CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 13, 2013) – The 2013 id² National Selection International Tour to Spain from Feb. 28-March 11 brought all the excitement that has come to be expected from US Club Soccer’s annual international trip, including two victories, hard-fought matches against youth academy teams from Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, the experience of life abroad and a chance to see some of the sport’s top professionals play during a La Liga match at Barcelona’s famous L’Estadi Camp Nou.

• Video Journal #1: Departure | Player Introductions | vs. AT Chopera Alcobendas 04 Cadete A
• Video Journal #2: vs. Real Madrid Infantil A | vs. FC Barcelona Infantil A
• Video Journal #3: FC Barcelona vs. Deportivo de La Coruña | vs. Girona FC Infantil A | Final Thoughts

As part of the id² Program and with the strong support of Nike, players enjoyed the trip cost-free, coming away with a wealth of experiences both on and off the field that will aid in the development of their young soccer careers. This was the fourth id² National Selection International Tour, with previous journeys to Spain in 2012, England and Scotland in 2011, and Germany and the Netherlands in 2010.

“Overall, the experience was wonderful for the kids, the coaches and all the staff involved,” id² National Selection head coach Gerry McKeown said. “The kids were exceptionally well-behaved off the field, and certainly on the field they had moments of really brilliant play. Of course some mistakes were made under pressure, and I think there’s value in that. That’s why we come, to learn. We watch how the other teams operate, and the higher-level teams really put us under duress at times. These are games we can’t replicate at home, and it’s critical that we’re able to do this in a great environment.”

U.S. Under-14 boys national team coach Hugo Perez accompanied the id² National Selection, and he came away impressed with the level of play and the development opportunities the trip provided.

“I think it’s very important for our players in America to get this type of exposure,” Perez said. “For our kids to play against two of the great clubs in the world I think has been a good experience for them. Watching this week and being here with the group and the players, I think we can compete, and again I’m very excited that US Club Soccer has put this program together.”

The 2013 id² National Selection International Tour got underway on Feb. 28, when the roster of 18 boys born in 1999-2000 met for a two-day training camp outside Miami. With players coming from 17 clubs and 10 states, it was a crucial opportunity to build familiarity and work on tactics.

Upon arriving in Madrid on March 2, the team settled in to enjoy that evening’s clash between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The first test came the following day against AT Chopera Alcobendas 04 Cadete A, and a 4-0 win primed the players for a hot start at Real Madrid on March 5. Nick Taitague and Sam Vines scored in the first nine minutes to take an early lead, but Real Madrid pulled one back before gaining control with three more goals in the second half that handed the id² National Selection a 4-2 loss at Ciudad Real Madrid.

That marked the end of the first leg of the trip, as the players traveled to Barcelona next. On March 7, they arrived at FC Barcelona’s official training ground, Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, to take on the Infantil A squad. With the Catalan club’s first team practicing on an adjacent field, both sides ran 4-3-3 formations and played exciting, end-to-end styles. Edwin Lara ripped a left-footed strike in the 52nd minute to set up a tense finish, but the id² National Selection wasn’t able to replicate last year’s 3-1 victory over Barcelona, as it came up just short in a 2-1 loss.

That was far from the end of the action. March 9 brought a chance to watch FC Barcelona’s home victory over Deportivo de La Coruña — including a goal by Lionel Messi — from field-level seats, and the team capped its game schedule on Sunday with a 6-1 win over Girona FC Infantil A before attending the club’s first-team match that evening. The trip concluded Monday, when the players boarded a plane back to Miami and caught connecting flights home.

The id² Program is an Olympic Development Program as approved by the United States Olympic Committee and U.S. Soccer Federation, and aided by their time in the id² Program, numerous alums have advanced into U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs. The 2013 id² National Selection International Tour was coordinated in conjunction with Premier International Tours.

Highlights are available via US Club Soccer’s website and social media channels, including the video journals on YouTube, photo gallery on Facebook and other updates through Twitter (using the hashtag #id2) and KYCK.

Four Placer United girls teams travelled down to the Bay Area this past weekend to compete in the Juventus Spring College Showcase.  There were a number of college coaches on hand to scout the older age groups.  After all was said and done, Placer United had two champions, one finalist and one thrid place finish! The teams had a combined record of 10 wins, 1 loss and 5 draws.

The U16G ’97 White team won the overall points championship in the Premier Group with three wins and a draw.  They defeated Orchard Valley 1-0, drew with Peninsula Blast 0-0, defeated the Internationals from Nevada 3-1 and won the title with a 2-1 win over Real So Cal Blue.

The U18G ’95 White team also won the overall points championship in the Gold Group with three wins and a draw.  They defeated Santa Barbara SC Red 4-1 and Mustang Velocity 3-0. They then had a 0-0 draw with Humboldt. In the final game, the girls won the title with a 3-0 win over Albany FC.

The U14G ’99 Red team made it to the championship game of the Premier Group. In the opener, the girls defeated Santa Rosa Athletico 6-0.  They then had a 0-0 draw versus MVLA Typhoon Black. In the semi-finals, the girls played to a 1-1 draw with FC Elk Grove Navy before ultimately defeating them in penalty kicks.  In the final, the girls came up short in a hard fought battle, 1-0, to Ajax East Bay.

The U15G ’98 White team took home third place in the Gold Group. They opened up the tournament with a pair of 1-1 draws versus Spanish Springs and the Juventus Thunder. In the third game, the girls defeated Sunnyvale 2-0 and then had a rematch versus Juventus and defeated them 3-1 in the finale.

Congrats to the players, teams, families and the soccer club on an amazing weekend!

Coach Matt Bernard, Cody Sunquist, Coach Paul O’Brien

The first video journal from the 2013 id² National Selection International Tour is now available. Video Journal #1 from includes the team gathering in Miami to train, an introduction to the squad, highlights from the team’s 4-0 victory over AT Chopera Alcobendas 04’s older-age Cadete A (1997s/1998s) and touring Madrid.

Click Here to View.

Coach Gene DuChateau, circa 1976

Coach Gene DuChateau, present day

Garden City, N.Y. – The Adelphi University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will induct six outstanding honorees and recognize a championship team at its 43rd annual Hall of Fame Ceremony on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Ruth S. Harley University Center in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom.

The dinner, which honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletics program includes Chris Bernard ’99 (Men’s Basketball), Eugene DuChateau ‘76 (Men’s Soccer), Diana Lopez ’07 (Women’s Lacrosse/Soccer), Lauren Lopez ’07 (Women’s Lacrosse/Soccer), Charlie O’Donnell ’79 (Men’s Soccer), and Lisa Tunstall-Laurencin ’76 (Women’s Basketball)

The Panther Legendary Team award will be presented to the 1975-76 Cross-Country/Track and Field Team. That Panther became the first team in program history to compete in the NCAA Division II Championships in all three seasons, sending a full squad to the cross-country, indoor and outdoor track championships. In addition the harriers were the first to capture all three Collegiate Track Conference crowns in the same academic year.

Bernard is among the best rebounders in school history and also eclipsed the 1,000 point mark in just three years in an Adelphi uniform. An ECAC All-Star and East Coast Conference All-Tournament selection, Bernard was named the All-Met Division II Player of the Year in 1999 after leading Adelphi to an ECC Tournament title and an NCAA berth.

DuChateau, an National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American, helped the Panther to an NCAA Division II National Championship in 1974. In addition he is a two-time all-region honoree and holds career records for most wins and shutouts with totals of 58 and 31.

Diana Lopez was a two-sport athlete at Adelphi playing both lacrosse and soccer. She was a three-time IWLCA All-American on the lacrosse field and helped the Panthers to NCAA Division II National crowns in 2004 and 2006. Lopez was also a member of the women’s soccer team that appeared in the 2004 NCAA Championship contest.

Lauren Lopez was a four-time IWLCA All-American as a member of the women’s lacrosse team and a member of the 2004 NCAA All-Final Four team on the soccer pitch. In addition she helped the Panthers to NCAA Division II National Championships in lacrosse in 2004 and 2006 and was a two-time all-conference honoree as a soccer player.

O’Donnell is one of the best goal scorers to wear the Brown and Gold and is third all-time in points (124), goals (49) and assists with 26. In addition, O’Donnell was selected as a NSCAA All-American in 1975 and helped Adelphi to an NCAA Division II National Championship in 1974.

Laurencin-Tunstall was a pioneer in women’s athletics as she was one of the first women in the country to receive an athletic scholarship in 1974. A three-time women’s basketball MVP she was also named to the AIAW New York All-Tournament team and helped the Panthers to a fifth place finish that same year.

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, special recognition awards will be presented. Wendy Hilliard, founder of the Wendy Hilliard Foundation and USA Gymnastics Hall of Famer will be honored with the Woodruff Award, presented for excellence in coaching, teaching and educating young adults. The Frank Cassell Memorial Award, which recognizes extraordinary contributions made to Adelphi Athletics, will be presented to Assistant Dean of The Robert B. Willumstad School of Business Brian Rothschild.

The Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 1961 to honor those athletes, coaches and friends who have distinguished themselves during their time at the university and thereafter. For more information, please contact Adam Siepiola, Assistant Athletic Director, at (516) 877-4293 or siepiola@adelphi.edu. The cost of the dinner is $100 per person and reservations are required. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Placer United is pleased to announce Matt Bernard as Placer United Director of Goalkeepers. “Matt brings a great goalkeeping resume to our Club,” says Boys Coaching Director, Paul O Brien. “He is currently the U14 U.S. Boys National Team Goalkeeper Coach, the Goalkeeper Coach for US Club’s ID2 Identification Program and the Goalkeeper Coach for NorCal PDP program, which says it all.”

“Matt brings a ton of technical goalkeeper information to our Club and will be a valuable member of our staff,” said Ron Benjamin, Girls Director of Coaching. “He will help bring out the best in all our goalkeepers.”

Before taking the position at Placer United, Matt was the  executive DOC at North Bay Elite FC for two years, and was also the Director of Goalkeepers for Sereno Soccer Club, one of Arizona’s biggest and best known clubs.

A word from Matt…

“I am extremely proud and excited of being appointed the Director of Goalkeepers for Placer United. I first played for Placer United in 1989 when my family moved to Roseville from Sacramento. The club was in its infancy at that point and they have come so far in almost a quarter century. I laugh when I think back to the Placer United Board of Directors meeting in my parent’s living room many years ago, and now the club has over 40 teams, top notch facilities and an overall quality program that has state, regional and national respect.

I have been lucky to be involved in some very good clubs over the past twelve years and I know Placer United, under the direction of Ron and Paul, will be a great place for me to call home. One of the main attractions for me to join the club is the desire to compete at the highest level of youth soccer in the United States. I am looking forward to helping in any way I can to help Placer United continue to develop and grow. 

I have personal relationships with many of the coaches at the club and look forward to working with them all on a regular basis. The camaraderie of the coaching staff is second to none and I look forward to being a part of the team that has been working hard to develop the top players who are coming out of Placer County.

I look forward to my new role within the club and getting started with the players on the field”

Matt Bernard, Director of Goalkeepers