Virginia Online Soccer News

The time has come...

2013-09-06T07:57:00.002-04:00

Since February 2010 I have enjoyed running Virginia Online Soccer News and sharing soccer related news, videos, and blog posts with those of you who have followed the website for the past 3 1/2 years.

Now the time has come for me to close down VASoccerNews.com however, I still have a true passion for growing the game of soccer and am still interested in contributing/covering soccer in the D.C./Northern, VA area should the opportunity arise.

Thanks to those of you who have supported this website throughout it's short existence.

I will still be on Twitter @Chris_Wimmer_77 but will tweet about things I love = family, soccer, and beards.

Here are a few of my better pieces (in my opinion) from over the past few years:

D.C. United Sign Polarizing USMNT Forward Eddie Johnson

Joe-Max Moore Interview

Rise And Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story - Its About More Than Just ...

Tony DiCicco Correct to Blame youth Coaches and Programs

MLS Cup or Bust for NYCFC After Signing Andrea Pirlo

The Beautiful Game, not always so Beautiful at the Youth TravelLevel!

Style over Structure: A comparison of Brazil and US SoccerPhilosophy

Mia Hamm Celebrity Challenge in D.C. a Huge Success

Five goals by five different Americans helps USMNT cruise past El Salvador

Video :: Dave Johnson Hosts Monumental FC 8/23/13

2013-08-23T14:27:00.002-04:00

via Monumentalnetwork.com

Conor Doyle talks challenges en route to D.C. United, Georgetown soccer after last year's College Cup final run and a special D.C. United announcement.

video platform video management video solutions video player

Video :: Longwood University Men's Soccer 2013 Preview

2013-08-23T14:08:00.001-04:00

Head Coach Jon Atkinson takes a look at the upcoming season, who to watch, and why he's excited about the team's second year in Big South Conference competition!

UVA's Morgan Brian named to USWNT roster for Mexico friendly at RFK

2013-08-23T08:57:00.000-04:00

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia junior midfielder Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) was one of the 18 players named to the United States Women’s National Team roster for a Sept. 3 friendly against Mexico at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The game will start at 8 p.m., and air live on Fox Sports 1.

Brian is one of two collegiate players selected to the roster, along with North Carolina’s Crystal Dunn. Former Virginia standout Becky Sauerburnn (Class of 2007) is also on the 18-player roster for the match.

Brian made her U.S. Women’s National Team debut earlier this year on June 15 in the United States’ 4-1 victory over South Korea in a friendly in Foxboro, Mass. She became the seventh Cavalier to earn a cap when she entered that match as a substitute and just the second active Virginia player to make a senior international appearance.

Virginia opens the 2013 season on Friday as it hosts the Klöckner Classic. The seventh-ranked Cavaliers’ season opener against VCU at 7:30 p.m. is the second game of a doubleheader. The first game features reigning NCAA Champion and preseason No. 1 North Carolina against No. 9 Santa Clara at 5 p.m.

Best MLS/U.S. Soccer Fan Beard?

2013-08-22T09:58:00.000-04:00

Yesterday MLS posted a video on their Instagram of some Portland Timbers supporters and I couldn't help but notice the guy leading the chant at the beginning of the video had this sweet beard:

This got me thinking -- which MLS/U.S. Soccer fan has the best beard? It also might help to mention that since I began growing out my own beard my wife has started to refer to it as "our fifth child" due to all of the comments it receives from friends, family members, and yes even complete strangers.

To encourage MLS/U.S. Soccer fans to share their beard pics with Virginia Online Soccer News we will be giving away this 'Death Before Shaving' shirt from the guys at Beardgang.com. You can tweet your beard pics to @VASoccerNews using the hashtag #bestmlsbeard or post them on our Facebook wall. You may also email them to: chris.wimmer@vasoccernews.com.

*Contest ends 9/30/2013 and the winner will be announced on 10/01/2013, good luck.

Buy the 'Death Before Shaving' shirt: click here

VIDEO :: 2013 D.C. United Academy Orientation

2013-08-22T08:57:00.000-04:00

D.C. United's Academy teams and training programs are designed to find and develop the top players in the Washington region. Our coaches and staff emphasize playing attractive, possession-oriented soccer. The ultimate goal is to prepare players for the club's First Team or the nation's top university teams.

Learn more: click here

VIDEO: Longwood Women's Soccer 2013 Preview

2013-08-21T16:59:00.003-04:00

via: LongwoodULancers

Coach Todd Dyer talks about his players, the team, and the competition in a preview of the fall season. The Lancers have been selected as the fourth best team in the Big South Conference....see why!

UVA Men Shutout Radford, 2-0 in Exhibition

2013-08-21T10:58:00.001-04:00

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team used two second-half goals to down Radford, 2-0, Tuesday evening in exhibition play at Klöckner Stadium. The friendly was the first of two exhibitions for the Cavaliers before their regular-season opener on Aug. 30 against Louisville.

After a first half which featured just three total shots between the teams, Virginia dominated the second half and out-shot Radford 9-1. Freshman Riggs Lennon (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) and junior Ryan Zinkhan (Fredericksburg, Va.) each scored for the Cavaliers.

Virginia broke through in the 67th minute. After Nicko Corriveau (Potomac, Md.) lofted a ball into the box, the ball caromed off goalkeeper Sam Legg and Lennon corralled the ball and fired it in from five yards out.

The Cavaliers added a goal in the 85th minute. Lennon fired a corner kick into the box, where Zinkhan put a head on it and put it just inside the far post.

Sophomore transfer Jeff Gal (Bartlett, Ill.) started in goal for the Cavaliers before giving way to Calle Brown (R-Jr., Leesburg, Va.) and freshman Cole Moffatt (South Pasadena, Calif.) in the second half.

UVa out-shot Radford, 11-2 and held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.

The Cavaliers travel to Rutgers at 7 p.m. Saturday for their final exhibition.

Tribe Women Shutout ODU, 2-0

2013-08-19T10:37:00.003-04:00

NORFOLK, Va. – Senior Dani Rutter scored a pair of goals as William and Mary defeated Old Dominion 2-0 in an exhibition match on Sunday afternoon at the ODU Soccer Complex.

The Tribe scored on its first chance of the afternoon in the fourth minute. Junior Aly Shaughnessy led a pass up the middle of the box that found Rutter, who beat ODU goalkeeper Meredith Lenox, putting the Green and Gold up 1-0.

W&M continued to pressure Old Dominion’s defense and had another chance in the 13th minute. Off of a corner kick, Senior Audrey Barry fired a shot, but a Monarch defender stepped in front, earing the team save.

Rutter found the back of the net again in the 62nd minute. The York, Pa. native charged to the box and launched a shot into the left corner of the net, giving William and Mary a 2-0 advantage.
The Green and Gold controlled the pace of play throughout the whole match, limiting the Monarchs to just two shots with one on goal. The Tribe finished the match 13 shots, placing four on frame.
Individually, Rutter finished the match with three shots, while senior Emory Camper and sophomores Samantha Cordum and Katie Johnston each finished with two shots.

Sophomore Caroline Casey and freshman Grace Smith combined for the shutout in goal for the Tribe. Casey recorded a save on a shot by ODU’s Jessie Klamut in the sixth minute.

The Tribe opens the regular season on Friday, Aug. 23 at Georgetown, before returning home to take on George Mason on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.

Event Review: Soccer Development Showcase Expo 2013

2013-08-19T08:53:00.000-04:00

Soccer Development Showcase

By: Chris Wimmer
@VASoccerNews

The weather was amazing this past Saturday when my son and I attended the first ever Soccer Development Showcase held at E.C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly, VA.

This great event was hosted by Conteh Soccer Academy which is ran by former D.C. United player Abdul Conteh. Showing off some of the latest soccer training aids for players and coaches were 7-Touch Training, OHLEsport, Corpus Training Devices, and Global Goal US.

My son had a blast trying out some of these great products and didn't want to leave. From practicing his touch on the OHLEsport Soccer Machine Training Aide to trying to make "header goals" into the top of the Global Goal, his love for soccer was on full display, along with his Mohawk.

Using the OHLEsport Soccer Machine Training Aide

The vendors did a great job demonstrating the capabilities of their training aids and were excellent while interacting with my son.

7-Touch Trainers

My son is already looking forward to testing out his new 7-Touch Trainers and helping his old man review his newest soccer gear (review coming soon)!

Hopefully this event will continue to grow in attendance and many more vendors will attend the showcase in the future, bringing their creative soccer training aides to players, parents, and coaches of Virginia.

VIDEOS:

UVA Women Shutout Illinois, 3-0

2013-08-19T08:13:00.000-04:00

MAPLE CITY, Mich. – The Virginia women’s soccer team concluded its week of preseason training in Michigan with a 3-0 victory over Illinois in an exhibition contest at Myles Kimberly Park on Friday. Danielle Colaprico (Freehold, N.J.) scored twice for the Cavaliers, while Mary Morgan (Norfolk, Va.) added a goal and an assist and Makenzy Doniak (Chino Hills, Calif.) had a pair of assists.

The game was played in three 30-minute periods. Midway through the first period the Cavaliers took a 1-0 lead as Colaprico scored off an assist from Doniak. The second period was scoreless as Virginia held its 1-0 advantage heading into the final 30 minutes.

The Cavaliers struck twice during the final period. Morgan capitalized on a pass from Doniak early in the period to extend the lead to 2-0. Minutes later Morgan set up Colaprico, who scored her second goal of the afternoon to make the final margin 3-0.

In goal, Danielle DeLisle (Batlimore, Md.), Jessie Ferrari (Fairfax, Va.) and Churchill O’Connell (McLean, Va.) combined to post the shutout for the Cavaliers.

“This was a good scrimmage for our team and was the culmination of a great week of training here in Michigan,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “Illinois is a very good team. They are talented and organized. I thought we moved the ball well at times today, but we had some times when we were exposed. Overall, I couldn’t ask for a better exhibition for us to test our team at this point of the preseason. We know we still have a lot of work to do over the upcoming week to get ready for the start of the regular season.”

The Cavaliers open the regular season on Aug. 23 as they host the Klöckner Classic. Virginia meets VCU in the second game of a doubleheader at 7:30 p.m. The first game of the day features North Carolina and Santa Clara at 5 p.m.

D.C. United USL Affiliate Richmond Kickers Clinch Regular Season Championship

2013-08-15T09:58:00.002-04:00

TAMPA, Fla. – The Richmond Kickers claimed the 2013 USL PRO Regular Season Championship on Wednesday night as they took a 2-0 victory against Orlando City at City Stadium. The victory gave Richmond the No. 1 seed for the upcoming USL PRO Playoffs, and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Meanwhile, in the battle for the final playoff position, the Wilmington Hammerheads kept their improbable playoff hopes alive as a late surge earned a 4-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Legion Stadium. The win moved Wilmington above VSI Tampa Bay FC into ninth position in the standings, just one point behind the Dayton Dutch Lions going to the final game of the season.

Richmond’s victory was keyed by veteran forward Matt Delicâte, who scored both goals in the Kickers’ victory. The club’s all-time leading scorer struck five minutes apart off assists by Joseph Ngwenya and Houston Dynamo loanee Brian Ownby. Orlando had chances to come back into the game in the second half, but a missed penalty by Kevin Molino and some outstanding goalkeeping by Andrew Dykstra, on loan from D.C. United, preserved the Kickers’ victory and the regular season championship.

Wilmington scored three goals in the final 15 minutes to get past the Riverhounds, who had taken an early lead on Jose Angulo’s 14^th goal of the season. The Hammerheads got back on even terms before the halftime break through Kyle Greig, however, and then put in a late push to take victory. Steven Perry scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 76^th minute, and that was followed by finishes by Bryce Taylor and Cody Arnoux to seal victory.

The Hammerheads still need help if they are to advance to the postseason, with the Dayton Dutch Lions still in control of the final playoff position. Should Dayton take victory against Harrisburg on Saturday night, the Dutch Lions would earn their first playoff berth in club history. Should Harrisburg either draw, or take victory, against the Dutch Lions, the Hammerheads would jump into eighth position with a victory against Antigua Barracuda FC. VSI Tampa Bay remains alive, but would need to take victory against Charlotte on Friday night, and have Harrisburg defeat Dayton and Wilmington draw with Antigua on Saturday to advance to the postseason.

Stay up to date with all of the action in the final week of the USL PRO regular season through the league’s free online streaming service, USLNation.com, and also follow the race for the playoffs via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+ for live updates from every game, plus news, previews and recaps of all the action.

NSCAA Preseason Rankings - UVA, VCU in Top 25

2013-08-13T16:17:00.001-04:00

The 2013 college soccer season is about to get started and the NSCAA has released their official preseason college rankings.

The University of Virginia sees both their men and women's teams start off in the Top 25 and joining them is the VCU men.

VIDEO :: Richmond Kickers 5:2 Dayton Dutch Lions Highlights

2013-08-13T09:15:00.002-04:00

Check out these video highlights from the Richmond Kickers 5-2 victory over the Dayton Dutch Lions from this past weekend.

VIDEO :: Richmond Spiders Women's Soccer 2013 Season Preview

2013-08-12T14:39:00.000-04:00

Richmond Spiders Women's 2013 season preview.

The Life of a Non-Millionaire Professional Athlete

2013-08-07T08:58:00.001-04:00

Clint Irwin (Photo: @ClintIrwin Twitter)

Everyone wants to be a pro, or at least most people do. We don’t necessarily talk about it that way, but the desire to have a job and hopefully a career that doesn’t need to be supported by other jobs seems a pretty basic one.

Read Full Story:
The Life of a Non-Millionaire Professional Athlete

Elite Development League Announces Fall 2013 Schedule

2013-08-07T08:15:00.002-04:00

Richmond, VA – The Elite Development League (EDL) has just announced its schedule of games for Fall 2013. The 5 club league will start play for the Fall 2013 season on the weekend of August 24-25 and conclude games during the weekend of November 2-3.

There are a total of 15 age groups participating in league play. The 15 age groups consist of the top teams in the U10 thru U16, and U18 boys and U10 thru U15 and U18 girls age groups. The 2013 Fall opening weekend features Culpeper SA playing away at Wake FC (Holly Springs, NC) .

The EDL schedule accommodates tournament play through the inclusion of league bye weekends. This Fall the EDL scheduled byes on Labor Day and Columbus Day weekends respectively. The EDL will also host its second annual EDL Columbus Day Tournament invitational in Richmond.

EDL Executive Director Bill Koeppen states “We are pleased with the simplicity of the scheduling process. The league schedules game dates while the technical directors arrange kickoff times for each match. The scheduling format affords each club an easier model to manage their staff, an exciting player development environment, and a platform to strengthen club identity.”

A complete league schedule can be found on the EDL website – www.edlsoccer.com

About the Elite Development League

Founded in February 2012, the Elite Development League (EDL) is a youth soccer league that provides an elite club centric environment to develop players and teams. The EDL features a block scheduling system where all the designated “A” teams in one club play all the designated “A” teams of another club on the same day at the same field location. The Fall 2013 season will be the second season of operations for the league. For more information, visit the EDL website at www.edlsoccer.com

USWNT Labor Day Training Session at RFK Open to the Public

2013-08-07T08:09:00.002-04:00

CHICAGO (Aug. 5, 2013) - All U.S. Soccer fans are invited to attend the U.S. Women's National Team public training session on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. ET at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Admission is free and open to the public. U.S. Soccer Supporters Club members will receive premium seating at the public training session. If fans wish to take part in this exclusive priority, they can join the U.S. Soccer Supporters Club through usssoccer.com/supporters.

Fans attending the public training session at RFK Stadium are asked to park in Lots 5 or 8 and enter the stadium through Gate A. The doors at Gate A open at 10:30 a.m.

The U.S. will face Mexico on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1. Fans will be able to follow along on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker and on Twitter @ussoccer_wnt.
Tickets are currently on sale to the public through ussoccer.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and at all Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout the Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia area (including many Walmart locations). Tickets will not be sold at RFK Stadium except for public training day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on the day of the event.
The meeting between the two regional rivals in the nation's capital will mark the first international soccer match on the new FOX Sports 1, America's new sports network, which is expected to be available in more than 90 million homes when it launches on Aug. 17.
The game will feature many NWSL players on both teams as the USA and Mexico will meet for the first time since Jan. 24, 2012, a 4-0 U.S. victory during group play at the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Vancouver, Canada. Carli Lloyd registered her first career hat trick in that match and Heather O'Reilly added a goal as the Americans clinched a berth in the semifinals.

VIDEO :: 2013 NPSL National Championship Final Highlights

2013-08-06T13:31:00.001-04:00

RVA FC CAPS OF “PERFECT SEASON” WITH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

2013-08-06T10:47:00.001-04:00

By SCOTT WYANT
RICHMOND, Va.—In sports, it takes years to build a perennial power. For first-year program RVA Football Club, it took months to take a first step in making that happen, culminating in Sunday night’s 2-0 win over the Sonoma County Sol in the National Premier Soccer League National Championship played at Sports Backers Stadium.
Read Full Story: click here

"Tear Down This Wall" - Biracial German-Americans play U.S. soccer

2013-08-02T12:51:00.001-04:00

Here is an interesting piece done by George Howell of CNN discussing the link between the fall of the Berlin Wall and the current state of German-American players on the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team.

Sons of American soldiers stationed in Germany and German mothers choosing to play for the US. George Howell reports.

Two UVA Women's Players Earn Preseason Honors

2013-07-31T13:37:00.000-04:00

The college soccer season is fast approaching and that means it's time for preseason awards.

Two members of the Virginia women’s soccer team were honored Wednesday (July 31) as TopDrawerSoccer.com announced its Preseason Best XI teams. Junior midfielder Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) was named to the first team and senior defender Annie Steinlage (Grand Haven, Mich.) was named to the third team.

Brian is one of three current collegiate players to have already made an appearance with the U.S. Women’s National Team. The two-time first-team All-ACC selection is coming off a four-goal, seven-assist sophomore season where she was named ACC Tournament MVP as the Cavaliers won their second conference title.

Steinlage transferred to Virginia in January after playing three seasons at Michigan State. A first-team All-Big Ten defender the last two seasons, she had three goals and five assists for the Spartans in 2011.

The Cavaliers open the regular season on Aug. 23 with the inaugural Klöckner Classic, featuring one of the strongest fields of any tournament in the nation this season. The Cavaliers face in-state foe VCU in the season opener, while traditional powers North Carolina and Santa Clara meet in the first game of the day. On Aug. 25, Virginia plays Santa Clara and North Carolina faces VCU on the second day of the tournament.

VIDEO :: MLS All-Stars Rap - "We're Better Than the Best"

2013-07-31T10:17:00.000-04:00

This is hilarious and one of the best MLS videos ever made. Check out some of those funky outfits and state-of-the-art 1980's video graphics!

funny or DIE MLS rap video

Watch out Michael Bradley and A.S. Roma...

Click Here to watch: "We're Better Than the Best" by The MLS All Stars

D.C. United to Host Open Practice/Coaches Clinic

2013-07-31T09:55:00.000-04:00

D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen addresses youth coaches

D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen is opening up a practice this month to area youth coaches. Participants will observe the first team's training session and than hear form Coach Olsen, before participating in a coaching clinic lead by Assistant Coaches Chad Ashton and Preston Burpo.

Event Details:

When: Friday, August 23, 2013 – 9:00 a.m.*

Where: RFK Stadium – 2400 E. Capitol St. SE Washington D.C., 20003

Cost: The event is free for all youth coaches. The event is not appropriate for youth soccer players.

Click Here to Register

Kickers vs Tamba Bay FC ends with scoreless draw

2013-07-29T10:41:00.002-04:00

Checkout video highlights from the +Richmond Kickers scoreless draw against Tampa Bay FC:

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers extended their lead at the top of the USL PRO standings with a scoreless draw against VSI Tampa Bay FC Sunday night. Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra posted six saves for his league-high eighth shutout to keep the Kickers' record setting undefeated streak alive.

With their season-long unbeaten streak on the line, the Kickers pressed for an opening goal directly out of the gates when defender Sascha Görres faked a volley then teed up a shot that calmly slotted through traffic, forcing goalkeeper Alex Horwath to dive to his right to parry it wide in the 6^th minute. Two minutes later, Horwath sprung into action again, denying a Michael Callahan strike to prevent the early break through.

Tampa retaliated in the 11^th minute when midfielder Tony Donatelli received the ball 30 yards out and rifled a distance shot over the crossbar. Midfielder Chad Burt lined up a similar attempt six minutes later but Dykstra leapt to push the ball over the bar.

The defensive battle ensued into the second half until Donatelli battled two defenders for possession at the right touchline in the 55^th minute. Breaking free, he sent a deflected cross back to the top of the box where forward Andriy Budnyy fired on target but Dykstra dove to the near post to smother his effort.

Three minutes later, Tampa searched for the icebreaker when Douglas Dos Santos stole the ball in the midfield minutes after entering the match as a second half substitute. Carrying the ball deep into Kickers territory, he played it back to Burt who unleashed a rocket shot that whizzed inches past the upright.

A 69^th minute lightning strike delayed the match for nearly an hour and the Kickers looked for a quick tally minutes after the restart when midfielder Nate Robinson lofted a free kick into the box. Hoping to find Stanley Nyazamba in the air, his cross was thwarted when the Zimbabwean midfielder collided with Horwath as the goalkeeper grabbed the ball.

Soon after, Nyazamba broke through the Tampa defense and sliced the ball across the goal mouth, searching for David Bulow, lurking at the back post, but the ball was intercepted by VSI defender Kyle Hoffer and cleared from harm’s way.

With 10 minutes remaining in regulation, a poor clearance led to an inswinging Tampa corner kick that pinged around a crowded box before deflecting off a Kickers defender and striking the post. The rebound found Dos Santos at the top of the box and his follow up shot met the same fate, rattling the woodwork once again, before Dykstra diverted it over the endline.

Gaining momentum, Tampa pressed forward again three minutes later, when a tricky combination left Donatelli unmarked but the midfielder could not capitalize on the opportunity as he blasted a shot from 20 yards just over the crossbar.

In the final seconds of stoppage time, the Kickers were denied a last-gasp attempt to steal all three points when Gorres sliced a left-footed shot destined for goal but Horwath wrapped it around the post to preserve the scoreless draw.

The Kickers take to the road again next weekend for a pair of back to back matches in the Carolinas. First, the Kickers travel to the Charlotte Eagles on Friday, August 2 before facing the Charleston Battery 24 hours later. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., live from Queens Sports Complex and Blackbaud Stadium, respectively, on USLnation.com.

Box Score First Half Second Half Final

Richmond 0 0 0

Tampa 0 0 0

Scoring Summary

None.

Lineups

Kickers: GK Andrew Dykstra, Luke Vercollone, Henry Kalungi, Conor Shanosky, Alex Lee, Michael Callahan (Philippe Davies – 80’), Sascha Görres, Stanley Nyazamba (William Yomby – 89’), Nate Robinson (Joseph Ngwenya – 80’), Matthew Delicâte (Shane Johnson – 74’), Brian Ownby (David Bulow – 45’)

VSI: GK Alex Horwath, Richard Dixon, Josh Rife, Kyle Hoffer, Jamie McGuiness (Biteilo Jean Jacques – 53’), Darren Toby, Sebastian Thuriere (Douglas Dos Santos – 53’), Chad Burt, Tony Donatelli, Andriy Budnyy (Mauricio Salles – 86’), Sallieu Bundu (JT Noone – 45’)