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“Bok” from Coach Matt and Cody in Croatia

Photo_Cody Sundquist_Croatia_01“Bok” (Croatian greeting) from Zagreb, Croatia. As some of you may know, Cody Sundquist and I (Matt Bernard) are currently in Croatia with the Under 14 Boys National Team.

This has been quite the adventure thus far. Cody and I flew out from San Francisco on Sunday May 19th and arrived in New York City later that evening where we met up with rest of the players and staff. From NYC we flew to London where our flight was delayed for one hour (because they were waiting for us to get through customs). There is only one flight from London to Zagreb per day and thankfully we made it. Unfortunately not all of our luggage got on the flight with us.

We arrived in Zagreb with 99% of our luggage. Unfortunately our airline (who shall remain nameless) didn’t think it was important to send our soccer balls, bibs or cones on our flight. Regardless, we adapted and N.K. Spansko, the club where we were training, was nice enough to allow to use some of their equipment. The rest of our stuff has since arrived.

The team trained several times in preparation for our first game against Slovenia. We travelled to Slovenia for the match which is about a one hour drive . In reality it’s less than 40 miles but because Slovenia is a member of the European Union and Croatia is not (until July 1, 2013) we have to pass through the border crossing, making the trip longer.

Following our game with Slovenia we play against Croatia and Hungary. These matches are the first international matches for the Under 14 Boys National Team. We have 20 players in our roster including Cody and three other players from Northern California.

I hope that everything is going well at home. Congratulations to all the teams who competed and represented Placer United at the Placer United Cup last weekend.

—Coach Matt

College Bound

Julia Beck Commits to UOP

College Bound_Julia Beck_2013“I am very excited to announce that I have verbally committed to the University of the Pacific.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to play Division 1 soccer at such a prestigious academic institution.  After visiting the campus and meeting with the coaches and team, I’m confident in my decision and know it’s the perfect fit for me.  Keith Coleman and Carmen Padilla have been great to work with and I can’t wait to play soccer under their direction at UOP!

I want to thank my parents and family for always being so supportive and helping me reach my dream.  I would also like to thank my previous Boca coaches; Melissa Cavitt, who instilled a never-ending quest to be the best player I could be; Antonio Sutton, who inspired my crazy love for the game;  and Berhane Anderberhan, who taught me to be a technical, team player.

I would also like to recognize and thank my new coach, Ron Benjamin, for believing in me and being invaluable in the last steps of this process. I’m very grateful for your efforts and can’t wait to compete with my new Placer U18 Red team!

Finally, thank you to my incredible teammates, past and present, for always pushing me to the next level, on and off the field. You guys are some of my best friends and I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Go Tigers! — Julia Beck

News

Placer United Alumni Travel to Brazil

Placer United alumni and current University of Nevada Reno players: Melanie Bertrand (93), Kellyn Morning (94) and Marlo Smith (93), are currently in Brazil training and playing three friendly matches as they prepare for the 2013 season. Bertrand, a goalkeeper, and Smith, a forward, played for the Placer United 93 girls. Morning, a back, played on the Placer 94 squad.

Follow their journey on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/University-of-Nevada-Soccer/147450912539

College Bound

Billy Baker Head to Lesley University

College Bound_Billy Baker_2013“I am pleased to announce that I have committed to Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where I will be majoring in psychology. It is very exciting to be able to continue my soccer career on the east coast. On my visit to Lesley, I immediately knew it was the school for me. The atmosphere of both Cambridge and Boston were surreal and unlike anywhere that I have ever been. After meeting the players and coaches I was reassured that I was making a good decision.

I would like to thank my parents for their huge commitment they have put into my soccer. With out them I would not be the man I am today.” — Billy Baker

College Bound

Chandler Roselli Commits to Dominican University

College Bound_Chandler Roselli_2013“I am very pleased to announce that I will be attending and playing soccer at Dominican University next year. First I would like to thank my dad and family for everything they have done for me throughout my unpredictable soccer career. I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for their love and support. Secondly, I would like to thank Jason Gantt for giving me the opportunity to play on such a prestigious team such as Placer United. Lastly, I thank every one of my teammates for pushing me to great lengths and always having my back when things got rough out on the pitch. I am honored that I will be representing Placer United at the college level and I will do my best to carry on what I have learned over the years with Placer. Thanks again to everyone who has supported me throughout my career and I look forward to what the future holds for me.” — Chandler Roselli

College Bound

Ryan Longley Commits to William Jessup University

College Bound_Ryan Longley_2013“It is with great pride and gratitude I announce I will be attending William Jessup University in Rocklin in the Fall. Going to college was very important to me as is my love of soccer and being able to pursue both at WJU is an amazing opportunity. My educational goal is to obtain a degree in Public Policy or Business while expanding my personal growth. Under Coach Handy, I am very excited to begin a new chapter of soccer and realizing my dream of playing college ball. I want to sincerely thank the Club and extend my appreciation to Paul and Jason for their coaching and leadership. Without their ‘calm and understated’ encouragement on and off the field, I would not be the same player. During my three years with Placer, teammates have become friends and I look forward to continuing to play with those also going to WJU!” —Ryan Longley

News

Maria dela Cruz Minds the Net in 6-0 Victory over Iran

Maria dela Cruz, Placer United ’94 alumni, played all 90 minutes in goal for the Phillipines Women’s National Team opening qualifier. The game ended 6-0 with a victory over Iran at the Asia Cup qualifiers in Bangladesh.

Follow Maria and the Asia Qualifiers on Facebook “Malditas (Phillipines Women’s National Team).

Alumni_Maria dela Cruz_05_2013

College Bound

Kyle Sakurada Commits to William Jessup University

College Bound_Kyle Sakurada_2013“I am excited to commit to and attend William Jessup University in Rocklin, California. After training with the team a few times, I really liked the team and also liked the potential and quality we will possess over the next few years. It has always been a dream to receive a scholarship and play college soccer and William Jessup University will allow me to pursue a great education while playing the sport I love. I believe Placer United really helped me achieve my goal and accomplish my dream. I would really like to thank my coach Jason Gantt for transforming me into a better player and helping me reach my full potential.” —Kyle

News

Cody Sunquist Receives Invitation to Croatia and Liverpool FC

Cody Sunquist trains in Fiorentina, Italy

Cody Sunquist trains in Fiorentina, Italy

Cody Sunquist had just returned from a hectic three week tour of training with Fiorentina in Italy, Liverpool FC in England, and the USSF U14 National team at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, when he got the call he has been chosen to travel with the U14 National team to Croatia for an International Tournament at the end of May. While the family was busy celebrating and making new travel plans, the phone rang once again.

Liverpool FC called to see if Cody was available to come back to Liverpool and train with them for a full month in July. Without too much hesitation the Sunquist’s all said, “YES!”

“What an absolutely incredible opportunity and experience that will be for such a young man,” said Placer Boys DOC, Paul O Brien. “For everybody involved at Placer United, we feel extremely proud of Cody as this is a great achievement not only him but for the Club as well. O’Brien reached out to Liverpool Academy staff about taking a look at Cody when he was done training in Italy. Liverpool agreed to take a look and called after Cody’s first training session and asked to keep Cody for a few days longer. Liverpool Assistant Academy Manager, Phil Roscoe, said, “After looking at Cody playing and working alongside our players in the Academy, Paul and the Placer United coaching staff should feel proud of doing a really good job in the development of this player. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Placer United.”

Congratulations Cody!

 

Photo_Cody Sunquist_Fiorentina_04 Photo_Cody Sunquist_Fiorentina_03 Photo_Cody Sunquist_Fiorentina_02

 

 

 

 

News

’95 Red Dali Alarian Makes Roster for WPSL California Storm

Dali Alarian, U18G '95 Red

Dali Alarian, U18G ’95 Red

Dali Alarian of the U18 Girls ’95 Red has accepted a position on the California Storm team of the Womens Premier Soccer League (WPSL). The California Storm is one of the founding members of the WPSL. Jerry Zanelli, head coach and league commissioner, originally founded the league with six teams. Today, the league has grown to over seventy teams nationwide.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I have always dreamed of playing on a high level soccer team,” said Dali. “You may think I am exaggerating, but that was literally my “11:11 wish” every time. So I guess you can say all that wishing paid off because I have been accepted to play with the California Storm in the WPSL. A few days after making the team I began to do some research and found out that Brandi Chastain and Alex Morgan both played for the team as well. If you do not already know, Alex Morgan is my idol. Just knowing that I get to play on the same team where she once played feels like a dream. I cannot wait to start!”

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