Monthly Archives: June 2011

Springfield SC 94/95 Competing At Region 2 Tourney

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Springfield SC 94/95 - Missouri State Champions 2011The Springfield SC 94/95 Boys, fresh from their State Championship at the Missouri Cup last Thursday, are enroute to Appleton WI today to compete in the Region 2 Tourney. Part of the USYSA National Championship series, their State title sends them to this regional round with the regional age group winners then advancing to the National Championships in Phoenix next month.

The second team in Springfield Soccer Club to win a State Championship (the 90/91 age group won as 16 and 17 year olds in 2007 and 2008), they will be exposed to the Regional tournament for the first time. The tournament runs June 24-29 and like Cup will include a Group stage followed by knockout rounds.

I stopped by the final practice Thursday prior to their departures and got a few shots (see below) and chatted briefly with Josh McCutcheon (Kickapoo) and Evan Garrad (Glendale), the team captains:

Tournament Schedule:
Sat Jun 25 - 10:00 AM – SC Waukesha Pumas (WI) vs Springfield SC (MO)
Sun Jun 26 – 4:00 PM – Springfield SC (MO) – IL Galaxy (MRL2)
Mon Jun 27 – 8:00 AM – Everest SC Black (OH-N) – Springfield SC (MO)
Tue Jun 28 – 10:00 AM - [TBD] 1 of Pool B vs [TBD] 1 of Pool D
Wed Jun 29 – 8:30 AM - [TBD] Winner of Semifinals 1 vs [TBD] Winner of Semifinals 2

The team is part of Group D and the draw has some good news and some bad news. The good news is the opening match is against a team much like SSC, a first time competitor that comes from a program building new traditions in a state where FC Milwaukee is the dominant program. Waukesha (Wah-ka-shaw) is a western suburb of Milwaukee and where the highway turns North to Appleton. The other portion of the good news is the top-ranked team in the pool is Everest SC Black, ranked 5th in Region 2, but a team that SSC won’t have to face until they’ve played two prior games. That gives them the opportunity to become familiar with the environment, gain confidence and have current scouting reports on what will be the most difficult game of the tournament.

To get out of the group generally requires avoiding a loss and the first game is the most important. A loss in the first game is the most difficult of hurdles and avoiding Everest in that first game was the first piece of good fortune the boys will need. As the interview above notes, there is a quiet confidence and this is a good team with pace, a strong defensive will and enough inventiveness to be dangerous on this larger stage.

Coached by Eric Sorlie and Michael Seabolt from Missouri State (pictured in the white hat), I hope to have regular updates on their results.

There are several other local players competing this weekend as well. Emily Cline (Drury/Glendale) and Shelby Hatz (Drury/Catholic) are playing for St Louis Scott Gallagher at the U18 age bracket while Molly Brewer (Glendale) is playing for SLSG at the U17 age bracket.

ESPNrise.com did a preview of the Girls bracket that includes the KCFC Alliance squad that includes six players from the State Champion Liberty Jays. Regional Champs at U13 and U15, this is likely the last time these girls will play together and like the State tournament, their goal is to win the trophy.

Boys All-Stars Finish 6-1, Advantage White

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7th Annual Southwest All-Stars, White squad

7th Annual Southwest All-Stars, White squad

White – 6
Green – 1
A goal midway thru the 1st half by Dylan Corbett who made a great overlapping run down the right, with a ball sent into his path by Adam Entrup, allowed a shot to the far post just under Reece Connors dive. Entrup then scored two, the first a header from Jackson Patillo’s long ball into the box.

The White MVP was Adam Entrup, Catholic following his two early goals that gave the White team they would not give up. For the Green team, Joe Aubuchon from Glendale was recognized for his field leadership.

A large part of the difference in the scoreline tonight can be attributed to the fact that the White squad had 9 players who are teammates on the Springfield SC U18 squad who had just completed a run to the semifinals in the Missouri State Cup. It’s an inexact science when putting the teams together with the first focus on placing High School teammates together and then trying to balance the teams. With my transition out of the event there was less visibility on this factor but I expect that it was a lesson learned.

7th Annual Southwest All-Stars, Green squad

7th Annual Southwest All-Stars, Green squad


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    Girls All-Stars Finish Tied

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    6th Annual Girls Southwest All-Stars, Green squad

    6th Annual Girls Southwest All-Stars, Green squad

    White “Lightning” – 2
    Green “Machine” – 2

    MVPs were Emily Ortega from Catholic and Kelsey Loderhose from Parkview.

    6th Annual Girls Southwest All-Stars, White squad

    6th Annual Girls Southwest All-Stars, White squad


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    USA vs Mexico Reach Gold Cup Final

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    USA Fans at Farmers Gastropub

    USA Fans at Farmers Gastropub

    Join us Saturday evening at 8pm at Farmer’s Gastropub as we cheer on the USA in their match against Mexico. Farmer’s noted on their Facebook page today that they’ll have the grills going outside on Saturday with some special treats!

    The 2011 Gold Cup final will take place on Saturday, June 25 at a sold-out Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Kickoff for the match is set for 8 p.m. CT, and the match can be seen live on FOX Soccer and Univision. FOX Soccer will also have a 30-minute pre-game show beginning at 7:30 p.m.

    The U.S. and Mexico shard the spoils during the past two Gold Cup finals, with the U.S. taking the 2007 final 2-1 while Mexico pulled away late in 2009 to defeat an inexperienced U.S. squad for a 5-0 victory. The U.S. will be seeking its fifth Gold Cup title and a berth in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

    The U.S. Men’s National Team advanced to an unprecedented fourth straight CONCACAF Gold Cup final this evening displaying patience and poise in a 1-0 victory against Panama at Reliant Stadium. The U.S. will face Mexico for the third straight time in the final after the USA’s archrival defeated Honduras in the second semifinal.

    In a defensive match against Panama that didn’t see many chances for either side, Clint Dempsey scored his third goal of the 2011 Gold Cup in the 76th minute after a great service from Landon Donovan set him up for a sliding finish from close range at the left post.

    Posted in USA

    Southwest Baptist Prospects Camp – August 3-6

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    SBU Bearcats Asst Coach Dean Gray & Head Coach Rob Podeyn

    SBU Bearcats Asst Coach Dean Gray & Head Coach Rob Podeyn

    This camp is designed to mimic our pre-season at SBU. Players will go through the fitness, technical and tactical training and will learn our playing system for 4 days.

    It is run by the SBU Coaching Staff and focuses on players either entering high school or currently in high school. If a player is interested in SBU or thinking of playing at the college level, then this is a great camp for them. They will learn about the recruitment process, the eligibility process, how to market themselves, what college coaches look for and be evaluated by the staff for where they are and what they need to work on.

    From last year’s camp we signed 5 players for this August and have 2 verbally committed for 2012.

    Download SBU Prospects Camp Flyer

    KC grabs a point

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    Sporting KC continued to rely on its stellar defense in notching a 0-0 tie in Philadelphia Wednesday night.

    By keeping the Union off the scoreboard, KC (3-6-5) has not lost in its last six matches.

    The defense is a big reason for KC’s success of late. Sporting has only given up two goals in their past six matches.

    The Union (6-4-5) remained undefeated at home with the tie. Philadelphia, LA and KC are the only teams who have not gone down at home this year.

    KC returns to Sporting Livestrong Park Saturday to take on Vancouver.

    Southwest Missouri All-Star Soccer Game Rosters Announced

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    2006 All-Stars from Joplin and Neosho

    2006 All-Stars from Joplin and Neosho

    The 7th Annual All-Star game is being played at the Greenwood Stadium Field at the Cooper Soccer Complex Thursday June 23rd. There will be two games, a Girls game beginning at 6:00 pm followed by the Boys game at 8:00 pm.

    The rosters for the game have just been released with a new color scheme this year.

    Girls Roster Final 2011 – The Green Team is coached by Jeff Rogers, Glendale and the White Team coached by Ben Timson, Catholic. Jeff’s youngest son, Jake Rogers, returns from a knee injury that kept him out of the Fall season to participate in the All-Star game. He will play for Crowder College in the Fall.

    Boys Roster Final 2011 – The Green Team is coached by Mike Howard, Rolla and the White Team coached by Jacob Osborne, Carthage. Jason Howard, Mike’s oldest son, is playing and is headed for Lewis & Clark in St Louis following a senior season that included 2nd Team All-State and Central Region Offensive Player of the Year honors.

    The teams are invited high school seniors who graduated in May 2011 and have recently completed their high school careers. Players are considered from three Class 3 Districts (10, 11 and 12), one Class 2 District (11) plus Bolivar and St James, and two Class 1 Districts (11, 12)

    The game features the best graduating high school seniors in this region, as chosen by Eric Sorlie, Duane Moses and Tim Davis of Springfield Soccer Club. The event is organized and supported by Springfield Soccer Club, home to over 20 teams including three State Championship squads (2007, 2008 and recently crowned 2011 Boys U16 Missouri State Champions).

    Bob Florez Named Spring 2011 Official of the Year

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    Bob Florez, Spring 2011 Official of the Year (Class 2 Sectional)

    Bob Florez, Spring 2011 Official of the Year (Class 2 Sectional)

    The regional voting by area Soccer Coaches is complete and their Spring 2011 Officiating recognition is complete.

    Southwest Missouri Girls Soccer Official of the Year – Spring 2011: Bob Florez

    Runners Up: Courtney Wendel and Patrick Burns

    Courtney Wendel and Patrick Burns were both recognized by MSHSAA this year as well, working the Final 4 in early June. Courtney was part of the first ever All-Women crew at the Final 4 that handled the Class 1 Final won by Catholic. Patrick worked the Class 3 Final between Liberty and Ursuline.

    Finalists for Southwest Missouri Girls Soccer Official of the Year – Spring 2011
    Tim Brown, Patrick Burns, Bob Florez, Tim Noonan, Courtney Wendel, Andy Wilkinson

    All-Southwest Missouri Girls Soccer Officiating Crew – Spring 2011
    Tim Brown, Jordan Burns, Patrick Burns, David Cross, Dan England, Henry Enlow, Bob Florez, Jason Florez, Brad Hamman, T.J. Howden, Bruce Immekus, Ken Kwantes, Tim Noonan, Greg Overfelt, Tex Rabenau, Roger Wallenberg, Courtney Wendel, Andy Wilkinson

    Ryan Smith leaves Sporting

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    The announcement came Tuesday that Sporting KC midfielder Ryan Smith has left the team due to family reasons.

    It has been a rough year for the 24-year-old English midfielder. He appeared in only six MLS games this year after offseason knee surgery kept him out early and a groin strain has kept him on the sidelines recently. His only goal this year came in a 1-1 draw with Colorado.

    In a press release, manager Peter Vermes said that things are sometimes difficult for international players.

    “With some of the family issues that Ryan has back at home, he felt like this was the best decision for both him and his family, and we support him,” Vermes said.

    Smith signed with Sporting KC before the 2010 season, he played in 26 games last year recording three goals and leading the team with seven assists.

    USA vs Panama in Gold Cup Semifinal Wednesday

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    World Cup Watch Party at Farmers Gastropub by James Radke

    World Cup Watch Party at Farmers Gastropub by James Radke

    Join us Wednesday evening at Farmers Gastropub where we’ll be cheering on the USA squad as they look to gain revenge against Panama in the semifinal match. Kickoff for the match is at 6 p.m. CT can be seen live on FOX Soccer and Univision. FOX Soccer will also have a 30-minute pre-game show beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT

    Gold Cup USA-PANAMA, Semifinal (live) 6 pm on Fox Soccer Channel and Univision.
    Gold Cup HONDURAS-MEXICO, Semifinal (live) 9 pm on Univision.
    Gold Cup Final is Saturday at 7:30 pm, plan on joining us again!

    The U.S. Men’s National Team put together its best performance in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup Sunday with an impressive 2-0 victory against Jamaica at RFK Stadium to advance to the semifinals.

    The U.S. dominated the match and created numerous chances, finally breaking through in the second half when Jermaine Jones’ one-timer from the top of the penalty area found the back on the net. After a red card to Jermaine Taylor, the U.S. used their man advantage to put the game away with an attractive passing sequence the led to a well-composed finish from close range by Clint Dempsey.

    Posted in USA