Wambach pledges goal for Richmond coach battling tumor

StoweStrong
By Pat McStay

The Virginia soccer community was hit hard a few weeks ago when William and Mary graduate and FC Richmond youth soccer coach, Ian Stowe was diagnosed with Germinoma, a type of germ cell tumor typically resulting from a failure of germ cells to migrate properly in the body. Stowe is currently at VCU Medical Center undergoing chemotherapy treatments. 


 Stowe was a fantastic player for the tribe and an up-and-coming coach with FC Richmond, but more importantly, he is a great person. U.S. Women's National team stars Abby Wambach and Hope Solo even sent a shout out to #stowestrong via Twitter. Wambach went so far as to tweet, “the next goal is for you!”

His family needs your help. Go to Facebook and like their page for more updates at #stowestrong.  You can also go to http://www.stowestrong.com/ to donate and email stowestrong@gmail.com to order a *t-shirt to help support their family and rising medical costs for this unforeseen illness.

*100% of the proceeds for the shirts will go to the Stowe family.

Chesterfield UFC players selected to international and showcase teams

Chesterfield United Football Club in Richmond, VA has had multiple players from their youth teams selected to participate in prestigious international tournaments and an elite women's showcase.

JoJo Taylor and Jackie Zerull invited to participate in the Puma Elite Women's Showcase held in July

Puma has informed Chesterfield FC that two of their very talented young women, JoJo Taylor and Jackie Zerull, were selected to participate in the Puma Elite Women’s Showcase held in July.  This showcase is for the top 100 rising sophomores and juniors in the country. Read more about the event here: ( http://www.puma.com/football/news/2012-puma-womens-elite-showcase-dates-announced  ) 

  

Hector Rivera chosen to play in the 32nd Annual Torneio Internacional in Lisbon, Portugal

Chesterfield FC U14 player Hector Rivera will travel to Lisbon, Portugal April 3-9th to participate with a group of players hand selected from throughout the country to participate in the 32nd Annual Torneio Internacional De Futebal held in Lisbon, Portugal.

“Hector really deserves this opportunity as he has dedicated himself to becoming the very best player that he can be. He is a great role model for all of our players at the club as he is always putting extra work in to become better. As a club we are very proud of him for this achievement and we look forward to sharing his experiences abroad with all of our players” Matt Lacey, Director of Player Development.

Miles Rapp selected on 97B VA State Team travelling to France

For the second time in as many years Chesterfield United is sending a player on an overseas trip with VA State ODP. This year Miles Rapp was selected to go with the 97 Boys to France in early April.  

"I think Miles has made the most of training and practicing on his own this year.  He is starting to reap the benefits of his hard work and I couldn’t be happier for him."- Pat McStay, U15 Puma Boys coach and Director of Operations.


For more Chesterfield FC news and updates: (CLICK HERE)

Kickers player Katie Cousins Selected to National Team Mega-Camp

U-15 Girls' National Team to Hold Mega-Camp in Florida

Katie Cousins of the Richmond Kickers will be the lone representative out of Virginia for the upcoming U-15 Girls' National Team mega-camp set to take place in Sunrise, Florida from Feb. 11-18.

Cousins was part of the group of 48 players chosen by U.S. Under-15 Girls’ National Team head coach Damon Nahas and U.S. Soccer Women’s Development Director Jill Ellis.

VASoccerNews would like to congratulate both Katie Cousins and the Richmond Kickers program.

UVA Men ink Six for 2012-2013

Official Virginia Press Release:

Six Sign Letters of Intent to Join Virginia Men's Soccer


CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia men's soccer head coach George Gelnovatch has announced the signing of six highly-touted student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2012-13 school year.
Zachary Carroll (Grand Blanc, Mich.), Brian James (Sunrise, Fla.), Shane O'Neill (Fairview, Colo.), Marcus Salandy-Defour (Kensington, Md.), Scott Thomsen (Brick, N.J.) and Todd Wharton (Glen Allen, Va.) all have signed on the dotted line to become Cavaliers beginning in the 2012-13 academic year.

The class already has earned national acclaim, with a No. 2 national ranking from Top Drawer Soccer. All six players in the class are ranked on the ESPNHS Class of 2012 150 College Prospects list.

"We believe that this class is very talented - on paper it looks fantastic," Gelnovatch said. "I also happen to know that there is more to winning and having a great team than just talent. We will work diligently with these signees, as well as our current players, on the intangible things that make great teams."

The student-athletes join the renowned Virginia program, which has won six national championships and 14 ACC titles. UVa has appeared in 31-consecutive NCAA tournaments - the longest current streak in the nation.

Following are brief bios on each of the 2012-13 signees.

Zachary Carroll
Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS
6-3, Defender• Ranked No. 7 on ESPNHS Class of 2012 150 College Prospects list
• Tabbed No. 8 on College Soccer News Top 150 Recruits list
• Ranked No. 15 in the TopDrawerSoccer 2012 National Top 100
• Named Michigan's 2011 Mr. Soccer
• Played on 2011 United States U-17 World Cup Team
• Tied for second on that squad with nine international appearances, including five starts
• Part of Development Academy Select Team at 2010 Winter Showcase
• Scored 34 career goals and added 29 assists in high school

Brian James
Sunrise, Fla./American Heritage HS
5-10, Midfielder• Ranked No. 24 on College Soccer News Top 150 Recruits list
• No. 49 on ESPNHS Class of 2012 150 College Prospects list
• Ranked No. 89 in the TopDrawerSoccer 2012 National Top 100
• Named to ESPNHS Winter All-America boys' soccer first team in 2011
• Led nation with 44 assists as freshman during 2008-09 season
• Posted national-best 36 assists during his junior year (also scored 15 goals)
• Guided American Heritage to 2009 and 2011 state championships
• Two-time Palm Beach Post High School Player of the Year

Shane O'Neill
Louisville, Colo./Fairview HS
6-2, Midfielder• Ranked No. 123 on ESPNHS Class of 2012 150 College Prospects list
• Named West MVP of 2011 High School All-American Game
• Named to All-Colorado Boys Soccer Team and Class 5A All-State Team in 2011
• Honorable mention all-state in soccer and basketball as a junior
• Scored 48 goals and added 27 assists in Fairview career - both are school records
• Member of U.S. Development Academy's Colorado Rapids U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams

Marcus Salandy-Defour
Kensington, Md./Georgetown Prep
5-9, Forward/Midfielder• Ranked No. 25 on ESPNHS Class of 2012 150 College Prospects list
• Tabbed No. 18 on College Soccer News Top 150 Recruits list
• Four caps with U-18 Men's National Team
• Member of MLS SUM CUP championship team
• U.S. Development Academy select team
• Four-year starter at Georgetown Prep
• Three-time IAC first team
• Two-time First-Team All-Gazette
• All-Met honorable mention
• Three-year member of Maryland ODP Team
• Two-time Region I team
• Played four years with DC United Academy

Scott Thomsen
Brick, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy
5-10, Midfielder/Defender• Ranked No. 32 on ESPNHS Class of 2012 150 College Prospects list
• No. 58 on College Soccer News Top 150 Recruits list
• Ranked No. 76 in the TopDrawerSoccer 2012 National Top 100
• U-18 Men's National Team Pool
• National Team Experience at U-14, U-15, U-17
• Captain of New York Red Bulls U-18 Academy Team
• First-Team All-State
• Central Jersey Player of the Year

Todd Wharton
Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run HS
5-11, Midfielder • Ranked No. 21 in the TopDrawerSoccer 2012 National Top 100
• No. 52 on College Soccer News Top 150 Recruits list
• Ranked No. 54 on ESPNHS Class of 2012 150 College Prospects list
• 2011 NSCAA All-America honoree
• Played for the Richmond Strikers Academy program and led the team in goals and assists
• Was captain for last two years
• Played nine of his 11 years in travel soccer with the Strikers
• All-state, all-region, all-district and all-metro selection for Deep Run High School
• Four-year starter at Deep Run
• Led Deep Run in assists last three years and set the all time single-season scoring record as a junior (24 goals), breaking the record previously set by former UVa standout Brian Ownby (19)
• Named District Player of the Year and team MVP as a junior
• Member of the U-14 and U-15 National Teams (2007-2009) and trained at the U-17 National Team residency camp (2010)

D.C. United remain active with more roster moves

Keeping up with the many moves that have taken place with regards to D.C. United's roster over the last couple of weeks is no small task. Each day it seems as if United are releasing another press release regarding a new player signing or the release of a player. Instead of posting each individual press release here is a recap of the roster moves from the past week up to today.






Blake Brettshneider Waived

Washington, D.C. (February 3, 2012) – D.C. United announced today that the club has waived forward Blake Brettschneider. The 22-year-old departs United after completing his rookie season with the team last year.   

“We’d like to thank Blake for his contributions to our club,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He was very well-liked and a good professional and we wish him the best in the future.”  (Read Full Story)


United signs midfielder Marcelo Saragosa

Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2012) – D.C. United announced today the club has signed midfielder Marcelo Saragosa. The 30-year old Brazilian has played 116 career games in MLS. Per club and League policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to have concluded a deal to bring Marcelo to DC,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He is well-acquainted with our League and brings additional depth to a midfield that we feel is already one of the best in the League. We look forward to his contributions to our team.” (Read Full Story)


United acquires allocation money from Portland Timbers

Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2012) – D.C. United announced today the club has acquired allocation money from the Portland Timbers in exchange for an international roster spot. The international roster spot will return to United following the 2013 MLS season. (Read Full Story)