Atlanta Fire United Soccer Copryright 2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com News from Atlanta Fire United Soccer Meet Susanne Tucker AFUSA's Dedicated Trainer for Players and Parents 09/08/2011 12:29 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/560871.html Please welcome Susanne Tucker, our own dedicated trainer who is now available to all AFUSA members.  If you haven’t met Susanne yet you can find her near the concession stand at Scott Hudgens Park, treating everything from minor scratches to possible concussions.  

 
Susanne comes to us from McNeese State where she recently served as Head Athletic Trainer. She also played softball at Valdosta State and knows how valuable real-time medical care can be to an athlete.  Additionally, Susanne is a second generation trainer, following in the footsteps of her father who worked for Valdosta State.

This three-way partnership with Sports South, Gwinnett Medical Center and Atlanta Fire United SA will benefit our players, referees and families by offering access to medical services provided by a professional trainer Monday through Friday, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Saturdays from 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM, and Sundays noon to 5:00 PM (arrive early for taping/wrapping).  This service is offered at NO additional cost to you and all medical equipment is provided by Gwinnett Medical and Sports South.  If an immediate hospital visit is necessary an imaging script will be written allowing the injured player to bypass the emergency room at Gwinnett Medical Center and go straight to imaging or radiology - no waiting and no cost for triage!
 
"We are proud of this new relationship with Sports Medicine South and the Gwinnett Medical Center" comments Mark MacKain, AFUSA Director of Operations.  "Coaches and players have expressed how this simple act of employing a full time trainer has made their lives so much easier.  Players don’t have to tape their own ankles and parents have an expert on hand for more serious matters.  For us, this partnership isn’t about the money, it’s about providing the best environment to treat or prevent soccer related injuries and we are proud to be the first Club in Atlanta to bring this arrangement together. "  

"I feel more secure that someone is right here to help us out." says Dallas von Bereghy,  U18G ECNL player. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/560871.html AFUSA's Danielle Marcano has Returned from the National ID Camp 09/16/2011 03:12 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/552203.html By Melinda Grest/AFUSA Reporter 

Danielle Marcano, our own National ID Camp participant, has returned from the National ID camp held at the University of Portland, Oregon, from July 31st through August 7, 2011.  I met with Danielle on the fields Thursday to get the details of her experience.  

The camp included 72 nationally selected U14 girls, and training consisted of a 2 hour morning session and 2 hour afternoon session, with evening classroom sessions.  Danielle explained that the girls were tested in areas of speed, agility and quickness and she was the third most fit and the fastest of the group.  "I didn't feel like it was overload, I liked it," says Danielle.

In the end, 36 players were chosen to attend the California Development Camp, a process that will eventually lead to the National Team. Once you are 17, you can be selected to play for the Women's National Team and eligible to participate in the World Cup. For now, Danielle is returning to her club team, but she will move through the ODP process once more and hopefully one day play in the World Cup! 

Danielle hopes to play at UNC or Duke and has some advice for players interested in playing soccer at the highest level: "Always work your hardest even when you feel frustrated. Be a coachable player and always a good team player."

"Dani is a special player that deserves to be in the National Pool. She has an exceptional natural talent, but she has also worked very hard to expand her understanding of the game and her ability to affect the game without the ball as much as she affects the game with the ball. I am proud of her for the progress she has made this year." Denny Jenkins, U14 ECNL Girls Coach Atlanta Fire United.

You can watch Danielle play with her Atlanta United Fire Team at Scott Hudgens Park field #1, Saturday, October 22nd against Carmel United from Indiana.
]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/552203.html Atlanta Fire United SA Girls U13 Elite - 2011 Georgia State Cup Champions! 06/13/2011 10:43 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535792.html Columbus, GA - The Atlanta Fire United (AFU) u13 Girls Soccer team won the Georgia State Soccer Association (GSSA) State Championship by beating Concorde Fire South 2-1 in the final on Sunday in Columbus.  The victory capped off a nearly flawless tournament in which AFU won all 3 games in group play the previous weekend and easily defeated Concorde Central Saturday in the semi-final by a score of 3-1. 

Dani Marcano scored both goals in the championship game after tallying two assists in the semi-final.  Clara Gastaldi assisted the game winning score by slotting a perfectly weighted ball in front of a streaking Marcano, who beat the last defender and the goalkeeper to touch the ball into the goal.  "The championship was won because the players were determined to make it a team effort in which everyone would play a role.  This was evident by the fact that we had at least 5 different players score goals.  The players that our opponents wanted to shut down often drew 2 and 3 players before dishing the ball off to teammates who were in position to score, often unmarked.  I am proud of the way this group has embraced the team mentality this year.  It is a huge factor in our success", said head coach Denny Jenkins.

The u13 girls proved to be one of the better teams in AFU’s history this year by winning 44 games with only 4 losses and 9 ties in tournament and league play.   The team, comprised of 10 state ODP pool players,  won the state’s highest select league (Athena A) two seasons in a row and won multiple tournaments including the Concorde Challenge cup and the Norcross Nike Cup. 

Players on AFU’s Championship roster include:  Haley Salvador, Kinsey Dziwura, Kayla Thomas, Riley Pinion, Kendall Towe, Casey Couch, Julia Smith, Stephanie Lee, Kendall Parks, Jordyn Missel, Ambria Shutts, Isabelle Grest, Clara Gastaldi, Dani Marcano, and Kelly Hart.

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535792.html Atlanta Fire United SA Girls U15 Elite - 2011 Georgia State Cup Champions! 06/13/2011 10:39 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535791.html Columbus, GA - Atlanta Fire United Soccer Association would like to congratualate the Girls U15 Elite team for a fantastic performance in being crowned the 2011 Georgia State Cup Champion. The Girls U15 Elite, coached by Mirza Mustafic, went undefeated throughout the tournament and will now be heading to the USYSA Region 3 Southern Regionals to be played on June 16-22 in Murfeesboro, TN.

2011 Georgia State Cup Summary:


Round Robin - 2 wins 1 tie
Semi’s beat NASA 3:0
Finals beat TopHat 1:0
 
No goals allowed in finals weekend and only one goal allowed entire tournament. Played in very difficult conditions close to 100 degree weather.  This is the 2nd State Championship for the ’96 Elite Girls team, now we are going off to regionals in Murfreesboro, TN June 16 - 22.

 

 

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535791.html Atlanta Fire United SA Boys U13 Elite - 2011 Georgia State Cup Finalist! 06/13/2011 10:45 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535795.html Columbus, Ga - The U13 Boys Elite team enjoyed an excellent State Cup battling adversity, playing from behind, and showing sheer determination before losing in the finals to Concorde 3-1.  After coming through group play with a 2-1-0 record, the boys played AFC Lightning in an epic semi-final.  Falling behind 2-0 with 15 minutes to play in the game, the team mounted a furious comeback capped off by scoring off a set piece on the last kick of the game to send the match into overtime.  Neither team scored in the OT leading to PKs to decide who would move on to the finals.  After 8 rounds of Kicks, the AFU GK saved the Lightning player's attempt to send AFU to the finals.
 
The finals would not be as kind to AFU as Concorde scored an early goal 10 minutes into the game and 2 more times early in the second half.  The boys continued to show great effort and scored a late consolation goal with 4 minutes to play ending the game 3-1 Concorde. 
 
"It was a fantastic learning experience for the boys and great character builder when dealing with how to continue to believe in their style of play and never give up despite how the game may be going.  I look for the boys to use this loss in the finals as motivation to improve in Super Y this summer, National Premier League, and Classic 1 in the Fall."

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535795.html ECNL News - Atlanta Fire United u16G Are On Fire!!! 09/20/2011 09:57 AM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/564701.html With 162 games across the five age groups, last weekend was truly a coming out party for the newly organized ECNL.  For the first time, a wide range of clubs competed in conference matchups from Georgia to Wisconsin to Southern California.  ESPNHS takes a look at some of the top stories from last weekend, and looks ahead at games to watch this weekend.  See the ESPNHS Club Notes.

Under-16

Southeast: Atlanta Fire United hot through five games

The U16 Atlanta Fire had a solid weekend, with a pair of 2-0 victories over Charlotte SA and Carolina Elite SA.  Forward Jessica Sexton netted two goals in the Sunday game against Charlotte and recorded an assist in Saturday’s win.  The pair of victories pushes Atlanta Fire to 5-0-0 on the season.

“Jessica is a very aggressive player,” coach Mirza Mustafic said. “She’s very athletic, good with the ball, and she works hard on the field to create opportunities for herself and for her teammates.  It’s her quickness that allows her to breakthrough, set people up, and put herself in position to score.”

But Mustafic says the key to Fire’s success is their defense.  The squad allowed just six goals in 12 matches last season, thanks to a back line anchored by Delaney Fechalos and Lauren Pinion, as well as goalkeeper Meredith Carson.  The Fire have established themselves as the team to beat at U16 level in the Southeast.

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/564701.html Four AFUSA Teams Qualify for Super Y Nationals 09/15/2011 01:14 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/563389.html AFUSA Super Y Teams Qualify for Nationals 

Congratulations to the following teams and coaches on qualifying for the Super Y Nationals in Tampa December 2011:
 
Coach Denny Jenkins - U13 Girls
 
Coach Darren McKune - U13 Boys
 
Coach Nathan Borror - U14 Girls
 
Coach Mirza Mustafic - U14 Boys 
 
The U13B Super Y Team completed an undefeated 10-0-0 season scoring 52 goals and only allowing 9 goals against in winning the South Atlantic Division qualifying for Super Y Nationals in Tampa later this year.  The boys were consistent throughout the summer with new teammates being added, a change in formation for the team, and challenging competition from the division.  Coach Darren McKune’s thoughts..."The summer is always a tough time of year to play with various family trips, extreme heat, and travel forcing us to be creative in the boys playing positions they were unaccustomed to playing before.  I felt this enhanced their soccer acumen and allowed the team to be successful week after week.  The success of the summer season gives the team a lot of positive momentum going into the Fall Classic 1 season and preparation for Nationals in December."
Coach Nathan Borror’s AFUSA U14G team qualified for Super Y National’s December 2-6, in Tampa, FL.  The 21 girls played on 7 different teams during the Spring 2011 GSSA Season; at 4 different clubs throughout the metro Atlanta area.  This Super Y season the girls finished 7-4-1.  They ended in a 3 way tie for second place with Cobb FC and the Northern Virginia Majestics. AFUSA U14G won the tie-breaker by goal differential. AFUSA’s total was 24, with Cobb FC 11 and Northern Virginia Majestics 5.
 
Making it to Tampa came down to the last weekend of the season, where the girls needed a win and a tie. On the Saturday game, the girls twice came from a goal down to earn a hard fought 2-2 tie, and make the Sunday last game of the season meaningful.  Our girls came thru on Sunday with a 3-1 victory to earn a second place slot and trip to Tampa in December.
]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/563389.html Follow Atanta Fire United Soccer Association On Twitter! 04/27/2011 11:54 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/521482.html http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/521482.html Team Picture Order Form and Instructions 09/16/2011 09:30 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/561689.html See the enclosed Photo-ventures form for parent instructions, product samples, order form, and coach gift information.
 

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/561689.html AFUSA's Danielle Marcano has Returned from the National ID Camp 09/16/2011 03:12 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/552203.html By Melinda Grest/AFUSA Reporter 

Danielle Marcano, our own National ID Camp participant, has returned from the National ID camp held at the University of Portland, Oregon, from July 31st through August 7, 2011.  I met with Danielle on the fields Thursday to get the details of her experience.  

The camp included 72 nationally selected U14 girls, and training consisted of a 2 hour morning session and 2 hour afternoon session, with evening classroom sessions.  Danielle explained that the girls were tested in areas of speed, agility and quickness and she was the third most fit and the fastest of the group.  "I didn't feel like it was overload, I liked it," says Danielle.

In the end, 36 players were chosen to attend the California Development Camp, a process that will eventually lead to the National Team. Once you are 17, you can be selected to play for the Women's National Team and eligible to participate in the World Cup. For now, Danielle is returning to her club team, but she will move through the ODP process once more and hopefully one day play in the World Cup! 

Danielle hopes to play at UNC or Duke and has some advice for players interested in playing soccer at the highest level: "Always work your hardest even when you feel frustrated. Be a coachable player and always a good team player."

"Dani is a special player that deserves to be in the National Pool. She has an exceptional natural talent, but she has also worked very hard to expand her understanding of the game and her ability to affect the game without the ball as much as she affects the game with the ball. I am proud of her for the progress she has made this year." Denny Jenkins, U14 ECNL Girls Coach Atlanta Fire United.

You can watch Danielle play with her Atlanta United Fire Team at Scott Hudgens Park field #1, Saturday, October 22nd against Carmel United from Indiana.
]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/552203.html Atlanta Fire United Soccer Association Delaney Fechalos Off To U15 Girls National Team Camp 06/13/2011 11:23 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535810.html

AFUSA defender Delaney Fechalos attended the US u15 GNT March 2011 camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. Official press release from US Soccer:

U.S. U-15 GNT Heads to The Home Depot Center for First Camp of 2011

CARSON, Calif. (March 12, 2011) -- The U.S. Under-15 Girls’ National Team will come together from March 20-27 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., for its first training camp of the year under the direction of Jill Ellis. Twenty-four players have been called up, all born in 1996, and the squad will play matches against the Cal-South ’95 Girls’ State Team (March 23) and the Cal-South ’94 Girls’ State Team (March 26). The U-15 event will be held concurrently with a U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team training camp. Some of these players – the top ones in the pool – may be in contention for spots on next year’s U-17 Women’s National Team that will attempt to qualify for the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan, which has an age cutoff date of players born on or after Jan. 1, 1995.
U.S. U-15 Roster By Position:


GOALKEEPERS (2): Penelope Edmonds (Match Fit Chelsea; New York, N.Y.), Abigail Pyne (Black Bear United; Dixmont, Maine)

DEFENDERS (8): Paige Crowley (MVLA Lightning; Los Gatos, Calif.), Schuyler Debree (Match Fit Chelsea; Fair Haven, N.J.), Delaney Fechalos (Atlanta Fire; Suwanee, Ga.), Monica Flores (SDFC Lynx; Livingston, N.J.), Sabrina Flores (SDFC Lynx; Livingston, N.J.), Chloe Hemmingway (West Coast FC; Irvine, Calif.), Mariah Lee (Washington Premier FC; Covington, Wash.), Annie Mejia (Arsenal FC; Bloomington, Calif.)

MIDFIELDERS (10): Betsy Brandon (Colorado Rush; Littleton, Colo.), Megan Buckingham (Michigan Hawks; Novi, Mich.), Jordan Di Biasi (Colorado Rush; Littleton, Colo.), Maddie Huster (Ohio Elite; Cincinnati, Ohio), Reilly Martin (Carmel United SC; Carmel, Ind.), Genevieve McGowan (FC United; Lake Forest, Ill.), Rilka Noel (Michigan Hawks; West Bloomfield, Mich.), Haley Pounds (Challenge SC; Spring, Texas), Rebecca Rasmussen (Colorado Nike Rush; Golden, Colo.), Sarah Robinson (MLVA Lightning; Los Altos, Calif.)

FORWARDS (4): Sarah Chase (West Coast FC; Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.), Imani Dorsey (SAC United; Elkridge, Maryland), Mikaela Harvey (Lonestar SC; Liberty Hill, Texas), Gabriella Kaplan (MVLA Lightning; Emerald Hills, Calif.)

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535810.html Atlanta Fire United Soccer Association Hosts 5th Annual Girls College Soccer Prep Camp 06/13/2011 11:17 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535807.html

This past weekend  players from AFU, Tophat, Dacula and UFA participated in the 5th annual College Soccer Prep Camp
hosted by Atlanta Fire United.
 
Coaches from Georgia, Georgia State, Alabama, Kennesaw, Carnegie Mellon, Coastal Carolina, UNCG and the University
of Missouri were all in attendance, evaluating players and making contact with potential college recruits.
 
"Players were shown  what college expectations are both on and off the field with two days of training and 1 1/2 hours of Q&A
tackling topics ranging from when and how to approach scholarship availability to the pitfalls of Facebook,  says Mark MacKain
AFU's Director of Girls Coaches . When players finish the camp and ask if we are going  to do this again next year, I know we
did a good job.  I think it's safe to say that every college here came back with a list of players they now have on their recruiting
lists.  We will continue the education by encouraging college visits and email communication so all of our players get the best
opportunities possible in the next 6 - 18 months."

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/535807.html Chicago Red Stars join WPSL for 2011 04/27/2011 11:24 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/521472.html

The Chicago Red Stars are joining the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for the 2011 season. The Red Stars played during the 2009 and 2010 seasons in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), and the organization elected to take a hiatus from WPS to shore up its investment group.

"We will have familiar Red Stars players and other WPS players from last season to field the best women's soccer team between the coasts," said Red Stars Co-Owner Arnim Whisler. "The roster will also have some of the most exciting young players on the U.S. Women's National Team's U-23 roster, and several college all-stars and future professionals. We can't wait to see the Chicago Red Stars on the field again."

"Its really exciting to have a class organization like the Chicago Red Stars joining our league," said WPSL Commissioner Jerry Zanelli. "We look forward to them bringing their professional expertise to our amateur-based league. Arnim [Whisler] is a champion of women's soccer and it'll be great working with him."

Red Stars fans will be in for a treat as the team takes the pitch in the WPSL throughout June and July, with two home games taking place on July 2 & 10 at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex (5700 College Road) in west suburban Lisle, IL. Tickets are $10 for general admission seating. For more information, visit http://www.ChicagoRedStars.com.

The Red Stars roster will include former Atlanta Beat and St. Louis Athletica forward Amanda Cinalli (a Notre Dame alumna); Geneva, IL native and 2010 Red Stars midfielder Jackie Santacaterina (a University of Illinois alumna); Elk Grove, IL native and 2010 Red Stars defender Elise Weber (Notre Dame); Naperville, IL native and 2010 Red Stars forward Michele Weissenhofer (Notre Dame); Aurora, IL native and 2011 All-Big East Conference First Team midfielder Bri Rodriguez (West Virginia); former Chicago Red Eleven midfielder and current Lewis University (Romeoville, IL) women's assistant coach Kara Kabellis; and Batavia, IL native and recent University of Illinois defender Julie Ewing.

The Red Stars will be coached by Eclipse Select Soccer Club's Director of Coaching and Player Development Rory Dames. Dames is a Chicago native and former standout at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. Dames joined Eclipse in 1996 and has taken the club to national prominence. Soccer America named Eclipse the top girls soccer club in the nation in 2007 and 2008.

The Red Stars will announce their full 2011 WPSL schedule and roster additions shortly. For the latest news, visit http://www.ChicagoRedStars.com.

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/521472.html U.S. U-14 Boys National Team to gather in Carson, Calif. for training camp 04/27/2011 11:22 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/521471.html The U.S. Under-14 Boys’ National Team will convene for a training camp from May 1-8 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Head coach Manny Schellscheidt has called upon 38 players, including 20 from U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs, as the team comes together for the first time since a trip to Mexico in January.

There are 31 players returning from that trip to Mexico, which was the first international training camp for players born in 1997. Schellscheidt and his coaching staff will guide the team through two training sessions per day and scrimmages with local Development Academy clubs scattered throughout the week. The team will also take in the Major League Soccer game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls on Saturday evening.

U-14 BNT Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (4): Cameron Keys (Lehigh Valley United; Whitehall, Pa.), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes Academy; Alamo, Calif.), Parker Siegfried (Newark Area SA; Granville, Ohio), Justin Vom Steeg (Santa Barbara SC; Santa Barbara, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (8): Billy Abdallas (Cosmos Academy West; Monterrey Park, Calif.), Guillermo Bermudez (Albion SC; San Diego, Calif.), David Chavez (Juventus Forza; Redwood City, Calif.), Malcolm Jones (Cosmos Academy West; Chino Hills, Calif.), Jean Orvil, Jr. (West Pines United; Miramar, Fla.), Erik Pritschau (PFC; Perry, Ohio), Tommy Redding (FC America Premier; Oviedo, Fla.), Max Stiegwardt (Minnesota Thunder Academy; Maple Grove, Minn.),
MIDFIELDERS (16): Mukwelle Akale (Minnesota Thunder Academy; Minneapolis, Minn.), Chester Castellaw (Real So Cal; Hidden Hills, Calif.), Jeremy Colvin (LAFC Houstonians; Houston, Texas), Coy Craft (Fusion FC (Glade Springs, Va.), Collin Fernandez (Chicago Fire Juniors; Downer’s Grove, Ill.), Cameron Lindley (Indiana United Academy; Carmel United), Konstandin Moni (Crew Soccer Academy; Grand Rapids, Mich.), Caleb Moore (South Carolina United; Rock Hill, S.C.), Pablo Pelaez (Albion SC; San Diego, Calif.), Martin Salas (FC Dallas Juniors; Dallas, Texas), Peter Schropp (Omaha FC; Omaha, Neb.), Shannon Seymour (Chicago Fire Juniors; Bourbonnais, Ill.), Benjamin Swanson (Crew Soccer Academy; Grove City, Ohio), Alejandro Vergara (Cosmos Academy West; Long Beach, Calif.), David Villegas (Elk Grove Everton; Sacramento, Calif.), Sean Wilson (PDA; Bethlehem, Pa.)
FORWARDS (10): Marc Calderon (South Bat Gunners; Hunt Park, Calif.), Malcolm Dixon (New York Red Bulls Academy; Glenridge, N.J.), Stephen Elias (New York Red Bulls Academy; Rye, N.Y.), Andre Garcia (CV Manchester Academy; Lemon Grove, Calif.), Holden Hmiel (Piedmont Triad; High Point, N.C.), Alex Knox (Indiana United Academy; Carmel, Ind.), Christian Lucatero (LAFC Houstonian; Pasadena, Texas), Amirgy Pineda (Fullerton Rangers; Santa Ana, Calif.), Christian Pulisic (PA Classics; Hershey, Pa.), Christian Ramirez (FC Dallas Juniors; Farmer’s Branch, Texas)

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/521471.html Claudio Reyna on lessons learned from foreign youth clubs 04/27/2011 11:20 PM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/521470.html Claudio Reyna, who was named U.S. Soccer’s Youth Technical Director one year ago, has traveled the world to observe the most successful youth programs – including FC Barcelona.

Reyna’s research, and his own experiences, culminated in the Federation’s new curriculum for youth coaches, which was released last week.

Upon the unveiling of "U.S. Soccer Curriculum," Reyna spoke to Soccer America's Mike Woitalla about what had impressed him about the youth programs that he found worth emulating.

Among the traits of these youth coaches that stuck out were how they guided training instead of controlling it, their organization and preparation, the lack of yelling, and the coaches sitting back and not pointing out mistakes constantly.

During games, Reyna observed that “at the best places the youth coaches are sitting down. And if they get up to give instructions, they sit right back down again.

“When the game is going on, all the coaches should just sit down. I think if you ask any player at the youth level, if the coach is on the sidelines standing, it brings tension. You can sense it.”

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/521470.html Manchester United to return for 2011 MLS All Star Game at Red Bull Arena 03/29/2011 01:42 AM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/512492.html

Major League Soccer today announced that Barclay’s English Premier League leader Manchester United will return as the AT&T MLS All-Star Game opponent. The marquee match will be played on Wednesday, July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ and broadcast live on ESPN2, Galavision and TSN (in Canada) starting at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The 16th All-Star Game in League history will be a rematch of Manchester United’s victory in the 2010 event, when a sellout crowd of more than 70,000 fans at Houston’s Reliant Stadium witnessed the first regulation loss by an MLS All-Star team against an international opponent. This summer’s matchup will be the eighth time the MLS All-Star team will take on an international opponent, having a 5-1-1 record in this format.

“We are pleased to host Manchester United again for our marquee summer event,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “Our All-Star Game has become a true celebration of soccer, and our best players look forward to the challenge of competing against one of the top clubs in the world.”

The AT&T MLS All-Star Game is part of Manchester United’s 2011 North American tour, which will be announced tomorrow Tuesday, at a media event at Red Bull Arena. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be present to announce additional details of the tour.

"We're delighted to have been invited to play the MLS All-Star Game for the second year running,” said Ferguson. “Last year's game was a special occasion in front of a noisy, passionate crowd.  Obviously we'll be looking to repeat the performance and the scoreline, but it will be a great spectacle for everyone involved."

Manchester United is in first place in the Barclay’s English Premier League, has secured a semifinal place in the FA Cup  and recently advanced to the quarterfinal round of the UEFA Champions League. Founded in 1878, Manchester United won their third consecutive Barclays Premier League Championship in 2009, their 18th overall league title. Manchester United was the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968 and has since won the European Champions League two additional times. The Red Devils were also crowned the FIFA Club World Cup Champions in 2008.

Managed by Sir Alex Ferguson since 1986, Manchester United boasts a lineup full of international stars such as EPL scoring leader Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria), Wayne Rooney (England), Javier Hernández (Mexico), Nani (Portugal), Patrice Evra (France), Nemanja Vidić (Serbia), Rio Ferdinand (England) and legendary midfielders Ryan Giggs (Wales) and Paul Scholes (England).

Twelve different markets have hosted the All-Star Game, but only three have hosted it twice – New York, Washington, D.C. and Columbus, Ohio. The New York Red Bulls will host the AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena, a privately funded, $200 million venue which is considered the premier soccer facility in the United States. The stadium that opened its doors last spring features 25,000 seats that rest comfortably under a translucent roof.

Prior to the General Public sale, an exclusive presale for Red Bulls ticket plan holders to purchase All-Star Game tickets will begin on Wednesday, April 20 at 10 a.m. Any remaining tickets following the presale will be made available through a General Public sale beginning on Thursday, June 2 @ 2:00 PM.

Fans from throughout North America and across the globe will travel to the metropolitan New York area to attend the game and surrounding festivities, such as the MLS Soccer Celebration. For more information on the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, please visit www.MLSsoccer.com or www.newyorkredbulls.com.

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/512492.html Brazilian club Cruzeiro eyeing Atlanta for youth soccer facility 03/29/2011 01:46 AM http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/512496.html Brazilian power Cruzeiro is considering several sites around the Atlanta metro area as the future home for a major youth soccer complex, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The facility could be as large as 100 acres in size and cost between $20 and $40 million. Meetings have reportedly been scheduled between Cruzeiro officials and local business organizations, but nothing has been officially confirmed.

Based in Belo Horizonte in southern Brazil, the club (whose full moniker is Cruzeiro Esporte Clube) is eyeing a move into the U.S. market and is attracted to Atlanta for its affordable land, transportation infrastructure and large youth soccer community. Possible involvement with Major League Soccer or other U.S. professional leagues has been mooted, but appears to be a distant possibility.

Recently retired Brazilian superstar Ronaldo began his pro career at Cruzeiro, and a long list of well-known professionals have passed through the club over the decades, including current Chelsea FC midfielder Ramires.

]]> http://www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com/home/512496.html