Taylor Ramos, Placer United U14G 02 Gold

Taylor Ramos of Placer U14G 02 Gold team and her Cal-North teammates competed in the Portland Timbers Friendship Cup in Oregon this past weekend. The Friendship Cup tournament has served as one of the top ODP tournaments in the country. More than 50 college, regional and national coaches were also on hand to evaluate and scout players.

The 02 State Team had two wins and two losses in the annual ODP event. The team also scored 5 goals and Taylor scored one of the goals. The event brought teams from Oregon, Washington, Colorado and British Columbia.

Congrats on a great weekend!

ODP 02 State Team. Taylor Ramos front row, far right

Mason Finnel, goalkeeper, Placer United U14 Academy

A big congratulations to goalkeeper Mason Finnell who was invited to attend the USSF Futures National Team camp in Carson, California. Mason is currently a member of the Placer United U14 Academy team which plays in the USSF U14 Development Academy League. “We are extremely proud of Mason who follows a long line of Placer United players chosen for national team camps over the years.” said Coach Paul O’Brien. “It not only says a lot about Mason, but also the caliber of coaches on our staff.”

Brian Johnson, U.S. U17 BNT Head Coach added, “The Futures Camp is an important piece to the continued development of young national team prospects. I look forward to working with these talented players as they will have the opportunity to showcase their skills with the top players born in 2001 and age eligible for the Under-14 Boys’ National Team.”

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Placer United U13B 02 Black – Davis Classico Mother’s Day Tournament Finalists

This weekend saw the Placer U13B 02 Black take 2nd at the Davis Classico Mother’s Day edition tournament, in the League 1 Division.

Throughout Spring League, this team has been battling a number of first teams from around the region. It has been a big learning experience and has paid off at tournament time.

In the four games played, Placer scored three goals in each game, beating Ethos 3-0, Folsom 3-1, and Davis 3-1. The boy’s only loss came in the first game against the Idaho Rush. Placer had the lead early but Idaho squad was relentless and came back for a 4-3 victory.

The disappointment of losing this game fueled the remainder of the tournament as Placer looked to control each game, scoring early (35 seconds in the 1st half against Ethos), and being more responsible on defense. Although the boys tied with Idaho at top of the group, Placer’s loss in the head-to-head game resulted in 2nd place. A morale boosting, exciting weekend is just what this team needed, showing players, parents, and coach, that this team is capable of enjoying success and just how much the boys have grown in a short few months. Onwards and upwards…Go Placer!

The 2015 CIF Sac-Joaquin section finals are Saturday, May 16th at Costumes Oaks in Elk Grove. Placer United coaches, players and families will be out there in force. On show at the sectional finals will be three Placer United coaches and 22 Placer United players.

The Division I final with girls power house St. Francis features Placer Coach Justin Boyer and Placer players Allie Carmickle, Haley Harbour, Anna Gregg as they face off against Franklin High School at 4:00 p.m.

In the highly anticipated Division II final, defending champions, the Del Oro Golden Eagles meet up with local rivals Rocklin Thunder at 2:00 p.m. Placer United will be represented by coaches Ron Benjamin and Matt Scammacca and the following Placer United players: Kayleen Cendana, Emily Curry, Taylor Evinger, Rachel Gensch, Aubrey Goodwill, Abby Huizenga, Alex Jenkins, Alyssa Leaman, Madison Leonard, Paige Martinsen, Teagan Matye, Kirsten Robinson, Sylvia Sloss, Lindsay Erl, Faith Holloway, Megan Kuo, and Emily Lemos.

Representing Placer United in the Division IV final will be Sarah Jeffries of Placer High School when they battle Woodland at 12:00 p.m

The opening game of the day is the Division VI final at 10:00 a.m. with Placer United’s Abby Michealsen of Capital Christian competing against Modesto Christian.

We wish all our players and coaches the best of luck on Saturday.

Go Placer !

(l-r) Coach Matt McDougall, Ireland Women’s Team Head Coach Sue Ronan, Coach Paul O’Brien, Ireland Women’s Team Assistant Coach Tom O’Connor

Placer United coaches Paul O Brien and Matt McDougall joined up with the Ireland Women’s National team as they prepared for Sunday’s big game against team USA at the home of the San Jose Earthquakes. 

Coach Paul talks with FIFA World Goal of the Year nominee Stephanie Roche

Last week Coach Paul received a phone call from Ireland’s Head Coach Sue Ronan who invited Paul to help out at the Irish team’s training sessions leading up to the game.

Coach Paul O’Brien with Ireland’s goalkeepers Niamh Reid Burke (left) and Charlotte McCormack (right)

The coaching opportunity presented itself  when one of Coach Ron Benjamin’s former youth soccer players, Irish striker Fiona O’Sullivan mentioned to Ron that the Irish squad was looking for someone to help out while the team trained in Northern California. Ron gave Paul’s information to Fiona who passed it along to the Ireland coaching staff. Early Monday morning Head Coach Sue Ronan called Paul and chatted about his back round, coaching experience and credentials. At the end of the call, Sue invited Paul along with goalkeeper coach, Matt McDougall, to join up the Irish squad on Thursday afternoon when they arrived from Ireland.

Coach Matt McDougall finishes warming up Irish goalkeeper Niamh Reid Burke

Coach Matt said “It’s been a tremendous experience to be involved on the international stage and with such elite women athletes. I’m looking forward to and bringing all the new experiences back to Placer United”

Great job guys!

Coach Matt McDougall

A mainstay in competitive youth soccer and the college soccer scene, Coach Matt McDougall has officially been named the new Director of Goalkeeping for Placer United Soccer Club. Matt, a former indoor professional and collegiate all conference player, will lead Placer’s goalkeepers and help develop them to reach their full potential. Matt holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma in addition to a NSCAA Level 3 Goalkeeping Diploma.

“We are over the moon about Matt McDougall,” said an enthusiastic Paul O’Brien, Director of Soccer Operations. “Not only does he bring division one college-level expertise to our successful goalkeeping program, Matt has played at the professional level and will be a asset to all our goalkeepers.”

Matt graduated from Sacramento State in 2006 with a degree in business administration and marketing.  After college, he coached with the San Juan Soccer Club from 2006-2013 before joining Placer United in 2013.  Matt is also the assistant head coach and goalkeeper coach at Sac State since 2006.

“Matt’s expertise lies in the goalkeeping position, game management, match analysis, and on-field training,” Placer’s Director of Coaching, Ron Benjamin said.  “We look to him to continue the great success and legacy of our fearless leaders in between the pipes.”  Placer United’s development of goalkeepers over the past 20 years has been unmatched with keepers moving on to the collegiate level, as well as keepers selected for youth and full senior national teams.

“The goalkeeper position is very unique and involves individual development along with being integrated into the team/club philosophies,” said Matt McDougall. “Trainings will be intense, very demanding on techniques and the ability for goalkeepers to play with their feet. This is an exciting opportunity and I look forward to developing the best goalkeepers in the region.”

Matt has been coaching older boys teams within Placer United since 2013.  He brings knowledge, experience, and passion to his new position.

Matt’s Resume