With the 10 Development Academy programs in Southern California now committed to a 10 month calendar, effectively canceling the High School season for their members, how long do you think before the programs here in Missouri (Sporting KC, Scott Gallagher St Louis and Scott Gallagher Metro) will have to match the model to stay competitive?
Don Ebert, now Director of Coaching for the Irvine (CA) Strikers who played at Rosary (now Trinity HS) and SIU-Edwardsville before going pro, doesn’t think it will take long:
“I don’t think there is any doubt that in a year or two, this will be the model all Academy clubs across the country will want to be doing,” Ebert said. “That’s the ultimate goal. If every player who is committed to the Academy played this schedule, there would be one clear picture of what it’s all about.”
As the U.S. Soccer Development Academy continues to evolve, clubs in Southern California have come together to raise the bar like never before in terms of player development.
Earlier this year, the 10 clubs in the SoCal Division of the Academy formed a new league, the Southern California Development Soccer League, to help support a better player development environment and move away from the traditional league model.
During discussions about the new league, the group determined ways to enhance player development initiatives even further and nine of the 10 clubs decided to move away from all other leagues and competitions – including high school – and commit to a 10-month Academy season in 2011-12. That pivotal move allows the players to focus solely on training at least three times per week with their Academy club and play just one competitive game per weekend instead of two.
Molly Brewer (Glendale 2012), last seen suffering a knee injury while clearing Megan Melugin’s shot off the line in OT during the Falcon’s loss to Kickapoo in the District 12 semifinals in May, has fully recovered. Molly and her teammates on St. Louis Scott Gallagher became the second National League team to earn a spot in the 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships as they claimed the U-17 Girls Blue Championship Sunday in Florida.
Molly (2nd from left, front row in the photo) scored the lone Scott Gallagher goal in the 40th minute of the teams first match in Orlando, usually the most important game of any tournament. The 1-0 win, combined with another shutout win in the 2nd game, meant their 0-0 tie in the third game of the tournament, guaranteed their spot in the National Tournament in July.
The US Youth Soccer National League competition is for the nation’s top teams in the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 boys and girls age groups. The National League offers additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches and offers top notch competition. National League teams earn slots via success in the US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues and the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.
The 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships are being held in Phoenix July 26-31. Congratulations to Molly. She joins Chelsea and Skyler Russell as players from this region to compete at Nationals. Chelsea was a member of the U15 National Champions with St Louis SC in 2006.
From the Grapevine Soccer Network website and US Soccer comes the following: Alec (AJ) Cochran, 17, from Ballwin, was recently selected to play for the U18 US National team in 4 games in Argentina and Chile later this month.
In preparation for playing in South America, Alec has been training with AC St. Louis.
AJ was recently invited by the New York Red Bulls to play in a game called the High School Cup, to be held at the Red Bulls new stadium in New Jersey, recognizing the top HS Seniors in the country in an East – West all-star match. Unfortunately, he will have to decline that offer to represent his country.
The U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team departed for Buenos Aires and Santiago, Chile, on July 21 as head coach Mike Matkovich (fomerly with Chicago Magic and Jeremy Alumbaugh’s boss there) brought 18 players to South America. The U.S. will play matches against a regional select team on July 26, Argentina on July 27 and Chile on July 29 in Santiago.
The US Youth Soccer National Championships opened yesterday in Overland Park, KS and finals in all age groups will occur on Saturday and Sunday. Missouri has two representatives at the games:
U17B – St Louis Scott Gallagher Premier opened with a 2-1 win over West Coast FC 92 (CA-S) (RIV-C)
U15G – JB Marine Wipke tied 2-1 in their opener against Real Colorado National (CO) (RIV-C)
SLU Billikens Ian Newport, Ryan Moses, Devon Newport
Current SLU Billikens, Ryan Moses and Devon Newport, have advanced to the Semifinals at the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regionals. Their U19 team went undefeated in group play and are facing the KC Wizard Juniors today.
Moses (Kickapoo Chiefs) and Newport (Glendale Falcons) both previously played for Springfield SC, earning State Championship titles at U16 and U17. Their new team is a result of recommendations by their college coach to allow for additional playing time with three of their Billiken teammates who are also part of the team.
UPDATE – the Gallagher boys fell to the KC Wizards 0-1 on a 28th minute goal scored by Ethan Bauer for the KC Wizard Juniors who advance to the Regional final where they will face the Columbus Crew Juniors Wednesday at 8am.
As the photo of Springfield SC Director Eric Sorlie shows, the weather may not have been cooperating but that didn’t stop most of the play throughout the region this weekend. The club has 3 teams competing in the league this year, all in the First Division.
For some background, the Midwest Regional League is an extension of elite team competition for US Youth Soccer affiliated teams in each Region II State Association (13 states). The top teams from State Associations qualify to participate in the regional league. The MRL, in conjunction with each State Association, provides the opportunity for top teams to enter the highest level of competition in youth soccer outside of the USSF Development Academy program.
With games on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, here are the results:
Springfield SC 94/95 I (MO) – 3
SLSG Blue-Kavanaugh (MO) – 1
After giving up a goal midway through the first half, the boys tied the game within two minutes before getting two more goals for the win in a cold drizzle at the Gallagher facility in Creve Coeur.
Springfield SC 94/95 I (MO) – 3
SLSG Illinois-Blue (IL) – 0
The 94/95 boys, primarily High School freshman, compete in the First Division, Blue West against Eclipse Select North 94-95 (IL), Kansas City United 94/95 (KS), Kansas Rush Nike (KS) and NFC Qdoba (NE) as well as the two Gallagher teams they played this weekend. You can follow their efforts here.
Springfield SC 93/94 (MO) – 1
MSA Armory (IN) – 0
A goal in the first half by Luke Strauss is enough to open the season with a win
Springfield SC 93/94 (MO) – 0
Rockford Raptors (IL) – 1
A defensive breakdown midway through the second half allows Rockford to get past Springfield SC. Goal scored by ODP National pool player Victor Zamora. SSC played well throughout the match but were unable to connect for a goal.
The 93/94 boys, primarily High School sophomores, compete in the First Division, White West against FC United Select (IL), KCFC United (KS), Omaha FC Elite 1 93/94 (NE) and St Louis Scott Gallagher Premiere (MO) as well as the two Region II foes they faced this weekend. The seasons results are available here.
The weather did lead to cancellations for the Boys U-17 First Division West White games at Mueller Field in St Louis, which were rained out. The other games were played on artificial surfaces in the St Louis area, including SLUH and the St Louis Scott Gallagher SC facilities.
By the way, Coach Sorlie and his wife Timaree are expecting their second child any day, stay on the lookout for that announcement.
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.
The Springfield SC U18 boys squad will be arriving home tonight and tomorrow, having been eliminated from the Region II tournament following their loss to Javanon (KY) today. Three straight trips, two that included reaching the semifinals, and college soccer plans for every young man that chose to continue playing, is a pretty nice legacy. They have also set the standard that every team in the region will now have to shoot for. Congratulations fellows and continued success.
Max Duncan (Joplin HS) has advanced to the semifinals with the KC Wizard Juniors U17 team. The U16 team has also advanced.
Missouri will have plenty of representation going forward:
U19 Boys – Scott Gallagher advances
U18 Boys – both Lou Fusz and Scott-Gallagher have advanced to the semifinals and could face each other in the final on Wednesday
U14 Boys – Scott-Gallagher Academy advances
U19 Girls – Scott-Gallagher advances, although Chelsea Russell is out with injuries (this team were National Champions as U15 players)
U16 Girls – Scott-Gallagher Green advances
U15 Girls – Scott-Gallagher Green, losers to SG United in the MO Cup Final, advance while their club mates, including Molly Brewer, lose Monday
UPDATE – Congratulations to the Springfield SC 94/95 squad who enjoyed home cooking and a pair of wins this weekend while hosting the MRL U14 games. The boys won both games by a 2-1 margin, against St Louis Scott Gallagher I 94/95 on Saturday and St Louis Scott Gallagher IL-Blue (formerly Metro United) on Sunday.
Sunday’s game against IL-Blue was a hard fought affair, with the crowd dressed for Fall due to the cool morning and 15-20 mph winds. STLSG Blue went ahead 5 minutes into the 2nd half when they drew a penalty kick that was converted. SSC came back quickly, tying the game on a hard shot from the edge of the box by Elliott Williams on a ball that had been cleared following a fine cross by Josh McCutcheon on a run down the right side. The game winner came late in the game, off of a corner kick. The initial ball was touched by the keeper (pictured) but fell in the box where Braden Mitchell was able to convert.
Decided to get out briefly today for some Midwest Regional League games since I only had a small window available to me today.
The U14 West Division White, which includes the Springfield SC 94/95 squad, is holding a series of games here this weekend.
The photo features the Eclipse Select (IL) versus St Louis Scott Gallagher I. There are also photos from the FC Milwaukee vs St Louis Scott Gallagher IL Blue squad. Click on the photo to be taken the photo website.
There are two games on Sunday. St Louis Scott Gallagher I will play FC Milwaukee at 8:00 am followed by the Springfield SC vs STLSG IL Blue squad (formerly Metro United) at 10:00 am. Unless there is lightning the games will go on, at Cooper #1 or #3.
These are important games in that these are the same clubs that regularly reach the Regionals, with Springfield SC’s older squad having competed against Eclipse, Sockers, FC Milwaukee and Gallagher/Metro United in the past. This is the next generation coming up and the quality of play is very good. Middle school age boys who would acquit themselves very well against half of the high school teams in the region.
The MIDWEST REGIONAL LEAGUE (MRL) mission is to provide the highest standard of competitive play for youth teams in US Youth Soccer Region II (the Midwest Region) and to assure the continued growth and development of elite level players.
As usual, free low-resolution photos for download and personal use are available on my Flickr site. Purchase of higher resolution photos in any format you might like are available on my SmugMug site. If you have a Facebook profile, you can find many of the photos on my Facebook page.
Instructions for downloading the free low-resolution photos are available by following this link – How To
