United States WNT is Olympic bound — and Canada too

The U.S. women's soccer team after its 2008 Olympic Games success in Beijing. Can it win a third successive title?

The United States women’s soccer team is on its way to London for the 2012 Olympic Games following a 3-0 win over Costa Rica in the semifinal of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Vancouver, Canada Friday evening.

Tobin Heath opened the scoring for Pia Sundhage’s ladies in the 16^th minute but there were a few nervy moments in the remaining minutes of the first half.

Hope Solo was quick off her line to deny Raquel Rodriguez nine minutes later, while  Carol Sanchez’d rasping effort from around 35 yards hit the crossbar a couple of minutes later.

The second half was pretty much one way traffic and the U.S. extended its lead after 72 minutes when Abby Wambach’s shot was cleared off the line, only to land at the feet of Carli Lloyd, who made no mistake firing home.

Alex Morgan made it three in the 88^th minute, to set up a final encounter with Canada, who overcame Mexico (who the U.S. beat 4-0 on Tuesday) in the second semifinal with a 3-1 victory.

The game takes place on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET and will be shown live on NBC Sports Network. Regardless of who wins, both Canada and the U.S. will now head to the London games, which take place from July 27-August 12.

The U.S. will go to London as two-time defending champion, having taken gold in Athens in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008. Joining Canada and the Americans will be current World Cup holders Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, North Korea, Cameroon, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia and a representative from Oceania.

Tags: 2012 London Olympics, Canada, Costa Rica, U.S. women's soccer

U.S. women: next up Mexico in Olympic qualifiers

Lori Lindsey: the Indianapolis native scored her first goal for the U.S. yesterday.

The  U.S. women’s soccer team may have racked up 27 goals in its two Olympic qualifying games to date, but the real business starts tomorrow (Tuesday)with a group deciding clash against Mexico in Vancouver, Canada (10.30 p.m. ET).

A win or tie will put in the U.S.—featuring Indiana’s Lauren Cheney and Lori Lindsey—into the semifinal of the eight team CONCACAF qualifying tournament as group toppers, where it will play either Costa Rica or Canada. The two finalists will progress to the London Olympics, to be held from July 27-August 12.

However, the squad will not easily forget the loss to Mexico in a World Cup qualifying game in 2010.

That defeat forced head coach Pia Sundhage’s charges into a playoff against Italy to make it to Germany, which they succeeded in winning before progressing all the way to the final, only to fall to Japan.

“We won’t talk much about 2010,” Sundhage said yesterday. “This is 2012 and we want to qualify for the Olympics. It will be a hard to choose a lineup. We have some decisions to make and many players have been playing well out there.”

The U.S. beat Domincian Republic 14-0 Friday, followed by a 13-0 success against Guatemala Sunday.

In the latter matchup, Abby Wambach scored twice to move her into third on the career goals list for women’s international soccer with 129. At the moment she trails fellow Americans Mia Hamm (158) and Kristine Lilly (130).

However, most of the talk was about newcomer Sydney Leroux, who scored five times as a second half substitute for Wambach, tying the U.S. record for most goals in a game.

Lori Lindsey, meanwhile, scored her first goal for the women’s national team. The Indianapolis native, who plays for WPS outfit Philidelphia Independence, described it as “fun.”

“It’s always fun to contribute to that so I’m excited,” said the former Pike High School student. “I’m 128 goals behind Abby so I feel like she should be getting a little nervous. I’m right on her heels.”

The semifinals will take place on Friday, with the final being staged on Sunday at 8 p.m.

*Tuesday’s Mexico game is available live on the Universal Sports Network, via online video at Universalsports.com and CONCACAF.com, or you can follow it via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

Tags: 2012 Women's Olympic Qualifying, Abby Wambach, Canada, Lauren Chaney, Lori Lindsey, Olympic Qualifying, Sydney Leroux, U.S. Women

Lightning to host “tasty” benefit

Bring one of these along to Lightning's Feb. 3 benefit and get yourself a yummy discount.

It’s time to get the jars of peanut butter out of the cupboard (or maybe buy new ones), as Louisville Lightning’s  “white-out” game against the Ohio Vortex draws ever nearer.

The Professional Arena Soccer League outfit is partnering with Yum! Brands in a benefit for Dare to Care Food Bank at Mockingbird Valley Sports Complex on Feb. 3 (7.30 p.m.). Fans with peanut butter will receive 20 percent off $10 tickets purchased at the door.

The first 50 fans to arrive will receive a free official white-out t-shirt. Shirts may also be purchased on game night for $10.

The Lightning (7-4) currently lies in second place in the PASL’s Eastern Division, and is in good shape to make the eight team playoffs in early March.

Tonight, it hosts Illinois Piasa (7.30 p.m.) before travelling to take on Ohio Vortex tomorrow evening.

Tags: Louisville Lightning, PASL, peanut butter, Professional Arena Soccer League, Yum! Brands

Disney thriller caps Mattingly’s fairytale year

Leah Mattingly (left) in action for Javanon ’95 against Pitt Greenville SA ’94 Stars from North Carolina during the Disney Soccer Showcase in Florida last week.

Most players usually dread when a game goes to a penalty shootout, but you get the feeling top local defender Leah Mattingly quite enjoys it.

And why wouldn’t she? Over the past seven months, the Floyds Knobs native has won an Indiana high school soccer title with Providence, a Kentucky State Cup crown with her club Javanon ‘95, and last week came a prestigious Disney Showcase championship in Orlando, Fla. – -all of which were decided on penalties.

Mattingly scored her spot kick to help her U17 team beat ISA Sting of New York  3-0 in a shootout after an exciting 1-1 tie to clinch the Predator White Division.

The junior, bound for Ball State University, makes the art sound pretty simple.

“You walk up with confidence, block everything out, and place the ball where it needs to go,” Mattingly told Kick It. “No reason to over think it.

“Going into shootouts, I have complete confidence in my players. We practice penalty kicks a lot. I never doubt any of the shooters, including myself.”

To get to the final, Javanon ‘95 chalked up group wins against Pitt Greenville Stars of North Carolina (5-1) and Big Sun Lightning of Florida (2-0), along with a scoreless draw with Everton of  New Jersey.

Mattingly said that 2011 was “a great year” for her.

“I am blessed to play on good teams with talented players and coaches,” she said.  “Winning the Kentucky State Cup on PKs (in which she scored from the spot in a 5-4 shootout against Kings Soccer Academy) after our goalie dislocated her shoulder in overtime was a great accomplishment.

“Winning the first state title for Providence High School (penciled in to take the fifth penalty, but didn’t need to against Mishawaka Marian in a 3-1 spot kick triumph) was something one dreams about as a kid.

“Ending the year with a Disney Showcase championship was awesome. It was the first time that my Javanon team has made it to the championship game at Disney, and beating a powerful team from New York was unbelievable.”

Relaxation is a phrase you won’t have heard uttered by some of the area’s players who traveled to the Disney Soccer Showcase.

The massive week long yuletide tournament for 300 boys’ and 268 girls’ teams ranging from U15 to U19 is now considered one of the biggest stages for youth soccer in the U.S.

Self-titled the ‘Proving Ground,’ the Showcase unsurprisingly attracts literally hundreds of college coaches, including representatives from Louisville, Indiana, UK, Notre Dame, Evansville and Butler.

Matt Kelecy (center) and Jordan Vejar (right) in action for Javanon '94against Florida Soccer Alliance at the Disney Soccer Showcase recently.

The boys’ competition featured Javanon ’94, and amongst its ranks are  Jordan Vejar (Jeffersonville), Matt Kelecy (Floyd Central) and Nick Blackwell (New Albany). The team won the consolation final to add to its U17 Showcase runner-up medal of a year ago.

The team started with a 2-1 win over North Atlanta Premier and followed up with a 7-0 thrashing of New Jersey state cup finalist Marlboro Blue Lightning. A 2-0 loss to Florida’s Soccer Alliance Freedom saw the boys fall just short of ensuring a place in the final, but they bounced back in the consolation game for third place against 2010 national runner-up Tampa Bay United with a 2-1victory.

Behind by a goal, Javanon tied when Kelecy collected a Jordan Vejar cross and buried it to the bottom left corner of the goal. Lindo Mfeka then won it with a goal midway through the second half.

Vejar played the tournament at right back, Blackwell played as holding midfielder, and Kelecy played at right midfield and forward.

Meanwhile, United 1996 ’94, featuring Brett Bass of Providence, participated in the U19 Copa Gray, where it beat Charlotte of North Carolina 1-0.

Elsewhere, United 1996 saw two of its sides make it to the final of their respective sections. The ’95 boys lost out to state rival Lexington 3-2 in the U17 Copa Black, while the ’96 team lost out to Brentwood ’96 of Tennessee 2-1 in the U16 Predator Black section.

In the U15 Copa Black, United 1996 gained a tie with Annandale Spartans of Virginia 2-2, while Javanon ’96 played in the U16 Predator Red section, winning against FC Dallas 5-0, and its ’97 team played in the Predator Black section.

Tags: Disney Soccer Showcase, Javanon, Leah Mattingly, United 1996

MLS SuperDraft day is near

Four University of Louisville seniors will learn their futbol fates when the 2012 Major League Soccer SuperDraft is held at the Kansas City Convention Center this Thursday.

Colin Rolfe, Austin Berry, Nick DeLeon and Kenney Walker were among those invited to participate in the 68 player adidas MLS Player Combine, which has been ongoing in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., since Friday and ends today.

 

Indiana University’s Chris Estridge, Tommy Meyer and Alec Purdie were also selected for the combine.

All the combine games, with players divided into four teams, have been broadcast live on mlssoccer.com. The player who seems to be impressing most of the Cardinal quartet is central defender Austin Berry, who made numerous timely tackles and was great in the air in game one.

There has been plenty of speculation and guesswork flying around regarding the destination of players in the numerous mock SuperDrafts compiled by various websites.

So far the Louisville players have been predicted to end up at Chivas, Portland, Toronto, Colorado, Montreal, New England, Real Salt Lake and Chicago Fire.

If the truth be told, anywhere really. (There are 19 MLS clubs.) To find out for sure, check out the SuperDraft on Thursday for yourself when it is screened live on ESPN2 and ESPN3 (12 noon).

Tags: Major League Soccer, MLS SuperDraft

Top 10 soccer stories of 2011

It’s that time again when we reminisce and select a mix of the best soccer moments and stories of 2011, both locally and elsewhere.

Just a glance at the top moments suggests it was the year of girlpower, with a state title for the fairer sex coming to the area, not to mention the excitement of the Women’s World Cup in the summer.

The moments are in no particular order of preference, and if you feel we’ve left anything out, you can add to it here.

To all our readers and friends: Thanks for all your support and co-operation during the year, and have a very, merry Christmas and a kicking 2012.

Providence: state champs

Providence wins Indiana girls’ state title

Along with the introduction of two class soccer to Indiana came Providence’s first IHSAA state sanctioned crown in any sport courtesy of it girls’ soccer team. The Pioneers beat Mishawaka Marian in the Class A championship game in a penalty shootout at Kuntz Stadium, Indianapolis, completing an unbeaten year (21-0-2). Providence went through the postseason without conceding a single goal, while also recording 12 consecutive shutouts.

Christian Academy wins sectional

Christian Academy of Indiana wins its first ever boys’ sectional crown when beating Providence 2-0 in the local Class A championship decider. Floyd Central beat Jasper 2-1 in the local Class 2A girls’ sectional title game, while Jasper beat New Albany in the Class 2A boys’ sectional final 2-1 after overtime.

Local trio part of Kentucky state champs

Soccer powerhouse St Xavier wins its 11^th Kentucky state title and helping them achieve the record feat are southern Indiana senior trio Gabe Stewart, Mitch Brinkworth and Logan Riely. The Tigers (27-1-1) win the championship 3-0 against Ryle at Paul Dunbar High School in Lexington, chalking up their 26th consecutive victory.

The Proposal

I think she said yes ...

Colin Bell will always remember his first victory in sectionals as Silver Creek boys’ soccer coach, an 8-0 result against Rock Creek Academy, for more than one reason. It also was the night he proposed to his sweetheart, Morgan Young, during the halftime break at the Providence-hosted event. With his side up 4-0, Bell made his way over to the bleachers with his players, each one carrying a rose. There sat Pioneer graduate Young, who had been asked to bring a “forgotten” polo top of Bell’s to the game. “The first guy put the vase down in front of her and the rest set their roses in the vase,” Bell told Kick It.“ I had this whole thing prepared, comparing soccer to love, but I froze up. All I said was, ‘I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?’” Luckily, Young responded in the affirmative, to the roaring approval of the crowd.

Another goal tragedy

Fourth grader Jonathan Nelson dies after a goal falls over at Elm Tree Elementary school, Arkansas in January. Police and administrators confirm the goal was not anchored, while parents tell a local TV station that some children were leaning against the goal when it fell over and hit the nine-year-old  in the head. There have been 36 known and reported deaths in the United States from injuries sustained by soccer goals since 1979. During that time, players in Lafayette, Indiana and Bardstown, Kentucky have sustained serious injuries.

 

Klinsmann named new U.S.A. coach

Bob Bradley is relieved of his duties as the U.S. men’s coach and is replaced by California based German Jürgen Klinsmann, ushering in a new era in U.S. soccer and finally ending a five year chase for his services. Qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil start for the U.S. next June.

A Real ‘Gemma’

Gemma Newland, Southern Indiana United’s vice president of referees, is named the Administrator of the Year by Indiana Youth Soccer. “It feels weird to have all of this attention,” said the New Albany mother of four, recognized for her tireless dedication for the past 18 years. “The reward was totally unexpected, as I don’t feel that I do anything remarkable.”

Japan shocks the world

The Women’s World Cup

The FIFA Women’s World Cup, held in Germany during the summer, saw the United States just miss out on the title when beaten on penalty kicks by surprise packet Japan in the final. However, it was the quarterfinal clash against Brazil – a sports movie in one game — that will long be remembered. It had the earliest ever own goal (74 seconds); a sending off;  a debatable penalty after said sending off;, a spirited fight back from a U.S. team uniting to overcome adversity, manufacturing the latest ever goal in a World Cup. And to top it all, the game then had a thrilling penalty shootout victory with goalkeeper Hope Solo pulling off a match wining save. Hoosiers Lauren Cheney and Lori Lindsey were also part of the squad. The event was described as World Cup 2.0 as there was a notable shift in the public obtaining information or watching games online.

UofL reaches Elite Eight; Women make Sweet 16

The University of Louisville men’s soccer team goes out of the NCAA Division One tournament at the Elite Eight stage, losing to UCLA, who it had conquered at the same point last year on its way to the final. This year’s championship game sees No. 1 North Carolina beat unranked state rival Charlotte 1-0. The Cards women’s soccer program, meanwhile, posts its greatest postseason run, making the last 16 but losing out 2-0 to ninth ranked Florida State. The title is won by Stanford, who beat Duke by a lone goal.

Estonia's, er Ireland's, Conor Cunningham

Fan blags way onto bench

Republic of Ireland fan Conor Cunningham travels to Talinn, without a ticket, to see his country’s Euro 2012 first leg play-off against Estonia and ends up on the opposition’s bench. When trying to blag his way into the game with his friends, he discovers an Estonian tracksuit in a small room with a bag of soccer balls. He proceeds to put the tracksuit on over his jeans and Ireland shirt. Cunningham continues the story:  “I didn’t know what to do, to be honest, so I thought I’d better go into the Estonian dug-out. No one said anything to me and then I realized I was sitting beside their manager (Tarmo Ruutli).” At the end of the game, he goes onto the field with his bag of balls and celebrates with the delirious Irish players, who practically ensure qualification for Euro 2012 with a 4-0 victory.

 

Other stories: Los Angeles Galaxy wins MLS Cup; Barcelona wins Champions League final against Manchester United and World Club Championship against Santos; River City Rovers plays its first season in the Premier Development League; Borden’s Grant Hollkamp makes Region II ’97 team; Wales national team coach and former player Gary Speed apparently takes his own life; former Brazil star Sócrates dies; Women’s Professional Soccer survives as a five team league is approved for 2012 by the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Tags: Barcelona, Colin Bell proposal, Hope Solo, Japan, Jurgen Klinsmann, Morgan Young proposal, Providence soccer, top soccer stories of 2011, University of Louisville, Women's World Cup

Soccer showcase success for locals

United put out Phoenix's flame: Pierce Crawley, pictured here in action for United 1996 against GSA Phoenix of Georgia at the Collegiate Championship Soccer Showcase in Birmingham, Ala. at the weekend.

The area’s finest select soccer teams were among the nation’s best to descend on Birmingham, Ala. for the Collegiate Championship Soccer Showcase last weekend.

The senior event featured over 100 top U17 and U18 squads playing in 22 divisions and attracted the attention of over 100 college coaches. There was also a junior tournament, which featured 66 teams from U13-U16.

The showcase also doubled up as the venue for the first round of games in the US Youth Soccer National League, which Javanon ’94 are playing in for the second consecutive year.

The Louisville outfit went a very creditable 4-1-2 last year when it just missed out out on the National League Blue Division title to TSC of Oklahoma.

This time round, Javanon is playing in the U18 Red Division and finished four days of consecutive play with a 2-1-1 record to lie in second place going into the new year.

Jason Bell’s charges beat PSC Coppa of Philadelphia, Pa. and reigning Region IV champion Rush Nike Argonauts of New Mexico (4-1), tied with Dallas Texans (1-1), and lost 4-3 to Grand Rapids Crew of Michigan, who lead the way at the halfway stage with maximum points.

Javanon ’94 will play its final two games against Commack SC United of New York and Florida Rush Nike on February 18 and 19 respectively.

Meanwhile, it was a great weekend for the United 1996’s ’96 International side, who captured the U16 Alabama Power Champion Flight by beating Norman Youth Soccer’s Celtic ’96, hosts Vestavia Hill’s ’96 Steamers, and Central Florida Kraze, all by 1-0 scorelines.

In the U17 Showcase Red Division, United 1996’s ’95 Internationals won two games against FC Dallas (5-1) and GSA Phoenix (1-0), but lost their final game to Virginia Legacy Wizards, who came from behind to win 2-1.

Javanon ’95 Black registered a notable 5-2 win against Houston Dynamo affiliate Gulf Coast United, the top ranked team in Mississippi and eighth in the nation.

It also beat Blast ’95 of Alabama 4-1 on the final day. Also participating at the showcase were United 1996’s U15 Internationals ’97, who chalked up a 4-0 victory against Ohio elite, and ’94 Internationals, who played in the U18 Showcase Red Division.

The tournament coincided with the Men’s College Cup which was held in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover. The NCAA Division 1 crown was won by No. 1 North Carolina, who beat unranked Charlotte 1-0 in the final on Sunday. The Tar Heels overcame UCLA, conquerors of University of Louisville last week, in the semifinal on penalties.

Tags: Birmingham soccer, Collegiate Championship Soccer Showcase, Javanon, United 1996

Kick It: don’t miss it!

 

 In Kick It this week: Hollkamp’s national dream/Tired Cards fall to Bruins/Third time a charm for Lightning/Goodbye to ‘The Doctor’

Elite Eight repeat for Cards

So one year almost to the day, it’s the same scenario for University of Louisville’s men’s soccer team.

A NCAA quarterfinal home tie against UCLA at Cardinal Park (Saturday 7 p.m.), and a place at the College Cup just one tantalizing game away.

There won’t be too many complaints from Louisville fans if there’s a repeat of last year’s result also. The 5-4 thriller in the snow will go down as one of the most exciting soccer matchups ever held in the area at any level.

Louisville celebrates last year's thrilling 5-4 victory over UCLA in the NCAA quarterfinals at a snowy Cardinal Park. Can the Cards repeat with another win against the Bruins this Saturday?

However, the Cards have had a slightly different journey this time round to reach the top of the same stairway.

Last year, Louisville went into the Elite Eight game with an unbeaten 18-0-3 record and a No. 1 seeding. The Big East Tournament champions were pretty much expected to be still hanging around in the latter stages and duly obliged with a couple of home victories against Charleston and Ohio State.

This fall has not been such a smooth ride, and the Cards — ranked No. 1 preseason – go into Saturday’s game at 14-6-2 carrying beside their name the number 12.

That, however, should not have fooled anyone at the start of the tournament. The six losses this season have been against top opposition and have made the team even more battle hardened than last year.

To prove the point, Louisville came from a goal behind against Bradley last week to score twice in a 42 second span, only to concede a last minute equalizer.

Without feeling too sorry for themselves, the Cards found the golden goal it needed in overtime with the teams just 2:18 away from penalty kicks.

On Sunday, Louisville took the lead twice against No. 5 Maryland, with goals from Nick DeLeon and Colin Rolfe, only to be hauled back to 2-2. It’s hard enough to score just once away from home against one of the best teams in the nation, without doing it a second time, so the Terrapins’ double comeback seemed ominous for the Cards.

Not so. Ken Lolla’s charges proceeded to notch up a third through Daniel Keller with 11 minutes remaining before Michael Roman put the game beyond Maryland’s reach with a fourth in the 84^th minute.

Now, Louisville finds itself facing a team it overcame last year, when it set up a final four game against North Carolina.

A win on Saturday, and a trip to Alabama for the College Cup, could see the same opponents standing in the way of another championship appearance, as the victor will face No. 1 Tar Heels (conquerors of Indiana on Sunday) or unranked surprise packet St Mary’s.

One step at a time though. Despite Louisville having already beaten UCLA 2-0 at the start of the season (when the teams were No. 1 and No. 2 respectively), Bruins coach Jorge Salcedo feels they are now a much better team that is equipped to go on the road.

They are talented all over the field but Chandler Hoffman, with 18 goals to date this year, is the target man to keep a close eye on.

Last year, 5, 467 officially attended the game (not including those watching from the berm), and the Cards will be hoping to beat that this time round with the help of a little less snow and warmer temperatures than 33 degrees.

Tickets can be purchased at the U of L athletics ticket office or by calling 502-852-5151. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youths, students and senior citizens.

NCAA quarterfinals: Louisville (12) v. UCLA (13); North Carolina (1) v St Mary’s; Connecticut (3) v. Charlotte; Creighton (2) v. South Florida (7).

Tags: Colin Rolfe, Daniel Keller, Ken Lolla, Maryland, Michael Roman, Nick DeLeon, UCLA, University of Louisville soccer

Speed death shocks soccer world

Gary Speed during his days with Leeds

The soccer world was shocked and saddened on Sunday to hear of the passing of Wales national team coach and former player Gary Speed.

The 42-year-old married father of two boys apparently took his own life at his home, and many have since expressed their astonishment and disbelief.

For here was a popular man that had had a hugely successful career as a midfielder and still had an enormous future ahead in the coaching world.

He made 700 appearances as a player – 535 in the English Premier League — with Leeds United (where he won a league championship medal in 1992), Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United. He earned 85 caps with Wales, the most of any outfield player for his country.

He retired two years ago and commenced his managerial career at Sheffield United before becoming the Wales boss last year. In the space of 10 months, he lifted them from their lowest ever FIFA world ranking of 117 back into the top 50, helped by wins in four of their last five matches.

He had, on Saturday lunchtime, appeared on BBC’s weekly show, Football Focus, alongside old Leeds team mate Gary McAllister, and clips show him seemingly in good spirits.

He had many fans, including my sister, and I can still remember the posters she had fixed to the wall in his Leeds United rig out and sporting his trademark mop of floppy black hair, while enjoying the illustrious company of New Kids on the Block and A-Ha.

And if you took a trip through the world of  social media over the past couple of days, it was clear she was not alone. R.I.P. Speedo.

Tags: Bolton, Everton, Gary Speed, Leeds United, Newcastle, Sheffield United, Wales