USA v Mexico Watch Party; HASL Season Kicks Off; UAH Preseason Predictions

AOs to Host USA v Mexico Viewing Party at Brickhouse

The American Outlaws-Huntsville will be hosting a Viewing Party for the USA v Mexico friendly with food and drink specials at the Brickhouse Sports Cafe, next Wednesday, August 10.  Several AOH members will be making the trip up to Philadelphia to support the team in person, but for those of us with "real jobs", the local soccer bar is the place to be.  I hope to have more on the trip up to Philly by the local boys next week.


HASL Season Kicks Off On Sunday

The Huntsville Adult Soccer League kicks off its Fall 2011 season on Sunday.  The league will once again consist of five divisions of six teams who will play ten matches to determine division champions.  Also, for the second season, there will be a small sided Women's division.  For more information, check out the HASL website.


UAH Preseason Predictions

The University of Alabama-Huntsville Men's Soccer team has been picked to finish third in the Gulf South Conference in 2011.  The preseason predictions come just a few weeks before the season begins on September 1.  Returning for the Chargers will be pre-season all-conference player Jarrod Muggleton.  There are also a pair of incoming local freshmen, who are expected to make an impact on the team.  Midfielder Kyle Simmons from Bob Jones and Forward Mitch Wilson from Grissom will look to help UAH drive the Charger's attack. 

HASL Plans To Resume On Wednesday, RCU Postpones Soccerfest

HASL to Play Wednesday

The Huntsville Adult Soccer League has announced that they will attempt to continue league play on Wednesday, May 4th provided the curfew has been lifted by then.  League President Jacob Noffke said in an email to team and league representatives, "Assuming the curfew is lifted, we will attempt to resume on Wednesday."  The league suspended play due to the aftermath of last Wednesday's tornadoes cancelling two match days in addition to the already canceled matches on the night of the storms. 

Noffke also volunteered league resources to help anyone in the HASL soccer community affected by last Wednesday's tornadoes.  "Lastly, If anyone on your team is in need of help, let us know and we'll try to organize something through the league. I'm sure HASL can pull together our collective resources and pitch in a few items of need for somebody in our small soccer community. We have over 600 players that span North Alabama. I pray that everyone made it through safely."


RCU Postpones Soccerfest

In light of the aftermath of the Tennessee Valley tornadoes, Rocket City United has decided to cancel the Soccerfest originally scheduled for Thursday, May 5th at the YMCA in Madison.  The event will be rescheduled for a date to be determined.

HASL Suspends Season

The Huntsville Adult Soccer League has suspended its season (Men's and Women's Leagues) until further notice due to the aftermath of Wednesday's tornadoes. 

In Depth: HASL's Women Division

When Suzy Permar moved to Huntsville for work just over a year ago, one of the first things she did was look for a league to quench soccer thirst.  When she discovered that there were no leagues for the female player older than the age of 18 in Huntsville,  she decided that she would make it her goal to change the situation.  "I realized  that there was no women's soccer leagues or even a recognized co-ed league for women to play in.  That is why I decided to get the ball rolling on starting a women's league here." 

You'll find several women scattered across the rosters of the Huntsville Adult Soccer League, but HASL is certainly not considered a "co-ed" league.  That makes it hard for women who would like to continue to play the game they grew up loving.  "Although, I have an obvious personal interest in starting a league here in Huntsville, I am also doing it for the progression of women's sports in this area, " added Permar.

HASL has also recognized that there is a segment of the soccer playing population that isn't being served and has made it a priority to help Permar establish the league.  Permar gives HASL a lot of credit, "Jacob Noffke at HASL has really made this happen for us." 

Permar, who has quite a bit of experience as a player, coach and soccer administrator in Memphis, is looking to set up a top notch competition in Huntsville.  "HASL has agreed to include a women's program under their umbrella. So the women of Huntsville will play through that organization and register with USSF and the Alabama State Soccer Association."

Permar understands that it may take some time to build up the women's league to the heights that the existing men's league has reached.  "At this time the games will be played in Madison at Palmer Park on Monday nights.  We are going to start with a 6v6 League until we grow large enough to play 11v11."

Spring Registration dates will be next Thursday, January 27th from 5-7 and Saturday,  January 29th from 2-4 at Pete's Soccer Shop .  If you can't make it to the registration dates or you or a player you know would like more info, you can reach Suzy at spermar11@gmail.com.

In a stroke of bad luck, Suzy will have to wait to reap the fruits of her labor.  "Unfortunately, I will be on the sidelines during the first season as I am currently recovering from a torn ACL. I expect to be back playing this summer sometime."

NPSL, HASL, and New Referee Clinic

14 New Teams including Knoxville Join NPSL

The NPSL announced today that there will be 14 new teams joining the nationwide league, including a club from Knoxville, TN.  The league also announced that it has gone from a non-profit to a for profit entity.  Update:  In addition, it has been learned that NPSL teams will now have the option to become professional or to stay amateur. 

The Knoxville Force is expected to join the Southeast Region.  The team will play its home matches in the University of Tennessee's Regal Stadium that holds 3,000 spectators.  It is expected that they will take the place of Tulsa FC in the Southeast Region.  Tulsa is likely to play its 2011 in a new region to include teams from Oklahoma, Texas, and perhaps other states.


HASL Spring 2011 Set to Begin February 23rd

The Huntsville Adult Soccer League held its Captains Meeting Sunday.  There will remain 30 teams in 5 divisions for the Spring 2011 season that is set to start on February 23rd.   This season for the first time ever, there will also be a Women's Division for adult women ages 18 and up.  If you or a woman soccer player you know is interested in joining the six-aside league, contact Suzy Permar at discosoccer11@yahoo.com.


Give Back to the Game:  Become a Ref

There is a shortage of referees in Northern Alabama.  For years, HASL has not been able to add interested teams beyond its current number of 30 due to the lack of referees to officiate matches.  In an attempt to combat this problem, the North Alabama Soccer Officials Association is sponsoring a USSF Referee Clinic for entry-level referees (USSF Grade 8 and 9).  This is also the perfect time for all of you players who complain about the quality of referees in the area to put up or shut up.  In fact, all HASL players who sign up for the clinic will be reimbursed 50% of the certification costs once they referee 3 HASL matches!  The clinic costs $40 and will be held on January 28, 29 and 30th at the First Christian Church at 3209 Whitesburg Drive in Huntsville.  For more info, go to the NASOA website.

  

Update:   I've had several requests for info on other clinics being offered in Alabama from folks who can't make the NASOA clinic.  My expert in all things refereeing, Darrell Schmidt says,

"Alabama referee clinics are posted at:

 

http://alabamayouthsoccer.org/Referees/index_E.html

Click on the link “Referee Clinic Schedule” under Related Links on the left side of the page.  Looks like there is referee clinic in February in B’ham."

Now, you have no excuses!

HASL League Meeting, Youth Coaching

HASL Captain Meeting Tomorrow At Pete's Soccer Shop

The Spring 2011 Huntsville Adult Soccer League's Captains Meeting will be held Sunday at 2PM at Pete's Soccer Shop.  The league officers and captains will discuss the upcoming Spring 2011 season and other developments like the new Womens Division.


Youth Coaching, Where Less Is More

Steve Davis wrote a great blog post about how he has learned to be a better coach by just shutting up and letting the kids play and figure out the game by themselves.  If you're a coach, read it; learn it; do it.

Catching Up

As you can tell, I've been taking a break from the blog.  Running the PWT-blog is a voluntary effort on my part and after the NPSL Championships last August, I was burned out.  So, in an effort to prevent future bouts with burn out, don't expect the frequency of future post to quite meet past levels.


So, what has happened in the Huntsville soccer scene since my last post?

Alabama A&M's men's team played their final match, an 0:8 nationally televised loss to the University of Memphis to finish 0-0-11.  A sad ending to a once great program.

 Rocket City United parted with its third coach in its four year existence.  Desmond Armstrong will not remain in the club, but will remain a feature in the area by opening Desmond Armstrong's Soccer Village in Greenbrier.   RCU will looked to better 2010's third place finish in the NPSL Southeast Region.  To help in this effort, RCU has hired Jan Henner to be it's Operations Manager.  Henner was previously on the staff at Bundesliga side 1899 Hoffenheim, and will run the RCU Academy.  As for the top position, it appears the leading candidate for head coach at RCU is Martin Methodist College Women's coach Gerry Cleary.  Next year's team will begin taking shape this Saturday, when RCU holds tryouts at Pt. Mallard Park in Decatur.   

Speaking of Martin Methodist, they will serve as the virtual home team during the 2010 NAIA Women's Soccer Championships held in Decatur next week.  I'll be calling several of the games from the Jack Allen Soccer Stadium including the final next Saturday at 5PM.  You can watch the live webcast of all the matches.

A women's league will begin this spring in affiliation with HASL.  The league format will most likely be four teams playing 6 to a side.  For more information, contact Suzy Pelmar.

Local Happenings: RCU, AHSAA All-stars, Women Wanted, Decatur

Now that the World Cup is over, it's back to the regular life, and back to a more local soccer focus for PWT-blog.

RCU Thumps Atlanta FC 5:1

After learning that they would not return to the NPSL Final Four, Rocket City United took out its frustrations on Atlanta FC with a 5:1 victory.  Chattanooga FC had already claimed the Southeast Region Championship with a 3:2 win at Pumas on Saturday night, but that only seemed to spur RCU's offensive firepower as Andrew Nkurunungi's hat trick paced RCU.  Late goals by Norbert Webley and Calvin Mbata finished off the scoring for RCU.

RCU will now prepare for its season finale when it takes on the newly crowned champions next Saturday in Chattanooga.  My broadcast partner, John Moran, and I will be on hand to call the game for Chattanooga's ESPN Radio, 105.1 The Zone.  If you have the chance, I highly encourage you to travel up to Finley Stadium to take in this match.  The crowd and atmosphere are top class.


AHSAA All-star Games Tonight

The best high school players in the state will take the field tonight at John Hunt Soccer Stadium for the AHSAA All-star Sports Week.  The Girls game will be at 5PM, followed by the Boys game at 7PM.


Women Wanted For The RCI and HASL

The organizers of the Rocket City Invitational soccer tournament are looking for women players to complete a four team Women's divsion.  Adult female players can sign up as individuals and will be placed on teams for the 6 aside games.  If the tournament is a success, there is interest from HASL in starting a women's division.  Now's your chance ladies!  And gentlemen, if you know any women who may be interested in playing have them follow this link to register a team or individual.


Decatur Is Looking For More Soccer

Here's an interesting article Decatur's Jack Allen Soccer Complex and the economic impact that it brings to the city.  It looks like they'd like to bring more high-profile soccer to the area.  Cool!

Local Happenings: HASL Champs, Summer Tourneys, CFC v Atlas

HASL Declares Champions, Prepares for Over-35 Division

Law Dogs secured their 12th Huntsville Adult Soccer League Premier Division championship last night when they beat Digium 2:0 at John Hunt Park. The race for the premiership was a close one as Law Dogs and Foot Clan were even points (25) after the 10 game season concluded. The victory insured that Law Dogs took home the title via goal difference (Law Dogs 28 to Foot Clan's 22).

Arsenal FC won the Division I title and promotion into next year's Premier League. Chivas USA claimed the Division II title. Juventus and One Man Wolfpack took the Divsion III and IV titles, respectively.

The HASL divisions will take on a new look for the Fall 2010 season as Division IV will be eliminated to make way for the new Over-35 division. Several teams plan to drop from the open divisions into the Over-35. The league is planning to shift teams "up" into the open slots to maintain the tiered structure and keep the total team numbers at 30. The league's Captain's Meeting is scheduled for June 27th. More information can be found at HASL.org.

Summer Tournaments

This summer will be a busy one for soccer in the Tennessee Valley. Of course, there's the World Cup, Rocket City United games, the NPSL Final Four festivities taking place, and there are several tournaments being hosted in Huntsville/Madison area.

Stomp the Yard is a 5 v 5 futsal soccer tournament hosted by RCU at the new indoor facility at the new Soccer Village at Greenbrier. It will be held on June 25-27th and has divisions from U8 up to Adult, including a Women's division.

The Rocket City Invitational is the annual summer 6v6 outdoor adult soccer tournament put on by the guys at SouthernSoccer.net. It will be held in conjunction with the NPSL Final Four at Dublin Park in Madison on July 31-Aug 1. There will be Open, Rec, O-30, and Women's divisions.


Chattanooga FC v Atlas of Mexico Tomorrow Night

While RCU is participating in the US Open Cup qualifying tournament in Tuscaloosa, fellow NPSL Southeast Region team Chattanooga FC will host one of Mexican soccer's oldest clubs, FC Atlas, tomorrow night at Finley Stadium at 7PM. John Moran and I will be traveling up to Chattanooga to call the game for the team's radio broadcast. Tickets are still available.

Old Guys, US D2 Pro League, and Nice Bike Goal

Let's Hear It for the Old Guys!

Did you know that there are 144 players in the EPL that are 30 years or older? MLS has its share of players in their 30s, too. In fact, Climbing the Ladder has named an MLS Old Player of the Year award for each season. As we know, our local league has an appreciation for old guys as HASL has announced that it will start an Over-35 division this fall. And there is also a US cup tournament for old guys with the very PC name of the Veteran's Cup.


Division 2 Preview
MLS began its season this past weekend. Now, the new USSF Divsion 2 Pro League will begin on April 10th. Brian Quarstad of Inside Minnesota Soccer has a complete preview of the league that consists of 12 teams from both the USL and the NASL, including two teams (Portland and Vancouver) who will be joining MLS next year.

Get on Your Bike

Nice overhead kick goal from the Turkish league.

On his bike

Old Guys Rejoice! HASL O-35 Division To Start In Fall 2010

The Huntsville Adult Soccer League will start an Over-35 Division in the Fall 2010 season. A unanimous vote heralded the decision during the Spring 2010 Captain's Meeting held yesterday at Pete's Soccer Shop. The "Old Guys" division will consist of existing teams in the 30 team league and will replace the Division IV or lowest tier in the league structure.

The Over-35 Division will be comprised of 4-6 teams who will drop from their current divisions to participate in the new age restricted division and will not participate in promotion/relegation. Existing teams interested in the Over-35 Division will have this season to adjust their rosters for competition to begin next fall. The current Division III will then serve as the lowest "open" tier and will continue the relegation/promotion battle. The remaining divisions will be adjusted to accommodate the departing Over-35 teams and Division III will be adjusted to include any teams in the Division IV who do not meet the age restrictions.

The overall league size will not change for the Spring 2010 season. There will be 5 divisions of 6 teams with each team playing 10 matches. There is a large amount of interest from new teams including 6 teams on a waiting list. However, do to lack of fields and the dwindling number of qualified referees, the league cannot accommodate any of these teams during this season, assuming all current teams return.

Other business discussed was the replacement of Darrel Owens as League Vice-President. While no single volunteer was elected to replace Owens, several volunteers have stepped up to form what could be called an executive committee to complete the operational tasks that Owens has been performing for the past 10 years. This committee will continue to meet beginning with next week and will attempt to create a schedule with league play possibly beginning on February 17th.

HASL: Help Wanted and More

HASL: Get Stuck In!

Jacob over at SouthernSoccer.com gives his take on what should be done to resolve the vacancy that Daryl Owens stepping down as the Vice President of HASL. I have to say I agree with all of his points. It's time for a few young men or women to step up and "get stuck in" and help the league move forward.Jacob also announced that the HASL team meeting will be held at 2PM on January 24th at Pete's Soccer Shop. This is not one to miss.

Oh, and don't forget to sign up for the Weekend Warrior tournament while you're at it!

TV Commentators Certification?


As a person that actually has some experience as a TV commentator, I know just how hard the job is. Analyzing a game and instantly providing interesting, insightful commentary without sounding like an idiot is brutally hard and is surprisingly draining. I am fully aware that I sometimes come across as a bumbling numbskull during my broadcasts. But as in everything else in life, it's all about practice. And I promise that as I watch FSC and GolTV on the weekends, I'm running the commentary in my brain, often while I'm folding clothes for my wife! :) So, I'm hoping to be better in the future.

Now, my broadcast partner John and I have had several conversations about who does a good job and who does not. A certain "Captain for Life" is not one of John's favorites. I do admit there are guys out there that consistently say the dumbest things and do not have the faintest idea who or what is happening on the field. The Gaffer at EPLTalk has an interesting idea on how to limit those guys who irritate us the most each weekend from getting on the air in the first place. He'd like the leagues require a broadcasting license in order to become on-air talent similar to the coaching licenses that the leagues require. Interesting...


More 3D TV!

As I told you before, 3D soccer on TV is coming this summer. Now, it appears that ESPN will be starting an all 3D Channel with the World Cup opener as the first broadcast event. Get your 3D glasses now!

Is HASL Done? Interview With HASL Vice President Daryl Owens

Recently, I sat down with the Huntsville Adult Soccer League's Vice President Daryl Owens to talk about the league's future after he announced last fall that the Fall 2009 season would be his last as VP. Daryl runs the day to day operations of the biggest and best adult soccer league in Alabama.

Daryl discuses his reasons for stepping down, his duties, and the perks of the job.

Daryl discusses the lack of soccer fields in the Huntsville area

As of the end of the year, there have been no volunteers to replace him, and although Daryl and league President Pete Needham would hate to see it happen, there is a possibility that HASL will cease to exist. That is, if no one steps in soon.

Randoms

Another World Cup Ball Post?!

I don't know why, but I find this ball to be fascinating. As I've posted earlier, FIFA's new official World Cup ball is called the Jubalani and is the most technologically advanced ball ever.


The Guardian has a nice info-graphic with some cool tidbits on the ball.


Beer bath?

Normally when the phrase "beer bath" is mentioned in a soccer article, it's in reference to a championship celebration. This post is an exception.

Beer baths, long soaks in a tub filled with beer and other spices, are being used by many South American soccer players as a new remedy for soccer injuries. What's next? Will RCU player's turn to Huntsville's newest brewery, Straight to Ale Brewing, to heal their ails (or should I say ales)? I know that many HASL players already work out their aches and pains after Sunday matches with the help of a lager or two, but bathing in it just seems to be a waste of good beer!

Get Your Official World Cup Gear At Walmart... Wait, Walmart?

You'll soon be able to pick up your official 2010 World Cup gear at Walmart. In a move that is surely designed to raise the international profile of the world's largest retailer rather than promote soccer in the heartland of America, Walmart signed an deal to operate 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Official Event Stores in each of it's 7,800 locations worldwide. So, get used to seeing a Christiano Ronaldo shirts next to that Jimmy Johnson jacket.

What Did I Miss?

I was busy visiting family for the past week or so. Here's what's gone down since then.

USA Men

Oh yeah, that's a foul on Bornstein (in the dark uniform)!

Call it sour grapes, but the USA lost 1:0 to Slovakia on a terrible PK call. If that play had happened at midfield, the Slovakian guy would have been cautioned for the rugby tackle he laid on Bornstein. Check out the USMNT Youtube Channel for highlights. Oh well, that's the type of experience you want to gain in the friendlies leading up to the World Cup and not in it. Referee's see things differently in other parts of the world. Remember Gooch's PK giveaway to Ghana? They'll be playing taking on another World Cup opponent in Denmark on Wednesday.

Here's a pretty good retrospective on the past 20 years of the USMNT. In 1989, when Paul Caliguiri hit the "shot heard around the world", qualifying for the World Cup was a massively unexpected result. Today, it would be a massively unexpected result if they did not qualify.


MLS Final Set: LA vs Salt Lake


Real Salt Lake pulled a NY RedBulls by qualifying last for the MLS Cup Playoffs and running the bracket to the final. The RSL shootout win over the hard-luck Chicago Fire was certainly more exciting than the 2:0 LA victory over Houston despite the 120 minutes of scoreless soccer. I was on the East Coast while watching the LA game and it was a marathon affair of boring soccer with a few of power outages sprinkled into the late night borefest. So, it's on to Seattle for RSL and LA. Let's hope the final has some goals or at least some exciting attacking football.

HASL Division Champs Crowned

Four of the five Huntsvill Adult Soccer League divisions have crowned champions while the Premership will be decided on Wednesday night. Here are the other HASL Division Champions:

Division I: CD Venom
Division II: Arsenal FC
Division III: Chivas USA
Division IV: Juventus

Wow, we have a team from the EPL, MLS, and Serie A winning Divisions in HASL! :)

Twickenham Rovers

BTW, this season's Best Team Name Award goes to the Twickenham Rovers. Nice British sounding name with a nod toward old Huntsville.

Superliga Returns

The top amateur teams from across the south will meet in the 2009 edition of the Superliga. In addition to returning teams Rocket City United (Huntsville, AL-NPSL), Atlanta FC (Atlanta, GA- NPSL), Nashville Lions (Nashville-TN), and Law Dogs (Huntsville, AL-HASL), teams from as far as Dallas, TX, Tulsa, OK and Little Rock, AR are showing interest in playing in select match days.
There will be 3 match days :

• November 7 in Nashville, TN
• November 21 in Atlanta, GA
• December 5 in Huntsville, AL

Other teams rumored to take part are Pumas FC (Birmingham, AL-NPSL), Lynch's Pub FC (Jacksonville, FL-BASL), Mississippi Brilla (Clinton, MS-PDL), Chattanooga FC (Chattanooga, TN-NPSL), and Saturn FC (Atlanta, GA-NPSL).

HASL Opens Fall Season Tonight

The Huntsville Adult Soccer League begins the 2009 Fall Season tonight as eight teams take the field at John Hunt Park. Five divisions of six teams each will play a 10 game schedule through between now and November.

HASL Declares Champions

Newly Crowned HASL Division II Champion, ManChest Hair United
Great Name and Shield

Last Friday saw the final matches of the HASL Spring 2009 season. Congrats to all of the division champions.

• Premiership : Foot Clan
• Division I : Shurke
• Division II: ManChestHair United
• Division III: Ta Sety Warriors

Odds and Ends

HASL talk

Jacob over at Southern Soccer has posted his ideas on how HASL can improve.
He proposes:

• New division for Over-40
• New division for Women
• HASL Cup styled on the FA Cup
• Change in format to a 1 year

His ideas are very interesting. Go on over to his blog and get involved in the discussion. I'll have more on this later.

RCU Open Cup action

RCU in travel to Jacksonville, FL this weekend to take part in the US Open Cup play-in tournament. The format for qualification is two, four-team groups. The winner of each group will be entered into the final phase of the US Open Cup, a single elimination tournament where RCU could face professional opponents from USL1, USL2, and USL-PDL. If they keep winning, they could even face an MLS team.

"Kick Like A Girl"

For those of you with HBO, check out this show about a girls team who enters a boys league.

Weekend of Champions- HASL, EPL, La Liga, & Serie A Crown Champions

Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Manchester United all claimed their titles and even HASL had champions crowned this weekend...

On HASL's website... "Due to this extremely unusual, weather –delayed season, HASL has determined that the Spring 2009 season will conclude with only eight games played per team. Thus, Friday’s matches will count in the standings. We have adjusted the standings to account for the shortened season and can now declare the Foot Clan as being the Premiership Champions. Schurke has claimed the Division I championship. Division II and Division III do not have champions declared as of yet. "

HASL will attempt to schedule the remaining games in order to determine the remaining champions and relegation/promotion spots.


Congratulations to all.