Touchline | Fall 2016

P E N N S Y LVA N I A’ S L E A D I N G Y O U T H S O C C E R P U B L I C A T I O N

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FALL 2016

NATIONAL CHAMPS YMS & North Union PAGE 10-11

TOPSoccer Spotlight:

2016 Development Grants

Upper Dublin

PAGE 3

PAGE 30

PA Pride PAGE 6-7

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

Thanks to all Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer players, parents and coaches for your support in 2016!

Best wishes for a successful fall season. Play hard, play fair, and have fun!

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CONTENTS

CREDITS

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EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER VOLUME LIII | SUMMER 2016 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 Committee President: Jim Kuntz Vice President, Travel: Michael Finnegan Vice President, Recreation: Dwight Wilkinson Treasurer: Nicole Posillico Epps Secretary: Melissa Weber Registrar: Jim Christian State Office Staff Chief Executive Officer: Chris Branscome Technical Director: Mike Barr Asst. Technical Director: Gary Stephenson Director of Soccer Operations: Frank Olszewski Marketing & Communications Manager: Dillon Friday Membership Services Specialist: Sheila Molyneaux Business Administration Manager: Kelly Connor Administrative Services Specialist: Meridith Crowell Accountant: Judy Curran Touchline Editor-in-Chief: Chris Branscome Editor: Dillon Friday Printed and designed by A.E. Engine, Inc.

2 Letter From Our President 3 2016 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Development Grant Recipients 5 US Soccer PDI: New Standards & Rules for Small-sided Games 6-7 Profile: Becky Edwards & Maddy Evans Bring Pennsylvania Pride to Orlando 9 Rec Soccer Spotlight: Triboro Soccer 10 National Champions: Fourth Time Is The Charm For YMS Premier Xplosion 11 National Champions: North Union United Wave Win The Presidents Cup 15 Olympic Development Program: An Interview with Murphy Agnew 17 Quarterly Calendar 18 From Our Medical Advisory Committee: Safe Return to Play from Injury

20 Starting Lineup: What to watch for this fall 23 Youth Player Profiles: Future Soccer Stars 26 AAA Start Your Journey: Contest Winner Pat Henigan of MNSA 27 2017 Horizon Services Indoor Cup 29 Tournament Sanctioning Tips & Procedures 30 TOPSoccer Spotlight: Upper Dublin Soccer Club 32 The Evolving Game 34 Mike Barr: Outlining US Soccer’s new coaching license curriculum 35 Youth Soccer Month 36 Training Session: Exercises to improve ball familiarity with U6 players

US SOCCER PDI MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

This is truly a new era for soccer in the United States. Over the past year, we have ushered in the U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives. The PDI is historic, as U.S. Soccer has never mandated a direction for the growth of our sport. Twelve months ago, there was an air of concern, but I believe everyone has made it through. We’ve managed through the growing pains of birth year registration. Coaches and children have managed, and survived, the changing of teams and teammates.

We’ve also managed through the first stages of the transitions in smallsided games.

Since the soccer boom of the 1970’s, we’ve grown the sport on recommended rules, themes and with multiple teaching philosophies.

Even as our methodology matured, we still could see Under-8’s playing 11-a-side just over a decade ago.

Frustrated parent-coaches roamed the sidelines working franticly to

help the Sharks beat the Bumblebees.

Since then, we’ve continued to learn and grow. We’ve developed coaching education programs based on child-centered learning, guided discovery and small-sided games to “right-size” the environment and promote development over winning.

It’s worked. The level of play today, at all ages, far exceeds that of the 90’s.

But I can assure you the progress didn’t come easy. Plenty of doubters and naysayers resisted the changes.

But we pushed through and soccer is better for it.

We need to continue to push through and support the PDI. Again, birth year registration has happened.

We are, mostly, used to it now. Smallsided games are accepted, but the new rules and philosophies attached may take time for some to adjust to.

The heading rules will take time to adjust to. But without a doubt, these changes are in the best interests of the children, both as people and young athletes. An important point I to add here is, also in the last decade,

the soccer community focused heavily on elite levels, competition and points. We’ve also seen a decrease in participation nationally.

The two are connected. We need to accept the direction of the initiative: to grow the game again and be more inclusive for all children.

To borrow a phrase from the Philadelphia 76ers, I’m asking everyone to “trust the process.”

The unguided “process” has shown progress. With a specific direction from U.S. Soccer, and a concerted effort from all 55 state associations, a planned process can work. Every club, regardless of its organization or affiliation, must support the PDI. We have struggled already. There will be a more struggles as we work through this season, but I believe the results will be positive. Just remember, we’re looking for longterm results, not short ones.

In the next decade, I hope we see more players playing better and playing longer. I look forward to that era.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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FROM OUR PRESIDENT Jim Kuntz, President, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

It’s one thing to be the best team in your community. It’s quite another to be the best in the nation. Two Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer clubs won national championships this summer and in the process showed tremendous perseverance. In the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup, the North Union United Wave needed to win its final group game by a substantial margin to advance to the Under-14 Girls final.

The Wave responded with a 4-1 victory then took the title with a

come-from-behind 2-1 win.

In the US Youth Soccer National Championships, YMS Premier Xplosion advanced to the final for the fourth consecutive year. The Xplosion fell behind early, 2-0.

Somehow, Coach John Greaves rallied his girls and they fought back to tie the game at two. Then in the second half of extra time, Murphy Agnew scored the game-winning goal. YMS, after four tries, had its national title.

If anyone had followed the Xplosion this season, the end result shouldn’t have surprised us.

YMS came back from 2-0 down to win the Under-17 Girls Eastern

Pennsylvania State Cup Final in May. We’ve come to expect this kind of fight from the Xplosion and the Wave as well. In fact, it’s a trait that all of our clubs and players share. We have great character. I would encourage you to read about Maddy Evans and Becky Edwards (Page 6-7) and to heed advice from the Harvard-bound Agnew (15).

You’ll find that these girls play with a determination they attribute to their coaches and communities.

I’m tremendously proud of the Wave and Xplosion. Thank you for representing your clubs, families and Eastern Pennsylvania so well on the national stage.

2016

PROGRAM Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer introduced its Development Grants Program in 2014 to help clubs and organizations improve their infrastructure. In 2016, the state association handed out $80,000 worth of grants to twelve clubs throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. The money will go to field and facility upgrades all with the hope of upholding Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s mission “to promote and facilitate the game of soccer for all youth at all levels of play in Eastern Pennsylvania.”

Grant applications for 2017 will be made available in January.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TWELVE CLUBS THAT RECEIVED DEVELOPMENT GRANTS: • Chester Upland Soccer for Success • Panthers United Soccer Association • Starfinder Foundation • JT Dorsey Foundation • Ukrainian Nationals Soccer Club

• Patriot FC • United German Hungarian Club • Amity AC Soccer Club • Interboro Soccer Club • Hershey Soccer Club

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U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives

In August, the United States Soccer Federation released small-sided game rules for its Player Development Initiatives (PDI). As part of U.S. Soccer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has adopted the changes. All information and the entire Player Development Initiatives presentation can be found at EPYSA.org.

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here are two big changes. One, deliberate heading of the ball is not allowed for Under-11 play and younger. A deliberate header will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

Second, 7v7 play (U9 & U10) will feature a build out line. This line will be equidistant from the edge of the penalty area and the halfway line. At all goal kicks or when a keeper collects the ball, the opposing team must move to its side of the build out line. Punting is not allowed. In addition, players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer encourages clubs to read the Player Development Initiatives presentation thoroughly and come to us with questions. We will continue to work with US Soccer and the Eastern Pennsylvania Referees to best implement these changes.

WE’VE LISTED IMPORTANT SPECIFICS BELOW FOR EACH STANDARD OF PLAY.

4v4: Under-8 & Younger

7v7: U9 & U10

9v9: U11 & U12

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Ball Size: 3 All players must play at least 50 percent of the game Roster Size: No more than 6 players Field Dimensions: 15-25 yards x 25-35 yards Heading Rule: No deliberate heading Goal Size: 4 feet x 6 feet

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Ball Size: 4 Roster size: No more than 12 players Field dimensions: 35-45 yards x 55-65 yards Build Out Line: Equidistant from penalty area and halfway line Heading rule: No deliberate heading Goal Size: No larger than 6.5 feet x 18.5 feet

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Ball Size: 4 Roster size: No more than 16 players Field dimensions: 45-55x70-80 Heading Rule: No deliberate heading for Under-11 play Goal Size: No larger than 7 feet x 21 feet (6.5 x 18.5 is recommended)

7v7 Field Diagram The build out line, equidistant from the halfway line and penalty area, promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting. When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play (from the opponent) or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play.

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PROFILE

Becky Edwards & Maddy Evans bring Pennsylvania roots to Orlando Pride

By Dillon Friday, Marketing & Communications Manager, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Pennsylvania natives Becky Edwards (top row, second from the right) and Maddy Evans (bottom row, first on the left) have been important fixtures in the Orlando Pride’s inaugural season. Photo courtesy of Orlando Pride.

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nyone involved in Eastern Pennsylvania soccer knows how close knit the community can feel. Players of different ages have shared coaches. Coaches have contributed greatly to the growth of individual players. Clubs have built rivalries across years and competitions to a point where their clashes become must-watch affairs.

Since the sport’s early days in the state, this competitive atmosphere has produced countless great players and coaches, some of whom are just making their mark in the game.

The Orlando Pride joined the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as an expansion club this season. Two Eastern Pennsylvania natives, midfielders Maddy Evans of Philadelphia and Becky Edwards of Downingtown, have been key contributors to the Pride’s early success. Through 15 games, Orlando has a record of 6-9-0, good for seventh place in the 10-team league. With a total of 18 points, the Pride sits just seven points short of a postseason berth.

That’s the goal for the nascent club.

“Make the playoffs,” says Edwards.

“It’s a crunch from now on. We want

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to find a way to get in.”

To do that, Orlando will rely in part on the leadership of Edwards.

Even at 28, she’s well-traveled in American soccer and beyond.

Evans, three years her junior, lists Edwards as one of her idols.

“Growing up, I always looked up to Becky,” Evans says. “(In Pennsylvania) you know who she is. In the pros, I looked up to her too. I’m just glad I don’t have to play against her anymore.”

A Florida State grad, Edwards debuted with Bay Area-based FC Gold Pride of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) in 2010. She won back-to-back league titles, first with the Gold Pride and later with the Western New York Flash. The WPS soon folded, though, and Edwards headed to Sweden.

“I loved Sweden,” she says. “I loved the country and the level was very good.”

But when the NWSL launched in 2013, Edwards returned stateside to join the Portland Thorns. A few more stops—one in Houston, another in Western New York—preceded her move to Orlando where she’s

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maintained a reputation as a respected veteran.

Through it all, Edwards still traces her influences back to the greater Philadelphia area. Mick Statham, now the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Lafayette University, coached Edwards from the age of seven through her Florida State years. She calls him a “mentor,” as she does the late Charlotte Moran, former Executive Director of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.

“Charlotte was a big mentor,” says Edwards. “She paved the way for women’s soccer.”

Edwards also had role models within her family. Older brother Adam made his mark in Region I before he enjoyed a career as a goalkeeper for Bucknell University.

“I wanted to be like him,” says Edwards, a Downingtown West grad, “play ODP and reach as high as I could.”

She did pretty well for herself in her youth. At 10, she attended her first ODP Region I Camp. By 17 she was a fixture on regional teams and even reached the Under-17 US Women’s National Team. Edwards built a reputation as one of the best players Pennsylvania had produced.

And in Tallahassee, she found a connection to home. Huntingdon Valley native Erica Walsh, now the head women’s coach at Penn State, coached Edwards on the U17 national team and served as an assistant for the Seminoles at the time of Edwards’ recruitment. Statham was also a member of FCU’s coaching staff.

When Edwards made her visit to campus, she stayed with Kelly Connor nee Rowland, a Strath Haven High School grad who became an AllAmerican and MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist for the Seminoles.

Edwards fights off a Houston Dash defender. Photo courtesy of Orlando Pride.

Edwards’ club career started with Spirit United, based out of her hometown of Downingtown.

“I just got there, and for me it felt right,” says Edwards.

Florida still feels like home for the seven-year professional. Her teammate Evans is grateful to be by her side.

“It’s awesome to have someone from the same area code (on the team),” says Evans. “She helps me out in her training. I’m really luck to play with here. She provides great leadership.”

Following in Edwards’ path, Evans made her mark early in youth soccer.

She played with the boys before joining 2015 Eastern Pennsylvania Service to Youth Award winner Ed Leigh’s FC Bucks Vipers team.

She quickly learned just how deep the talent pool in the area was.

“Once I joined FC Bucks, you could see there are so many good girls players,” remembers Evans. “We had a rivalry with FC Delco. I realized how competitive it is. That mindset carried over.”

With the Vipers, Evans made

Evans posing with her 2009 Golden Boot award and FC Bucks Vipers coach Ed Leigh.

history in 2009 when they became the first Eastern Pennsylvania girls team to win the US Youth Soccer National Championship. She scored the winning goal in the final and won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer. Evans credits Leigh for pushing her to reach the next level.

“He did so much for me growing up,” she says. “I can’t say enough good things. The whole team stuck together from U13 on. That’s a testament to Ed Leigh.”

When it came time to choose a college program, she had her mind set on Penn State, and similar to Edwards, Evans found a home away from home. Walsh, who became the head coach of the Nittany Lions in 2007, knew Leigh and played for 2014 Eastern Pennsylvania Excellence in Coaching recipient John Oberholtzer. Evans trained with Oberholtzer at Lower Moreland High School, Walsh’s alma mater.

Her familiarity with three coaches from the same clubhouse shortened the distance between State College and Glenside, where she grew up.

“It was a small town feel,” Evans, an Abington grad, recalls. “It was neat.”

Evans captained Penn State her senior year and led the Nittany Lions to the College Cup Final.

As fate would have it, the NWSL launched the next season. Evans caught on with the Boston Breakers, where she started 23 games in three seasons.

Now, she and Edwards patrol the midfield in Orlando behind star striker Alex Morgan. Edwards sees elements of their Pennsylvania roots in their play. Whether it was for ODP or top clubs like FC Delco and FC Bucks, the pair had been competing at a high level since their youth days.

“We’re both hard workers,” says Edwards. “We want to be successful, but we want the team to be successful. You see a lot of character and work ethic.”

They’ve also retained at least one piece of home thanks to a certain convenience store’s southward expansion.

“We make Wawa runs together,” says Evans with a laugh. “I was so excited (when

Wawa reached Orlando). She was the only one who understood.”

She hopes the coffee fuels a playoff push. After the NWSL Olympic break, the Pride close the season with five games, three of which are at their home Camping World Stadium.

“I think we’re disappointed after we made a strong start,” says Evans.

“We need to fight our way back. We need to get back on track.”

Local fans can get a glimpse of Evans and Edwards when Orlando travels to Rutgers University to take on Sky Blue FC on September 7. Although she’s content in Florida,

Evans plays a ball intended for USWNT star Alex Morgan.

Photo courtesy of Orlando Pride.

Edwards holds out some hope that Philadelphia gets another shot at women’s professional soccer. She recalls attending Philadelphia Charge games in the old Women’s United Soccer Association and floats the idea to Rob Smith, her coach at Downingtown West.

“I always joke with Rob about bringing a team (to Philadelphia),” Edwards says. “I think understanding our business, it’s so important when we have (MLS) teams buy in”—as Orlando City SC has done with the Pride—“They should also be strategic. For me and my family, it would be nice.”

Until then, Orlando suffices just fine. With Edwards and Evans in the midfield and their network of coaches—Moran, Walsh, Statham, Leigh and Oberholtzer—Eastern Pennsylvania is well represented already.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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REC SOCCER SPOTLIGHT

Triboro Soccer of Northeast Pennsylvania

By Madison Beer

Last fall the University of Scranton hosted a clinic for Triboro’s players. Community support has been crucial to the club’s success

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riboro has traditionally only played one season in the fall.

However, in 2016 the club played its first-ever spring season with more than 180 participants.

“It’s great for us to have that many players in the spring for our first season,” says Triboro Board President Dave Johns.

Johns has been involved with Triboro for eight years and has been club president for two years. He has helped to coach and provide the best possible facilities for the players.

Johns has obtained his NSCAA Level 5 License and recently earned a USSF National E License to further his coaching education.

Triboro’s Ronnie Prislupski played for the Allentown/ Reading U12 Boys ODP team in 2015-2016.

“We have a variety of licensed coaches, and we rely heavily on volunteers,” states Johns. “The program is continuing to develop more and more.”

Three of Triboro’s facilities—Sibley Field, Eagle McClure Field and Moosic Field—have recently been upgraded and renovated to provide a better playing environment.

“We want to nurture (our players’) development when they come in at age five and six to make sure we give them the best possible opportunities,” says Johns.

Triboro has received coaching assistance from Dawson Driscoll, the head coach of the Marywood University Men’s Soccer team, and Annie Ceccoli from Keystone College who is now taking over the role of head coach for Triboro’s U8 teams. Coach Driscoll is also the coach of the U-12 Boys Wilkes-Barre Scranton Olympic Development Program team. A few of Triboro’s players have gone on to play on ODP teams in the past, and Johns is anticipating more in the years to come.

In addition, Triboro players have been provided with the resources to either play for fun or play competitively enough to pursue travel leagues.

“I think we’re the perfect mix of both [fun and competitive],” says Johns. “We give the kids an opportunity to play an organized sport. The kids that do not want to advance can

play soccer and be with their friends.

The ones that do want to develop definitely have that opportunity.”

That was one of Triboro’s sole reasons for renovating their fields: to give players the chance to excel and take soccer to the next level.

“The improvements at the fields have come at the hard work of many,” Johns says. “We have several volunteers who were able to complete tasks that may have been costly if outsourced.”

Triboro participates in both indoor and outdoor games. The club trains at an indoor facility and competes at the indoor Riverfront Sports complex in Scranton. For the past few years, teams have been playing at Riverfront, where this past winter they had a very successful season.

“We had 7 teams play at the Riverfront and it was our best season ever,” says Johns. “Personally, I see that continuing to grow. And Riverfront has a great facility.”

Part of Triboro’s revenue is generated through the continued support from local companies and businesses. Triboro displays solicited signs from their sponsors on the playing fields to show its gratitude. The revenue brought in from the sponsors goes towards Triboro’s capital projects and renovations of facilities. On September 18, Triboro is planning on having a fundraiser called “Purse Bingo.” Each bingo round winner will receive a designer purse, donated from local companies. Some of the proceeds from the event will be allocated to Triboro’s apparel program, which provides the players with a sense of unity. Some of the clothing the kids receive includes sweatshirts, hats, warm-up pants and bags.

“Through successful capital improvements player numbers and skills have increased because of strikes to provide better facilities and coaching” says Johns.

In the spirit of community soccer, Triboro has provided its players with several opportunities to advance not only as individuals, but also as a team.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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F I N A L LY F I R S T :

YMS Premier Xplosion Wins Elusive National Championship

By Dillon Friday

YMS Premier Xplosion celebrates its first US Youth Soccer National Championship in its fourth consecutive final appearance. Photo courtesy of US Youth Soccer

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iven its performance over the last four years, YMS Premier Xplosion’s national championship came later than planned.

Of course, tardiness was a theme in the slow-starting team’s run to the title. YMS trailed 2-0 in the Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup Final in May before rallying to defeat LDC United, 3-2. Then in the Under-17 Girls US Youth Soccer National Championship game, the Xplosion players found themselves trailing by two once again.

This group lost in the previous three national finals. Now, down 2-0 at half to formidable Beach FC Academy (CalSouth), they were staring at a fourth consecutive runner-up finish.

“It’s funny. We didn’t go crazy,” YMS Head Coach John Greaves told Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.

“We’ve lost three. What’s it matter if we lose four? They all laughed. They changed. That’s the only time we mentioned the other finals.”

The Xplosion responded to the lighthearted wake-up call. Maddie Elwell scored a superb free kick from the right side of the penalty area to pull one back. In the dying stages, Murphy Agnew equalized with a free kick of her own, this one from just outside the 18. Agnew gave YMS life in the form of 30 more minutes.

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The former Eastern Pennsylvania ODP star (Page 15) had been crucial to the Xplosion’s four-year run. She had won two Golden Balls at nationals and, with the equalizer, was on her way to a third. But Greaves did something bold at the full-time whistle. He kept Agnew on the bench to start extra time.

“We basically knew we couldn’t play against the wind,” explained Greaves. “When we turned around, I was pretty confident. I knew we would get chances.”

Agnew proved her coach right. In the 113th minute, the striker raced onto a Brie Pavol header and played a wall pass with Becky Rossett. A few touches later, the Xplosion led 3-2.

Agnew clinched her third Golden Ball.

When the final whistle blew, YMS couldn’t quite believe it.

“Complete and utter happiness,” remembered Agnew. “It was almost like did (the referee) really blow the whistle? Did we really win?”

Greaves received a Gatorade bath four years in the making.

“It’s sunk in now,” he said. “It’s a huge moment for YMS.” The Xplosion is the 20th Eastern Pennsylvania team to win a US Youth Soccer National Championship. With the victory, YMS also became the

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first Pennsylvania club to have both a boys and girls title. YMS Thunder won the 2002 Andy Stone Cup as U18 Boys champions.

For the coach, how his team rallied pleased him as much as the win. All three goals came straight from the training ground. “(Elwell) would practice that free kick after training. That first goal is not a fluke,” said Greaves. “Around the 18 is Murphy’s range. She sits on the training ground and (scores) 10 or 12 times before she leaves.

“The third—that comes from many hours of combinations. That is so pleasing.”

It helps to have a game-changer like Agnew, who Greaves’ son called “Murphy Messi,” in the mix as well.

“She’s a special player,” gushed Greaves. “I’m little bit surprised the National Team doesn’t see in her what I see in her. She’s so quick with the ball.”

But to focus solely on the star would be to ignore a total club effort. The Xplosion formed as U11’s and this season added players, including Murphy’s younger sister, Samantha, from other YMS teams. The additions gave Greaves plenty of depth in the late July heat, not to mention more hardware to fill a burgeoning trophy case. In 2016, the Xplosion won the US Youth Soccer National League, its fifth State Cup in six seasons and yes, that elusive national title.

Still, they couldn’t quite get timing down. Due to extra time and post-game ceremonies, the Xplosion rushed to the Dallas airport. While the girls got on their plane, Greaves and his coaching staff missed their flight. No matter. They soaked in the championship rather than worry about the travel.

“It’s still a bit surreal,” said Agnew. “I think of this time last year and feeling so down. (Now) I get really excited and can’t stop smiling.”

North Union Wave Ride Wind To National Presidents Cup Title

By Dillon Friday the wind that the Wave used to climb back into the game.

Despite Eckenrode’s late goal, North Union wasn’t out of the woods just yet. The referee announced two minutes of added time, and just as those two The North Union United Wave became the first Eastern Pennsylvania girls team to minutes were up, win a US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup when they defeated Pateadores Pateadores was awarded a corner Irvine White (Cal-South) 2-1 on July 17. kick of their own.

“One thing they utline (NUU National Champs): were good at was corners,” Callendar The North Union United Wave recalled. “The ref was going to allow became the first Eastern Pennthem to take it. We cleared it, and got up sylvania girls team to win a US the field as fast as we could.”

Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup The whistle blew. The Wave became when they defeated Pateadores Irvine the first Eastern Pennsylvania girls White (Cal-South) 2-1 on July 17. team to win the National Presidents North Union United Wave coach Cup and the state association’s fourth Shawn Callendar broke protocol late champion overall. in his team’s match against Pateadores “It was joyful,” said Callendar. “The parIrvine White on July 17. With the US ents’ reaction was priceless. They were Youth Soccer Under-14 Girls National hugging and jumping and high-fiving.”

Presidents Cup on the line, the Wave Getting to that point wasn’t easy by earned a late corner kick, and Calany stretch. The Wave trailed 1-0 after lendar, rather than shout instructions, the first half, but Callendar remained stayed silent. confident for two main reasons. First, his “Usually we call a play on a corner,” team would have the wind at their back Callendar told Eastern Pennsylvania in the crucial second half. Second, they Youth Soccer. “This time I didn’t.” had revenge on their mind.

Instead, Gracia Eckenrode took account “I think it would be almost better to for the blustery wind—she aimed a few be the team that lost before a rematch,” yards farther right on her in-swinger— Callendar admitted. and delivered a ball that shot straight The Wave started out briskly after into the goal. the break and were some 20 minutes The improbable strike gave the Wave a in when Paige Temple equalized. North 2-1 lead with almost no time on the clock.

Union was unlucky to not take the lead “We didn’t want to go to overtime,” said sooner. But the mantra of this team is to Callendar. play 100 percent until the final whistle.

He had good reason for that. Pateadores They displayed remarkable fitness conIrvine White, the champions of Calsidering the stifling heat and sometimes South, had beaten North Union 2-1 in unpredictable weather in Tulsa. In the the preliminary round at the Mohawk end, they were rewarded for it.

Sports Complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Plus, The dramatic finish epitomized North an extra session would have allowed Union’s run through the Presidents Cup. the Californians to take advantage of The Wave opened the tournament with

C

what Callendar called, “(their) worst practice of the year.” In their first game, North Union tied 4-4 with Eclipse Elite 20 (Illinois).

They followed up that draw with the 2-1 loss to Pateadores, a contest that the Wave led 1-0. Now, with one point in two games, their national title hopes were hanging by a thread.

“We met that morning,” Callendar said of the preparation to face McAllen United Angels (South Texas) in the third and final preliminary match. “Let’s control what we can control. We need to be plus-2 (in goal differential) to move on.”

The Wave responded with a 4-1 victory. Meanwhile, Pateadores defeated Eclipse Elite on the opposite field, 1-0 to secure the rematch Callendar wanted.

“We all scoreboard watch,” he said.

“You’re always peaking over your shoulder. I had to turn around. I was watching the other game.”

They didn’t disappoint in the final. The Wave’s national championship marks a crowning achievement for a proud club out of a community, Lewisburg, with a strong soccer pedigree. Several of North Union’s older teams feature players who will continue their careers in college. Local high schools routinely compete in the PIAA state playoffs. And the Wave were one of three state champions this spring.

The U12 Boys North Union Vipers won the Eastern Pennsylvania Turkey Hill Challenge Cup, while the North Union Strikers took the U13 Girls Eastern Pennsylvania Presidents Cup title.

“For the most part, people around here are hardworking,” said Callendar of the secret to North Union’s success.

“We have people who are dedicated.

Our soccer is about teams that play the right way and they come from tight-knit families.”

They plan on commemorating the championship with rings for the coaches and zip-ups for the players.

They returned to the Lewisburg area worn-out heroes but heroes none-the-less.

“I could have slept for three days,” Callendar said. “It’s been such a roller coaster.”

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

11

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EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA ODP

An Interview with Murphy Agnew At 17, former ODP player Murphy Agnew of Washington Crossing has already achieved quite a bit in her young Murphy Agnew with the Region I team and Hungary soccer career. She won a PIAA State Championship with Women’s Youth National Team in Spring 2015.

Villa Joseph Marie High School in 2014 and finished runner-up a year later. Recently, Agnew and her YMS Premier Xplosion team claimed the Under-17 Girls US Youth Soccer National Championship. The Xplosion came back from a 2-0 deficit to win the final, 3-2 in extra time (Page 10). Agnew, who scored the equalizer, bagged the game-winner and took home Golden Ball honors as the tournament’s top scorer, the third consecutive season she’s earned that honor.

F

ollowing graduation next spring Agnew will head to Harvard University to play soccer. A Region I player in addition to playing for the state team, Agnew spoke to Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer about how her experience in ODP helped her grow as a player.

How long were you involved with Eastern Pennsylvania ODP? Murphy Agnew: I played for four years. The first year I did it, I didn’t do any of the Region I stuff, but each year after that I made the (Inter Regional Region I) team and went on some international trips.

How did ODP help your development in addition to your club and high school play?

MA: They’re all so different. Our way

Murphy Agnew poses with her three Golden Ball awards and the Charlotte Moran Cup, which she won in May with YMS Premier Xplosion.

of playing at YMS, it’s more play up to the target player and knock it out wide.

ODP was more on the technical side.

It was great training to have on top of (YMS Director of Coaching) Coach (John Greaves’) training. I don’t know where I would have ended up without both experiences.

What was it like to work with players and coaches from around the state and to compete against outside opponents?

MA: It was great. It’s great to play against new competition. It really helped me hone my skills as a forward.

With different coaches, I played different positions. It helped me get the experience I needed.

How did you take advantage of ODP when it came to college recruiting?

MA: Well, for Region I, the Boca Raton (Inter Regional Event) is a huge college event. That got me a lot of opportunities to play in front of college coaches. At YMS, we compete in the National League and have gone to the National Championships. I wouldn’t be committed to where I am without Coach John, YMS and ODP. Why did you choose Harvard over more traditional soccer powers?

MA: It’s just, it felt like home to me. I couldn’t imagine myself going anywhere else. I know it’s a cliché. I really couldn’t picture myself anywhere else.

Do you have any advice for players going through the ODP system who are starting the recruiting process?

MA: I actually have a younger sister (Samantha 00’ girls) in ODP. She’s going to be a sophomore so this is starting for her. With ODP, it just helps so much to interact with new players and coaches and it gets you used to what college is going to be like.

It’s obviously not the same, but ODP is high-level competition.

The 2016-17 ODP Season kicks off with tryouts on September 10-11 and 17-18. Eastern Pennsylvania ODP teams will compete in two main competitions in 2017, the Virginia Friendlies and the Region I Tournament. For more information, visit EPYSA.org/ODP

Murphy (bottom row, second to the left) with the Region I team in Spring 2015.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

15

QUARTERLY CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 2016 (YOUTH SOCCER MONTH)

OCTOBER 2016

1 Seasonal Year Begins

1-7 Red Card Cancer Week

2 Indoor Cup Registration Opens

7 Red Card Cancer: Futbol Friday

3 Youth Soccer Month: MVP 360 Play Day

8 Unity Cup: Knockout Stages Begin

5 Labor Day, State Office Closed

10 Columbus Day, State Office Closed

5 Kipona Festival Street Soccer | Harrisburg, PA 10 ODP Tryouts |Check website for locations 10 Unity Cup: Group Play Begins 10 Outreach Program: Coatesville United Soccer Kickoff Clinic | United Sports 10-11 Kohl’s Cup | Forty Fort, PA 11 ODP Tryouts | Check website for locations

NOVEMBER 2016 1 Union League Good Citizenship Award Application Opens 5 Unity Cup: Championship | Citizens Bank Park, 2 PM 24-25 Thanksgiving, State Office Closed

15 Primary Fall Registration Payment Due 17 ODP Tryouts | Check website for locations 18 ODP Tryouts | Check website for locations 23 Army-Navy Cup V | Talen Energy Stadium, 7 PM 23 2016 Award Nominations Due 24 Multicultural United Soccer Club Day of Peace & Play

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

17

Safe Return To Play After Injury

From the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Medical Advisory Committee

By Dr. Kevin Freedman

E

astern Pennsylvania return to play decisions.

Youth Soccer is Coaches answered a variety continuing its efforts of questions about guidelines to improve the health, they receive from their safety, and wellness of respective clubs concerning players. The establishment player injuries. The coaches of the Medical Advisory were also asked who makes Committee has helped the majority of the return to promote these efforts.

Kevin B. Freedman, MD to play decisions for athletes We recently conducted is a Sports Medicine after an injury has occurred: a research project to Orthopaedic Surgeon with the coach, parent, athlete, evaluate current return the Rothman Institute in athletic trainer, or physician. to play protocols for Bryn Mawr. He is Chair of Coaches were also asked about athletes after injury. The the Eastern Pennsylvania their comfort level with the goal of this project is to Youth Soccer Medical current guidelines and for use information collected Advisory Committee and suggestions for improvement. from coaches to analyze Director of the Injury Preliminary results show the current system and Prevention Program for the that 58 percent of coaches make any improvements Rothman Institute. surveyed made return to necessary to ensure the play decision for athletes safety of our players with on the day of injury, despite regards to return to play decisions. only 59 percent having CPR/First We surveyed coaches about Aid training and 30 percent having

For concussions, it is recommended that in any suspicious case, a Certified Athletic Trainer should evaluate the athlete to determine when the athlete should return to play. If no Athletic Trainer is available, the athlete should NOT be allowed to return-to-play. However, the following are some key signs and symptoms of concussion that parents should be aware of if their child has suffered a head injury: • Headache • Dizziness • Nausea • Sensitivity to light or noise • Problems with balance • Fuzzy or blurred vision • Changes in emotion or irritability • Trouble concentrating or remembering For upper extremity injuries, such as shoulder, elbow, or wrist, the following tests should be able to be performed by the athlete after an injury before returning to play. Upper extremity tests are as follows: • Complete range of motion: starting with arms by your side, lift arms forward and up until they are overhead; again starting with arms by your side, lift arms out to the side and continuing until they are overhead • Doing the same motion as above at full strength

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

no medical training. In addition, while 73 percent of coaches require a doctor’s note for return to play following a head injury, only 31 percent required a doctor’s note for return to play after an extremity injury (such as knee or ankle injury).

Overall, 79 percent of coaches surveyed had suggestions for improving current return to play protocols following injury.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Medical Advisory Board and the Rothman Institute have compiled a series of guidelines to help parents determine whether or not their child is ready to return to play after suffering an injury. These guidelines are NOT intended to substitute for medical evaluation. If in doubt, the athlete should be kept from returning to play without proper medical evaluation.

If any of these signs or symptoms are present, the child should NOT be allowed to return to play on the day of injury.

For lower extremity injuries, such as knee, ankle, or foot injuries, there are a variety of tests to determine whether or not the athlete is safe to return to play. Athletes should be able to perform all of the following exercises with ease and without pain before returning to play: • Hop on both legs • Deep squat keeping both heels on the ground • Jog in a straight line • Sprint in a straight line • Diagonal cuts • Carioca: crossovers in both directions • Jog backwards • Resisted belly press: resisting movement with hand on belly • Resisted bear hug: resisting move ment with arms crossed on chest • 3-5 push-ups • Any other sports specific drills (ex. throwing) Overall, our policy is, “When in doubt, keep them out!”

Safety is our top priority, and if there is any concern over a more serious injury, professional medical evaluation should be performed.

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T H E S TA R T I N G L I N E U P :

What to Watch for this Fall

K

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER ANNUAL AWARDS now a coach, volunteer or administrator who went above and beyond in 2016? Nominate him or her for one of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s annual awards. The state association will accept nominations for Travel Coach of the Year (Boys and Girls), Recreation Coach of the Year (Boys and Girls), Administrator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year. Nomination forms can be found on our website and are due by Friday, September 23.

E

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL UNITY CUP astern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is proud to be have partnered with the City of Philadelphia and the Parks and Recreation Department to support the inaugural Unity Cup. The event was created by Mayor Kenney to highlight the great diversity of the city and promote unity in the community. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will be presenting the Fair Play Award to further promote respect and sportsmanship. Although it’s an adult competition, we are working with the various communities to assist with programs for their children through equipment donations and clinics. The finals will be held at Citizens Bank Park in November.

I

ARMY NAVY CUP V: 1ST LT. MANION & CPL. CRESENZ AWARD n our continued involvement with the Army-Navy Cup, we are supporting the First Lt. Manion and Cpl. Cresenz Award, which will go to two high school students, one boy and one girl, who live by the motto “If not me then who…” The award is open to high school juniors and seniors and will be presented at halftime of the annual Army-Navy Cup on September 23 at Talen Energy Stadium.

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RED CARD CANCER WEEK nce again we will work to raise money and find a cure for cancer in partnership with Red Card Cancer. Mark your calendars: October 1 to 7 is Red Card Cancer Week. We encourage all high schools and colleges to support the cause at one home game that week where they can raise money and awareness for Red Card Cancer. We will host Futbol Friday at the conclusion of the week on October 7. We encourage everyone to wear your favorite jersey to school or to work or anywhere around town. Show your support for the cause.

E

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER STATE COACHING CERTIFICATE astern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Education is pleased to announce the creation of an entry-level coaching course that will help coaches be successful on the field with young players ranging from U6 – U8 age groups. The Coaching Certificate will consider the role of the coach and what it means to create a fun and safe learning environment. The course takes two hours with one hour dedicated to classroom instruction and one hour spent on field work. The course will be conducted as a trial this fall with selected clubs and will evolve into a useful tool! For information head to EPYSA.org

A

UNION LEAGUE OF PHILADELPHIA GOOD CITIZENSHIP AWARD

20

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

pplications for the prestigious Union League of Philadelphia Good Citizenship Award will be available starting on November 1. This award will go to 20 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer players who demonstrate outstanding citizenship on and off the field. Winners will be honored at our Annual Awards Banquet.

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HEY, KIDS! (And adults, too!)

PE R H A P S YOU ' V E SA I D TO YOU R S E L F:

“I want to be in touchline magazine!”

WANT TO APPEAR IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE OF TOUCHLINE? This is an exciting feature in the magazine where Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer players, coaches, and parents get an opportunity to be seen and heard by the rest of our readers.

Well, now is your chance! If you would like to be considered to appear in an upcoming issue, simply answer the 11 Questions that appear on our website (and on page 23), fill in the bio information and email it to info@epysa.org. Most

importantly, you need to send a photo of yourself with the email… the higher the quality, the better! If there is not a photo, then we can’t use your entry into the magazine.

Entering is not a guarantee of getting published.

We wish you luck, and who knows? When you open the next issue of Touchline magazine, you could find yourself staring back at you!

To register go to: epysa.org/communications/player_profiles

PROFILE S

Future Soccer Stars

Anna Barberio

Bora Uluturk

Patrick VanLuvanee

Age: 12

Age: 11

Age: 9

Team Name: HMMS Eagle FC Union

Team Name: Wolverines

Team Name: 2006 Academy Elite

HMMS

Valley AA

Pennsylvania Rush Soccer Club

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

My ideal position is forward, but coaches typically put me as a center midfielder

Forward

Midfield

What is your nickname?

Barberio

BoraBora

Patch

Who is your role model? Why?

My dad. He is the reason I am still playing soccer. He is also the smartest person I know.

Burak Yilmaz because he is part of why I’m so crazy about soccer and is my favorite soccer player.

My dad because he is very brave, smart and still plays sports.

What is your favorite soccer team?

United States Women’s National Team

Galatasaray

Borussia Dortmund

What is your favorite movie?

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Lego Movie

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

What is your favorite song?

Anything from this century

Cake By The Ocean by DNCE

It’s My Life by Bon Jovi

What is your favorite book?

The Hunger Games

Urban Outlaws by Peter Jay Black

The I Survived historical fiction series

What is your favorite food?

Crab legs

Manti

Pizza, definitely!

What is your favorite sport outside of soccer?

Volleyball

Tennis

Hockey

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

People who say, “I want to be treated well,” but then treat other people poorly.

When I make a wrong play in soccer

When people are negative.

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

Florida because it is so warm, and I want to check out Florida State University.

Paris because it’s a beautiful city with lots of things to do and see

Italy to taste their fresh pizza

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A biomedical engineer or a professional soccer player

A professional soccer player

I want to be an astronaut for NASA

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

23

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PRESENTED BY SPOTLIGHT

AAA Share Your Journey: Contest Winner Pat Henigan

By David Hayes, PhiladelphiaUnion.com

AAA Share Your Journey Contest winner Pat Henigan shows his passion for soccer as a coach and administrator with Marple Newtown Soccer Association

O

n one of the most improved backlines in MLS is Drexel University graduate Ken Tribbett.

The newcomer was originally signed this offseason by Union affiliate Bethlehem Steel FC, but Tribbett performed very well in the Union preseason. So well that he signed with the first team and made the starting XI in the season opener.

“I wasn’t sure, to be honest, coming in first, I didn’t know what to expect,” Tribbett said. “But it was always my goal. My goal was to start, so everything I did in the preseason was to be in the starting lineup come day one.”

Although Tribbett, 24, played at Drexel, he started his soccer career on the other side of the country in Colorado, and did it at an early age under some unusual circumstances.

“When I was four, five years old, there was this little recreational park that didn’t have real goals. (We) used flagsticks,” Tribbett said. “Just about 10 kids would show up. You just randomly picked a jersey and started playing.”

Tribbett started playing competitive soccer after he moved to Colorado at the age of five. He started off at local Colorado Rush with a familiar face

26

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

running the team.

“My dad was the coach so that was pretty cool,” Tribbett said. “Then when we got to competitive, U11, still with the same club, the Storm, that was a more structured travel team. We would go to tournaments at the Surf Cup, Disney Showcase – that kind of thing.”

Tribbett then moved on to the Colorado Rush Academy where he thrived for their U16s and U18s. After that, Tribbett recalls the Premier Soccer Academies (PSA) tournament during his junior year of high school.

The tournament was hosted by American icon Brad Friedel and included U16 national teams from Chile and Nigeria as well as U16 club teams from Blackburn Rovers, Club America and Chivas (Guadalajara). Tribbett’s team fared pretty well, though.

“We ended up winning that whole thing so that was special,” he said.

Playing all throughout his youth, from recreational parks to college, Tribbett played in a lot of different positions.

“I have been all over the field, but always in the center though,” said Tribbett. “I played up top when I was younger because I used to be faster, then kind of dropped back to the midfield,

epysa.org

and now all the way to center back.”

But soccer wasn’t the only passion for a young Tribbett.

“I played lots of different sports,” he said. “There was baseball, football, tennis. I loved tennis. If I didn’t play soccer, that’s probably what I would have played.”

Tribbett did choose soccer after all, and it had a lot to do with his idols, both of whom made their marks in MLS. “When I first started watching soccer, it was probably 2002-03, when Arsenal had all those Frenchmen and that untouchable team,” Tribbett said. “They were fantastic, so I would say [Patrick] Vieira and [Thierry] Henry, they are probably my two favorite players. I was one year off from playing against Henry, which is OK because I got to see Vieira against NYC.” Tribbet’s idols and passion led him to Drexel University to play college ball.

Coming out of Drexel, many teams overlooked Tribbett, but he never gave up on his pro dream.

“I had a feeling that I would be pro.

That’s pretty much the only thing I wanted to do my whole life,” Tribbett said. “In college, I was working hard, doing everything I could to eventually make the pro ranks. Coming out of school, I wasn’t really given the looks.

But I knew I wanted to stick with it and eventually landed here.”

This story is part of AAA’s “Start Your Journey” campaign, an effort – in partnership with the Union – to help celebrate families’ journeys in support of their young athletes…the long road trips, all-weekend tournaments, and the special bonds that are formed from the extensive time on the road. Each month, the Philadelphia Union and AAA will select an individual within its soccer network to develop a feature story on their path to success in association with the game of soccer. Additionally, fans are encouraged to share their own stories via social media using #ShareYourJourney

2017

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Tournament Sanctioning Reminders • It’s easy to know if the tournament you choose to attend is sanctioned by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer - Remember to look for the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Sanctioning logo (above) to ensure your tournament has been sanctioned properly.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is not the only sanctioning body for tournaments, but your insurance policy through Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will follow you if you select a tournament sanctioned by a different US Soccer organization. Check your Hosting Agreement.

• If the tournament you choose to participate in is an unsanctioned tournament, your Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Insurance would not cover you. Be safe and only choose tournaments that have been sanctioned by a US Soccer affiliate organization. Make sure that you contact the Tournament Director if you have insurance questions.

• US Youth Soccer NO LONGER REQUIRES Medical Releases for tournament play. It is still ‘good practice’ to have them available and on-hand for travel tournaments. Be sure to check your tournament rules • Youth Soccer Tournaments, be they Travel or Recreational, should all be sanctioned. In deference to Travel Tournaments, however, Recreational, 3v3 and Futsal tournaments do not require certified Referee Assignors

• Permission to Travel forms are NOT REQUIRED when traveling between Region I States. If any State requests a Permission to Travel Forms, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer members may print Permission to Travel forms off on their home computer by going to www.epysa.org under Membership Services.

• Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer requires that all completed (signed and dated) tournament applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the event start date. Any applications received inside of 90 days are subject to a significant late fee.

• Before you advertise your tournament, bear in mind that US Soccer Bylaw 603, Section 3 states that any Organization Member sanctioning a tournament shall require the host of the tournament to identify the Organization Member that sanctioned the tournament on all tournament advertisements and promotional materials, including hard copy advertising, promotional emails, online promotions or websites for the tournament.

Tournament advertising (electronic or hardcopy) may not commence until the sponsoring organization receives a signed and dated Approval to Host.

If you have any questions regarding Tournament Hosting / Tournament Sanctioning, please contact Frank Olszewski at FOlszewski@epysa.org or 610-238-9966.

Upcoming Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Sanctioned Tournaments LVSC Soccer Blast (10/9/16)

Upper Moreland Intermural Select Tournament (11/6/16)

Dillsburg Dual Shootout (10/9/16)

4th Annual CRUSA/FC Bucks Adidas Classic (11/20/16)

Continental FC Kick Cancer Out Festival (10/9/16)

Boyertown Blast (11/20/16)

Whitewater Cup Classic - Columbus Day Weekend (10/9/16)

Wilson Fall Classic 2016 (10/9/16)

UMYA Columbus Day Weekend Tournament (10/9/16)

FCBrandywine B+ Foundation Cup (11/20/16)

Ukrainian Nationals Columbus Cup (10/9/16)

Haverford Welsh Cup (11/20/16)

WLUSC Four Game Fall Fest (10/9/16)

2016 Deep Run Turkey Tournament (11/27/16)

5th Annual Columbus Day Explorer Cup (10/9/16)

PA Classics Winter College Showcase - Boys Weekend (12/4/16)

Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament (10/9/16)

PA Classics Winter College Showcase - Girls Weekend (12/11/16)

2016 LDC Coppa Classico (10/10/16)

Berks Winter Classic (12/17/16)

31st Annual Hempfield Adidas Fall Classic (11/20/16)

7th Annual FC Europa Turf Cup - Boys Weekend (3/5/17)

Halloween Booot-out (10/22/16)

7th Annual FC Europa Turf Cup - Girls Weekend (3/12/17)

Warrington Soccer Club 4v4 Halloween Classic (10/29/16)

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PRESENTED BY T O P S O C C E R S P O T L I G H T:

Upper Dublin Soccer Club

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with special needs. Each issue of Touchline, we’ll feature conversations with TOPSoccer Buddies and players who epitomize the spirit of the program.

This issue, Jake Woodruff and Andrew McDermott, both 18, tell us about their experience with the TOPSoccer Program of Upper Dublin Soccer Club. Also, Brian Smithman, at 22, is our featured player.

W

hat inspired you to become a Buddy?

Jake Woodruff: A few of my friends were doing it before I started and said how great of a program it was so I decided I’d be a buddy to help make other kids smile while playing the sport myself and the players love.

What is one highlight you’ve had as a buddy?

JW: A positive moment I’ve had was working through most of the season with a player who is pretty nonverbal and watching him get more comfortable and improve his communication skills through the weeks was a rewarding feeling.

What is a challenge you may face as a Buddy and how would you overcome it?

Andrew McDermott: Some of the biggest challenges we face as Buddies are working through situations where the player is having a tough day. Sometimes players are just tired or preoccupied and the challenge we face is to keep things fun and upbeat and try to keep them as focused on the task at hand as possible. The most important thing to remember is always be patient and understanding. Even when a player is a little uncooperative, it’s never a big issue because we’re almost always able to work things out and get back to playing soccer.

Upper Dublin Soccer Club has been running a TOPSoccer Program since 1999.

What advice would you give to other Buddies?

AM: The best advice I could give to other Buddies is to keep on volunteering and really enjoy your time with the program. Never go through the motions, make sure you really give it your full attention and work hard towards making today special for the player(s) you’re working with. Try to make it to every session you can because the more often you attend, the better rapport you’ll develop with the players. This helps make sessions more enjoyable and effective for everyone involved. Always remember to be patient and positive.

Smile and encourage the players from start to finish because just as their smiles are contagious, yours can be too.

P L AY E R P R O F I L E BRIAN SMITHMAN Experience in Soccer: Brian, 22, has been playing with Upper Dublin since the program’s inception in 1999. He is the last of the club’s original players still involved on a regular basis.

What is your favorite thing about soccer? Scoring goals and hanging out with the buddies.

What is your favorite game/activity at HIGH 5 Soccer? Playing defense.

Some of the young players Brian Smithman has inspired with his dedication to Upper Dublin Soccer Club TOPSoccer

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How did you find out about UDSC TOPSoccer? From another Upper Dublin family who heard that a couple of coaches wanted to get a soccer team together for children who might not be comfortable playing on a regular intramural team.

Cheers

Proud partner of the Philadelphia Union

©2016 The Coca-Cola Company. “Coca-Cola” and the Contour Bottle are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company.

E M A G G N I V L O V THE E September 2016

Issue 34 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Newsletter

Coaching Newsletter for Coaches by Coaches The Evolving Game is …..

Relevant Stories & Articles If something happens in the soccer world—youth, local or otherwise—we’ll put our spin on it with the help of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer coaching staff. Technical Director Mike Barr will offer his opinions on the pressing matters, whether that’s the United States plight in World Cup qualifying or the recent Player Development Initiatives.

Mike Barr Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director

Great Content

Mark your calendars with upcoming US Soccer Federation National Coaching License courses, soccer events and games to watch. We feature high school, club, college, MLS and European league matches on our schedules to help you make sure those weekend plans revolve around soccer!

Our Technical Staff works from the US Soccer Digital Coaching

Meet the coach - Some of our local coaches have gone on to do great

Center to provide fun and simple training sessions to help coaches

things in the game. Each issue, we’ll speak to a coach about his or her

take their practices to the next level for age groups U8 and up.

path to success. Find out what drives the best soccer minds in the area.

How do you get The Evolving Game in your inbox? Simple. Head to EPYSA.org for the latest issues or email Dillon Friday at dfriday@epysa.org with the subject line “Evolving Game.”

Follow us on twitter @EPaCoachingEd

When your family is protected, we all win.

At Nationwide®, our number one goal is being there for our members. That’s why we have your back when it comes to protecting what’s most important, like: The car you drive your athletes in to every practice The RV you use for that weekend tournament Join us as we team up with Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer to promote youth safety, especially the importance of concussion awareness and teen driving.

To learn more about a special discount for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer members and to get information about youth safety, visit nationwide.com/EasternPASoccer or call 1-888-231-3614.

Nationwide Insurance has made a financial contribution to this organization in return for the opportunity to market products and services to its members or customers.

Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215. Subject to underwriting guidelines, review, and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Nationwide and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2015 Nationwide AFR-0266AO.1 (11/15)

C OAC H I N G E D U C AT I O N

Outlining US Soccer’s New Coaching License Curriculum

By Mike Barr, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director

Coaches like these at a National D License Course this summer will face new challenges along the US Soccer Coaching Pathway.

I

recently taught the new USSF National C License coaching course, and my experience was very close to the candidates. The course was just the second C License taught in the country since the new curriculum was unveiled.

The new environment was challenging but extremely valuable. The new C License created a concentrated week of learning and pushing candidates and instructors beyond their comfort zones.

Those of us in attendance were able to take in a new holistic approach to learning and teaching soccer.

There will be new pathways attached to the US Soccer curriculum as well. After the USSF National B License, there will be a National Youth A License offered as well as a National Senior A License. There is also a new Pro License course. The length of time to take the Youth A License will be over five to six months with four meetings. The B License will be over four to five months with three meetings and the C License over three months with two meetings.

There will also be changes to the waiver system for C candidates. Waivers will only be granted to applicants who have played three years for a Division One professional team—for example, Major League Soccer, La Liga

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or the Barclays Premier League—and have coached for at least three years.

Applicants for the B License, after taking the C License, must be coaching in the appropriate soccer environment, such as at an academy, a high performing club or in the Olympic Development Program, to take the B License. The B License requires a comprehensive application from all interested candidates. The application must be submitted through the US Soccer Digital Coaching Center. A review of qualifications will determine who is accepted into the B License.

New terminology is prevalent within the C License as candidates complete their training sessions in four phases: the warm-up phase, orientation phase, learning phase and implementation phase. Team attacking principles and defending principles are also changed but in some instances only in terminology. The C License also incorporates periodization plans, team meetings, measures to improve your club and coaching environment, coaching the 11V11 game, and being a role model and leader.

Cutline (National D License): Coaches like these at a National D License Course this summer will face new challenges along the US Soccer Coaching Pathway.

The new C License will be very

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challenging to candidates who have little playing experience or coaching experience above the under-15 level. Candidates must also plan on attending the first and second part of the C at the same location after three months with no exceptions. The course entails extensive pre-course work and critical responsibilities between the practical component and the theoretical component of the course. All objectives must be met or green-lighted in order to pass.

US Soccer has begun to get its licenses in line with the requirements of UEFA and making candidates more professional in their approach to teaching soccer. The challenges and changes will be difficult for many at first but in the long run will make all coaches accountable in providing quality training to a wide range of players and abilities within the United States.

The US Soccer pathway from the D License to the A Youth, A Senior or Pro Coaching License is a huge transformation from even ten years ago when most coaches were volunteer or parent coaches. With higher salaries, coaches will be held more accountable when it comes to their qualifications and results.

Furthermore, coaches who may have taken their C, B or A Licenses two or more years ago may struggle with the new format and terminology, especially if they take continuing education units or wish to go on to the next level course. Within our office, Gary Stephenson and I are willing to assist coaches who are looking to advance within the coaching pathway but need assistance.

Unfortunately, this new directive may leave many clubs at a huge disadvantage, especially for their recreational players and volunteer coaches. US Soccer does offer an online F Course. In my opinion, however, it does not directly meet the needs of coaches who are just parents wanting to help their child and others.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has recently created a Recreation Course that will supplement the F License and assist the coaches who are working with players from ages 4 to 10. The course is free to any member club and will be offered at 15 clubs this year.

With these steps, we hope to help our coaches advance their own careers while helping to develop young players.

TRAINING SESSION

Under 6: Exercises to Improve Ball Familiarity

By Mike Barr, Technical Director, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer | Observed by Gary Stephenson, Assistant Technical Director, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

THROW THOSE BALLS IN THE CLOSET! Objective To develop throwing coordination Duration 10 minutes Activity Intensity 6 Number of Repetitions 9

Activity Time 15 Seconds Recovery Time 45 seconds Description Set up a 20 by 20 grid with a square in the center filled with an assortment of balls.

Players will run out

from each corner, pick up a ball and throw into their designated goal. They return to their corner and the next player goes and repeats the same thing until all the balls have been tossed from the center square.

GET TO YOUR ISLAND! Objective To develop dribbling skills and spatial awareness Duration 10 minutes Activity Intensity 3 Number of Repetitions 6 Activity Time

1 minute Recovery Time 30 seconds Description In a 15x15 grid, spread out four circular hoops.

Players dribble in a “sea” surrounding the “islands (hoops).” When the coach yells “shark,” the players turn with their balls and go to an

island. Each repetition, demonstrate a different turn. In the first session, show the players how it’s done then allow them to try to use the inside of the foot, outside of the foot and sole of the foot. Emphasize using both feet.

THE KING SAYS, “GET THOSE BALLS IN THE GOAL” Objective To help players understand how to shoot a ball and what techniques to use in different scenarios Duration 10 minutes Activity Intensity 7 Number of Repetitions

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2 Activity Time 4 minutes Recovery Time 2 minutes Description The king (coach) has an assortment of balls to play into a 20x20 grid with a goal in each corner. Each player can score in

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

any of the goals. Play is continuous. A new ball is played in after a goal is scored or a ball goes outside the grid. Address shooting techniques before the game and at the half.

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