A Minute with Danny Cruz, D.C. United Midfielder
Virginia Online Soccer News continues to grow and look for new ways to provide more original content to our readers. We are extremely honored to announce the addition of video segments provided by Eric Hunsaker. Eric is a D.C. based TV Producer and Director, Documentary Film Maker, US Soccer Enthusiast, and part of the host team for the new Fans of United podcast along with former United player and Winchester, VA native Devon McTavish.
Enjoy the first installment: A Minute with Danny Cruz.
Danny Cruz was acquired by United during the recent off season from Houston. Cruz is of particular interest to VA Soccer News because the 22 year old midfielder is from Petersburg, VA.
Danny Cruz Player Profile on DCUnited.com
D.C. United Press Release: Academy Update
D.C. United Academy Update
U-18’s and U-16’s to compete in Academy Carolina Cup, Collin Martin called into U-20 MNT camp
D.C. United will kickoff against Indiana United Fire on Friday, February 24, with the U-18’s playing at 6:00 p.m. and the U-16’s at 8:15 p.m. The Development Academy teams will have a rest day on Saturday, February 25 allowing them to attend match day one of the Carolina Challenge Cup.
On Sunday, February 26, United’s U-18’s will face their Chicago Fire counterparts at 9:00 a.m., while the U-16’s will kickoff at 1:30 p.m. United will conclude the tournament against the Columbus Crew, with the U-18’s playing at 9:00 a.m. and the U-16’s at 11:00 a.m.
D.C. United midfielder Collin Martin has been named to the 26-player roster for the U.S. U-20 MNT training camp in Clermont, Fla. The camp began Monday, February 20 and will run until March 1. As part of the camp, the U.S. U-20 MNT will face the reserve teams from FC Dallas on Sunday, February 26 at 4:00 p.m. ET and Montreal Impact on Wednesday, February 29 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Both games will take place at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex.
United U-14 and U-15 teams played in the Northeast Pre-Academy League Spring Scouting Showcase last weekend at the Germantown Soccerplex. The tournament was designed for academy players to showcase their skills in front of U.S. Soccer scouts.
The U-14’s faced NJSA, McLean and FC Westchester, compiling a record of 1-1-1, respectively. United’s U-15 squad played against NJSA, Matchfit FC and FC Boston, finishing the weekend with a record of 2-1-0.
About the USSF Development Academy
U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007 to improve the everyday environment for the elite youth player.
The Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the United States to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an every day environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players. The Academy’s programming philosophy of increased training, less total games and more competitive games is based on U.S. Soccer’s Best Practices utilized by the U-17 U.S. National Team Residency program.
Carolina Challenge Cup
The Carolina Challenge Cup is the premier pre-season tournament in the U.S. Each year the Battery is joined by three teams from Major League Soccer for the round-robin competition. The 2012 edition includes the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, D.C. United and the Charleston Battery with match days on February 25, 29 and March 3.
Two UVA Players Named to U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team
University of Virginia midfielder Morgan Brian, former Soccer America Freshman of the Year and Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year, along with her college teammate Oliva Brannon have been named to the roster of the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team for the upcoming 2012 CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championship.
All games of the 2012 CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championship will be streamed live on CONCACAF TV March 1-11, 2012. (official tournament site)
Read Full Story: Swanson Names Roster for 2012 CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championship
Bigfoot Factory Soccer T-shirt givaway
VASoccerNews.com and www.BigfootFactory.com are partnering to give away soccer t-shirts by the end of February!
You could be win one of these hilarious tees if you follow the rules of our Facebook contest:
- To enter the contests, simply "like" VASoccerNews & Bigfoot Factory Facebook pages,
- complete this phrase "Bigfoot Factory soccer tees are so butt-ugly..."
- Post your completed phrase as a comment below this post & share it on your wall.
The top two comments that receive the most "likes" by the end of Feb. win!
Three UVA Men's Soccer players selected to All-ACC Academic Team
UVA Soccer Press Release:
Virginia's Dimas, Monaco, Zinkhan Named to All-ACC Academic Team
Student-athletes must earn 3.0 GPA to be eligible
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia's Ari Dimas (Jr., Chesapeake, Va.), Greg Monaco (Sr., Virginia Beach, Va.) and Ryan Zinkhan (Fr., Fredericksburg, Va.) have been named to the 2011 All-ACC Academic Men's Soccer Team, which was announced today by ACC Commissioner John Swofford.
All three were named to the all-academic team for the first time.
Dimas started 15 games in 2011, playing the full match 11 times while serving as the anchor to the Cavaliers' midfield. Dimas scored a goal and added an assist in 2011. He also was named to the Hokie Invitational All-Tournament team on Sept. 4.
A two-time team captain, Monaco concluded his Cavalier career in 2011. He started 16 of the Cavaliers' 21 games at defense. Monaco assisted on Brian Span's game-winning golden goal late in UVa's win over Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament on Nov. 8. He finished his UVa career with 61 starts, including all 25 matches in UVa's national championship season in 2009.
Zinkhan was an ACC All-Freshman Team honoree this season. He played in all 21 matches, starting 17. Zinkhan was UVa's freshman leader in points with 11 and was fourth on the team in goals (4) and assists (3). He was a jack-of-all-trades for Virginia, spending time at forward, midfield and defense.
To be eligible for All-ACC Academic Team consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career.
Richmond Kickers Development Academy now cost-free
Richmond Kicker Press Release:
RICHMOND, VA – (Monday, February 20, 2012) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce their U.S. Soccer Development Academy will be a cost-free program for the 2012-13 season. The historic milestone in Virginia youth soccer development is reached through the support of partnerships with The Computer Solution Company, Proseal America, Inc, and multiple donors, allowing dedicated and talented players to reach the highest level of youth soccer, playing, training and traveling free of charge.
U.S. Soccer Technical Advisor, Chris Brewer, will be hosting a Town Hall meeting on Saturday, February 25 at 5 p.m. at the Richmond Kickers office, located at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 203 Richmond, VA. The informational meeting is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about this exciting initiative as well as U.S. Soccer Federation’s plans to move to a 10-month season beginning Fall 2012.
"I wish to thank everyone who had the vision, passion and commitment to make this historic moment in youth player development a reality,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “It is our hope that this significant commitment to youth soccer development will ignite community interest in establishing one neutral Academy program for Central Virginia that all clubs, players and parents can unite behind to share resources to best serve the most talented and dedicated players in the region.”
The Richmond Kickers U16 and U18 Academy players will not be required to pay traditional player fees, and all hotel, flight and ground transportation expenses associated with league travel will be covered by the club. Valued at nearly $20,000 for a four-year player, the Kickers cost-free Academy eliminates the most significant barrier for talented soccer players to compete in U.S. Soccer’s world-class program. Unprecedented in the state of Virginia, the Kickers join 17 other Academy clubs who offer fully funded programs, including the majority of professional clubs in Major League Soccer.
“A fully funded Academy is a significant contribution to our community and consistent with our club’s vision to be the model for American soccer, a youth to pros development system that has been emulated by clubs throughout the country,” added Rob Ukrop, Richmond Kickers President, Board of Directors. “We are excited to initiate the process with the boys program and look forward to one day developing a similar philosophy for our national caliber girls program.”
The Kickers Academy teams will be led by USSF “A” Licensed coaches Leigh Cowlishaw and Ihor Dotsenko, and Goalkeeper Coach, Ronnie Pascale, who bring a combined 50 years of professional playing and coaching experience to the club staff. Competing in the Atlantic Division, the Kickers will play league matches against many of the top teams in the nation including D.C. United, CASL, Baltimore Bays, North Carolina Fusion as well as two national showcase events annually.
U.S. Soccer recently announced a 10-month season for Academy teams, allowing players to focus on training together three or four times per week and play meaningful games on the weekend nearly year-round. Fewer games and an extended season will allow the addition of a substantial number of extra training sessions, which are the primary vehicle for player development.
Tryouts
Players interested in joining the Richmond Kickers Academy should send the following information: player's name, date of birth and a detailed playing history including references, to Leigh Cowlishaw, Director of Soccer at lcowlishaw@richmondkickers.com. Guaranteed Academy roster spots for the 2012-13 squads will be awarded to select players on an ongoing basis. Additionally, six Discovery Player roster spots are available to players who wish to join the Kickers Academy for the current season.
About the U.S. Soccer Development Academy
U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007 to improve the everyday environment for the elite youth player. The Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an everyday environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players.
About The Computer Solution Company
The Computer Solution Company (TCSC) has been one of the Mid-Atlantic’s leading technology solution providers for over three decades. TCSC provides enterprise application design and development, full-service SharePoint implementations and business intelligence solutions. The company’s core values of passion, technical excellence, customer focus and lifelong learning closely parallel those of the Richmond Kickers. As an organization that invests heavily in maintaining a position of leadership, TCSC is excited to partner with the Kickers organization as it continues to invest in the lives of players throughout the Richmond area.
About Proseal America, Inc.
Just like soccer, Proseal was originally formed in the North West of England. Since our formation we have not only become the leading manufacturer of food packaging machinery and tooling in the UK, but are now recognized as a major force internationally, having extended its operations into a number of sites overseas including our newest manufacturing plant right here in Richmond, Virginia.
Our aim is to be an innovative and pioneering organization within the fast paced food industry, and to take pride, not only in producing a range of high quality, efficient, cost effective food packaging machines, but also in providing a service that surpasses our customers' expectations. Our reputation is founded on excellent customer service and the ability to design and produce consistently reliable machines.
With many years’ experience in the tray sealing industry, we have a deep understanding of the demanding production requirements to which machinery in this sector is subjected. Combined with the high level of after sales service we provide, our business continues to grow from strength to strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Richmond Kickers Academy?
The Richmond Kickers Academy is designed to identify and develop the top players in the Central Virginia area. The Kickers goal is to have every player reach his full potential both on and off the field.
What is the cost of the Richmond Kickers Academy?
The Academy is a cost-free program. Each player is fully funded by the Richmond Kickers. This includes:
- All player fees
- Travel (air fares, buses, vans, etc)
- Accommodation (hotel rooms for away trips)
- Uniforms (adidas player package)
How is the program fully funded?
The program is entirely self-sufficient thanks to support from sponsorship revenue and multiple donors.
How are the Richmond Kickers Academy Teams different from other local programs?
The Richmond Kickers has the only professional team in Virginia, which has been in existence for 20 years. The Kickers have a strong reputation for excellence progressing 23 players to Major League Soccer and we are respected nationally as one of the country’s best clubs.
Expectations for our Academy players are very high and they are treated like young professionals. The move to a ten month season also allows select players to train and play scrimmage matches with the professional team from February through August. Additionally Academy players have the opportunity to observe the Richmond Kickers first team’s training, matches and coaching sessions.
What age groups does the Academy have for the 2012-13 Season?
- U16s (1999/1998/1997/1996)
- U18s (1996/1995/1994)
How are players selected for the Richmond Kickers Academy?
There are a number of ways that top players can become part of the Richmond Kickers Academy:
- Assessment in their own playing environments (e.g. club, school, state or regional teams)
- Recommendation from personnel within the professional and collegiate ranks
- Assessment in Academy training environment after requesting to join Academy
What competitions do the team plays in?
The U16s and U18s play in the US Soccer Development Academy League.
Can players play for other Youth Soccer Clubs and/or High School teams?
After receiving overwhelming support from the Development Academy membership, the Academy is moving to a schedule beginning in the fall of 2012 that runs from September through June (or July based on postseason play). This creates a format that is similar to those followed by the elite soccer playing nations around the world as the Development Academy and U.S. Soccer continue their goal of closing the performance gap with the top soccer nations. Academy members will not be able to play for any additional soccer teams.
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks are DC/VA Open Cup Champs
Read Full Game Recap by The Cup.us
Local teams Hotspur, Royals, Piranhas 2012 PDL Season Schedule Released
2012 PDL Schedule
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues released the 2012 divisional alignment and schedule for the PDL today, with the 584-game regular season getting underway on April 22 as LA Misioneros FC faces the Fresno Fuego.
Thirteen new teams have joined the PDL for 2012, including the Austin Aztex, Baltimore Bohemians, Boston Victory, CFC Azul, Chicago Inferno, FC Tucson, Ocala Stampede, Palmetto FC Bantams, Panama City Beach Pirates, Texas Dutch Lions, Southern West Virginia King’s Warriors, VSI Tampa Flames and Worcester Hydra.
Several teams have announced name changes including the Sounders FC U23 (Tacoma Tide), El Paso Patriots (Chivas El Paso Patriots), Fraser Valley Mariners (Abbotsford Mariners), LA Misioneros FC (Los Angeles Legends), West Texas Sockers (West Texas United Sockers) and Seacoast United Phantoms (New Hampshire Phantoms).
The PDL will feature 73 teams in four geographic conferences and nine divisions. The Eastern Conference features three divisions while the Southern, Central and Western Conferences feature two divisions each. PDL clubs will play 16-game schedules in 2012, eight home and eight away. The defending PDL champion Kitsap Pumas open their 2012 campaign on Friday, May 4, when they travel to play the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 at Swangard Stadium.
Kickers name GK Ronnie Pascale Player/Assistant for 2012
Official Kickers Press Release:
RICHMOND, VA – (Monday, February 13, 2012) – The Richmond Kickers continue their strong tradition of hiring from within the organization, naming veteran goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale player/assistant coach for the 2012 season, pending USL and USSF approval.
“Ronnie is a welcome addition to the pro team coaching staff as he brings extensive playing and coaching experience to our squad,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “He understands firsthand the expectations, tradition and culture we demand from our players and I look forward to working closely with him this season to produce a team capable of winning a Championship.”
"I'm excited to play one more season with the Kickers and finish my professional career here in Richmond,” added Pascale. “It's been an amazing journey and to be able to play my last year while celebrating the Kickers 20th Anniversary means a lot.”
“I'm very grateful to Leigh and the Kickers organization for selecting me for the assistant coach role, and I'm looking forward to a successful 2012 campaign,” continued Pascale. “I know it's going to be an extremely fun season for the Kickers and our fans, and I'm just happy to be a part of it and to be able to play one more season in front of my family and the best fans in the league."
A franchise player entering his 13th season with the Kickers, Pascale has been Richmond’s starting goalkeeper since 2002, logging over 25,000 minutes in a Kickers uniform. Consistently one of the top netminders in the league, Pascale backstopped the team to the USL PRO and U.S. Open Cup Semifinals in 2011, ending the campaign with a miniscule 0.960 goals against average in 30 games played. Shoring up one of the best defensive units in the league, the experienced goalkeeper led the back line to a career-best 11 shutouts in 2011, while allowing just 29 goals on the season. The longtime Kickers veteran tops the all-time games played list with 279 appearances and is a three-time USL Goalkeeper of the Year, honored in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Named Southern Conference Rookie of the Year in 1995, Pascale was a four-year starter at Furman University and was named to the Southern All-Conference team four times, Conference Goalkeeper of the year three times, and was twice named to the Second Team All-South. After his senior season, Pascale was named the Furman Male Athlete of the Year (1998/99).
Reserve 2012 Season Passes and celebrate 20 years of professional soccer with the Richmond Kickers. Richmond Kickers season passes offer unbeatable value, VIP benefits and incredibly low prices to all regular season home games. Guaranteed to see 12 highly competitive USL PRO games for the best possible pricing, order a Family Pass ($129), All-Access Pass ($95) Adult Pro Pass ($60) or Youth Pro Pass ($30, ages 3-17).
Richmond Kickers announce benefit exhibition in support of #STOWESTRONG
From Kickers Press Release:
RICHMOND, VA – (Friday, February 10, 2012) – In support of Ian Stowe’s battle with cancer, the Richmond Kickers and The College of William & Mary are pleased to team up for a benefit exhibition match on Friday, March 23. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Ukrop Park and tickets are available at RichmondKickers.com for a $5.00 donation. All proceeds will directly benefit the fundraising campaign, #stowestrong, for the former Richmond Kickers Super Y-League and Premier Development League player.
[Read Full Story]
Wambach pledges goal for Richmond coach battling tumor
Wambach pledges goal for Richmond coach battling tumor
StoweStrong
By Pat McStay
The Virginia soccer community was hit hard a few weeks ago when William and Mary graduate and FC Richmond youth soccer coach, Ian Stowe was diagnosed with Germinoma, a type of germ cell tumor typically resulting from a failure of germ cells to migrate properly in the body. Stowe is currently at VCU Medical Center undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
His family needs your help. Go to Facebook and like their page for more updates at #stowestrong. You can also go to http://www.stowestrong.com/ to donate and email stowestrong@gmail.com to order a *t-shirt to help support their family and rising medical costs for this unforeseen illness.
*100% of the proceeds for the shirts will go to the Stowe family.
Chesterfield UFC players selected to international and showcase teams
Chesterfield United Football Club in Richmond, VA has had multiple players from their youth teams selected to participate in prestigious international tournaments and an elite women's showcase.
JoJo Taylor and Jackie Zerull invited to participate in the Puma Elite Women's Showcase held in July
Puma has informed Chesterfield FC that two of their very talented young women, JoJo Taylor and Jackie Zerull, were selected to participate in the Puma Elite Women’s Showcase held in July. This showcase is for the top 100 rising sophomores and juniors in the country. Read more about the event here: ( http://www.puma.com/football/news/2012-puma-womens-elite-showcase-dates-announced )
Hector Rivera chosen to play in the 32nd Annual Torneio Internacional in Lisbon, Portugal
Chesterfield FC U14 player Hector Rivera will travel to Lisbon, Portugal April 3-9th to participate with a group of players hand selected from throughout the country to participate in the 32nd Annual Torneio Internacional De Futebal held in Lisbon, Portugal.
“Hector really deserves this opportunity as he has dedicated himself to becoming the very best player that he can be. He is a great role model for all of our players at the club as he is always putting extra work in to become better. As a club we are very proud of him for this achievement and we look forward to sharing his experiences abroad with all of our players” Matt Lacey, Director of Player Development.
Miles Rapp selected on 97B VA State Team travelling to France
For the second time in as many years Chesterfield United is sending a player on an overseas trip with VA State ODP. This year Miles Rapp was selected to go with the 97 Boys to France in early April.
"I think Miles has made the most of training and practicing on his own this year. He is starting to reap the benefits of his hard work and I couldn’t be happier for him."- Pat McStay, U15 Puma Boys coach and Director of Operations.
For more Chesterfield FC news and updates: (CLICK HERE)
For more Chesterfield FC news and updates: (CLICK HERE)
Kickers player Katie Cousins Selected to National Team Mega-Camp
U-15 Girls' National Team to Hold Mega-Camp in Florida
Katie Cousins of the Richmond Kickers will be the lone representative out of Virginia for the upcoming U-15 Girls' National Team mega-camp set to take place in Sunrise, Florida from Feb. 11-18.Cousins was part of the group of 48 players chosen by U.S. Under-15 Girls’ National Team head coach Damon Nahas and U.S. Soccer Women’s Development Director Jill Ellis.
VASoccerNews would like to congratulate both Katie Cousins and the Richmond Kickers program.
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