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. 

Reminders: Weekend Warrior and Women's League

Weekend Warriors Registration Deadline

Registration for the Weekend Warrior tournament ends this Friday, January 28th.  Sign your team up for the traditional opening of the Huntsville adult soccer playing year.  The six a-side competition is being held at Dublin Park in Madison on February 5-6.  Check out the Southern Soccer blog for more info.


HASL Women's Division Registration

The newly formed HASL Women's Division will hold player registration drives on Thursday, January 27th 5-7 PM and  Saturday, January 29 2-4 PM at Pete's Soccer Shop.  Players will register individually and will play 10 games on Monday nights at Dublin or Palmer Park in Madison.  The fees will be $65.50 per player and that covers fields, refs, state fee, player cards, insurance and uniforms.  Check out the HASL website for more info.

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."