Two St. Louis Lions named to All- Conference Team

Media Contact: Colin Pennington colin.pennington@brightonusa.com (314)505-5285 NEWS RELEASE Two St. Louis Lions named to All- Conference Team St. Louis, Mo. (July 25, 2008) – St. Louis Lions forward Tommy Heinemann and defender David Mueller were named to the Premier Development League's All-Conference Team (Central Conference) on Friday evening. In all, the league honored 44 players from its four different conferences. Heinemann lead St. Louis this summer with 29 points, ranking fifth in the PDL in that category and also led the Lions in goals with 13 which ranked fourth overall in the league. It is the second consecutive year Heinemann has received All-Conference honors and in three seasons in the PDL he has now played 36 games and scored a remarkable 35 goals. "It is absolutely remarkable the numbers Tommy has put up for us and he truly is deserving of the honor," said Lions Head Coach Tony Glavin. David Mueller led the Lions in minutes in 2008 with 1,292 while playing in 15 matches on defense and scoring one goal. "I thought David was worthy last season as well so it is great to see him get rewarded for his efforts," said Glavin. "He is an excellent all-around defender who has the chance to play at the next level." The official news release from the PDL can be viewed HERE. For more information please visit www.stllions.com.

Sauerbrunn and the U.S. Under-23 WNT Defeats Germany, 3-0, to Win Nordic Cup Championship

From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center:

U.S. UNDER-23 WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM
DEFEATS GERMANY, 3-0, TO WIN NORDIC CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

U.S. Wins 10th Nordic Cup in Last 12 Years;
India Trotter Opens Scoring, Then Ella Massar Adds Two More

BORLANGE, Sweden (July 21, 2008) – The U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team defeated Germany, 3-0, to win the 2008 Nordic Cup championship as the young U.S. team posted its fourth consecutive shutout of the tournament.

Forward India Trotter opened the scoring in the 25th minute and Ella Massar added goals in the 34th and 63rd minutes as the USA won its second consecutive Nordic Cup title and 10th in the last 12 years at this event which serves as the top competition in the world for U-23 women.

Like in the USA's first three matches in group play, the Americans dominated the proceedings, this time outshooting Germany 15-7 and allowing the Europeans just two shots on goal. Val Henderson picked up yet another shutout in goal for the U.S. team that did not allow a score over 360 minutes against Switzerland, England, Norway and Germany. The U.S. back line of Meghan Schnur, Becky Sauerbrunn, Nikki Krzysik and Katherine Reynolds played almost every minute in the tournament.

The first goal was created by midfielder Yael Averbuch, who lifted a great ball over the German defense on the right side. Trotter beats the defense with her speed and capitalized on her one-v-one chance, slotting the ball past the 'keeper into the right corner for her second goal of the tournament.

Massar put the game away with her second and third goals of the tournament, the first coming 11 minutes before halftime. Reynolds started the sequence with a dribble down the right wing and sent a cross into the middle. Massar had time to settle the ball and rifle her shot into the right side of the net from 12 yards out.

The University of Illinois striker clinched the game 18 minutes into the second half, running onto a perfect through ball from Kiki Bosio. Massar outran two defenders and coolly finished on the ground for the final score line.

"We played well in the first 15 or 20 minutes of the game and we created numerous chances," said U.S. head coach Bill Irwin. "We put one away early and the second goal came off the tactics that we have been working on. All three goals were great goals and our defense played very well once again. At the beginning of the second half, they came at us and we handled it well. It is a credit to our defense that we came through the Nordic Cup with a clean slate."

The USA has faced Germany in the Nordic Cup championship game five times, winning four of those (2000, 2002, 2007 and in 2008). In 2006, Germany defeated the USA to break a string of seven straight Nordic Cup titles. The USA defeated Germany in the Nordic Cup title game last year by a 4-0 score.

The U-23s serve as a fertile breeding ground for future full National Team players as the majority of the current WNT player pool has passed through the U-21/U-23 program.

In the other placement matches, Sweden defeated Norway, 2-0, to take third place, Finland edged England, 1-0, to take fifth and Switzerland pounded Scotland, 5-0, to take seventh.

U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team Match Report

Participants: U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team vs. Germany
Competition: 2008 Nordic Cup - Final
Location: Borlange, Sweden
Date: July 21, 2008
Attendance: 500
Weather: Sunny, warm – 77 degrees

Scoring Summary:    1     2    Final
USA                          1     2       3
GER                           0    0       0

USA -- India Trotter (Yael Averbuch)               25th minute
USA -- Ella Masar (Katherine Reynolds)           34.
USA -- Ella Masar (Kiki Bosio)                         63.

Lineups:
USA: 1-Valerie Henderson; 11-Meghan Schnur; 15-Becky Sauerbrunn, 4-Nikki Krzysik (12-Kasey Moore, 87), 7-Katherine Reynolds; 10-Yael Averbuch, 13-Tina DiMartino (17-Katy Frierson, 20) (14-Kerri Hanks, 68), 9-Brittany Klein (6-Lorraine Quinn, 87), 5-Kiki Bosio 8-India Trotter (16-Katy Larkin, 83), 3-Ella Masar.
Subs Not Used: 18-Cori Alexander, 2-Marissa Abegg
Head Coach: Bill Irwin

GER: 1-Lisa Weiss; 18-Daniela Lowenberg (4-Josephine Schlanke, 79), 5-Caroloin Schiewe; 14-Pia Marxkord; 13-Katharina Baunach (3-Corina Schroder, 77), 7-Bianca Schmidt; 6-Karolin Thomas; 8-Meike Weber (2-Juliane Hofler, 69), 10-Nicole Banecki (17-Sussanne Hartel 72), 11-Isabel Kerschowski; 9-Stephanie Goddard (16-Sylvie Banecki, 45)
Subs Not Used: 12-Klara Muhle, 15-Christina Schellenberg
Head Coach: Bettina Wiegmann

Statistical Summary: USA / GER
Shots:                                15 / 7
Shots on Goal:                   8 / 2
Saves:                                  2 / 5
Fouls:                                   8 / 12
Corner Kicks:                      8 / 2
Offside:                                7 / 2

Misconduct Summary: None

2008 Nordic Cup Placement Matches
Monday, July 21
7th Place Match                          Switzerland 5, Scotland 0
5th Place Match                          Finland 1, England 0
3rd Place Match                          Sweden 2, Norway 0
Championship Match                USA 3, Germany 0

- ussoccer.com -

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U.S. Under-17 WNT Wins, 6-0, in CONCACAF Qualifying Opener

From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center:

U.S. UNDER-17 WNT WINS, 6-0, AGAINST COSTA RICA IN CONCACAF QUALIFYING OPENER

• Sisters Kristen and Samantha Mewis Combine For First-Ever U.S. U-17 WNT World Cup Qualifying Goal
• Courtney Verloo, Samantha Mewis Each Score A Brace
• U.S. Next Faces El Salvador at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 20

MACOYA, Trinidad (July 18, 2008) – The United States Under-17 Women's National Team defeated Costa Rica, 6-0, in the team's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifying match on Friday evening at Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Trinidad. The U.S. used two goals each from Samantha Mewis and Courtney Verloo, and one apiece from Julia Roberts and Victoria DiMartino to kick off Group A at the 2008 CONCACAF Under-17 Women's Championship.

With the victory, the United States earns three points heading into the second match of the tournament, where they will take on El Salvador at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 20, also at Marvin Lee Stadium. The U.S. sits in first place in Group A, after Trinidad & Tobago defeated El Salvador, 5-1, in the second match of the evening.

"Winning the first game of a tournament of this nature is very important for us," head coach Kazbek Tambi. "The team played very well, they ball moved very well today and we scored on some nice combination plays. Even though the score was 6-0, Costa Rica is an excellent team. They are technically proficient and their forwards can hold the ball very well. We just happened to score some very good goals, but I still believe they are a quality opponent."

It only took three minutes for the sisters Kristen and Samantha Mewis to make history. Kristen Mewis ran down a ball on the left flank and was taken down by a Costa Rican defender. The midfielder deftly crossed the free kick into the area, where goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia jumped up to meet it. The ball went through Tapia's hands and to the head of Samantha, who knocked it into the goal. Samantha Mewis's goal was the first World Cup Qualifying goal for the U.S. at the Under-17 women's age level.

Kristen Mewis was also a part of the second goal 15 minutes later, when she ran the ball up the left side and passed it into the center for DiMartino. DiMartino held on to the ball, pulling Tapia off her line and dishing it to her right for a wide-open Verloo, who faced Tapia and slid the ball past her out-stretched left foot and into the lower left corner of the goal.

DiMartino had her first look at the goal in the 25th minute, after a nice run by Erika Tymrak. Tymrak carried the ball up the middle of the field and slid it out to DiMartino on the right, just outside the area. DiMartino dribbled into the 18-yard box and fired a shot past Tapia, but the ball was stopped on the line by defender Gabriela Guillén's out-stretched arm. Referee Dianne Ferreira-James wasted no time in showing the shocked Guillén the red card, leaving Costa Rica on the field with 10 women.

Roberts stepped up to the spot for the U.S. and sent her penalty shot just to the right of Tapia, who managed to get a hand on the ball but wasn't able to stop the shot from going in.

The young U.S. team did well to keep control of the ball throughout the game, while Costa Rica tried repeatedly to pressure the team all over the field. Verloo felt the pressure in the 37th minute, when she received the ball on the left side with a defender right on her back. Verloo managed to turn with the ball, face the defender and beat her one-on-one with some quick footwork, sending in a cross. The ball soared across the goalmouth, right to DiMartino, who slammed home a header at the far post.

Costa Rica got their first real attempt to score in the 43rd minute, just before the end of the first half. Raquel Rodríguez Vazquez got the ball at the top of the area and was unmarked and ready to make a mad dash for the U.S. goal. She wasn't counting on U.S. goalkeeper Alexa Gaul's quickness. Gaul stepped off her line and smothered the attempt at Rodríguez Vazquez's feet, before the forward could even get a shot off.

The U.S. didn't make any substitutes at the beginning of the second half, which worked just as well. In the 49th minute, Verloo put in her second goal of the match, capitalizing on a cross that Samantha Johnson flicked with her head, right onto Verloo's path.

Samantha Mewis sealed the score for the United States in the 54th minute, when Verloo chased down a ball on the right side of the field, beating a defender to it. Verloo calmly played the ball back into open space at the top of the 18-yard box, where Samantha stepped up to blast in a shot that flew past Tapia and into the upper left corner of the net.

The U.S. controlled the tempo for the rest of the match, moving the ball around the field and using the available space. Costa Rica did well to pressure the team, even getting three shots on goal, but was unable to create much danger.

The U.S., Costa Rica, El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago are attempting to qualify for the inaugural FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, which will be held from Oct. 28-Nov. 16 in New Zealand. Three teams will qualify from the CONCACAF region, including the two Under-17 Women's Championship finalists and the team that finishes in third place.

U.S. UNDER-17 WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT

Match-up: USA vs. Costa Rica
Competition: 2008 CONCACAF Under-17 Women's Championship
Venue: Marvin Lee Stadium; Macoya, Trinidad
Date: July 18, 2008; Kickoff – 5:00 p.m. ET
Attendance: N/A
Weather: 85 degrees, Sunny

Scoring Summary:
           1   2   F
USA   4   2   6
CRC  0   0   0

USA – Samantha Mewis (Kristen Mewis) 3rd minute.
USA – Courtney Verloo (Victoria DiMartino) 17.
USA – Julia Roberts (penalty kick) 28.
USA – Victoria DiMartino (Courtney Verloo) 37.
USA – Courty Verloo (Samantha Johnson) 49.
USA – Samantha Mewis (Courtney Verloo) 54.


Lineups:
USA: 1-Alexa Gaul; 20-Amber Brooks, 2-Crystal Dunn, 3-Cloee Colohan, 16-Julia Roberts; 13-Kristen Mewis (14-Olivia Klei, 55), 9-Samantha Mewis (7-Kathryn Bennett, 57), 8-Erika Tymrak (12-Morgan Brian, 73); 15-Victoria DiMartino, 6-Samantha Johnson, 21-Courtney Verloo
Subs not used: 18-Taylor Vancil, 5-Sydney Payne, 10-Tani Costa, 23-Rachel Nuzzolese
Head Coach: Kazbek Tambi

CRC: 1-Priscilla Tapia; 4-María Barquero, 5-Gabriela Guillén, 12-Daniela Cruz; 7-Mariela Campos, 10-Katherine Alvarado, 13-Jacqueline Mata (20-Hazel Quiros, 46), 19-Fabiola Sánchez (15-Adriana Guzmán, 66); 8-Raquel Rodríguez Vazquez, 9-Carolina Morales (17-Yocxelin Rodríguez, 19), 11-Raquel Rodríguez Cedeño
Subs not used: 18-María Alejandra Arias, 6-Jazmine Guzmán, 14-Daniela Camacho, 16-Krickshia Spence
Head Coach: Juan Diego Quesada

Statistical Summary:
           USA / CRC
Shots: 18 / 5
Shots on Goal: 12 / 3
Saves: 3 / 6
Corner Kicks: 6 / 0
Fouls: 20 / 9
Offside: 3 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
CRC – Gabriela Guillén (sent off) 25th minute.

Officials
Referee: Dianne Ferreia James (GUY)
Asst. Referee: Mayte Chavez (MEX)
Asst. Referee: Antonette Williams (JAM)
4th Official: Roberto Moreno (PAN)

Sierra Mist Woman of the Match: Julia Roberts

Group A Results / Schedule
July 18
Costa Rica 0, USA 6
T & T 5, El Salvador 1

July 20
USA vs. El Salvador
T & T vs. Costa Rica

July 22
El Salvador vs. Costa Rica
T & T vs. USA

Group A Standings
Team    GP    W    L   T  GF  GA  GD PTS
USA      1     1    0    0     6    0    +6     3
TRI       1      1    0    0    5     1    +4     3
SLV      1      0    1    0    1     5    -4     0
CRC    1      0    1    0    0     6     -6     0

Group B Results / Schedule
July 17
Puerto Rico 0, Canada 3
Mexico 6, Jamaica 0

July 19
Mexico vs. Puerto Rico
Canada vs. Jamaica

July 21
Jamaica vs. Puerto Rico
Canada vs. Mexico

Group B Standings
Team GP W L T GF  GA  GD  PTS
MEX    1   1    0    0     6    0    +6   
CAN   1    1    0    0   3      0    +3   
PUR  1    0     1    0    0    3   -3   
JAM    1    0    1    0   0      6    -6  


Semifinals* – Marvin Lee Stadium
Date Matchup Time (ET)
July 24
Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A 5 p.m.
Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B 7 p.m.
   *Order of matches subject to change

Finals – Marvin Lee Stadium
Date Matchup Time (ET)
July 27
Third Place Match 4 p.m.
Championship 6 p.m.

- ussoccer.com -

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U.S. Soccer Federation, 1801 S. Prairie Ave, Chicago IL 60616
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Becky Sauerbrunn and U.S. Under-23 WNT Defeats England, 3-0, at 2008 Nordic Cup

From: U.S. Soccer Communications

U.S. UNDER-23 WNT DEFEATS ENGLAND, 3-0 AT 2008 NORDIC CUP

• Trotter, Bosio and Klein Score for USA
• U.S. Needs Win or Tie Against Norway on July 19 to Make Title Game

BORLANGE, Sweden (July 18, 2008) -- U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team earned its second straight win and shutout at the 2008 Nordic Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over England in Group B.

The USA now needs a win or a tie in its final first round match, taking place on July 19 against Norway, to win the group and earn a berth in its 12th straight Nordic Cup title game. Both the USA and Norway have won their first two matches and are tied atop the group with six points, but the USA has a superior goal difference at plus-4 to Norway's plus-2, meaning a tie would give the U.S. top honors in the group.

India Trotter, who earned Player of the Match honors, scored in the 37th minute after Meghan Schnur played a great bending ball around the defense from the left side at about midfield. Trotter got on the end of it and beat a defender to go one-on-one with the 'keeper before slotting her shot into the right corner.

"I thought we played really well tonight," said Trotter, who today was named an alternate to the 2008 Olympic Team after Lauren Cheney was called into the 18-player Olympic roster to replace the injured Abby Wambach. "England played really high in the back line so we were able to use our speed and knock balls into space to get around them. Our outside backs did a great job playing balls over their defense into the space where we could beat them to the ball on the run."

The USA went into halftime with a 1-0 lead but doubled the lead just two minutes after the break. The goal came off a corner kick which England cleared, but Tina DiMartino latched onto the ball and sent a pass across the left side of the penalty area to Kiki Bosio, who first-timed her shot into the back of the net.

Brittany Klein sealed the game in the 79th minute with her second goal of the tournament. Katie Larkin created the score with a great move down the left sideline before passing to Kerri Hanks in the middle. Harkin drew a defender and played it off to Klein, who took a touch and blasted the ball in the left corner of the goal.

"We played well today," said U.S. head coach Bill Irwin. "We executed the plan that we worked on. We knew we could exploit them with our speed, and that's how India got our first goal. In the second half, we made some adjustments and took control of the game."

The U.S. backline of Schnur, Becky Sauerbrunn, Nikki Krzysik and Katherine Reynolds helped hold England to just two shots on goal. U.S. goalkeeper Val Henderson picked up her second straight shutout.

In the Group A games, Germany pounded Scotland, 5-0, while Sweden downed Finland, 2-1. Sweden and Germany meet on July 19 with the Germans needing just a tie to win the group and advance to the championship game while Sweden needs a victory.

U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team Match Report

Participants: U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team vs. England
Competition: 2008 Nordic Cup – Group B
Location: Borlange, Sweden
Date: July 17, 2008
Attendance: 200
Weather: Cloudy, Rainy – 58 degrees

Scoring Summary:
          1  2   Final
USA  1  2     3
ENG 0   0     0

USA -- India Trotter (Meghan Schnur) 37th minute.
USA -- Kiki Bosio (Tina DiMartino) 47.
USA -- Brittany Klein (Kerri Hanks) 79.

Lineups:
USA: 1-Valerie Henderson; 11-Meghan Schnur; 15-Becky Sauerbrunn, 4-Nikki Krzysik, 7-Katherine Reynolds; 10-Yael Averbuch (12 Kasey Moore, 75), 13-Tina DiMartino (6-Lorraine Quinn, 82), 9-Brittany Klein, 5-Kiki Bosio (17-Katy Frierson, 82); 8-India Trotter (16-Katy Larkin, 72), 3-Ella Masar (14-Kerri Hanks, 52).

Subs Not Used: 18-Cori Alexander.
Head Coach: Bill Irwin

ENG: 13-Marie Hourihan; 3-Michelle Hickmott, 6-Kylie Davies, 5-Kelly Lawrence, 2-Stephanie Houghton (14-Kimberly Dixon, 45), 8-Rachel Williams, 4-Danielle Buet, 7-Dunia Susi, 9-Gemma Davisson (18-Sian Larkin, 70), 10-Natasha Dowie (16-Carla Cantrell, 72), 17-Rebecka Hall (12-Sophie Perry, 56).

Subs Not Used: 11-Danielle Bird, 1-Danielle Hill, 15-Katie Holtham.
Head Coach: Brent Hall

Statistical Summary:
      USA / ENG
Shots: 14 / 5
Shots on Goal: 6 / 2
Saves: 2 / 3
Fouls: 4 / 6
Corner Kicks: 8 / 0
Offside: 6 / 2

Misconduct Summary: None

2008 Nordic Cup Schedule
July 15-21, 2008

Group A Standings
Teams     W   L   T   Pts.   GF   GA   GD
Germany  2    0   0    6        7      0     +7
Sweden    2    0   0   6         5      1     +4
Finland     0    2   0    0         1     4      -3
Scotland   0    2   0    0        0      8     -8

Tuesday, July 15
Sweden 3, Scotland 0
Germany 2, Finland 0

Thursday, July 17
Sweden 2, Finland 1
Germany 5, Scotland 0

Thursday, July 19
Sweden vs. Germany
Scotland vs. Finland

Group B Standings
Teams          W  L   T    Pts. GF    GA   GD
USA               2   0   0     6      4      0     +4
Norway          1  0    1     4      4     2      +2
Switzerland   0  1    1    1      2      3      -1
England        0   2    0    0      0      5     -5

Tuesday, July 15
USA 1, Switzerland 0
Norway 2, England 0

Thursday, July 17
USA 3, England 0
Switzerland 2, Norway 2

Thursday, July 19
USA vs. Norway
England vs. Switzerland

Monday, July 21
7th Place Match
5th Place Match
3rd Place Match
Championship Match

 

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WPS Announces Player Allocation Schedule

Allocation, drafts, combines and tryouts - Women's Professional Soccer announced how teams will evaluate and select the players who will compete in the inaugural 2009 season.

WPS Player Timeline Highlights

• Week of Sept. 15: U.S. WNT / U.S. WNT Player Pool Allocation
  
  
• Week of Sept. 22: Draft of Top International Players
  
  
• Oct. 6: WPS General Draft of Domestic & International Players
  
  
• Dec. 10-13: WPS West Coast Combine
  
  
• Dec. 17-20: WPS East Coast Combine
  
  
• Week of Jan. 14: WPS Post-Combine Draft
  
  
• Feb. 15: WPS Tryouts in Teams' Local Markets
  
  
• March 1: WPS Pre-Season Begins
  
  
• April (Date TBD): WPS Regular Season Begins

To view the full WPS Player Timeline and learn more details surrounding these events, read the press release and the Prospective Player FAQs.

HALL OF FAME BANQUET TICKETS AVAILABLE

Hall of Fame Banquet Tickets Available

ONEONTA, NY (July 17, 2008) – The annual President's Reception and Hall of Fame Banquet, scheduled for Saturday, August 2^nd at 6:00, is open to the public at the modest charge of $75 per person. The reception takes place in the Museum's atrium and the dinner is in the Museum itself. The evening will conclude with the Big 3 Enshrinement Ceremony in the atrium.

"We are very pleased to be able to open the Hall of Fame Banquet to the general public," Hall of Fame President Steve Baumann said. "The opportunity for the local community to meet Hall of Famers and visiting soccer dignitaries is unique to our sport. We're still an unpretentious group and invite the community to join us in celebrating the many individuals who will be honored this year."

The dinner is a sit down style catered by Classé Catering of Albany. "The menu and service Classé provides is always exquisite," Hall of Fame Events Manager Pamela Frutiger said. "We have hosted dinners for guests from large metropolitan areas used to the finest of food and service. Their impressions of the dinners we have hosted have been universally positive, stressing both the excellence of the food and the graciousness of the service."

For a complete schedule of the Induction 2008 weekend events and to make reservations for the Hall of Fame Banquet, visit the Hall's web site, www.soccerhall.org, or by calling the Hall of Fame at 607/432-3351.

The Hall of Fame will honor the University of North Carolina and U.S. National Team women's coach Anson Dorrance, playmaker extraordinaire Hugo Perez of the NASL, MISL, and the U.S. Men's National Team, and Ivan 'Ike" Kuhns, retired from the Newark Star-Ledger, as the Colin Jose Media Award honoree. Big 3 honorees include 6-time NCAA champion Jerry Yeagley, retired from Indiana University, and Paul Sanderson of the NSCAA; Marilyn MacDonald and Joel Mark of the AYSO, and John Buckley and Donald Dennison of NISOA.

About the Hall of Fame

The Mission of the National Soccer Hall of Fame is to Celebrate the History, Honor the Heroes,

Inspire the Youth and Preserve the Legacy of Soccer in the United States.

Located in Oneonta, NY, the National Soccer Hall of Fame opened a new 30,000 sq.ft., state-of-the-art multimedia museum in 1999. The Hall of Fame tells the story of soccer in America through artifacts, photographs, video and written narratives. The main VideoWall portrays some of the greatest moments and the greatest goals in soccer history as well as live soccer action from the World Cup, MLS, and U.S. Soccer matches. The Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks Zone, including a kid-sized indoor field, where visitors have fun kicking, heading and playing video soccer games. Unique and rare artifacts on exhibit range from The Dewar Cup, the oldest team trophy in U.S. Sport, to the Women's World Cup won by the USA in 1999, the uniforms of Pele and Mia Hamm's, Kristine Lilly's golden shoes, NASL championship rings, and MLS championship trophies. That and so much more are all at the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer Hall of Fame's 61-acre complex boasts the Kicks Hall of Fame Museum Store, a research library, four world-class soccer fields and office/meeting facilities. Visit the Hall of Fame at www.soccerhall.org

Jack Huckel

Director of Museum and Archives

National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum

18 Stadium Circle

Oneonta, NY 13820

607/432-3351 x209

St. Louis Lions drop U.S. Open Cup Match 4-1 in Minnesota

Colin Pennington
colin.pennington@brightonusa.com

St. Louis, Mo. (June 11, 2008) – The St. Louis Lions lost their first ever U.S. Open Cup match 4-1 to the Minnesota Thunder (USL-1) on Tuesday night in Blaine, Minn.

The first half played very even with both sides getting equal chances but Minnesota struck first when Melvin Tarley scored in the 45th minute to give the Thunder a 1-0 halftime lead.

“That goal was really a heartbreaker,” said Lions head coach Tony Glavin. “It’s a totally different match if we go into halftime at 0-0.”

The second half began in the same fashion as the first ended with both sides trading chances. However, it didn’t take long for Minnesota to strike again with a goal in the 57th minute from Ricardo Sanchez to make it 2-0.

Minnesota ’s second goal seemed to awaken the Lions and they began getting more chances deep in the Minnesota end when finally they got on the board in the 79th minute with a Tommy Heinemann goal setup by Kyle Patterson to pull St. Louis to within one.

St. Louis looked to be pressing again just minutes later when Minnesota intercepted a St. Louis pass form the back line and earned a three on one break that led to Tarley’s second goal of the match for Minnesota assisted by Dayton O’Brien, pushing their lead to 3-1.

The Thunder would add a fourth goal in the 89th minute from Aaron Paye resulting in a 4-1 final.

“I really felt the guys played hard and were in the game for 80 minutes,” said Glavin. “Unfortunately there are 90 minutes in a match and we just couldn’t keep the momentum going after our goal.”

Both sides have had trouble finishing on the offensive end in 2008 and it was just a matter of time before one or both clubs fixed that problem.

“Neither of us had been able to put a lot of balls in the net this year and they were able to make the better improvements for this match,” said Glavin.

“The bottom line is that we played a professional side and got outplayed,” explained Glavin. “Playing in the Cup was a great experience for our guys and I’m proud of the effort I got from each of them.”

The Lions will return to PDL divisional play on Saturday when they take their 4-0-1 record on the road to Des Moines for a 6:30 p.m. match against the Menace at Valley Stadium. The match with be the second of three between the two clubs in 2008 with St. Louis defeating Des Moines on the road 2-1 in the season opener back on May 10.

For more information about the St. Louis Lions visit www.stllions.com.

St. Louis Lions defeat Colorado 2-1, remain unbeaten in 2008

Colin Pennington
colin.pennington@brightonusa.com

St. Louis. Mo. (June 9, 2008) – The St. Louis Lions defeated the Colorado Rapids U-23 2-1 on Sunday night at the Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, improving their team record to 4-0-1 and 3-0-0 at home.

Despite St. Louis resting most of its starters in preparation for Tuesday’s opening round match in the U.S. Open Cup and Colorado having just played less than 24 hours earlier both sides had plenty of chances in the first half. The biggest chance came late in the half when St. Louis forward Kyle Patterson was able to stop his dribble just inside the box and blast a shot on goal that was saved by a diving Joe Willis in goal for Colorado.

“I thought their keeper (Willis) did a fantastic job of keeping them in the game,” said Lions head coach Tony Glavin. “There were two or three bids in the first half I though were sure goals for us that he was able to make great saves on.”

St. Louis made four substitutions at halftime that seemed to pay off when one of those subs, Juice Holmes, setup midfielder Olly Dyson for the Lions first goal in the 70th minute.

“The subs I made were the ones I planned to make from the beginning,” said Glavin. “I wanted to keep the guys as fresh as I could going into Tuesday’s Open Cup match but at the same time didn’t want to take away from the importance of tonight’s match.”

The Lions struck again just 11 minutes later when Holmes and forward Tommy Heinemann had a two on one break that beat the last Colorado defender giving Heinemann his fourth goal of the season and the Lions a 2-0 lead in the 81st minute.

Zach Prince gave Colorado their only tally of the match late in stoppage time of the second half but the whistle blew shortly after giving St. Louis the 2-1 victory.

“I have to give Colorado a lot of credit for the physical condition they were in,” said Glavin. “Playing two matches in 24 hours is not an easy thing to do but never once did they look tired.”

With the victory, St. Louis remains unbeaten on the season and will take a break from divisional play to face the Minnesota Thunder of USL-1 on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. in Blaine , Minn.

The next home match for St. Louis will be June 28 when the Lions host the Thunder Bay Chill in the first of a pair of weekend matches at 5:00 p.m. at the Tony Glavin Soccer Complex.

For tickets and more information about the St. Louis Lions visit www.stllions.com

Photo By Charlie Mueller: Jarius ‘Juice’ Holmes (right) recorded an assist on both Lions goals Sunday.

COLLEGE RECRUITING AND ADMISSIONS SEMINAR

TO BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH NATIONAL CUP FINALS AND NATIONAL COLLEGIATE SHOWCASE
THIS PRESENTATION AN ABSOLUTE MUST SEE FOR ALL PARENTS AND ANY SERIOUS PLAYER INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO THE COLLEGE OF THEIR CHOICE!



June 5, 2008 – US Club Soccer announced today that nationally renowned college recruiting and admissions expert Rick Singer, CEO of The Edge College and Career Network, will conduct a free interactive seminar Sunday, July 27th (time and location TBD). US Club Soccer is making this opportunity available to all players, coaches and families of U15, U16 and U17 teams participating in the National Collegiate Showcase and the National Cup Finals held in Virginia Beach, VA, from July 26-29.

"Getting into the “right fit” college is so competitive that having the right coaching through the college application and recruiting process is essential to a student-athletes opportunity to achieve success," stated Rick Singer.

This one of a kind opportunity will provide parents and student-athletes valuable information that will assist anyone who aspires to attend college. Coaches and team managers of National Cup Finals and National Collegiate Showcase participating teams are encouraged to share this information with all players and parents.

“Rick Singer is an expert in the college admissions process and also has an extensive background successfully advising families of aspiring college student athletes. His seminar is a must see for parents and athletes who aspire to play at the collegiate level,” said Curt Johnson, Senior Vice-President of Marketing – US Club Soccer.

Learn more about the 2008 National Cup VII Finals and the US Club Soccer National Collegiate Showcase. For more information visit Official National Collegiate Showcase Page and Official National Cup VII Finals Page or contact one of our regional representatives. You can find their contact information on the US Club Soccer website at Contact Us.

Train Like a Pro in Europe

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The Academy offers youth soccer training programs targeted to individual players and teams (males & females, age 13 to 17), as well as young adults U-19 through U-23 players in Belgium, Romania & Portugal.


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If you are determined to improve your skills, become part of a select team, earn a college scholarship, aspire to MLS or International Leagues join Eurosoccer Academy of the USA (ESA of the USA), the most successful soccer camp in Europe.

For more information please call ESA of the USA at: 570-629-2125

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The Time Is Now

October 1, 2007 marks the inital launch of our print publication and new web site.

Visit us at

http://www.soccerstlmag.com/

Four Washington U. Student-Athletes Earn UAA Athlete of the Week Honors

St. Louis, Mo., September 18, 2007

Four Washington University in St. Louis student-athletes were named University Athletic Association (UAA) Athletes of the Week, as announced today by the league office. This week's recipients are: freshman Jaclyn Bild, Miami, Fla. (Ransom Everglades) of women’s tennis, junior Caitlin Malone, Valparaiso, Ind. (Valparaiso) of the 11th-ranked women’s soccer team, sophomore John Smelcer, St. Louis, Mo. (Christian Brothers) of the 11th-ranked men’s soccer team, and sophomore John Watts, Marietta, Ga. (Wheeler) of men’s tennis.

Malone scored five goals, including three game-winners, as the Bears extended their regular season winning streak to 21 games with three victories for the week. She accounted for all of the scoring in a 3-0 win over Principia College, scoring twice in the first 18 minutes and adding a goal in the 52nd minute. At the Loras College Classic over the weekend, Malone scored the opening goal in a 4-0 win over the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and tallied the game-winning goal in overtime during a 2-1 victory over host Loras College. Malone leads the team and the UAA in game-winning goals (four), goals scored (six), and points (13).

Smelcer registered a pair of shutouts in a 2-1 week for the Bears. After going untested in a 2-0 win over Principia College, he made five saves in posting his third shutout of the season in a 3-0 victory over Southwestern University. Against top-ranked Trinity University, Smelcer made a career-high 10 saves in a 1-0 loss to the host Tigers.

Christopher Mitchell
Director, Sports Information
Washington University in St. Louis

Washington U. Soccer Players Caitlin Malone and Pierre Hoppenot Named to D3Kicks.com Team of the Week

St. Louis, Mo., September 18, 2007

Juniors Pierre Hoppenot, Princeton, N.J. (Princeton Day) and Caitlin Malone, Valparaiso, Ind. (Valparaiso) of the Washington University in St. Louis No. 13 men's and No. 10 women's soccer teams were named to the D3Kicks.com Team of the Week, as announced by the Web site on Tuesday.

Hoppenot scored a goal and had two assists in helping the Bears post a 2-1 record last week. In a 2-0 win at Principia College on Tuesday, Sept. 11, he assisted senior Marshall Plow's game-winning goal in the 49th minute. Three days later, Hoppenot tallied a goal and an assist in the Bears' 3-0 win against Southwestern University. In 2007, Hoppenot is second on Washington U. in total points (eight), with three goals and two assists.

Malone, the University Athletic Association (UAA) Offensive Player of the Week, scored five goals, including three game-winners, as the Bears extended their regular season winning streak to 21 games with three victories for the week. She accounted for all of the scoring in a 3-0 win over Principia College, scoring twice in the first 18 minutes and adding a goal in the 52nd minute. At the Loras College Classic over the weekend, Malone scored the opening goal in a 4-0 win over the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and tallied the game-winning goal in overtime during a 2-1 victory over host Loras College. Malone leads the team and the UAA in game-winning goals (four), goals scored (six), and points (13).

Both the men's and women's soccer teams will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 23, when they host Illinois Wesleyan University for a doubleheader at Francis Field. The men's game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., and the women will follow at 3:30 p.m.

-Christopher Mitchell Director, Sports Information

Top Youth Talent Ready to Shine at id2

Elite youth players from across the nation are counting down the days until they receive their opportunity to shine in the 2007 id2 program.

Selected boys with 1994 and 1995 birth years and girls born in 1993 and 1994 have been invited to attend one of three id2 Regional Training Camps this fall where they will compete and train with each other for four days while being monitored by U.S. Soccer Youth Development Program staff for possible inclusion in the National Team Programs.

The id2 Regional Training Camps kick off Sept. 20-23 in Germantown, Md., before heading to St. Louis, Mo. Sept. 27-30 and concluding Oct. 5-8 in Irvine, Calif. Player creativity is a focal point for the 2007 program.

“As a country, we lack players who can break people down one-v-one and break down defenses by getting in behind and making things happen and putting defenders on the wrong foot,” said id2 Director Gerry McKeown. “We’re really looking to try and identify this type of player and have a little less emphasis than in the past on the physical part of the game. At this age group, players change. If they have the soccer, chances are there is a good opportunity for them to mature physically and then really have an impact.”

The significance the id2 program is placing upon finding imaginative boys and girls’ players in the U-14 and U-15 age groups, respectively, compliments U.S. Soccer’s recent launch of the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy for U-16 and U-18 boys.

“It’s a pretty good marriage in that the hope of the Academy is to make better players and not necessarily better teams because better teams means winning and there’s a lot of things sacrificed at the young age levels to win including player development,” McKeown said. “The emphasis has been on the physical piece, so now maybe we’ll have an opportunity to see these creative type players come in and blossom as coaches won’t be pulling them in the name of winning. I think it’s a great step and a no-brainer in terms of the two programs co-existing.”

Top club and collegiate coaches will conduct the id2 Regional Training Camps. Training sessions and matches will be contested in the mornings and evenings at some of the nation’s finest facilities: the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md.; the brand new Scott Gallagher Training Facility in St. Louis, Mo.; and the Crawford Athletics Complex on the campus of UC-Irvine in Irvine, Calif. In the afternoons, players will receive instruction and engage in Question & Answer sessions with the id2 coaching staff in a classroom setting.

Once players arrive at the id2 Regional Training Camps, US Club Soccer covers all player expenses. Nike, the Official Apparel and Equipment Supplier of id2, will supply id2 athletes and staff with all necessary equipment needs including apparel, balls, bags and a variety of other items.

Follow all of the innovative aspects of the id2 program through a blog and photos from each camp at www.usclubsoccer.org. More information on the 2007 id2 Regional Training Camps and how players are selected to participate is also available.

Washington University Women’s Soccer Notches 3-1 Win Over Birmingham Southern in 2007 Season Opener

Christopher Mitchell
Director, Sports Information

Memphis, Tenn., August 31, 2007

The No. 11 Washington University women’s soccer team opened the 2007 season with a 3-1 win over Birmingham Southern College on Friday night at the Rhodes College Classic in Memphis, Tenn.

Sophomore Therese Fox, St. Louis, Mo. (Cor Jesu Academy), a transfer from the United States Military Academy, netted the game-winner for the Bears in the 49th minute driving a shot to the back corner of the net.

Sophomore Caryn Rosoff, Beverly Hills, Calif. (Harvard-Westlake), who led the Bears in scoring a year ago with 12 goals, scored the first goal of the season on a corner kick in the 19th minute to put WU up 1-0. Birmingham Southern, which competed at the Division I level last season, answered back just before halftime as Caitlin Gordon slid a shot past WU goalkeeper Carrie Sear, Evanston, Ill. (Evanston Township) to knot the score at 1-1.

After Fox gave the Bears the 2-1 lead, sophomore Kristina Noll, St. Louis, Mo. (Ursuline Academy) netted an insurance goal at 68:07 to make it 3-1. Sear made three saves in the nets picking up her 18th career victory. Washington U. outshot Birmingham Southern 20-4, and had a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Washington University (1-0) will have Saturday off before returning to action on Sunday, Sept. 2 at Noon against the host Rhodes College.

Washington University Men’s Soccer Picked 1st in University Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll, Women Chosen 2nd

Christopher Mitchell
Director Sports Information


St. Louis, Mo., August 28, 2007

Washington University in St. Louis’ men’s soccer team was picked first and the women’s team was chosen second in the 2007 University Athletic Association (UAA) Preseason Conference Coaches’ Polls, as announced by the conference office.

The men’s team, who won its final three games to come within a game of claiming the UAA title last fall, garnered four first-place votes in earning top honors with 43 points. New York University, which advanced to their first NCAA Division III final four in 2006, is the coaches' choice to finish second in the standings, earning a pair of first-place votes in tallying 40 points.

Case Western Reserve University, which won its last four UAA contest en route to claiming its first UAA championship in 2006, garnered a first-place vote in being picked to finish third with 38 points. The University of Rochester was picked fourth in the standings, getting one first-place vote in totaling 36 points. Rounding out the remaining teams in the poll, in order, are the University of Chicago (27 points), Carnegie Mellon University (20), Emory University (12), and Brandeis University (nine).

The men’s squad finished the 2006 UAA season tied for second place, with a 4-2-1 conference record. Washington U. recovered from a slow 1-2-1 start to league play to end the regular season on a three-game winning streak. The Bears’ 12-3-2 overall record resulted in the team’s first postseason berth since 1999.

Rochester, winners of 11 UAA titles since the formation of the league, is the preseason favorite to claim the women's championship. The Yellowjackets, who finished second in the standings last fall with a 5-1-1 record, edged defending Association champion Washington U. for the top spot, garnering five first-place votes en route to 46 points. The Bears, winners of three of the last four UAA titles (co-champion with Emory in 2004), claimed the remaining three first-place votes for 44 points.

Chicago is the coaches’ pick to finish third, collecting 38 points, while Emory was picked to finish fourth with 32 points. Carnegie Mellon (23 points), Brandeis (18), New York (13) and Case Western Reserve (10) rounded out the eight teams.

The women’s team finished the 2006 season with a program-best 17-3 overall record and advanced to NCAA Sectionals. The Bears posted a 7-0 record in UAA play, capturing their fourth conference championship in school history. Head coach Wendy Dillinger has guided Washington U. to a 69-21-8 overall record in five seasons on the Danforth Campus.

The women take the field for their 2007 season opener Fri., August 31 at 3 p.m., against Birmingham Southern at the Rhodes College Classic in Memphis, Tenn. The men also begin the season on Fri., August 31 in Memphis, Tenn., facing Rhodes at 5:30 p.m.

Washington University Men's and Women's Soccer Ranked in Preseason Top-25

Christopher Mitchell
Director, Sports Information

Washington University's women's soccer team is ranked No. 11, while the men's team was tabbed 23rd in the NSCAA/adidas preseason top-25 poll, as announced Monday by the web site. http://bearsports.wustl.edu

The women's team finished the 2006 season with a program-best 17-3 overall record and advanced to NCAA Sectionals. The Bears posted a 7-0 record in University Athletic Association (UAA) play, capturing their fourth UAA championship in school history. Sixth-year head coach Wendy Dillinger has guided the Bears to a 69-21-8 overall record, ranking 14th among active Division III coaches with a 74.5 winning percentage.

WU returns 24 letterwinners and eight starters from last year's squad, including sophomore forward Caryn Rosoff and senior goalkeeper Carrie Sear.

Rosoff, a first-team all-UAA selection and the 2006 UAA Rookie of the Year, led the Bears in goals (12) and points (27) in her first year with the Red and Green. Sear, also a first-team all-UAA honoree, started 20 games in goal, posting a 17-3 overall record with a school-record 0.34 goals against average. She also recorded eight shutouts and was sixth in Division III in goals against average (0.337) and ninth in save percentage (0.90).
Washington University's men's team posted a 12-4-2 overall record in 2006, and finished third in the UAA with a 4-2-1 mark. The Bears fell to Wheaton College (Ill.), 1-0, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. It was the first postseason action for the Red and Green since advancing to the NCAA Second Round in 1999.

Washington U. returns all 11 starters from the 2006 squad, including senior defender Elie Zenner, sophomore forward John Hengel and sophomore goalkeeper John Smelcer.

Zenner, a first-team all-UAA honoree, bolstered a WU defense that allowed just nine goals all year. Smelcer earned UAA Rookie of the Year honors after posting an 11-4-2 record in net and boasting a 0.53 goals against average, the fourth lowest in team history. Hengel, an honorable mention all-UAA selection, led the Bears offensively, tallying 15 points on five goals and five assists.

The women take the field for its 2007 season opener Fri., August 31 at 3 p.m. against Birmingham Southern at the Rhodes College Classic in Memphis, Tenn. The men also begin the season on Fri., August 31 in Memphis, Tenn., facing Rhodes at 5:30 p

Nike/US Club Soccer Coming to STL

Nike & US Club Soccer Announce

2007 id2 Regional Training Camp Locations


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Aug. 13, 2007) – Nike and US Club Soccer announced today the dates and locations of three id2 Regional Training Camps to be held in the Fall of 2007. Boys born in '94/'95 and girls born in '93/'94 will be invited to attend one of the following four-day id2



Regional Training Camps:


Sept. 20-23 in Germantown, Md.


Sept. 27-30 in St. Louis, Mo.


Oct. 5-8 in Irvine, Calif.


US Soccer Youth Development Program staff will be on site at each id2 Regional Training Camp to scout players for possible inclusion in the National Team Programs.


“The locations of the id2 Regional Training Camps allow us to achieve geographical diversity while utilizing some of the nations top facilities,” said id2 Director Gerry McKeown. "Participating players will benefit by showcasing their skills against high-level competition on quality fields.”


“Nike Soccer is proud and honored to support the id2 Program,” said Joe Elsmore, Nike’s Director of US Soccer Marketing. “Our strategic partnership with US Club Soccer continues to provide elite players with innovative and integrated opportunities to showcase their talents to the some of the best scouts and coaches in the country.”


Scouting is well underway for the 2007 id2 program. Players are identified for inclusion in the id2 Regional Training Camps as they compete in their own environment with their club teams. id2 scouts have already evaluated players at all eight 2007 US Club Soccer National Cup VI Regionals and the 2007 National Cup VI Finals, as well as matches and tournaments staged throughout the summer.


The id2 selection process is apolitical as players are identified regardless of their affiliation (i.e. US Club Soccer, USYSA, AYSO, non-affiliated, etc.). Parents do not have to pay fees and travel costs to multiple expensive tryout camps to insure their players are seen by id2 scouts.
Once players arrive at the id2 Regional Training Camps, US Club Soccer covers all player expenses. Nike, the Official Equipment Supplier of US Club Soccer, will provide players with training uniforms, balls, bags and other equipment. Top club, collegiate and national team staff coaches will conduct the id2 Regional Training Camps.


More information regarding the id2 Regional Training Camps can be found online at http://www.usclubsoccer.org/.


About US Club SoccerUS Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. It has been a member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, and has grown to over 2,300 member clubs and league teams in 48 states. In addition to sanctioning tournaments, leagues, and other competitions and conducting a range of programs for its members, it annually conducts the US Club Soccer National Cup, the Champions Cup and several Youth World Series events. US Club Soccer also conducts its own annual player identification and development program, id2. For more information, visit http://www.usclubsoccer.org/.


Web: 2007 id2 Regional Training Camps

Reprinted with permission from US Club Soccer

If You Build it They will Come

Pro-Soccer Returning to St. Louis
By Roger Cole
Publisher

A famous quote from an equally famous movie (Field of Dreams, 1989, Ray Kinsella) may soon become a reality in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Thanks, in part to Jeff Cooper and the St. Louis United Soccer LLC, the beautiful game will be returning to our area. Play is scheduled to kick off in April of 2008. Teams will play a 20 game schedule. This time around they are pulling no punches. The team will most likely find its home in its own stadium located of I-255 near Horseshoe Lake Road in Collinsville. Ultimately the Stadium will double as the home to a new MLS franchise. Wheels have been set in motion and details are being worked out. Local Club teams like Metro United of Southern Illinois have joined in the effort by gathering names of supporters through the petition process. The official numbers on these documents has not been released.

St. Louis has long been thought of as the Soccer Capital of the U.S. Support from the soccer community at large will play a huge role in the success of this venture. Recent trends are a good indication of the backing for these teams. The St. Louis Lions and River Cities F.C. – also owned by Jeff Cooper -- are two amateur teams in the area sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and FIFA. Both teams are achieving great results as they help local St. Louis talent make the transition to the next level.

The new league will begin play with a minimum of Six organizations. The initial members of the new league include:
Jeff Cooper, St. Louis United Soccer LLC - Territory: St. Louis, Mo.; AEG - Territory: Greater Los Angeles, Calif.; John Hendricks, Freedom Soccer LLC - Territory: Washington, D.C.; Soccer Initiative, LLC - Territory: TBD, pending its final decision to select a market; Jack Hanks and Brent Coralli, Dallas Franchise Group - Territory: Greater Dallas area, Texas; and WGLSI, LLC and an additional investor TBD - Territory: Chicago and Bridgeview, Ill..

Rising to the Top

Becky Sauerbrunn
By Roger Cole
Publisher
7/30/07

St. Louis native and former Ladue alumni, Becky Sauerbrunn has been selected to represent the Under 21 Womens National Team as they prepare travel to Vassa Finland to participate in the Nordic Cup. Sauerbrunn has been climbing the ladder with the U.S. developmental program. Locally she was a member of the JB Marine soccer club and a four year letter winner for Ladue High School. This fall Becky will return to Virginia to for her senior season with the Coach Steve Swanson and the Cavaliers. She is the third player in Virginia history to receive All American honors.

"It would be extremely difficult to find a better student, athlete and person anywhere then Becky Sauerbrunn. She competes at everything she undertakes, is a consummate team player, and is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen. As great as she has been for us at Virginia both on and off the field, I feel her soccer career is just beginning and am excited for her as she continues to grow in the sport." -- Coach Swanson

Becky has been recognized as a top player by the on a annual basis, In 2003 she was named freshman year the following year she opted to play with the Woman’s’ National Team in the world cup in Tiland. She has returned to finish her senior year as a Cavalier

In 2006 she again received All-American honors from both the NSCAA and Soccer Buzz Magazine. Sauerbrunn played every minute of the 2006 season as a central defender.


She will help the WNT reclaim the Nordic Cup Title from Germany - A title that the US has held the prior eight years.

A Sorber-ing Reality

Congratulations to St. Louis native Mike Sorber on his appointment to the Men's national team as the new Assistant Coach. Coach Sorber's carrier began here in St Louis and continued on to the Professional, International and National Team ranks. Coach Sorber will still be involved with St Louis University Soccer as a volunteer coach while he ramps up his duties with the National Team.

For full article on his appointment visit the Biliken web site through the link.

http://slubillikens.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/073007aaa.html

LEAGUE PREREVIEW

Are you looking for a league to play in? This section is for you. We will explore the many leagues that are available for your young budding soccer superstars to participate in.

Upward Soccer

Roger Cole

Publisher


SSLM sat down with Jeff Wells, Co- Director of the Greater St. Louis Upward Soccer Association, to discuss the leagues growth and impact on the soccer community. The Greater St. Louis Upward Soccer Association is in its third year of play. Practices and games are held at SportPort of Maryland Heights [12525 Sportport Rd. Maryland Heights, MO 63043(314) 434-1919]. Their mission: to introduce children to Jesus Christ by creating opportunities to serve through sports. Values are important to us all. Through Upward Soccer your child will be taught universal values that span a multitude of faiths. Their number one priority of the all-volunteer staff is the Children. Through building healthy relationships, the participants develop self-confidence and an understanding of the world around them. Servant Leadership through a life of integrity and faith is also taught. But most of all your children will be taught that how you live your life is more important than what you say about it. Weather you are a Christian or not; it doesn’t matter - all are welcome. The values learned by the children in this league would make any parent proud. To find out more information and how to participate visit the Greater St. Louis Upward Soccer Association web site at http://www.stlupward.com/index.html. Jeff Wells is Associate Pastor at Parkway Baptist Church located at 12465 Olive Boulevard St. Louis, MO.
- [more…]

DiRaimondo’s Rapid Rate Plan

St. Louis Native on the Move
By Roger Cole
Publisher

St. Louis University has been a leader in producing soccer superstars both on the field and in the classroom. This month saw John DiRaimondo being awarded the Atlantic 10 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. This is a first for the program and the university but not so unusual for John. DiRaimondo has always been an exceptional student. He graduated from St. Louis University High in a 3 and ½ year period and repeated the feat at the University as well.

As a Billiken, John has received numerous honors and recognition for his efforts on the pitch. John’s list of accolades reads like a recipe for a hall of fame defender in the making. Topping the list is his back to back 2005 – 2006 Hermann Trophy semifinalist nods. He has also been named an All-American by Parade magazine, ESPN the Magazine and NSCAA. He is also the Atlantic 10 conference's third-leading scorer with a career-high 28 points (9G, 10A). It is no surprise that the Colorado Rapids organization selected him this past January in the supplemental draft.

Chaminade Rides the Tide

Boys top 25
By Roger Cole
Publisher

When people think of boys soccer in St. Louis several names naturally are at the top of the list. For Chaminade College Prep the ride to the Adidas National Soccer Coaches Association of America top 5 was a roller coaster ride. The Red Devils entered at number 13. On their journey they encountered peeks and valleys in the polls. The team dropped as low as 21st in week four, before making a steady climb leveling off at the number 4 slot. Coach Mike Gauvain’s boys capped their glorious rise by clinching the 2006 Class 3A state title over Coach Tim Walters Lafayette Lancers.

Seven St. Louis area teams spent time in the Region 7 top 15.
Teams in the national rankings included WEEK[Rank]:

Chaminade College Prep
National: 1[13],2[11],3[20],4[21],5[16],6[9],8[7],9[6],10[4],F[4]
Region 7: 1[2],2[2],3[3],4[3],5[3],6[2], 8[1],9[1],10[1],F[1].

St. Louis University High
N: 1[3], 2[3], 3[2], 4[2], 5[10], 6[4], 9[V]
R7: 1[1], 2[1], 3[1], 4[1], 5[2], 6[1], 8[5], 9[4], 10[8], F[6].

DeSmet Jesuit
R7: 1[9], 2[9], 3[7], 4[7], 5[11], 8[14]

Christian Brothers College
R7: 1[13], 2[13], 6[10], 8[10]

Rockwood Summit Senior R7: 6[15], 8[12]

Lafayette R7: 9[13], 10[5], F[7]

St. John Vianney R7; 9[12], 10[6]

20/20 Vision

2 Teams Make the Women’s Top 20
By Roger Cole
Publisher

The tallies are in and so are we. Two St. Louis area high school teams make the Adidas National Soccer Coaches Association of America top 20 national ranking. Class 2A State champions, and last years runner up, Fort Zumwalt West came in at number 11 with a season record 20-7-2. Coach Kristy Bush’s Jaguars broke into the rankings at number 11 by knocking off nationally ranked Incarnate Word Academy.

State runner up, Incarnate Word Academy, finished 16th (24-2-2). Coach Jack Baldwin’s Red Knights began their climb in slot 18 and quickly jumped into the top 10 [8] with their spotless 7-0 record in week 2. They continued their ascent racking up 8 more clean slates landing them as high as #6 before hitting a weekend hic-up in late April.

Nerix Hall also broke into the rankings in week 4 at #10 (18-1-0) and managed to peek at # 7 before disappearing in the final poll. The Markers finished the season with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Tim Walters Lafayette Lancers in PKs. This loss ended Coach Brian Haddock’s teams
run at the state title.

The three teams that made the list throughout the season include (week[rank]): Nerix Hall (4[10],5[7],6[10]), Incarnate Word Academy (1[18],2[8],3[6],4[18T],5[13],F[16]) , Fort Zumwalt West (F[11])

Throughout the season St. Louis area teams dominated the Region 5 top 10 (week[rank]). They include class 1A state Champs St. Dominic (19-5-4) F[9] , Incarnate Word Academy 1[3],2[2],3[2],4[4],5[3],F[3] , Fort Zumwalt West F[2] , Nerix Hall 2[6]3[5]4[2],5[2], Lafayette 5[5], Duchesne 2[8],3[8],4[7T], St. Joseph's Academy 1[8].

Best in the Mid-West

St. Louis is home to over 100 high schools and 14 college and university programs offering both men's and women's soccer as well as over 20 club teams and countless recreational leagues. Many of these organizations offer camps and clinics for players of all ages. Thats a lot to offer when it comes to soccer.
We would love to hear about your best socccer club/camp experience. Post your club and camp recomendation with us.

Soccer St. Louis Magazine Young Writers Program

Our mission is to promote and empower the St. Louis community by providing exceptional coverage of all aspects of soccer through the development of young writers. We are hoping that our program will inspire a new generation of writers to creatively and accurately report on the world around them.

Soccer St. Louis Magazine is starting a young freelance writers program. We are looking for one or two writers to represent their schools soccer program. In conjunction with local institutions of learning, we will provide opportunity for students seeking a career in journalism to have their work published. Submissions from these writers become the property of the magazine if used for publication in print or online. All contributors will be given full recognition for their work submitted if used. We are looking for students that are involved in their school newspaper, yearbook and/or soccer program.

For the initial entry we are asking interested candidates to submit an article introducing your school and team to the Soccer St. Louis community along with a brief bio on yourself (who you have written for, what you do, etc.). Include interviews with coaches, players, students, teachers and administrators. The article should also include important information about the schools location and demographics. Entries will be evaluated and one or two representatives from each school will be selected as Freelance writers for our publication. To be considered, all entries must have received an “A” or equivalent grade and be accompanied with an endorsement from the teacher or school sponsor of the yearbook or newspaper.

The student(s) selected will be asked to contributed to the magazine on a consistent basis (1-3 articles submissions per month during the season) and maintain a 2.5 g.p.a. or better, as well as be an active participant in the school community.

If you are interested in getting your students involved e-mail us your contact information at

soccerstlouismagazine@yahoo.com

Please leave the following information:

1. School District Name
2. Conference (ie. Suburban North)
3. Name of school and mascot
4. School address and phone
5. Your name and position (You will be the contact person for your school)
6. Contact phone number
7. Contact e-mail

Hazelwood East: One Team One Mission, Bringing back Tradition

In the past Hazelwood East has had a long tradition of being the school to beat in the suburban north. Top finishes in football, Track, Cross Country, Girls Basketball fill the trophy cases in the halls. Traditional rivalries take a long time to fade away. For most schools in the North conference East represents the upper echelon of the competition. And that is the tradition we are working so hard to bring back to soccer.

The Coaching staff and I are always optimistic as too the season ahead. Each year the number of girls that come out for the team continues to grow. As the season approaches we look to build on the successes from the past.

The dynamic of the team changes from year to year. As refined seniors graduate developing underclassmen rise up to take their place. Last year we graduated eight seniors. Players will change but our philosophy on building a successful program remains the same.

Successful soccer is a total team effort. One player alone cannot win or loose a game. For our season to be a success, every player from JV to Varsity will have to be dedicated to giving their best effort. This effort starts with the first practice and does not stop until the final whistle of the last game. In the years past we have always required this of our players and they have always delivered. This year looks to be no different. We have a small group of seniors that we feel will take on leadership responsibilities. Kari Enke and Kara Graffy are returning for a forth year on the varsity roster. Graffy will anchor the defense as Keeper while Enke will look to create chances from both the midfield and forward positions. In three years Kari has racked up 12 goals and 4 assists for a total of 28 points. Sophomore Ashley Johnson will be returning in her role as playmaker in the middle third.

The new season will bring challenges for our seniors. Seniors, by the virtue of their status, are traditionally looked to as leaders. They are like the elders of the team. New players look to them for advice and guidance on how to meet the demands of the season. For some seniors this season represents the last time they will play the game at a competitive level.

Our Mission

Soccer St. Louis strives to bring recognition to the accomplishments of the local soccer community. We are your number one stop for information on soccer in the St. Louis and surrounding area. We hope to help those at all levels experience and enjoy all the soccer that this great city has to offer. We will once again SHOW all that St. Louis is the Soccer Capital of the World.

The Show-Me-Soccer State

In the comming months this site will serve as the launcing point for St. Louis' primier soccer magazine. Soccer St. Louis will be your number one stop for information on soccer in the area.

This site will serve as a direct link to the St. Louis soccer community. We would love to here from you. Give us your input. What makes this St. Louis the greatest soccer city in the country?

A Wynn Win Situation

By Roger Cole

St. Louis once again enters the soccer spotlight. The MLS held their first ever supplemental Draft. Danny Wynn was picked 11th in the first round. Danny, a former graduate from Chaminade Preparatory School, is currently finishing his senior year at St. Louis University. Danny has received numerous honors. As team captain he helped the Red Devils of Chaminade to the 2001 Missouri Class 4A state championship. Chaminade ended their season 31-1-0 achieving the top nod in the national polls. The end of his high school carrier was topped of with All-state and all-metro honors. As a Billikin Wynn was a key player in the team’s success. Right out of the blocks he was noticed for his speed and versatility. He was named to the Conference-USA all Freshman team. He saw time in 19 matches his first year out, 14 of which he started. His first year was cut short due to a knee injury. The following year he only appeared in five matches as he recovered. With perseverance and dedication he bounced back and finished his carrier as a Billikin with 10 points (2 goals and 3 assists). Danny was selected by New England.