Message from the Technical Director
As the Presidio League season is upon us, so is the college season! I would like to encourage ALL of the Under 15-18s to get out there and watch some college games. To know what the level of play is, you need to see games first hand. Also, it is vital that those graduating in 2013, 2012 and 2011 go out and visit four-year schools. Here’s a few things we have planned as a club.
• College Tours are being finalized at all the local schools. If you want to attend an “unofficial” visit, you and your parents are welcome to attend. Schools targeted are: San Diego Christian, Point Loma, UCSD, SDSU, USD and CSU San Marcos. These are free of charge!
• “Watch with UNITED” games are being targeted as well. Teams such as North Carolina, USC and UCLA are coming into town this year to play our local schools. It would be great to go out and watch those games. Hopefully we can get HUGE amounts of United players out there to watch together and cheer on our local teams! Some are free; at the others, we will get group rates!
E-mail goes out all the time letting you know of these events. If you are not getting them and want to, please e-mail me and I will add you to the list!
Sami B. Nedjar
Technical Director
Bnedjar@cox.net
Upcoming Dates
College visits: Sept. 3, training and tour at San Diego Christian College; Sept. 17, unofficial visit at CSU San Marcos.
Goalkeepers Clinics: Sept. 14, 21 and 28, 4-5 p.m. Boys and Girls U11-14; 5-6 p.m. Boys and Girls U15-19; at Greenfield. Boys and Girls U8-U9, Sept. 10, 17, 24, 4:30-5:15 p.m.; Boys and Girls U10 5:15-6 p.m., Granite Lower.
Team shop hours: Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Greenfield; Sept. 19, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Blossom Valley; Sept. 25, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Greenfield; Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Hillsdale.
Check out www.livesoccertv.com for games times and dates for all your favorite teams.
For more information on club activities visit www.sandiegounited.net.
United teams make their mark in summer tournaments
The GU9 Black team (pictured left) won the championship game at the United Summer Challenge 2010. The girls went undefeated, only allowing one goal during the tournament. They were also champions of the Premier Classic tournament that took place the following weekend. They are definitely working hard and starting this season off strong.
The BU14 Black team has been working hard this summer preparing for Premier League play. To be ready for the speed of play and physical nature of the games, the boys played three tournaments at age and three one year up. Although it was tough on them, the boys had some success. They ended the summer schedule with two semi-final appearances and a Tournament Championship at the Kick for Hope Tournament. The team is looking for strong goalkeeping from Josh Myers, and good defending from Gabe Rodriquez, Nick Davis, Daniel Vasquez and Jake Hampson. Manning the midfield will be Kyle Kennedy, Kareem Aly, Michael Skinner, Brennen Struben, Kenric Rozell, and Austin McHorney. Playing in the midfield and up top will be Tanner Will, Jake Menegos, Tevin Watts and Miguel Ortega. They are looking forward to the return of Connor McEwen who has been out several months due to injuries sustained in a dirt bike accident. Good luck in Presidio play!
The BU13 White team had a successful summer beginning with Poway Country Shoot-Out. After losing to Bonita in pool play, the boys out-fought them in a final rematch to win the championship in a 1-0 battle. Following that tournament, the team played in Pagasus Cup where they got through pool play but fell short in the semifinal against the Tournament Champions NISL Marauders. In the SDUFC Summer Challenge, the boys found themselves in another final against Bonita but lost to them in pool play. After a very slow start and a 0-2 deficit at halftime, the boys scored two early second-half goals to tie the game. After two overtime periods and still tied at 2-2, the game was decided by PKs. United keeper Ami Alpert stopped two of the five PKs, and the boys were able to out-battle Bonita to win the championship. Next up will be Notts Labor Day tournament where the boys hope to make finals for the second consecutive year.
The BU15 Black team won their first tournament of the pre-season in San Juan Capistrano at the Pateadores Cup. The boys went 3-0 in pool play, including a 2-0 win over a strong TSS Academy Team from Vancouver, Canada, and scored 10 goals while not allowing a single goal against. In the finals, the team met the Pateadores White team, who were able to score first against United. The lead didn't last long until when DeAndre Stovall scored on a 30-plus foot shot to stoke the boys’ tempo a little. After ending in a tie and two overtime periods, the game came down to a shoot-out for the championship. Strong presence and pressure from goalkeeper Bobby Granbois in the box forced two misses by Pats while the United boys calmly finished the job to win their first summer tournament.
The BU17 Black team finished the summer strong by winning their flight in the West Coast Futbol Classic in Orange County. Despite oppressively hot conditions on turf fields, the team went 3-1 in their flight scoring six goals and only giving up two. The boys tied in points for the top spot with NHB but won in a head-to-head tiebreaker. The team is looking forward to having all its players back healthy for the start of league play on Sept. 11 against Notts Forest.
The GU18 Black team has one more tournament left before Premier Elite play begins. They will be playing at the prestigious Blues Cup over Labor Day Weekend. The tournament will conclude a pretty successful summer tournament schedule that included a penalty kick loss in the quarters at Albion Cup and tournament championships at the San Diego United Challenge and West Coast FCs Tournament. The team members are: goalkeepers Brooke Gandy and Morgan Stangle; defenders Brittney Beam, Elyse Bobczynski, Ashley "AJ" Jarosin, Megan McDermand, and Courtney Shutts; midfielders Danielle Deeb, Alyx Hampton, Mar Huerta, Nitza Mendoza, Gabby Newman, Elle Reid and Nahua Romo-Lara; and forwards Alex Klepper, Laura Kohl, and Gabby Rojas. The team is looking forward to getting Amber Brancato and Sophia Gutierrez back from knee injuries. Good luck ladies!
3rd Annual San Diego United Summer Challenge tournament draws more than 100 teams
San Diego United hosted more than 100 teams, ages U8 through U19, for the third consecutive year in the United Summer Challenge. This event was so successful thanks to the dedicated volunteers who helped run the tournament. These volunteers all did a terrific job – so welcoming and professional. Several teams commented on how enjoyable their experiences were and that they will be back! Teams came from as far away as Danville, CA. The hope is to expand the event next year with improved fields, competition and to host out-of-state teams. All United teams took the pitch with such pride; it was a great sight to see! Congratulations to the 12 SDUFC teams that won the tournament – see you all in 2011!
3rd Annual United Golf Classic tees off in October
United’s annual Golf Classic will be played October 1 at Carlton Oaks Golf Course in Santee. A 1:30 p.m. shotgun is planned followed by awards and dinner. Cost is $125 per player and spots are still available. If you are interested in playing, visit the club web site at www.sandiegoounited.net or e-mail sdufc.frontdesk@gmail.com. This year’s tournament sponsors are: Whillock Construction, Da Boyz Pizza, Haugen Roof Corporation, Prime Sports, La Mesa Indoor Soccer, Gateway Recycling, Top Notch Construction, Brody Builders, and Stammerrama Contractors Inc. Proceeds from the Golf Classic will go toward providing scholarships for players needing financial assistance.
Women's Professional Soccer News
Natalie Spilger, a Granite Hills High and Stanford graduate, continues to play for the Chicago Red Stars of the WPS. As a hard-nosed defender, Spilger has started each year as a substitute for the team and during both last year and this year, she has become a starter by virtue of her hard work at training and her tenacious defending. She has graciously sent some autographed items for our United’s players. To win one of the items, please answer one of the following questions (an autographed item will be given to the first person who answers each question).
1) How many games has Natalie played in this season for Chicago?
2) What Swedish team did she play for during the season prior to being drafted by Chicago?
3) She is CEO and founder of an international organization that activates the global athletic community to improve our environment by inspiring personal action, connecting a community, and educating fans. What is the name of it?
4) What is Natalie's uniform number for Chicago?
E-mail your answers to Sami B. Nedjar, technical director, Bnedjar@cox.net. Winners will be announced in the October newsletter.
United Girls Rock the Field and the Mic
What did you do on your summer vacation? Well, the answer for three San Diego United Futbol Club players is, “We recorded a music video.” Carly DeWent, GU11 Black, Malia Kealaluhi, GU11 Black and Emma Kealaluhi GU8 Black joined Levi Kealaluhi at UNKO Productions one afternoon and made magic. Levi Kealaluhi and Chuck De Went own UNKO Productions which is a “project” recording studio located in El Cajon. Levi is an accomplished singer/songwriter, engineer, and producer while Chuck has no idea what he is doing (so don’t ask him).
With the girls going through the normal summer “I am bored” routine, Levi decided to shake it up a bit and brought them to the studio with him. After picking the beat and writing a few lyrics, the game was on. One after the other, they stepped in front of the microphone as Levi masterfully guided them through the recording process. Keep in mind, the girls have never sung anywhere outside of the shower, so he had no idea what he was going to get. Well, they surprised us all and we hope that you will enjoy their little rendition of Recycle Boyz. To watch this video, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBrs3NrRWVM and enjoy! Or go to www.youtube.com and search for Recycle Boyz.
San Diego United Football Club would like to thank these generous sponsors.
INTERPIPE CONTRACTING
HAUGEN ROOF CONSTRUCTION, INC.
CALLE SOCCER
CHIROPRACTIC FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
