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Thierjung Lifts Cal Past UCLA

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PDL Roundup

Saturday, October 11, 2014

BERKELEY, Calif. – OC Pateadores Blues forward Christian Thierjung scored the overtime winner as No. 22 California took a thrilling 3-2 victory against No. 2 UCLA in a big Pac-12 matchup on Friday evening at Edwards Stadium. Thierjung’s sixth goal of the season arrived in the 99th minute as he earned his side its first conference win of the season.

The Bears took a two-goal lead as San Jose Earthquakes U-23 midfielder Seth Casiple set up Stefano Bonomo late in the first half and Paul Salcedo with 11 minutes to go as California appeared set to take a comfortable victory.

The Bruins hit back in the final 10 minutes, however, as Reading United AC’s Larry Ndjock pulled a goal back with four minutes to go. The Ventura County Fusion’s Javan Torre then struck with 30 seconds to go for UCLA with a shot from inside the penalty area to send the game to overtime.

California regained momentum in the extra period, however, as Earthquakes U-23 midfielder Max Oldham played Thierjung into the penalty area, and his shot found the corner of the net to lift the Bears to victory.

“We tried to get the ball out wide and swing crosses, and the pass came through,” Thierjung said. “You always have to be ready to get the ball and I happened to be at the right place at the right time. It was a great feeling coming off two road losses against Washington and Oregon State. We knew we had to come out strong again. We had a great week of training, went through the film and we knew this was going to be a battle - it is always a battle against UCLA. We fought until the end and got the W.”

No. 3 SYRACUSE 3, WAKE FOREST 1: Ocean City Nor’easters forward Tyler Hilliard had a pair of goals as the Orange took victory against the Demon Deacons at the SU Soccer Stadium.

Both of Hilliard’s goals came off free kicks by K-W United’s Jordan Murrell. The first arrived in the ninth minute, and the second two minutes into the second half as Syracuse took control of the game. Chris Nanco added a third for the Orange, who took their fourth win in ACC play of the season.

No. 17 NORTH CAROLINA 5, VIRGINIA TECH 0: OC Pateadores Blues forward Andy Craven had a pair of goals as the Tar Heels romped to their third consecutive victory with a win against the Hokies at Fetzer Field.

Craven scored twice in four minutes to give North Carolina a two-goal lead just past the half-hour mark, and the Tar Heels continued to roll in the second half as the Midland-Odessa Sockers’ Walker Hume added to the lead five minutes into the second half. Chicago Fire U-23 midfielder Tyler Engel added a fourth before Carolina Dynamo man Raby George capped the scoring.


Lane United Charity Event A Hit

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Lane United FC News Release -- www.laneunitedfc.com

Monday, October 13, 2014

EUGENE, Ore. -- Lane United FC's inaugural charity soccer-golf tournament, the Oakshire Cup, was held on August 30 and was able to raise over $1,000 for the Eugene-based nonprofit Kidsports, the club announced earlier this week. The event, which was held onthe ShortRidge soccer-golf course at the RiverRidge complex in north Eugene, drew 72 participants, according to Dave Galas, Lane United's managing director.

"Registration filled up well in advance and everyone at the event had a great time," Galas said. "In spite of the one day of rain, with the help of Oakshire, RiverRidge, TwoTowns, Agate Alley, and our supporters the Red Aces we were able to put on a wonderful event, have a lot fun, and all for a good cause. We're thrilled to have been able to contribute so much to Kidsports from the inaugural tournament, and I am really excited about the future of the event."

Kidsports is a Eugene-based non-profit organization that has provided a wide range of sports teams and programs for children of all ages since its founding in 1953. Oakshire Brewing is a considerably newer business, founded in 2006 and recently opened its Public House in the Whiteaker neighborhood of Eugene. Oakshire is the title sponsor and leading partner of Lane United FC.

Soccer-golf, a sport in which players kick soccer balls into appropriately scaled holes on golf-course layouts, has experienced a rapid nationwide growth in the past two years. RiverRidge's soccer-golf course opened in late June of 2014.

Seminoles Get Big Win Against Hokies

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W-League Roundup

Monday, October 13, 2014

TALLAHASEE, Fla. – Seattle Sounders Women midfielder Marta Bakowska-Mathews was on target as No. 2 Florida State took a 2-1 victory against No. 9 Virginia Tech at the FSU Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon. The victory kept the Seminoles perfect in ACC play as they reeled off their sixth consecutive conference victory thanks to Dagny Brynjarsdottir’s late header.

After a scoreless 80 minutes, the game sprang to life when Bakowska-Mathews opened the scoring with eight minutes to go. The goal was set up by Brynjarsdottir, who dropped a pass back to her teammate at the top of the penalty area, and Bakowska-Mathews sent a curling shot into the right corner for her eighth goal of the season.

“I saw Dagny making a slashing run across the box and there was no one around me,” said Bakowska-Mathews. “Even though she wasn’t facing me, I was lucky that she heard me and passed me the ball back. Jamia was swinging out wide but I saw that I could bend it, so I was like, ‘I’ll bend it far post’.”

The Seminoles’ lead was short-lived, however, as the Hokies answered 32 seconds later on a goal by the Carolina Elite Cobras’ Kallie Peurifoy. After Virginia Tech was awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area, Peurifoy sent home a fine finish to level the score from the set piece.

Florida State grabbed victory with three minutes to go, however, as Brynjarsdottir headed home a long throw-in by Megan Campbell for her fourth goal in the past four games. The finish allowed the Seminoles to keep pace with No. 7 North Carolina, which has also taken six wins out of six to start ACC play.

No. 4 VIRGINIA 6, N.C. STATE 0: The LA Blues’ Makenzy Doniak had a goal and an assist as the Cavaliers swept past the Wolfpack at Klockner Stadium.

Brittany Ratcliffe and Kaili Torres put Virginia up 2-0 at the halftime break with a pair of goals three minutes apart, and Doniak added a third four minutes into the second half. Danielle Colaprico notched the fourth before the Washington Spirit Reserves’ Meghan Cox made it five with 25 minutes to go, and Ratcliffe bagged her second to round out another impressive performance by the Cavaliers.

No. 7 NORTH CAROLINA 2, PITTSBURGH 1: The Washington Spirit Reserves’ Emily Bruder had both goals as the Tar Heels remained perfect in ACC play with a comeback victory against the Panthers.

Pittsburgh took the lead in the 25th minute as Roose Arvas scored her ninth goal of the season with a perfectly placed free kick from 22 yards. Bruder responded for UNC with the first goal of her college career as she fired home from 15 yards after a good through-ball by Alex Kimball in the 32nd minute. 

Bruder added her second seven minutes before the halftime break as a corner kick was won by the Washington Spirit Reserves’ Satara Murray. Maya Worth’s shot couldn’t find the target, but an attempted clearance by the Panthers fell straight to Bruder, who was decisive with her finish to earn victory for the Tar Heels.

No. 11 PEPPERDINE 5, PACIFIC 0: 2012 W-League Rookie of the Year Lynn Williams had a pair of goals as the Waves cruised to victory against the Tigers at Knoles Soccer Field.

Taylor Alvarado gave Pepperdine a first-half lead before the Waves reeled off four goals in the final 15 minutes to pull away. Williams, a standout for the LA Blues, had the second before Rylee Baisden made it three with nine minutes to go. Williams then notched her 10th goal of the season, and Courtney Assumma wrapped up the scoring with four minutes to play.

No. 12 WISCONSIN 2, NORTHWESTERN 0: Ottawa Fury FC standout Kinley McNicoll had a goal and an assist, and Laval Comets goalkeeper Genevieve Richard had a career day, as the Badgers took victory against the Wildcats at Lakeside Field.

McNicoll set up Cara Walls for Wisconsin’s opener in the 17th minute, and then Richard took over. The two-time W-League Goalkeeper of the Year made 10 saves overall, including six in the second half, to keep the Wildcats at bay. McNicoll’s eighth goal of the season in the 68th minute provided some breathing room for the Badgers, and Richard saw out the victory with her ninth shutout of the season.

Terrapins Trounce Nittany Lions

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PDL Roundup

Monday, October 13, 2014

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Former Baltimore Bohemians midfielder Alex Shinsky had a goal and an assist as Maryland handed No. 3 Penn State its first defeat of the season with a 4-0 victory at Ludwig Field. The win was the Terrapins’ second consecutive and their second in Big Ten play as they stunned a Nittany Lions side that had taken four consecutive wins to start conference play.

The Terrapins took the lead in the 13th minute as the Austin Aztex’s Mikey Ambrose delivered a perfect cross from 25 yards to Mael Corboz, who put home a first-time finish from eight yards. Corboz doubled Maryland’s advantage from the penalty spot just past the half-hour mark, his third goal in the Terrapins’ past two games.

Shinsky added to Maryland’s lead eight minutes into the second half. Fellow Bohemians player Jereme Raley fired a shot from long range that came back off the crossbar, and Shinsky was on hand to put home the rebound. He then played provider as the Terrapins added a fourth with eight minutes to go, with Tsubasa Endoh the beneficiary as he fired home a good shot from 15 yards.

“This was a great team effort. It was a delight to be able to have all the available players for the first time all year,” Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “We received contributions from all over the field. I thought it was a great overall performance. I think we showed today that the adversity we’ve dealt with this year is starting to make us stronger. This is a transformational game for us.”

No. 15 STANFORD 1, No. 2 UCLA 1: The OC Pateadores Blues’ Aaron Simmons opened the scoring for the Bruins, but they were forced to settle for a draw with the Cardinal at Cagan Stadium.

After a scoreless first half, UCLA took the lead four minutes after the break as Simmons was able to get on the end of a cross by the Ventura County Fusion’s Brian Iloski. Stanford hit back in the 57th minute, however, as Zach Bateer scored from the left side of the penalty area.

No. 12 NEW MEXICO 2, MISSOURI STATE 0: The Jersey Express’ Oniel Fisher and Sounders FC U23’s Chris Wehan each scored as the Lobos defeated the Bear at the UNM Soccer Complex.

Missouri State proved difficult to break down defensively, but New Mexico found the breakthrough with 17 minutes to go as FC Tucson’s Riley McGovern played a perfect slip pass to Fisher, who fired home a deflected shot for his third goal of the season. As the Bears pushed forward for an equalizer, Wehan added a second with six minutes remaining with a low shot into the left corner.

GEORGE MASON 3, No. 13 SAINT LOUIS 2: Former Worcester Hydra defender Taylor Washington scored his first goal of the season with two minutes remaining as the Patriots upset the Billikens at George Mason Stadium.

George Mason took a two-goal lead with finishes at either side of the halftime break by Matt Tucker and Timi Mulgrew. Saint Louis hit back, however, as Anthony Manning and Robbie Kristo both found the back of the net, but Washington grabbed a first conference win of the season for the Patriots as he finished a chipped ball by Zach Herstek.

Yomby Re-Signs With Richmond

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Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com

Monday, October 13, 2014

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that USL PRO Defender of the Year Finalist and All-League First Team defender William Yomby has signed a multi-year contract that will commence with the 2015 season.

“We are delighted to re-sign Yomby to a long-term contract,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “He has shown year in, year out that he is one of the top defenders in USL PRO and we look forward to his signing as the first of several key players to return.”

Receiving his sixth consecutive All-League First Team nod, Yomby made 27 appearances during the 2014 regular season, posting over 2,800 minutes through all competitions. Integral on both sides of the ball, the native of Cameroon added two goals while allowing just 28 and contributed to seven shutouts.

Yomby was named USL PRO Defender of the Year after guiding the Kickers to a first place finish in the league in 2009. Over the past six seasons, he has made 154 appearances in a Kickers uniform, amassing over 13,000 minutes, adding 11 goals and four assists while contributing to 57 shutouts. 

Prior to signing with the Kickers, Yomby was drafted by Sporting Kansas City in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, inking a developmental contract with the Major League Soccer side before joining the Puerto Rico Islanders later that season. A graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., he was selected to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) All-Rookie Team before making 48 appearances over three seasons. He also earned All-CAA Second Team honors and was named to the CAA All-Tournament and All-State teams.

Republic FC Laid Foundation With Fusion

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USL Feature

Monday, October 13, 2014

If you were looking for the foundation that Sacramento Republic FC’s USL PRO Championship side was built on, you could certainly start by taking a trip down the California coast to Ventura, Calif.

That is where, once upon a time, you would have found Rodrigo Lopez, Ivan Mirkovic, Mickey Daly and late-season addition James Kiffe all plying their trade with the PDL’s Ventura County Fusion, among others.

In all, seven of Republic FC’s championship squad played for the Fusion at some point, something Ventura County’s General Manager Ranbir Shergill takes a great deal of pride in.

“I think they started the season with six former Fusion players, and then as soon as our season finished, which is the beauty of it, they picked up two more players that had played well, so our players know they’ve always got to keep performing and you never know who’s watching,” Shergill said recently. “It’s obviously very pleasing. The key thing for us is getting the players in young, identifying players early, giving them a professional experience, giving them the right quality training and having the right philosophy on how we play the game on the field.”

The presence of former PDL standouts was certainly an undercurrent in the USL PRO Championship Game this year, with 15 of the players who saw action having gained experience in the top U-23 league in the country. Republic FC goalkeeper Jake Gleeson won a championship in 2010 with Portland Timbers U-23s, while Harrisburg City Islanders forward Robbie Derschang, pictured left, helped the Austin Aztex claim the title in 2013 before an excellent rookie season. Overall, 13 different PDL clubs were represented across the two teams.

None had more present than the Fusion, however, thanks in part to the strong ties between themselves and Republic FC. The common thread between the two clubs was Graham Smith, now the technical director for Sacramento after having spent many seasons with the Fusion.

“They come with a solid base. It’s a first-class PDL operation, this is its ninth year now, and I hope it lasts,” Smith said. “It’s a very good football club that gives players a chance. We’ve been able to look at these players on a regular basis – I actually live in Southern California, I spend half my time in Sacramento and half my time here – so I can see a lot of the PDL players, I can see the Fusion when I’m here and Sacramento aren’t playing, and I can see the other PDL teams, so I get the chance to look at them.”

At the forefront of Republic FC’s success this season, of course, was Lopez. Named the championship game MVP, Lopez was a standout throughout the season, but it was his semifinal performance that lifted Sacramento to a 3-2 victory against the LA Galaxy II that brought back memories for Shergill.

“Roro’s had a couple of different spells at the Fusion, including in ’09 when he was very influential,” he said. Lopez had also claimed Championship MVP honors as Ventura County defeated the Chicago Fire U-23 in the final five years ago. “The semifinal, both me and Graham were talking after the match, it was a little bit like the Fusion when we played our final. We were down to 10 men very early in the game, we got a last-minute winner to win the match, and I think that was the big one for Roro in the semifinal, getting the hat trick, performing that well to keep going. It was absolutely fantastic to watch and see all of those guys perform well, particularly in the semifinal and then picking up the MVP.”

Smith was also pleased for Lopez, and saw his game reach another level this year under the tutelage of Republic FC coach Preki.

“It’s very gratifying to see what Roro has achieved, and I’m personally delighted for him,” Smith said. “He’s a wonderful young man, and I think he’s actually learned. He learned by being with Preki.

“Preki is a disciplinarian, he doesn’t stand any nonsense. If a player’s not prepared to work then they won’t be around for very much longer, and with Roro, he’s always been an excellent passer of the ball, he has a superb range of passing, short and long, he can switch play very, very well, very, very quickly. He’s a tremendous dead-ball deliverer, he delivers a superb ball from wide positions, but the defensive side of his game was probably something he left a bit short.

“He had his chances in Major League Soccer, with Chivas USA originally and he had a spell with Portland, and I think part of the problem was the coaches that had him in the past, or the people who scouted him, they probably didn’t have the confidence in him that I did, because I knew what he could do.”

Lopez certainly repaid the faith Sacramento showed in making him the club’s first signing as he led the side to a championship, but others, such as Daly and Mirkovic, also both had big roles to play. So too did Kiffe, who joined the club after helping the Fusion reach the postseason this summer when Sacramento needed depth on its left side.

“Graham Smith was at a lot of our Fusion games looking at defensive players they could pick up,” Shergill said. “[Kiffe] went in there after the PDL season and made a huge impact. They were a little bit short on the left side, he’s gone straight into the starting lineup and done very well, so it’s very encouraging to see.”

For players like Kiffe, pictured left, or former Michigan Bucks defender Matthew Bahner of the City Islanders, the PDL has offered a gateway into the professional ranks for players that have flown underneath the MLS radar. The other gateway, and another path that the Fusion have worked to offer young players, has been the annual combines the club has arranged to allow players to compete and train with numerous professional clubs present. After successfully helping players move on to join Republic FC with a combine 12 months ago, Shergill and the Fusion are again starting their series of combines early this year, with a number of USL PRO clubs set to be present at their event on October 25-26, including three of the league’s expansion teams for 2015.

“We looked at that, and that was very successful, so this year we’re basically doing the same again,” Shergill said. “We’ve invited three USL PRO expansion teams because they’ll all be looking for players as well, and so that’s why we’ve got an event starting this early, because it gives them and early look at some potential players who may not have the ability to travel across country to go on trial. It’s cost-effective for California players to come to a combine in California, and at the same time they get to be seen by multiple clubs, which is really a bonus.”

Both the players and coaches in attendance will certainly be hopeful of a result similar to that which the Fusion’s former players found with Republic FC this year.

Arnold Happy With Hammers' Progress

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USL PRO Feature

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. – Before the season began, Wilmington Hammerheads General Manager Jason Arnold spoke of his aim to ‘re-ignite’ and ‘re-energize’ the historic club.

One year in, he is certainly pleased with the direction the club is headed.

“It was really, really good,” Arnold said while visiting the league offices last week. “Going into a market and a club that’s been established there since ’96, it was really cool. It has such a good foothold in the market, and coming in and seeing the opportunities there and the potential for growth, and acquiring and partnering with a youth club and bringing all of the youth players under the umbrella and seeing them running around wearing our Hammerheads crest, it’s been really cool.

“On the pro side, it was a successful year, making the playoffs. I think we made some strides on the field with our culture and style of play, and off the field in the front office, getting things geared up.”

Having previously worked as USL PRO’s Operations Manager, Arnold had a lot of insight from a league perspective that he brought to Wilmington with him. Stepping in as a professional club’s general manager for the first time was a very different experience, but one that he embraced as a means to expand his own perspective.

“I think I’ve learned to really challenge myself more,” Arnold said. “Being able to take risks and being able to see the big picture of everything, where you’ve got to make tough decisions sometimes, and the coaching [decision] was one of them, but even some of the decisions you’ve got to make in the front office - where are we investing, where are we going to put our efforts, what’s the right move, do we make this move and partner with a youth club, is it going to be good for the community long-term? [It was] really challenging myself to have the power to make those decisions and feel confident in them. It was hard, but it was good.”

The coaching decision, of course, was the decision to part ways with longtime coach and a man who had in many ways become the face of the Hammerheads during the past decade in David Irving. Arnold said Irving’s position as an outstanding ambassador for the club off the field, and a coach who produced winning sides and helped develop players that moved on to the next level, made that decision the hardest he had to make in his first season.

“It’s easy to say that none of us would be in Wilmington, the club wouldn’t be there without David Irving, so it’s a lot of credit to him for sticking with the club and going through the ups and downs that they went through over the years,” Arnold said. “It was a very tough decision, but as the general manager and working with our ownership group, you look at the big picture and how we progress this club, how do we move forward in the way that we want, it was a decision that we had to make. It wasn’t necessarily the timeframe we wanted to make it in, but it was what needed to be done.”

When Irving departed, the Hammerheads called upon recently appointed Technical Director Carson Porter to take over as head coach, and the results certainly justified Arnold’s move. In danger of missing the playoffs on August 21, the Hammerheads went on a six-game undefeated streak that bagged the 12 points they needed to reach the postseason.

“We were really excited by [Carson’s] hiring,” Arnold said. “Becoming the technical director he had some responsibilities as it relates to our youth side and for our parent youth club in New Jersey, and with his experience coaching and being involved with U.S. Soccer and coaching on the college level, he certainly had the experience to step in, so it was an easy transition to push forward in the direction of the style of play and the culture, and he did an excellent job and kept us in the mix for the second half of the season and fortunately got us into the playoffs.”

The other big decision Arnold and the Hammerheads made during the season was to partner with Cape Fear Soccer, which as Hammerheads FC Youth will allow a strong development model to be incorporated in the club’s foundation. With a number of former Hammerheads players involved with the club, Arnold said securing the partnership was one of the things he was happiest about in his first year.

“That was one of the biggest things coming into that market when I took over the job there,” Arnold said. “We’re a small market, and for us being a developmental club and helping develop players is really huge, and we look at any of the partnerships we get into as a win-win-win – win for us, win for them, win for the community – and this fit right into that perfectly.

“Partnering with what was Cape Fear Soccer, and is now Hammerheads FC Youth, was the right decision. They had the right people in the front office - former Hammerhead players, guys who were looking forward and could see the path soccer is taking in our country, and the importance of giving these players a proper avenue to not only play good soccer on the field, but the off-field stuff. Partnering with a professional team as well gives them players to look up to, and just the possibilities and things we can work together to do on both sides is great for the kids and great for the brand.”

Arnold is now looking ahead to next season, with one of the aims for the Hammerheads to enhance the club’s game-day experience. While the game will remain central for the club, Arnold understands that a night out at the game is something that fans want to enjoy beyond the 90 minutes of action on the field.

“We’ve got to have the right kind of product on the field, and play the right style of soccer that’s fun to watch, and we’ve been making those changes and we’re making moves toward that, but outside of that there are a lot of people who come to our games that just want to have a good time, and have a good experience, and it’s important to create that,” he said. “To make a fun atmosphere for families and our fans is really important, so next year we’re hoping to invest a little bit in enhancing the VIP Area, the group area and our beer garden, and really create a bit more of a festive atmosphere and an intimate environment.”

Arnold is also hopeful that the continued move toward regionalized play in USL PRO will allow the club’s fans, led by the Port City Firm, to follow the team more throughout the season. As the Charlotte Independence join USL PRO in 2015, alongside the Hammerheads’ long-standing rivalries with the Charleston Battery and Richmond Kickers, Arnold is looking forward to regional rivalries becoming a bigger part of the league.

“Being able to play these teams multiple matches, and then being within the proximity that our fans can go and support on the road games, it’s going to really help build that up and it’s something we’re excited about,” Arnold said. “We even have the Carolina Cup that’s down there that’s been passed around for years and has kind of fallen off a bit in years past. We were fortunate enough to win it this year, but I think that’s something that now is going to get built back up and put some prestige behind. If all those teams in our region work together, we can create a really cool structure with that.”

More than anything, though, Arnold is looking forward to seeing what the Hammerheads can become on the field next year. While their late-season surge came to an end at the hands of eventual USL PRO champion Sacramento Republic FC in September, the way the side played late in the season has Arnold excited to see what a strong returning group will be able to accomplish next spring.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how we take what we ended the season with, and how well the guys were playing, and how happy they were to be on the field and playing soccer,” he said. “I think that’s going to transition really nicely into next season, and I think our team’s going to be really fun to watch. I’m excited for the first game of the season already.”

Timbers Announce USL PRO Team

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Portland Timbers News Release -- www.portlandtimbers.com

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has formed Timbers 2 (to be referred to as T2), a professional team that will compete in USL PRO, a division of US Soccer below Major League Soccer.

T2 will begin competing in USL PRO during the 2015 season and play their home games at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland. The team will train at the club’s Timbers Training Center in Beaverton, Ore.

“I believe that MLS clubs with their own USL PRO teams in-market will have a competitive advantage on a number of levels,” said Merritt Paulson, owner/CEO of the Timbers. “This is a big investment for us and signifies our commitment to winning.” 

Season ticket deposits are now being accepted at www.timbers2.com or by calling (503) 553-5555. Supporters season tickets start at just $8 per game, and the club is accepting $25 refundable deposits at this time.

With the launch of the T2 USL PRO club, the team is offering supporters an unprecedented opportunity to engage with and influence the new club through their 1975 Trust program. The 1975 Trust gives supporters the chance to be a T2 founding member and to help shape the direction of the club from the beginning. There is no cost to join the 1975 Trust, and enrollment is open only during the inaugural season to the first 1,975 people who purchase season tickets. Members of the 1975 Trust will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of team decisions and activities, such as choosing team kits on match day, helping choose the food and beverage options available at home games, helping shape the creative direction on club design projects and the ability to attend club meetings.

Additional benefits of being a member of the 1975 Trust include special discounts at food and merchandise stands at Merlo Field, access to pre- and postgame hospitality areas, select team personnel question-and-answer sessions and commemorative memorabilia each season. 

"This is an exciting opportunity to grow a valuable partnership between the University of Portland and the Portland Timbers,” said Scott Leykam, University of Portland athletic director. “Part of being Soccer City, USA means working collaboratively at every level and this is just the latest example of the commitment this community has to growing the game of soccer. We are excited to be associated with one of the most progressive organizations in professional sports and look forward to working closely with the Timbers moving forward at one of the top collegiate soccer venues in the nation."

The T2 logo, unveiled for the first time Tuesday during a news conference at Providence Park in Portland, features a unique mixture of the current Timbers brand, while paying tribute to past iterations of the club in both the second division and North American Soccer League (NASL). The badge features the iconic Timbers MLS axe enclosed in a circle, representing unity, wholeness and the club’s pursuit of perfection. Behind the axe, the badge pays homage to the club’s history by incorporating the original and iconic chevron patter included in the first-ever Timbers mark. Furthermore, the typeface on the number in the badge is part of the same font family as the numbers found on the original 1975 Portland Timbers kits. 

Additional T2 announcements are expected in the coming weeks and months as the club prepares for its first season in USL PRO.  


Sounders Unveil USL PRO Team

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Seattle Sounders FC News Release -- www.soundersfc.com

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC announced today the launch of Sounders FC 2, a USL PRO team that will begin operations in 2015 at Starfire Sports. The team, known as S2, will operate under the management of Sounders FC and the Sounders Community Trust, an unprecedented, fan-owned organization that will hold a 20-percent interest in the team.

With an emphasis on development and community, Sounders FC 2 will provide a consistent and competitive professional environment for promising Academy players and certain First Team players to develop, as well as extend club access to supporters and increase opportunities to be involved with the organization.

“We are proud to announce the formation of S2 and complete the player development program that starts with our Academy and ends with the Sounders FC First Team,” said Sounders FC Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer. “The partnership with the Sounders Community Trust supports the club’s vision for a fan-involved sports organization that deeply values the input and perspective of its supporters.”

The club is also announcing the appointment of Andrew Opatkiewicz as Sounders FC 2 General Manager. Opatkiewicz has a decade of sports industry experience, with a targeted focus in professional soccer, including a background with Intersport, Stats LLC, Prozone Sports and former USL Premier Development League side Seattle Wolves FC.

S2 will base its operations out of Starfire Sports in Tukwila and play USL PRO regular-season games at Starfire Stadium.

“I am excited for the 2015 season at Starfire. Sounders FC has a strong Academy and deep First Team roster, so the club will benefit from the additional competitive matches,” said Opatkiewicz. “Over time I think this move will prove very important to the development of world-class First Team players from the Puget Sound. We also have the opportunity to do something unique by working with the Sounders Community Trust to involve our community in the management of this team, and Emerald City Supporters and other supporters to create an authentic and exciting atmosphere on match day.”

The first organization of its kind in MLS, the Sounders Community Trust is a charitable, fan and supporter-managed, non-profit organization that is being formed to assume a 20-percent interest of Sounders FC 2. The Trust will elect one representative to sit on the Second Team Executive Board with the purpose of both influencing and supporting the direction of Sounders FC through S2, as well as helping support access to soccer in the community.

As part of the launch of the Second Team, Sounders FC have created a Founders Club, which will partner with the Sounders Community Trust to provide members with various benefits, including Sounders Community Trust membership and full voting rights, discounted Second Team season tickets, in addition to access to exclusive events with players and staff. For a full list of details about the Founders Club and Sounders Community Trust, visit SoundersFC.com/SCT and SoundersCommunityTrust.org. All proceeds from Founders Club memberships will be allocated to a capital improvement project at Starfire Sports.

“From day one, Sounders FC has embraced the storied history of soccer culture in Seattle and has been progressive about involving supporters with the club,” said Sounders Community Trust Chairman Paul Cox. “The formation of the Sounders Community Trust is the next step in that process, and represents a deeper connection to the sport in our community.”

Portland & Seattle Launch USL PRO Teams

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USL PRO News Release

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. – The Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer announced today that they will launch stand-alone USL PRO teams, Portland Timbers 2 and Seattle Sounders 2.  “T2” and “S2”, as they will be known, become the seventh and eighth new franchises announced for the 2015 season. The Cascadia rivals will join the highly successful LA Galaxy II - who reached the 2014 USL PRO semifinals - as MLS-owned clubs in USL PRO, with more official announcements for the 2015 season expected in the coming weeks. 

T2 will play its home games at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland, while S2 will be based at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington. Both clubs also announced unique founders programs that provide participating fans with unique benefits including ticket discounts, private events and voting rights for team decisions. Andrew Opatkiewicz, with a decade of professional sports experience and a targeted focus in professional soccer, was announced as Sounders FC 2 General Manager.

“The addition of Seattle & Portland marks the beginning of the next phase of MLS owned and operated teams joining USL PRO, and the continued elevation in the competition and sophistication of our league,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said.  “As two of the best supported MLS clubs with roots in USL, we welcome these outstanding organizations into USL PRO for 2015. These announcements set off several new and exciting initiatives - both on and off the field - that will come from USL PRO during the next several months.”

Former long-time members of the USL professional division, both clubs have continued to operate teams in the under-23 PDL for several seasons and now add a crucial additional step in the path of progression for their young talent. The Timbers U-23s are the only club in PDL history to record a perfect season (2010), as they went 20-0-0 to claim the league championship. The Sounders U23’s claimed the PDL’s Western Conference Championship in 2012, when they were led by All-League selection and current USMNT star DeAndre Yedlin.

Portland joined USL’s professional leagues in 2001 and claimed regular season championships in 2004 and 2009. Last year was the club’s best in MLS to date, as it finished first in the Western Conference during the regular season, which secured a place in the CONCACAF Champions League. This season the club partnered with 2014 USL PRO champion Sacramento Republic FC, with goalkeeper Jake Gleeson playing a key role in Republic FC’s championship run.

Seattle Sounders FC became a member of USL’s professional divisions in 1994 and claimed four league championships before making the move to MLS in 2009. Since then, the club has claimed the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup four times, including this season, and currently sits on top of the MLS regular-season standings as it takes aim at its first Supporter’s Shield led by U.S. National Team standout Clint Dempsey and former Charleston Battery standouts Osvaldo Alonso and Lamar Neagle.

USL PRO featured 14 teams in 2014 with new franchises already announced for 2015 in Austin, Charlotte, Colorado Springs, Louisville, St. Louis, and Tulsa.

Mfeka Leads Weekly Award Winners

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PDL Feature

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

South Florida has made a strong start in the American Athletic Conference this season and moved into second place in the standings as the River City Rovers’ Lindo Mfeka had a pair of goals to lead the Bulls past Cincinnati on Saturday night. Mfeka’s performance earned the sophomore the AAC’s Offensive Player of the Week award, one of a number of current and former PDL players to be honored in Division I Men’s Soccer this past week.

Mfeka scored his first goal of the fall last Wednesday as the Bulls fell to Tulsa, but led a bounce-back 3-1 victory against Cincinnati that moved USF within a point of Southern Methodist at the top of the conference standings. The Bulls fell behind early in the second half against the Bearcats, but Mfeka’s two goals, including the game-winner, earned a valuable three points as USF pursues a second consecutive conference title.

IMG Academy Bradenton’s Connor Sparrow claimed the Big East’s Goalkeeper of the Week award as he led Creighton to a pair of victories. The Bluejays standout recorded a season-best seven saves in a 1-0 victory against Drake and added another pair of stops in a 2-1 win against Butler in a key conference clash. Reading United AC’s Keegan Rosenberry also took Big East honors, as the Georgetown standout earned the Defensive Player of the Week award as he scored the game-winning goal and helped keep DePaul without a shot in the second half of a 2-0 victory on Saturday night.

Fellow Reading United AC defender Jordan Wilson claimed the Conference USA Co-Defensive Player of the Week honor as he shone for Kentucky. The Wildcats recorded a pair of shutout victories as Parker anchored the side in a 1-0 win against No. 21 UAB. He shared the award with FC Tucson’s Riley McGovern, who recorded his first assist of the season in New Mexico’s victory against Missouri State. The Lobos’ senior has played every minute of the season this fall, and has played a key role in their three-game shutout streak.

Former Worcester Hydra player Taylor Washington was named the Atlantic 10’s Player of the Week as he led George Mason to an upset of No. 13 St. Louis on Sunday afternoon. Washington assisted on the Patriots’ game-tying goal against Dayton on Friday, and then bagged the winner with two minutes to go as Mason claimed its biggest win of the season so far against the Billikens.

The Austin Aztex’s Aaron Guillen claimed the Atlantic Sun’s Defensive Player of the Week honor as Florida Gulf Coast earned its third consecutive conference victory by defeating Northern Kentucky. Guillen, who helped the Aztex claim the 2013 PDL Championship, provided the assist on the Eagles’ opening goal as they took a 3-1 win to remain top of the conference standings.

The Ventura County Fusion’s Chase Minter was named the Big West’s Offensive Player of the Week award as he scored all three goals for Cal Poly as the Mustangs’ split a pair of contests last week. Minter scored with eight minutes to go to lift his side to a 1-0 win against UC Riverside, and then found the back of the net twice against Cal State Fullerton, only for the Mustangs to fall 3-2.

The Des Moines Menace’s Charlie Bales claimed his second consecutive Summit League Offensive Player of the Week award as he recorded a goal and an assist for Western Illinois in a pair of contests. Bales’ goal against Milwaukee proved to be the winner in a 2-0 victory for the Leathernecks, and he also provided the assist on the only goal in a 1-0 win against Omaha.

Former Puget Sound Gunners player Jordan Aidoud claimed the Horizon League’s Offensive Player of the Week award as he had three goals and an assist for Valparaiso in two contests. Aidoud converted from the penalty spot as the Crusaders took a 3-1 win against IUPUI last Tuesday, and had two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win against Wright State.

Vermont Voltage goalkeeper Andrew Coughlin was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week as he put in two solid performances. Against two of the MAAC’s best attacks, Coughlin only conceded once and recorded seven saves, including a shutout of Iona that allowed the Golden Griffins to claim their first win against the Gaels since 2004.

Finally, OC Pateadores Blues goalkeeper Jake Fenlason was named the Mid-American Conference’s Player of the Week as he recorded a six-save shutout against Bowling Green on Saturday night in the Zips’ conference opener. Fenlason helped the Zips hold onto a 1-0 halftime lead with four stops after the break.

W-League Dominates AAC Honors

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W-League & W-20 Feature

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. – W-League veterans swept three of the four weekly American Athletic Conference honors, as Laval Comets and current Memphis Tigers teammates Kylie Davis and Maryse Bard-Martel were named Offensive Player of the Week and Goalkeeper of the Week, while longtime Long Island Rough Rider defender Gabrielle Charno of UConn took Defensive Player of the Week to highlight the W-League and W-20 players recognized for their NCAA Division I performances last week. 2013 Super Y League U17 national champion Danielle Gottwik of VSI Tampa Bay FC rounded out the AAC honorees, earning Rookie of the Week.

Davis, a four-year veteran of the Comets, assisted on the game-winner against Cincinnati Thursday and scored the winner against East Carolina on Sunday. Bard-Martel, who spent 2014 with Ottawa Fury FC, only let one goal get past her in the two contests, recording seven saves in the 3-1 victory against Cincinnati and adding three saves as Memphis handed East Carolina its first road loss of the season.

Charno orchestrated a defense that held SMU and Houston to one goal in back-to-back road contests, playing all 200 minutes and holding the teams to eight combined shots on goal. Gottwik continues to have an impact for the Huskies as the freshman earned her third Rookie of the Week award after tallying the game-winning-goal and adding an assist in a 3-1 victory against SMU.

Two-year Carolina Elite Cobras standout Krystyna Freda tallied five goals in two games for Winthrop to earn Big South Attacking Player of the Week honors. Freda scored four goals at UNC Asheville on Wednesday to become Big South all-time points leader, and tallied her team’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw against Coastal Carolina Saturday. Carolina Elite’s leading scorer in 2013 with 11 points in 11 games, Freda took 14 shots in the two games -- including 10 on goal -- to lead Winthrop to its first conference points of the season.

Two-time W-League Goalkeeper of the Year Genevieve Richard of the Laval Comets continues to lead Wisconsin to new heights, earning her third Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award this season with a pair of shutouts and 13 saves in Wisconsin’s 0-0 draw against Iowa and 2-0 win against Northwestern. Richard earned her eighth and ninth shutouts of the season and ranks second in the Big Ten in both goals-against average (0.42) and save percentage (.889).

Nini Rabsatt-Smith of the Gulf Coast Texans scored a pair of goals and played a key role in South Alabama only allowing one goal in two overtime victories to be named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week. She helped USA post its eighth shutout of the year in a 1-0 OT win against Texas State, holding the Bobcats to four shots on goal. In the Jags' 2-1 overtime victory at Appalachian State Rabsatt-Smith accounted for both goals, giving USA the lead in the 58th minute before notching the game-winner at 94:32 to extend the team's unbeaten streak to a school-record tying 11 (10-0-1).

The Colorado Storm’s Diana Potterveld earned her second consecutive Summit League Offensive Player of the Week award after totaling seven points to help South Dakota State to an unbeaten week. Against Fort Wayne Potterveld had an assist and netted the tying goal in a 3-3 draw. Two days later, Potterveld factored into all three Jackrabbit scores with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 victory against Oral Roberts. Potterveld's efforts moved her atop the Summit leaderboard in league goals, assists and points.

Former North Jersey Valkyries forward Catherine Zimmerman took home Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors after recording the fifth hat trick in Providence history in a 3-2 overtime win against Butler on Sunday. The junior scored one goal per period, including the extra-time game-winner, for the first three-goal performance by a PC player since 2004.

Shannon Groffie of the New Jersey Wildcats took home the America East Rookie of the Week nod, as the UMass-Lowell freshman forward tallied a goal and an assist in a 1-0-1 week for the River Hawks. Groffie scored the first goal of the game for the River Hawks vs. Albany and later assisted on the game-tying goal in a 2-2 draw.

Western Michigan’s Irene Young, who helped Force Football Club Academy reach the 2013 W-20 Championship match, netted the lone goal in a 1-0 win at Akron to be named MAC Offensive Player of the Week. Young connected on a cross from Gina Maddi in the 21st minute to give the Broncos the lead, firing a career-best five shots in the win. On Sunday she set up the game-tying goal in the 68th minute against MAC East leaders Buffalo.

Reading United AC W-20 midfielder Emily Gingrich was named Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week after leading the Saint Joseph’s offense last week, tallying four of the team's five goals in two contests. On Friday in SJU's 3-1 win against Dayton, Gingrich tallied the game-winning goal and added the insurance goal to preserve a 3-1 victory. On Sunday Gingrich again proved to be dominant, tallying both goals against Saint Louis in a 3-2 overtime loss.

United States Opens Against T&T

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W-League Feature

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The U.S. Women’s National Team begins its pursuit of a place at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Wednesday night as it faces Trinidad & Tobago at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. to open group play at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship. All of the action can be seen live on Fox Sports 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Seventeen of 20 members of Jill Ellis’ squad have previously played in the W-League, and they will also face Guatemala and Haiti in the opening round. Seven of those previously played for the LA Blues, including 2014 NWSL Championship Game MVP Lauren Holiday, who made her 100th appearance for her country this past May.

Holiday is set to be part of a side that also includes 2011 W-League Rookie of the Year Sydney Leroux (Vancouver Whitecaps Women, Seattle Sounders Women). Now a standout for the Seattle Reign, Leroux leads the United States with eight goals this calendar year. She is followed by fellow W-League alum Abby Wambach (Rochester Ravens) with seven, while Carli Lloyd (NJ Wildcats), Christen Press (LA Blues) and Alex Morgan (LA Blues, Sounders Women) have five apiece.

Trinidad & Tobago advanced to the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in impressive fashion on home turf as it claimed victory in all four contests, capped by a 1-0 win against Jamaica in the final. Tasha St. Louis led the side with seven goals in four games, while Mariah Shade had six, but T&T will face a big step up in the quality of its opposition against the U.S., which is 22-1-0 all-time in World Cup qualifying.

The United States hosts a field of eight teams duringthe next two weeks. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, where the three automatic qualifiers will be determined as the semifinal winners and third-place game winner all advance to the Women’s World Cup. The loser of the third-place game will also have the opportunity to progress through a two-legged playoff against Ecuador in November.

All of the action from the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship can be seen on the Fox Sports family of networks, with former W-League players Cat Whitehill, Angela Hucles and Christine Latham set to be part of extensive coverage of the tournament as three teams book their places for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

United States Gets Past T&T

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W-League Feature

Thursday, October 16, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Former Rochester Ravens forward Abby Wambach had the only goal as the U.S. Women’s National Team earned a 1-0 victory against Trinidad & Tobago to open Group A play at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship at Sporting Park on Wednesday night.

The United States carried much of the game, but Trinidad & Tobago managed to withstand the pressure until the 54th minute when Wambach scored her 171st international goal off a cross by former Seattle Sounders Women forward Alex Morgan. The victory allowed the United States to sit tied with Haiti at the top of Group A after the Caribbean side earned a 1-0 victory against Guatemala earlier in the evening despite being down to 10 players for much of the game.

The U.S. had multiple chances to take the lead, but was thwarted by an excellent performance by Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Kimika Forbes. The first big chance of the game arrived in the 14th minute when former Sounders Women midfielder Megan Rapinoe's corner found former LA Blues forward Christen Press 10 yards out, but Forbes was able to make a solid save to keep the game scoreless.

Forbes again came up big with back-to-back saves late in the first half. She first denied former New Jersey Wildcats midfielder Carli Lloyd after a good give-and-go with Rapinoe, and then from the ensuing corner claimed a header by Wambach from Rapinoe's delivery. Wambach again went close early in the second half with a chip from 14 yards, only for Forbes to recover and claim the effort, but two minutes later Wambach wouldn't be denied as she scored her eighth goal this year with a powerful header from six yards out.

The United States tried to add to its lead, and Rapinoe twice went close with a pair of powerful shots that Forbes was able to keep out. In all, the Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper finished with eight saves, the last of which came in stoppage time as she denied a breakaway by 2011 W-League Rookie of the Year Sydney Leroux.

Ultimately, however, the United States claimed victory as former Sounders Women goalkeeper Hope Solo was forced into just one save. The United States now moves on to face Guatemala in its second group game on Friday night at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT, with all of the action available on Fox Sports 1.

 

Cavaliers Ready For Clash With Tigers

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PDL Feature

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Key conference clashes in the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 highlight this weekend’s slate of games in NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer, with a number of contests featuring current and former PDL standouts set to air on national television and online. Top 15 sides Virginia, Indiana and UCLA all face important games against conference rivals as the road to the postseason continues.

Clemson vs. No. 10 Virginia, Friday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3
The Cavaliers sit tied at the top of the ACC’s Coastal Division with a 3-1-1 record, but could get a test from the unranked Tigers, who are 3-2-0 in the Atlantic Division. Reading United AC’s Darius Madison has been a key in attack for Virginia so far this fall, as he sits tied for the team lead with three goals, while Northern Virginia Royals goalkeeper Calle Brown has recorded five shutouts in 10 starts for a 0.48 goals-against average. Clemson, meanwhile, is coming off a 2-0 win against Pittsburgh as Madison’s teammate with Reading, Manolo Sanchez, found the back of the net. The goal was Sanchez’s first of the fall to go with four assists, while Orlando City U23 midfielder Paul Clowes has added two assists and the Portland Timbers U-23s’ Kyle Fisher has a pair of goals.

No. 5 Indiana vs. Maryland, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
The Hoosiers extended their undefeated streak to seven games with a 2-1 victory against Ohio State last weekend that was preserved by Ocean City Nor’easters goalkeeper Colin Webb. The senior saved a penalty kick in the 89th minute to allow Indiana to claim its third consecutive victory and second this season in conference play. Former Des Moines Menace player Jamie Volmer leads the Hoosiers with three goals and three assists, while the Chicago Fire U-23’s Patrick Doody has notched two goals and three assists. The Terrapins also took an important victory last weekend as they ended Penn State’s pursuit of an undefeated season with a 4-0 victory that included a goal and an assist for Baltimore Bohemians midfielder Alex Shinsky. The Austin Aztex duo of Dan Metzger and Mikey Ambrose also had solid performances in the win, and Maryland will be hoping for more as it faces its second consecutive weekend with a clash against a Top-5 opponent.

No. 14 UCLA vs. No. 17 Oregon State, Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network
Both the Bruins and Beavers face important games on Thursday night before their clash at Drake Field, but will be looking to make a move in the conference standings as they enter the weekend at 1-1-1 in conference play. Both are coming off draws, with Oregon State having earned a 1-1 result against No. 1 Washington last weekend. Lane United FC’s Khiry Shelton leads the Beavers with seven goals and 10 assists, while the Portland Timbers U-23s’ Will Seymore notched his second assist of the season against the Huskies last Sunday. UCLA also finished tied 1-1 with Stanford as the OC Pateadores Blues’ Aaron Simmons scored his first goal of the season. Fellow Pateadores Blues player Leo Stolz leads the Bruins with five goals this season, while Reading United AC’s Larry Ndjock has scored three times and Ventura County Fusion goalkeeper Earl Edwards has posted a 0.70 goals-against average and six shutouts while playing every minute of the season so far.


Hoyas, Gators, Face Key Games

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W-League Feature

Thursday, October 16, 2014

A classic ACC rivalry and key games in the SEC and Big East highlight the weekend’s televised NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer action. Both No. 5 Florida and No. 6 North Carolina are set to feature W-League standouts as they look to maintain perfect conference records, while newly ranked Georgetown meets St. John’s with both teams sitting level on points in the Big East standings.

South Carolina vs. No. 5 Florida, Thursday, 7 p.m. ET, SEC Network
The Gators will try to continue their seven-game winning streak to start conference play as they visit the Gamecocks at Stone Stadium. Florida romped to a 5-1 win against Mississippi State in its last outing as former Atlanta Silverbacks Women standout Savannah Jordan, the 2013 W-League Rookie of the Year, had a pair of goals. Jordan leads the Gators with 11 goals and 25 points, and will try to add to that against a South Carolina side led by former Toronto Lady Lynx goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. The Canadian standout has posted a 0.41 goals-against average for the Gamecocks this season, and eight shutouts in 14 games, while Carolina Elite Cobras forward Savannah McCaskill has featured in SC’s attack with two goals and three assists, good for second on the team in points.

St. John’s vs. No. 25 Georgetown, Thursday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3
Both the Hoyas and Red Storm are undefeated with 4-0-1 records in the Big East going into Thursday’s game at Belson Stadium. At the center of Georgetown’s strong performance has been former LA Blues midfielder Daphne Corboz, who assisted on all four goals in the side’s last outing, a 4-0 win against Marquette. Corboz leads the nation with 16 assists this season, and has also added seven goals, while the Atlanta Silverbacks Women’s Grace Damaska has also chipped in four goals. St. John’s, meanwhile, has been led by another Blues standout, Rachel Daly, who has seven goals and an assist this season. Long Island Rough Riders goalkeeper Diana Poulin has also had a solid season for the Red Storm with six shutouts in 14 appearances and a 1.19 goals-against average.

Duke vs. No. 6 North Carolina, Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3
The Blue Devils moved back above .500 in ACC play with victory in their last outing against Wake Forest. Now they welcome their oldest rival, which has begun conference play with six consecutive victories. The Washington Spirit Reserves’ Kara Wilson has been a key figure for Duke so far this season, with the defender leading the team in minutes played. Former Toronto Lady Lynx midfielder Rebecca Quinn has had two goals and two assists for the Blue Devils. North Carolina, meanwhile, has seen important contributions from the LA Blues’ Paige Neilsen, who has two goals and one assist, while Wilson’s teammate with the Spirit Reserves, Satara Murray, has led a Tar Heels’ defense that has posted a 0.80 goals-against average this season.

Galaxy II Head For Exhibition in Colorado

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LA Galaxy II News Release -- www.lagalaxy.com

Thursday, October 16, 2014

CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy II will participate in the COS Pro Soccer Kickoff held by 2015 USL PRO expansion club Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Los Dos will take on Arizona United SC on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Sand Creek Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. with kickoff set for 5 p.m. PT.

LA Galaxy II and Arizona United both completed their inaugural season in USL PRO during the 2014 season. Led by head coach Curt Onalfo, Galaxy II went undefeated against Arizona in their four matches, earning a 2-0-2 record, while finishing the 2014 USL PRO season in third place, advancing all the way to the semifinals of the 2014 USL PRO Playoffs.

Tickets for the COS Pro Soccer Kickoff may be purchased online at www.switchbacksfc.com.

During the club’s visit to Colorado, Galaxy II will also receive a private tour of the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs courtesy of owner Philip Anschutz of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). Opened in 1918, the Broadmoor Hotel is the longest-running consecutive winner of both the AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star awards. 

LA Galaxy II Season Ticket Memberships begin at just $6 per game. For more information on LA Galaxy, LA Galaxy II memberships, or group and single tickets, visit www.lagalaxy.com or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299).

Gleeson Called Up By New Zealand

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Portland Timbers News Release -- www.portlandtimbers.com

Thursday, October 16, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has been named to the New Zealand National Team roster for a pair of international friendlies against China on Nov. 14 and Thailand on Nov. 18, it was announced today. The 24-year-old is coming off a strong season in USL PRO on loan with Sacramento Republic FC, where he was a finalist for the league's Goalkeeper of the Year award.

The All Whites travel to face China on Friday, Nov. 14, in Nanchang before heading to Bangkok to square off against Thailand on Tuesday, Nov. 18. New Zealand last played China in November 2012, earning a 1-1 draw in Shanghai. The most recent match against Thailand was a 3-1 loss in Bangkok in March 2009.

Gleeson has made six appearances for New Zealand since 2011 and was included on the 2012 London Olympics squad. In his last appearance for New Zealand, Gleeson played 90 minutes as a starter in a 4-3 win over Solomon Islands on June 10, 2012, in the third-place match at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Nations Cup.

While on loan with USL PRO side Sacramento Republic FC this season, Gleeson compiled an 11-2-2 record in 17 matches, while registering 47 saves and six shutouts to help Republic FC win the USL PRO championship. Gleeson finished the season third overall in USL PRO with a 0.92 goals-against average.

With the Timbers, Gleeson made three saves to help the team to a 6-0 win over Alpha United FC of Guyana in CONCACAF Champions League group play at Providence Park on Sept. 23.

Charlotte Announces Behrman As COO

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Charlotte Independence News Release -- www.charlotteindependence.com

Friday, October 17, 2014

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Independence of USL PRO today officially announced the hiring of Michael Behrman as Chief Operating Officer. Behrman, who also is an investor in the team, brings over 25 years of experience in finance, sports and entertainment operations, strategic planning and the capital markets to the Independence.

Behrman most recently served as Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer for the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats and Memphis Grizzlies, where he oversaw all financial operations for both the teams and their arenas. He was instrumental in securing naming rights, television deals and salary cap management.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to join the ownership group of the Charlotte Independence and to be a part of the talented management team here,” said Behrman. “I look forward to helping grow the soccer product in Charlotte and breathing vitality into beautiful, historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. Charlotte has all the necessary ingredients to be a Major League Soccer market and we are excited to demonstrate that potential.”

Prior to his work with the Bobcats and Grizzlies, Behrman held positions with the Disney Company in Los Angeles and Orlando, Merrill Lynch Int’l based out of England and Japan, and Goldman Sachs in New York. While at Disney, Behrman was part of the opening team of Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex (now branded ESPN). He was an integral part of growing Disney’s soccer business, including partnering with Major League Soccer to bring its 1998 All Star game to Orlando.

“I am excited to reunite with Mike, someone I learned a lot from while we worked together at the Bobcats,” said Independence President & Managing Partner Jim McPhilliamy. “I know he shares my goal of working to make Charlotte a better place to live by bringing great sports teams to town. We share a similar set of values that places doing what is right by our community, fans and staff ahead of short-term gains. Mike will help bring a level of organization and planning to our team that will help us move forward successfully. Plus, he’s way smarter than me which really helps.”

A native of Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y., Behrman earned an MBA in Finance & Corporate Accounting from the University of Rochester following his completion of a BS in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at Princeton University. Behrman was an All-Ivy League tight end on the Princeton football team and was later offered a tryout with the Washington Redskins.

Behrman holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA) and is past Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the North Carolina CFA Society. He currently serves on the Executive Advisory Committee of the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business at the University of Rochester and mentors student-athletes in the Queens University of Charlotte Emerging Leaders program.

In his spare time, Behrman coaches his son Daniel’s soccer team and is active in the Charlotte competitive swim community.

U.S. Aims To Improve vs. Guatemala

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W-League Feature

Friday, October 17, 2014

The United States Women’s National Team faces Guatemala in its second group game of the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship looking for greater sharpness in front of goal tonight at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Former W-League players Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan combined for the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Trinidad & Tobago in their opening game of the tournament, which also serves as qualifying for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

Wambach’s goal in the 54th minute against Trinidad & Tobago lifted the United States into a tie for first place with Haiti, which the side plays in its final group contest. The former Rochester Raven’s goal was her eighth this year for the United States, but she and the rest of the attack will be aiming to convert more chances on Friday night after finishing with only nine shots on goal from 29 total in their opener.

The United States could clinch passage to the semifinals with a win on Friday, depending on the result in the night’s previous contest between Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago. Should Haiti earn at least a point a victory would send Jill Ellis’ side through, and it would be one win away from a place at next year’s World Cup.

Guatemala struggled in its opening game as it fell against Haiti despite having a player advantage for much of the contest. Haiti goalkeeper Cynthia Chery was sent off in the 17th minute, but the Guatemalans were unable to take advantage as Geralda Saintilus saved the ensuing penalty. They also hit the crossbar three times, and fell to a goal by Lindsay Zullo that made getting something from Friday night’s game crucial to their hopes of advancing.

The United States, which includes 17 former W-League players in its squad, will try to put an end to that and set up the chance to win the group when it faces Haiti on Sunday in its final game of the group stage. Friday night’s action can be seen live on Fox Sports 1 at 8 p.m. CT, with JP Dellacamara and former W-League player Cat Whitehill on the call.

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