All posts by PUSC

Lindsay Lucas Will Join Sierra College Woman’s Soccer

“I am excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Sierra College.  I have learned so much from my coaches and they have all prepared me to take the next step of playing collegiately. I want to thank Coach Todd for not giving up on me and providing me the knowledge that has elevated my play and confidence in the game. A special thank you to Coach Bashar for believing in me.  He has been so insightful and always pushes me to be my best.  I am grateful to Coach BJ and Coach Ron for encouraging me along the way. Thank you, mom and dad, for all your sacrifice and support. Finally, thank you, Jason Gantt, for this opportunity. I am thrilled to play for Sierra College.” —Lindsay Lucas

 

Ashley Ryan Is Headed for Aurora University near Chicago

“I am excited to announce that I have verbally committed to play soccer at Aurora University near Chicago in 2020!  Visiting the campus I knew right away that Aurora University is where I am supposed to be.  Watching the coaches and the players interact I know that this is a culture that I want to be a part of.  I’m extremely excited to play for Coaches Shannon DeNinno, Olivia Callipari, and Jonathon Collins.

I want to say how much I truly appreciate Coach Todd DeCarlo and all of my teammates for welcoming me to Placer United mid-season last year.  The Placer United Soccer Club and Coach DeCarlo have continued to push me to be a better and more committed player and have set me up for success at the next level.

During my journey, there have been many people who have supported me and pushed me to develop both on & off the field.

 

  I first must thank Coach Jose Ordaz, who offered me my first spot on a competitive team and who taught me that a tough coach can also be a fun coach and for teaching me the fundamentals of soccer.  Second, I’d like to thank Coach Cesar Sandoval for honestly teaching me to love the game, love my teammates and to always give 100%.  Third, I’d like to thank Coach Curtis Farley for being the fun coach and for reminding me that sometimes we just need to have fun and not take ourselves too seriously.  This list would not be complete without also thanking my High School Coach Ana Jones who has been supportive of all of my decisions and who continues to push me to be a leader.  Finally, I wouldn’t be who I am without the teammates that have surrounded me all of these years so a huge thank you to ALL of them!  Lastly, I want to thank my parents, brother and the rest of my family for their love and support and for the many hours spent driving to games and on the sidelines supporting me!

I’m very excited for the future and hope to make everyone who has supported and believed in me proud.  GO SPARTANS!”—Ashley Ryan

Amber Pon Commits to Chapman University

“I am so happy and excited to announce I have verbally committed to play soccer for Chapman University. I want to thank all my coaches, who have made me the player I am today. Thank you to all my teammates for being there for me and with me throughout the ups and downs. All the hours and hard work have finally paid off. Thank you to my parents, who have not only supported me but joined me on my soccer journey, especially the countless long road trips to games and tournaments. Thank you to my sister, who has not only been a role model academically in my life, but you’ve been such a great supporter even when you could not be there.  Lastly, thank you so much to Coach Johnson and Coach Calderon for giving me such an amazing opportunity and believe I can be an impact on your team.

Go Panthers!”— Amber Pon

Abby Morgado Commits to the Cougars of Cal State San Marcos

“I am super excited to announce that I have verbally committed to Cal State San Marcos to continue my athletic and academic career! I want to thank my family and friends for the constant support and motivation they have given me to get to this point. I also would like to give a special thanks to my coach, Ron Benjamin, for pushing me every day to be the best player and person I can be and making these last few years of club soccer the most enjoyable. Finally, I would like to thank Coach Bobby Renneisen and the rest of the coaching staff at CSUSM for providing me with this opportunity! I am so excited and grateful for this amazing opportunity to continue on to such a great school and team! Go Cougars!” — Abby Morgado

 

Kiara Matson of U19 Development Academy Commits to Eastern Washington University

“I am so excited and happy to announce that I have verbally committed to play D1 soccer at Eastern Washington University! I can’t wait to continue my academic and soccer career there! Thank you so much to my coaches, team, family, and friends for the constant support. And a special thank you to my coach Ron Benjamin for his continuous support and dedication. He has helped me grow so much as a player, and also helped me throughout the process. I am forever grateful. I’m excited for my journey to continue at such a great school! GoEags!”

U17s Hannah Olariu Will Play In Homeless Cup in Wales

Hannah Olariu, of the U17 ’03 Development Academy team, is participating in the Homeless World Cup competition for street soccer in Cardiff, Wales. The event is charity based and works with underprivileged or homeless kids and is organized through the Romanian Soccer Federation. This year they have 57 teams participating on the world stage in order to raise awareness of the ongoing challenges that many young people face.

Hannah and her Romanian teammates will face Hungary, India, Peru, England, USA, Austria, and Belgium in Group B. Four teams will advance to face the top four teams from Group A.

Please follow Hannah and her Romanian squad throughout the event.  See the link below !

Learn More

Hannah Olariu is pictured seventh from the left with her Romanian teammates

Paul O’Brien Distinguishes Himself at U.S. Soccer Academy Director Course

Placer United is proud to congratulate Paul O’Brien on his successful completion of the U.S. Soccer Academy Director course offered by invitation only to candidates who are working Club Academy Directors with a USSF A license.

Paul was selected as one of only fourteen participants from across the country to participate in the year-long course. U.S. Soccer developed the Academy Director (AD) course to assist in better improving, educating, and informing youth soccer leaders from around the country. The course includes face-to-face interactions, numerous individual and group projects, as well as 7-course modules which included one held in Manchester City, England.

The accomplishment goes beyond the certificate of completion.  Upon the conclusion of the course, Paul was selected as a training mentor for candidates in the next course due to his demonstration of leadership from the prior year.

“It was both an honor and a privilege to be selected for this invitation-only course by USSF,” said Paul. “The course was pretty intense at times as it’s a pass or fail environment with absolutely no allowances given to anybody regarding assignment deadlines or attendance at the out-of-state meetings. But I did have a great time learning and working alongside some of the top USSF Academy Club Directors from all over the U.S . We all share the same goals of raising the standard and daily training environments in our clubs for the betterment of the players.”

Placer United is proud to have Paul at the helm of our Club and look forward to all the exciting things he will continue to offer with his new license designation.

Congratulations and #placerproud!

Placer Girls Attend Development Academy Captain’s Workshop

(L-R) Lucy Newlin (04), Madison Hamm (05)

Lucy Newlin (04), Madison Hamm (05), and Aynsley Conner (02/03) attended the inaugural Girls Development Academy Captain’s Workshop.

The session is designed to give players an opportunity to engage in activities to highlight what it takes to become a Youth National Team player, be successful as a collegiate player, and to be a leader on a team at the Development Academy level.

The girls also watched presentations from U17 Youth National Team Head Coach, Tracey Kevins, and an NCAA Coaches forum and leadership workshop by USSF Club Development Manager  Marguerite Ferrell.

This was a great opportunity for the girls to enhance their leadership skills.

Emilie Wallin Commits to Humboldt State

Emilie Wallin (2020) of U17 US Soccer Development Academy Commits to Humboldt State Lumberjacks

“I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Humboldt State University. I would not have been able to do this without the continuous support of my friends, family, and teammates who always motivated me to do my best. Also a big thank you to Ron Benjamin for his dedication to developing me into a better player each day, as well as helping me through this process. I would also like to thank my previous coaches: Steve Oppenheim, John Enos, Brian and Dani Adamson, Reggie Glaude, Jose Ordaz, Felix Osorio, Santi Cruz-Roveda, Kim Gonzalez, Gregg Thompson, Mo Ruiz, Alex Butterfield, Katie Burton, Sarah Fawcett, Casey Tate and Todd DeCarlo, all of whom who played a very important role in my growth as an athlete, and of course Coach Paul Karver who has provided me with this amazing opportunity! Go Jacks!”—Emilie Wallin