Happy belated birthday to Jack Jewsbury who turned 30 yesterday (Wednesday April 13th). Captain of the Portland Timbers, he’ll lead them onto the national stage tonight when they play their first home game at the newly christened JELD-WEN Field. Chicago (1-1-1) comes into the game after a loss at Seattle on Saturday. Portland (0-2-1) got their first point on Jack’s goal in a tie at New England on April 2nd.
The Portland Timbers began their MLS tenure with a pair of losses before concluding a season-opening road trip by picking up their first point. They don’t want to settle for anything less than three Thursday night.
The Chicago Fire are the opponent for expansion Portland’s much-anticipated debut at Jeld-Wen Field, which underwent a major renovation that the Timbers expect will give them a big home-field advantage.
There are three clear keys to success for the Timbers tonight: First, take the lead or at least keep from giving up a goal in the first half; Second, take advantage of the vast spaces between Chicago’s midfield and defensive bands; and Third, flood the defensive third to prohibit movement by the Fire’s dynamic South American.
The Fire will face an old nemesis in forward Kenny Cooper who always seemed to manage a goal against Chicago while playing for FC Dallas. Cooper is Portland’s main offensive weapon and tallied the Timbers first ever MLS goal on opening night against Colorado. He’s joined up top by 25 year old Colombian Jorge Perlaza.
I spent some time with Jeremy Alumbaugh, Director of the Springfield SC for the past six years. For those who missed the earlier announcement, Alumbaugh is headed for Collinsville IL where he is now responsible for the St Louis Scott Gallagher Metro Academy U18 team. That’s a mouthful and I’m going to dive into those details in a follow up conversation, along with some background on the US Development Academy, the top tier of youth soccer development in the United States. For now, let’s stay local and learn more about Jeremy and the Springfield Soccer Club.
Jeremy returned to Springfield in 2004 to take the Director of Soccer Operations role now filled by Alumbaugh’s friend, former MSU coach Eric Sorlie, of the newly created club. Formed from the merger of Springfield Premier (Kinne), Carl Rose Academy and Tracker SC (Kofron, Carter & Allen), the club has teams for youth 8-18 as well as adult programs for 19-23 year olds. The club has approximately 30 teams across the age groups and 20 coaches that includes a strong relationship with Missouri State and it’s staff.
In the interview below, Jeremy talks about the Club’s achievement’s that he is most proud of. It’s a legacy to his vision and his leadership capabilities as he has pulled together a team that has accomplished all that it has. And as any good leader must, he’s left a team in place that can continue the development of youth players in the Ozarks but we’ll leave that for another interview.
Springfield Soccer Club, 2004-2009
Player Development – from a starting class in 2005 that included Patrick Carver (D3 All-American), Brian Fishback (D2 GLVC Player Athlete of the Year), Josh Florez (D3), Katie Brooks (NAIA), Justin Alford (D1) and Nick Pfeiffer (D2) to a group that included 5 D1 players in 2009, there are now well over 100 alumni who have continued their soccer careers in college. These young men and women return regularly for alumni events and are role models for the youth in the club. Club Development – working in the model of the largest clubs in the country and across the world, SSC has invested in the community and established their own indoor facility and offices. With a pair of indoor fields as well as an exercise room equipped with current gear, players and their families have a reliable location for training and development. It also provides a home where members can enhance a sense of community among the teams and and offices for the full-time Directors of the Club.
Community – starting with the creation of the Southwest All-Star game which recognizes high school seniors from over 20 area counties, SSC has expanded their outreach. Whether it’s the Club Banquet that annually attracts 400 families, the 24 hour marathon game that has donated services and over $50K in contributions to regional non-profits in the last three years, or Alumni events that keep former players involved in the club, Springfield SC has offered a full range of services for it’s members.
For more background on Jeremy, here is the bio from the Springfield SC website:
Jeremy Alumbaugh is a former Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach at Missouri State University from 1996-2000. Alumbaugh helped the Bears to national prominence as they made appearances in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 1997 and 1999. He oversaw all recruiting efforts for the Bears. Prior to Missouri State he served as an Assistant Coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Alumbaugh played for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh from 1991-1994 and helped the Titans reach the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 in 1991, Elite 8 in 1993 and the Final Four in 1994. He played at Champaign Centennial High School where he was an All-Conference selection.
Prior to returning to Springfield in 2004 he worked for the Chicago Magic S.C. from 2001-2004 where he coached several teams to National, Regional and State Championships. While in Chicago he also coached the Chicago Fire Reserves of the PDL and helped the franchise win consecutive Division titles. In 2003 he served as the Assistant Coach to Mike Matkovich as they finished as the PDL National Finalist.
During his time in Chicago he worked with several current MLS and US National Team players including; Ricardo Clark, Brad Guzan, Matt Pickens, Ned Grabavoy, Quavas Kirk, Eric Lichaj, Jed Zayner, Danny O’Rourke, Chris Rolfe, Josh Lambo and Dasan Robinson.
Currently, he holds a USSF National ‘C’ License, the NSCAA National Diploma and the NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma. Alumbaugh and his wife Tammy have a daughter Sidney and reside in Springfield.
Nice little feature ad that is screening on cable in the KC area. I neglected to post anything earlier this week but Jack just had a birthday, Monday April 13th. As he notes in the ad, he’s in his 7th year with the Wizards and one of the benefits is that family and friends can attend the games.
Next home game is Thursday April 23rd at 7:00 pm. It’s going to be broadcast live on ESPN which means we can get it in HD hopefully this season. Anyone been to a game yet, care to pitch in here with feedback, maybe a story or two?
Dang. Chivas plays tonight on HDnet at 7:30 pm and I’m planning on catching the game at Coester’s in the hopes of seeing Lance Parker in goal. The Wizards game kicks off at 6:30 pm, in DC.
Instead we’ll probably see the guy who teamed with Ante Razov and Jesse Marsch in Chicago for many years. I’m a fan of all of them, making it that much tougher. Soccer By Ives notes
Chivas USA now has a veteran to challenge and potentially start in place of inexperienced goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who has one career MLS start to his record, as compared to Thornton’s 217 career starts. With Guzan’s transfer to Aston Villa being completed today, Chivas USA was desperate to add a veteran shot-stopper.
Well, the games in Chicago so a homecoming of sorts. Chicago needs to solidify their position in the top half of the table while Chivas needs to get back on track to where they were a month ago playing for first. Oh, and Chivas comes to KC next Saturday!
Somehow I missed the fact that MLS now has a YouTube channel. Low quality video (YouTube sucks that way) but plenty of choice. Here’s the video of Chivas USA vs Pachuca back on July 13th when Lance got the start in the 2-1 loss. Plenty of action, and plenty of opportunities for the Spanish language announcer to scream “Lance Parker!!” as he makes some fine saves.
Chivas travels to Chicago this Saturday to take on the Fire and then return to the Midwest on Saturday August 9th for a game against the KC Wizards. I think it’s time for me to make a trip up to CAB and catch a game. Anyone else interested?
The Missouri S&T men’s soccer team has added seven individuals to its roster to play for the Miners for the 2008 season.
The newcomers for next season are as follows:
J.J. BILYEUS, a 5-10, 150-pound defender from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Mo.: Bilyeu earned all-metro honors in the St. Louis area, as well as all-state and all-district laurels following the 2007 season, one where he helped lead the Cadets to a 23-6-1 record where the team allowed less than a goal per game. Bilyeu was a two-year starter at the high school level and played on the Missouri Olympic Development team that won a regional championship in 2006. Bilyeu also plays on the Scott Gallagher team in the St. Louis area.
TRENT DOERNER, a 6-0, 160 pound midfielder from Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas: Doerner was a four-year letterwinner at the high school level, helping lead Klein Oak the state semifinals in 2005 and 2006. He earned first-team all-conference honors after his junior year when he led the team with 10 goals and nine assists. He as also a first-team academic all-state selection. He has played for the Texas Rush club team and helped that squad finish second at the 2007 Disney Showcase.
JONATHAN GOECKER, a 5-10, 160-pound defender from Lee’s Summit North High School in Lee’s Summit, Mo.: Goecker was a three-year letterwinner at the high school level and helped his team win a conference championship during the 2007 season. He led Lee’s Summit North in assists as a junior. On the club level, he has played for the Blue Valley Stars Grasshoppers, a team that has won six state championships and finished second at the regional level in 2003.
ZACK HAY, a 6-3, 175-pound center back from Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Mo.: Hay had an outstanding senior year at Kickapoo, earning all-state, all-district and all-conference honors as his team finished third at the Missouri Class 3 state tournament. He was also selected as the region’s most valuable player on defense and as a Southwest all-star selection after scoring 11 goals with eight assists. He was also an all-conference and all-district performer as a junior and was part of three district and conference championship teams at the high school level. Hay also played for the Springfield Soccer Club and has played on Olympic Development Program teams in Missouri and Kentucky.
JOE JORDAN, from Priory High School in St. Louis, Mo.: Jordan is a midfielder who captained a Priory team that won the state championship in 2005 with a 26-0 record. He was a first-team all-conference selection as a senior and earned honorable mention all-league laurels in his junior year, while also earning the school’s spirit award for soccer following the 2007 season. His high school team won the St. Dominic Super Cup in 2005 and 2006.
RYAN MUICH, a 5-10, 150-pound mdifielder-sweeper from O’Fallon High School in O’Fallon, Ill.: Muich was a four-year letterwinner and team captain at O’Fallon High School, earning all-state, all-area and honorable mention all-metro honors in the St. Louis area. In addition, he was selected to the Chicago Fire’s all-academic team as a first team member. Muich also plays for the Metro Soccer club which competes in the U.S. Soccer Academy program.
KYLE SNEED, from Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas: Sneed earned three letters at the high school level and also played on the Kingwood Alliance and Texas Heat club teams, both of which play at the Division 1 level in the Houston area.
