Touchline - Fall 2019

Pennsylvania’s Leading Youth Soccer Publication

Fall 2019

National Championship & Presidents Cup Recap

NEW RULES

Pg. 14-16

for 2019-20 Pg. 6-7

Boys & Girls High School Preview Pg. 20-21

National Champions Lehigh Valley United Earn U19 McGuire Cup

Non-Profit US Postage PAID Permit #15 Monroe, GA

credits Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Volume LiX | FALL 2019 Touchline is published quarterly Published by: Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer 4070 Butler Pike, Suite 100 Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 Phone: 610-238-9966 Fax: 610-238-9933 E-mail: info@EPYSA.org Website: EPYSA.org Executive Board President – Jeff Sommer Vice President, Recreation – TBD Vice President, Travel – Fran Burns Treasurer – Warren Beideman Secretary – Melissa Murphy Weber Registrar – Jim Christian State Youth Referee Administrator – Jeff Tener Office Staff Chief Executive Officer – Chris Branscome Chief Operating Officer – Kelly Connor Technical Director – Mike Barr Director of Soccer Development & Performance – Gary Stephenson Director of Competitions – TBD Director of Marketing & Events – Krissy Woods Director of Membership Services – Marisa J. Pigeon Member Services Manager – Courtney Chinworth Communications Manager – Ed Morrone Program Manager – Meridith Crowell Grassroots Soccer Manager – JT Dorsey Program Assistant – Julián Rey-Montes Touchline Editor-in-Chief: Chris Branscome Editor: Krissy Woods Printed and designed by A.E. Engine, Inc.

contents 2 From Our Chief Executive Officer: We Are a Part of the Larger Soccer Community 4

27 Caption Contest 29 Fall Tournaments 30 Medical Advisory Committee: Returning From Summer Break

6-7 New Rules for the 2019-20 Season

32 Army/Navy Cup VIII: Manion/ Crescenz Nominations

10 2018-19 ODP By the Numbers

33 Where We’ve Been

11 ODP Tryouts: What Evaluators Look For

34 Angelo’s Soccer Corner: Fall Gear Review

14-15 National Championship Recap

35 Player Profiles: Ziya Amira DeVeaux and Milani Reed-Craig

16 National Presidents Cup Recap 17 US Youth Soccer Best XI/ Quarterly Calendar 20-21 Boys and Girls High School Preview 24 Eastern Pennsylvania, Partners Invest $3.5 Million into Mini-Pitches

President

President, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

26 Honor Roll

5 Join Us! Grassroots Coaching Education

From Our

Jeff Sommer

Roadmap for New Soccer Parents

25 Social Media Tips and Tricks

36 Mike Barr: My 2019-20 New Season Wish List On the Cover: Lehigh Valley United ’00 (U19 boys) claimed their second national championship in club history with a 1-0 overtime win over Baltimore Celtic in Overland Park, Kan. on July 28. The win secured the second McGuire Cup for the club and the first since 2013, while the US Youth Soccer title marked the 18th national championship for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.

Photo Credit: US Youth Soccer

Dear Reader, Welcome to our fall issue of Touchline. We here at Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer hope that you have enjoyed your summer vacation and are getting back into the swing of things for school. We too have been busy. Our Board has graciously asked me to fill a vacancy and serve as President, and for that I am truly honored. Having been around this beautiful game for many years I view it as a true privilege to be asked to serve.

I’ve had the opportunity to hear from so many of you. Some of you enjoyed time in France cheering our U.S. Women’s National Team on to victory. Some have been coaches, participants, and supportive family and friends at one of the many Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer sponsored championships from the Challenge Cup here at home to Presidents or NCS Cup matches at regionals or nationals. I know that you too have made lasting memories with your children and friends and we hope to provide even more opportunity for all of you in 2020.

Please take a few moments to read through the articles. There are updates on young players, ideas for practices and information for any level of player, coach or parent, and we would love to hear from you. If there is something or someone you think we or our readers should know more about, tell us. We are here for all of you. Our first question will always be, “how can we help?”

Enjoy your new and exciting 2019-20 season.

Jeff Sommer

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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CEO From Our

We Are a Part of the Larger Soccer Community

Chris Branscome

Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

“

As you go forward into the 2019-20 season, you can be sure that there is no better time than now to be a soccer player or fan in the United States.

“

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s we do from time to time, I’d like to remind you that you are part of the larger soccer community- the U.S. Soccer community. I’m sure that you watched as much of the Women’s World Cup as possible and enjoyed our U.S. Women’s National Team winning their fourth championship. It should be noted that each one of you - players, coaches, administrators, and parents - are related to these players. They are at the top of this pyramid but all of you are the strong base. They can’t do what they did without the support of the rest of the soccer community. They share the same experiences as our current youth players and were supported on the way up by the same parents, volunteers, and coaches.

All 23 players came from clubs like yours; various sizes and locations: big, small, urban, suburban, or rural. They started in recreational programs before moving on to travel programs. They had parent and volunteer coaches as well as licensed, professional trainers. Plus, all 23 players played in the Olympic Development Program during their youth careers. Most played in state cups and a few were national champions.

As I said, you’re all related. You and the national team players, at some point in their careers, are and were members of a state association and therefore members of U.S. Soccer - our national governing body. As a state association of U.S. Soccer, our responsibility is to carry out the national mission on the local level. U.S. Soccer is authorized by FIFA, the international governing body, to govern soccer in our country. U.S. Soccer is also a member of CONCACAF, who controls the regional interests of FIFA in North and Central America and the Caribbean. You may recognize CONCACAF from the Gold Cup tournament which Philadelphia hosted the quarterfinals of this past June and featured a visit by our U.S. Men’s National Team and a former Eastern Pennsylvania player from Hershey… Christian Pulisic (I’m sure you all know that, but we like to brag about our own).

Our Eastern Pennsylvania constitution and bylaws are a reflection of FIFA, CONCACAF, and U.S. Soccer. We are mandated to follow certain standards and procedures, and therefore so are all of our member leagues and clubs.

We register and develop players and operate coaching education and referee programs on their behalf. This structure is followed globally - be it the counties in England or the states of Brazil. Additionally, the 55 national state associations of U.S. Soccer are members of another national member of the federation, US Youth Soccer. US Youth Soccer oversees ODP, the National Championship Series, Presidents Cup, TOPSoccer, as well as other programs and services that we operate locally and in conjunction with our membership.

Together, we all work to serve and grow the game on and off the field. An off-field example is our player health and safety programs and the federally mandated SafeSport program.

Many of you may overlook this, but check out your club or league website.

Like our site, I hope it says proud member, affiliate or something to that effect, of U.S. Soccer and US Youth Soccer and certainly Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. As individuals, you can say it too. I’m proud to be a member of all of these organizations and to have been a part of it as a player, coach, volunteer, parent, and administrator for over 40 years. Soccer is in a far better pace now than it was then. As you go forward into the 2019-20 season, you can be sure that there is no better time than now to be a soccer player or fan in the United States.

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER FAIR PLAY & RESPECT PROGRAM

2019

DEVELOPMENT GRANT

program recipients

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer introduced its Development Grants program in 2014 to help clubs and organizations improve their infrastructure. In 2019, $73,000 was awarded to fund the purchase of new goals, installation of lighting and irrigation systems, general renovations to facilities, funding of a nutrition education program, and more.

Grant applications for 2020 will be made available in January.

Congratulations

to the 17 clubs that received development grants:

AC United Soccer Club Antietam Valley AA/ Mt. Penn Soccer Club Boyertown Soccer Club Chester Upland Youth Soccer City of Easton Rec Soccer Ephrata Youth Soccer Club

FC Providence Soccer Club Horsham Soccer Association Hulmeville Soccer Club King of Prussia Soccer Club Lititz Youth Soccer Club, Inc. Manheim Township Soccer Club

Nazareth Soccer Club Schuylkill Valley Youth Soccer Souderton Area Soccer Club Troy Area Youth Soccer Whitpain Recreation Association

the Roadmap for new soccer parents Soccer for most children is the introduction to youth sports. Likewise, this will be Mom and Dad’s first experience being on the sideline watching your child participate. Even for someone like me who played soccer for my entire childhood and adolescence, was an All-American at Florida State, and participated in U.S. Soccer Youth National Camps, it was an experience that is hard to prepare for. Here are a few suggestions for you as you get ready for the fall season.

Kelly Connor

Chief Operating Officer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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Soccer should be fun!

I remember being so excited to bring my daughter to her first game. I envisioned her to be the Alex Morgan of intramurals, only to realize her favorite part of the experience was finding out she was on the pink team and the after-game snack was doughnuts. That really put things into perspective.

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Practices are a way

to incorporate fun games and concepts so kids feel engaged and are excited to continue playing. Limit time standing in lines, stops, and over-coaching.

Keep kids moving, laughing, having fun, and ultimately… just let them play!

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Volunteer to help. There is always a need for parents to help coach. At Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, we have resources and lesson plans on our website that can help guide you through an entire season.

Who better to ensure a positive experience for your child and their new teammates other than you?

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Remember soccer is just a game. Be patient with

your child and yourself.

Maybe your kid will be the player who scores every goal for their team or maybe they will be the kid picking flowers during the middle of practice. Have a realistic approach to what you want from the experience for both you and your child. Did they have fun? Did they learn what it’s like being on a team?

Did they run around and exercise?

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Car Ride Home Rules.

Ask your child if they had fun today. Ask your child what their favorite part of the game was. Let them know, verbally, you enjoyed watching them play and have fun. Don’t harp on mistakes and don’t ask why they didn’t do certain things. Don’t dwell on the negatives!

C oaching E ducation

Want to Coach?

Join Us! Thinking of getting into coaching? Want to make a difference in your community and at your local club?

Grassroots coaching may be the right answer for you, and we’re here to help you get started!

U

.S. Soccer is committed to providing all coaches, from beginner to advanced, with education tailored to their experiences and the needs of their players. The Coaching License Pathway consists of a series of courses designed to meet the specific needs of a coach at every step of the way. U.S. Soccer believes education is a journey, and our goal is to provide the necessary tools, guidance, and mentorship a coach requires.

The grassroots pathway is a series of modules and licenses designed for coaches working with players in the players home environment. This important group of coaches help us grow the game by applying our philosophy in a fun, game-like setting.

It starts with a basic introduction into coaching, which can be found in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center – free of charge. It then progresses through the 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and D licenses before culminating with the National C. There is no requirement to take an in-person course unless you would like to progress forward. Grassroots courses are offered all year, for every level of coach, in the club home environment with real players

Be a part of us!

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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2 0 1 9 - 2 0 R ule changes

2019/20

Laws of

the Game The Laws of the Game for the 2019-20 seasonal year came into force on June 1, 2019. A number of changes were approved at the 133rd Annual General Meeting of The International Football Association Board, including:

The introduction of yellow and red cards for misconduct by team officials

An experiment with Yellow Card/Red Card for misconduct by team officials has been successful and revealed many benefits at all levels, including for young referees dealing with ‘difficult’ adult coaches. If the offender cannot be identified, the senior team official (usually the head coach) in the technical area will receive the yellow or red card.

A player being substituted having to leave the field of play at the nearest point on the boundary line

This rule is intended to stop a player who is being substituted from wasting time gamesmanship by leaving slowly at the halfway line.

At a goal kick and a free kick for the defending team in their own penalty area, the ball is in play once it is kicked. FoR example, it does not have to leave the penalty area In the past, the attacking team could not touch a goal kick until it had left the penalty area. Now, an attacking team may enter the penalty area as soon as the ball is in play. For the ball to be in play it must have been kicked and clearly moved.

This change is meant to speed up the pace of play.

Does this change affect the buildout line?

No, the ball is considered in play when it has been kicked and has clearly moved. Players must still remain behind the buildout line until the ball is considered in play. If a team chooses to take a goal kick or free kick quickly, they are doing so at their own risk as the normal buildout line rules still apply.

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Clearer wording for ‘handball’

Attacking team players must be at least 1 yard away from a ‘defensive wall’.

The following ‘handball’ situations, even accidental, will be a free kick: • The ball hits a player’s hand or arm and goes into the goal off an attacker.

• A player gains control/possession after the ball has touched their hand/arm and scores, or creates a goal-scoring opportunity.

• The ball touches a player’s hand/arm where the player has tried to block the ball by extending their arms away from their body.

• The ball touches a player’s hand/arm when it is above their shoulder (unless the player has deliberately played the ball which then touches their hand/arm).

The following ‘handball’ situations will not usually be a free kick: • The ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from: • Their own head/body/foot, if the player has not made themselves unnaturally bigger.

• The head/body/foot of another player who is close/near, if the player has not made themselves unnaturally bigger.

• The ball touches a player’s hand/arm which is close to their body and has not made their body unnaturally bigger.

• If a player is falling and the ball touches their hand/arm which is between their body and the ground to support the body (not extended to make the body bigger).

The goalkeeper only needs have one foot on the goal line at a penalty kick.

A new dropped ball procedure

If the ball touches the referee or another match official and goes into the goal, team possession changes or an attack for the opponents begins, a dropped ball is awarded.

If play is stopped inside the penalty area, the ball will be dropped for the goalkeeper (no other player participates). If play is stopped outside the penalty area, the ball will be dropped for one player of the team that last touched the ball at the point of the last touch of the ball.

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SCORE EXTRA SAVINGS Offers Valid 12/1/2018-12/31/2019

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER Valid 12/1/2018-12/31/2019 PROUD SUPPORTER OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER

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Limit one item per coupon, per customer. Must be used in one transaction. Valid on in-store purchases only. Minimum purchase of $59.99, excludes tax and shipping charges. Cannot be combined with any other offers, team discounts, or used for gift cards, licenses or previously purchased merchandise. Not redeemable for cash, gift cards or store credit. No reproductions or rain checks accepted.

Returns or exchanges where a ScoreCard Reward or other discount was applied may result in an adjusted refund amount. Excludes clearance items. Clearance items have .X3 or .X7 endings. Some exclusions apply. See store and DICKS.com/exclusions for details.

Limit one item per coupon, per customer. Must be used in one transaction. Valid on in-store purchases only. Minimum purchase of $50.00, excludes tax and shipping charges. Cannot be combined with any other offers, team discounts, or used for gift cards, licenses or previously purchased merchandise. Not redeemable for cash, gift cards or store credit. No reproductions or rain checks accepted.

Returns or exchanges where a ScoreCard Reward or other discount was applied may result in an adjusted refund amount. Excludes clearance items. Clearance items have .X3 or .X7 endings. Some exclusions apply. See store and DICKS.com/exclusions for details.

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YOUR PURCHASE OF $100 OR MORE

Limit one item per coupon, per customer. Must be used in one transaction. Valid on in-store purchases only. Cannot be combined with any other offers, team discounts, or used for gift cards, licenses or previously purchased merchandise. Not redeemable for cash, gift cards or store credit. No reproductions or rain checks accepted. Returns or exchanges where a ScoreCard Reward or other discount was applied may result in an adjusted refund amount. Excludes clearance items. Clearance items have .X3 or .X7 endings. Some exclusions apply. See store and DICKS.com/exclusions for details.

Limit one item per coupon, per customer. Must be used in one transaction. Valid on in-store purchases only. Minimum purchase of $100.00, excludes tax and shipping charges. Cannot be combined with any other offers, team discounts, or used for gift cards, licenses or previously purchased merchandise. Not redeemable for cash, gift cards or store credit. No reproductions or rain checks accepted.

Returns or exchanges where a ScoreCard Reward or other discount was applied may result in an adjusted refund amount. Excludes clearance items. Clearance items have .X3 or .X7 endings. Some exclusions apply. See store and DICKS.com/exclusions for details.

2018-19 ODP Season

by the numbers 123

Players that were selected from Eastern Pennsylvania’s ODP teams to participate in the 2018-19 East Regional pools. From these selections, regional teams are determined for special training sessions as well as national and international competitions and friendlies.

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More than 70 goalkeepers attended the inaugural ODP Goalkeeper Day led by Eastern Pennsylvania’s head goalkeeping coach, Simon Robinson. Held at Hillcrest Racquet Club in Reading, the day featured advanced training for goalkeepers and dedicated time specifically to the position.

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Coaches on the ODP staff that have advanced coaching licenses and diplomas, including 15 USSF National A licenses, five National B licenses, 17 National C licenses, and 30 with NSCAA advanced diplomas.

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Teams from Eastern Pennsylvania’s ODP program that participated in the 2019 East Region Championships at Kirkwood Soccer Complex in Kirkwood, Del. Out of 28 teams, four competed in their age group championship matches while three won East Region titles. The 2002 and 2003 Girls and 2004 Boys teams all took home championships.

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U12 Boys and Girls teams that had the opportunity to travel to Maryland to partake in friendlies against Maryland ODP teams.

Participants gained experience playing against top players from other states but also experienced the travel aspect of competitive soccer.

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Teams had the opportunity to travel internationally by visiting and playing competitively in Italy, Spain, Scotland, and England as part of the ODP program.

2019-20 destinations will feature the same locations for the 2003-07 age groups.

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States that were represented at the inaugural Keystone Diamond Showcase in February. Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, PA West, and Delaware alongside several club and Development Academy programs participated. Participants had the opportunity to compete against other states early in the ODP season and showcased their skills in front of college coaches.

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The 2002 U17 Boys and Girls teams traveled to Irvine, Calif. to participate in the Pacific Coast Invitational against Cal-North, Cal-South, Florida, and Southern California club teams. The trip served as an opportunity to play against some of the best competition in the country at their respective age levels and increase each individual athlete recruiting profile.

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odp

2019-20

ODP Tryouts

S

ince 1977, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program has identified and trained players at the elite level. ODP provides supplemental training and competitive opportunities for players with the goal of advancement to US Youth Soccer East Region teams and ultimately, national team selections.

Through training and regional competition, ODP also provides players with exposure to college coaches.

Tryouts for the 201920 ODP season begin September 7-8 and 14-15, with callback tryouts to follow.

10 Things ODP Evaluators Look For At Tryouts 1. Speed: Pure speed is a huge benefit in any sport but often in soccer, mental

speed-decision making with and without the ball-allows for players to compensate for lack of pure speed.

2. Touch: First touch may be the most critical technique for a soccer player. Receiving balls on the ground or air swiftly and in preparation for their next decision, with a sense of comfort, makes the game easier to play. Balls bouncing in the air from an inside of the foot collection and balls received in the air with the wrong surface and not moved to space or to feet are areas we examine consistently.

3. The use of both feet in passing and finishing makes for more opportunities

for every player. Watching a player take extra touches to get the ball to his or her strong foot may result in losing possession or a poor decision. Using the proper foot surface for passing or shooting also comes into play.

4. Transition: Moving from attack to defense and defense to attack quickly, from

any position, is a strong indicator of a high-level player. If a coach notices a player who does not seem involved, he or she will obviously be overlooked. A player’s movement off the ball in the role of a third attacker or providing balance as a defender shows a player who knows the game.

5. Determined play on 50-50 balls (tackles and especially on head balls) add to a player’s worth in the eyes of evaluators. In tackles, we are looking for the player to go in hard and regain possession.

6. Overall comfort with the ball, without a sense of panic when in possession, is critical to the ODP-level player. Confidence and enthusiasm are recognized quickly.

7. Decision making , when to possess the ball or take a player on without a sense of panic, especially in the attacking third, is an attribute that will assist a player in making the ODP team.

8. Talk from an individual, especially on the defensive side of the ball, makes the game easier for the entire team.

9. Passionate play within the 18-yard box, whether on attack or defense, brings out notice from the coaches in attendance.

10. Pace and endurance during the tryout and

recognizing when there is a time to recover in play are also areas that we look for during evaluations.

For all ODP tryout information, visit EPYSA.org/ODP

Evaluations during our tryouts cannot replace watching a player participate in a significant game.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer coaches are always looking for players we have missed in tryouts when they are attending or coaching in club or high school games. Should a player not be chosen for ODP it is not the end of the world. Physical changes, maturation and confidence change within months and may result in your identification next year.

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N ational C hampionships

National Champions

Lehigh Valley United Concludes Campaign with U19 US Youth Soccer National Championship

By Dillon Friday

S

omewhere along the way all champions benefit from a bit of luck. For Lehigh Valley United, their serendipitous boost came at a crucial moment: in the first half of extra time of the U19 Boys US Youth Soccer National Championship, against the age group’s two-time defending champion, Baltimore Celtic.

Euan Forrest stepped up to a set piece and slightly mishit the ball--as he later told Luke McMahon. It came down at the edge of the penalty area, where Patrick Adams leapt to meet it.

He flicked the ball towards the sixyard-box, directly into the path of McMahon.

“It landed right at my foot,” McMahon said. “And I just saw the keeper coming out towards me, so I knew if I just put it under him, he wouldn’t have time to react. That’s what I did.”

McMahon’s goal was his second in two games against Celtic (LVU defeated the Maryland club, 2-0, in

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the group stage) and gave LVU the only advantage it needed over 120 minutes of play. For the second time in six years, Lehigh Valley United lifted the James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in American youth sports. “(Coach Mike) Gorni would always tell us about the team that won in 2013, and we all bought into what he was saying. We wanted to be like that team,” McMahon said. “Just seeing the trophy, it showed us all of our hard work paid off, and we accomplished the greatest feat in youth soccer.”

McMahon’s heroics capped a banner US Youth Soccer National Championship series for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer clubs.

Nine teams (a record) qualified for nationals; four reached the semifinals; two--PA Dominion in the U15 boys division and FC Revolution in the U15 girls division--finished as finalists.

LVU made sure the contingent in Overland Park, Kansas, brought home the top prize.

Like the championship-clinching goal, everything came together at the right time for LVU. Some of the players had been together since elementary school, while others joined over the years. The core that formed found success in spurts--they won the U18 Boys State Cup in 2018--but had yet to make a dent on the national stage.

“Having some of the guys we’ve gotten over the past couple of years, we’ve been putting the pieces

epysa.org

I was on the verge of tears. It was one of the best moments of my life.

- Carter Houlihan together,” goalkeeper Dylan Smith, who posted three shutouts in Kansas, said. “These guys are not just really great at their positions, they’re the best around at their positions. You know what I mean? We slowly filled up, not only just the 11, but 13, 15, 18, 22 guys.

We knew we were onto something.”

McMahon was a newcomer for the 2018-19 season, as was his North Penn High School teammate Carter Houlihan, a two-time East Region ODP champion with Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.

When LVU rolled through its US Youth Soccer National League group in the winter everyone involved took notice.

“For us to get out of our group in first, I think it showed us that, man, we can really do this,” McMahon said.

“We did this against the top teams in the country without some of our better players. I can only imagine what’s going to happen from here.”

The National League triumph earned LVU a trip to Kansas, which gave Coach Gorni--who had previously won national championships with FC Delco and the 2013 LVU team--a

chance to experiment with lineups and formations.

They could also breathe easy, even though defeats in the State Cup final-to the Lower Merion SC Rats--and East Region Championships, where they failed to get out of their group, denied them even more hardware.

By the time they got to nationals they had a core belief and a full squad, as several players returned with a year of college soccer under their belts.

“With these guys coming back from their respective schools, they basically helped pass on what they learned in their first year of college ball,” McMahon said. “It just brought a huge impact to the team.”

LVU set the tone early in Kansas, defeating FC Golden State (Cal-S), 3-0.

The next day, they beat Celtic, 2-0.

“After the first two group games, we realized after beating Golden State and Celtic, we knew we weren’t going to play anyone better than them,” Bryce Evans, a midfielder and rising sophomore at Bloomsburg University, said. “We knew we could beat anyone.”

That included LMSC. The Rats and LVU had met in the 2018 State Cup final, with LVU winning. They had met in the 2019 State Cup final and at regionals.

Lower Merion won both games.

Now, they faced each other one last time with a place in the national championship on the line. LVU scored three times in the first half, en route to a 3-1 victory.

“The two times we did play them this year, in the state final and then in our regional group, they beat us, and it was pretty bad,” Evans said. “We knew we didn’t play well in those games, but we

were playing better now.”

The postgame was emotional, but it became clear that the rivals would both be rooting for a Pennsylvania champion, regardless of their competitive history.

“We’re friends with some of the kids through ODP and different things like that,” Evans said. “We saw them later

I don’t even know. It was a surreal feeling.

A mixture of ‘I can’t believe this just happened,’ and it was totally what I expected if that makes sense.

- Dylan Smith that day at the hotel. They wished us luck. Their coach (Brent Jacquette) was super kind and came up to us at dinner at the hotel and wished us luck.”

After scoring 11 goals in their

first four games at nationals, LVU reminded everyone they could play strong defense as well. In the final, they stifled Celtic through regulation.

McMahon, who started the game on the bench, was on the field at the beginning of extra time.

He found the breakthrough some six minutes in.

“I was on the verge of tears. It was one of the best moments of my life.

I couldn’t be more happy for Luke,” Houlihan said. “I couldn’t be more happy for the team. Seeing the goal go in, especially from Luke, who’s been one of my best friends since middle school, was just a great feeling.”

Smith kept his poise in goal over the final 15 minutes. He got some help from his defenders, too, particularly Dominic Flowers who headed a Celtic effort off the post to save a goal.

Then the final whistle blew, and delirium ensued.

“I don’t even know. It was a surreal feeling,” Smith said of lifting the McGuire Cup. “A mixture of ‘I can’t believe this just happened,’ and it was totally what I expected if that makes sense.”

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N ational C hampionships

National Championship Recap In total, Eastern Pennsylvania had a record-setting nine teams represent the state at the 2019 US Youth Soccer National Championships, the most of any state in the Eastern region. The contingent accounted for nearly 12% of the total field of 104 teams in attendance.

Boys U19: Lehigh Valley United | Champions U19: Lower Merion SC | Semifinalist U15: PA Dominion | Finalist U18: Future Player Academy U18: Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals

Girls U15: FC Revolution | Finalist U15: Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa Swarm U17: HMMS Eagle FC U18: 1776 United

Presidents Cup Recap Eastern Pennsylvania had four teams represent the state at the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup, held in Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 10-14.

Four clubs across four age groups represented the state, including the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (U14 boys), Valley SC Voodoo (U15 girls), Keystone FC Elite (U16 girls), and Rage United Xtreme (U17 girls).

Congratulations to all who participated!

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N ational C hampionships

US Youth Soccer National Championship Best XI 15U Boys

Dillon Barbeiri

PA Dominion - Midfield

Shane Velez

PA Dominion - Defender

Ty Bleiler

PA Dominion - Goalkeeper (Golden Glove)

15U Girls

Taylor Mentzer

FC Revolution - Forward

Lisa McIntyre

Philadelphia Soccer Club - Forward

Natalee Vicari

FC Revolution - Forward 17U Girls

Julia Raich

HMMS Eagle FC - Forward

18U Boys

Justin Grady

Future Player Academy - Goalkeeper 18U Girls

19U Boys

Euan Forrest

Lehigh Valley United - Defender

Dominic Flowers

Gabriella Curry

Lehigh Valley United - Midfield

Maggie Forbes

Lower Merion Soccer Club - Forward

1776 United - Midfield

1776 United - Midfield

Sean Touey

Quarterly

calendar September 2019 1-30 Youth Soccer Month 1

2019-20 Season Year begins

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Labor Day, State Office Closed

2 Harrisburg Free Kick Street Soccer, Kipona Festival | Harrisburg 3

Grassroots 7v7 In-Person | Reading

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7-8 ODP Tryouts | Multiple Locations 14-15 ODP Tryouts | Multiple Locations 20 Manion/Crescenz Award Nominations Due

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H igh school P review

2019 High School Season Preview

By Tim Raub

With the coming of August each year comes a special time in the traditional fall soccer season: State Cups are over, and the spring and summer club tournaments have wrapped up. Now it’s time for high schoolaged boys and girls throughout the state to turn their attention to the upcoming high school season.

For eastern Pennsylvania, the high school landscape is filled with both traditional powers and excellence and this year appears to be no different.

Villa Joseph Marie mobs Riley Regan, who scored the eventual game-winning goal in the Class 3A final.

Girls

L Souderton defeated Suburban One League Continental-rival Pennridge in the Class 4A final.

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ast season marked a return to power for eastern Pennsylvania high school programs on the girls side with three of four classifications crowning champions from the eastern half of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) in Southern Columbia (Class A), Souderton (Class AAAA), and District 1 perennial power Villa Joseph Marie (Class AAA).

Although 2017 was a rare year with western Pennsylvania girls programs claiming all four state titles, eastern Pennsylvania teams have seen a fair share of success over the past 10 years. In Class A, which has only been crowning a state champion since 2010, six of the last nine state champions have come from the east, with District 3’s Trinity and District 4’s Warrior Run each earning state titles during that time. In Class AA, western Pennsylvania has dominated the classification, winning seven of the last 10 state titles. Trinity won the third of its

also return this season on the girls side, three straight titles as a Class AA team in 2016, while Villa Joseph Marie (2014) highlighted by Conestoga (District 1) senior midfielder Caitlin Donovan, a United Soccer and District 3’s Loyalsock (2009) are Coaches Region II Female All-American, the only other two eastern Pennsylvania United Soccer Coaches Region II (East) teams to claim championships in that Team and Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches classification.

It has been much of the same case in Association All-State honoree in 2018.

Whitehall senior forward Kate Bonshak, Class AAA, with western Pennsylvania a regional All-American and All-State teams winning six of the last 10 state titles, but early indicators are pointing honoree in 2018, is also back to lead her team. to Villa Joseph Marie, ranked No. 13 nationally by USA Today, claiming its Other returning all-state players include: second title in as many seasons and its Seniors Emma Gray, Great Valley (District record 12th title in program history. The 1); Nicole Castor, Lower Moreland Class AAA tournament is only entering its (District 1); Emily Buckner, Downingtown fourth year, with western Pennsylvania Camp Hill’s Julia Raich, a East (District 1); Samantha Finch, New member of HMMS Eagle FC, was teams winning the first two, but 2018 saw Hope-Solebury (District 1); Annie Bagnall, selected to the US Youth Soccer a changing of the guard with District 1 East Region player pool following Holy Redeemer (District 2); Ione Fetsko, powers Souderton and Pennridge making the 2018-19 ODP season.

Scranton Prep (District 2); Emma Crissman, the final. Souderton has been hit hard Fleetwood (District 3); Kaitlin Peck, by graduation but is still expected to Hempfield (District 3); Madison Davis, contend, while Pennridge returns a bevy of talent Central York (District 3); Lauren Bull, Central Columbia and enters the season as a state title favorite, ranked (District 4); and Granna Monasco, Archbishop Ryan (District 12); and juniors Maggie Forbes, Strath Haven No. 24 nationally.

(District 1) and Julia Raich, Camp Hill (District 3).

A number of state and nationally recognized players

BOYS

O

n the boys side, Millville (Class A) and Fleetwood (AA) each claimed titles in 2018, and although the Class AAAA championship was vacated due to the use of an ineligible player, District 1’s Radnor High School earned runner-up status.

The story has been significantly different over the last 10 years for eastern Pennsylvania boys programs. Eastern Pennsylvania Class A teams have won eight of the last 10 state championships, with District 3’s Camp Hill and District 1’s New Hope-Solebury each winning a pair of championships. In Class AA, eastern Pennsylvania squads have faired similarly well, also earning eight of the last 10 state championships. District 4’s Lewisburg (2015, 2016) and District 1’s Holy Ghost Prep (2013, 2014) each have won back-to-back titles during that time.

In a highly competitive Class AAA, eastern Pennsylvania sides hold the edge over the last 10 years with six titles to their credit. District 3’s Lower Dauphin (2016, 2017) and District 1’s Central Bucks East (2015) have led the way in recent years, but titles from Conestoga (2011) and Hempfield (2010) and a shared state championship between District 12’s Father Judge and District 3’s Central Dauphin have helped pave the way for teams from the east.

Prior to 2018’s title vacating season, only two other state champions were crowned in Class AAAA, and both were won by what is arguably one of the most storied runs in PIAA boys soccer history in Conestoga.

Nate Perrins (9) controls the ball in the Class 3A Boys Final.

Strath Haven fell, 4-0, to West Allegheny.

Eight eastern Pennsylvania all-state players return on the boys side, and all eight are seniors: Ethan Pace, Pottsgrove (District 1); Colin Trainor, Spring-Ford (District 1); Jake Altimore, West York (District 3); Carter Knepp, Midd-West (District 4); Austin Racine, Moravian Academy (District 11); Christopher Tambasco, Pocono Mountain West (District 11); Blake Koski, Liberty (District 11); and John Simpson, Franklin Towne Charter (District 12).

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

21

M ini - pitch P ress release

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney alongside members from the Philadelphia Union Foundation, Philadelphia Parks & recreation, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and Rebuild Philadelphia gather for a group photo.

Kids from around the city gathered to play street soccer prior to the press conference announcing the $3.5 million investment into mini-pitches in Philadelphia.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and Partners Announce $3.5 Million Investment in State of the Art Soccer Facilities in Philadelphia Parks

P

hiladelphia Mayor Jim Kenney joined Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and the Philadelphia Union Foundation to announce a $3.5 million program to build 15 mini-pitches and two signature soccer fields in Philadelphia parks over the next five years.

The historic partnership between Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, the Philadelphia Union Foundation, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and Rebuild, the Mayor’s signature initiative to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries, will reach all parts of the City and address growing demand for high quality soccer fields across Philadelphia.

The selection process for mini-pitch sites will include a review of local demand, community feedback, and facilities needs assessment. All pitches will be built at existing Philadelphia Parks & Recreation sites, and will be a mix of tile, turf, grass, and blacktop surface based on community need and facility conditions.

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO Chris Branscome addresses the crowd to announce the multi-million dollar field investment.

S ocial media T ips

Get in the Game: Social Media Tips & Tricks

By Chas Dorman

Chas Dorman is in his 13th year as a member of the Athletic Communications office at the University of Pennsylvania. In his current role, Dorman oversees all social media content and strategy for Penn Athletics.

Great moments are shared with people! Whether it is showing a family member across the country your child’s latest game-winning play or catching the eye of a college coach, social media connects us in ways previously unimaginable. But, as the old saying goes, “with great power comes great responsibility” and successfully navigating the pluses and minuses of social media is everyone’s responsibility!

Teens

Advice for Social Media & the Real World

• Handle Your Handles.

If you’re looking to catch the eye of a college coach, make sure it’s easy for them to do find you! At this stage of your life, being real with your name or handle on social media is better than being creative.

• You’re Always Interviewing.

Trust me when I say that any coach/recruiter is going to check out your social media. Is what you’re posting reflective of who you are as a person and athlete? Would you be comfortable with a coach, athletic director or media member reading it?

• Choose Your Friends Wisely.

Social media is no different than everyday life. Be careful with who you accept into your world. Does that person have your best interests in mind? Who you associate with can have just as much of an effect on your reputation as your work on the field.

followers want to see, regardless of when it was posted. If you want to find a way for some play-by-play, that is best done in the Instagram Story feature.

Twitter

Taking It All In! • Do: Utilize the “thread” option. It may sound odd, but replying to your own tweets helps keep those thoughts and updates in one location – threading them together like beads on a chain. A well-formed thread allows your followers to stay up to date without having to search too hard in their feed.

• Don’t: Avoid text-heavy tweets. Just because Twitter has space for 280 characters in a tweet doesn’t mean you have to use them. Don’t count your words, make your words count! If possible, add a photo or video to your tweets to draw in a viewer’s eyes. You’re looking for “thumb-stopping” content!

Facebook

Building A Community!

Instagram

Where The Kids Are!

• Do: Let the photo do the work! Instagram works best when the image speaks for itself. Use the filters and adjustments in the app to give your photo an extra boost, but shy away from piling on too much text.

• Don’t: Turn your Instagram feed into a play-by-play of a game or event. Instagram works in a way that does not allow for a chronological recap of your day. It is going to showcase the posts that Instagram thinks your

• Do: Tag your friends. Facebook works best when its users are sharing content. The best way to let your followers know there is something worth sharing is to tag them in it.

• Don’t: Get caught up in the action. Much like Instagram (because Facebook owns Instagram…) it isn’t so much the live action but what happens before and after that Facebook is looking for. Want to drive up attendance?

Schedule an event ahead of time so followers can get a reminder. Looking to remember the good times? Post a photo gallery and tag your teammates so they can share in the memory.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

25

HONOR ROLL

A quick rundown of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer players & alums who are doing big things in the game.

andi Z h c a Z Hometown:

West Chester Current Team:

Bethlehem Steel FC Youth Team:

West Chester United/ Penn Fusion/ Eastern Pennsylvania ODP

On June 12th, Bethlehem Steel FC midfielder Zach Zandi stepped onto the field for the Union in their US Open Cup fourth-round match against DC United. With his appearance, Zandi became the first player in history to have ‘completed the cycle,’ that is, playing competitively for all four levels of the Philadelphia Union organization: Union Academy, Reading United AC, Bethlehem Steel FC, and the Union first team. Zandi also has several ties to the area as a West Chester native, having grown up playing for West Chester United, Penn Fusion, Eastern Pennsylvania ODP, and collegiately at Villanova University.

o Monig y Karnle

nzie Mackeck Plu

Hometown:

Hometown:

Current Team:

Current Team:

Youth Team:

Youth Team:

Boothwyn

Mississippi State Penn Fusion/Eastern Pennsylvania ODP

North Wales Duke University FC Bucks/ Eastern Pennsylvania ODP

Both Karnley and Pluck are doing big things on the collegiate level, helping their respective teams to 2018 NCAA Tournament appearances. Karnley aided Mississippi State to their first-ever berth to the postseason tournament and played in 16 matches for the Bulldogs during her freshman season. Pluck, one of the highest-rated recruits in the country, earned eight starts and 22 appearances as a first-year with the Blue Devils as the ACC powerhouse advanced to the Round of 16 before falling to Georgetown. Combined, the duo accounted for four goals and four assists last season.

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caption contests!

Prior to the publication of each Touchline, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will host caption contests on social media with funny pictures.

Kids, post your best comments and we’ll select a winner for each picture to receive an Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer goodie bag.

Congratulations to this issue’s winners!

We can be friends after the game, but right now I’m going to win!

Sadie Stubbs U10 Girls

Cocalico Blue Wings

I’m goin’ to Disney World!

Caleb Daniels U14 BOYs

Penn Fusion SA

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @EPAYouthSoccer, where we’ll announce the winners.

Best of Luck!

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

27

Exclusive savings for your love of rewards side.

As part of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association, you may be eligible for a discount on your insurance.

We appreciate groups that bring people together over common values and interests. That’s why we’re proud to offer you exclusive discounts on your insurance. Plus, we offer up to 20% savings when you bundle your home and auto insurance.* With more than 90 years of experience and expertise, Nationwide can help you protect what matters today and plan for what comes tomorrow.

See how we can help protect your life’s many sides.

Visit nationwide.com/EasternPASoccer or call 1-855-550-9215 for more information.

*Savings compared to stand-alone price of each policy based on national sample customer data from 2017. Discount amounts do not apply to all coverage or premium elements; actual savings will vary based on policy coverage selections and rating factors. Nationwide has made a financial contribution to this organization in return for the opportunity to market products and services to its members. Products are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Insurance Company. © 2019 Nationwide AFO-1106AO (06/18) 9632917

T ournament S chedule

Fall 2019 Tournaments Looking for a local tournament to fill out your fall schedule?

Check out information on five that are coming in the next few months. To see a full list of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer sanctioned tournaments, and for all information on how to get a tournament sanctioned, visit EPYSA.org/tournaments2019.

October

Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament 2019 Driven by YOKOHAMA One of the largest soccer tournaments on the East Coast is back in 2019 with more than 400 teams from the area as well as surrounding states. + + Dates: October 12 to 13, 2019 + + Age Groups: U8 to U19 | Boys & Girls

+ + Entry Deadline: September 15th + + Contact: Franziskus Bertl, jackwalshtournament@gmail.com

25th Annual WLUSC Fall Fest Tournament Western Lehigh United Soccer Club is proud to present the 25th Annual Fall Fest Tournament. The tournament is in the Lehigh Valley with the central location being the Lehigh County Sports Fields, just minutes away from Dorney Park. This tournament is one of the largest Columbus Day Tournaments on the East Coast and teams are guaranteed four games. + + Dates: October 12, 2019 + + Age Groups: U9 to U15 | Boys & Girls

+ + Entry Deadline: September 23rd + + Contact: jlevan@aplsoccer.com

November

Keystone FC Harvest Cup Three full-length games are guaranteed for each team as part of the Keystone FC Harvest Cup -- two on Saturday, and at least one on Sunday. Awards will be given to the top team in each division. The cost to participate is only $545 per team for 7v7 teams (U9-U10) and $645 for 9v9 teams (U11-U12), and $695 for 11v11 teams (U13-U14). + + Dates: November 9-10, 2019 + + Age Groups: U9 to U14 | Boys & Girls

+ + Entry Deadline: October 25th + + Contact: Zach Hoy, zhoy@keystonefc.com

34th Hempfield Fall Classic with College Showcase Quality grass and turf fields; levels of play for all travel soccer teams— premier, classic, travel A and B teams. We offer appropriate and challenging levels of competition for all teams. + + Dates: Nov. 16-17, 2019 | Girls & Nov. 23-24, 2019 | Boys + + Age Groups: U9 to U19 | Boys & Girls

+ + Entry Deadline: Girls – October 10th, Boys – October 21st + + Contact: Sarah Thomas, tournament@pennlegacy.org

FC Brandywine B+ Foundation Cup Supporting the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, the B+ Foundation Tournament guarantees three games with a possible championship. The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the life of Andrew McDonough who battled leukemia, septic shock, and complications of childhood cancer for 167 days before passing away on July 14, 2007, at the age of 14. This tournament will donate a part of the proceeds and increase awareness about the Foundation. + + Dates: November 23-24, 2019 + + Age Groups: U8 to U19 | Boys & Girls

+ + Entry Deadline: November 1st + + Contact: Kiley Graham, kgraham@elitetournaments.com

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F rom O ur M edical advisory committee

Do’s & Dont’s

for Returning to Sports from a Long Summer Break

by Dr. Tricia Beatty

Too Much Too Soon

A

common issue with fall sports are kids who haven’t done much running, fitness work, or weightlifting over the summer tend to go back too quickly to these pursuits. For example, running 5 miles every day when you’ve only run a handful of times over the summer is a recipe for shin splints, stress fractures, and other overuse injuries.

Likewise, sprinting athletes (football, field hockey, soccer, etc.) often try to push themselves with sprints at the end of a practice session and that is when muscles are most fatigued, therefore creating the greatest risk for injury.

Minor injuries like hamstring strains and sprained ankles can often result which can be a further problem because kids are then out for even more time, and will be further from fitness when they return. A more serious potential problem is during practices when kids push themselves through fatigue, their neuromuscular control tends to suffer and this is when major injuries like knee ligament tears and severe foot sprains can occur.

Many coaches are attune to the fact that kids may not have done much over the summer, and they try and tailor the return to practice in a gradual fashion, but this may not go at everyone’s needed speed. It is important for the kids to listen to their bodies and pull themselves out for a short rest if they feel fatigue setting in. This is a vital learning tool for a young athlete: it’s not just about learning plays or increasing fitness but knowing when your body needs to slow down can be just as important. After all, an injured player is less useful to the team than an unconditioned player.

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Not enough Fuel

I

n these warmer months it is important to not only hydrate but to rehydrate and post-hydrate. The best practice is to drink a good amount of fluids prior to a practice, and then to replenish that fluid every 30-60 minutes or “ad libitum” — when you feel the need to drink. Long distance runners should be careful not to over hydrate.

Athletes should remember to eat a balanced, but not heavy meal prior to practice, and to continue to fuel themselves every hour with nutrition bars, fruit, and energy beans/ gummies. Almost as important as fuel before and during practice is what athletes do after practice, especially when they are participating in two-a-days. Again, a balanced meal including carbohydrate, proteins and fruits/ vegetables as well as rehydration with an electrolyte solution, water, or milk is important.

communication

F

inally, the most important thing kids can do to keep themselves healthy and free from injury is to communicate with coaches, teammates, parents, and their athletic trainer. If something doesn’t feel right, or if something begins to hurt, that’s the body’s way of saying, “I need help,” or “pay attention.” It’s these situations where the athlete must overcome the mental urge to not speak up, and rather communicate with those around them.

If kids follow these simple guidelines, the chances of having a healthy preseason and a successful season are excellent. Good luck out there!

By Dr. Tricia Beatty Dr. Beatty is a board certified non-surgical sports medicine physician who specializes in pediatric, adolescent, adult and female musculoskeletal injuries. She has a special interest in stress fracture management, overuse injuries, and injury prevention. She has served as a team physician on the high school, collegiate, and professional level. Dr. Beatty is an athlete herself.

She is a former gymnast and NCAA Division I diver, and now enjoys running, cycling, weight training and yoga. Dr. Beatty is committed to helping her patients return to and maintain an active lifestyle after acute and/or chronic injury.

Army * Navy CUP The return of Army-Navy Cup to Talen Energy Stadium for the eighth consecutive year has been announced and the 2019 installment of the highly-anticipated service academy rivalry match will take place on Friday, October 11, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Army-Navy Cup has become one of the highest attended college soccer matches in the nation annually and has twice seen 10,000 fans fill the stands at Talen Energy Stadium. A five-year contract extension, signed last year, ensures the prestigious match stays at the stadium through 2022.

Local Player Spotlight

Carter Kowalewski College

Army West Point Class

Sophomore Position

Midfield/Forward

Photo Credit: Army West Point Athletic Communications

Hometown

York

High School

York Surburban Club Team

PA Classics/FC York

Christian Takaki College

Army West Point Class

Junior Position

Midfield

Photo Credit: Army West Point Athletic Communications

Hometown

Harrisburg High School

Cedar Cliff Club Team

PA Classics

Manion/Crescenz Award Nominations The Army-Navy Cup Committee is pleased to announce the fourth annual presentation of the First Lieutenant Travis Manion & Corporal Michael Crescenz Award. This award will be presented to two high school-aged soccer players, one girl and one boy, who best exemplify the spirit of these two exemplary men who gave their lives in service to our country.

Throughout their lives both Travis and Michael lived by the motto “If Not Me Then Who...” Whether it was standing up for someone who was being bullied, helping someone in need, or stepping in to lend a hand, they were the ones to take action and to act as role models for others. They exemplified selfless service and lived a life of substance and not just existence.

We respectfully request that you nominate a player who lives by the motto “If Not Me Then Who...” to receive this award. Nominees must be either juniors or seniors in high school, and nominations may come from clubs or schools.

Visit EPYSA.org for more information.

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Where We’ve Been

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director Mike Barr visited Pottstown Soccer Club for a coaching clinic where 30 coaches participated and learned tips and tricks for the upcoming 2019-20 seasonal year.

Over 375 kids aged 9-15 took part in Eastern Pennsylvania’s Youth Soccer 2019 Resident Camps, held at Bryn Athyn College over two weeks July 7-11 and 14-18. Players worked daily with U.S. Soccer Federation licensed coaches and technical staff on training habits, injury prevention, and technical and tactical ability. Campers also enjoyed off-field training such as yoga, arts and crafts, motivational speakers, and game nights.

In sticking to the mission of growing the game, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association hosted a free clinic in Reading City with youth from The Fortress Summer Program. The introductory clinic helped grow the game in an area where youth do not have access to the game readily accessible to them.

On June 24, the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau convened local leaders to provide an update on the efforts to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced that Comcast Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer David L. Cohen will serve as Chairman of the city’s Bid Committee and unveiled a logo and video to further solidify brand strategy and vision for bringing the worldwide event to the city.

The inaugural Goodwill Street Soccer and ODP Identification event took place on Sunday, July 14 at the Forty Fort Soccer Fields in in Forty Fort, Pa. Over 50 prospective boys and girls in the 2008 and 2009 age groups participated in smallsided games to be evaluated for prospective selection for the 201920 ODP season.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

33

Nike Gear Review

Nike Tiempo Legend 8 Academy MG Tiempo is one of Nike’s oldest collections and they just came out with another favorable cleat. The Legend 8 Academy MG takes the touch of calfskin leather and adds a versatile multi-ground plate for traction on natural and artificial grass surfaces. The calfskin leather is left unstitched to have even more ball control than usual.

SAL

Presented By Angelo’s Soccer Corner

Nike VAPOR 13 Academy MG Cleats

SP19 125

s...

HUN

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The Nike Mercurial Goalkeeper Touch Victory Football Gloves feature soft latex foam on the palms for enhanced grip in all conditions, while their reversed stitching wraps around the hands for a snug fit and feel. It will almost feel like you aren’t even wearing goalie gloves! In all weather conditions, your hands will stay dry.

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These boots will allow you to excel on both natural and artificial surfaces… the Nike Vapor 13 is here to maximize your speed and touch on the ball at the same time.

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Nike’s Grip3 Goalkeeper Gloves feature foam that wraps inside the thumb, forefinger, and pinkie for great ball control and a large contact area. The wristband sits lower to let your hand move freely and closes with an adjustable strap, while the breathable sections allow for airflow throughout your hand to avoid sweat.

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

P layer profiles

Q &A Player Profiles

Ziya Amira DeVeaux

10 years old | Fairmount Soccer Association

Favorite Sport Besides Soccer?

Gymnastics

Favorite Soccer Team?

U.S. Women’s National Team

Best advice you’ve ever received?

Keep trying

Favorite Subject?

Math

Favorite musical artist?

Beyonce

Favorite TV Show?

Black-ish

Best part about playing soccer?

Getting to play with a team and defending

Who’s your hero or role model?

My mom

Favorite food?

Shrimp Alfredo

Favorite movie?

Spider Man - Homecoming

One person, famous or not, you’d like to meet?

Millie Bobby Brown or Beyonce

Milani Reed-Craig

9 years old | Coatesville United Soccer

Favorite Sport Besides Soccer?

Best part about playing soccer?

Favorite Soccer Team?

Who’s your hero or role model?

Best advice you’ve ever received?

Favorite food?

Basketball

Union

Follow your heart

Favorite Subject?

Writing

Favorite musical artist?

Megan Trainor

Winning games

Sophie Dossi Peas

Favorite movie?

Descendants

One person, famous or not, you’d like to meet?

Cardi B

Favorite TV Show?

Forever 12

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

35

M ike B arr ’ s C olumn

My Wish List as the 2019/20 Soccer Season Begins

Parents: allow children to be children.

Let them live their dreams, not yours. Permit kids the opportunity to enjoy their childhood and adolescent years.

Respect and support our young referees and allow them to grow. Players, coaches, and referees are all part of a wonderful sport.

Let your child to decide when and if they want to play only one sport. Multi-sport athletes are exposed to more friends, varied coaching styles, experience less burn-out, and are less injury prone.

High school coaches: get rid of the two or even three a day preseason training sessions. You are risking injury to your players and creating a lack of intensity and focus within your players. Get rid of the Beep Test or Cooper Test. Allow your players to gain their fitness through game like exercises related to the game. One session for an hour and a half or maybe two hours is plenty.

Make yourself aware of periodization and your athletes.

We should remove all tournaments for ages eight & nine.

The picture of the various U9 teams winning one of the thousands of tournaments in this country and sharing on Facebook is getting old, and honestly has limited relevance in their development. Better yet, no travel soccer until age 10. Let the U10 boys and girls to play together within the rec program in each club.

Parents: keep an eye on your family budget related to playing youth soccer. Hotels, restaurants, trainers, games, tournaments, travel, and equipment may impact your family and your family’s future.

Club administrators: please find a way to help families who may not have the finances to have their children play within your club. Sports were always a great equalizer in the past

and offered chances to everyone no matter what their financial status.

Let’s assist the clubs in Philadelphia as they continue to make strides in bringing soccer to all the neighborhoods in the city.

Children should be exposed to music and the arts in addition to sports. Make a concerted effort to make this happen.

Mike Barr

Technical Director, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Family members: cheer on your team with positive comments and refrain from addressing the opposing team at any time in the game.

Let’s get rid of the term academy: it’s over-used and difficult to define at all levels. Also, why not just have the MLS or NWSL run the US Soccer

Developmental Academies and allow those not within the Professional Academy program the chance to play high school soccer and their local clubs.

Let’s not give up on the volunteer club, where coaches offer time and energy to young players and in some cases provide better instruction and interest than the so-called professional coaches.

More complete coverage of the Philadelphia Union by the media.

Push for Philadelphia to host World Cup Play in 2026.

Embrace the rich diversity our sport provides and press the importance of friendship throughout all cultures.

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

TOBIN HEATH