Touchline Summer 2013

PENNSYLVANIA’S LEADING YOUTH SOCCER PUBLICATION SUmmER 2013

Dribbling & Passingfrom the English FA

Champions Crownedin State Cup Finals!

Children, Sports & Concussions

eastern pennsylvania youth soccer

Jeff Parke: fromLionville to PPL Park

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDPermit #110

Conshohocken, PA

3 Club Profi le: North Union United

5 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Championship Scoreboard

8 Highlights from US Youth Soccer National League

10 National E &D Licenses Restructured

11 Three Local Youth Soccer Legends Inducted into Hall of Fame

12 US Soccer Celebrating 100 Years

13,16 Children, Sports & Concussions

14 Jeff Parke, from Lionville to PPL Park

18 The Chester Upland Soccer for Success Program

19 Olympic Development Program Update

20 Upcoming Coaching Education Courses

21 September is Youth Soccer Month!

24 Quarterly Association Calendar

25 Mike Barrʼs Corner

27 Coaching: Dribbling & Passing

28 Summer Time is Camp Time

CONTENTS

Give Back to the Game

As a player growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, I was

fortunate to have had some excellent coaches.

As a young coach, I had terrifi c mentors. They

taught me and my teammates how to play, as well

as how not to play. They taught us the history of

the game and gave a sense of where we fi t in

the soccer community. They instilled a sense of

responsibility and respect for the game. They

were always telling us how some day it will be our

turn, and we’ll be taking their places. They we’re

teaching us how the game was good to them, and

now good to us, and we need to give back.

It’s a different environment today. Soccer has

evolved. Successful national teams; professional

leagues; 24 hour cable TV coverage…all a dream

for so long, but became a reality by the 2000’s.

Our sport has also become far more organized at

all levels. Soccer has grown from a hobby into

an industry; from an avocation into a vocation.

Many people, including myself, now earn a living

from the sport. So more money is being spent,

more options are available, more people are

involved, more kids are playing the game. But I’m

concerned that not enough are giving back to the

game.

I took this path after reading the recent Time

Magazine article on the Millenials- “The Me,

Me, Me Generation.” Will the next generation

of coaches and administrators- those who will

replace me and my generation, will they have the

same sense of responsibility that was imparted on

me? They grew up with soccer having “arrived.”

Previous generations have worked hard to give

them MLS and Fox Soccer Channel, soccer only

complexes and beautiful fi elds to play on. They

have been taught the game by “trainers” and

have practice gear as well as game uniforms.

This generation has so much, yet they may not

appreciate it. I realize my comments echo of

Depression Era folks who say the same about the

Baby Boomers or Generation X. So yes, in the

grand tradition of my predecessors, I am calling

out the Millennials. Will they have the same

sense of community and the same respect for the

game? Will they volunteer to gain experience?

Will they work with intramurals and the youngest

players? Will they learn to how line fi elds and set

up goals? Will they work long hours to run the

local tournament? Or will they expect to have a

coaching job waiting for them upon graduation?

Will they expect to coach the team of their choice?

Will they expect to be paid every time they step

on a fi eld?

Whatever the answers to these questions may

be, I still believe we all owe something back. It’s

what keeps the game moving forward. A little

nostalgia or lesson from the past is a good thing.

It’s why we have record books and halls of fame

and reunions. I believe that if you grew up in the

game, you got more from it than you might realize.

Your coaches, team parents and your teammates

taught you many things and gave you great

memories. When you do realize it, and hopefully

not too late, pass on what you learned. If soccer

was good to you, than give back to soccer….you

owe it to the next generation.

Give Back to the GameGive Back to the GameGive Back to the Gameby Chris Branscome,Chief Executive OfficerEastern PennsylvaniaYouth Soccer

Three Local Youth Soccer Legends Inducted into Hall of Fame

14

Jeff Parke:from Lionville to PPL Park

eastern pennsylvania youth soccer

TOUCHLINEVolume XLI | June 2013

Published by:Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

4070 Butler Pike, Suite 100Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Phone: 610-238-9966Fax: 610-238-9933

E-mail: [email protected]: EPYSA.org

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEPresident: Jim Kuntz

Vice President, Travel: Michael FinneganVice President, Recreation: John Lenart

Treasurer: Nicole Posillico EppsSecretary: Jeff SommerRegistrar: Donna Outt

Past President: Bob McDade

COMMITTEE CHAIRSAdministration & Risk Management: Rick Tompkins

TOPSoccer Program: Diane SpencerSoccer Across America: John Kukitz

Cup Commissioner: Dave AshBy-laws: Jeff Sommer

Scholarships: Dave Edgecombe

STATE OFFICE STAFFChief Executive Offi cer: Chris Branscome

Director of Coaching: Mike BarrDirector of Soccer Operations: Frank OlszewskiCommunications Manager: to be announced

Marketing & Events Coordinator: Kylea MeredithAssistant Director of Coaching: Gary StephensonMembership Services Specialist: Beck Kleinert

Business Administration Manager: Kelly ConnorDirector of Camps: Sheldon Chamberlain

Administrative Services Specialist: Bark BudgickAccountant: Judy Curran

Public Relations Consultant: Jim DeLorenzo

TOUCHLINEEditor-in-Chief: Chris BranscomeConsulting Editor: Jim DeLorenzo

Contributors: Kylea Meredith, Alexis Christopher, Ian McDadeAdvertising Sales Rep: Dan Clark, Pearl Press Liberty, 215-925-4900 x 1544

Printed by: Pearl Pressman Liberty Communications Group, Inc., 7625 Suffolk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153

Touchline is © Copyright 2013 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted; all rights reserved. Articles may not be reproduced or

reprinted without written permission of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. Advertising space in Touchline is purchased and paid for by the advertisers. None of the products or

services is necessarily endorsed by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer or its affi liates. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Eastern

Pennsylvania Youth Soccer or its advertisers.

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In late May, the North Union United U13 99F Strikers competed in the 2013 US Youth Soccer Region I President’s Cup, in Manchester, New Hampshire. They were one of 96 teams from Region I who competed to earn a spot in this summer’s 2013 US Youth Soccer National President’s Cup, July 10th through 14th in Auburndale, Florida.

North Union United U13 99F Strikers defeated state champions from Connecticut and New Hampshire before a 3-2 loss to Massachusetts in pool play. The team then beat Eastern New York in the semi-fi nal match, and avenged their earlier loss to Massachusetts with a 1-0 victory over MC Falcons NE Rush Blue to become US Youth Soccer Region 1 President Cup Champions.

The North Union United Soccer Club was founded by Alan Ziegler in 1998, with one team and one mission – to provide players the soccer education and structure needed to achieve their highest possible potential on the soccer fi eld.

Ziegler, North Union United’s current Director of Operations, and his colleagues with the club started with the belief that for players, the best ways to improve their skill set are practice and competition.

Fast forward 15 years to today. North Union United has grown from one team, to 22 teams, ranging in age from U9 to U18, and has over 350 members.

The club’s teams regularly compete in several Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer tournaments every year, including the Challenge Cup, Rush Cup, and the President’s Cup. A number of the club’s players have also competed in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) through Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.

North Union United is based in Lewisburg, in the North Central part of Pennsylvania. Because it is a relatively small town and a rural community (approximately 30 miles south of Lewisburg and over

150 miles north of Philadelphia), the club draws players from seven different counties.

It takes most players, coaches and families up to almost three hours to get to a single away game. When teams practice, players will travel over an hour to get there. It’s dedication like this that has helped grow North Union United.

According to Ziegler, to make it easier for the club members, especially those traveling the furthest, the annual fees are priced on the lower end, at $250 per year. North Union United also has several different fundraising campaigns each year, which are directed at offering fi nancial scholarships for players in need.

More information about North Union United is available on their website at NUUnited.com.

NORTH UNION UNITEDCLUB PROFILE:

The North Union United U13 Strikers Won the 2013 US Youth Soccer Region IPresident’s Cup Championship in late May.

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The 2013 Eastern Pennsylvania Turkey Hill Challenge Cup was held on the weekend of Saturday May 18th and Sunday May 19th in Downingtown, with 16 championship matches played at United Sports. The competition, which was run by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and sponsored by Turkey Hill, brought in more than 500 teams which had been competing since March for a shot at the fi nals and a chance to be Challenge Cup Champions. The Eastern Pennsylvania-Turkey Hill Challenge Cup is an open competition for boys and girls in the under-9 to under-17 age brackets wishing to be crowned a statewide champion. The results for each age bracket are listed below.

Day 1 Results:Championship Finals- May 18

Under-9 Boys, A DivisionFishtown Hotspurs 2Philadelphia Soccer Club Future 1

Under-9 Boys, B DivisionLower Southampton 6Parkland Area Soccer Club Union 0

Under-10 Boys, A DivisionLehigh Valley United ‘02* 5Ukrainian Nationals Zoria Black 1

Under-10 Boys, B DivisionDillsburg Dragons* 7Haverford Venom 0

Under-11 Boys, A DivisionWest Chester United Predators* 5TE FCE Rapids 3

Under-11 Boys, B DivisionCASA CAPA Union 5Montgomery ManCity 2

Under-13 BoysManheim Area Soccer Club Mutiny 3Coventry Arsenal 0

Under-14 BoysHulmeville Predators 4Lighthouse Lancers 3

Under-9 Girls, A DivisionLower Merion Soccer Club Fenix 3HMMS Legends 2

Under-9 Girls, B DivisionFox Chase Armada 3Lower Merion Soccer Club Liberty 0

Under-10 Girls, A DivisionHMMS Impact 3Ukrainian Nationals Helios Black 0

Under-10 Girls, B DivisionPhiladelphia Soccer Club Rage 2Lionville Surge Blue 0

Under-11 Girls, A DivisionWest Chester United Soccer Club Predators 1, Penn Legacy Black 0

Under-11 Girls, B DivisionFC Revolution Thunder 2Hershey Orange Hurricanes 1

Under-13 GirlsAbington Lady Comets 1Hulmeville Magic 0

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth SoccerChampionship Scoreboard

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth SoccerChampionship Scoreboard

EPYSA.org

Page 6

Under-14 GirlsPine Grove Impact 1CRUSA Cosmos 0

Day 2 ResultsChampionship FinalsMay 19

Under-12 BoysHunter United 3HMMS Supero 1

Under-12 GirlsPenn Legacy Black 3North Union Rockets 1

Under-15 BoysSpirit Arsenal 2Montgomery Fury 1

Under-15 GirlsParkwood Sting 1PA Classics Premier 0

Under-16 BoysHMMS United 4Parkland Area Soccer Club Blackhorse 0

Under-16 Girls

Warminster Hawks 4Keystone Black 2

2013 Eastern PennsylvaniaPresidents Cup - ChampionsMay 4

Under-12 BoysWCUSC Eagles 2LMSC Quick Boys 1

Under-12 GirlsBuckingham Banshees 1Berks Rage Athletica 0

Under-13 BoysWCUSC Predators 2Buckingham Blast 1 Buckingham Blast also advancewith Wildcard

Under-13 GirlsNorth Union Strikers 2WVSC 1

Under-14 BoysWCSV 2Western Lehigh United 1

Under-14 GirlsParkland Pride 3WCUSC Predators 0 WCUSC Predators alsoadvance with Wildcard

Under-15 BoysWVSC 1Spirit United Barca 0

Under-15 GirlsWCUSC Eagles 3Penn Legacy White 2

Under-16 BoysNorth Union Fury 4Southampton Scorpions 3

Under-16 GirlsPA Classics Premier Blue 1Penn Legacy Black 0

Under-17 BoysYMS Clash 1Berks Ajax Clockwork Orange 0

Under-17 GirlsKeystone Grifo 1Spirit United Aztecs 0

The Eastern Pennsylvania Presidents Cup Championships were held May 4, 2013 in Allentown, and consisted of 12 championship matches played at the Lehigh County Fields. The competition brought in more than 140 teams that had been in competition since March for a chance to win the Presidents Cup Championship. Winners of this competition moved on to the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup Region I Championship in Manchester, New Hampshire which was held on Friday, May, 24. The winning teams of this competition were the under-13 girls North Union Strikers, under-15 girls WCUSC Eagles, and the under-17 boys YMS Clash. These winning teams will now move onto Auburndale, Florida for a shot at the National Championship beginning Wednesday, July 10. The results for the Eastern Pennsylvania Presidents Cup Championships held on May 4 are listed below.

*Indicates returning 2012 Champions

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Day 1 ResultsChampionship Finals

Under-13 GirlsCRUSA FC Bucks Fusion 3Yardley Makefield Soccer Pride 1

Under-13 BoysPatriot FC Red (5-6 Penalty Kicks) 3Penn Fusion 3

Under-14 GirlsYardley Makefield Soccer Explosion* 3HMMS United 1

Under-14 BoysPenn Fusion 5Harleysville Celtic 1

Day 2 ResultsChampionship Finals

Under-12 GirlsSpirit United Madrid 3CRUSA FC Bucks Pride 1

Under-12 BoysLehigh Valley United ’00 1West Chester United Soccer Club Predators 0

Under-15 GirlsPenn Legacy Black 5PA Classics Academy 0

Under-15 BoysLehigh Valley United* 3Penn Fusion 1

Under-16 GirlsFC Revolution Black Hawks 4Yardley Makefield Soccer Wildcats 2

Under-16 BoysNether United FC 2Lehigh Valley United 1

Under-17 GirlsCRUSA FC Bucks En Fuego 5PA Classics Academy 2

Under-17 BoysPenn Fusion (1-3 Penalty Kicks) 1Lehigh Valley United ’95 1

Under-18 Girls

TS United 5Montgomery United Black Storm 1

Under-18 Boys

FC Delco Cannibals 1FC Premier Harleysville 0

Under-19 GirlsFC Pennsylvania Strikersautomatically advance

Under-19 BoysLehigh Valley United ’93 1FC Delco 1(Lehigh Valley United advanced 5-3on Penalty Kicks)

*Indicates Returning 2012 Champions

The 2013 Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup National Championship series was held on Saturday, May 18 in Downingtown, where the first four championship matches were played at the United Sports Training Center. More than 300 teams fought since March in order to make it to the final State Cup games. The age groups ranged from under-12 to under-19 boys and girls. The under-18 and under-19 girls and boys played on June 2nd at the Temple UniversityAmbler Campus. The winning teams of this competition move on to the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships which are held this year in Kingston, Rhode Island, June 27th through July 2nd. This competition is expected to have more than 5,000 players compete and also 10,000 family and friends in attendance.

The results of the first four championship matches played at the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown on May 18 are listed below.

EPYSA.org

Page 8

EPYSA.org

The US Youth Soccer National League season concluded March 17 in Las Vegas, Nev., as 32 teams clinched berths in the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships July 22-28 in Overland Park, Kansas.

The National League competition includes the nation’s top teams in the Under-15, U n d e r - 1 6 , Under-17 and Under-18 boys and girls age groups, consisting of 16 teams per age group that must earn their way into the competition.

The National League is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues(Region I Premier League, Region II Midwest Regional League, Region III Southern Premier League and Region IV Far West Regional League). Teams that earn a spot in National League have a proven track record of success in US Youth Soccer regional and national competitions, and they get a chance to play meaningful matches against the top competition from across the country for continued development.

Four teams from Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer competed in the 2012-2013 National League season, which offered teams and players additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Teams coaches. Teams played a seven-game schedule

over two weekends, facing each team in their age group division one time. The League consists of three weekends of play per gender, with each team playing two of the three weekends.

The top two teams from each division (Blue and Red) advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships and also secure a spot to return to National League play

the following season. Lehigh Valley United 95 will represent Eastern Pennsylvania at the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships, as they were able to secure a second-place fi nish in the Under-17 Boys Red Division.

This will be LVU 95’s third trip in four years to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. The squad was able to secure its spot by locking up a second-place fi nish following the second weekend of boys play on Dec. 29, 2012 in Orlando, Florida.

After a narrow 1-0 loss in its fi rst game of the

National League season, LVU 95 went on to win fi ve straight contests. The win streak included two convincing wins over opponents from the Southern California, defeating FC Golden State, 4-1, and Carlsbad Elite, 5-1, during the fi nal two games of November’s opening weekend of play. LVU 95 had a chance to fi nish atop its division heading into the fi nal game, but came up short against Red Division winner and Region I

HIGHLIGHTS FROMUS YOUTH SOCCERNATIONAL LEAGUE

EPYSA.org

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Page 9

Premier League rival OBGC Rangers (MD), falling 4-2. Despite the final-game loss, LVU 95 will be heading to Overland Park after its 5-2-0 record was enough to finish second in the division — securing in invitation back into next year’s National League season, as well. As a club, Lehigh Valley United has had several teams qualify for the National League over the years, and Director of Coaching Greg Ramos described why the league is important to his teams.

“It’s really great to play at this caliber. First and foremost, the professionalism of the National League; taking care of players, making them feel special, showing them what it feels like to be really professional and the setup and organization,” Ramos said. “It’s really an atmosphere and an environment that’s really special. Then you come in and have the quality of the matches that you get, and it’s just the best thing that we’re apart of each year.”

A second team from the club, Lehigh Valley United 96, also competed in the 2012-2013 National League season. In a tough division featuring two-time defending US Youth Soccer National Champions Fullerton Rangers 96 White (CA-S), LVU 96 played several competitive games while finishing sixth in the Under-16 Boys Red Division. LVU 96 played stout defense during its 2-4-1 campaign, as three of its four losses were by 1-0 scores.

The two other Eastern Pennsylvania teams narrowly missed out on securing berths in the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships, as they each finished third in their division.

LMSC Lightning finished the

National League season with a 3-2-2 record, which included a 1-0 win over eventual Under-16 Boys Blue Division winners CCV Stars 97 Black (AZ). The defeat against the Lightning was CCV’s only blemish on a 6-1 season.

In the Under-15 age group, Penn Fusion 97 came within one point of a second-place finish in a very tight Red Division. Penn Fusion tied Red Division winners and

defending Region I champions Bethesda Lions (MD), 0-0, and won a thrilling game against second-place finisher GSA 98 Phoenix Red (GA), 6-5. The teams went back and forth, exchanging the lead five times before Penn Fusion netted the game winner in stoppage time. The six goals for Penn Fusion were more than all five other teams managed against GSA combined.

Penn Fusion 97 head coach Sean McCafferty acknowledged that tight, competitive games like the 6-5 win against GSA are commonplace for the league.

“The National League has been fantastic. We’ve had

some older teams in the league and it’s a great setup,

very professional, and for our guys it’s a step up in the level of play,” McCafferty said. “We’ve

gotten great exposure and the National League gives us the best competition we can have. Every game is a tough game, there are no easy games and you

can’t take a minute off. This is the best competition we get all year.”

As the 2012-2013 National League top finishers set their sights on the US Youth Soccer National Championships in Overland Park, Kansas, teams from around the country are eyeing regional and premier league competitions with hopes of qualifying for next year’s National League. Next season will also feature additional teams, as US Youth Soccer has added the Under-14 Boys and Girls age groups for 2013-2014 National League.

For more information on the US Youth Soccer National League, visit USYouthSoccer.org/National_League/, the online home for the US Youth Soccer National League, providing the latest in news, photos, video and more. Get all US Youth Soccer National League updates on Twitter at @NationalLeague.

EPYSA.org

Page 10

On June 1st, both the E and D License became National Licenses, standardized by US Soccer. The number of hours for each course will also increase, from 18 hours to 24 hours for the E License, and from 36 hours to 60 hours for the D License (these hours include pre-requisite course work).

Only coaches who have an A License from US Soccer, and have undergone training by US Soccer and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer staff, will be permitted to instruct these licenses.

The increase in hours will now be more in line with UEFA coaching courses and better prepare a candidate for the C, B and A Licenses. The National E License tuition costs will be $125 per candidate; for the National D it will be $225 per candidate.

Included in the courses:• Tuition (increased tuition hours)

• Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer-branded Nike apparel;

• Online - Laws of the game tutorial and test

• Online – Concussion tutorial and test

• Three (3) months membership to a session planning software

• Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer session plan template

• Ability to send session plans to the state office for discussion

• Flexibility - I Pad capability for session plans

• Testing and grading with real time feedback

• The opportunity to be mentored by the state office through the practical part of the courses

• Latest US Soccer Federation coaching methodology

• Inclusion in National licensed database as well as state licensed database

• Post-course direction through a customized plan to assist with coaching or progression to the next level

Additional information is available on EPYSA.orgunder the “Coaching Education” tab.

National E & D Licenses Restructured

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Three legends of Eastern

Pennsylvania Youth Soccer were

among the 2013 class of inductees

into the Southeastern Pennsylvania

(SEPA) Soccer Hall of Fame.

Mike Gorni, Randy Garber and Kim

Maslin-Kammerdeiner were among

the 10 inductees at the 66th annual

SEPA banquet, on Saturday, May

11th at Cannstatter Volkfest-Verein in

Northeast Philadelphia.

Gorni was an outstanding player at

Abington High School and Temple

University, but has become better

known for his successful coaching

career. He has coached in the

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth

Soccer Olympic Development

Program (ODP) for over 20 years.

Gorni has also guided seven teams

to Region I championships, and

has reached four National Final

Fours, including this year. With FC

Delco, Gorni’s teams have won an

astounding 26 State Cups, reached

eight National Final Fours, and

won the US Youth Soccer National

Championship in 1991. He’s won

several coaching awards, including

the US Youth Region I Coach of the

Year award. As Central Bucks East

High School’s boys coach, his teams

have amassed over 300 victories,

nine PIAA tournament appearances

and one state fi nal.

Garber was an All-American at

Abington High School, Mercer

County (NJ) Community College,

and at Penn State. He played

professionally in both the NASL and

the MISL, winning the 1975 NASL

championship with the Tampa Bay

Rowdies. Having played for the US

National team and the Philadelphia

Fever, Garber then turned to

coaching, as an assistant to legendary

Walter Bahr at Penn State. Garber

worked for many years alongside

local greats John Oberholtzer and

Ken Cooper. Garber was an ODP

coach throughout the 90’s, serving

much of that time as Boys Director

of Coaching. He is in his 19th year

of coaching at Abington High School,

where this past season they won

the PIAA District I championship.

Garber was honored in 2011 with

the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth

Soccer Excellence in

Coaching Award.

Maslin-Kammerdeiner played for

the legendary coach Betty D’Anjolell

on the Lansdowne Misfi ts, winning

two State Cup championships.

She was a member of Eastern

Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s fi rst

girls ODP team, as a goalkeeper.

At the collegiate level, she was an

All-American goalkeeper at George

Mason University, which managed

to stop the seemingly-unbeatable

University of North Carolina

women’s soccer team in the 1985

NCAA Championships. Perhaps the

pinnacle of her career was when

Maslin-Kammerdeiner was in goal

for the US Women’s national team

from 1988 to 1991. She holds the

US Women’s national team record

for scoreless minutes played (843),

and aided in the victory of the 1991

Women’s World Cup, the fi rst in

history. She was inducted into the

National Soccer Hall of Fame along

with her World Cup team mates in

2001.

Other inductees this year included

Jerry Brindisi, Nick Kramer, Tony

Koller, Erich Pohl, Oskar Pohl,

Joseph F. Rudy 3rd and Peter

Zimmerman

Soccer Hall of Fame

Three Eastern PennsylvaniaYouth Soccer Legends Inducted into

Southeastern Pennsylvania

Page 12

Last year, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer celebrated its 40th Anniversary as advocates and edcators of the beautiful game, in 36 Eastern Pennsylvania counties.

But did you know that U. S. Soccer is celebrating 100 years of soccer in the United States this year? It’s true! U.S. Soccer traces its roots back to a historic meeting on April 5, 1913 in New York City. At that meeting, there was a large group of soccer leaders, coaches and players, many of them relatively new to being in the United States of America at a time of massive waves of immigration from Europe and the United Kingdom.

That day, they formed the United States of America Foot Ball Association, and that historic meeting set the foundation for U.S. Soccer’s growth and success at all levels – youth, amateur and professional.Eastern Pennsylvania, and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, has played a special part in the growth of US Soccer. Several national team players and coaches have come from Philadelphia, and Bethlehem Steel was one of the early power houses in the US Open Cup competition. US Soccer has greatly benefi ted from our local leadership, such as former Federation President Werner Fricker, and former Treasurer and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer President Richard Groff. And there would be no US women’s soccer without our own, Betty D’Anjolell and Charlotte Moran.US Soccer celebrated its 100 years on June 1st, with their Annual General Meeting and Gala Celebration in Washington, D.C. As part of that weekend’s celebration, a sell-out crowd of 47,359 at RFK Stadium saw the U. S. Men’s National Team defeat Germany, 4-3.

As the governing body of soccer in all its forms in the United States, U.S. Soccer has played an integral part in charting the course for the sport in the USA for 100 years. In that time, the Federation’s

mission statement has been clear and simple: to make soccer, in all its forms, a preeminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels.

From a viewership standpoint, nearly 20 million Americans watched the Round of 16 match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup on television. Soccer-specifi c stadiums have opened their doors to resounding success. The National Training Center in Carson, California, in its 10th year of existence, has been a valuable facility for all levels, including the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which kicked off at the state-of-the-art complex with much fanfare in 2007.

In 1989, the U.S. Men’s National Team had not played in a World Cup in 40 years and the U.S. Women’s program was in its early stages. U.S. Soccer was playing games in small stadiums that did not reach capacity, few matches were televised, soccer-specifi c stadiums were yet to be created and there were no high-level professional outdoor leagues.

Since that time, the state of U.S. Soccer has evolved signifi cantly. Entering 2013, the U.S. MNT played in six consecutive FIFA World Cups and advanced to the quarterfi nals at the 2002 event. U.S. Soccer is a world leader in women’s soccer at every level, and the U.S. WNT has won two FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Olympic Gold Medals – an accomplishment that no other country on the men’s and women’s side has reached in Olympic competition. The United States has also hosted three World Cups with the support of its members and strong organizational abilities.

Professionally, Major League Soccer continues to grow in popularity and prestige with 19 teams throughout North America, as well as increasing attendance and viewership. Also of signifi cant importance, MLS features 14 clubs competing in 13 soccer-specifi c stadiums. On the women’s side, the

U.S. Soccer Federation is administering the launch of the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013. U.S. Soccer is subsidizing the salaries of up to 24 U.S. WNT players while the Canadian Soccer Association and Federation of Mexican Football are doing the same for up to 16 players.

From a coaching standpoint in the United States, more classes are continually being offered around the country, and the number of licensed, well-educated trainers and managers is larger than ever. The education level among coaches has been tailored to match the expanding pool of talent in the U.S.

U.S. Soccer continues to set positive trends for referees in CONCACAF, with reinvigorated focus on education and training, including the realm of professional referees. In 2012, U.S. Soccer and MLS created the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) to manage the referee program in professional soccer leagues in the U.S. and Canada. The creation of PRO has been designed to increase the quality of offi ciating in U.S. and Canadian professional leagues, develop more professional quality offi cials at a younger age and develop offi cials who will represent the United States and Canada in FIFA competitions.Participation in soccer continues at high levels among both youth and adults, with more than 4.3 million registered players among the 24 million participants in the sport, according to the FIFA Big Count.For more information on all U.S. Soccer programs, visit USSoccer.com.

DID YOU KNOW?: Throughout the 100-year history of U.S. Soccer, the organization has been known by three different names?

• U.S. Foot Ball Association – 1913 to 1944• U.S. Soccer Football Association – 1945 to 1973• U.S. Soccer Federation – 1974 to present

Last year, Eastern Pennsylvania

Longtime U.S. Men’s National Team defender Walter Bahr (second from the right) poses with offi cials and the captain of the Harmarville Hurricanes before the 1952 fi nal of the National Challenge Cup (now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup).

US SOCCER CELEBRATING

100 Years

Page 12

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Over 200 people filled the ballroom of the Philadelphia Marriott West Conshohocken on Monday, April 22nd for a special panel discussion, on “Children, Sports and Concussions,” that was sponsored by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.

Among the expert panelists who spoke that evening were former Major League Soccer all-star Taylor Twellman, who retired from the game due to concussions and founded the Think Taylor Foundation for traumatic brain injury awareness, and former Philadelphia Flyers captain Keith Primeau, who retired from the sport due to concussions and founded StopConcussions.com to promote awareness and research.

Pediatric concussion specialist Dr. Matthew Grady, from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, spoke of his concerns for children competing in all sports, based on his experiences. Other speakers at the two-hour conference included nationally known lacrosse coach and former professional lacrosse player Tony Resch, who also is the former athletic director at LaSalle College High School, and Cindy Griffin, the women’s basketball head coach at Saint Joseph’s University.

Two experienced athletic trainers from NovaCare Rehabilitation, Ned Crane and Leanne Edwards, also discussed their point of view, with compelling testimony from two former Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer players who have suffered from concussions, 16-year-old Kim Zeffert, a sophomore at Downingtown East High School who last played for the Spirit United Soccer Club in 2010, and 14-year-

old Cacy Thomas, an eighth grader at St. Phillip Neri who last played for Colonial Soccer Club in 2011.

Moderator for the evening was noted Philadelphia sports television personality Don Tollefson.

Pennsylvania Senator Pat Browne, who co-sponsored the Safety in Youth Sports Act, was also on hand to give opening remarks.

The 33-year-old Twellman, sadly, knows as much about concussions

as he does about the sport he once played for a living. Twellman described the effect of the last of his four documented concussions, which happened in a game on August 30, 2008.

“I took a shot and put my hands over my head,” Twellman said. “Then my best friend on the team looks at me - ‘Why are you celebrating? That shot was five yards wide.’ That’s when double-vision had begun.”

Twellman’s words resonated with the crowd. So did the comments by Primeau. But it wasn’t until Twellman began questioning the two teenage athletes seated beside him, that the effects of concussions

really began to sink in for those in the audience. Twellman asked them a simple question: “How do you feel right now?”

Zeffert replied, “I have a headache and I want to vomit.” She had last played for her club team , Spirit United in 2010, before suffering a concussion.

Thomas had a similar answer. She fought back her emotions, saying she would never play sports again, and that her concussion has caused

her to take anti-depressant medication.

Twellman had his concussions misdiagnosed as diabetes, post-traumatic stress and depression. He said he once had a reliance on painkillers, and that he has not been able to sit in a movie theatre in three years, and hasn’t worked out in four years.

“I’m going to beat this naturally and be an example

for Kim and Cacy and the thousands of youth athletes out there,” Twellman said. “They’re

dealing with stuff they shouldn’t be dealing with.”

So what are the possible solutions? Responses among the speakers varied.

Primeau, who had four documented concussions during his playing career, encouraged due diligence. He emphasized the importance of baseline tests, a concussion-management tool testing an athlete’s cognitive skills pre- and post-concussion.

“I feel like I am a statistic, and today’s athletes don’t have to be,” Primeau said. Still, baseline tests have their flaws.

Children, Sports and Concussions

Panel Discussion Raises Awareness for Parents, Coaches and Players

Page 13

Speaking from the coaching point of view were Saint Joseph’s women’s basketball coach Cindy Griffin, LaSalle College high school’s Tony Resch,

and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Mike Barr.

Continued on page 16

EPYSA.org

Page 14

On a bright and clear afternoon

on the touchline at PPL Park, Jeff

Parke is standing tall, soaking up

the experience of playing for his

hometown team.

“It’s a dream come true,” said the

Philadelphia Union defender.

It’s not that often a player can say

they are playing for their hometown

club, but Parke is living that dream.

In fact, every time he steps out on

the pitch on match day with his

team mates, he is just adding more

memories to a growing personal

collection.

“It’s something I’ve planned on doing

ever since it was announced the club

was coming [to Philadelphia],” Parke

said.

Being a professional soccer player

doesn’t just happen overnight. It’s a

process, and one that starts early on

in any child’s life on the youth soccer

playing fields.

Parke has been playing soccer since

his early childhood. As he continued

to play through the youth club system

growing up in Eastern Pennsylvania

Youth Soccer, he realized how

special the sport was, and one he felt

he could continue playing on through

the years.

“I always thought that as I was getting

older, I could play at the next level,”

said Parke.

Parke has noticed over the years

an increase in exposure within the

media that can help youth players

develop.

“We didn’t have the TV deals and

[soccer wasn’t] on TV, and the

internet wasn’t a big thing, so you

couldn’t really see how the sport was

growing.”

Today, though, with soccer

workshops, training videos and

clinics available for all youth soccer

teams, Parke believes it’s a great

step forward for the sport.

From his youth soccer playing days

for the Lionville and FC Delco soccer

clubs, Parke was able to collect some

impressive trophies and awards that

not many other players can claim.

He first played for Lionville, where

his team quickly established

themselves as champions. From

Lionville, Parke transitioned to FC

Delco, a powerhouse club routinely

in the hunt for championships in

every tournament. As a member

there, Parke’s team advanced to

the Nationals Finals two years in

a row, while staking their claim as

champions in 1999.

Over the past few years, there have

been several youth players, including

Ryan Kelly (Columbus Crew) and

Jeff Larentowicz (New England

Revolution), who emerged from the

ranks of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth

Soccer clubs and become quality

Major League Soccer professionals.

Also notable is Ben Olsen, a local

youth soccer alum who went on

to enjoy a storied career with DC

United, where he is now currently

their manager. Jimmy McLaughlin,

a youth player just a few years ago, is

now Parke’s teammate on the Union.

That’s an impressive roster of

successful players from Eastern

Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s ranks

who had success on the youth club

level and moved into professional

soccer.

Parke was able to advance from

his success at the youth club level

Jeff Parke: from Lionvilleto PPL Park

Parke vs. Orlando City

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to become a standout defender at

Downingtown High School. It was

there, that Parke became a member

of three league championships

teams as well as back-to-back PIAA

state champion teams.

Parke noted, “I’ve played on some

pretty good teams. Definitely some

good memories.”

But to Parke, it’s not just the trophies

that made his experiences as a youth

player memorable. It’s the teams he

played with, that he grew up with,

practiced with on a weekly basis, and

traveled to weekend tournaments

with along the way.

While he has had success at

every youth soccer stage, Parke

has also had to deal with a few

setbacks of his own.

“There have been teams

that I’ve been cut from

and teams that I didn’t

make. A lot of people

said I wasn’t good

enough and that I couldn’t make it

[as a player].”

Parke recalled his experience

with the Olympic Development

Program (ODP). While he

did try out for the program,

Parke ended up getting

cut afterwards.

As youth players

develop, they

have to start

dealing with

the prospect of

getting cut. Teams

are getting more

competitive. The play starts to get

more physical. And

coaches will end up

c h o o s i n g

t h e

p l a y e r s

they feel

offer

t h e

team the

g r e a t e s t

chance for

s u c c e s s .

G e t t i n g

cut is an

experience

that at first

is upsetting,

and many great

p r o f e s s i o n a l

athletes in all sports

have dealt with it.

Parke is certainly one

of them.

What players of all age groups need

to look at when dealing with this

situation, though, is that getting cut

can also be a blessing in disguise.

As Parke explained, “I unfortunately

didn’t make [ODP], but it helped me

push further and become stronger

[as a player]. You can take those

times where people don’t

want you on their team

[as motivation]. It

helps you develop

yourself and push

yourself to get to

the next level.”

Playing soccer on

the youth stage is a

special experience.

And with the right

combination of hard

work and dedication, all

while having fun, success can be

right around the corner. But along

with success, there will be also be

failure, it’s inevitable. It’s how you

overcome those difficulties that allow

you to continue to play and compete

as you progress through the age

groups.

“It’s a long road, it’s not easy.”

Parke said. “There’re going to be

disappointments but there are also

going to be a lot of great times.

Just keep your head up and keep

pushing.”

It’s most kids’ wish to play

professionally, and as Parke stated,

“Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t

make it, just reach for your dreams.”

[To see video of this interview

in its entirety, visit EPYSA.org/

videos and select “Interview with

Jeff Parke.”]Page 15

EPYSA.org“You can ace a quiz, but fail a test,” said Twellman, who said he’s passed 60 baseline tests.

The good news, a point most speakers hit, was Pennsylvania’s legislative progress. The Safety in Youth Sports Act of 2011 established standards for concussion management and imposing penalties for those who ignore them.

But as Dr. Grady pointed out, there are legal limitations. The act covers scholastic sports, but not club athletics. And with turnover in the coaching ranks, educating coaches can only go so far.

“I think it’s the responsibility of the coach to protect the child,” Grady said. “Most kids are wired to want to play. So if a coach says, ‘Are you okay?’ the child almost always says, ‘Yes.’ It’s the coach’s job to remove the player from the game, not to ask if he can keep going.”

Rehabilitative support for a concussed athlete was also addressed. Crane, a NovaCare

doctor of physical therapy, spoke of a patient who had suffered head trauma. The young man went from 35 friends visiting him at the hospital to one, who understood why the youth could not play outdoors even after his hospital discharge.

“People believe, ‘If you’re not

bleeding, you should be playing,’” Crane said. “That says a lot.”

[A full video of the panel discussion is available on EPYSA.org, under the “Video” tab, posted April 27, 2013.]

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER

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Modell’s is happy to offer all participants a 15% Team Weeks discount on regular & sale priced

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Taylor Twellman, Kacy Thomas, Kim Zeffert and Keith Primeau spoke movingly abouttheir experiences as athletes who suffered concussions that changed their lives.

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From Left to Right: Dr. Matthew Grady; Kim Zeffert; Cacy Thomas; Leanne Edwards; Don Tollefson; and Keith Primeau.

A large turnout heard fi rst-hand experience from Taylor Twellman, Cacy Thomas, Kim Zeffert and Keith Primeau.

TWO MEMBERSHIPS-ONE LOW PRICE!

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can use this offer.

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EPYSA.org

Page 18

EPYSA.org

The fi rst time I went to Chester was to gamble. If you look out from the Harrah’s Casino parking garage, it’s hard not to notice the Correction Department Prison—tall barb-wired security fences and tiny windows impossible to see into. If you’re like me, you’ll take it in with a throwaway glance—a moment you may or may not remember—as you speed up through the casino doors to get quickly seated at a poker table.

And if you’re like me, you won’t think about the person behind one of the prison’s tiny windows, or consider the convoluted knot of circumstances and individual choices that led him there; you won’t think about the drastically different expected outcomes for a child growing up in Chester versus a child living in the surrounding suburbs, about how being born only miles apart—the combined length of 28 soccer fi elds—could so damningly factor into a child’s future.

After working as a Site Director for The Chester Upland Soccer for Success Program this last year, I worry about these things now.

Soccer for Success is the US Soccer Foundation’s free after school program that uses soccer as a tool to combat childhood obesity, provide positive mentorship, and promote healthy lifestyles for children in under-resourced urban communities.

Chester is a severely under-

resourced urban community. Regularly grouped with Detroit, Camden, Flint, East Chicago, and St. Louis as one of the most challenged cities in the country, Chester’s median per capita income is less than $14,000.

The Chester Upland School district consistently ranks in the bottom three districts in Pennsylvania, with 78 percent of children enrolled in district schools meeting federal poverty guidelines, while 67 percent of children grow up in single-parent households. The city is classifi ed as a “food desert,” existing without a grocery store for the last 30 years. All

these environmental factors have led the Urban Institute to fl ag Chester as a high-risk area for childhood obesity.

Our program acts as an intervention. In our fi rst year, we provided nearly 500 participants 90 minutes of soccer training three times a week, nutrition education built in to training exercises, healthy snacks, mentors who demonstrate healthy living,

and a family engagement program designed to reinforce messages at home.

As a coach, I’ve watched nine and 10-years olds fall in love with the game, rapidly developing their dribbling ability and picking-up basic combination play while receiving the great workout the beautiful game offers. I’ve watched fi ve and six-year olds use their imagination to transform me into a tiger sleeping in a den, or an eagle protecting my nest, while they work on fundamental dribbling skills and break into laughter as I roar or fl ap around the fi eld.

At Stetser Elementary school, we hosted a “garden-to-table” dinner in the fall, creating a menu centered on the sweet potatoes students had grown in the school’s garden. More recently, we helped parents, teachers and students install four raised-bed gardens to expand the school’s current garden program.

This spring, we implemented an “MVP Program” at two of

our sites to reward excellence in our players. Every two weeks, two players are named MVP in each class rewarding players for Concentration, Attendance, Behavior, Improved Skills and Retention of Learning’s. The bi-weekly prize consists of healthy groceries to take home to their families, along with an award certifi cate.

Each season we hand out jerseys,

Mike Barr and Soccer for Success Program kids.

By Brendan Grady

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Page 19

Overcoming adverse weather conditions, three games in 36 hours and massive schedule changes, the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer U15, U16 and U17 Boys’ and Girls’ ODP Teams had wonderful performances on Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th at the Region One Championships in Mercer County, New Jersey.

All three Boys’ Teams advanced to the semi-fi nals, coming up at Kirkwood the weekend of June 22nd and 23rd. The U16 Girls also qualifi ed for Kirkwood. All six of the teams had an overall record of 11 wins, 4 losses and 3 ties. There were 98 college coaches present to watch the skills our ODP teams displayed during the rain- shortened weekend. “This is the best performance our older teams have had in the

past fi ve years,” said Mike Barr, Director of Coaching for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.

The U17 boys, coming off a heart breaking loss in the National Finals in March, deserve special recognition as they have not lost a match to a Region One Team in the past two years. That team is coached by Mike Gorni, Gino DiFlorio and Simon Robinson.

Meanwhile, the U12 ODP teams had an extremely successful weekend further south in competition at Wilson, North Carolina. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer had nine teams

compete against teams from Georgia, South Carolina, Western Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Eastern Pennsylvania is the most progressive state within Region One in providing quality training and matches against other states at U12. This is an annual event for Eastern Pennsylvania’s U12’s and a great introduction to the ODP process, quality training from Nationally Licensed coaches, and inter-regional competition.

The U13’s and U14’s Boys’ and Girls’ ODP teams will compete the same weekend and same location (June 21st to June 23rd) as the semi-fi nals and fi nals, as Region One moved the postponed games to the Kirkwood Facility.

soccer socks, shin-guards, and soccer balls to our players. (One second grader at Stetser Elementary was so excited he began to wear his uniform and shin guards on non-soccer days!) Little by little, we see a difference being made.

This coming fall, we’ll be expanding our program to additional sites in hopes of impacting 700 children during the 2013-2014 academic year. At the same time, we’ll be offering job-training to Chester residents and introducing more family-engagement events to build communitybuy-in.

I work with a participant who is one of 10 children; a six-year old who is part of the 78 percent living in poverty; she is at-risk for a number of different negative outcomes. The fi rst three weeks we coached her, she was active

in all the wrong ways—most of her workouts including fi ghting or stomping off the fi eld in fi ts of negative attention seeking-behavior. That was before we began praising every positive thing she did. We redefi ned her role: “You’re too good of a kid not to listen.”

Over the last six weeks, her behavior has noticeably improved; she participates for the majority of each session now. Two weeks ago she was named MVP for the day. Statistics cannot explain the way she covered her mouth with both hands as if trying to silence a bad cough. And when she let go—it was a smile to burst your heart.

For more information regarding the Chester Upland Soccer for Success Program, please visit www.chesteruplandsoccerforsuccess.org.

Olympic Development Program

D License

Kennett Square Friday, July 19th, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday, July 20th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, July 21st, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

E License

LevittownFriday, July 19th, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday, July 20th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, July 21st, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NorthamptonFriday, August 2nd, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday, August 3rd, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, August 4th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LimerickFriday, June 21st, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Saturday, June 22nd, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, June 23rd, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

KunkletownFriday, June 14th, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Saturday, June 15th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, June 16th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SayreFriday, July 26th, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday, July 27th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, July 28th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

RheemsFriday, August 2nd, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday, August 3rd, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Sunday, August 4th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lower MacungieFriday, July 12th, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday, July 13th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, July 14th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

F CertificatesAshlandSaturday, July 20th, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

HersheySaturday, June 15th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Saturday, June 29th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DallasSunday, July 28th, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

PhiladelphiaSaturday, August 3rd, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

RheemsSaturday, September 7th, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

EPYSA.org

Upcoming COACHING EDUCATION Courses

More information available at EPYSA.org.

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Page 21Page 21

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The Goals of Youth Soccer Month• Raise awareness of Youth Soccer and the benefits of playing the game.• Emphasize soccer as the #1 youth participation sport in America and a leading contributor to the healthy lifestyle of millions of American families.• Bring children and families of all ages and all abilities together for fun, friendship and fitness.• Highlight the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including inner-city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs.

Get Involved!Anyone can spread the message about their positive experience with youth

soccer. Youth Soccer Month celebrations can be found at soccer practices and tournaments, businesses, nonprofit and community centers, shopping malls, schools, private homes -- just about anywhere that kids who play soccer and those involved with those kids may gather.

People who organize Youth Soccer Month Celebrations are soccer volunteers and administrators, parents, coaches, player -- anyone who wants to celebrate our sport.

We Want You!We want to hear how you participate in Youth Soccer Month this year. Visit EPYSA.orgto tell us how YOU want to get involved in, and celebrate, Youth Soccer in America.

September is

Youth Soccer Month!September is

Youth Soccer Month!September is

Youth Soccer Month!

This September, the National Youth Soccer Month campaign celebrates its 11th year of

educating the public about the joys, rewards and benefi ts of playing youth soccer, and

offers a variety of resources to learn more about youth soccer and get involved. We hope

that you will choose a unique way to celebrate soccer in September and spread the

message about your positive experiences.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will have a number of special events this September

to celebrate Youth Soccer Month, including events around the region. A full schedule of

these events will be posted shortly on EPYSA.org.

Touchline

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Youth Soccer Month!

Page 21

EPYSA.org

Page 22

Eli Blatt Age: 5

Anna SchoolsAge: 10

Danielle DrainAge: 10

What position do you play or what do

you do on your team?

Goal Scorer

What is your nickname? Eli

Who is your role model? Why?

My mom, because I love her.

What is your favorite movie?

Power Rangers.

What is your favorite song?

All Star.

What is your favorite book?

Any book about puppies.

What is your favorite food?

Meatloaf

What is your favorite sport

outside of soccer? Baseball

What is your pet peeve (what thing

makes you mad or drives you crazy)?

My brothers

If you could go anywhere in the world,

where would you go and why?

I would go to Florida and visit

Disney World

What do you want to be

when you grow up?

Policeman

Team NameHawks

Organization/ClubHamburg Area Soccer Association

HAM

BURG

ARE

A SO

CCER

ASS

OC.

What position do you play or what do you do on your team?

Fullback/Sweeper.

What is your nickname?Dani.

Who is your role model? Why?My dad -he always gives me advice and

helps me with soccer.

What is your favoritesoccer team?

Cocalico Freedom, of course -professional-Philadelphia Union.

What is your favorite movie?Here Comes the Boom.

What is your favorite song?Thrift Shop

What is your favorite book?Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

What is your favorite food?chinese food - Love it!

What is your favorite sportoutside of soccer?

Ice hockey

What is your pet peeve (what thing makes you mad or drives you crazy)?My hamster running on his wheel when

I’m trying to sleep

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Colorado to ski

What do you want to bewhen you grow up?

a professional soccer player!

Team NameCocalico FreedomOrganization/Club

Cocalico Youth Soccer Club

COCA

LICO

YOU

TH S

OCCE

R CL

UB

makes you mad or drives you crazy)?

f you could go anywhere in the world,


Defense/Midfi eld.

What is your nickname?Schoolsie.

Who is your role model?Why? Abby Wambach.


US Women’s Nat’l Team

What is your favorite movie?Night at the Museum.

What is your favorite song?One More Night-Maroon 5

What is your favorite book?Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo.

What is your favorite food?Mac and Cheese.

What is your favorite sportoutside of soccer? Basketball.

What is your pet peeve (what thing makes you mad or drives you crazy)?

Annoying people.

If you could go anywhere inthe world, where would you go and

why? Ireland. It looks like a cool place to go plus my ancestors are from there.

What do you want to bewhen you grow up?Pro athlete/Teacher.

Team NameWhitpain Wildfi re

Organization/ClubWhitpain Recreation Association

WHI

TPAI

N RE

CREA

TION

ASS

OC.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

EPYSA.org

Page 22

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Page 23

Alex Blatt Age: 11

Kalysta RountreeAge: 12

Sebasti an OliveiraAge: 13


Forward/Midfi eld.

What is your nickname?Alex

Who is your role model?Why? Lionel Messi,

he is a talented goal scorer.

What is your favoritesoccer team?Barcelona FC.

What is your favorite movie? Goal.

What is your favorite song?Party Rock.

What is your favorite book?Harry Potter.

What is your favorite food? Pizza

What is your favorite sport outside of soccer?Football.

What is your pet peeve (what thing makes you mad or

drives you crazy)? Losing

If you could go anywhere inthe world, where would you

go and why?I would go to Europe

to watch soccer.


I want to move to Europeand play soccer.

Team NameHawks

Organization/ClubHamburg Area Soccer Association

HAM

BURG

ARE

A SO

CCER

ASS

OC.

Team NamePenn Legacy ‘00 Black

Organization/ClubPenn Legacy Soccer Club

PENN

LEGA

CY S

OCCE

R CL

UB


I play striker and midfi eld.

What is your nickname?Kaly

Who is your role model?Why? My dad, he is

very supportive.


US Women’s Team.

What is your favorite movie? Pitch Perfect.

What is your favorite song?Lose Yourself.

What is your favorite book?The Watsons’

go to Birmingham.

What is your favorite food? Chicken fi ngers

What is your favorite sport outside of soccer?

Basketball.

What is your pet peeve (what thing makes you mad or drives you crazy)?

Losing a game.


go and why?Brazil, to play soccer.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A professional soccer player.

Team NameEagle FC

Organization/ClubHMMS Soccer Club


Midfi eld

What is your nickname?Sebas

Who is your role model? Why?Kaka, because of his infl uence

on and off the fi eld.

What is your favoritesoccer team? PSG.

What is your favorite movie?Goal 2: Living the Dream.

What is your favorite song?Wavin Flag.

What is your favorite book?The Game of their Lives.

What is your favorite food? Chicken.

What is your favorite sport outside of soccer?

Basketball.

What is your pet peeve (what thing makes you mad ordrives you crazy)?

Losing in FIFA.


go and why?Europe, to get training that will help me

go farther in my soccer career.Preferably Spain.


Professional soccer playeror forensic scientist.

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Youth Soccer Player Profi lesTouchline

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EPYSA.org

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June 2013Monday, June 3: State Offi ce: Summer Hours Begin*Thursday, June 27 through Tuesday, July 2:US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, Kingston,Rhode Island

July 2013Monday, July 1: RG-1 Club Registration Due

Thursday, July 4: Independence Day (State Offi ce Closed)Sunday, July 7 through Thursday,

July 11: Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Resident Camp, Immaculata University, Malvern, PA

Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18: Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Resident Camp, Immaculata University, Malvern, PA

Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14:US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup, Auburndale, FloridaMonday, July 22 through Sunday, July 28:US Youth Soccer National Championships,Overland Park, Kansas

August 2013Monday, August 12: Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Board Meeting, Plymouth Meeting, PA

September 2013Youth Soccer MonthSunday, September 1: Seasonal Year BeginsMonday, September 2: Labor Day (State Offi ce Closed)Tuesday, September 3: State Offi ce:Normal Offi ce Hours Resume*

June 2013June 2013Monday, June 3:Thursday, June 27 through Tuesday, July 2:US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, Kingston,Rhode Island

July 2013July 2013Monday, July 1

Thursday, July 4: (State Offi ce Closed)Sunday, July 7 through Thursday,

July 11: Resident Camp, Immaculata University, Malvern, PA

Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18: Resident Camp, Immaculata University, Malvern, PA

Quarterly CalendarQ

*Visit EPYSA.org for additional information.

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Page 25

Mike Barr’s CornerThoughts on Youth Soccer Moving Forward

By Mike Barr, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Director of Coaching

• Of the top 30 goal scorers in the MLS currently, nine are American born. They are: Jack McInerney, Mike Magee, Eddie Johnson, Chris Wondolowski, Will Bruin, Adam Jahn, Kenny Cooper, Josh Williams and Lamar Neagle. Not all are soccer household names, but, quite possibly, they can become stars moving forward, as more Americans are given the opportunity by MLS coaches to play in more attacking positions. Who knows, maybe the MLS will make a concerted effort to play more Americans rather than searching out foreign players whose best playing days occurred years ago.

• Sometimes it seems absurd that countries such as Honduras, Panama and Cost Rica are capable of defeating the US National Team. Having soccer as a huge part of a culture plays a major role, but what about the value of free play, and not making the game like a job to millions of youth? Do constant directions, adult guidance and instructions inhibit a young playerʼs growth in our country?

• How is it that parents are willing to pay upwards of a yearʼs full tuition at a major university to a club and their professional coaches in hopes that their son or daughter may receive a soccer scholarship? There are no guarantees attached to paying an exorbitant amount of money for your child to play soccer.

• When a child begins to play soccer at age six with a large and serious club that sees wins and losses as a barometer of success, eventually joins a travel team, goes on to play ECNL or Academy where school activities are eliminated, plays soccer at a Division One college where soccer is the main focus and fi nally graduates but does not have the opportunity to play professionally -- what happens to him or her upon graduation? Increasingly, they drift back to the comfort zone that is most familiar to them -- soccer. Instead of pursuing employment within their major, they drift back to soccer in order to make a living. When a playerʼs whole life revolves around one sport while exposure to other activities, friends with other interests or part time jobs are eliminated, they seek out their own familiar area of competence. Unfortunately, coaching or administering soccer may not provide the fi nancial security that a young adult needs to begin a family or become upwardly mobile. Remember parents, your responsibility in life is not having your child playing on the best team with the perceived best coaches, winning that next game of the hundreds he or she plays in or even your child receiving an athletic scholarship. Having your child grow to be a well-adjusted adult who has a secure job with the ability to raise a happy family will be your lasting legacy.

• Have we begun to see the end of local community clubs? More often than not soccer clubs are merging to become more competitive, and

the large “super” clubs engage in consistent recruiting from smaller clubs with promises of better coaching and possible scholarships. This has created higher pay to play costs, extensive travel and eliminated many children from the opportunity to play or be recognized as an elite player. There seems to be no such thing as cradle to grave clubs in Eastern Pennsylvania, as players who have trained for years with one club are cast aside, as soon as a player of perceived greater ability arrives for a try-out.

• The Philadelphia Union has fi nally entered into the Developmental Academy format created by US Soccer with a strong group of coaches. Wouldnʼt it make sense for US Soccer to allow only the MLS Clubs to run tuition-free Academy Programs and the other academies go back to being just soccer clubs? Have each MLS club fi nd reliable scouts to look at players within their geographic region for potential players and set up weekends during the year to bring various players into each MLS Academy for possible identifi cation.

• Possibly we should be looking to Finland to help us with our soccer problems. Finland has ranked at the top or near the top in the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) survey, which compares 15 year olds in different countries throughout the world in reading, math and science. In 2009, Finland was sixth in math, second in science and third in reading. These results are thought provoking, because Finnish schools assign less homework and engage students in creative play. Also, there are no private schools in Finland or standardized tests. Remarkable when you think of Americaʼs obsession with standardized testing. Americaʼs results in 2009 were 31st in math, 23rd in science and 17th in reading. Finlandʼs main focus has been to allow all children equal opportunities to learn regardless of income or geographic location. Education has always been seen as an instrument to even out social inequity.

• Within youth soccer in this country there is inequity and lack of opportunity for most young players. Living in the right county, city, or geographic area and family income play a signifi cant part of a childʼs experience and later success in soccer. US Soccer and the MLS should look to make youth soccer equitable to all, not make decisions on a childʼs value at an early age and look to raise the level of play for all players not just the elite. I believe if soccer coaching was more like education, and coaches were more creative and better teachers within clubs, you may be seeing more gifted players. Not focusing on leagues and inter-club completion at early ages could reap huge benefi ts. Getting quality instructors who inspire and motivate at early ages has to make for complete player later. US Soccer should begin to get people outside their world to examine the decision-making US Soccer has made over the years.

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Page 27

No artificial flavors, no added preservatives. Since 1886.

©2013 The Coca-Cola Company. “Coca-Cola,” “open happiness” and the Contour Bottle are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company.

the road to victory is a one

Proud Partner of thePhiladelphia Union

TM

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DRIBBLING AND PASSINGENGLISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONBy Gary Stephenson, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Assistant Director of Coaching

Organizati onGrid 20 yd. x 20 yd.12-14 players with a ball each.2 additi onal players in pinnies with 1 ball between them.

Sequence & ProgressionPlayers with a ball freely dribble around the grid. They pair with the 1 ball between them, then move within the square passing to each other.

Reduce the size of the grid.

Add more pairs to pass amongst the dribblers.

Add more dribblers.

Coaching Points Looking up to assess situati on & identi fy passing opportuniti es.

Passes must be delivered through, rather than over players moving around the square.

Recogniti on of diff erent weights to put passes relati ve to space & ti me available to execute.

DRIBBLING & PASSING (Exercise 1)



Organizati onGrid 15 yd. x 6 yd.4 players, 1 ball

Sequence & Progression2 att ackers and 1 defender in one half, with the 4th player in opposite half.

The 2 att ackers playing 2v1 against the defender with the objecti ve of stopping ball dead on end line.

If defender wins the ball they pass the ball to the other defender in the opposite half. Att ackers att empt to recover on losing possession.

Coaching Points Players look for the best moment to pass.

Weight & type of pass, when to pass off front or back foot.

When to beat a defender.

Disguise passes and feints to pass to unbalance defender.

Organizati onGrid 15 yd. x 10 yd. with 4 goals in the corners.

7 players – including 2 goalkeepers.

Sequence & ProgressionThe att ackers start in the central safety zone with a defender in each half.

Att ackers enter the half trying to score in either goal, if the att acker is under pressure they can take the ball back into the safe zone. Should the Goalkeeper save the ball they try to serve the ball to either of the defenders who try to score at the other end in either of the two goals. Simple progression (3v2, 4v2)

Coaching Points Recogniti on of potenti al passing opti on with reference to defenders positi on.

Disguise passes to outwit defender.Practi ce att acking with width.

Crossing & fi nishing.

Deliver ball to supporti ng players with weighted for the teammates to run on to.

EPYSA.org

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is also partnering with a number of soccer clubs to host camps for the months of June, July and August, which are listed below. The cost is $135 per player for girls and boys ages 5 through 12 for the day/evening camps. There will be three sessions running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 5

p.m. to 8 p.m., and all day sessions running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Each session will offer campers a staff composed of USSF nationally licensed coaches, 12:1 maximum camper-to-coach ratio, a complimentary Nike ball and T-shirt, many high energy sessions, and much more.

June Camps for Girls and Boys U6-U13Striker-Keeper Camp & Intramural Rec Player CampJune 24 to 28 at Montgomery County Community College9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Travel Teams Camp & Keeper CampJune 24 to 28 at Montgomery County Community College5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

July Camps for Girls and Boys U6-U13Striker Keeper Camp and Intramural Rec Player CampJuly 29 to August 2 at Montgomery County Community College9 a.m. to12 p.m.

Travel Teams Camp and Keeper Camp July 29 to August 2 at Montgomery County Community College5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

August Camps for Girls and Boys U6-U13Striker-Keeper Camp and Intramural Rec Player Camp August 5 to 9 at Upper Dublin SC, Mondauk Park 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Open Player Camp and Keeper Camp August 12 to 15 at Bethlehem SC, Crawford Fields 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.August 12 to 15 at Bethlehem SC, Crawford Fields 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.August 16 at Bethlehem SC Goal Keeper Camp, Crawford Fields5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Travel Teams Camp and Intramural Rec Player Camp August 12 to 16 at Colonial SC , Plymouth Community Center2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Striker Keeper Camp and Travel Team Camp August 19 to 23 at Colonial SC, Plymouth Community Center9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Travel Teams and Intramural Rec Player Camp August 19 to 23 at Colonial SC, Plymouth Community Center2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Additional information is available on the “camps” section of EPYSA.org

Summer Time isCamp Time forEastern Pennsylvania Youth SoccerIf you are a soccer player looking to sharpen your skills, summer time is the right time to attend one of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer camp programs.

Leading off are two overnight camp sessions, hosted at Immaculata University in Malvern, the first beginning Sunday, July 7th and continuing through Thursday, July 11th, and the second beginning Sunday, July 14th and continuing through Thursday, July 18th. The coaching faculty for the two overnight camps have impeccable credentials, under the guidance of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Director of Camps, Sheldon Chamberlain, and the association’s Director of Coaching, Mike Barr. Instructors include a full staff of US Soccer Federation licensed coaches.

WHO’S YOUR TURKEY HILL DAIRY ALL-STAR? Youth soccer teams are filled with All-Star talent. It’s time for those stars to be recognized.

Turkey Hill Dairy and Philadelphia Union have teamed up to shine a spotlight on the region’s most remarkable youth soccer players. That spotlight is the Turkey Hill Dairy All-Star Contest. Nominations will be accepted from April 1 through October 11 during the 2013 Major League Soccer season, and 15 All-Stars will be chosen.

WINNERS WILL RECEIVE: • Four field–level seats at a Philadelphia Union home game• A special post-game autograph session with the players• Special recognition at the game• A feature in the gallery of winners on Philadelphia Union’s Facebook page

VISIT TURKEYHILL.COM/ALLSTAR TO NOMINATE YOUR TURKEY HILL DAIRY ALL-STAR TODAY!

WHO’S YOUR TURKEY HILL DAIRY ALL-STAR?

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