All posts by PUSC

College Bound

Ayla Harris Will Play for Dominican University

“I am so truly blessed to announce my commitment to play D2 soccer at Dominican University to pursue my nursing education! I am so excited to be able to study a major that I enjoy while playing my favorite sport. I would like to thank my parents for pushing me and believing that I could do this, and for staying by my side through it all the past 14 years. I would also like to thank my coach, Todd DeCarlo, for making me a better soccer player this past year. Although I have only been on Placer for one year, the coaching from Todd really made a difference in how I played, especially after coming off an ankle surgery and being out for a year. I will always be grateful for the people in my life that have pushed me to be the best that I can be. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Coach Kelly Coffey and Coach Jody Lingafeldt for giving me the opportunity to play for the next four years of my life. I am so excited to start this new journey in my life and see what the future holds for me. Go Penguins!”—Ayla Harris

College Bound

Colorado School of Mines Welcomes Amena Nelson

“I am very excited to announce my commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at Colorado School of Mines. I am grateful for the opportunity to play soccer while getting a great education. First I’d like to thank God for all He has given me. Thanks to Coach Todd DeCarlo who always believed in me and pushed me to do better. I would not have gotten this opportunity if not for his dedication. Thank you to Coaches Kevin Fickes, Shannon Devoe, and Matthew Sparks for granting me the opportunity to perform at the collegiate level. Thanks especially to my parents who never lost faith in me on and off the field and who have sacrificed so much so I may be able to live out all I can dream. I’m forever grateful for all my coaches, my friends, and my family who have been apart of my journey thus far. I love you and appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I would not be where I am without any you. Go Orediggers!—Amena Nelson, #8 Placer United DA

News

College Signing Club Record

Placer United enjoyed an amazing year both on and off the field during the 2017/2018 season as evidenced by all the new trophies proudly displayed in our already packed trophy room. But without a doubt, one of our biggest achievements of the season was a new club record set by our 38 graduating senior players.

Please join us in congratulating all 38 players who will leave the club this year to play collegiate level soccer starting Fall 2018.

Boys 2018 Graduating Class
Elisha Burnbridge Seattle Pacific
Ayden Burnett UC Davis
Manny Cabrerra Cal Maritime
Dylan Finley Dominican University
Benji Kikanovic Sac State
Mason Lopez Folsom Lake College
Jack McGrail U.S. Air Force Academy
Jacob Ramos Western Washington
Nate Sherwood Corban University
Eddie Silverbush Dominican University
Noah Sonenstein UC San Diego
Cody Sundquist UCLA
Jordan Vice UC Davis
Zach Wong UC San Diego

 

Girls 2018 Graduating Class       
Abena Aidoo Cal Berkeley
Frances Andrade Sierra College
Dallis Andreasen Folsom Lake College
Kara Burns San Jose State University
Makayla Cheema Sierra College
Mackenzie George Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Brittney Flint Academy of Art
Cassidy George University of San Francisco
Ayla Harris Dominican University
Quincy Kaplan San Francisco State University
Nicolette Lewis Pepperdine
Adriana Maldonado University of Nebraska
Kylie Martinez Sierra College
Teagan Matye Westmont College
Clare Murphy Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Amena Nelson Colorado School of the Mines
Emma Roche Belmont Abbey
Rachel Roche Belmont Abbey
Josie Sherman St. Mary’s
Sylvia Sloss University of San Francisco
Emily Talmi Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Sydney Schultz Loyola Marymount
Grace Vargas University of Nevada-Reno
Kat Yarbrough University of Nevada-Reno

 

News

Mackenzie George Gets Call Up to U19 National Team

Processed with Rookie Cam

 

Placer United’s 99/00 Academy team player, Mackenzie George, got the surprise of her life when she received a call from U.S. Soccer asking her to be part of the U.S. Soccer U19 Women’s National team.

U19 U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team Head Coach, Keri Sarver, called up twenty four players for the May camp in San Diego. Twenty two are in college and two are playing in the U.S. Soccer’s  Girls Academy with NTH Tophat and Placer United.

“What a great opportunity for MacKenzie,” said Placer Director Paul OBrien, “It really shows why the Girls Academy program is so important for players like MacKenzie. She was not on any national team’s radar before this season and after some outstanding displays against teams like the San Jose Earthquakes, Portland Thorns, and Seattle Reign, as well as at the first Girls DA showcase event, she received an invitation to be part of the top twenty four players in the country.”

“Everyone at the club is elated with Kellie’s Pagador’s recent achievements and now this latest news about MacKenzie is awesome,” continued O’Brien. “All of our girls have done us proud in this first year of the US Girls Academy. We hope we have one or two more players receiving invites to National teams in the future as there are many talented players in this area who just need to be seen more regularly by U.S. Soccer staff like what happened with MacKenzie. She and the other twenty three players are age-eligible for the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in France in August should they prove themselves worthy. Now wouldn’t that make a great local sports story!”

A HUGE congratulations to MacKenzie! Go Placer!

Read More

News

Placer United Welcomes Another “A” Licensed Coach to Staff

Placer United strongly believes that in order to help raise standards, further develop our club, and strive to create better soccer players, it’s vital to have highly educated and knowledgeable coaches as part of our staff.  We are proud to announce the addition of Stephen Nichols to our club. He holds a USSF A license.

“I have absolutely no doubt that Stephen will be a huge asset to our club,” stated Placer Director, Paul O’Brien. “He’s a strong believer in the importance of development over winning and will help players become better both technically and tactically so they can deal with any situation that arises within a game.” O’Brien said he talked with Nichols numerous times about soccer who shares the same beliefs about how the game should be played at the youth level. He also understands the importance of gaining knowledge through education. Nichols has collegiate-level playing experience and coaching experience, State Cup winning experience, ECNL coaching experience and is highly licensed by U.S. Soccer.

Please join us in welcoming Stephen to Placer United. Go Placer!

Click here to see Stephen’s soccer skills.

News

Placer’s Pagador Wins U17 International Tournament with U.S. Soccer U16 Team

A big congratulations to U15 Placer United Girls Academy player Kellie Pagador, who not only represented the U.S. Under-16 Girls’ National Team in Italy, but helped them defeat Japan in the final of the U17 Women’s Torneo delle Nazioni in Italy.  The U.S. U16 National Team traveled to Italy to participate in a U17 tournament which was staged at fourteen small venues in the northeast part of Italy, and just across the border in western Slovenia. Ten games

 

were played in Italy and four in Slovenia.

The 2018 competition was for players born in 2002 or later. The U.S. team was made up of ten players born in 2002, which is the age group for this year’s U16 Girls National Team, and five players born in 2003, one of whom includes Placer United’s Kellie Pagador. The 2003’s are all part of the U15 GNT age group. In addition, there are five players on the roster born in 2001.

Kellie started in three of the four games the U.S. team played with one being the final against Japan.

Congratulations Kelli! Go Placer!

News

Placer’s Pagador Gets Call Up to Older U.S. Soccer National Team

Kellie Pagador

 

Congratulations to Placer U15 U.S. Soccer Development Academy player, Kellie Pagador, who got a major surprise last week when it was announced she was one of five 2003 age group players called into the 2002 U.S. Soccer Women’s National team for an international tournament in Italy. Kellie is a prominent member of the 2003 U.S. Soccer National squad for well over a year and received the call-up after some strong displays at the recent 2002/2003 National Team Camp.

“It’s really a great achievement and well deserved,” said Placer Director, Paul O Brien. “It’s also a great endorsement for the Girls U.S. Soccer DA program as the U.S. Soccer DA staff have been able to monitor Kellie throughout the course of the year play up with our 01 U.S. Soccer Academy team. She has really thrived against some strong opposition. It’s also speaks volumes for our own girls Academy staff who have helped create the necessary environment for Kellie and others to take their game to the next level.

Congratulations to Kellie for a great job! Go Placer!

Read More:

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/04/16/19/14/20180416-news-u16gnt-heads-to-2018-u17-womens-torneo-delle-nazioni-in-italy-and-slovenia

 

College Bound

Kara Burns Commits to San Jose State University

“I am extremely excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and soccer career at San Jose State University. I am thankful to everyone who has been with me on this journey, and I am especially thankful for my family who has supported me since Day 1. I want to thank my very first soccer coach, Coach Pat Meachim for teaching me the basic skills, encouraging and supporting me to seek the next level of play when the time was right. I would also like to thank coaches Matt Bernard, Matt McDougall, and Bashar Alsakati for making me the goalkeeper I am today. A special thank you goes to Coach Todd DeCarlo for never doubting my ability and pushing me to be the best I can be, for always believing in me and for coaching me through any struggles. For seven years I have been proud to be a part of Placer United, and I am excited to take the next step at San Jose State. Go Spartans!” —Kara Burns

College Bound

Eddie Silverbush Commits to Dominican University

“I am very proud and excited to announce my commitment to Dominican University of California. I’m truly grateful to be able to further my soccer career as well as pursue a business degree at Dominican University. I would like to thank my entire family for helping, encouraging, and supporting me while I played the sport I love. I also want to thank my coaches; Paul O’Brien, Jason Gantt, Matt Scammacca, and Matt McDougall for making me a better player and a better person. My time at Placer United has been the greatest of my life, creating everlasting friendships and acquaintances with every person I’ve come to know and meet. I cannot wait to begin my collegiate career at Dominican University, I could not have done it without any of you. Go Penguins!” — Eddie Silverbush

College Bound

2019 Grad Jenna Ladrech Commits to Cal Poly

“I am extremely blessed to announce my commitment to continue my academic and soccer career at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo! The excitement I have to attend my dream school in such a beautiful town cannot even be put into words. I owe a huge thank you to my coaches Mark Broers, Todd DeCarlo, and most importantly, Ron Benjamin for supporting and helping me grow as a player over all these years. Also, to all of my teammates for making me a better player through their constant competitiveness and work rate. I would also like to thank my family for their continuous love and support throughout this entire stressful process. To my parents for the insane amount of time, they have spent traveling to watch me play, for the many sacrifices they have made, and for always believing in me. To my sister for being the amazing role model that she is and inspiring me to be a better player and person. And to my brother who never takes it easy on me, but also never gives up on me.

Thank you to coaches Alex Crozier and Scott Williams for this unbelievable opportunity! I cannot wait to play at the next level at such an amazing school. Go Mustangs!” — Jenna Ladrech