VCCL
Virginia Club Champions League
News Archives:
• Roanoke Star player Parker Walsh represents U17 National Team. Read More>
• Brittany Michels invited to U17 US National Camp. Read More>
• The rising U17 SOCA Lightning boys team beat Ajax America 2-1 to capture the SuperClubs National Championship in Orlando, Florida. Read more>
• The Roanoke Star U14 Boys recently won the US Club Soccer National Championship in Greensboro, NC. Read more>
• Three Roanoke Star youth soccer teams - two U15 Boys teams and the U14 Girls squad - participated in the Gothia Cup held July 17-July 22 in Goteborg, Sweden. Read more>
• The Williamsburg Soccer Club and the Colonial FC have announced that effective immediately they will become one soccer club to serve the needs of the greater Williamsburg soccer community. Read more>
• The Roanoke Star U14 Boys won the US Club Region C Championship, 2-1, over a talented Lafreniere Gamblers, LA, team on June 20 in Jacksonville, FL. The team will be heading to Greensboro, NC, for Nationals on July 28-31. Read More
• VYSA Champions for the 2005-2006 Cup in the U11 -U18 Boys and Girls age groups have been determined, and five VCCL boys' State Cup teams will be headed to the Region 1 Championships to be played at Hampton Roads Soccer Complex, June 29 to July 4, 2006. Congratulations and best wishes to U19 Williamsburg Wizards, U15 Richmond Strikers Orange, U14 Reston RFC '91, U13 Beach FC Fire Red; and U12 VA Rush Swoosh (8v8). Congratulations also to the eleven VCCL teams who reached the semifinals and/or finals. Read More>
• SOCA’s U16 Boys Lightning Heading to National Championship. Read More>
• Final standings for the Spring VCCL season are now available. Read More>
• VCCL U14 representative girls team competes in 2006 Spring Classic at the Dallas Cup. Read More>
• VCCL U14 representative boys team competes in 2006 Dallas Cup. Read More>
• Roanoke Star player Parker Walsh selected to US Youth Soccer ODP 1991 All Star Team. Read more>
• Beach FC U18 Fyre Player, Nichole Moore, Named to the 2005 NSCAA/ADIDAS Girls Youth All-America Team. Read more>
• Former FC Richmond Mystx ’85 player Emily Renkin Named to the Division III NSCAA College All-American Team. Read more>
• WSC Community Partnership Receives Grant to Expand Program. Read more>
• Richmond Striker standout Will Bates was selected to compete in the US National Pool. Read more>
• Roanoke Star player Parker Walsh was selected for the U15 National Team. Read more>
• Richmond Strikers Chantel Jones has been named to the 2005 Adidas Youth All-America Team. Read more>
• Former Roanoke Star Player Smith Garners Post-Season Honors. Read more>
• Kristin Stannard named to the 2005 NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-America Team. Read more>
• Beach FC Coach Karl Greaves named to The W-League Hampton Roads Piranhas coaching staff. Read more>
• Former Beach FC Goalkeeper Colby Owen Joins The W-League Hampton Roads Piranhas. Read more>
• VCCL Showcase for girls cancelled. Read more>
• VCCL College Showcase for Boys. Read more>
• VCCL teams dominate Virginia showing in Region 1 Championships. Read more>
• VCCL College Showcase a great success again. Read more>
• VCCL places 18 of 32 teams at Virginia State Cup Final Four in Richmond. Read more>
• Former Roanoke Star player Karbassiyoon scores on Arsenal debut. Read more>
Parker Walsh selected for the US Soccer Under 17 '91 Men's National Team
The team played in the Mondial Minimes International Tournament against National teams from Europe including England and Ireland. Parker, a U15 player from the Roanoke Star, also visited the IMG Academy in Florida before his trip and attended a French League soccer game between Lyon and Bordeaux. Parker entered the England game at the 76th minute and started the game with Ireland. The US tied England 0-0, and lost to Ireland 1-2.
Beach FC player invited to US U17 National Camp
Brittany Michels, Beach FC U17 Piranhas, was invited to the U17 US National Team Camp November 18-25 in Boca Raton, Florida.
SOCA U16 Boys Win SuperClubs National Championship
The Rising U17 SOCA Lightning boys team beat Ajax America 2-1 to capture the SuperClubs National Championship in Orlando, Florida. Midfielder Logan Collins scored the game winner in the final match to secure the victory for the Charlottesville side.
SOCA qualified for the national championship tournament by finishing second in the March Eastern Regional qualifier.
“This is a team that has done everything right from the start,” said SOCA Director of Coaching Dan Rosensweig. “Focusing on technique and building out of the back at U12, they took some lumps early on. But it has paid off.”
Soccer National Champions Hail From Roanoke
The Roanoke Star U14 Boys recently won the US Club Soccer National Championship in Greensboro, NC. This is the first National Soccer Champion team from the Roanoke area.
The team qualified for the National Finals after a very tough Regional tournament in Tallahassee, FL, where they defeated five teams on their way to the Regional title. That exciting victory meant the next stop was Greensboro, NC, for Nationals.
Starting slowly with a 1-1 tie against the North Stars from PA, the team played two games over the next two days winning 3-0 against both Middlepath FC from NY and Sporting FC from IL.
These two victories set the boys up for a rematch against North Stars in the final. After a hard fought game the Roanoke Star came away with a deserved 3-1 victory.
The boys showed tremendous character and discipline to take the title and complete what was a great year for them. Over the course of the year the team finished as VCCL champions and State Cup runners-up as well as winning several tournaments.
Team members are Chase Barnett, Jonathan Overton, Parker Walsh, Chris Vail, Johnny Hughes, Mark Bixler, Matthew Russel, John Henry Ostrowski, Trey Gaylor, Benton Riordan, Justin Syharath, Ben Radford, Eric Imhof, Cameron Chavira, Tyler Farrar and are coached by the Roanoke Star Director of Coaching, Graham Maclean.
Williamsburg Soccer Club and Colonial FC Join To Become Virginia Legacy Soccer Club
The Williamsburg Soccer Club and the Colonial FC have announced that effective immediately they will become one soccer club to serve the needs of the greater Williamsburg soccer community. This new soccer entity will combine the resources, personnel, and players of Colonial FC, Williamsburg Indoor Sports Center (WISC), and the Williamsburg Soccer Club, which combined, have more than 40 years experience in providing quality soccer offerings to families in the greater Williamsburg soccer community.
“This is the greatest possible situation for soccer to grow in this area,” said Al Albert, former head men's soccer coach at W&M for 33 years. “I can't imagine a better opportunity for youth players than what we will now be able to provide for the families of both clubs.'”
This new soccer entity will be called the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club. Club colors will be black and white, with red trim. The club's home fields and facilities will be at the Warhill Park and the Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex off of Longhill Road.
Virginia Legacy SC’s board will consist of Stuart Spirn, Jeffrey Smith, John Tarley, Bob Behncke, Martha Mattheisen, Andy Jacobs, Steve Dunkle, Chris Haywood, Jeff Dominguez, Drew Mearns and Al Albert. Spirn, the elected president of the new board, had this to say: “ There is great excitement amongst all of the new board members to bring together all the soccer entities in town to serve the children of this area. The Virginia Legacy will offer an unbelievable array of soccer and sports programs for all ages and levels of play.”
Richard Butler will assume the leadership of the combined travel program.
Jeff Dominguez will join Al Albert and Drew Mearns to form an Executive Director Committee which will oversee all administrative activities of the club.
Chris Scrofani will continue to oversee all indoor soccer activities of the club at the WISC and participate in all aspects of the outdoor programs as well.
The Premier Developmental League, the Williamsburg Legacy, will also continue to operate as part of the greater Virginia Legacy Soccer Club. The Legacy PDL team is composed of former and present college players, many of whom are former club, high school and college players from the Williamsburg area.
Roanoke Star Teams Return from European Soccer Tourneys
Three Roanoke Star youth soccer teams - two U15 Boys teams and the U14 Girls squad - participated in the Gothia Cup held July 17-July 22 in Goteborg, Sweden. Known as the "Youth World Cup," the Gothia Cup is the world's largest youth soccer tournament. This year's event featured 1,567 teams from 69 different countries. This is the 12th year that Roanoke Star teams have been accepted into the prestigious tournament.
The U14 girls team, playing in the U15 age group, qualified for the A championship after winning pool play, making it all the way to the semifinal round before losing a hard fought match to eventual winner SoCal United from Southern California.
The U15 Boys Premier side played in the U16 Division where 168 teams battled for the title. They also finished first in pool play qualifying for the A championships. After posting a solid 3-0 win over Damasksif in the first round, the boys lost to Sweden's top ranked U16 squad from Stockholm 4-0.
Meanwhile, the U15 Classic team pulled a stunning 3-2 upset over a strong Sweden side IFK Vasteras on the opening day of Gothia play. They ended up finishing third in their pool play and competed well in the B championship flight, ultimately succumbing to a strong German team.
Prior to participating in the Gothia Cup, the teams warmed up by playing in the Helsinki Cup which featured approximately 800 teams from 30 countries. Both the Boys and Girls Premier sides won their respective pool play and competed for the A championship. The U15 Boys Premier Squad lost a heartbreaking game 2-1 to Allianssi Ju on penalty kicks after both sides took ten shots each. The girls U14 Premier side lost 1-0 to prestigious AS Roma in the semi-finals round.
Collectively, the Star teams finished their European campaigns 19-6-8. The U15 Boys Premier finished 7-2-2, the U14 Girls Premier 9-3-1 and the U15 Boys Classic 3-1-5.
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Back row (left to right): Danny Beamer, Johnny Hughes, Trey Gaylor, Jonathan Overton, Chris Vail, Matthew Russel, John Henry Ostrowski, Parker Walsh, Mark Bixler, and Chris Penton.
Front row (left to right): Justin Syharath, Eric Imhof, Tyler Farrar, Ben Radford, Cameron Chavira, Benton Riordan, and Chase Barnett
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Roanoke Star U14 Boys win the US Club Region C Championship
The Roanoke Star U14 Boys won the US Club Region C Championship, 2-1, over a talented Lafreniere Gamblers, LA, team on June 20 in Jacksonville, FL. The team will be heading to Greensboro, NC, for Nationals on July 28-31.
Star was focused the entire tournament, with bracket wins over Memphis FC 5-0, NASA, GA 1-0, Goldstar, NC, 3-2, and a tough semi-final against Strictly Soccer, FL 3-2 OT. The final was a tribute to the hard work and determination the U14 Boys had shown throughout the tournament. In the seventh minute, Roanoke Star struck first when Cameron Chavira scored from a corner kick by Justin Syrath. From that point, Star remained in control until the 62nd minute when Lafreniere equalized with a brilliant header to make it 1-1. Two minutes later, Roanoke Star answered when Parker Walsh connected with Chavira (2) to take the lead they would never relinquish.
“The U14 Boys are a tribute to the Roanoke Star family and Graham Maclean… this proves what can be accomplished when a team dedicates themselves to being the best they can be. There was never a time during this tournament when they didn’t work harder than their opponent,” said Chris Penton, Assistant Director of Coaching.
The U14 team finished second in the Virginia State Cup. They defeated VA Nike Rush 2-0 in the semi-finals and lost in double overtime to Reston FC in the finals. It was a great game with Reston coming back in the end to win it. There were 32 teams in the U14 boys State Cup.
SOCA’s U16 Boys Lightning Heading to National Championship
SOCA’s U16 Boys Lightning team is headed to Disney World this summer, but unlike the masses making their festival pilgrimage to frolic with the Mouse, the players will be all business when they arrive in Orlando.
By virtue of a second place finish in the Eastern Regional soccer tournament in March, SOCA was invited to compete for the SuperClubs National Championship from July 16-20.
“The boys are really looking forward to it,” said SOCA Assistant Coaching Director Brian Kuk who will be taking over the team from Mike Greiner at the conclusion of the national championship. “Not only will they get to go toe to toe with some of the best teams and players in the nation, they’ll have a once in a lifetime opportunity to earn the right to call themselves national champs.”
The tournament will take place on the perfectly manicured fields of the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex, a facility which annually hosts such high-level soccer events as the ACC championships. It pits the top teams from eight separate regionals that took place around the country this spring.
“We held our first tryout for next year this past weekend and you could feel the excitement bubbling in the air,” said Kuk. “The boys get excited when their high school seasons come to a close and they are able to start playing and training together again. They know that, beginning with the National Championship, this is going to be a huge year for them.”
Kuk noted that the U17 club season is the most important one for the players in terms of college recruiting. He expects the majority of the team to receive college offers at the conclusion of next year.
Parker Walsh, Roanoke Star ‘91, has been selected for the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development 1991 All Star Team
Walsh was selected after attending the U15 Boy's National Team Camp held recently in Carson, California. The All Star Team will be making a trip to France and Italy May 13 to May 22, 2006.
The U.S. Youth Soccer All Star Trip is a semi-annual event sponsored by adidas America and has been an integral part of the Olympic Development Program. This will be the fifth trip and will focus on the 1991 age group.
The trip is coordinated with the U.S. Soccer National Teams Program, and National Team Coaches have aided in player selection. In addition to coaches from Region II and Region IC, the staff on the trip will include a U-17 Residency Coach scouting players for the possibility of selection to the U-17 Residency Program.
The trip includes training and friendlies in the Paris, France, area followed by a tournament near Torino, Italy.
 Richard Bothe and Kristin Stannard Named 2005 Virginia Gatorade HS Players of the Year
Richmond Kickers U18 Roger Bothe has been named the Virginia High School Gatorade Player of the Year. After leading his team to the first state title in the history of Thomas Dale High School, Roger Bothe was selected as the Gatorade 2005-06 Virginia Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Bothe is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced later this month. Roger recently committed to play at The College of William and Mary and will be attending in the Fall of 2006.
Kristin Stannard, FC Richmond Mystx/Magic, was named the 2005 Virginia Gatorade High School Player of the Year. First introduced in 1985, the Gatorade Award was one of the first national awards to honor high school athletes. Winners of the state awards are automatically eligible to be named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. State Winners are selected not only for their outstanding athletic performance, but for academic achievement and individual character as well.
Kristin is a senior midfielder at Clover Hill High School in Midlothian, Virginia. She is a member of the National Honor Society and carries a 4.8 grade average while completing an advanced curriculum degree including numerous AP courses. Kristin has played club ball with FC Richmond for the past 6 years. She played as a center midfielder with the FC Richmond '86 Mystx team, helping her team to win the WAGS Tournament in 2004 and to the finals of Virginia State Cup in 2004 and semifinals in 2003. Kristin currently plays with the FC Richmond Magic '86/'87 team, competing against U18/19 boy's teams in the prestigious Virginia Club Champions League (VCCL). Kristin was recruited to play for Stanford University and will join the Cardinal in the fall of 2006. Congratulations Kristin!
Beach FC U18 Fyre Player, Nichole Moore, Named to the 2005 NSCAA/ADIDAS Girls Youth All-America Team
A total of 84 players were named to the 2005 NSCAA/Adidas Girls Youth All-America Team. Twenty-three of those chosen had earned the honor previously, while seven were also selected to the NSCAA/Adidas Girls High School All-America Team. All 84 of the honorees will be invited to the NSCAA All-America Luncheon, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, as part of the 2006 NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia, PA.
 Former FC Richmond Mystx ’85 player Emily Renkin Named to the Division III NSCAA College All-American Team
Emily is only the second female player in Christopher Newport University’s history to be honored by being named to the College All-American Third Team. She was the USA South 2005 Conference Player of the Year and was named to the USA South All-Conference first team for the second year in a row. Emily set a single season scoring record at Christopher Newport University in 2005 with 17 goals and 38 points. Christopher Newport University’s Women’s Soccer Team has advanced to the NCAA tournament during both years in which Emily was a member. They advanced to the Elite 8 in 2004, before losing to the eventual National Champion, Wheaton College, Illinois.
Emily credits Lee McCullough, an FC Richmond PDP Director, for her development and mentorship during her early years and Ted Jones for her FC Richmond experience and tour overseas.
WSC Community Partnership Receives Grant to Expand Program
The Williamsburg Community Health Foundation has awarded the WSC Community Partnership a $10,000 grant to expand the program to a second school.
The WSC Community Partnership was conceived in 2003 as an effort to make soccer more inclusive in the Williamsburg Area. Initially the Grove Community in Williamsburg was identified as a target area for clinics, camps and recreational league activities.
With the grant the program, the expanded program now includes D.J. Montague. Through cooperation with Principal Larry Walk, scheduled activities began with a winter assembly program. Between the two schools, the goal is to serve well over 100 children this spring and have four teams in the county recreation program.
Website: http://www.williamsburgsoccer.com/communitypartnership.html
Richmond Striker standout Will Bates was selected to compete in the US National Pool
Richmond Striker standout Will Bates was selected to compete in the US National Pool with 48 other top U15 players from around the United States at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, California from Feb. 25 to March 4.
Roanoke Star player Parker Walsh was selected for the U15 Boy's National Team
Parker's trip will take him to the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Including travel days, the trip is from February 25th through March 4th. This camp will help the National team coaches for the upcoming year assess the pool of players born in 1991. A total of 48 players were selected from across the US for this camp.
Richmond Strikers Chantel Jones has been named to the 2005 Adidas Youth All-America Team
Richmond Strikers Chantel Jones has been named to the 2005 Adidas Youth All-America Team. Chantel is a U18 National Team Goalkeeper with extensive national and international experience and recognition: U16 Brazil Tour National Team; U17 Brazil Tour National Team played against Germany, Mexico, Canada, & Brazilian club teams; 2005 Adidas Cup Champions with the Region I ODP Team; 2005 NSCAA Girls Youth All-America Team; and Soccer Buzz Top 25 Recruit.
Chantel will attend the University of Virginia.
Former Roanoke Star Player Smith Garners Post-Season Honors
Former Roanoke Star player Donny Smith was named an NSCAA Division III All-American and Old Dominion Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Year. Donny is a senior at Roanoke College.
Kristin Stannard named to the 2005 NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-America Team
 Kristin has played club ball for FC Richmond since she was 12 years-old and participated in District, State and Regional Olympic Development programs for the past 4 years. In 2005 Kristin was named to the U-17 U.S. National Women’s Team and competed internationally against Brazil, Germany, Japan and Mexico.
Kristin played as a center midfielder with the FC Richmond '86 Mystx team, helping her team to win the WAGS Tournament in 2004 and to the finals of Virginia State Cup in 2004 and semifinals in 2003. Kristin currently plays with the FC Richmond Magic '86/’87 team, competing against U18/19 boy’s teams in the prestigious Virginia Club Champions League (VCCL).
Dave Amsler, FC Richmond’s Director of Coaching, credits Kristin’s success to her hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence on and off of the field. “Having coached thousands of players spanning my 35-year soccer career, with 347 former players playing at the collegiate level and 13 National Team players, I can tell you that Kristin is a rare talent,” says Amsler.
Kristin was honored Saturday, January 21 at the 2006 NSCAA Convention All-America Luncheon.
Beach FC Coach Karl Greaves named to The W-League Hampton Roads Piranhas coaching staff
Karl Greaves has been named an assistant coach for The W-League Hampton Roads Piranhas.
Greaves, who is entering his 23rd year as a coach, will continue to serve as Girls Director of Coaching for Beach FC, Virginia Beach Travel Soccer Inc. Greaves is also the head coach of the Beach FC U18 Piranhas, and head coach for the South East Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. He has also served as a Virginia State coach for the ODP program for the past 5 years.
Greaves is no stranger to the college game as well. He has trained players who have gone on to play collegiate soccer in every region of the country. He previously worked as an assistant coach with the Christopher Newport University Women’s program in 2000, leading to their first conference tournament title and selection to the NCAA tournament. A former college player himself, he played at Christopher Newport University in the nationally ranked men’s program in the mid 80’s.
Beach FC is the exclusive youth program of The Hampton Roads Piranhas Women’s USL – W-League Team.
Former Beach FC Goalkeeper Colby Owen Joins The W-League Hampton Roads Piranhas
Colby Owen, a freshman goalkeeper from Virginia Beach, will tend the nets for the Piranhas.
Owen, a two sport athlete from powerhouse Cox High School was named First Team All-Tidewater, First Team All-District, First Team All-Region, and Second Team All-State as a junior. A team captain, she won the Outstanding Defender Award and led her team to three district and regional championships and three state quarterfinals. Cox was ranked as high as 19 nationally in the NSCAA high school poll. Owen was also a captain for her Beach FC club squad and the Cox field hockey team.
Beach FC is the exclusive youth program of The Hampton Roads Piranhas Women’s USL – W-League Team.
12/07.05
By Richard Butler
Contact Information:
Williamsburg Soccer Club
(757) 220-3794
www.williamsburgtournament.com
VIRGINIA CLUB CHAMPIONS LEAGUE COLLEGE SHOWCASE FOR GIRLS CANCELLED
To all team representatives:
I am sorry to announce the 2005 Virginia Club Champions League Showcase for Girls has been cancelled for the upcoming weekend.
The fields at Striker Park are still under snow from Monday night and the Richmond Strikers have closed their complex down. I have tried to get another facility but, unfortunately, to no avail. I am sorry about the situation as the Showcase has grown in stature over the years and has become a great venue to showcase all of our players. If you have hotel reservations do not forget to cancel them immediately.
Our Board of Directors will meet in a couple of weeks to discuss the appropriate refund for each team. You will not receive a full refund, because we have incurred administrative expenses. However, we will do our best to arrive at a -fair- amount. Please do not contact me about the refund before I have the opportunity to get back to each of you.
Richard Butler
Director of Coaching
Williamsburg Soccer Club
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11.28.05
By Richard Butler
Contact Information:
Williamsburg Soccer Club
(757) 220-3794
www.williamsburgtournament.com
For immediate release...
VIRGINIA CLUB CHAMPIONS LEAGUE COLLEGE SHOWCASE FOR BOYS
On Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4, 2005, the Virginia Club Champions League (VCCL) College Showcase, a showcase of top-level soccer teams for college coaches, will take place at the Warhill Sports Complex, in Williamsburg, Virginia. The event will once again be a venue for showcasing the top players and teams from the VCCL in the U16, U17 and U18/19 age groups. The VCCL is made up of nine very competitive clubs from across the state. Beach FC, FC Richmond, Reston FC, Richmond Kickers, Richmond Strikers, Roanoke Star, SOCA, Virginia Rush and the Williamsburg Soccer Club constitute the VCCL which was established in 1997.
Each team from the VCCL will play one 90 minute game against competition from outside the VCCL on each day. Last year the showcase drew over 50 college coaches. Over 30 coaches have already pre-registered for this year's event. The beautiful Warhill Sports Complex with six adjoining fields is the perfect venue for college coaches to wander around and watch potential players.
For details on the teams attending, the schedule, college coaches attending and pre-registered and directions please go to www.williamsburgtournament.com.
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06.10.05
By Richard Butler
Contact Information:
Virginia Club Champions League
(804) 288-0497
president at vcclsoccer.com
VCCL CLUB TEAMS DOMINATE VIRGINIA SHOWING IN REGION 1 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Four Virginia teams advanced to the finals. Three of these teams were VCCL club teams:
Beach FC Fire U12 Boys - Finalist
Reston FC '91 U13 Boys - Finalist
Reston FC '85 U19 Boys - Champions
Three Virginia teams received the coveted FAIR PLAY AWARD. Two of these teams were VCCL Club teams:
Beach FC Fire U12 Boys, coached by Jonathan Hall
Richmond Strikers Orange U15 Girls, coached by Shannon Richard
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12/09.04
By Richard Butler
Contact Information:
Virginia Club Champions League
(804) 288-0497
president at vcclsoccer.com
For Immediate Release...
VIRGINIA CLUB CHAMPIONS LEAGUE COLLEGE SHOWCASE A GREAT SUCCESS AGAIN
The Virginia Club Champions League (VCCL) has just completed its Annual College Showcase last weekend. The Showcase is split over two weekends and hosted by the Williamsburg Soccer Club. The girls Showcase was held November 20 and 21 and the boys December 4 and 5. 79 total teams attended the Showcases and nearly a hundred college coaches were in attendance. The girls Showcase was held at Striker Park in Richmond and attracted 32 teams in the U16, 17 and 18/19 age groups. 42 college coaches were on hand to watch the two day competition. The boys showcase, held in Williamsburg at the Warhill Sports Complex, brought in 47 teams in the U16, 17 and 18 age groups. Over 50 college coaches watched the two day event. For scores and colleges attending go to www.williamsburgtournament.com and for more information on the VCCL go to www.vcclsoccer.com.
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10.28.04
By Richard Butler
Contact Information:
Virginia Club Champions League
(804) 288-0497
president at vcclsoccer.com
VIRGINIA CLUB CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLACES 18 of 32 TEAMS AT THIS WEEKEND'S VIRGINIA STATE CUP FINAL FOUR IN RICHMOND
The Virginia Club Champions League (VCCL) clubs will be represented well this weekend at the Virginia State Cup Final Four for U15, 16, 17 and 18 boys teams and the U15, 17, and 18 girls teams. The event is to be held at Striker Park in Richmond, Virginia. 18 of the 32 teams at the Final Four will be VCCL teams. This equates to 50% of the teams participating. The VCCL consists of 8 of the top clubs in the state of Virginia. Each of the eight clubs will be represented by at least one semi finalist led by Reston FC with 8 participants:
Reston FC - Northern Virginia region – U15, 16, 17 & 18 boys, U15, 17 & 18 girls
Beach FC - Southeastern Virginia region – U16 boys, U16, 17girls
Soccer Organization of Charlottesville Albemarle - West Central Virginia region – U15 boys, U17 girls
FC Richmond - Central Virginia region – U17 boys, U18 girls
Williamsburg Soccer Club - Southeastern Virginia region – U18 boys
Richmond Kickers Soccer Club - Central Virginia region – U18 boys
Richmond Strikers Soccer Club - Central Virginia region – U15 girls
Roanoke Star Soccer Club - South Western Virginia region – U16 girls
It is believed that this the first time that a league in the United States has ever been represented by all of its participants in a USYS State Cup Final Four. Marc Nichols, Director of Coaching for Roanoke commented: "The VCCL is the blueprint for the future of soccer leagues. All decisions are made by soccer professionals in the interests of the kids and the game. The fact that so many teams from the VCCL are in the final 4 is no fluke."
The Virginia Club Champions League was founded in January 1997 for boys' teams U-11 through U-18/19. Play began in the Fall of 1997. In June 2000 girls' teams were added with play beginning in the Fall 2000 season. Beginning with the Fall 2001 season, VCCL adopted seven-a-side play for all U-11 teams as recommended by USSF. The VCCL is managed by a Board of Directors made up of the Directors of Coaching of its members clubs: Beach FC, FC Richmond, Reston FC, Richmond Kickers, Richmond Strikers, Roanoke Star, SOCA and Williamsburg SC.
To be a member of VCCL clubs must have several minimum standards in place. These include a full time Director of Coaching who can make decisions for his/her club, quality playing facilities and a club that can embrace the forward thinking of the VCCL member clubs. The club concept is of utmost importance to the VCCL clubs. Unique to the VCCL is the coordinated traveling schedule. Each club's entire contingent of teams travels together to all away games. Start times are staggered allowing coaching directors to watch and coach several games at one location on the same day.
In the last six months the VCCL have brought in the Richmond Kickers Soccer Club and Reston FC, two of the top clubs in Virginia. They had shown over the past year that they were building towards the club concept and have proven to be a good addition to the league. "The club format of VCCL provides me with an easy way to monitor player and team development on a weekly basis. Not only am I able to see what our players need to work on, but I can also monitor their progress throughout the season. Such a format greatly facilitates my job as a Technical Director to identify weaknesses and to take necessary measures to ensure adequate player development." Commented Ihor Dotsenko, Kickers Technical Director.
The VCCL was the brainchild of Dave Amsler the FC Richmond Director of Coaching. Richard Butler, Director of Coaching for the Williamsburg Soccer Club, noted how the concept came to fruition, “In January 1997 Dave pulled myself, Danny Beamer (Roanoke Star) and Bob Bigney (Beach FC) together at our annual convention. He had been working on a new concept of league play after many years of dissatisfaction with leagues around the state. Quite frankly, it was a revolutionary concept. Unfortunately, once we all decide to go with the idea and run a league that was based on professionals making decisions we were all, in one way or another, chastised. But as a group we have made this league the best one in Virginia. We as soccer professionals make soccer decisions and I believe that we have a proven product that others across the nation can learn from”.
The VCCL is now eight years old. Throughout the years the league has added a League Select team for the best U14 male and female players from each club to be chosen to. The boys’ team competes at the highly prestigious Dallas Cup and the girls’ team plays in the Spring Classic Girls Invitational Soccer Tournament held in conjunction with the Dallas Cup over the Easter period each year. The teams are chosen by the directors of coaching and selection is based on overall performance throughout the fall during league play. The VCCL Showcase is a thriving soccer showcase for VCCL U16, 17 and 18/9 boys and girls teams. It has is a unique format where teams only play one game per day thereby maximizing players abilities. Both the boys and girls events each fall attract over 50 college coaches from across the nation. Dennis Blackmore, the Executive Director for Beach FC added, “ The VCCL continues to be one of the most progressive leagues in Virginia and the United States. The flexibility gained by having "soccer" people administering the league has proven to be a key ingredient of the ultimate goal of player development. The league continues to offer more programs to promote our players.”
State Cup play begins at 9:30am at Striker Park on Saturday morning with subsequent games at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm on four fields. The finals are also scheduled for Striker Park and will be played at on three fields on Sunday from 9:30am onwards. Dan Rosensweig, Director of Coaching for the Soccer Organization of Charlottesville Albemarle said, “The success of VCCL teams in this year’s State Cup demonstrates the depth and quality of the league as well as the commitment on the part of all the clubs toward long-term player development.”
For more information on the Virginia Club Champions League please log on to www.vcclsoccer.com. For details on the Virginia State Cup go to www.vysa.com. All inquiries about the Virginia Club Champions league should be directed to VCCL (804) 288-0497 or to president at vcclsoccer.com
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10.28.04
By Marc Nichols
Contact Information:
Roanoke Star Soccer Club
(540) 345-7820
KARBASSIYOON SCORES ON ARSENAL DEBUT
The stuff that dreams are made of. Last night in the brand new Commonwealth Stadium, Manchester, England 19 year old Danny Karbassiyoon made his Arsenal debut. Former Roanoke Star player Karbassiyoon, in his second year as a full professional at arguably the worlds number one club, came off the bench in his teams 3rd Round Carling Cup game away at Manchester City.
The City team which included the likes of current and former England internationals such as Shawn Wright-Phillips, Trevor Sinclair, Danny Mills and Robbie Fowler had fallen a goal down to a strike from Dutch starlet Robin Van Persie.
Enter Karbassiyoon.
Brought on to help quell for foraging runs of Wright-Phillips the young American had ideas of his own. After dragging Mills out of position and making a run in behind the City right back Karbassiyoon received an inch perfect pass from Francesc Fabregas. Taking a touch inside Karbassiyoon composed himself for an historic strike as he slammed the ball into the far corner from an awkward angle. The youngest American to score in an English competitive game then celebrated his goal with the widest of smiles.
A late Robbie Fowler goal for City, his 200th in competitive fixtures, was not enough as Arsenal held on to their 2-1 advantage.
A quick shower and a, "well done Danny" from Mr. Wenger saw Karbassiyoon enter the team bus for the journey back to London. It was probably this morning when he arrived at the Arsenal training ground to defend against Thierry Henry, as Arsenal prepare for their Premiership game against Southampton this weekend, that Karbassiyoon realized it was not a dream.
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