always want to do that when we’re playing at home,” said Schmid. “Towards the end of last season, a lot of teams sat back against us at home, so we have to work on breaking down a team like that in game situations.

“We’ve worked on that in training and we think we have the pieces of the puzzle to do break that down. We certainly want to carry the game to them.”

The game is being played on schedule thanks to the fact that MLS and the MLS Players Union came to an agreement on a Collective Bargaining Agreement over the weekend. If you haven’t seen the details, here they are. I’m happy that they were able to come to an agreement and it looks like a fair one, within the constraints of controlling spending but also recognizing the players needs.

I’m considering getting Direct Kick this year, it seems to be the primary way to keep up with the KC Wizards. Anyone have a suggestion on a bar/restaurant that might consider picking up the Commercial license?

Major League Soccer’s Direct Kick television package is now available for $79, providing fans the opportunity to watch up to 160 MLS regular season matches and select playoff games during the 2010 season.

Starting March 26, satellite TV providers DIRECTV and DISH Network®, along with digital cable provider iN DEMAND Networks, will once again each present regional telecasts of Major League Soccer action. Major League Soccer has collaborated with all three providers to offer a FREE PREVIEW period, Friday, March 26, during the opening week of the season known as MLS First Kick presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The residential price is just $79 on any of the three platforms. Commercial establishments can purchase the package for a flat rate of $100. The package will be available for purchase through each outlet between now and the end of the season.

MLS Direct Kick will include regional broadcasts of MLS regular-season and select MLS Cup Playoff games, including pre-game and post-game shows (when available). All 240 games of the 2010 regular season, the 2010 MLS All-Star Game, MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup 2010 will be available between the MLS Direct Kick package and national broadcast partners ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Español, and Univisión network Telefutura.

The League’s full schedule, including television broadcasts, is available at www.MLSnet.com. All MLS Direct Kick package telecasts are subject to change and local blackout restrictions.

Wednesday Soccer Report – Lady Goblins Get Past Zizzers

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West Plains Zizzers – 1
Harrison (AR) Lady Goblins – 3
The Goblins bounce back from the loss at Ozark last night, getting past their friends in West Plains. The Goblins opened the scoring with a goal in the 39th minute by Laura Shirley. A pair of goals in the 2nd half extended the lead to 3 until sophomore Tash Ugbah got behind the defense to score from the left side of the box about 15 seconds before the final whistle.

Camdenton Lakers – 10
Richland Bears – 0
Camdenton sophomore forward Danielle Brooks scored 3 goals coming off the bench while junior Ashley Paschel, sophomore Cassie Hale, and freshman Miriam Taylor each scored two goals. Sophomore Abbey Herfurth scored a goal as well. Junior keeper Sandy Shore earned the shutout.

Logan-Rogersville Wildcats Count On Strong Defense In Second Season

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Kelsay Leingang, Logan-Rogersville Wildcats

Kelsay Leingang, Logan-Rogersville Wildcats

The South County Mail visited with the Wildcats in advance of their season, which started Monday with their win against Carthage:

Strong defense, solid offense should propel Lady ‘Cats By Nick Snow

“We not only have Stevie (Heidzing) to anchor the defense and Kelsay (Leingang) back in goal, we have Jessica Fredrick and Amanda Davis, who was first team all-district last year,” Wubbena said. “We have added a couple of strong defenders to the mix as well in Kristen Meinert and Amy Coffey. Our defense would not be complete without Shelby Rust as our back midfielder.”

Along with having a solid defense, the Lady ‘Cats also have plenty of leadership. Having six seniors and numerous juniors on this year’s squad has helped a lot, especially with the maturation of the freshman class.

After catching both of the teams opening matches, both wins against COC foes Carthage and Branson, I can attest to the high level of enthusiasm and commitment to team defense. I’d also suggest that GK Kelsay Leingang and center back Stevie Heidzig (who I’d like to see moved into the middle to improve the offensive opportunities for the squad) could play for any team in the region. Najee Donson wasn’t available (on a Spring Break vacation following a full basketball season) for these early games but when she returns she will be the primary focus of the offense.

Wingers – A Look At How The Position Is Changing

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The Guardian takes a look at changes in the role of the Winger over many years and the success that is now happening due to players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben.

The Question: Why are so many wingers playing on the ‘wrong’ wings?
The tactic of playing right-footers on the left wing, and vice versa, is increasing widespread and effective. Why?

But now these inside-out wingers are everywhere. At Barcelona, Leo Messi is proving himself probably the greatest individual talent since Diego Maradona, cutting in from the right on to his stronger left foot. Arjen Robben has resurrected Bayern Munich’s season doing much the same. Cristiano Ronaldo is right-footed and plays on the right, but is so strong with his left that he too is constantly shifting inside, looking for shooting opportunities.

It’s the same in England. Ashley Young is a right-footed left-winger. Adam Johnson is left-footed but has made an impact at Manchester City on the right, while Craig Bellamy, a right-footer on the left, has arguably been their best player this season. Niko Kranjcar plays on the left but drifts infield on to his right. Damien Duff spent most of his career on the left but has prospered on the right for Fulham. At Wigan, the left-footed Charles N’Zogbia is having a decent season on the right. Steed Malbranque has been a revelation in recent weeks on the left for Sunderland. At national level, Steven Gerrard has become the preferred choice on the left of the attacking midfield trident when Fabio Capello opts for 4-2-3-1. So why is the tactic so effective, and why has it suddenly become so widespread?

Tuesday Soccer Report

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Bekah Bade, Catholic scoring from a corner kick

Bekah Bade, Catholic scoring from a corner kick

Springfield Catholic – 10
Neosho Wildcats – 0
The Wildcats ran into a buzzsaw tonight at Cooper #1 as the Irish wasted no time attacking the goal, scoring 3 goals in the first 10 minutes. The scoring pace slowed but the game still finished in the 60th minute this evening as Bekah Bade slotted in the final 2 goals, both scored in the second half, to go with her first half header (pictured). Maddy Bailes added a pair of goals, one directly from a corner kick, along with a pair of assists. Erin Fitzgerald, Conner Guy, Shelby Hatz, Andrea Parker and Natalie Smid all scored as well.

Logan-Rogersville Wildcats – 2
Branson Pirates – 0
A pair of goals in the first 20 minutes provided the difference in this early season COC match up. The first goal came from freshman Haley Weeks, followed by jr Stevie Heidzig who once again scored on a direct kick against the Pirates. This one came from 25 yards out and without the dramatics of her OT game-winner at Branson last year. Second straight shutout for GK Kelsay Leingang, who won in PK’s Monday against Carthage.

Helias Crusaders – 4
Waynesville Tigers – 0
From the Jeff City News-Tribune: Up 2-0 at the half Tuesday, the Helias Lady Crusaders were in control of their game with the Waynesville Lady Tigers. They just didn’t look smooth doing it. “It was a little bit of chaos,” Helias soccer coach Chuck Register said. “We needed to settle down a little bit, start thinking a little bit instead of just reacting.”

Ozark Tigers – 5
Harrison Lady Goblins – 0
From the new OzarkTigerSoccer.wordpress.com website – Senior forward Alicia Collard (pictured above with freshman Morgan Davidson) opened the game up for the Lady Tigers with a hat trick in the first twelve minutes of play.

Hickman Kewpies – 2
Pembroke Hill – 0
From the Missourian The Hickman girls soccer team has been practicing corner kicks lately. It paid off on Tuesday evening when the Kewpies scored two goals off of corner kicks to defeat visiting Pembroke Hill 2-0.

Laquey Hornets –
Dixon Bulldogs –

Waynesville Lady Tigers Building A Better Mix

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Waynesville TigersJack Hittinger checks in from Waynesville with a preview of the Lady Tigers in advance of their game tonight at Helias

Lady Tigers mix experience, newcomers – Waynesville soccer looks for improvement on 2009

Lady Tiger players and coaches agreed that last season defense was great but offense was a problem. They blame that on the lack of communication in the midfield— something they’ve fixed this season with better chemistry.

“We’ve got better midfield, which should help both our defense and offense,” Gow said. “Everything just feels more comfortable this year.”

Both Dowling and Clark are capable scorers when they can get the ball, so midfielders getting it to them will be key.

Six seniors return from last years’ squad; in addition to Heath and Loredo, senior goalkeeper Alicia Cook hopes to continue her progression in goal while defender Alexis Palm, midfielder/ defender Ann Robbins and midfielder Leslie Holslather also return.

Sophomore forwards Sarah Dowling and Jesslyn Clark round out the returners with significant experience from last season.

Here’s an article on their opponent tonight, the Helias Crusaders – Helias girls want to make deep run in soccer

Justin Bowenschulte Part of 12 Drury Panther Signees

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Coming off the most successful season in the program’s history, the Drury men’s soccer Panthers have added a dozen new faces – all from the high school ranks – to begin play in the 2010 campaign.

Second-year Drury head coach Ryan Swan, who guided the Panthers to a 21-2 record and their first Great Lakes Valley Conference championship and NCAA-II Sweet 16 berth last fall, says he’s excited about the 12-member incoming freshman class.

“All of these players have been standout performers for the high school and club teams,” Swan says. “I expect several of these players to come in and challenge for playing time immediately and for all of them to help Drury University soccer to new heights over the next four years.”

The new Panthers are:

*Justin Bowenschulte, 5-10 midfielder, Catholic High School (Springfield, MO): Justin was named to the First Team All-Conference, All-Region and All-State squads and is a member of the Springfield Soccer Club U-18 team.

*Michael Yuede, 5-8 midfielder, St. Dominic High School (O’Fallon, MO): He was the Class 2 state player of the year after leading his team to a state championship, earning First Team All-State and Second Team All-Metro honors. Yuede also was a number of the ’09 Missouri state champion Scott Gallagher Soccer Club team.

*Matt Baker, 5-10 forward, Hickman High School (Columbia, MO): Matt helped lead Hickman to a district championship and an appearance in the state’s Class 3 Final Four, earning All-Region honors. He’s a member of the Columbia Pride Soccer Club.

*Alec Nagel, 5-11 midfielder, Jefferson City High School (Jefferson City, MO): Alec was a First Team All-Region, First Team All-State and Central Region MVP selection who also played for Missouri club state champion Scott Gallagher.

*Brendan Langford, 5-11 defender, Central Catholic High School (San Antonio, TX): He was a First Team All-District selection who was also named the district’s Offensive Player of the Year, garnering First Team All-State and Academic All-State honors along the way. Brendan plays club soccer for the Classic Elite soccer club.

*Jesse Williams, 6-2 midfielder, Castle High School (Evansville, IN): Jesse was named his team’s MVP along with earning First Team All-Conference and All-District accolades. He plays club with 2009 Indiana state champion FC Evansville.

*Thomas Davis, 5-11 forward, Aledo High School (Fort Worth, TX): Thomas set the Aledo school records for season and career goals scored. He was a 2009 All-Conference and All-District selection who plays club with the Solar SC.

*Dakota Stevens, 5-10 defender, Central High School (Fort Worth, TX): Dakota is a member of the Solar Soccer club as well.

*Brandon Reed, 6-2 defender, Owasso High School (Owasso, OK): Named his prep team’s Most Valuable Player, Brandon also plays club with the Tulsa Thunder Soccer Club.

*Logan Ream, 5-8 defender, St. Dominic High School (O’Fallon, MO): Logan helped his St. Dominic squad to back-to-back state championships, earning First Team All-State and All-Metro honors and being named the Missouri Player of the Year. He plays club with Scott Gallagher SC.

*Matthew Hutchison, 6-0 forward, CBC High School (St. Louis, MO): Matthew helped CBC and his Scott Gallagher club team both to state championships in 2009. He was named to the First Team All-Conference, All-Metro and All-State squads, and is playing club this spring with the Gallagher Academy.

*Adam Heiligenstein, 5-10 defender, Hazelwood West High School (Florissant, MO): Adam was named the Suburban North Conference MVP in addition to earning Second Team All-State and Third Team All-Metro honors. He plays club for the Scott Gallagher Illinois SC.

All of the above recruits will join a 2010 Panthers squad that was ranked as high as No. 2 nationally in D-II last season and features several top returnees, including Second Team All-America junior goalkeeper Stephen Conner and senior defender Ben Taylor as well as Third Team All-America senior forward Micah Whorton and Honorable Mention All-America senior defender Peter Higgins, in addition to All-GLVC honorees Blake Wilson, Grant Bowden and Conner McClellan, all defenders and seniors for the upcoming season.