What a week of Futbol/Football/Soccer/Calcio

So much going on this week in world futbol.  First you have the UEFA Champions League (cue the Heineken song...), the Copa Sudamericana (the 2nd tier South American Championships), and more...

On Tuesday and wednesday, the world was stunned by the shocking exit of Manchester United and Manchester City from the Champions League.  City fans at least have an excuse - this is their 1st time inthe competition.  The Red Devils on the other hand...losing in shocking (and very muddy) fashion to FC Basel in Switzerland was stunning.  The main culprits went thru: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Chelsea, Arsenal and Lyon (more on this mainstay from the group stages in a minute), while upstarts Napoli, Marsielle, Zenit St. Petersburg, CSKA Moscow, Basel, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica and finally Apeol round out the Final 16 for the knock-out stages.

• Manchester United's shocking exit
• Machester City wins but loses out to Napoli
• Manchester in mourning
• Madrid's amazing undefeated group play
• Barcelona keeps rolling - even with their babies
• Italians send 3 teams as the final 16 is set
• tiny Apoel is the 1st team from Cyprus ever to make it thru - EVER!
• more here...

Copa Sudamericana:

• Liga de Quito (Ecuador) vs Universidad de Chile (Chile)
• finals are home-and-home starting Dec 8th (Quito) and finishing Dec 14th (Santiago)

Olympic Qualifying groups and locations set

• USA will be in Nashville
• Mexico will be here in LA
• semis and finals will be Livestrong Park in Kansas City
• more info...

tomorrow: El Classico!

and now from a Parent's Perspective!

*written by the one and only - Adam Sacuy!  This is kind of a recap for all those who stayed home and those who went but can't remember the last 4 days. I will just cc you my diary.

   

Wed Nov 30---- Dear diary -----next time I fly remember that the guy's in the blue coats don't know squat and the more your daughter cries the easier it is to get the red coated managers to rebook you.Maybe Madison should have been an actor or was that not acting? Wow---- if I didn't get there--that would have been great ---- 30 people arriving at Atlanta with no cars- but not to be---- we all made it and yes you can fit 30 people and luggage into two mini vans! Kids dropped off at hotel ---- "I Coach's" (formerly Coach M) phone is charged and the Atl homies are mad at me because bar at house was not stocked properly. That's what I get for coming early and waiting at the airport for 5-1/2 hours for all pick ups.Can't wait till tomorrow.

 

Thur Dec1 ---- Dear diary ----I hope Mackenna uses the money I left for buying moms birthday gift------ for buying moms birthday gift? Her Facebook says different? Oh well Tracey has put up with it for 24 years ,she must be use to it by now. Maybe Mackenna will invite her to the rager---what ever that is? Had lunch and food shopped ---who knew uncle Ted is a restauranteur in Sandy Springs---who knew MJ was such a good shopper. Game time was 7 pm and 32 degrees. Tough game we had our chances --- a tie -- surprised how many coaches came to watch!----- CPK for dinner ---girls call.

Georgia From A Player's View

*(written by the GU16 White)
Wednesday, November 30th:
We all met at LAX to head off to Atlanta, Georgia. We were so ready to play our first National League Game. We landed around midnight, drove to the hotel in our vans, and went to bed.

Thursday December 1:

We started with a 10am breakfast of a horrible bagged breakfast...hahaha. Then we went for a walk around the area chanting many Beach cheers. We came back to the hotel and had a short break before heading out to check out the fields. We made a quick stop at Subway on our way back from the fileds (not a good thing for Kirsten btw). When we got back to the hotel we had a couple hours of study(mostly nap time). We left the hotel around 5pm for our first game. We were all very nervous and excited and when we got out of the car we felt the 35 degree chill. It was very obvious that we were from California when we saw the looks on the faces of other teams and their parents. As we started to warm up jackets slowly were taken off and we were ready for are first competiton. Yeah so that game ended up being a tie 0-0. The MVP being Katie Pratt........Thompson. On the positive note we had pizza at CPK yes at Georgia but we MISS home. REMEMBER don't have your phone out at dinner, its a great opportunity to have some bonding times and color from the four cheap crayons they always give us. But Coach Mauricio had a pretty deep speech which made us feel a lil' better. We had a big prank on Coach Fred and nobody went to his car HA-HA. He cried on the inside but he's cool now.

Grandma, Seles, Grace & Meghan blogging

leaving Atlanta for the Left Coast!

So.... as I sit here in Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport - after 4 straight days of bitter cold weather at the USYS National League, the NCAA College Cup and Final 4 Girls Showcase, I have the feeling that we could have done more.  We could have manipulated the matches in different ways; we could have gotten something - anything to get those valuable points....  What am I talking about you ask?  Keep reading.  The story...

As a coach, not getting FULL points out of games you should win is hard to handle - it's called "leaving points on the table," and we left 8 out of 12 points on the table here in Atlanta.  The Beach GU16 White tied - yes TIED - all 4 of their National League games this weekend.  Looking back, we have to give credit where it's due - to the other teams for keeping our midfielders and forwards in check and off the score sheet.  In the end though - 4 points and no losses - that is a massive achievement, considering the kids played from behind in 3 of the 4 games.  They left everything on the line, but unfortunately the opposing defenders, goalkeepers, posts and crossbars were not going to budge.  Meanwhile, over at Tramore Park at the NCAA Final 4 Showcase, the Beach GU16 FC, won 2 out of 3 and tied the last game.  Over the course of the 4 days, both Beach squads played against teams from South Florida, Atlanta and New Mexico, Michigan, Saint Louis, and Northern Virginia.  All weekend, there were scouts from all of the major coneferences and NCAA divisions looking for players for the future.

Major props to the Soutehrn Folk and their Southern hospitality in Atlanta!  I can not believe how quickly they cook their breakfasts at The Waffle House - which became a favorite of the kids after the so-so breakfasts at the team hotel!  All in all - a very succesful trip for 33 young women!

Oh yeah - and stanford won their 1st NCAA title...more on that later....

beautiful Fowler Park - Cummings, GA

Allie Emmons and Kirsten Buono just being themsleves!

Kennesaw State University Soccer Stadium (thanks to Mrs. Fields Cookies for this stadium being built!)

 

update from Atlanta

Update:
the Under 16 White girls tied 0-0 in a hard fought match last night vs the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors.  On a very cold night where neither team was able to capitakize on the scoreing chances, both teams left the field feeling they let 3 points slip away from them.  Katie Pratt-Thompson, Allii Emmons, Kelly Peterson and Kirsten Buono anchored a back line that gave little to the girls from Michigan.

Arriving in Atlanta late on Thursday night, were the GU16 FC girls waiting for their chance to shine at the NCAA Final Four Showcase.  The FC play this afternoon at 4:00pm against the Weston SC from Ft Lauderdale, Florida.  Prior to the 4pm game, the U16 White continue their National League matches with a 2pm match up with the host club - NASA (North Atlanta SA) at Fowler Park.

After both matches, the girls will head over to Kennessaw State University to see thr NCAA WOmen's College Cup (Final 4).  Stanford, ranked #1 throughout most of the year, plays a tricky Florida State squad at 5pm, while Wake Forrest with Long Beach's own Kim Marshall (Wilson HS) starting in defence, takes on Duke University in the 2nd semifinal at 7:30pm. *Duke is the team that ended Long Beach state's quest to reach their 1st Final 4...

Safe and sound in Atlanta!

In less than 24 hours, the Beach Futbol Club will be once again on the national soccer stage!  On Friday, December 1^st, the GU16 White will be competing in the US Youth Soccer National League, while the GU16 FC will be competing in the NCAA Women's Final Four Girls Showcase event – with both events being held in/around the Atlanta metropolitan area. This is a landmark day for Beach FC, considering that over 500 collegiate coaches from schools throughout the country are descending on Atlanta to scout for the next college stars.  Over the past several years, the club has seen it's player footprint grow tremendously in the college ranks. Thanks to it's great staff of coaches, the new crop of players are well on their way to becoming top recruits for schools across the country.

This week’s schedule sees the U16 White play against teams from Michigan, Virginia, Missouri & finally the host club from Atlanta, Georgia; while the U16 FC will play teams from South Florida, Illinois, and New Mexico.  Within this group of opponents are State Champions, Regional Semi Finalists, and even National tournament participants!  To follow the results of the Under 16 Girls, go to the following links:

·         NCAA Final 4 Showcase U16 Standings

·         USYS National League U16 Blue Standings

·         ESPN High School feature on the U16 NationalLeague

News and Notes:

Mauricio Ingrassia’s Long Beach State Women made their most successful NCAA tournament run, getting all the way to the Elite 8, before bowing out to the Duke University Blue Devils in Durham, North Carolina.  Leading into the NCAA’s, the 49er women won the Big West Conference Tournament – getting the “automatic bid” in the NCAA’s, beating UC  Irvine 1-0, then going on the road to beat Pepperdine (1-0), Miami (1-0), and UC San Diego (1-0).  Congrats to Coach Ingrassia, and fellow Beach FC staff coaches Jeff Joyner (G13/G14), Anton Arrache (G18) and Lindsey Bullock (G12)!

The LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup at The Home Depot Center in front of sold out crowd of 33,000 plus fanatical fans!  On top of the MLS Cup, the Galaxy also won the MLS Supporter’s Shield, by having the best record throughout the entire league season.

Surf Cup and Surf Thanksgiving Tournaments: both the G16 White and the G18s played at the prestigious Surf College Cup (16s losing in the Semifinals), while the G11s (Danny Pena) and the G12s (Fred Velez) played in the Surf Thanksgiving tournament – with the G11s losing in the Quarterfinals!

SCDSL: in Flight I, several age groups were won by Beach FC in the innagural season of the SCDSL!  The Under 11 girls coached by Rich Perez, the Under 14 girls coached by Jeff Joyner, the GU14 Gold coached by Eduardo Nunez and Sal Marroquin (Flight II), the GU15 Black coached by Dalton Kaufman (Flight II), the GU16s coached by Fred Velez and Mauricio Ingrassia, and finally - both of the Under 18/19 girls (Steve Soler and Anton Arrache) finished with the highest points in league in Flight 1!  Congratulations to all of the girls and boys teams in the SCDSL first year! #Go BEACH!

Keep checking this blog for updates throughout the upcoming week for scores and news from Atlanta!

It's been a while!

Welcome back Beach FC fans!  Where have you been?  Oh yeah, I remember - you have all been driving around Southern California and beyond every weekend for the past few months for the inaugural SCDSL!  Let's see, by my count, we have several teams that either flay out won their age group divisions, or finished first in the standings based on points (whereas those teams didn't play every other team for some weird scheduling reason...).  Many changes came with a new league.  Teams and parents sat on opposite sides of the field; players were able to move from team to team within the club (club pass rule), and schedules were worked with throughout the season to help with field and coaching conflicts.

• what would you change back?
• what would other rules would you like to see implemented for 2012?
• what did you like or dislike with the new league?

US Soccer names Jurgen Klinsmann Head Coach!

FINALLY!  Jurgen Klinsman named US Soccer Men's National Team Head Coach.  This morning at Nike Town in NYC, Klinsman was formally introduced by US Soccer's Wizard of OZ - Sunil Gulati.  Klinsman, better known as "the European coach who lives in Laguna Beach" brought some interesting comments on his start with the National team set-up.

Regarding our players:
“I think there are a lot of different challenges ahead of us, especially on the foundation level and the foundation is youth; how they should be trained, how often they should train, how much time they should spend with the ball, how they should develop their talent, and it all feeds into Claudio [Reyna]’s new role here. This is really important to be addressed from the beginning because I think this is what is really missing compared to the leading soccer nations around the world, the first 10-12 nations around the world, is the amount of time kids play the game. If you have a kid that plays in Mexico 20 hours a week, and maybe four hours of organized soccer but 16 hours of unorganized soccer just banging the ball around in the neighborhood, but if he gets up to 20 hours it doesn’t matter how he plays it, with his dad or with his buddies in the street, this will show later on with his technical abilities, with his passing, with his instinct on the field and all those things, and I think that’s certainly an area where a lot of work is ahead of us. If you look at MLS, they took major steps forward. It’s come a long way, but it’s still a hectic style from the college game, which slowly we have to get it more on a technical level, we have to get it on more comfortable level with the ball, and so there are developmental issues. I think there are pros and cons. It’s come a long way, but we have a ways to go still to break into those top 10 in the world. We need to be realistic that we are not belonging there right now, or not yet.”

1 - When asked about naming Assistant Coaches, said he will  search for the next few months to "...find the right fit..."
2 - stated that both Claudio Reyna and Tab Ramos (both former US players and now involved as the US Soccer Youth Technical Director, and the U20 Head Coach - respectively), will be around the full National Team as much as possible as assistants whenever possible
3 - feels that the team needs to be a reflection of the changing US culture, both in style and in the players who are from immigrant descent

Last weekend at the Surf Cup in San Diego, the Beach FC GU16 White and GU18s, played in front of hundreds of college coaches.  Surf Cup stated that there were over 190 schools represented, with over 350 registered coaches.  Those numbers do not reflect the growing number of coaches who do not sign up, or who sneak in under the radar as club coaches already there with the teams.  Once again - the class of the tournament was the Gu16 MVLA Lightning and the Breakaway GU17s.  Every major program was represented when these teams played their matches.

Bradley given the pink slip

Bob Bradley was relieved of his duties as the Head Coach of the US Men National Team.  YEAH!  Today is a happy day for those of us who have been yelling and throwing shoes at our television screens for the past 5 years - especially the last 3.  The US has struggled to integrate a younger and technically more gifted generation into the National Team set-up.  Bradley has never been able to get the best out of players like Torres, Feilhaber, Donovan (and stop bringing up the last minute goal vs Algeria...), and other youngsters that have bypassed his ability to manage - not just motivate.  Not that I am a fan of his body of work, but I do hope that someone gives this guy a job in Europe, so that he can test himself with a much better group of players, in a full time capacity.  The odds-makers, not that I gamble on these sort of things - are making Jurgen Klinsmann (formerly the Head Coach of Germany @ the 2006 WC) the favorite to take over, with Marcelo Lippi (former Italian coach), and Guus Hiddink (former Dutch, Korean, and Russian, who is currently losing his way with Turkey) the other foreign favorites.  The main American being mentioned, is Jason Kreis, who has been at the helm of Salt Lake (I REFUSE to call them "REAL" since they are NOT affiliated with any royal moniker, or with Madrid!) in the MLS.  Kreis is the rising young superstar coach, having taken SLC to the CONCACAF Champions League Final this past year, and winning the MLS title 2 years ago.

So who do you think?  Vote in the comment section!
1 - Jurgen Klinsmann
2 - Marcello Lippi
3 - Guus Hiddink
4 - Jason Kreis
5 - Rafael Benitez
6 - Carlo Ancelotti
7 - Sigi Schmid

rolling into the Fall

Another summer month has come and gone, and the soccer world in Southern California continues to evolve and change by the minute.  First, I want to give a quick shout out to The LA Galaxy's Under 16 Boy's Academy and the Pateadores Under 18 Boy's teams, that recently won the US Development Academy's National Championships in Milwaukee. Congrats to Pat's Coach Matt Tutton, & to Jose Villareal (scoring 2 goals in the Final vs FC Dallas) for getting called into the USA Under 18 National Team that is competing at the Northern Ireland Milk Cup.  Also, special congrats to the LA Galaxy - where our own Eddie Soto and Billy Bizzaro are staff coaches in their Youth Academy!

The crazyness that is referred to as the 2011 Copa America, down south in Argentina, was eventually won by the up and coming Uruguayans.  Led by Liverpool's Luis Suarez, and Athletic Madrid's Diego Forlan - Uruguay crushed a defensive minded Paraguay 3-0.  How about this for a fun fact: Diego Forlan isn't even the 1st Forlan to win the Copa America!  Actually, he isn't even the 2nd either!  Forlan's grandfather and father BOTH won the Copa America before he did!  Very impressive blood lines, huh!  In the meantime, Argentina decided that maybe Diego Maradona really might have been a better choice - in hindsight - than Sergio Batista in leading the National team.  After only several friendlies, and only 4 games in charge - Batista was sent packing.  The Argentines should never have ran off Marcelo Bielsa - who went on to change Chile for the better, and is now coaching in Spain...good luck finding a new coach Argentina!

Meanwhile, here in So Cal - Beach FC hosted the Nike Pyramid Cup in Long Beach, and it was a smashing success - as expected.  Over 150+ teams played, and next year, there is discussion on adding several "Super Groups" that will be the start of a Beach FC college recruiting showcase.  Check out the most recent Beach FC newsletter and website for the list of teams from Beach that came home victorious!  Thanks have to go out to all of the countless volunteers who made the tournament possible, and especially to Shelly Marsden, who put it all together with many a sleepless night changing and arranging game schedules!

Finally - we look ahead at the end of summer and the beginning of Fall, and all of the soccer that it brings.  Surf Cup (youngers weekend) hosted 3 of our Beach FC teams this past weekend, with 2 older teams this coming weekend.  The inaugural So Cal Developmental Soccer League (SCDSL) kicks off in September; the US Youth Soccer Far West Regional League has begun (with the winner advancing to the 2012 FWR tournament in Hawaii!); the GU16 White has been accepted to compete in the USYS National League (winner and finalist go straight to the USYS National Finals in 2012!); and the college season is around the corner, with the Long Beach State Women's Team kicking off at USC on the 19th of August.  After touring the world and running up scores against weaker opponents - the Premiership, La Liga, Ligue 1; Bundesliga, and Seria A all kick off in the next several weeks.  Who you got?  Me - I see Real Madrid in La Liga; Chelsea in the Premiership; PSG in France's Ligue 1; Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga - and finally - AC Milan in Seria A.  Give us your predictions and maybe you could win something....then again, I think I have already won with my picks above! HA!

Talk to you soon - Go Beach FC

all new female babies born this week named Abby!

US News reports that all female babies born this week with bigger than normal heads, to be named "Abby" in honor of the aerial beast known as Abby Wambach.  The kid doesn't do anything except take up space, then BAM - goal in the air!  The USA Women's National Team are into the WWC Final vs either Sweden (a rematch from the pasting in the opening round) or Japan (the upstarts who knocked the 2 time champs - Germany).

Q1: How does Pia Sunhage NOT start Megan Rapinoe, or Alex Morgan for the final?  I think Alex Morgan forced the hand of the coach with one of the classiest goals of the WWC.  A subtle and cheeky chip to beat the keeper.

Q2: If the USA does win the World Cup, does US Soccer dare face it's serious issues of age and technical ability with a changing of the guard both in it's coaching staff and it's core players for the future?  Or does it say: "We are great - we won - we have the "american spirit" - we have Abby and Hope to continue to bail us out" -- and keep the status quo as is?

Q3: Who took my remote control (and removed the MUTE button)?!  I was forced to listen to Julie Foudy all tournament talk about the 1999 team!  Be quiet already!  This is the 2011 team - it's not Brandi, Mia, Julie, Christine, and Michelle anymore.  It is: Rapinoe, Solo, Wambach, Lloyd, and Rampone.

Copa America is W-I-D-E OPEN

What Am I?

The media in South America is having a field day!  First you have an out of sync Argentina FULL of star players, who haven't won a game while playing in front of their home fans - who are now DESPERATE for a win, or EVEN just a good game from their billionaire players.  Today, we saw how even the South American national teams are.  Brazil having to come from behind to just get a tie, and Venezuela (and it wasn't their baseball team!) beat Ecuador to go top of their group.  What is going on down in the freezing pampas down south?  Is it the Yerba Mate that everyone drinks down there?  Is it the lingering hangover - one year later - from another freezing and rainy summer tournament being held in the Southern Hemisphere?  WC 2010 in South Africa was also in the southern hemisphere - and like Argentina, their "winter" is like our summer.  OR - could it just be, that everyone has slowly caught up to the powers that are Argentina, Brazil, and dare I say it - Uruguay?  Colombia is showing off their somewhat "new" generation of players and what it is capable of (....playing great and never scoring....)  Last summer, Chile did the same while unleashing Alexis Sanchez to the world.  BTW: Sanchez is now ready to become Barcelona's most recent summer signing.

Here are some fresh thoughts.  Brazil has an incredible youth generation building (and the craziest hairstyles...), with Neymar, Pato, Elano, and the best one of them all - Ganso.  All are under 23 and capable of taking the Canarinho to the World Cup win in Brazil in 2014.  Argentina will only right the ship if they make a coaching change, and remember that there will only be one Diego, and there will never, never be a repeat of Mexico '86, where one player can single-handedly win the tournament himself.  They can keep going to the Church of Diego and chanting his name at every Argentina game, or writing songs about and for him (here is the man singing....) - but it will not help.  What they need, is to bring back Bielsa, or someone who can bring a system that works with this group of players, and stop catering to one single player - Messi.  The upcoming marathon which is called the South American World Cup Qualifying Tournament is going to be fun.  Everyone can beat everyone.  Brazil won't have to worry - they are in as the host and will welcome all comers in 2014 with their bikinis (the men) and their "tangas" (their women) in full force.  FYI - the link to the Maradona song is for the poor Argentinians still wondering what is happening down south - enjoy - you know who you are!

Copa America and Women's WC

Yesterday we saw the world come to an end.  At least that what the rest of the world thinks, when it comes to Argentina and Leonel Messi not winning against Colombia!  Actually - the rest of the world thinks that Messi should just be able to put on a uniform and win any game that he plays.  Headlines from Argentina are calling for Sergio Batista's head; and of all things - they (the fans in Santa Fe, Argentina) actually started to chant: "...ole, ole, Diego, Diego..." in reference to Diego Maradona to come back and "save" the team from this Copa America debacle.  The truth to the matter is this: Colombia played a perfect match in their scheme to defend against the Argentine front line of Tevez, Messi and Lavessi.  They contained a tired looking Leonel Messi without man-marking, but group defending and if not for a some DREADFUL FINISHING, Colombia should have scored 2-3 goals and won the match.  European giants should be all over the Colombian outside backs Armero and Zuniga.  FC Porto should light candles that Chelsea and Manchester United don't snap up Freddy Guarin and Radamel Falcao-Garcia.  Is Argentina done?  NO.  They will finish 2nd or 3rd in group, move on, and likely fix the broken thought process of Sergio Batitsta before the next few games.

Meanwhile, over in Germany, the Women's World Cup saw it's first major upset in group play yesterday.  Sweden beat the US Women 2-1, making the road for the US Women MUCH harder than it should have been.  Pia's ladies missed too many chances against Sweden, creating the quarterfinal showdown on Sunday morning vs the individually dangerous Brazilians (Marta, etc..).

At The BEACH this past month: we had several teams win tournament championships.  Notably, Jared's little Under 8 girls won the Irvine Summer Classic, while Shelly Marsden won with both the U12 and U15 Girls at Arsenal's Summer Tournament in Temecula.  This month see's the club kick into full gear with tournaments every weekend of July and August, including the upcoming NIKE Pyramid Cup in Long Beach, the USYS Far West Regional League, Surf Cup (Beach FC will be sending FIVE, yes FIVE teams), and the start of the inaugural So Cal Developmental Soccer League.

Getting caught up

Sorry folks - we haven't caught up in a while.   The lingering effects from having gotten knocked out of the FWR in Boise, Idaho, along with the un-gloomy "June Gloom" that we are having (I write this as my scalp gets a nice red lobsterish sun burn on the balcony of my tiny little abode), has kept me/us from our updating.  So what's happened you ask?  Well for starters, the GU15 White's run at a National Championship was derailed by a very determined Slammers FC team in the semifinals of the Region IV tournament.  The US Men were given a nice lesson in soccer from our friends south of the border in the Gold Cup final in Pasadena.  The US U17 Men, were finishing in 2nd place at the U17 World Cup in Mexico, behind....you guessed correctly: Uzbekistan!  Finally, the US Women, got off to a winning start in Germany at the Women's World Cup vs a slightly secretive North Korean squad.  Today, if you are couch potato, the US U17's are on ESPNU at 1:00pm, taking on group winner Germany, who have steam rolled everyone so far in getting to the round of 16.  Wilmer Cabrera's young men will need to get everything right if they are going to knock off the German giants today.

Back to Boise for a minute.  What an amazing run this really was.  This team had numerous reasons to think that they didn't belong.  They were never considered a favorite to get out of their group at Cal south National cup (that would have been Albion).  They knocked off favorites like: Surf White, Arsenal, and Eagles.  The team had players getting "emergency surgeries" a week before the Regionals (the "Official" reason given was appendicitis, but word on the street was Janae getting bionic lungs for the altitude in Idaho....); while another having to leave the country for family reasons...  This team was the under-dog wherever it went.  Well folks, that label is now OTW - out the window.  Foothill MVLA knows who they are.  Oregon Rush knows who they are (both will be group opponents once again at Surf Cup), and the teams in Southern Cal know who they are.  Well done ladies - you represented The Beach!  Get ready to play as a favorite from here on out!

Besides the GU15's, who have gotten so much attention lately, we need to recognize others who have put the club on the So Cal and National soccer map.  First there was Rich Perez's GU10's winning Beach FC's 1st State Cup title.  And this wasn't the 2nd flight Governor's Division - this was the TOP flight President's Division!  Then there was Danny Pena's BU13's who went to the Q-finals at the most prestigious youth boys tournament in the country - the Dallas Cup, losing to the eventual champions.  Finally, we need to recognize all of the young women earning college scholarships for the 2011 and 2012 graduating classes.  These are the 1st graduating classes from Beach, with many more to come in the future.  Our coaching staff has done such a phenomenal job in such a short time.

The Beach FC Pioneers:

GU10 Beach FC Cal South State Champions

BU13 Dallas Cup Quarterfinalists

GU15 White USYS Far West Regional Semifinalists

Far West Regionals from a player's eyes:

Boise, Boise, Boise...where do we start? Well, our journey started after we made it to the finals in National Cup.  We trained 5 days a week for the 4 weeks leading up to the Far West Regionals.  We worked on our fitness, techniques, set plays, etc.  We give a big thanks to our coaches who helped us prepare  for this tournament; Sebastian, Jeff, Fred, and the one and only Mauricio. They helped us grow as a team and as individual players. 

Day 1 in Boise started with an amazing 5:30 a.m. wake up call. We ate breakfast at 6 and we were off to the fields at 6:45.  We overcame jet-lag, nerves, butterflies, uncertainty and came out with a 2-0 win over New Mexico.  For dinner, we had PASTA(of course)..thanks Sebastian :).  Then lights out was at 10:30.

The next morning, we woke up at 7:15 to be down at breakfast by 7:30.  Our game was against MVLA Cal North.  We left everything on the field...literally.  Poor Katie Pratt.....Thompson.  They were a strong team that tested our ability to play.  Even though the score came out to be 0-3, we still gave it our all and fought until the last second.  We learned a lot from this game and hoped to truly improve and learn from our mistakes.  To escape from our lovely hotel rooms, we went and saw an inspirational $1 movie- Soul Surfer.  It truly hit home with some of our tough teammates..oh Haley.  And once again, we had pasta for dinner.  After dinner, we ventured down to the Conference Center and went over our first game against New Mexico.  It was really helpful to see what we did right, and what we needed to work on. And lights out were at 10:30. 

On Wednesday, we had another 10 o'clock game which meant we had to be up at 7:15 meaning breakfast was at 7:30.  We were determined to make a come back from our last game.  We played against Oregon Rush which was another close game.  We had our chances but we just couldn't put them away.  We got our 1st goal off of a marvelous PK by Samantha Reinhard that was caused by Shannon Shier taking a big fall in the box.  With a win from that game, we were on our way to the quarter finals.  Wednesday night, we were free from our coaches' watch and were free to explore Boise with our parents and/or teammates.  Many of us went to the Music Festival and went to dinner and roamed around downtown.  We came back to the hotel and our curfew was a whoopin' 11 o'clock. 

Thursday we were able to sleep in as long as we wanted and were free to do what we wished until 5 o'clock.  Many of us just relaxed and rested any small injuries we might have picked up.  So at 5 o'clock, we walked down to a nearby field and played a very intense game of Soccer Tennis.  This got us on our feet and moving without getting exhausted.  For dinner, we went to Red Robbins where we were allowed to make our own choice for dinner within reason.  That night, we came back and had a very funny but serious recap of the Oregon Rush game.  Mauricio, Fred, and Jeff pointed out some key points that we needed to work on for our next game.  After that, we went to bed at 11 o'clock. 

Today, Friday, we woke up at 8:20 and had to be downstairs at 8:30 for breakfast.  After breakfast, we rested in our rooms for our match at 2.  Around 11, we met up and enjoyed a team snack of: luna bars, uncrustables, bananas, and watermelon.  At 12:45, we left to go to the fields where we played Eastside from Washington.  At half, it was 0-0, but we came back with an overall score of 2-1.  We advanced to the semis to play the Slammers who we lost to in the finals of National Cup 2-0.  We are very excited, anxious, and ready to redeem ourselves and play our game.

Thanks for all the support and for all those who helped make this journey possible.  We will keep you updated and hopefully tomorrow we will move on to the finals of the Far West Regionals.

And remember...GO BEACH! Signing out - Allie, Janna, Sami, and Katie Pratt...Thompson

Is there really a Beach in Boise?

Today - there was a sighting of the Beach White GU15s in Boise, Idaho.  Thru 3 games in the group stages, the Beach girls hadn't put together a complete game.  There were flashes of brilliance here and there, but not 80 full minutes worth.  This afternoon, the run thru the US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Tournament was a complete team effort for 80 minutes.  Celeste Dominguez scored 2 fabulous goals in the 2nd half, and the team defensive effort kept the Eastside FC girls from Washington off the board until the final 10 minutes where they cut the final score down to 2-1.  Beach is now on to the semifinals on Saturday morning (10:00am mtn time), to face a rematch of the Cal South National Cup Final vs Whalid Khoury's Slammers FC.  After having lost to Slammers in the Cal South Final, the girls are determined to turn the tables and get to the Final here in Idaho.  The semifinal match ups are: Washington Premier vs So Cal Blues, and Beach White vs Slammers.  Oh yes - MVLA, the defending USYS National Champion was eliminated this afternoon by Washington Premier in penalty kicks.  No one is crowned a Champion until the end....every team has a chance here, as many had done with the fantastic MVLA girls previously.

2 goal scorer - Celeste Dominguez

Make it happen.

To quote the great Michael Jordan - "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."  Today, we are hoping that this spirit is with the girls here in Boise.  At 2:00pm, Beach White is going to try and MAKE IT HAPPEN.   No more getting used to the fields; the environment; the traveling and the weather.  A special vibe is permeating thru the hotel this morning with everyone hoping to continue this run.  Check in later for an update!

On to the knock-out stage here in Boise!

Beach is in to the quarterfinals!  This morning, the GU15s took on the Oregon state champs - Oregon Rush, and came out on top 1-0.  It took a penalty kick by Sammie Reinhard to put the team into the elimination rounds here at Far West Regionals in Boise.  On Friday, the girls take on Washington's Eastside Soccer Club, who won their group with 3 wins vs Washington Premier, Las Vegas Premier, and Outrigger (Hawaii).  Beach was awarded the penalty kick after a brilliant run into the box by Shannon Shier, beating 3 Rush players, before getting chopped down around the top of the box.  Sammie stepped up with confidence and hammered the ball past the Rush goalkeeper.  Beach had numerous opportunities to score after the PK, with Domanique Duron having the best chance.  Only a great save by the Oregon goalkeeper denied the Beach girls from winning by more.

Tomorrow is a rest day for all of the teams, and everyone will surely need the rest day.  All of Friday's quarterfinals are at 2:00pm.  Continue to check on the scores via twitter ("MISoccer" or "BeachCoachFred"), and light candles, cross fingers, and wish the girls the best!

A lesson to learn from

Today, the girls faced their toughest opponent to date - the MVLA Lightning, from Northern California.  After facing the likes of Albion, Surf; Arsenal, Eagles, then Slammers leading up to Far West Regionals, the team felt confident facing the defending Regional and National Champion.  Both teams created chances in the first 25 minutes, with Shannon Shier barely missing the opening goal in a 1v1 opportunity, and MVLA hitting the crossbar off a wicked shot in the opening minutes.  At the 28th minute, the referee decided to award a penalty kick on a - shall we say "soft" foul - and MVLA went up 1-0 from the penalty spot.  Four minutes later, MVLA won a ball inside the Beach 18 yard box and the quick shot went over goalkeeper Hayley Magana's outreaching arms, making it 2-0.  The 2nd half was a better display of soccer by the Beach girls, with quality chances being created more often, testing the MVLA back line and goalkeeper on several occasions.  Beach could have cut the score to 2-1, but unfortunately, the shot from Celeste Dominguez hit the bar and not the back of the net.  MVLA secured the win and the group, by scoring their 3rd goal with roughly 15 minutes left on a cross from a very poor angle, that inadvertently ended up sailing into the Beach goal.  The game would end 3-0 to MVLA. Hats off to the MVLA GU15s - their movement, composure and reading of the game was fantastic today.

On Wednesday morning, the girls will decide their own fate, when they face the Oregon Rush from Bend, Oregon at 10:00am.  Win or tie - and move on to the Quarterfinals.  Any other result, and the girls fate is out of their hands, and decided by too many tiebreakers to list here.

First day at Regionals in the books!

It's Monday afternoon in Boise, and the Under 15 Girls are off to a great start!  Alli Emmons got the team off to a dream start with a goal from outside the box mid way thru the 1st half.  The 2nd goal, which put the proverbial dagger into the Rio Vista squad from Albuquerque came off the foot of Shannon Shier.  The rest of the day is being spent with team meetings, down time to to get much needed naps in, and a team video break down of the game in preparation for the MVLA Lightning showdown tomorrow at 10:00am.

Some thoughts about the tournament so far: Boise is a great "small city" with a cool downtown area full of restaurants and coffee shops, including a block with authentic Basque restaurants, and museums.  Nothing seems to be more than 5 minutes away, including the Simplot Soccer Complex - which is fantastic, with over 20 "lush" grass fields - although the grass may be a bit too high for our tastes.  So far - knock on wood - the weather has been perfect - highs of 80's with lows of 60's.

Inaugural first post!

Welcome everyone!  This blog will be a place where we keep everyone updated on our day to day activities within the club, the latest on the happenings around the world of soccer, and our own musings on coaching and player development.  We hope you enjoy the blog, and continue to check back to see the latest news and musings from our coaches at Beach FC.

This weekend, the Under 15 Girls White team, coached by Mauricio Ingrassia and Fred Velez, will be traveling to the US Youth Soccer's Far West Regional tournament in Boise, Idaho.  Although the GU15s lost in the Cal South National Cup Final, Cal South and the GU15 age group had the "wild card" berth and Beach received the wild card berth.  The girl's opponents in Boise, will be the New Mexico State Champions - Rio Vista SC on Monday morning, followed by the Cal North State Champions (and defending Region & US Soccer National Champs at U14) - MVLA Lighting on Tuesday, finally playing the Oregon State Champions - Oregon Rush, on Wednesday to round out the opening group stage.  Two teams will advance to the Quarterfinal stage on Friday, with Semifinals and Finals on Saturday and Sunday.  You can follow the team's progress, by clicking here!

GU15 White