Monthly Archives: July 2011

USA vs France – 10 am Wednesday At Farmers Gastropub

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hope soloReady to create some great new memories?

Join us for brunch at Farmers Gastropub for the USA vs France match on Wednesday morning. Bill Griffiths is opening at 10am in time for the pre-game show. Kickoff is at 10:30 am.

Here are some stories about the team and the game. I’ll update this list as more pop up.

Women’s World Cup a Great Cultural Display of Football

Great story with key points for any coach IMO – Time To Give Pia Sundhage Some Credit

Did you know Rapinoe has had 2 ACL injuries on her left leg, the one she hit that great cross with? World Cup Squad Injury Count

Even a conservative who called soccer a ‘sissy game’ can come to love the beautiful game – When Team Spirit Becomes The American Spirit

And, closing with Dan Loney and his inimitable look at the tournament – Its the Terror of knowing what the Women’s World Cup is about

Posted in USA

Hart Added to Region 2 ODP Pool, England Next

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94 Boys Missouri ODP squad, July 2011

Austin Hart (front row, 2nd from left) and Reid Harbach (back row, 4th from left)

Austin Hart (Springfield SC, Glendale) is one of six players on the Missouri State 94 Boys ODP team who were selected for the Region 2 94 Boys regional team pool. They are currently participating in the holdover camp in Overland Park, KS. The Missouri ’94 ODP squad, which also included and Reid Harbach (Springfield SC, Catholic) are pictured above.

On July 29, a majority of the team will travel Leeds, England, to participate in international play. Harbach, who is a member of the Region 2 pool, will be part of the team and they will also be joined by SSC clubmates Joe Curti and Jackson Patillo who are continuing their education at Richmond Academy and it’s international soccer program.

Drew Fitzgerald Named Assistant At Missouri State

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Drew Fitzgerald, Missouri State Bears

Drew Fitzgerald, Missouri State Bears

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State women’s soccer head coach Rob Brewer announced today the addition of Drew Fitzgerald to his coaching staff for 2011. Fitzgerald was a volunteer assistant coach with the team last fall and takes the place of former assistant Josh Ganson.

“Drew has great attention to detail both on and off the field,” said Brewer. “He sees the game well and helped us to make positive adjustments last season. He has a good rapport with the team. Drew should hit the ground running and help keep the positive momentum going for us.”

Before coming to Missouri State, Fitzgerald spent four seasons as a women’s soccer assistant coach at McNeese State. As an assistant with the Cowgirls, he helped the squad to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006. He also helped guide the team to the Southland Conference Championship in 2007. In 2008, he aided the team, which reached the Southland Conference Tournament finals.

“I’m very excited to join the Missouri State staff this year and am eager to begin the season,” said Fitzgerald. “Missouri State has a great tradition and Coach Brewer has a consistent record of winning. Our student-athletes have demonstrated great character on the field and in the classroom. I count myself lucky to be a part of this program.”

Fitzgerald was the head coach of the Texas A&M men’s club soccer team before landing at McNeese State. As head coach of A&M’s club team, he led them to the 2004 NIRSA National Championship. His team was undefeated that season.

Fitzgerald earned a B.S. in Journalism (2001) and an M.S. in Sport Management (2005) from Texas A&M. He also received his NSCAA National Diploma, Goalkeeper I & II diploma and the USSF National “D” License.

Fitzgerald’s hire is pending final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next meeting.

The women’s soccer team begins the regular season on Friday, August 19 at UALR. The team’s home opener is Friday, September 2 with a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Kansas at Plaster Field.

Jack Jewsbury Chosen To MLS All-Star First XI

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Jack Jewsbury, MLS All-Stars First XI
If the fan vote is any indication, the MLS All-Star team will be heavy on the stars when they take on English Premier League champions Manchester United in the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena.

The First XI also includes three players who have never been named to the MLS All-Star team.

San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski, the 2010 Golden Boot winner, has obviously earned the respect of fans across North America for his consistent scoring. Brek Shea, the young attacker from FC Dallas, is enjoying a season some pundits call worthy of MVP consideration.

Portland captain Jack Jewsbury, who leads the Portland Timbers with four goals and is fourth in MLS with six assists, is the lone representative of either of this year’s expansion teams.

Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler was also selected for the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star team as the player with the most fan votes via text. Besler received an astounding 30 percent of all text votes submitted between June 8 and July 5 and he received nearly three times as many text votes as the next closest player.

Bravo comes through late for Sporting KC

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In Major League Soccer, you have to play until the final whistle. Sporting KC’s Omar Bravo scored the game-tying goal against Chivas USA in the 93rd minute Saturday night at Sporting Livestrong Park.

With the tie, KC extended its unbeaten streak to 10 straight MLS matches. They have yet to lose in their new home stadium.

Chivas got on the board in the 30th minute on a goal by Nick LaBrocca, but KC kept fighting and Bravo finally broke through in stoppage time to make sure KC got a point.

Sporting KC’s next match is a US Open Cup match against the United Soccer League’s Richmond Kickers on Tuesday in KC.

Jack Jewsbury and Portland Featured On ESPN Sunday at 3pm

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2011 MLS All-Star GameHaving allowed the Portland Timbers to walk into Qwest Field (now CenturyLink Field) and come away with a 1-1 draw on May 14, Sunday’s 3 p.m. (CT) rivalry rematch at Jeld-Wen Field is even more significant for the Seattle. Timbers Insiders calls it Love Fest ’11

The All-Star First XI, as determined by the fans, will be announced during the ESPN broadcast of of the game Sunday. Jewsbury was listed in the Top 7 midfielders with one week remaining in the Fan voting. Hopefully we’ll hear that he made the list. He was included on the Second Team of Soccer By Ives.

The All-Star game is being played on Wednesday July 27th and will feature Manchester United vs the MLS All-Stars. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.

USA vs Brazil in World Cup Quarterfinals – Sunday 10am on ESPN

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US Women's Soccer carrying flag

Photo by Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Staff

The World Cup Quarter-Finals will be played Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The USA game is Sunday morning at 10:30 am, pre-game show at 10:00 am. Stock up on your brunch requirements now!

Quarterfinals
In the first bracket, Germany who finished atop Group A will face Group B runner-up Japan, and Sweden Group C winner will face Group D runner-up Australia. In the second bracket, England Group B winner will face off against neighbor France who were runner-up in Group A while the United States, Group C runner-up will face off against Brazil the Group D winner. All games will be covered live on ESPN and ESPN3.com.

The Guardian offers a nice roundup of the four matches and if you need a reminder of the strides the game has made, check out Jennifer’s post looking back to THAT game (USA/Brazil, 2007).

Here’s the schedule for the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals:

Saturday July 9th
10:30 am – England vs. France
1:15 pm – Germany vs. Japan

Sunday July 10th
5:30 am – Sweden vs. Australia
10:00 am – Brazil vs. United States

The Semifinals are July 13th and the Final will be July 17th.

Springfield SC Sends 11 to Region 2 ODP Camp in KC

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Glendale Falcons, Austin Hart

The 2011 Region 2 Boys Camps are being held in Overland Park, KS this week. The Camps bring in the State teams from Region 2 offering age group competition between the teams and leading to what is termed the Holdover Camp where individual players are invited to stay and participate on a Regional level squad. Last year four players – Jackson Patillo (Willard/American Academy in England), Taylor Arens (Catholic/Missouri S&T), Luke Straus (Catholic) and Lucas Moore (Nixa) – represented SSC in the Region 2 ODP pool.

94 Boys – July 8-11 in Overland Park
Reid Harbach (93/94)
Austin Hart (93/94)
Robert Neathery (93/94)

95 Boys–July 8-10 in Overland Park
Patrick Hubbard, Walnut Shade (Branson, 94/95II)
Ben Reinbold (95/96 I)

98 Boys–July 5-9 in Overland Park
Cole Johnson (98/99 I)

99 Boys–July 6-9 in Overland Park
Nikolas Chavez (98/99 I)
Zach Peters (98/99 I)
Josh Sheiderer (99/00 11v11)
Ian Hansen (98/99 I)
Peyton Wissig (98/99 II)

ODP Mission
The mission of the US Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program is to identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the US National Teams.

The mission of Missouri Youth Soccer Association’s (MYSA) Olympic Development Program is to identify and develop the top players registered within the State of Missouri, to promote development through quality coaching, and to help these players gain recognition on the Regional and National levels.

Zusi keeps KC unbeaten at home

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Reigning MLS player of the month Graham Zusi played like he is trying to make it two in a row Wednesday night. With Sporting KC down one at home to Colorado in the 62nd minute, Zusi corralled the ball after CJ Sapong’s near miss and scored his third goal of the year.

Sporting KC held on for the draw and extended its unbeaten streak to nine straight MLS games. Sporting  (5-6-6) is also undefeated at Sporting Livestrong Park.

The Rapids (5-5-9) are the reigning MLS Cup champs, they jumped on KC early when Conor Casey settled a free kick in the box and snuck the ball by Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen.

CJ Sapong, who came in for Teal Bunbury in the 59th minute, nearly gave KC all three points with a shot in the 94th minute but Colorado made the tough save.

Sporting is home again Saturday night against Chivas USA.

 

Ger Coppinger Added To Missouri State Bears Soccer Staff

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Ger Coppinger

Ger Coppinger

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State men’s soccer head coach Jon Leamy announced today the hiring of Ger Coppinger as the team’s new assistant coach. Coppinger takes over for David Stockton who accepted a similar position at Cal State Monterey Bay this spring.

“Ger is a great addition to the Missouri State soccer program,” stated Leamy. “He brings energy, enthusiasm and experience that will continue the fine line of outstanding coaches we have had here at Missouri State. He has a great goalkeeping background as both a player and a coach. We are excited to bring him on board.”

Coppinger comes to Missouri State after spending last fall as the men’s and women’s goalkeeper coach at Missouri Baptist University. He also coached the U-17 O’Fallon Kixx men’s team for two seasons, leading them to the State Cup tournament in one of those seasons.