Caught a scrimmage between a pair of High School boys teams Thursday night as I headed home past Drury University. I was in the right place at the right time to catch a goal. I think that’s Robert Neathery (Nixa Eagles) making the entry pass AND making the follow up run and scoring following the return pass from Kurt Waterman (Glendale Falcons).
Tag Archives: SpringHigh Select
Kurt Waterman A USYSA Goal of the Year Candidate – Vote!
This is worth the watch, what a set of goals scored by everyone from a U11 game up to U19. Sweet stuff!
Be sure and vote!
Kurt Waterman Scores Goal Of The Year in MYSA
Kurt Waterman, Glendale Falcons (2011)
Coach of the Year (Boys Competitive)
John Moore – Paul Klover Soccer Association
Coach of the Year (Boys Recreational)
Orville Birdsong – SCCYSA
Coach of the Year (Girls Competitive)
Jim Wipke – J B Marine SC
Goal of the Year
Kurt Waterman – Springhigh Select/Glendale Falcons
Save of the Year
Conner Plufka – Metro Strikers SC
Administrator of the Year
Stephanie Daugherty – Columbia SC
Volunteer of the Year
Janet Oberle – SPENSA
Young Referee of the Year (Female)
Lauren Smith – SLYSA
Young Referee of the Year (Male)
Matthew Stein Jr. – SLYSA
The 2011 MYSA AGM Awards will be presented at the 2011 MYSA AGM, held in Columbia, MO on Saturday, March 5th. For more information on the 2011 MYSA AGM, click here. Thank you to all of the individuals who submitted nominations.
Missouri State Cup Interrupted By Rain
While we sweated in the heat and humidity here in Springfield, the State Cup event was interrupted by storms on Saturday. I’ve updated the calendar (to the right) to reflect the new schedule.
U13B: Springfield SC 96/97 lost 0-1 to United SC Cissell early Saturday before the rains arrived. Their afternoon game has been moved to Sunday so they’ll double up on Sunday and hope to move through to the semifinals on Monday.
U14B: Springfield SC 95/96 faces STLSG Premier on Sunday. A point behind KC Futura, the boys need a win to advance since they lost to KC Futura on Friday. Futura needs to tie or lose in their game against Avalon.
U15B: Springfield SC 94/95, who sit atop their group with 6 points from 2 games, go head-to-head with Lou Fusz Red/Williams. The game has been moved to 12:30 pm Sunday. SSC finished first in their First Division Midwest Premier League group this year, going 6-0 while Lou Fusz finished 6th in a different group.
U16B: Springfield SC 93/94 have been eliminated as Lou Fusz Popovic won their third straight game today before the rain. The boys are currently in 2nd and will play against United SC Patton (KC) at 10 am Sunday.
U17B: Springfield SC 92/93 have been eliminated but face Lou Fusz Cooper (former MSU Bear Andy Cooper) who need a big win to advance against STLSG Gold who hold a 4 goal advantage as well as the head-to-head advantage.
U18B: SpringHigh Select finished third in their group, finishing their year with a 0-4 loss to STLSG Blue who finished second.
U19B: Total Demize SC lost 0-4 to STLSG which includes Ryan Moses (SLU/Kickapoo) and Devon Newport (SLU/Glendale). TDSC has one game remaining, against KC Eagles, which has been moved to Tuesday.
These photos are of the Springfield SC 94/95 Boys from the first two days. They are contributed by Duane Moses, whose son Dallas (Catholic) is on the team.
Four Clubs Competing At 2010 Missouri State Cup From Southwest Missouri
The 2010 Missouri State Cup opens this morning and runs June 10-20, 2010 at Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit, MO. The Missouri State Cup is the first leg of the US Youth National Championship Series. U13-U19 Boys and Girls teams will be able to participate in the tournament. Boys will play from June 10-15 and Girls will play from June 15-20.
The 2010 Missouri State Cup will be a round-robin format, which has changed from the single elimination format that was used 2007-2009. Pool play will be held the first three (3) days of each group’s start-date, with the single-elimination rounds taking place over the subsequent days.
Winners from Missouri will travel to the Region 2 Championships, to be held June 25-30 in Beavercreek, Ohio. Winners from Region 2 will then advance to the National Championships, which will be in Overland Park, KS July 20-25, 2010.
There is only one Girls teams playing in the State Cup from this region that I have identified.
U14 Girls – Missouri Elite FC is in Bracket C with a pair of STL Scott Gallagher teams and Lou Fusz SC Elite. The Opening game is Wednesday at 4:00 pm with Semifinals Saturday and Final on Sunday.
U15 Girls – Carrera SC from Columbia is represented in this age group and in U16 Girls.
So in seven age groups, there is one team from Springfield and two from Columbia. Hmmm…
On the Boys side I have identified the following teams:
U13 Boys – Springfield SC 96/97 opens play Saturday in a bracket that includes the Columbia Pride along with Lou Fusz (STL) and United SC (KC), a team coached by Wm Jewell Head Coach Chris Cissell. The winner will be crowned Monday.
U14 Boys – Springfield SC 95/96 is in a group that includes KCFC/Futura, the Avalon Red Devils and STL Scott Gallagher. They open play tonight at 6:00 pm against Avalon. Group winners advance to the semifinals Sunday and Final on Monday.
U15 Boys – Springfield SC 94/95 are in a bracket that includes STL Scott Gallagher and Lou Fusz as well as Futura Juventus. The opening game is at 2:00 pm this afternoon against Futura, semifinals Sunday and Final on Monday.
U16 Boys – Springfield SC 93/94 are in a group with Lou Fusz, United SC (KC) and the Columbia Pride. Opening game is today at noon against the Lou Fusz Gold Popovic squad with Sunday semifinal and Monday final.
U17 Boys – finally a group with more than one local squad. Springfield SC 92/93 is in a bracket that includes two STL Scott Gallagher teams, the Premier and Gold squads as well as the Lou Fusz squad coached by former Missouri State Bear Andy Cooper. The opening game is being play today at 4:00 pm against Gallagher Premier.
Total Demize 92/93 is participating, they are in a three team group that includes Metro Strikers (STL) and Southeast Missouri SC. Opening game is today at 4:00 pm against SMSC. There is also a Columbia Pride team in this group.
With 19 teams, it is the largest age group for boys. Sunday will feature quarterfinals as the six bracket winners advance as will two wild cards. The final will be played on Tuesday.
U18 Boys – SpringHigh Select will be carrying the flag for Southwest Missouri. Coach Alf Bilbao and his squad will play against STL Scott Gallagher Green and Blue and the KC Legends. Opening game is 10 am today against Scott Gallagher Green. The Columbia Pride is also playing in this age bracket. Semifinals Sunday, Final on Monday.
U19 Boys – Total Demize Scorpions is one of five teams playing in this age group. They will open play against the St Louis Cougars today at 10:00 am. There are three STL teams, including a Scott Gallagher team coached by Jeremy Alumbaugh that includes Devon Newport and Ryan Moses, SLU teammates and former two-time State Champions for Springfield SC. That’s what happens when you go to college, your Coach finds the right opportunity for you 
Everyone in the group plays each other with the winner being determined by points following the final games on Monday.
According to a KC Soccer forum, of the 166 teams overall that are registered for State Cup this year, 33 are from the KC area while St Louis is sending 94 teams. Central Missouri is sending 4 teams (2 – Carrera, 2 – Pride) while Southwest Missouri has 9 teams, including 1 girls U14 team and 8 boys teams (5 – Springfield SC, 2 – Total Demize SC and 1 – SpringHigh).
FC Springfield and SpringHigh Select Merge With KC Legends
FC Springfield-SpringHigh Select, is pleased to announce a merger with the Kansas City based Legends Soccer Program. The union will continue the southwest Missouri club’s tradition of player-focused club soccer through a strengthened curriculum and opportunities for players beyond the Springfield market. The club will play under the name of “FC Springfield Legends”.
“We are very pleased to be associated with a nationally respected, player-focused program that has helped produce both great players and individuals by doing what is right for kids.” said FC Springfield Youth Development Director, Clint Nurnberg. “Legends have laid a path similar to the one we have been cutting here in Springfield. This merger will solidify
our program and provide many benefits to our players and families”, Nurnberg added.
According to FCS Club Director Cliff Nurnberg, there are no concerns regarding the new association with a “big market” club. “The relationship will be reciprocal. We both gain from the union.” said Nurnberg. He explained “Kansas City respects what we have established here, and they know we could do just fine as FC Springfield alone. We will maintain complete control of our direction and budgets in Springfield, and it is clear that the merger’s pros outweigh the cons for our players and their futures”.
“FC Springfield, Cliff and Clint Nurnberg, and every other contact we’ve had with the club has been quite impressive. We’re anxious to bring our positive developmental curriculum to the kids of southwest Missouri and unite with the first class group of coaches at FC Springfield” said Andrew Clifton, Legends Soccer Clubs Director and Drury Alumnus
FC Springfield was established in 2008 to provide a lower cost club soccer option and a “player first” program for the Springfield, Missouri area. The program has grown from 2 teams to 11 teams in two and a half years. FC Springfield also merged with SpringHigh Select in 2008 providing playing opportunities for players in the U5 through U19 age ranges.
Kansas City Legends started in 1988 and runs eleven teams from U8 to U18 in range from its Lenexa, Kansas headquarters. The club has expanded its presence in other markets near and in the Midwest.
FC Springfield Legends will hold tryouts on Monday, June 21st and Tuesday, June 22nd from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Lake Country on Field 8.
FC Springfield & SpringHigh Select Announce Tryouts
Open House style practice session for U7-U14 players to be held June 15th & June 22nd 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Parkview High School soccer field / JFK Stadium. Parent Q&A starts at 6:00
FC Springfield – SpringHigh Select is focused on Player Development in the youth ranks, building towards the competitive years in middle school and high school years.
Openings for Intermediate/Competitive players primarily in the U8 to U12 age ranges. Coaches include youth certified and nationally licensed instructors.
High School girls are invited to attend to hear about the plans for “SpringHigh for Girls” starting in the fall of 2009. Seeking girls between U15-U18. Woman coach with two years experience as an assistant with a womens’ college program TBA soon.
For more information: www.fcspringfield.net
FC Springfield and SpringHigh Select Merge
News Release
Re: Combining of FC Springfield and SpringHigh Select
We are pleased to announce that, effective June 2009, FC Springfield and SpringHigh Select will combine their soccer clubs to expand youth development teams, and to continue to grow a competitive soccer club for high school aged players.
FC Springfield was established in June of 2008 by Clint and Cliff Nurnberg. The club provides experienced coaching and player-focused growth through organized training sessions and equitable game time for youth development teams.
SpringHigh Select was founded in 2005 by Jeff Rogers, Rick Temple, and Coach Alf Bilbao, to provide training, league, and competitive tournament play to high school boys during the off season of high school soccer.
According to FC Springfield’s Club Director, Cliff Nurnberg, the combining of the clubs will provide the soccer community with a player-focused club that will provide seamless affiliation from youth to high school levels. “SpringHigh Select and FC Springfield have performed as soccer programs run like a business, rather than a business built around a soccer program. The combining of our programs will provide players and families a healthy, economical, and instructive program that is capable of serving kids from their pre-K years through high school graduation.”
The new club will be called FC Springfield, with the high school boys’ teams continuing to play with the SpringHigh Select name and uniforms, adding a FC Springfield logo. The club will continue to utilize Drury soccer players and other experienced area coaches to assist in player training. Plans include the continuation of the boys’ teams from the U7 to U19 age ranges, with Coaches Alf Bilbao and Ryan Swan to continue coaching the high school boys. In addition, the club plans to add at least one high school girls’ team. Some FC Springfield youth development teams are coed in nature, and additional girls’ teams may be established in the future depending on interest.
For further information, please see our websites at www.fcspringfield.net
or www.springhighsoccer.com, or you may contact the following:
Cliff Nurnberg
Club Director
417.818.8634
cliff@fcspringfield.net
Springfield Sister Cities Soccer Exchange To Tlaquepaque Mexico
For the 4th consecutive year, the Springfield Sister Cities Association is hosting a cultural and soccer exchange with Tlaquepaque (Ta-lak-ee-pak-ee), Mexico . A group of 17 young men, between the ages of 12 and 15, depart on June 26th. They will play 4 games over a 6 day period against teams that are part of Atlas Football Club, a team that competes in the Mexican Professional League and supports a large Youth Academy, a model that is just beginning to be emulated in the US by Major League Soccer.
Photo slideshow and gallery of photos from the Friendly
The Sister Cities site describes Tlaquepaque as a city of more than 525,000 that is both traditional and cosmopolitan and places its emphasis on art and culture. Known as the “Soul of Mexico,” the city borders Tonala to the south and Guadalajara and Zapopan in the north. The city is located less than an hour from the major metropolitan city of Guadalajara, Mexico, the country’s second-largest city.
This is the second visit by a Springfield team to Tlaquepaque, the first coming in 2006 following the visits to Springfield by the Atlas players in 2005 and then 2007. The home-and-away series is a hotly contested set of games leading to the award of a classic trophy and medals with Springfield winning each of the past two years.
This years players are well aware of the history and look forward to continuing the winning trend. Jackson Patillo, 15 and a member of the Willard Tigers as well as Springfield SC, will be making his first visit beyond US borders. What is he looking forward to the most? “Playing in the stadium that Atlas FC competes in. It will be a fast game, and rough, but we can compete with them. We’ve got a pretty good team as well”
Video from KOLR 10 including interviews with Jackson & Gehrig
The youngest member is Izzy Chappell, who will be a seventh grader at Pershing Middle School this Fall. Asked about his expectations, he was confident. “We’ll win” was his response, which went hand-in-hand with his personal plans. “I want to buy jerseys of teams from Mexico, and a soccer ball for my trophy case”. He’s a speedy forward with good skills and his greatest memory currently is scoring against the KC Wizards goal keeper in costume during half time contests of a game against Missouri State.
There is one young man who will be making his second trip to Tlaquepaque, a 14-year old veteran of international travel. Gehrig Haberstock, from SpringHigh Select SC who will be a sophomore at Waynesville this Fall, is the son of a recently retired Army veteran. Like me, Gehrig was born in Munich Germany but has gained all of his soccer experience in Missouri, his home since 2001. He was one of the youngest on the trip in 2006 and besides the games, the cultural experience still resonates for him.
“We toured the city, seeing their old buildings and plazas. It was pretty neat. We ate a lot of fajitas, more than I ever want to eat again!”
The Sister City relationship between Springfield and Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico was formalized on June 27, 2003 and has included a number of visits besides this soccer event. According to their website, the SSCA sought this relationship with a Spanish-speaking community because of the growth of the Hispanic population in the Ozarks region and for the opportunities for business and cultural development. As these boys can attest, it’s been a great relationship. Bring home the hardware boys!
SpringHigh Select Opens Season
My soccer fixes have been few and far between but Tuesday night I was rewarded on my visit to Lake Country Soccer. SpringHigh Select held their first practice of the upcoming Spring season so I reacquainted myself with Coach Alf Bilbao and Ryan Swan who are coaching the club. It gave me an opportunity to look at the squads they have put together this season as well, their second. First tournament of the year will be in Arkansas later this month, for the U19′s. More info to follow.
The photos, clockwise from top left are the U19, U17 and U16 teams. I’ve added the photos to my Facebook profile as well so if you want to tag yourself, I can begin to put faces to names for the upcoming season.
I’d love to visit with any other High School club teams out there preparing for the Spring season. Send me a note with practice information so I can come out.
