Sporting KC Soccer Camps

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Ole

Sporting Kansas City will again offer a series of youth soccer camps in 2012 for boys and girls of all ages. Camps will be offered to the experienced player ready to take it to the next level as well as the player who is newly developing their skills. Campers who attend sessions at our training center in Swope Park will have the opportunity to observe the Pros at practice. All campers will also receive an adidas t-shirt.

2012 Spring Break Camp
Open to all boys (9-16yrs old) who are currently a part of or looking to become part of the Sporting Juniors program in the future. All players will be evaluated by the Sporting Juniors coaching staff and possibly invited back to future training sessions. This camp is offered to the committed player who wants to be part of U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy as well as the Sporting Juniors. The Sporting Kansas City Juniors are the youth teams that play under the umbrella of Sporting KC of Major league Soccer.

When: Monday, March 12th thru Wednesday, March 14th
Who: Boys Only. Ages 9-16 years old.
Schedule:
· 9am-10:30am: 14-16 years old
· 11am-12:30pm: 11-13 years old
· 1:30pm-3:00pm: 9-10 years old
Where: Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park (6310 Lewis Rd., Kansas City, MO 64130)
Cost: $130 (includes adidas Sporting KC t-shirt)
REGISTER NOW

Pre Try-Out Camp
The Sporting Juniors will host a pre-tryout camp for those players who are interested in trying out for the 2012-13 Sporting Kansas City Juniors teams. This camp will help you sharpen your technical skills and mentally prepare you for tryouts. The camp will be coached by our Sporting Juniors coaches and will take place at the official training grounds for Sporting Kansas City. Campers will also have access to watching the senior team train before or after camp. The fee will include three 90-minute camp sessions as well as a Sporting KC Juniors t-shirt.

WHO: Boys U11 & U12 9 AM–10:30 AM
Boys U13 & U14 11 AM–12:30 PM
WHEN: June 4th–6th (Monday-Wednesday)
WHERE: Sporting Club Training Facility, Swope Park
6310 Lewis Drive • KCMO 64130
REGISTER NOW

Sporting Youngsters & Development Camp
Sporting Kansas City is excited to partner with the City of Independence to host camps at the Independence Athletic Complex in 2012. We will offer camps for both boys and girls, ages four and up. The staff for these camps will consist of Sporting KC’s Juniors coaching staff and other support staff, as well as a few special guests including our mascot Blue!

WHO: Boys & Girls age 4-12 years
WHEN: June 11th–14th (Monday-Thursday)
WHERE: Independence Athletic Complex
17600 E. Salisbury Road
Independence, MO 64056
SCHEDULE: 9:00 AM–10:00 AM: 4-7 years
10:00 AM–12:00 PM: 8-12 years
REGISTER NOW FOR AGES 4-7 OR REGISTER NOW FOR AGES 8-12

Boys & Girls Development Camp
The Sporting KC Juniors will be hosting a camp for boys and girls that aspire to play on elite teams and in national leagues. The camp will be geared towards competitive players who play on a top club team in their age group, which means you must have previous soccer experience. This will be a three-day camp that will take place at the official Sporting KC training facility. Each camper will receive an adidas Sporting Juniors T-shirt.

WHO: Boys & Girls age 8-12 years
WHEN: June 18th–20th (Monday-Wednesday)
WHERE: Sporting Club Training Facility, Swope Park
6310 Lewis Drive • KCMO 64130
SCHEDULE: 8:30 AM–10 AM: 8-10 years
10:30 AM–12 PM: 11-12 years

Webb City Cardinals May Finally Offer Girls Soccer

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Ole

The Webb City school board is being pushed once again to add Girls Soccer to the activities offered by the school. You may recall in the Summer of 2008 when the School Board said no

Superintendent Ron Lankford said the R-7 Board of Education voted June 10 not to add girls soccer and golf programs this fall based on his recommendation. Lankford said rising fuel costs make this a bad time to add programs that involve traveling to competitions.

The difference this time is an organized front, as noted in this Joplin Globe article:

If Sydney Philpot gets her wish in spring 2013, she’ll be suiting up for soccer as an incoming freshman with some 60 other girls — a first for Webb City High School.

Her mother, Christy Philpot, grew up playing soccer in Columbia, Mo. Upon starting a family in Webb City, she helped to establish the Webb City Soccer Club as an opportunity for local youths.

It appears there has been a change at the Superintendent level as well which hopefully has a positive impact on the decision. Go Cardinal’s!

US WNT Open Olympic Qualifying Friday

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Ole

Via US Soccer – Universal Sports Network will provide live coverage of all the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament with coverage beginning Friday, Jan. 20 from Vancouver, B.C.

The network’s live exclusive English-language coverage of the U.S. Women’s National Team matches includes all the group games and a semifinal should the Americans advance from group play. The tournament’s championship game will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network with a re-air on Universal Sports Network.

Along with airing all the U.S. matches, Universal Sports Network will provide free online video streaming at UniversalSports.com. CONCACAF.com will also web-stream all the matches live.

Schedule
Jan. 20, 9:30 p.m. CT – Dominican Republic vs. USA
Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m. CT – USA vs. Guatemala
Jan. 24, 9:30 p.m. CT – USA vs. Mexico
Jan. 27 - Semifinal TBD
Jan. 29, 7:00 p.m CT – Final, Live on NBCSN
Jan. 29, 10:00 p.m. CT – Final (Delayed re-air)

The eight-team competition runs from Jan. 19-29 with the top two finishers advancing to participate in the 2012 London Olympics.

Calling the network’s tournament coverage will be Glenn Davis, voice of two World Cups and part of NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time FIFA World Cup champion Brandi Chastain.

In addition, Universal Sports Network will offer studio coverage with a pre-game, halftime and post-game report, which will feature interviews with members of the U.S. Women’s National Team.

“We look forward to showcasing this exciting event across multiple platforms and featuring the U.S. Women’s National Team, who have the well-earned reputation as one of the most dominating teams in international soccer,” said David Sternberg, CEO of Universal Sports. “As momentum builds to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournaments are yet another example of our high-caliber, world class programming that adds to the value of Universal Sports Network.”

Universal Sports Network will also have exclusive English-language telecasts of the 2012 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying tournament, which takes places March 22-April 2. The opening rounds will be played in Carson, Calif., and Nashville, Tenn., with the semifinals and final taking place at the new LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Telemundo will provide Spanish-language television coverage of the tournaments in the U.S.

Ben Timson Named NSCAA Coach of the Year

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Ole

Girls Private-Parochial – Ben Timson, Springfield Catholic High School (Mo.)
Timson’s team posted a 23-4 record on the way to its second consecutive Missouri Class 1 state championship. In the past two seasons the team has a combined record of 44-9-1 and has reached the state semifinals each of the past three years.

This video is following the team’s first State Title in 2010 over Trinity

Branson Pirates Invest In Facilities

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Ole

The Branson Trilakes News offers a report on a $7M facility at Branson High School

Branson’s wrestling program is scheduled to move into its new home as early as midway through next season, while the Pirates’ and Lady Pirates’ football, soccer and track programs will all follow suit throughout 2013.

Groundbreaking will take place next week for Branson’s activities center, with the 30,196-square-foot, two-story, multi-purpose fieldhouse slated to be completed Dec. 12. The facility will be located directly west of the high school and serve as a finishing touch to seven-year-old Branson Stadium.

The Pirates’ football and soccer programs will host games and matches in the Fall.

The Branson soccer pitch at the Middle School has been described as the finest natural surface pitchs in the region by multiple sources I’ve talked to. Here’s hoping the new facility can match the quality of that surface.

30th Annual Thunderdome – Pearl Jam

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Ole

Hello All,

It is that time of year again. We have started to plan for Thunderdome – The Pearl Jam. This is our 30th anniversary/reunion and we are hoping to make it the best ever. To begin with, the girls are back! This alone should make it entertaining!

For those that don’t know, Thunderdome is a futsal tournament hosted by Crowder College in the Bob Snelling Gymnasium. It will be played on March 9th and 10th. The cost will be $175 per team with each team guaranteed three games. All games will be 12 minute halves. The complete draw, schedule, rules and guidelines will be sent to those teams committing to participate by March 1st 2012. Please be aware that we will be strictly limited to 32 men’s teams and 8 women’s teams on a first come first served basis.

As always, we ask that each team have same color Jerseys with numbers. There will be Trophies and Prizes for the winning teams and the Tournament MVPs. There are always numerous attractions and events that coincide with Thunderdome – we will keep you informed of these details as we finalize plans.

The host hotel will be the Neosho Inn. Please make arrangements directly with them at 417-451-6500. Please be sure to tell them you are with Thunderdome for whatever discounts they make available. Rooms will be held in Block until one week prior to the event.

Tournament shirts will be available at the registration stand for $12 each. This year’s special will be Soccernastics CD’s for $15 (while they last) with all proceeds going to Crowder’s Alumni Soccer Scholarship Fund.

If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me (417) 455-5443.
Sincerely,

Brad Smith
Tournament Director

Springfield SC U17 Boys Open Play At Disney Soccer Showcase

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Ole

UPDATED – The Disney Soccer Showcase kicks off today and there are two Missouri-based squads participating, both in the Under 17 age group. Disney is considered one of the top tournaments in the country and will have over 350 college coaches on hand to evaluate the talent.

Springfield SC 94/95 are participating in the Showcase Red group. The teams will play 3 group games and the top team in each of the two brackets will advance to the semifinal on Thursday. The Final will be played later that same day.

SPRINGFIELD SC 94/95 enter the tourney ranked 65th nationally per GotSoccer, 10th in Region 2 and 1st in Missouri. They’ll face off against teams that rank 3rd (Manhattan SC), 44th (Calverton SC) and 71st (Team Boca). The squad won the Missouri state Championship as U16′s last June (94/95 age group).

Springfield SC 94/95 Schedule
Tuesday 4:00pm: MANHATTAN SC AJAX (NYE) vs SPRINGFIELD SC 94/95 I (MO)

A report from the game from a reliable source: We won 2-1!…they were a good team…ranked third in country by GotSoccer. But we are tough to break down. We got goals from Nic Bauer in First half and by Mitch Moncada in second. Evan Garrad had a PK saved. We dominated the first 20 then they bossed the rest of the half. They started strong in second and we looked for a counter and got one. They scored with about 10 to go making for exciting finish. Thanks for the props, Steve! U know we miss you!!!!

Wednesday 12:00pm: TEAM BOCA 94/95 WHITE (FL) vs SPRINGFIELD SC 94/95 I (MO)
Thursday 12:00pm: CALVERTON SC REVOLUTION (MD) vs SPRINGFIELD SC 94/95 I (MO)
Friday 9:00am: Semifinal Showcase Red

Coaches from Missouri in attendance include
* Harris-Stowe State University – Billy Paymaster, GK Coach
* Missouri State University – Michael Seabolt, Associate Head Coach
* St Louis University – Jason O’Keefe, Assistant Coach

The other team participating is the Lou Fusz Williams squad playing in a lower group.

RIP Bob Jordan

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Ole

I lost a friend and a mentor on Monday when Bob Jordan passed away due to a heart attack. Bob, and his efforts on behalf of first the Pershing Generals and later the Glendale Falcons, was the impetus for my efforts here. Without his support and assistance, I would not have been able to pull it off. That early effort blossomed into a friendship that now brings tears to my eyes as I consider not only my loss but that of his family and the others he has touched. Goodbye Bob.

Services will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield. Visitation is this evening, Thursday December 15th, from 6-8pm. The Memorial is Friday at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Robert Jordan Memorial Fund may be made at any Empire Bank location or are accepted at Gorman-Scharpf.

From his obituary

In 2000 Bob agreed to assist with the Pershing Middle School soccer team and coached the JV team. His success led to a 6 year run as head coach where his teams won 5 Varsity City Championships (3boys/2girls). Coaching was his gift and he strove to make certain that players both enjoyed and learned from their athletic experience. In 2001 Bob began to administer the Glendale soccer website, a duty he happily continued to perform long after his children left the program. He was a passionate believer in the benefits of sports, rivalries and traditions and he found great satisfaction in his membership in the local soccer community.

Bob was just one of the many people it takes to make a community prosper. Soccer was not the only one he supported and to each he brought his understated personality and desire to be the best. He succeeded and more importantly, he offered to many the support they needed to do the same. I thank you Bob.

Springfield Catholic Capture First State Title

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Ole

First year coach Tom Guinn didn’t know what to expect when he took the job as head coach of the boys soccer team at Springfield Catholic. He had never even seen them play. Guinn knew about the team’s recent success but he was told the Irish had lost quite a few seniors and he would have his work cut out for him.

“Going into it I knew the expectations were going to be high,” Guinn said. I knew people were expecting us to win but I didn’t know what kind of talent we were going to have. I would say within the first week or so I knew that this team was going to be good.”

Guinn’s gut feeling turned out to be a little off, the Springfield Catholic boys soccer team was a lot better than good. On Sunday, they capped an undefeated 29-0-1 season with a Class 1 State Championship by beating Pembroke Hill (KC) 1-0 in Blue Springs.

The state title was the first by a boys’ soccer team in Southwest Missouri and it was a long time coming for the Irish. Though this is only the fifth year of the boys’ soccer program at Springfield Catholic, the team has seen its share of heartbreak. After finishing third in 2008, the Irish were beaten in the state championship game the next two seasons.

Senior midfielder Luke Straus started in every Irish state tournament game. He said it was a huge relief for the team to finally break through this season.

“My freshman year was the first time we ever went to state so honestly I was pretty happy with third and just going to state,” Straus said. “The last two years have been pretty painful because we knew we were the better team.”

Last season, the Irish entered the state championship game as heavy favorites against a Whitfield team they had beaten 3-0 in the regular season only to be shutout 1-0. Things had an eerie feel as the Irish stepped onto the pitch Sunday against a Pembroke Hill team they had dominated in October.

“It was déjà vu all over again for us this year because we played Pembroke Hill in the regular season and beat them 3-0 and then we see them in the finals and we have a chance to exorcise our demons,” Guinn said. “I told the guys to realize that this isn’t a regular season game this is a state title game, it’s completely different and they need to come out and get things done.”

During the regular season, there were only three games that the Irish did not win by at least three goals (the tie came against Ft. Zumwalt West in the Gateway City Classic) but, like coach Guinn said, everything is different in the state title game.

Pembroke Hill hung right with the Irish, but in the end the better team found a way as junior forward Mitch Moncada’s header landed in the back of the net and the Irish were finally state champs.

To make sure that sure that they did not wear down at the end of the year, the Irish made conditioning a big part of their training. Senior defender Reid Harbach said that the team’s goal was to out-work everybody else.

“We like to keep a high level of practice all the time,” Harbach said. “We work hard during sprints and everything to make sure we’re more fit than the other teams because it makes a huge difference in the end.”

Coach Guinn said that a combination of great leadership from his five seniors and the team’s strong work ethic were what put the Irish over the top. He said that from the first day of practice, the Irish were fiercely intent on winning the title and going undefeated and being the first Springfield area team to do so were just icing on the cake.

“I think it does mean a lot now that we’ve done it,” Guinn said. “It does mean a lot to the Springfield community. It puts Springfield soccer on the map.”

Next season, coach Guinn and everyone else should have a pretty good idea of what the Springfield Catholic team is capable of. Now that they’ve gotten over the hump, good luck getting them back down.

This story was written by Harrison Keegan who previously covered Sporting KC on this website. He is a Missouri State student who covers sports for the Missouri State Standard and has also worked for TAGSGF.com.

MITCH MONCADA’S GAME WINNER AGAINST PEMBROKE HILL

Lou Opfer Named MVP Of College Club Soccer Open Championships

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Ole

Congratulations to Lou Opfer (Glendale) for being named the MVP of the recently concluded Club Soccer Championships in Phoenix. She was joined on the All-Tournament squad by five of her teammates, en route to winning the National Championship in the Open Category. Photos are from the Champions Facebook page. By the way, that’s Lou on the left.

Women’s Open All Tournament Team
Mariah McClain, University of Missouri Most Outstanding Goalkeeper
Lou Opfer (Springfield Glendale), University of Missouri, MVP

Lauren Stockwell, University of Missouri
Alyssa Weatherly, University of Missouri
Melissa Murphy, University of Missouri
Nicole Newell, University of Missouri
Emily Chang, University of California, Berkeley
Mendy Berglin, University of California, Berkeley
Jane Rhodes, University of Southern California
Maliakelly White, University of Colorado
Kelsie Dickerson, University of California, Berkeley
Meagan Reitz, University of Illinois

With a pair of 2-0 wins, the first over James Madison followed by a similar result against Illinois on Saturday, the Mizzou Women’s Club Soccer program captured first place in the Open Division of the National Campus Championship Series, run by NIRSA, the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association.

For more details, check out the Tournament blog and visit the Mizzou Facebook page to offer your congratulations.

In 2010 the MU Women’s Club Soccer Team came in 3rd place at the NIRSA National Championships in Phoenix, Arizona. The team also finished the Kansas-Missouri Soccer League with the best overall record and played in a championship game at the Region 4 Tournament in Lubbock, Texas. In 2009 the team won the Region IV Soccer Tournament at Kansas State University and qualified as a top 24 team for the NIRSA National Tournament where they placed 17th in the Championship bracket.

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