PENNSYLVANIA’S LEADING YOUTH SOCCER PUBLICATION
WINTER 2023
What’s Trending
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
FROM WEST-MONT TO
Hertha Berlin FOCUSING ON
Mental Health
THE BEST SOCCER GEAR TO BUY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
THE SIDELINE PROJECT
REFEREE DEVELOPMENT
NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #15 MONROE, GA
CHANGES COMING TO STATE CUPS
CREDITS PUBLISHED BY: Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer 4070 Butler Pike, Suite 100 Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 Phone: 610-238-9966 Fax: 610-238-9933 E-mail: info@EPYSA.org Website: EPYSA.org EXECUTIVE BOARD President - Jeff Sommer First Vice President Lennie Brown Second Vice President Bill Fuller Treasurer- Jim Brown Secretary Melissa Weber
FROM WEST-MONT TO HERTHA BERLIN
JACK ILLIG CHALLENGING HIMSELF AT GERMAN ACADEMY
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CHANGES COMING TO STATE CUPS
WHAT’S TRENDING
At-Large - John Mickel State Youth Referee Administrator - Jeff Tener District 1 Commissioner Jeff Tener District 2 Commissioner John DiGiuseppe District 3 Commissioner Bill Ross District 4 Commissioner Eric McKitish District 5 Commissioner Scott Merritt
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FOCUSING ON MENTAL HEALTH
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District 6 Commissioner Phil Frederick OFFICE STAFF Chief Executive Officer – Chris Branscome Chief Operating Officer – Kelly Connor Technical Director – Gary Stephenson Director of Operations – Leo Kelly Director of Marketing & Events – Kelsey Tepel Registration Specialist – Meghan Petroski ODP Manager – Gabrielle (Bree) Benedict Grassroots Soccer Manager – JT Dorsey State Cup Manager – David Jones Technical Program Manager – Evan Tyler Director of Communications – Matt Ralph TOUCHLINE Editor-in-Chief – Chris Branscome Editors – Matt Ralph, Kelsey Tepel Writer - Matt Ralph
SIDE QUEST
5 snowmen are scattered throughout this magazine...
CAN YOU FIND THEM ALL?
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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
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SOCCER SOCCER IS IS YOUR YOUR PASSION. PASSION.
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Operation Warm with Alejandro Bedoya, March 2023
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Making sandwiches with Quinn Sullivan September 2023
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CHANGES COMING
TO STATE CUPS IN 2024 By Matthew Ralph
S
ome exciting changes to the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer state cups are coming in 2024. Among the changes will be a third tier being added to the Challenge Cup at the younger age groups, seeding at all levels instead of a blind draw and an effort to have less travel for teams in the earlier rounds of the competition, which will also be kicking off at an earlier date. “We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from the clubs and coaches that have participated in the past and have implemented changes based on that feedback, said DJ Jones, Eastern PA Youth Soccer’s Cups Director. “We’ve also implemented changes that are consistent with the direction of where US Youth Soccer is heading.” While teams will still be able to request which cup they’d like to compete in, teams will ultimately be placed in the different cup levels based on a seeding process similar to how weekend tournaments are typically handled. Winners in the two highest level state cups in the U13-U19 age ranges will qualify for the US Youth Soccer regional championships in West Virginia and national championships in Wichita, Kansas and Orlando, Florida while Challenge Cup will continue to be a state-only competition. The Challenge Cup will be expanded from two flights to a Gold, Silver and Bronze division at the U9, U10 and U11 age divisions. This will give more teams and more clubs a chance to celebrate state cup winners at the three different tiers of competition. It will also allow for more competitive games at the three levels throughout the tournament. “Competing in something that is similar to the World Cup and the Olympics and doing it at a young age it just teaches you things you can’t learn or experience elsewhere, especially at the youngest age groups,” Jones said. “Bragging rights are also still pretty cool for teams too.” The state cup finals will also be in a new location in 2024. Finals will be held on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, June 2, at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex in Chester. The new facility opened earlier this year next to Subaru Park and is home to the Philadelphia Union and Philadelphia Union Academy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE 2024 STATE CUPS, VISIT EPYSA.ORG/STATE-CUP 4
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
epysa.org
US Soccer C License Course Coming to Lehigh Valley this Spring By Matthew Ralph
instruction. Coaches who register for this course can EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER WILL BE expect weekly learning opportunities that will feature a hosting a US Soccer C License Course in Palmer Township mixture of independent learning using online modules and this spring. live virtual meetings in addition to In-person sessions will be held the four-day in-person meeting at the Charles Chrin Community led by a licensed U.S. Soccer Center April 11-14 but the course “...it’s exciting for us to Educator. will run from March to June. The have an opportunity to The C course covers tasks blended format combines an such as coaching training online experience, assignments, have some good candidates small group meetings, sessions, coaching games, independent learning and the leading the player, leading the come here to expand team, managing the performance four-day in-person meeting. their knowledge.” environment and more. “We have a good tradition of Applicants must be at least 18 running the C license here,” said Gary Stephenson years old, have held a U.S. Soccer Gary Stephenson, Eastern PA Eastern PA Youth Soccer Technical Director Youth Soccer Technical Director. D License for at least one year “This is our first one since Covid (or meet the waiver guidelines) and currently be coaching. so it’s exciting for us to have an opportunity to have some good candidates come here to Candidates will have the opportunity to earn a nationally recognized license from U.S. Soccer, the governing body of expand their knowledge.” The course will include a total 80 plus hours of soccer in all its forms in the United States.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.EPYSA.ORG/NATIONAL-C-LICENSE OR EMAIL EVAN TYLER AT ETYLER@EPYSA.ORG. 6
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
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Holiday Gift Guide
SenseBall | Smart Soccer Kick Trainer
STANLEY 40OZ ADVENTURE QUENCHER H2.0 FLOWSTATE TUMBLER • This travel tumbler is just what you need for all-day hydration. Take it with you to a high-intensity workout or on an extra-long commute to keep your drink cold for hours. The lid features a rotating cover with three positions: a straw opening, a wide mouth for chugging, and a full-cover top to prevent spills. The larger size even fits comfortably in your vehicle’s cup holder and comes with a rugged handle for carrying.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
epysa.org
Sejoy Mini Massage Gun
INTER MIAMI CF LIONEL MESSI 2023 HOME JERSEY
Hydro Flask 20L Carry Out Soft Cooler Travel Bag
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera
Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor Elite FG
• Celebrate the arrival of one of the biggest super stars in the world with this Lionel Messi 2023 The Heart Beat Kit Authentic Jersey from adidas. This Inter Miami CF gear features AEROREADY technology as well as ventilated mesh panels that work together to keep you dry and comfortable all game long. Its exciting Inter Miami CF graphics will get you pumped to cheer on the G.O.A.T. as he takes the pitch.
PHILADELPHIA UNION REPLICA JERSEY • Inspired by the grit and beauty of the city of Philadelphia, this camo jersey was debuted by the Philadelphia Union during their 2019 playoff run. Since, the Union have made the City of Brotherly Love proud, earning the Supporters’ Shield in 2020, an Eastern Conference Final appearance in 2021 and an MLS Cup appearance in 2022. Honor your Philly toughness when you add this 2023 “For Philly” Replica Jersey to your Philadelphia Union collection.
Let Loose Moose Hover Soccer Ball Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
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The Sideline Project is a movement to improve youth sports sidelines. We believe a more enjoyable game day experience for players, parents, coaches and referees will keep more children active in sports and healthy for life.
Take the Sideline Project Pledge Now • • •
Watch the important 2-minute educational video here: https://www.epysa.org/sideline-project/ Read the Pledge below or on the web page. Then agree to it by submitting your First Name and State.
Your name will be added to the list on the website in a few seconds upon refresh of your computer.
THE SIDELINE PROJECT PLEDGE Youth sports belongs to the players. ■ I pledge to honor the youth sports experience of the players with supportive, not distracting, behavior. ■ I pledge to eliminate hostile behavior targeted towards players, coaches, parents, and most notably referees. ■ I pledge to honor players, to respect referees, and to Make Youth Sports Better.
SCAN HERE TO TAKE THE PLEDGE 10
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
epysa.org
2024 INDOOR CUP JANUARY 20-21: U11-U12, U15-U17 FEBRUARY 3-4: U9, U10, U13-14, U19
The Eastern Pennsylvania Indoor Cup is a series of one-day tournaments that determines state champions from the under-9 to under-19 age groups. With two levels of play in each age group, the Indoor Cup is the best way for teams to challenge themselves against statewide competition between the fall and spring seasons. Each team is guaranteed three games, with winners in each age group taking home medals. There will be two weekends of Indoor Cup play at In the Net in Palmyra. Please be prepared to play on either the Saturday or Sunday of your assigned weekend. Below are the assigned weekend dates for each age group. We will decide what day of the weekend boys/girls play in mid-November, once we see registration numbers for each.
SCAN HERE TO REGISTER 12
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
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THE OFFICIAL PAYROLL TEAM OF THE UNION
From West-Mont to Hertha Berlin
JACK ILLIG CHALLENGING HIMSELF AT GERMAN ACADEMY By Matthew Ralph
LAYING IN EUROPE IS A DREAM FOR MANY young soccer players, but for 15-year-old Jack Illig the chance to play at U-17 Hertha Berlin Integrated Academy was an opportunity to go back to Europe to continue his development. Illig started playing soccer as a young kid in Switzerland, moving to the U.S. at age 11 when he started playing at West-Mont United. After a successful season helping lead his team to the semifinal of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer State Cup, Illig pursued an opportunity to join the U-17 team at Hertha Berlin. “It has definitely been a huge change from what I am used to, but it has been a good change,” Illig said. “The training and experience I am getting is very good for my development, and the level of play of the teams we play is also really good for my development.” Hertha Berlin’s first team plays in the second division in Germany known as the 2. Bundesliga so being in their youth academy has exposed Illig not only to a professional environment but also to living in a large international city. The competition on the pitch is fierce and the chances to explore off it endless. “The biggest surprise In Germany for me so far is just how good even the local teams are in comparison to the US,” Illig said. “Of course, the Academy level teams are really good, but the physicality and speed of even the local teams have been an adjustment.” For school, Illig is enrolled in classes at the Arizona State
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Digital Prep Academy, which affords a flexible schedule that fits his academy training regime. Moving to Germany has meant leaving behind his friends and teammates at Phoenixville Area High School, where he would’ve been a sophomore, and immersing himself in the sport he hopes to pursue at the professional level. “My goal is to improve as a soccer player,” he said, noting that he’s open to whatever pathway that takes. Silky smooth and technical on the field and soft-spoken off it, Illig is the type of player who led at West-Mont United more with his actions than his words. “He doesn’t have an ego, he just goes about his business every day and was probably my hardest worker, which is what you want from your best players,” said Steve Small, who coached Jack at West-Mont and stays in regular contact with him still. “He was always asking questions even in the game about how he could improve.” Following a big cup win last spring that put his team into the semifinals, Illig was quick to talk about his teammates and celebrate the team effort. Though they came up short in making the state final, Illig credits his experiences with the club and the coaching he had there with setting him up for success. “The coaching I received was topclass, especially during the last two years at West-Mont,” Illig said. “This was when I really started to develop as a player.”
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SCAN THE QR CODE FOR
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FOCUSING ON MENTAL HEALTH
Warrington Soccer Club players helped spearhead founding of mental health group for student athletes at their local high school By Matthew Ralph
SPORTS RIVALRIES ON THE field are all about getting the upper hand and bragging rights but even within the competitive world of sports rivals can accomplish a lot together off the field. Such is the case with Next Play Sports, a high school-based club for student-athletes to support one another and raise awareness around the importance of mental health. Erin Burke, a senior at Central Bucks South first heard about Next Play Sports from fellow soccer player Olivia Samkavitz, who started the club at Central Bucks East. Burke liked the idea so much she and four other Warrington Soccer Club players started a chapter at their high school. “I reached out to Olivia and she was a lot of help for us getting it started,” said Burke. “We started with the five of us who are all seniors now and it’s grown from there.” Burke’s role in starting the new chapter - along with serving as an ambassador for student-athlete
Erin Burke (middle) receiving the Manion-Crescenz Award at the 2023 Army-Navy Cup in October
mental health non-profit group Morgan’s Message — helped her earn the 2023 Manion-Cresenz Award. She received her award at halftime of the Army-Navy Cup at Subaru Park in October. Paul Centofanti, Warrington SC’s Director of Coaching and coach of Erin’s 2006 Strikers team, nominated his captain for the honor, noting her involvement in raising awareness around the importance of mental health and her positive outlook. “(Erin) brings a positive outlook and smile every time she shows up to train or play,” Centofanti wrote in his nomination. The Next Play Sports chapter at Central Bucks South High School has grown beyond the initial core of five soccer players to include representation from sports throughout the school. “My teammates and I created this club to show athletes it’s okay to talk about mental health, that mental health should be just as talked about and looked at the way physical health is,” said Brooke Hall, who plays on the Warrington United 2005 team. Hall and Burke both described the experience of starting the club as something that has enhanced not only their time in school but their time on the field as teammates during the high school season and on their Warrington teams as well. “I think we all just became closer through the season,” Burke said. In addition to meeting regularly and Bella Smouse, Kila Kienzle, Erin Burke, Brooke Hall discussing topics around mental health, the Next Play Sports group has organized dedication games for Morgan’s Message, which highlight awareness for studentathlete mental health. “Mental health has always been looked at as something that shouldn’t be talked about, but it’s really important, and people need to know that it’s okay to not be okay, and that it’s okay to ask for help,” Hall said. While the original five members of the club are graduating at the end of the school year, Burke is hopeful that some of the underclassmen will pick up the torch. “This is making a difference in people’s lives,” Burke said. “We plan to pass it on to juniors on the team to keep it going.”
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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
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What’s Tren MAKING WAVES
FC Ballyhoo
BECKHAM Documentary THIS FOURpartdocumentary series from Academy Award–winning director Fisher Stevens (Palmer, And We Go Green, The Cove) and Academy Award– and Emmy Award–winning producer John Battsek (One Day in September, Searching for Sugar Man, Winter on Fire), gives fans never-before-seen insights into who Beckham actually is, including his family, friends, teammates, and — yes — his shopping and cleaning habits. The result is an unprecedented look at an icon who, despite spending nearly 30 years in the public eye, still has some surprises to share with the world.
THE NATIONAL Presidents Cup champion FC Ballyhoo celebrated their national title at a banquet at Heritage Hills Resort this past fall. York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler presented the team with a proclamation. The 2007 boys team won the Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup in May and advanced to the National Presidents Cup after a runnerup finish in the Eastern Presidents Cup hosted by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer at The Proving Grounds and Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School.
Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team Series
IN UNDER PRESSURE: THE U.S. Women’s World Cup Team sports series, audiences get a close look at the team’s road to the FIFA World Cup as the most decorated team in soccer history — and also explores the dramatic, heartbreaking conclusion. The all-access doc will explore the personal and team journeys, including issues regarding injury, criticism, legacies, and equal pay.
WHO TO FOLLOW
Sinead Farrelly
Bob Lilley
Vereinigung Erzgebirge
SINEAD FARRELLY added an NWSL championship trophy to her already eventful 2023 that included representing the Republic of Ireland in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Havertown native, former Spirit United/FC Delco star and ODP alum subbed in for NJ/NY Gotham FC for the final 20 minutes of the match they won 2-1 over OL Reign.
CARLISLE, PA. NATIVE Bob Lilley was named USL Championship Coach of the Year after leading Pittsburgh Riverhounds to the regular season league championship. The former Harrisburg Heat professional and PA Classics coach was named USL Coach of the Year in 2015 when he led the Rochester Rhinos to the USL double.
VEREINIGUNG ERZGEBIRGE QUALIFIED FOR THE 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup via four rounds of local qualifying. Evan Vare, who first played for the club in their Mighty Mites program at age 4, scored the decisive penalty in a shootout with New Jersey Alliance FC. The Warminsterbased club last qualified in 2019 but weren’t able to play since the 2020 and 2021 competitions were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Vare, an ODP alumn, is one of several players on the team with a long history playing for the German-American social and sports club that dates back to 1931. Kevin Smolyn and Sean Peckham, who both played in the decisive Round Four game, played the better part of their youth careers at the club before joining FC Delco and Christian Williams and Johnny Ciarlante also started as young kids wearing a VE shirt.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
ding Next Goal Wins: In Theaters Now DIRECTED BY TAIKA WAITITI (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok), NEXT GOAL WINS follows the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0. With the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this humorous and heartfelt underdog story. Congratulations to East Penn Soccer Club, winners of our Flat Keystone Stanley Next Goal Wins contest. East Penn Crew took the winning photo with Keystone Stanley at the Columbia Fall Classic.
WHAT TO READ Soccer Grannies: The South African Women Who Inspire the World
BY JEAN DUFFY The inspirational story of an amazing group of soccer-playing South African grannies. In rural South Africa, beloved humanitarian “Mama Beka” defied social convention and started a soccer team for the women in her community. The Soccer Grannies, as they came to be known, won over their families and villages who at first rejected the idea of older women playing soccer, and that single team quickly grew into dozens. Soon, the strength, tenacity, and pure joy of the Soccer Grannies had captured the attention of the world.
Pretty Poly: The History of the Football Shirt BY ALEX IRELAND Pretty Poly tells the fascinating story of the football shirt, charting its dramatic evolution over a 150-year period, from modest beginnings to a product at the centre of a billion-dollar industry. An emblem of everything it means to be a fan, the football shirt evokes memories of triumph and disaster and acts as a symbol of belonging to a chosen footballing tribe.
Jimmy Ockford
Jack Brown
YARDLEY, PA. NATIVE Jimmy Ockford recently announced his retirement from professional soccer. Ockford started his career with the Seattle Sounders in 2014 and played for San Jose Earthquakes in MLS and Louisville City and most recently the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the USL Championship. Ockford played for YMS Soccer, winning a pair of state cups and a regional championship.
PA CLASSICS midfielder Jack Brown, of Lititz, Pa., was named the United Soccer Coaches Youth Boys Player of the Year. Brown has 22 goals and 33 assists over the previous two seasons playing in MLS Next and is committed to playing at Georgetown University in the fall. Brown played for PA Classics in his younger years and returned to the club after two years in the Philadelphia Union Academy.
The Match: The Story of Italy vs Brazil BY PIERO TRELLINI The Match is the tale of one of the most iconic games in World Cup history: Italy v Brazil at Spain ‘82. Piero Trellini delves into the stories of the great characters who lit up that unforgettable match - from Paolo Rossi to Sócrates, from Enzo Bearzot to Zico - as well as some forgotten figures who all played their part.
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
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QUARTERLY
CALENDAR
JANUARY Jan. 7
U14+ ODP Training
Jan. 13
9v9 Lancaster (Manheim Township Soccer Club) 8am-12pm @ Lancaster Elite (2254 Bassett Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601)
Jan. 14
U14+ ODP Training
Jan. 20-21 Indoor Cup - U11-U12, U15-U17 Jan. 21
All ODP Training
Jan. 27-28 ODP East PA Friendlies Jan. 31
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer State Cup Registration Closes
FEBRUARY
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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
Feb. 3-4
Indoor Cup - U9, U10, U13-U14, U19
Feb. 16
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer State Cup Roster Freeze
Feb. 23
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer State Cup Brackets Released
epysa.org
A partnership for the good of the community.
Through the Gear for Good initiative, Subaru, its Philadelphia-area retailers, and the Philadelphia Union are collecting new and gently used soccer gear and offering it to Philadelphia area youth soccer teams in underserved communities. Join us by donating your soccer equipment at Gear for Good collection bins located at Subaru Park or your local participating Subaru retailer.
Learn more at PhiladelphiaUnion.com/Subaru
Subaru is a registered trademark.