Manchester United Take On Arsenal In The FA Cup Saturday

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Ole

The Goal Blog in the New York Times describes what is at stake Saturday when Manchester United vs. Arsenal kicks off at 11 am CST (Fox Soccer Channel).

The F.A. Cup, not the league, takes precedence in England this weekend. Nevertheless, this is the matchup between the two outstanding sides in the Premiership, and the outcome could define their seasons.

After two defeats, United needs to get its rhythm back, if not for the sake of the Cup, then certainly in time for its Champions League encounter with Marseille on Tuesday. For that reason, it might rest key older players.

Arsenal, however, will throw everything at Saturday.

‘‘We need it, I must say,’’ acknowledged manager Arsene Wenger. ‘‘We have been touched severely recently, and we are chasing a win of this type.’’

Even Wenger, a coaching psychologist par excellence, has a mighty task. He must convince his players that they are not tired, mentally and physically, after being so totally outplayed in Barcelona four days ago.
Arsenal risked two unfit players there, and the gamble might haunt Wenger. Robin van Persie played little part before being red-carded at the Camp Nou, and Cesc Fàbregas is out of the match after aggravating his hamstring injury.

The same article offers short previews of other important games across the world this weekend.

SATURDAY, March 12 – FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
FA Cup MANCHESTER UNITED-ARSENAL (live) 11 am.
Italy CESENA-JUVENTUS (live) 1:30 pm.

SATURDAY, March 12 – ESPN3.com
Germany BAYERN MUNICH-HAMBURG (live) 8:25 am.
Germany WERDER BREMEN-BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH (live) 11:25 am.
Spain REAL MADRID-HERCULES (live) 1 pm.
Spain ZARAGOZA-VALENCIA (live) 3 pm.
South American U-17 Championship ECUADOR-BOLIVIA (live) 3 pm.
South American U-17 Championship ARGENTINA-PERU (live) 5:10 pm.
Australia GRAND FINAL (live) 11:30 pm.

SUNDAY, March 13 – FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
Italy ROMA-LAZIO (live) 9 am.
FA Cup MANCHESTER CITY-READING (live) 11:30 am.
Italy PARMA-NAPOLI (live) 2:30 pm.

SUNDAY, March 13 – ESPN3.com
Italy AC MILAN-BARI (live) 6:25 am.
Italy ROMA-LAZIO (live) 8:55 am.
Italy CATANIA-SAMPDORIA (live) 8:55 am.
South American U-17 Championship BRAZIL-VENEZUELA (live) 9 am.
Spain ESPANYOL-DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA (live) 10:55 am.
South American U-17 Championship COLOMBIA-CHILE (live) 11:10 am.
Italy BRESCIA-INTER MILAN (live) 1:40 pm.
Italy CESENA-JUVENTUS (live) 1:40 pm.
Italy PARMA-NAPOLI (live) 2:40 pm.

MONDAY, March 14 – ESPN3.com
Portugal LEIRA-PORTO (live) 3:15 pm.

Champions Challenge Cup Opens Saturday

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Ole

Beautiful weather this weekend, the reason teams want to come to Southwest Missouri in early March although as we know it’s a dice role what we’ll get. All I know is I need to dig out the sunscreen!

It’s a small competition this year, with six age/gender groups competing. There are 3 Boy’s groups, with Under 10, Under 13 and Under 14 featuring 12 teams. For the Girl’s groups, we have Under 11, Under 12 and Under 14 featuring 14 teams. Springfield SC is the only local program competing in the Boy’s category while the Girls category will be represented by Missouri Elite FC and Springfield SC.

All games will be played at the Cooper Sports Complex and Lake Country Soccer, both located at 2331 and 2334 E. Pythian Drive in Springfield, MO. 65802

Livestrong Sporting Park

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Ole

Sporting KC Press Release – In keeping with its innovative approach to nonprofit management, LIVESTRONG today announced that it has partnered with Kansas City-based Sporting Club to name its stadium and event complex “LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.” Sporting Club, the parent organization of Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer, will host a variety of sports and entertainment events at the new stadium, including all home matches for the soccer team.

Through this unique partnership, fans will join the fight against cancer every time they support their teams or enjoy memorable performances at the venue.

LIVESTRONG is the brand of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, created in 1997 by the cancer survivor and champion cyclist to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action. For the duration of the agreement, a portion of all stadium revenues, including ticket sales and concessions, will fund the foundation’s advocacy work. The partnership will also help launch the development of local cancer survivorship services for Kansas City residents. opportunity for these organizations to spread cancer awareness throughout the Kansas City community.

“We’re proud of Kansas City’s history as a philanthropic leader and we believe that this innovative partnership continues that legacy,” said Robb Heineman, CEO of Sporting Club. “The fight against cancer is being waged around the world, every hour of every day. So while the fight doesn’t take time out for entertainment, LIVESTRONG Sporting Park provides each of us with the opportunity to stay involved in the cause and celebrate many of those things worth fighting for – the support of community, the thrill of victory and events that bring us all together.”

LIVESTRONG Sporting Park will seat 18,500 for soccer and 25,000 for concerts. The $200 million stadium will be one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the United States and will focus on fan experience through WiFi Access, multiple themed club environments, an IP television network and a membership affinity platform. In addition, the stadium and accompanying event complex will also be 100 percent tobacco free.

For more information about the stadium, visit www.LIVESTRONGSportingPark.com.

The KC Star takes a look at the announcement and how it came together.

Marshfield Youth Soccer League Registration Opens

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Ole

Press Release – Registration for Spring 2011 Youth Soccer has opened! You may register at the back door of Marshfield City Hall between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Any registrations received after next Monday (March 14) will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis; once teams are full, additional registrations will not be taken.

If you are interested in registering, please read the entire contents of this post – it may answer the questions you may have. If you need more information, a contact number is located at the bottom of this story. You may also e-mail dbamarsh@marshfieldmo.gov.

Please note that this is a RECREATIONAL league – no experience necessary!

COSTS & REGISTRATION PROCEDURE: Cost is $30.00 per child ($35.00 if you live outside the city limits); unfortunately, we do not offer multi-child discounts. A team shirt is included with your registration. The only other items your child will need to participate are shinguards (available locally at The Sports Shop and Wal-Mart), a soccer ball, and a good pair of running shoes (cleats may also be worn). We do NOT require children to have a physical before participating; you do not need to bring your child to the registration, and we do not require a birth certificate.

LEAGUE INFORMATION: Children ages 2-15 (must be born on July 1, 1996 or later) are welcome to participate. We welcome ALL area children. New teams will be formed for fall leagues, and children will be assigned to teams randomly in both the spring and fall. No specific requests to play with another child or specific coach will be honored.

GAMES & PRACTICES: We will play a six week, seven game season, with play starting on April 8 (Under 6 teams will once play six weeks, with no double headers). Games are held on Saturday mornings at Rotary Park (next to City Hall); practices are held one time per team per week (5:30 p.m. or later on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday of Friday; coaches determine practice days and times).

Coaches are always needed! If you decide to coach, your child will be placed on your team.

AGE GROUPS: A child may move up to the next league if he/she is within one year of that age group. Children cannot be moved down to a younger age group. Siblings will be placed on the same team if they play in the same league.
Age groups are as follows:
· League 1: Born July 1, 2005, and later.
· League 2: Born between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2005.
· League 3: Born between July 1, 2000, and June 30, 2003.
· League 4: Born between July 1, 1996, and June 30, 2000.

If you need additional information, you may e-mail dbamarsh@marshfieldmo.gov or call 468-5111, Ext. 289.

We hope to see you at the fields this spring!
Deana A. Fishel
City of Marshfield

US MNT To Face Guadeloupe At Sporting Park June 14th – Gold Cup!

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Ole

CHICAGO (March 8, 2011) — The United States will seek its fifth confederation championship title when they join Group C of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup along with Canada, Guadeloupe and Panama. The U.S. will first take on Canada on June 7 at 7 p.m. CT at Ford Field in Detroit. The team then travels south to face Panama on June 11 at 7 p.m. CT at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., before rounding out group play against Guadeloupe on June 14 at the brand new Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, with kickoff slated for 8 p.m. CT.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on March 16 at 10 a.m. local time in each venue market. For more information, visit goldcup.org. Presale for the game in KC is available now for Season Ticket holders. Tickets range in price from $30-$110 for single game sales.

The United States has won four Gold Cup championships since the tournament began in 1991, including three of the last five, and has reached the final of the last three editions of the event. Incredibly, the U.S. has never lost a match in group play, holding a 23-0-2 lifetime record. Overall, the U.S. has a 38-5-6 record in Gold Cup action.

The winner of the 2011 Gold Cup will represent CONCACAF at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. In 2007, the U.S. parlayed a 2-1 victory against Mexico in the Gold Cup final into an historic performance at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, reaching its first ever final of a major FIFA tournament after defeating No.-1 ranked and eventual World Cup Champion Spain in the semifinal.

Liberty Lady Jays Ranked #1 By ESPN

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Ole

Shea Groom, Liberty Blue Jays (2010) from Liberty Tribune

ESPN is branching out trying to earn eyeballs and advertising dollars in anything that looks like a sport. High School sports and the mythical national championship is one area they’ve turned their attention to. I’m pointing to that effort today to salute the Liberty Jays, the defending Class 3 champions of Missouri High School Girls soccer, who open the season with the #1 ranking in the Powerade Fab50.

#1 Liberty Jays (Liberty, Mo.) 0-0-0 NR
Missouri’s defending state champ Liberty gets the nod as preseason No. 1 behind a talented group of players. The lineup features a pair of US Soccer Youth National Team players in Shea Groom (Texas A&M) and Kaysie Clark (Missouri). The team is far from a two-girl show, as Kelsey Goff (Nebraska), Delaney Kiely (Oklahoma State), Kaely Tott (William Jewell) and Jenna Turner also project as impact players. Liberty competes in the MO-KAN Challenge against top programs from Kansas, the Heart of America Classic against other national caliber teams and ultimately faces the always-talented run of St. Louis programs in the playoffs. In addition, Liberty makes a late-season trip to St. Louis to face perennial powers St. Joseph’s Academy and Incarnate Word Academy. If Liberty can go undefeated against that schedule, there will be no dispute as to the No. 1 team in the nation — regardless of season (fall, winter or spring).

#12 Lee’s Summit North (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) 0-0-0 NR
The struggle between St. Louis and Kansas City for in-state dominance is well documented. In fact, the areas have split the last 10 large-school state titles. Usually, where there is one Kansas City team in the FAB 50, a St. Louis program resides near by. But this year, Kansas City gets the edge with defending champ Liberty starting at No. 1 and Lee’s Summit North, with two first-team and one second-team all-state players returning. Lee’s Summit North was a state quarterfinalist last year, losing to Liberty, which rolled to the state title. Lee’s Summit North’s key returners are senior keeper Caroline Stanley (Missouri), junior midfielder Allie Stephenson (Oklahoma State) and junior defender Courtney Licata.

In addition to these two teams, St Louis is represented at #39 by St. Joseph’s Academy and at #47 by Visitation Academy.

The POWERADE FAB 50 is released every Tuesday throughout the spring season starting on March 14. The spring-playing states are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California (spring), Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (spring), South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Arsenal vs Barcelona in Champions League Knockout Tuesday

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Ole

Plenty of good soccer this week, led by the return leg of the Champions League Round of 16. The big game is featured in the Guardian article Arsenal face suffocating assault from a Barcelona provoked by defiance

All the striving, all the high ideals, have come to this: a test of exquisite complexity in a place where even the grandest dreamers can be destroyed. A test of everything Arsenal want to be.

When Andrey Arshavin scooted across north-London turf to give Arsène Wenger’s team a 2-1 lead in their Champions League duet with Barcelona, he twisted all normal thinking. Arsenal parade a pioneering spirit but in this rematch they are required to hold what they have. Instead of elaboration all the talk is of elaborate strategies.

The game kicks off at 1pm Tuesday and you can catch it live on Fox Soccer Channel. The list of other games this week available on FSC or Gol TV are also listed below. There’s a good story that was a lead in to the Manchester United vs Liverpool game played Sunday worth a read as well, offering a look back to 1992 and the changes since then in the two teams fortunes.

TUESDAY, March 8 – FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
UEFA Champions League BARCELONA-ARSENAL (live) 1 pm.
UEFA Champions League SHAKHTAR DONETSK-ROMA (delay) 4 pm.

WEDNESDAY, March 9 – FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
UEFA Champions League TOTTENHAM-AC MILAN (live) 1 pm.
UEFA Champions League SCHALKE-VALENCIA (delay) 4 pm.

THURSDAY, March 10 – GOLTV
Europa League BRAGA-LIVERPOOL (live) 12 pm.
Europa League AJAX-SPARTAK MOSCOW (live) 2 pm.

FRIDAY, March 11 – FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
Italy BRESCIA-INTER MILAN (live) 1:30 pm.

SATURDAY, March 12 – FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
FA Cup MANCHESTER UNITED-ARSENAL (live) 11 am.
Italy CESENA-JUVENTUS (live) 1:30 pm.

Ryan Giggs And United Face Liverpool on Sunday

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Ole

If only there were more like him, although then we probably wouldn’t appreciate it as much, like Spring after Winter. Ryan Giggs just celebrated 20 years of play and FIFA recognizes him with a great story

In one sense, there was an element of symmetry to it. Last night, 20 years on, Ryan Giggs’ 863rd Manchester United appearance ended just as his first had: in defeat.
Yet although Chelsea simply succeeded in doing to the Red Devils legend what Everton had to a skinny 17-year-old on 2 March 1991, there seemed something ill-fitting about the outcome at Stamford Bridge. After all, if there is one thing Giggs has perfected in the intervening decades, it is the art of winning.

As Jose Mourinho said in a tribute to evergreen 37-year-old: “The proof is in the medals.” Certainly, those winner’s baubles – 11 in the Premier League, eight from domestic cups and two in the UEFA Champions League – have established Giggs as the most decorated player in English football history.

Sir Alex Ferguson has described him as the greatest player of the Premier League era, while United’s fans recently bestowed an even greater compliment by voting him the club’s greatest-ever player. Giggs, typically unassuming, said that he “genuinely couldn’t believe” he had beaten the likes of George Best and Bobby Charlton. But few elsewhere were surprised.

Check the whole thing out. I started rooting for Leeds in 1991-1992 while enjoying English League matches with my Scottish buddies, Ross and Judith. What a treat it’s been to watch him during that time.

The Guardian does their usual fine work in digging through the archives. Go visit for more thrillers like this one from 1988!

Missouri High School Soccer: Girls Class 1 District 11 Preview

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Ole

Rebecca Mayus, Springfield Catholic (2011)

Girls soccer has a new alignment this year. For those who missed my earlier story, MSHSAA has set up three equal classes with 16 Districts each (8 previously in Class 1 and 2). The intent is to offer Sectional and Quarterfinal games for every class. That also means there are twice as many District Champions this year (16 instead of 8). Somewhat reminiscent of Youth soccer (everyone gets a trophy) although as students of the game in this region are already aware, Class 1 District 11 would be a challenge for any team hoping to knock off the defending State Champion Fightin’ Irish, regardless of class.

There are three teams that will compete in the District this year. Joplin McAuley, Greenwood and Springfield Catholic.

Ally Adrian, McAuley Warriors (2013)

The McAuley Warriors are aptly named, I always enjoy covering the ladies in Blue. Classic underdogs, the team struggled to maintain a roster of 11 players last year but never backed down. I don’t root often but it’s great seeing competitive games and the Warrior’s never disappoint. Their spirits are high this year as their team-sharing agreement with College Height’s kicks in. The two schools combined for one boys team last year (College Heights) and this year they Girls team plays under the McAuley banner. Rumor has it there could be as many as 18 on the final roster. Like most teams in the region, an influx of freshman will only help.

Sydney Ganus, Greenwood Blue Jays (2011)

The Greenwood Blue Jays will field a young team that will also rely on some incoming freshmen. The team lost three senior starters, all in critical roles in the middle – Maddy Esther (currently playing at D3 Rhodes College), Maddy Smith and Caroline Jansen. There is one senior returning starter, Sydney Ganus (defender) last seen doing yeoman work in the District Final loss to Catholic, including clearing a sure goal by heading it out off the line. She’s joined by Sara Cook (11th grade), the twins Mary Margaret Kirkman (10th grade) and Anna Grace Kirkman (10th grade) along with Annabelle Chaffin (11th grade) in offering leadership for the young team. There are several freshman prospects that are expected make a difference including Anna Turner (defender), Kelsey Nau (midfielder) and Anna Martinez (yes, Alex’s sister from Glendale) at midfield. The most critical item will be identifying a goalkeeper for this team that had approximately two dozen out Thursday evening. Head Coach Chris Shull is being assisted by former Drury Panther Ally Reynolds this year.

How about the defending District and State Champion Springfield Catholic Fightin’ Irish? The Senior Class, led by midfielder Natalie Smid, is in my estimation the group that is most responsible for the regular run to State that has marked this program recently. They will be shooting for their 3rd straight trip to the Final 4 this season and a 2nd straight title. The most significant change for the team will be the loss of senior goalkeeper Rachel Scott. Scott, who has been accepted to Yale and has her sights set on a career in neurological surgery, is focused on preparing for that career this season.

The good news is that junior Megan Goetzinger, who split time in goal with Scott last season and was recognized with Rachel as 2nd Team All-State GK’s, returns and now takes charge in the net. She’ll have 1st All-State defenders Carsen Baron and Rebecca Mayus fronting her which is a plethora of riches any Coach in the region would enjoy. Add a pair of D2 college signee’s in Andrea Parker and Shelby Hatz, who will continue their careers at Drury in the Fall, and the Irish should continue their winning ways. Check out my earlier story for additional impact players.

There were over 50 players at practice on Thursday but it wasn’t a complete contingent as junior Bekah Bade (who scored the game-winner in the title game last June) among others was missing with the basketball season just ending. There are two freshman to keep an eye on going into this season as well. Nicole Ortega joins her sister Emily and Lydia Holtman follows in the footsteps of her All-Star sister Elle who is a senior at Rockhurst. With a senior class of 12, Coach Timson will need to find a balance that helps prepare the underclassmen for next year. A tough problem to have, he’s being assisted this year by Sarah Linsin and Jordan Reppell from Missouri State. Pretty nice role models when you can drive by a billboard and say – hey, there’s my coach!

MSU billboard including Sarah Linsin

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