Memorial Day tournament (Williamsburg) - May 29-30 (see link in sidebar).

After a slow start, losing to Virginia Legacy Wizards 1-4 with a lethargic second half, UFC went on a tear, winning their next 3 games, to win this year’s tournament. On a bittersweet day as the team prepares to go in separate directions, they played great soccer and avenged their first game loss with a 2-1 win over the Wizards. A game determined by who was going to run out of gas first as much as good soccer, it was a passing chess match for a half. Stepping it up in the second half, a key goal by Corey broke a 0-0 tie on a cross shot to the far post side of the net. That put UFC on top and changed the complexion of the game. Later, O.C. put a bullet into to top back post side of the net to ice the game. The Wizards were able to score a goal, but the UFC defense continued its dominance and wouldn’t let them tie for overtime.

In the second game, UFC went against a larger, more physical CYA team, but prevailed 3-1. UFC defeated the Virginia Legacy Titans 3-0 in the 3rd game and waited to see if we got into the final. A 1-1 tie between the Wizards and CYA put UFC in second place by 1 point behind the Wizards and the rematch was on.

Thanks to Martin Dell for coaching the team through a hot, hot weekend, as well as 3 seasons of very successful soccer. Not only did the team win tournaments and league titles, but they did it playing clean, efficient soccer - it’s called character. Hats off to Kim Dell for managing this team through 3 seasons of successful soccer and team transitions. Each and every player got on the pitch and contributed to a great weekend of soccer. Our luck to them and everyone, staying, moving to greener pastures or new opportunities. Welcome to Matt Lacey who will take the reins of UFC 16B (94B) in the fall.

Winning two hard fought games on Saturday, UFC wins 1-0 and 3-0 to be in first place in their bracket. Staunch defense hallmarked both games for UFC.

Striking quickly within the first minute on a goal by Mitchell, UFC held on with some staunch defense to win in the first game.

Goals by Drew, Corey and a PK by O.C. helped UFC pull away for a hard fought win in the second game. Striking from about 8 yards, Drew put a strong shot into the goal to start the scoring. Later, on a breakaway, Corey drew the keeper out of the goal and chipped a ball over him. Finally, O.C. put a PK into the goal to seal the game.

UFC wins easily in third game 7-0, but loses 0-1 heartbreaker in the final against FASA in a very physical game.

Recommended Backyard Games
By Mike Singleton

 The offseason is near, so here are ways players can work on their
skills on their own. ...

1. Juggling
a) Juggle the ball with all parts of your body (left and right sides).
Try not to have more than five consecutive juggles with the same body
part (i.e., feet, head, etc.).
b) Juggle with a friend or friends in a similar fashion to the
basketball game "HORSE" -- the player who drops the ball gets a letter.
c) Play one-touch or two-touch juggling with your friends, earning
letters for drops.

2. One-vs-One
a) Only use one foot -- the ball cannot touch your other foot.
b) Have a goal (or a cone) which you can score upon from all sides.
c) Same as b, but have the same goal for both players.
d) Have two goals for each player, one on an end line and one on a
sideline.
e) Have three goals for each player, one on an end line and one on each
sideline.

3. Wall Soccer
 Just kick a ball against a wall using both your left foot and right
foot. Place hard shots against the wall (with accuracy and force). Try
doing this three-touch, then two-touch, then one-touch. This game helps
with trapping/receiving, positioning, striking of a ball with both
feet, foot speed, being on toes, and concentration.

 It also will improve your passing/shooting accuracy because of the
high number of touches you will have on the ball and the high number of
balls you play against the wall.

 Vary your shots - high, low, left, right, inside foot, outside foot,
instep, etc., and make yourself work at a high pace to get your body
behind the ball before it rolls past you. Get closer to the wall to
improve foot quickness and move further away to increase lateral
quickness.

4. Own the Ball!
 Just you competing for possession of one ball (through shielding) with
one other person. If you lose possession, do whatever you have to do
get the ball back as quickly as possible. Correct shielding technique
-- body sideways, arm providing protection, ball on outside foot, knees
bent, turning as defender attacks, using feel to understand where
defender is going.

(Mike Singleton is the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association 's Head
State Coach and Director of Coaching.)

By Mike Woitalla After Donna Olmstead made a convincing case against berating referees or their assistants in her Youth Soccer Insider column, "Before you scream at a ref ...", we received some feedback from readers pointing out that there may be times when game officials should be told if they’re erring or missing violations. Richard Weishaupt, agreeing that belittling a young assistant or screaming at the referee is wildly inappropriate, said that, "Telling a referee, calmly and politely of a shortcoming can be helpful and appropriate. Suggesting calmly to the head referee that an assistant referee was out of position -- if done respectfully and after the game -- is a behavior we want to encourage, not discourage." What about a more extreme example? You’re the coach and see that one of your players is being dangerously fouled by an opponent and the referee doesn’t take action. Perhaps the referee isn’t seeing it. What to do? Stanley Lover, longtime international referee instructor and author of the recently updated "Official Soccer Rules Illustrated," agrees that there is a proper way to address a grievance with refs. "It’s basically down to approach and attitude," says Lover. "All referees are happy to talk about the game at any convenient moment. A friendly approach and polite comment or question will draw a similar response." So what to do when their No. 6 is throwing elbows at your No. 10? With a right approach, the coach can make her case to the referee. Lover suggests the coach say, "A nice match, referee, but that young Blue No. 10 is near to tears because of the rough play of the Red No. 6, particularly her flying elbows." Enough said, the ref has got the point. As in real life, civility goes a long way. "The body language of an enquirer will warn the referee of what may follow," Lover says. "An aggressive movement; a menacing stance; a thrusting scowling face; a sharp accusing question, will put the official on the defensive and not invite an answer which satisfies either party." Mark Butler, a NISOA regional coordinator, college and high school ref, says, "If there is a genuine concern, especially in the area of protecting a player, it is acceptable to speak to the referee. It’s all about the approach. It’s not screaming, or getting personal. But a coach can approach the referee at halftime and raise his concerns. "The approach should not be confrontational, boisterous, demonstrative -- and the discussion should not be prolonged." Brian Hall -- former World Cup ref and four-time MLS Referee of the Year -- has a long history of youth officiating and youth coaching. He is now the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Manager of Referee Assessment and Training. Hall says approaching the referee at halftime may not be optimal. "If a coach talks to the ref at halftime," Halls says, "what will the other coach or the spectators think?" Hall suggests a quiet word with the assistant referee on the near side. A coach could say, in a positive manner, "Maybe you guys can discuss that at halftime ..." Also acceptable, says Hall, is if the referee comes near the coach during the game -- perhaps at a throw-in or a free kick near the sideline -- and the coach asks the referee to keep her eye out on something, "in a professional, controlled, positive manner." The worst is, especially with young referees, to scream and shout at them during the game. This is most unlikely to help and more likely to result in the referee losing focus. Hall also believes in coaches providing feedback on referees to the league’s assignors -- and not just when it’s a complaint. (Mike Woitalla, the executive editor of Soccer America, coaches youth soccer with Rockridge SC in Oakland, Calif. His youth articles are archived at YouthSoccerFun.com.) Do you have an idea for a Youth Insider Soccer column? We’d love to hear it. E-mail us at: mike@socceramerica.com. Post your response to the public Youth Soccer Insider blog. See what others are saying on the Youth Soccer Insider blog. FEEDBACK: Send comments to letters@socceramerica.com. Please include your first and last name and hometown.

Friday, Feb. 26, 2010

After losing a very physical first game 1-2 against FC Richmond, UFC came back to play very well and beat Legacy 2-0. They lost to eventual tournament champion SOCA 1-2. SOCA defeated Strikers 2-0 to win. Not to have any more practice time together, UFC played some stout defense and showed signs of offensive chemistry. Good luck to all the boys on their respective high school teams as they now prepare for the Prince William tournament the last weekend of this month.

Boys U15 U15 B PREMIER   Team 1  Team 2  Team 3  Team 4  Team 5  Team 6  Team 7  Team 8  Team 9  Points  Finish  001) VA RUSH SWOOSH 1 15B    1-4 1-1 2-0 1-0 4-1 3-1 2-1 0-1 16 2 002) UNITED FC 94B ELITE  4-1   1-3 3-2 2-1 3-1 2-3 3-1 5-2 18 1 003) VA RUSH PEN SWOOSH 15B  1-1 3-1   1-2 4-2 1-1 3-0 2-1 1-1 15 3 004) RICHMOND STRIKERS PREMIER15B  0-2 2-3 2-1   3-0 7-2 4-1 0-1 2-4 12 5 005) CHESAPEAKE UNITED HEAT 15B  0-1 1-2 2-4 0-3   1-2 2-0 0-4 1-3 3 9 006) NEWPORT NEWS FC PREDATORS 15B  1-4 1-3 1-1 2-7 2-1   0-1 2-0 1-5 7 8 007) OLD DOMINION SC BIG DOGS 15B  1-3 3-2 0-3 1-4 0-2 1-0   3-4 2-0 9 7 008) BEACHFC U15 BLACK  1-2 1-3 1-2 1-0 4-0 0-2 4-3   2-1 12 5 009) FSCI PHOENIX REVOLUTION 15B  1-0 2-5 1-1 4-2 3-1 5-1 0-2 1-2   13 4

 CUFC U15 Elite shook off a disappointing second game loss to win on Sunday and make the final. Playing their game of the year, the team fought back to tie 1-1 on a first half goal by Mitchel Mendez, but couldn’t overcome two goals by FC. After spending a good part of the first half in their own end of the field, inspiration kicked in and CUFC played quick passes and had several scoring opportunities. Tired and sore from two days of soccer, they reached deep into the well to pull out a game that challenged FC for the championship, ultimately getting more shots on goal. Congratulations to coach Dell for bringing this team to championship level poise and play.