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April 23, 2011 - Women’s Professional Soccer debuted in Florida on Saturday and the girls of West Pines United F.C. were there to catch all of the exitement. Some of the biggest stars of the WPS were in attendance and our girls got to meet them all. FAU hosted the match between magicJack and Boston Breakers. The magicJack dominated the match and earned a 1-0 vicotry. See photos.
UNITED RETURN FROM 3-WEEK FCAT BREAK
April 20, 2011 -- The girls of the Gold and Black returned to training from a well earned 3-week break on Wednesday. The players went through a light 90 minute practice and looked to have not missed a beat. During the break, the players focused on preparing for the all important FCAT testing required by Florida schools. According to reports from the girls, "the FCAT was a piece of cake!" That is good to hear.
The players will continue to train through May before the summer off-season.
Speaking of the off-season , it’s a mystery why professional athletes have off-seasons and youth athletes don’t. Some coaches and parents refuse to acknowledge that youth sports is out of control. It’s a mystery why some coaches, and parents, fail to understand that more and more athletes are succombing to higher numbers of injury and burnout.
The concept of an off-season is simple. Work hard while in season but work differently off-season. That is to say that the off-season is not completely devoid of exercise or even competition, but a different variation of activity. Try a new sport (basketball, swimming, track, etc.) or a variation of the same sport, i.e. futsal, freestyle, street soccer. Allow the athletes to escape competition and have fun.
A SOCCER PHENOM PUTS THE "I" IN TEAM
Benjamin Lowy/Reportage, for The New York Times.
By TIM CROTHERS
Published: March 25, 2011
Last spring, Indi Cowie performed her freestyle soccer routine for 76,000 fans during halftime at a Chelsea-Manchester United match in Manchester. But standing backstage at the Green Hope High talent show in Cary, N.C., she was nervous. She may have won freestyle competitions in Rome and shot Sony Playstation commercials in Prague, but she’s not exactly the popular girl in high school. They even spelled her name wrong in the event program. But this 16-year-old nobody does things that no other girl on the planet can do.
The Young Guns: United Win Division II Cup
Chloe Laureano and Taylor Dobles each scored Sunday to lead West Pines United F.C. U10 Girls Black to a 2-1 victory over Kendall Hammocks Lightning U11 Girls in the final of the FYSA Division II Cup in Jupiter, Florida.
As a team, United displayed dominating skill, physicality, field awareness and soccer maturity beyond their years.
Under challenging circumstances, Coach Juan Laureano’s side proved once again that the attacking threat of Lauren Lowe, Maya Gordon and Alysa Vasquez, in addition to Laureano and Dobles, is a daunting task for even the best defenses. United dominated time of possession, shots on goal and dictated the tempo of the match. Kendall for its part, pressured with its suffocating defense and were a threat to equalize on several occassions.
The first goal of the match came from Laureano, as the attacking mid-fielder curled in an 18-yard shot to the far post off a corner set play. Next, Dobles powered a drive past the despairing dive of the Kendall keeper, after a sensational penetrating run by the winger.
The United defense, lead by Zoe Griffith, Avery Nowak and keeper, Isa Piso, frustrated Kendall’s attack all day. This defensive unit, allowed only four goals during United’s championship run leading up to the Division II Cup Final.
Crucial contributions by Mandy Kopecki, Marianna Mazzocca and Cassandra Cortez allowed United to continue to press the attack.
United reached the finals after defeating Azalea Soccer Eagles U11 Girls from St. Petersburg, Florida (Region C), by a score of 6-0.
The Division II Cup caps an undefeated season for the girls. Congratulations!
10 Year: 10,000 Hour Rule
Youth Soccer Coaching
"Youth Soccer Coach Wanted:
Only Those with Patience and Perseverance Need Apply"
By Gary R. Allen, Director of Coaching Education
Virginia Youth Soccer Association
Following are excerpts from an article in The Scientific American by Phillip E. Ross, dated July 24, 2006, entitled The Expert Mind. The article focused upon studies of the mental processes of chess grandmasters and clues to how people become experts in other fields as well. These excerpts can help us address some important points concerning the development of young soccer players in America.
"Simon coined a psychological law of his own, the 10-year rule, which states that it takes approximately a decade of heavy labor to master any field." The 10-year rule, or 10,000 hours rule, can be applied as easily to soccer as to chess. Each soccer game involves myriad of decisions, technical and physical challenges in an ever-changing environment, among and against other players of varying abilities, and in different stages of physical exhaustion. More than any other team sport, the game takes on the characteristics of those playing it, and requires development in all of the areas above: mental, physical, technical and social.
HOW A SOCCER STAR IS MADE
Joachim Ladefoged/VII, for The New York Times
Under-10 players at work at the Ajax academy in Amsterdam. More Photos »
By MICHAEL SOKOLOVE
Published: June 2, 2010
The youth academy of the famed dutch soccer club Ajax is grandiosely called De Toekomst — The Future. Set down beside a highway in an unprepossessing district of Amsterdam, it consists of eight well-kept playing fields and a two-story building that houses locker rooms, classrooms, workout facilities and offices for coaches and sports scientists. In an airy cafe and bar, players are served meals and visitors can have a glass of beer or a cappuccino while looking out over the training grounds. Everything about the academy, from the amenities to the pedigree of the coaches — several of them former players for the powerful Dutch national team — signifies quality. Ajax once fielded one of the top professional teams in Europe. With the increasing globalization of the sport, which has driven the best players to richer leagues in England, Germany, Italy and Spain, the club has become a different kind of enterprise — a talent factory. It manufactures players and then sells them, often for immense fees, on the world market. “All modern ideas on how to develop youngsters begin with Ajax,” Huw Jennings, an architect of the English youth-development system, told me. “They are the founding fathers.”
UNITED VICTORIOUS AT REGION A CUP
United Victorious in Region A Cup
The “Girls of Black and Gold” are heading to the sunny beaches of Jupiter, Florida for the Division II Cup, after powering past tournament rivals, Kendall Hammocks Lightning, 3-2. The Girls, playing up in the U11 division of Region A, were propelled to the title with goals from Alysa Vasquez and Taylor Dobles in the first half, and the eventual game winner by Chloe Laureano.
Taylor Dobles (17) scores from an impossible angle.
Chloe Laureano’s (9) go ahead goal from just outside the 18 yd. box.
The Girls of Black and Gold celebrate goal and victory.
VICTORY AT ORANGE CLASSIC
UNITED PLAY UP AND WIN ORANGE CLASSIC
WEST PINES PLAYS UP, UP AND COME AWAY WITH PREMIER DIVISION WIN AT KELME CUP
Front Row (L to R): Avery Nowak, Mandy Kopecki, Maya Gordon, Zoe Griffith; Back Row (L to R): Lauryn Lowe, Chloe Laureano, Isabella Piso, Alysa Vasquez, Taylor Dobles
Naples, Florida - West Pines United F.C. 00/01 Black continued on its perfect 2010/2011 tournament march with a thrilling weekend victory in the Kelme Florida Cup. The team played up an age group for the third straight tournament, and in its continuing search for the next challenge, they played in the Premier Division. The tournament started off with a strong win in a physical match over Miami Premier Soccer 1-0. United stunned MPS with its own brand of physical play and attacking style. After dominating possession and shots on goal, United finally broke through the MPS defense with a few minutes remaining in regular time. Taylor Dobles slotted in a far post shot after a through pass from Maya Gordon sliced the MPS defense.
In a powerful offensive display during the final 15 minutes of the group stage match against Tropical, the girls overcame a sluggish start and 2-1 deficit to win 4-2 in the second match of the day. The team received a much needed spark from Avery Nowak, with a strike from well outside the 18 yard box. With passage to the Finals secured, the team entered the remaining group match looking to find their form. United drew against Naples F.C. 2-2, in an electrifying see-saw battle pitting two teams with similar styles of play.
Having found their championship form and with stellar defensive play, United dominated both time of possession and shots on goal to defeat Pinecrest Premier 4-0 in the Finals to win the Kelme Cup.
The challenge of playing in a Premier Division while playing up an age, allowed the team to display their character, heart and determination as they found a will to win at every turn.
Congratulations girls on a great weekend and tournament win!!
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United finished up a golden year in 2010 by earning championship crowns in the Orange Classic, Plantation Thanksgiving Classic, West Pines Kickoff Classic and the Miami Super Cup. The team is undefeated in tournament play.
While playing up during the Kelme Cup, Orange Classic and Plantation Classic, the team has compiled a record of 13-0-1 with 63 goals for and only 8 goals against.
UNITED REMAIN UNDEFEATED
West Pines United F.C. 00/01 Black continue their blistering pace during the 2010/2011 campaign. United enter their final weekend of FLUGSA Regular Season Division games with a record of 7 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. On Saturday, January 29, 2011 the girls play a club "derby" game against Weston F.C., and on the final fixture of the season they play Miami Springs South, Sunday. During this stretch the girls have amassed a total of 50 goals scored with only 10 goals allowed.
Perhaps more impressive is the teams unbeaten tournament streak during the 2010/2011 season. United have been crowned champions in 5 out of 5 tournaments played, while playing up during the Kelme Cup, Orange Classic and Plantation Classic. The team has compiled a tournament record of 22-0-2.
The girls continue to develop their technical skills and tactical awareness, while becoming friends and having fun.
2010/2011 HIGHLIGHT TEASER
Plantation Thanksgiving Classic
Congratulations, West Pines United GU10 Black wins GU11 Division!
SEVER'S DISEASE
Competitive Athletes and Heel Pain
Starting at age 10 through 14, athletes, especially at the competitive level, start developing heel pain. This very common condition is called Sever’s Disease. The good news is the condition is manageable and is unlikely to cause any permanent damage. But it still hurts. Thankfully the remedies are pretty straightforward.
FREESTYLE FUTSAL FRIDAYS
November 5, 2010 -- The team partnered with Roger and Laurie Thomas of Soccer Academy & Training for one night of Futsal fun at Parkland YMCA. The evening became a great opportunity to further the development of our players, make new friends and to experience the fast paced action of Futsal. This game has produced some of our greatest international players like Ronaldinho, Zidane, Kaka, Ronaldo, Messi and Marta. Each of these living legends has credited Futsal for their success and creativity.
The players had a fantastic evening and future participation in Freestyle Futsal Fridays have been planned.
Our coaches strongly encourage small sided games and alternative forms of the beautiful game to further player development.
Here is a video of Futsal:
UNITED STRIKE BLACK AND GOLD AT KICK OFF CLASSIC
WPU WIN BIG
UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS
Friday, Saturday, Sunday - November 26-28, 2010
Playing up U11 - 8v8
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - December 27-29, 2010
Playing up U11 - 8v8
Saturday, Sunday - January 15-16, 2010
Region A Cup - Division 2
Playing up U11 - 8v8
Competition starts February 26, 2010
UNITED WINS INAUGURAL MIAMI SUPER CUP
WPU Super in 7-1 Championship win!
CHALLENGE SPORTS 3V3 NATIONALS
West Pines United rising U10 Girls Win 3v3 National Championship at Disney Wide World of Sports
August 1, 2010 – A clinical display of skill, technique and determination capped off the Challenge Sports 3v3 National Championship for the Red Hots with an 8-0 win.
2010-2011 Player Selection List
| U10 Girls Black Elite |
| Dobles, Taylor |
| Gordon, Maya |
| Griffith, Zoe |
| Kopecki, Myranda |
| Laureano, Chloe |
| Lowe, Lauryn |
| Nowak, Avery |
| Piso, Isabella |
| Vazquez, Alysa |
CHALLENGE SPORTS NAPLES 3V3 SHOOTOUT CHAMPIONS
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