FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – It’s lunch break on day one of the Fredericksburg Area Soccer Association’s 2013 FASA Girls Collegiate Soccer Camp, and as FASA general manager Pete Cinalli, the camp’s architect, predicted, the girls are acting shy.

All 40 of the teenage players taking part in the six-day event (spread over two weeks) harbor dreams of college soccer, and their curiosity is palpable as they sit in front of the three NCAA Division I coaches who made the trip to central Virginia to run the day’s sessions.

But no one pipes up with a question during the hour or so that’s budgeted for frank conversation about (to name just a few) the recruiting process, the basics of scholarship and financial aid awards, the challenges of selecting a university and the day-to-day rigors of college soccer. (Mindful of previous editions of this camp, Cinalli says the group will be comfortable enough to broach all kinds of silly topics by the end of the week.)

That doesn’t stop the trio of coaches from driving home some useful information about the challenging world these girls are moving into.

“What do you want your whole day to look like in four years?” asks Jonathan Morgan, head coach at the University of Maryland. “If you’re [at] a top-30, -40 program, probably even a top-100 program, you’re going to be spending close to 20 hours a week focusing on soccer, whether it be lifting and conditioning, meetings, video, training.

“That’s a lot. And that takes away from your academics a little bit, as far as time and availability. It takes a little away from your social [life] a little bit, your ability to hang out and spend time doing some things outside of academics and soccer. So you have to figure out how much of your world you want to spend on soccer.”

Morgan and George Mason head coach Diane Drake put the players (who are divided into two groups so that each of them can experience each coach’s style and methods) through high-energy, 90-minute training sessions on a muggy morning on two fields at Dixon Park, while Liberty University assistant coach Laura Armstrong worked with goalkeepers.

In a short while they will all return to the fields for afternoon sessions, where coaches and players alike benefit from spending time together in a small setting that helps cut through the layers that separate “big-time NCAA coach” from “eager recruit” – but not without some sobering perspectives from the elders.

NCAA regulations prevent them from discussing their specific schools, but they – along with the bevy of other top coaches FASA has lined up for each day of their collegiate camps – have a wealth of knowledge to share all the same.

“The good players aren’t getting as much money any more, because there’s so many,” says Drake, who was a top college and semi-pro player during her own playing days in the 1990s. “I’ll go run sessions for 16-year-olds that sometimes pick up concepts quicker than even my college kids will, [who are] four years, five years older. You guys are getting better training at a younger age.

“The problem is that there’s more layers of good players, too…I’ve seen recent kids that I’m able to get for a little bit cheaper [in terms of scholarship money] than I would’ve been able to three, four years ago. I know that’s not the information that you really want to hear, but I’m giving it to you hard.”

One camper asks about the kind of grade-point average that will be expected from them as they try to earn the attention of top schools.

“The higher that GPA is, the easier it is for us,” says Morgan, who then takes a moment to explain the ways different schools approach a recruit’s grades, test scores and financial needs.

“Aid is pretty difficult,” he adds. “Whatever you’re receiving, I think it’s something that you should take pride in, and realize that there’s a lot of people trying to get that money. If you’re receiving the money, that says a lot about you.”

These coaches recruit from a large, competitive and steadily-improving player pool, and at ever-younger age levels as well. They clearly want these grasp to know how exceptional they’ll have to be in order to get onto the radar of an elite D1 program, much less earn a sizeable scholarship or aid package.

“If you walk into a program and you’re offered anything over a quarter of the whole piece for your first year, it’s probably a good little setup to start,” says Drake. “And then you can continue to grow, and most programs will keep money aside for increases to reward and help kids that have given to the program…My senior year was my best year, [where] I got the most money.”

The youngest of the trio, Armstrong offers the perspective from a smaller school, and urges the campers to pick a school with holistic – not just soccer – appeal.

“You can look at turnover within schools or coaches and see, it’s pretty high, at least at the Division I level. Fairly often, coaches come and go,” cautions the goalkeepers coach. “Be mindful that things can happen – you can get injured, whatever – just make sure you’re picking a school for the right reasons.”

Morgan suggests getting an early jump on campus visits – as early as their freshman year of high school, in fact – to a diverse array of schools: large, small, public, private, D1, D3, local, out-of-state.

“It’s hard sometimes for you guys as 15-, 16-year-olds, 17-year-olds to figure out where you want to be and what you want to do when you’re 18 – and particularly wht you want to do when you’re 21 years old,” says the Terrapins boss. “So the best thing you can do is start getting yourselves out there, get some perspective, get a sense of what you think you’d like. If the soccer doesn’t work out, is it an environment that you can see yourself still enjoying?”

Each day of this camp brings two new college coaches for the players to experience and learn from. For those coaches, it’s a priceless opportunity to spread useful information, grow their program’s “brand” and build relationships with FASA coaches and players.

“Sometimes there’s a diamond in the rough, a kid that you’re hoping to see who maybe doesn’t get the exposure to some of the other big schools that maybe you can slip in and get,” says Morgan. “And for us, it’s trying to get the Maryland name out there. If we can find a player like that, it’s just a bonus. And creating a relationship with Pete and FASA, they’re really trying to help all the schools that are participating here…Eventually, there’s going to be a kid that comes around.

“So ID events like this are awesome, awesome.

”

Seattle Reign FC owner Bill Predmore told Cascadia Soccer Wire on Tuesday that his team is in the market for new players. However, he declined to comment on reports that LDB FC Malmö midfielder Therese Sjögran is one of those targets.

Nonetheless, Predmore said his club would announce at least one signing this week.

Swedish news site Sydsvenskan reported that Sjögran had a loan deal rejected by her Damallsvenskan club. Sjögran has 182 caps for Sweden, and she played for Women’s Professional Soccer club Sky Blue FC in 2011.

“We are doing everything possible to make our team better, and that means looking at players outside the league … in Europe and elsewhere,” Predmore said. “We have looked for longer and harder than anyone would possibly believe to try and find a player that fits what we’re looking for, [but] I don’t want to comment on whether [Sjögran] was a specific target or not.”

Sjögran told Sydsvenskan that she would be playing with Malmö’s under-19 squad this week, as she has fallen out of favor with the first team. Her contract expires at the end of next season.

The window for National Women’s Soccer League signings who do not have their international transfer clearance passed on June 14, but trades within the league and promotions from reserve squads are allowed until July 31.

Also, Predmore estimated a handful of players whose clearances have been approved would be announced around the league soon. Many are still waiting for visa approvals — such as the Washington Spirit’s recent loan signing Conny Pohlers — and other bureaucratic processes to run their course.

“I don’t know who they are or what teams,” Predmore said, “but I would be fairly certain that more than Conny will be in the league in the next two weeks as visas get taken care of.”

[ +Follow @liviubird on Twitter ]

The top 212 US Youth Soccer boys and girls teams from the 14 State Associations that make up US Youth Soccer Region IV compete for the regional title. States represented including host, Hawaii, are Alaska, Arizona, California North, California South, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Four champions from 2012 are back to defend their regional title – U-13 Boys Pateadores LA (CA-S), U-14 Boys United FC Gold 98 (CA-S), U-15 Boys Santa Barbara SC White (CA-S) and U-18 Boys Sereno 95 White (AZ).

Under-15 Boys Santa Barbara SC has won three Cal-South State Championships and two Region IV Championships in the past four years, but last year went on to claim the National Championship and want nothing more than to make it back to defend their national crown. The team clawed their way to Nationals in 2012 by winning every game at the Regional Championships by a single goal, but they hope that toughness will carry them through again this year.

“I think it speaks highly of this team,” said Santa Barbara Head Coach Rudy Ybarra. “People say that it’s one goal, but most of the time that means we kept the other team to zero. I think the strength of this unit is that we read the game so well; we’re organized, we stay compact and we’re capable of scoring four or five, we’re so balanced. We can get goals from an outside back, a forward, or a winger. We try to attack from so many different places.”

Facing a difficult group, Santa Barbara will need two more solid performances to advance this year after an opening day draw against Far West Regional League champion Manchester Academy (CA-S), 2-2. Santa Barbara went ahead in the first half on a header from captain Tim Heiduk on an assist from Juan Pablo Alvarez. In the second half, Manchester equalized with a nice move down field, but Santa Barbara responded within minutes when Benjamin Garcia played a beautiful cross from the right side that found Raul Guerrero at the far post to reassume the lead. Santa Barbara had a chance to seal the game moments later, again on a strike from Heiduk, but a phenomenal save from the Manchester keeper kept the game within reach and Manchester capitalized with the tying goal from a later counter to earn the draw.

“I don’t think that was our best performance of the year, by far, but yet we didn’t lose. This team has worked together and the majority have been together now for four or five years. They seem to know what the other is thinking and they’re always playing like a unit. Not many people can say they won three Cal-South State Championships and now we’re trying to win our third Regional Championship in that same four years. I think it’s the consistency from them and they play as a team, they trust in themselves and they work together on offense, on defense and in transition.

“It would mean a lot, obviously, to get back and defend our National title. We were looking forward to the challenge ever since last year and we all talked about it. The players don’t like to hear this, but we’ve got a target on our back. People say, ‘Hey, we’re playing the National Champions.’ It’s great in a way because it’s respect, but at the same time that’s a target. We know that, but I think these guys have a confidence in themselves, they believe in themselves and they do everything together. It’s a really special group and I think they’re up to the task. They’re going to do their best and we’re hoping to advance. They believe they can do it.”

Also looking to defend their National Championship this year is Under-16 Girls Legends FC (CA-S). However, like last year, Legends have already qualified for the National Championships after gaining a berth through their finish in the US Youth Soccer National League.

Regional winners of the Under-13 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships July 22-28, at Overland Park Soccer Complex in Overland Park, Kan.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-13 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 88 teams.

Monday’s scores

]]> http://www.soccerwire.com/news/us-youth-soccer-region-iv-championships-kickoff-with-a-bang/feed/ 0 http://www.soccerwire.com/news/region-ii-teams-advance-to-2013-us-youth-soccer-national-presidents-cup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=region-ii-teams-advance-to-2013-us-youth-soccer-national-presidents-cup http://www.soccerwire.com/news/region-ii-teams-advance-to-2013-us-youth-soccer-national-presidents-cup/#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:40:07 +0000 News Desk http://www.soccerwire.com/?p=20594 FRISCO, Texas – US Youth Soccer announced the 2013 US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Presidents Cup champions, crowned Sunday in Overland Park, Kan. Winning teams in the Under-13 through Under-17 Boys and Girls age groups advance to the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup, July 10-14 in Auburndale, Fla.

The tournament featured 81 teams that had won their respective State Presidents Cups from 14 different State Associations – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio-North, Ohio-South, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is designed for teams seeking additional challenges to play for a national title against teams of similar abilities. The cup provides a progressive, competitive experience to teams that might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in a series of unique experiences highlighting competition, camaraderie and community from the state to regional to national levels of US Youth Soccer.

2013 US Youth Soccer Region II Presidents Cup Champions:

*All teams advance to the National Presidents Cup.

The first title match on Sunday pitted defending regional and national champion Christos FC of Maryland against JC Eagles of Eastern New York for the US Over-30 Cup. Val Texiera’s 23rd minute goal gave Christos the lead that they held onto for the half. The second half saw Christos pour it on with goals from Pat Crawford, Todd Hicks & Tarik Walker. Jesse Haislip recorded the shutout for the champions who look to repeat last year’s feat at the National Cup Finals.

The US Amateur Cup final was next on slate that included an extra bonus with the winner not only advancing to the national finals but also securing a spot in next year’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The two finalists featured the NY Greek-American Atlas of Eastern New York and the Italian American Sport Club of Western New York. The contest started closely with Chris Megaloudis putting the Greek-Americans ahead on 26th minute mark but then seeing Ngwese Ebangwese responding three minutes later to even it off. Stephen Barea got the game winner for the Greek-Americans on the 37th minute while Megaloudis completed a second half hat trick to finish the result at 5:1.

The US Open Cup final between Icon FC of New Jersey and Mass Premier Soccer of Massachusetts also determined the region’s other place in the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Mass Premier led 1:0 at halftime with a 19th minute strike from Roy Sandeman. The Massachusetts side was in good shape to hold onto that lead as an Icon player was ejected in the 70th minute for a second yellow card. But the New Jersey club fought back when 4 minutes later Nelson Becerra evened the score and then Kevin Zalewski put it away in the 83rd to send Icon to the Werner Fricker US Open Cup semifinal next month.

Saturday saw group play in the U23 Cup with defending champion Real Caribe Soccer Club of Eastern New York winning Group A and the Maryland Bays taking Group B. Advancing to the Sunday semifinals were Junior Lone Star FC of NPSL and UGH Fire of Eastern Pennsylvania. Caribe defeated the Fire 2:0 while Lone Star edged the Bays 2:1 to set up a replay of last year’s U23 final.

Lone Star got off to a very quick start two minutes into the match with a goal from Joe-Joe Jappah. Diron Duah tied the match on the 50th minute and then Yannick Laroche gave Caribe the lead in the 65th. Ansumana Kromah made it 2:2 by scoring 5 minutes later. The match winner started with an 82nd minute run from the left side by Eugene Heershcap whose cross met Keston George with a perfect header that went just underneath the cross bar. Real Caribe go to San Antonio hoping to return the US U23 Cup back to New York as they seek to defend last season’s national title.

The USASA National Cup Finals will have the respective winners of the four regions play in the semifinals to determine who meets for the championship matches.

US Open Cup

The US Open Cup was first played in the 1913-1914 season when it was called the National Challenge Cup. The winners were awarded the Dewar Cup, donated by Sir Thomas Dewar in 1912 for the promotion of soccer in America. In 1999, USASA established the Werner Fricker US Open Cup to recognize the champion among its own participants.

The two finalists took part the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, which includes other amateur and professional teams of US Soccer. Icon FC made it to the second round.

• Quarterfinals - 7 April
  • North Division
    Newtown Mens Soccer (CT) 0:0 [7:6 PK's] NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY)
    [replayed on 21 April]
    Rhode Island Reds FC (RI) 0:1 Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
  • South Division
    West Chester United - Majors (EPA) 2:4 Icon FC (NJ)
    Screaming Eagles (MD) 1:0 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MDCVA)
    [Note: Screaming Eagles disqualified]
• Semifinals - 21 & 28 April
  • Newtown Mens Soccer (CT) 0:6 Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
  • Icon FC (NJ) 1:1 [7:6 PK's] Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MDCVA)

• Final – 16 June
  • Mass Premier Soccer (MA) 1:2 Icon FC (NJ)

US Amateur Cup

The US Amateur Cup was established in 1923 as the National Amateur Cup in response to the overwhelming number of teams playing in the National Challenge Cup. Originally a competition held by USSF, it is now a USASA event. Teams entered in the US Amateur Cup may not use players registered as professionals.

• Quarterfinals - 28 April
  • North Division
    Stanford Olympia (CT) 0:1 Battery Park Gunners (MA)
    NY Greek-American Atlas (ENY) 7:0 Vistula Garfield SC (NJ)
  • South Division
    Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MDCVA) 0:1 Maryland Bays (MD)
    Italian American Sport Club (WNY) 5:2 Vereinigung Erzgebirge (EPA)
• Semifinals – 12 & 19 May
  • Battery Park Gunners (MA) 2:2 [4:5 PK's] NY Greek-American Atlas (ENY)
  • Maryland Bays (MD) 2:3 Italian American Sport Club (WNY)

• Final – 16 June
  • Italian American Sport Club (WNY) 1:5 NY Greek-American Atlas (ENY)

US Over-30 Cup

The US Over-30 Cup was first played in 1984. The winner of this competition is awarded the Gerhard Mengel Cup. This is an open competition, which means that both amateur and professional registered players may participate.

• Quarterfinals – 19 May
  • North Division
    JC Eagles (ENY) 3:2 Club Napoli O30 (CT)
  • South Division
    West Chester United OTM Predators (EPA) 1:0 United FC (MDCVA)
• Semifinals – 2 June
  • JC Eagles (ENY) 4:0 Polonia Wallington Soccer Club (NJ)
  • West Chester United OTM Predators (EPA) 2:4 Christos FC (MD)
• Final – 16 June
  • Christos FC (MD) 4:0 JC Eagles (ENY)

US Under-23 Cup

Group Standings - 15 June

• Semifinals - 16 June
• Real Caribe SC (ENY) 2:0 UGH Fire (EPA)
• Maryland Bays (MD) 1:2 Junior Lone Star FC (NPSL)
• Final – 16 June
• Real Caribe SC (ENY) 3:2 Junior Lone Star FC (NPSL)

Other USASA Competitions

USASA this year inaugurates the National Women’s Championship that will take place at the Overland Park Soccer Complex in Kansas from 25 to 30 June. The popular USASA Veteran’s Cup returns to Escondido, California and will be played between 25 to 30 June. USASA also will host several US Soccer Centennial tournaments for adult teams throughout the country in celebration of that important milestone. For more information, go to the USASA web site at www.usasa.com.

Coming off a comprehensive 2-0 win against Panama in front of a raucous crowd of 40,000 plus in Seattle, the U.S has 10 points from their first five matches (three on the road), posting three wins and three shutouts. Costa Rica and Mexico are tied on eight points, while the Mexicans have played one extra game.

The U.S. enters the match sporting a 24-match unbeaten run in qualifying at home, the 22-0-2 record dating back to 2001. The last loss on home soil came Sept. 1, 2001, a 3-2 defeat at the hands of today’s visitors.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (7): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Augsburg)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Roma), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)

U.S. MNT 2013 RESULTS/SCHEDULE

*2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
^2014 CONCACAF Gold Cup

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
The U.S. vaulted to the top of the group with consecutive victories against Jamaica and Panama. Mexico has seen the vaunted fortress of Estadio Azteca become vulnerable as El Tri have only managed to produce three points from three straight scoreless draws at home. Ties are the new norm in the Final Round, already seven games having ended even with half the games completed. Costa Rica has put up two shutout victories at home and snatched two important points on the road. Honduras is batting .500 after five games, including a victory in the opening match of the Hexagonal against the United States. Panama, which started this trio of qualifiers in first place, has slipped off the pace after going scoreless in its last two matches. Jamaica has put their qualifying hopes in serious jeopardy with three consecutive losses, including two at home.

CONCACAF FINAL ROUND STANDINGS AND SCHEDULE

June 11
USA 2, Panama 0
Honduras 2, Jamaica 0
Mexico 0, Costa Rica 0

June 18, 2013
USA v. Honduras
Costa Rica v. Panama

Visit ussoccer.com for the complete World Cup Qualifying schedule and results .

ROAD TO THE HEXAGONAL
United States Semifinal Round Results (4-1-1; first place in Group A):

• June 8, 2012: USA 3, Antigua & Barbuda 1
• June 12, 2012: USA 1, Guatemala 1
• Sept. 7, 2012: Jamaica 2, USA 1
• Sept. 11, 2012: USA 1, Jamaica 0
• Oct. 12, 2012: USA 2, Antigua & Barbuda 1
• Oct. 16, 2012: USA 3, Guatemala 1

ROSTER NOTES

• Graham Zusi will be available following a one-match suspension due to yellow card accumulation.
• Jermaine Jones has been cleared to play following the completion of the return to play protocol. Jones suffered a mild concussion in the 2-1 win against Jamaica on June 7 in Kingston.
• Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman has been added to the U.S. roster for Tuesday’s game.
• DaMarcus Beasley is suspended for the match after picking up his second yellow card of the cycle in the 2-0 win against Panama. Beasley recently surpassed the 100-cap mark for the United States and had started the previous six matches at left back.
• Nine players are carrying yellow cards into the game against Panama: Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis, Clint Dempsey, Brad Evans, Tim Howard and Fabian Johnson. Their next caution will result in a one-match suspension.
• Jozy Altidore has now scored in three straight matches after he netted his eighth career goal in qualifying, putting in the game-winner against Panama.
• His goal against Jamaica to open the scoring in the 2-1 win on June 7 marked his first in a qualifier since Sept, 5, 2009, a string of 12 matches.
• It was his second goal in as many games, and put to bed another streak. When he whipped in a wicked side-volley for the opening goal against Germany, Altidore ended a scoreless spell for the National Team dating back to Nov. 15, 2011 against Slovenia.
• Fabian Johnson’s assist on Altidore’s goal was the third in his National Team career and first of 2013.
• Altidore earned his second-consecutive Budweiser Man of the Match award after taking the top spot on June 7 in Jamaica.
• Howard earned his first clean sheet of 2013, first clean sheet in this year’s Hexagonal, second clean sheet of this World Cup Qualifying cycle, and 26th clean sheet in his career in the 2-0 win against Panama.
• Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler have now paired five times in central defense. In addition to consecutive wins in the pasts two qualifiers, they started together in the opening game of 2013 against Canada, the historic 0-0 draw against Mexico on March 26 and the 4-3 win against Germany in the Centennial Celebration Match . In the Mexico game, Besler became only the second U.S. player in history to start a World Cup Qualifier with fewer than two caps.
• Geoff Cameron has played in central midfield in two straight matches, first coming on as a sub for Jones against Jamaica. He then started alongside Michael Bradley, using a perfectly-flighted pass to set up Eddie Johnson for the insurance goal against Panama. During Klinsmann’s tenure, he has typically been deployed as both a center back and a right back.
• Eddie Johnson now has 11 career goals in World Cup Qualifying, one behind leaders Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan on the all-time list in U.S. history.
• The only player to appear in all 11 matches during this qualifying cycle, Dempsey is now the official captain of the U.S. team. He had worn the armband in the qualifiers in March against Costa Rica and Mexico before receiving the honor on a full-time basis.
• Stuart Holden came on as a late sub against Panama, making his first FIFA World Cup Qualifying appearance since the match against Costa Rica on Oct. 14, 2009.
• Corona made his first appearance of the Hexagonal, also entering the field as a late sub. His last World Cup Qualifying appearance was on Oct. 16, 2012 vs. Guatemala.
• Against Jamaica, Brad Evans scored his first career goal for the National Team in dramatic fashion, netting the game-winner in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.
• Altidore tallied 31 goals in all competitions for AZ Alkmaar, breaking the single-season record for an American in Europe that was set by Dempsey (23) last year. Altidore became the first U.S. player to be named to the Dutch Eredivisie Team of the Year.
• Herculez Gomez, Brek Shea and Danny Williams all left the squad during camp as they continue to get back to full fitness.
• Seven players from the January camp roster have earned a spot on the USA’s current roster –Matt Besler, Brad Davis, Omar Gonzalez, Tally Hall, Eddie Johnson, Sean Johnson and Graham Zusi.
• Prior to serving his suspension, Zusi had appeared in the last seven qualifiers going back to the Semifinal Round, making five starts. Now holding double-digit caps, he has taken advantage of the opportunity that started 18 months ago.
• Terrence Boyd finished his first season at Rapid Vienna with 15 goals in all competitions.
• With two straight clean sheets in March, Brad Guzan now has five shutouts in seven matches played in qualifying in his career, posting a 4-1-2 record.
• Guzan was voted the Aston Villa Player of the Year by both players and supporters.
• Between UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Copa Libertadores and CONCACAF Champions League, a total of 11 U.S. players competed in regional cup competitions this season.
• Sean Johnson (May 26-30), Bill Hamid (May 30-June 2), Tally Hall (June 2-8) and Nick Rimando (June 9-19) will all rotate through camp at different stages and serve as the third goalkeeper.
• Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona completed the historic run with Club Tijuana in the 2013 Copa Libertadores after losing in the quarterfinals against top-seeded Atletico Mineiro on away goals. The teams drew 2-2 on May 23 in Tijuana, and again 1-1 on May 30 in Brazil.

IN THE CENTENNIAL RECORD BOOK

• Scoring twice against Germany while earning Budweiser Man of the Match honors, Dempsey surpassed Eric Wynalda for second place on the USA’s all-time scoring list with 35 goals.
• With the win against Germany, the U.S. is now 2-1-1 under Klinsmann against teams ranked in the top 10 in the world.
• The first ever victory in Jamaica in World Cup Qualifying added to the list of firsts during Klinsmann’s tenure that include the win against four-time World Cup champion Italy and the road win against Mexico at Estadio Azteca.
• Clint Dempsey scored his 12th career goal in World Cup Qualifying during the USA’s 1-0 win against Costa Rica on March 22, tying him for first place all-time with Landon Donovan. Eddie Johnson sits in third place with 11 goals in qualifying matches.
• Eddie Johnson is tied with 2011 National Soccer Hall of Famer Cobi Jones (15 goals from 1992-2004) for 10th on the all-time goals list.

USA vs.HONDURAS

• The United States holds a 12-4-3 lifetime record against Honduras, including a 9-2-2 record on U.S. soil.
• In World Cup Qualifying matches, the U.S. is 4-2-1 all-time against Honduras.
• Honduras won the first meeting in the Final Round on Feb. 6, coming from behind after Clint Dempsey opened the scoring to rally for a 2-1 win.
• Gonzalez made his first appearance in a World Cup Qualifier that day.
• Dempsey has scored in consecutive games against Honduras. Previous to the qualifier in San Pedro Sula, he tallied the lone goal in the 36th minute as the USA topped Honduras 1-0 on Oct. 8, 2011, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Goalkeeper Tim Howard, who made six saves, picked up his 37th career victory to tie Tony Meola for second on the all-time win list for goalkeepers.
• The 2011 win also was Jurgen Klinsmann’s first victory as the U.S. MNT head coach.
• Clarence Goodson has scored twice against Honduras, including a goal in the 2-1 win in the semifinal of the 2009 Gold Cup. Eddie Johnson has one career tally as well, scoring the lone goal in the 1-0 win on March 19, 2005, in Albuquerque.
• The Catrachos hold the distinction of being the last visitor to win an away World Cup Qualifier against the United States, winning 3-2 in front of more than 50,000 fans on Sept. 1, 2001, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
• In the past 10 meetings, the U.S. is 8-1-1 against Honduras since 2002.
• In 2009, the U.S. went 4-0-0 against Honduras, including a 2-0 victory on July 23 in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup and a thrilling 3-2 victory on Oct. 10 to clinch a berth to the 2010 FIFA World Cup

BY THE NUMBERS:
2               World Cup Qualifiers held in Utah
3               U.S. players who have scored against Honduras (Dempsey [2], Goodson [2], Johnson)
3               Consecutive games in which Jozy Altidore has scored
5               Number of starts together for Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler in central defense
12            Goals by Clint Dempsey in his past 16 appearances
12            Career goals in qualifying for Dempsey, tied for first all-time for the U.S.
24            Consecutive games unbeaten at home for the U.S. in World Cup Qualifying

JURGEN KLINSMANN FACT FILE: Jurgen Klinsmann is in his third year and second full calendar year in charge of the U.S. Men’s National Team. Below are some of his past accomplishments as a player and coach.

• Klinsmann was named the U.S. Men’s National Team head coach on July 29, 2011, making him the 35th coach in the history of the program.
• Klinsmann’s record as head coach of the Men’s National Team is 15-8-6, which includes a five-game winning streak that started with a 3-2 victory on Nov. 15, 2011, against Slovenia and was capped off by a 5-1 win against Scotland on May 26, 2012.
• With Klinsmann at the helm, the U.S. collected four historic victories. In addition to USA’s first win in Jamaica in qualifying, the team won for the first time against four-time World Cup champion Italy, capturing its first ever victory against Mexico on Mexican soil and defeating his former team and second-ranked Germany.
• Klinsmann’s U.S. coaching debut was a 1-1 draw against Mexico on Aug. 10, 2011, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. During Klinsmann’s abbreviated 2011 tenure, opponents outscored the USA by a 7-5 margin. The USA’s two victories during the Klinsmann era in 2011 include a 1-0 win against Honduras (Oct. 8) and a 3-2 victory against Slovenia (Nov. 15).
• Klinsmann was named the Germany National Team manager in 2004 and guided Germany to a 20-6-8 record and a third-place finish in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He earned Coach of the Year honors in Germany, and two years later, he took over the head coaching position at Bayern Munich.
• As a player, Klinsmann played 17 club seasons from 1981 to 1998 with the following teams: Stuttgarter Kickers (1981-84), VfB Stuttgart (1984-89), Internazionale (1989-92), Monaco (1992-94), Tottenham Hotspur (1994-95, 97-98), Bayern Munich (1995-97) and Sampdoria (1997-98). During that time, he scored 226 goals in 506 appearances. He was named German Player of the Year in 1988 and 1994 and FWA Footballer of the Year in 1995.
• Klinsmann earned 108 caps with the German National Team, scoring 47 goals. He participated in three World Cups (1990, 1994 and 1998) and won the 1990 World Cup.
• Klinsmann was born on July 30, 1964, in Goppingen, Germany.

IN FOCUS: HONDURAS
Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras
Founded: 1951 (Joined FIFA in 1951)
Head Coach: Luis Fernando Suarez
Best World Cup Finish: Group stage in 1982 (0-1-2 record)
Caps Leader: Amado Guevara (137)
Top Scorer: Carlos Pavon (57)

HONDURAS UPDATE

• Honduras is an even 2-2-1 through five matches, and has scored as many (6) as they have conceded
• Honduras is coming off a 2-0 victory at home to Jamaica. They have taken all seven of their points at home, going 2-0-1.
• Conversely, they have failed to score in two matches on the road.
• They are facing several selection problems, starting with suspensions to Victor Bernardez and Luis Garrido. Maynor Figueroa is out injured, and Boniek Garcia is a question mark. Meantime, striker Jerry Bengston, their leading scorer in this cycle with seven goals, including the game-winner against the U.S. on Feb. 6, has left the squad in a dispute with the coach.
• There are several players with MLS connections: Mario Martinez is teammates with Brad Evans at Seattle, while Boniek Garcia is a member of the Houston Dynamo along with Brad Davis. Jhony Leveron from Vancouver is a late add to the roster. Roger Espinoza moved to Wigan Athletic from Sporting KC, while Andy Najar left D.C. United and is now teammates with Sacha Kljestan at Anderlecht.

HONDURAS ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3) : Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Kevin Hernandez (Real España)
DEFENDERS (10) :Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Victor Bernardez (San Jose), Osman Chavez (Wisla Krakow), Juan Carlos Garcia (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Jhony Leveron (Vancouver Whitecaps), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua), Arnold Peralta (Rangers), Orlin Peralta (Vida), Jose Velasquez (Victoria)
MIDFIELDERS(8) :Marvin Chavez (San Jose), Jorge Claros (Hibernian), Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic), Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Luis Garrido (Estrella Roja), Mario Martinez (Seattle Sounders), Andy Najar (Anderlecht), Wilson Palacios (Stoke City)
FORWARDS (5) : Carlo Costly (Veria), Rony Martínez (Real Sociedad), Jerry Palacios (Liga Deportiva Alajuelense), Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad), Rojer Rojas (Olimpia)

LAST TIME
On the field for USA:
June 11, 2013 – Century Link Field – Seattle, Washington – 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

USA                        2               Jozy Altidore 36, Eddie Johnson 53
Panama                 0

USA: 1-Tim Howard; 6-Brad Evans, 3-Omar Gonzalez, 5-Matt Besler, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 4-Michael Bradley, 20-Geoff Cameron; 18-Eddie Johnson (10-Joe Corona, 87), 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.), 23-Fabian Johnson (14-Brad Davis, 87); 17-Jozy Altidore (11-Stuart Holden, 90+1)
Substitutions Not Used: 12-Brad Guzan, 2-Edgar Castillo, 9-Terrence Boyd, 15-Michael Parkhurst , 16-Sacha Kljestan, 21-Clarence Goodson, 22-Nick Rimando
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

PAN: 1-Jaime Penedo; 2-Leonel Parris, 5-Roman Torres, 23-Felipe Baloy (capt.), 4-Carlos Rodriguez; 8-Marcos Sanchez, 21-Amilcar Henriquez (9-Gabriel Torres, 78), 11-Armando Cooper (10-Nelson Barahona, 60), 19-Alberto Quintero; 20-Anibal Godoy (16-Rolando Blackburn, 59); 18-Luis Tejada
Substitutions Not Used: 12-Luis Mejia, 3-Roberto Chen, 6-Gabriel Gomez, 7-Edwin Aguilar, 13-Jean Carlo Cedeño, 14-Juan de Dios Perez, 15-Kevin Melgar, 17-Luis Henriquez, 22-Rolando Escobar
Head coach: Julio Dely Valdes

Vs. Honduras
Feb. 6, 2013 –Estadio Olimpico –San Pedro Sula, Honduras – FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Honduras             2               Juan Carlos Garcia 46, Jerry Bengston 79
USA                      1               Clint Dempsey 36

USA: 1-Tim Howard (capt.); 2-Timmy Chandler, 5-Omar Gonzalez, 20-Geoff Cameron, 23-Fabian Johnson; 14-Danny Williams (7-Maurice Edu, 58), 13-Jermaine Jones (19-Graham Zusi, 67), 4-Michael Bradley, 18-Eddie Johnson (16-Sacha Kljestan, 59); 8-Clint Dempsey, 17-Jozy Altidore
Subs not used: 3-Carlos Bocanegra, 6-Michael Parkhurst, 9-Herculez Gomez, 10-Jose Torres, 11-Brad Davis, 12-Brad Guzan, 15-Edgar Castillo, 21-Brad Evans, 22-Sean Johnson
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

HON : 18-Noel Valladares , 5-Víctor Bernárdez, 3-Maynor Figueroa, 6-Juan Carlos García, 8-Arnold Peralta, 15-Roger Espinoza, 14-Oscar Boniek García, 19-Luis Garrido, 10-Mario Martínez, 11-Jerry Bengtson (20-Jorge Claros, 84), 13-Carlo Costly(9-Georgie Welcome, 90+3)
Subs not used: 22-Donis Escobar, 1-José Mendoza, 17-Brayan Beckeles, 2-Osman Chávez, 4-Juan Pablo Montes, 12-Orlin Peralta, 16-Alex López, 23-Aldo Oviedo, 7-Christian Altamirano, 21-Roger Rojas
Head coach: Luis Suarez

- See more at: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2013/06/us-mnt-ready-to-face-honduras-in-fifa-world-cup-qualifier.aspx#sthash.0gdBwWK1.dpuf

SANDY, Utah — United States national team players have had a week to reflect on the raucous atmosphere Seattle provided for their 2-0 win over Panama on June 11. However, they don’t expect much of a drop-off for Tuesday’s match against Honduras.

“Salt Lake is such a tough place to come in and play, from my experience for a visiting team in MLS,” Matt Besler said before training on Monday. “Seattle was terrific. We really used them to our advantage, but I also think Salt Lake is going to be just as good.”

Tickets sold out almost immediately for the match at Rio Tinto Stadium, prompting U.S. officials to open up additional seating, which also sold out within hours. Officially, 20,250 tickets have been sold.

With the temperature expected to hit 90 degrees at kickoff time and a natural grass field in place, the American players have enjoyed their stay in Utah so far.

“It’s great. We’re happy to be here,” Michael Bradley said. “It’s a beautiful stadium, the field’s in good shape, but … we now need everybody who comes into this stadium to be behind us really from the first second.”

Judging by past attendances in Salt Lake City, that kind of support should not be a problem. The Honduras match will be the third World Cup qualifier in the city, in the third consecutive cycle, beginning in year Real Salt Lake established its franchise in Major League Soccer.

The U.S. defeated Costa Rica 3-0 in front of 40,586 at Rice-Eccles Stadium (University of Utah’s football stadium) on June 4, 2005, and beat El Salvador 2-1 on Sept. 5, 2009, with 19,066 fans at Rio Tinto. That averages out to 29,826 fans over two matches in the city — 26,634, including Tuesday’s projected attendance.

Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman, who joined the U.S. team in his home city, said he expects the fans will deliver on a similar level as the ones in Seattle.

“We have not as many numbers as Seattle, but just as much passion and noise and love for U.S. soccer,” he said. “Everybody’s been really impressed with the state of Utah, and [they’ve said] only good things about the stadium here. I’m really excited for them to see it full, and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

NOTE:

• U.S. Soccer announced on Monday that Jermaine Jones is cleared to play on Tuesday. Jones suffered a concussion in the latter stages of the 2-1 U.S. win in Jamaica on June 7 and sat out the Panama match on June 11.

[ +Follow @liviubird on Twitter ]

The tournament featured 120 teams that had won their respective State Presidents Cups from 14 different State Associations – Alaska, Arizona, California-North, California-South, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is designed for teams seeking additional challenges to play for a national title against teams of similar abilities. The cup provides a progressive, competitive experience to teams that might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in a series of unique experiences highlighting competition, camaraderie and community from the state to regional to national levels of US Youth Soccer.

2013 US Youth Soccer Region IV Presidents Cup Champions:

*All teams advance to the National Presidents Cup.

The Piranhas were happy to be home after a back-to-back road trip the previous weekend in New Jersey. Virginia Beach scored a pair of impressive wins, beating the New Jersey Wildcats, 4-1, and the North Jersey Valkyries, 3-1.

Playing without leading scorer Shan Jones, out with a pulled hamstring, and defensive starter Victoria Johnson, out with a neck injury, the Piranhas found their rhythm early in the match. With crisp passing and strong possession, the Piranhas scored first as forward Esther Anyanwa dribbled past New York keeper Charlotte McCormack on a breakaway in the 15th minute.

The Magic found themselves playing defense as Virginia Beach kept the ball in the attacking third for the majority of the first half and entered the locker room at halftime with a 1-0 lead.

Both teams came out of the break pushing end-to-end action. The Piranhas eventually settled down, and once again the pressure was on the Magic goal. Substitute Nkese Udoh entered the game for forward Ashley Braam in the 66th minute, and it didn’t take Udoh long to find her pace and beat a charging McCormack in the box, making it 2-0 in the 77th minute.

In the 79th minute the Magic closed the gap when forward Brittany Pfaff received a great pass from second-half substitute Hikatu Murakami and scored. After Piranhas midfielder Jeanette Salgado had a goal called back offsides in the 82nd minute, forward Emily Kittleson put the Piranhas up 3-1 tree minutes later. Kittleson received a laser pass in the box from Anyanwa, who was racing down the right sideline, and finished the scoring.

Jose Villarreal, Shane O’Neill and Alonso Hernandez each scored a goal and goalkeeper Cody Cropper made eight saves as the USA defeated host Portugal’s U-20 squad 3-1 at Municipal Stadium.

Next up for the U-20 MNT is the Group A opener of the FIFA U-20 World Cup against Spain on Friday, June 21, in Istanbul, Turkey. The game kicks off at 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Univision Deportes.

The USA heads into that event on a high note, capitalizing on a couple of set piece chances to beat Portugal. Villarreal scored directly off his free kick just outside the right side of the box in the ninth minute. He slotted his left-footed shot from a difficult angle past Portugal goalkeeper Jose Sa at the near right post. The ball bounced once near Sa’s feet and hit the inside of the left-side netting for the early 1-0 lead.

O’Neill volleyed home the game-winning goal in the 51st minute off of Villarreal’s free kick from the right side. O’Neill made a run on the left side and Portugal’s entire defense fell asleep on the play as he was one-on-one against Portugal goalkeeper Bruno Varela and drove his shot inside the far right post for a 2-1 lead.

Hernandez pushed the U.S. cushion to 3-1 in the 53rd minute as another lapse by Portugal’s defense left a nearly wide-open net for Hernandez to aim at.

Peppered among the USA’s scoring, the defense came up huge in preserving the victory. The U.S. escaped an early scare when Portugal’s Aladje threatened the goal, only to see his shot blocked at the goal line by U.S. defender Juan Pablo Ocegueda.

Cropper was the main catalyst in limiting Portugal to only a Bruma goal in the 28th minute. Bruma created the majority of Portugal’s scoring chances, and Cropper had a slew of clutch stops along the way. He had five saves in the first half alone, including a 12th-minute kick save against Bruma and a 13th-minute punch save on Aladje’s header.

Cropper rushed off of his line to stuff a Bruma shot in the 83rd minute. And the big save of the game came in the 88th minute when Bruma’s well-struck free kick from 28 yards out was silenced with Cropper’s glove save, deflecting the shot off of the crossbar.

Cropper improved to 5-3-0 all-time with the U-20 MNT.

Additional Notes:

• Defender DeAndre Yedlin made his U-20 MNT international debut as the starting right back.
• Luis Gil, playing in his first U-20 MNT match since the quarterfinals of the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, had a shortened day as a head injury forced him out of the game in the 36th minute. Gil and Portugal’s Ricardo Alves knocked heads and Danny Garcia was a precautionary sub for Gil in the 40th minute.
• Shane O’Neill and Alonso Hernandez scored their first goals the U-20s. O’Neill played in his 10th game and Hernandez made his fourth appearance.
• Jose Villarreal’s goal was his team-leading fifth of the year and eighth of his U-20 MNT career in 11 matches overall.
• The U-20 MNT’s starting 11 featured seven players with Development Academy ties.
• The U-20s moved to 6-5-1 overall in international play this year.

-U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team Match Report-

Match: U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team vs. Portugal
Date: June 14, 2013
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Municipal Stadium; Vila Real Santo Antonio, Portugal
Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET
Attendance: –
Weather: 81 degrees, clear

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA                        1 2 3
POR                        1 0 1

USA – Jose Villarreal                            9th minute
POR – Bruma (Aladje)                          28
USA – Shane O’Neill (Jose Villarreal)    51
USA – Alonso Hernandez                      53

Lineups:
USA: 1-Cody Cropper; 14-DeAndre Yedlin, 6-Caleb Stanko (capt.), 25-Javan Torre (23-Shane O’Neill, 46), 19-Juan Pablo Ocegueda; 20-Benji Joya (5-Mikey Lopez, 63), 4-Wil Trapp; 17-Jose Villarreal (11-Victor Pineda, 72), 16-Luis Gil (13-Danny Garcia, 40), 18-Mario Rodriguez (10-Daniel Cuevas, 46); 15-Alonso Hernandez (8-Kellyn Acosta, 81)
Subs Not Used: 12-Kendall McIntosh, 21-Eric Miller, 22-Zack Steffen, 24-Oscar Sorto
Head Coach: Tab Ramos

POR: 12-Jose Sa (1-Bruno Varela, 46); 2-Joao Cancelo (10-Ricardo Esgaio, 61), 3-Tiago Ferreira (4-Tiago Ilori, 46), 7-Ricardo Pereira (18-Tiago Silva, 61), 8-Joao Mario (capt.), 9-Aladje, 11-Bruma, 14-Edgar Ie, 15-Andre Gomes (13-Tomas Dabo, 61), 16-Ricardo Alves (6-Agostinho Ca, 46), 20-Kiko (5-Mica, 76)
Subs Not Used: 17-To-Ze, 21-Rafael Veloso
Head Coach: Edgar Borges

Stats Summary: USA / POR
Shots: 11 / 19
Shots on Goal: 6 / 10
Saves: 8 / 3
Corner Kicks: 1 / 7
Fouls: 12 / 15
Offside: 2 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
POR – Bruma (caution)                79th minute

Officials:
Referee: Nuno Almeida
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Bras E
Assistant Referee 2: Paulo Ribeiro
Fourth Official: Ivo Santos