The journey through the Norcal State Cup is a long one. Hundreds of team in each age group play in the Norcal State Cup and are all vying for one thing, THE State Cup Championship. The teams are seeded by strength during the summer and begin the first round of play in September. (Red, White, Blue, and Green divisions). After the first round, the teams are re-seeded, based on results, for the second round of play. When the second round is completed, teams are then placed in their final divisions, based on results, for the quarter-finals.

U11 Teams

The Placer United U11B 03 Red had a magical run through the State Cup and it culminated with THE State Cup Championship! The boys finished their season with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Santa Rosa United Celtic in the final and were crowned the #1 Team in Northern California! The boys ran through the Cup with seven wins an no losses. Congratulations!

The Placer United U11G 03 Red also had an unbelievable run through the State Cup and ran off eight wins in a row to reach the State Cup Championship game. After a nail-biting, golden goal overtime win over the West Valley Magic, the girls then faced the Santa Rosa United Thunder. It was a back and forth affair with tons of excitement and passion. Unfortunately, Santa Rosa was able to score with very little time remaining to win the game 4-3. What a fantastic run by the girls and they have no reason to hang their heads as they finished as the #2 Team in Northern California.

The Placer United U11 03 White Boys and Girls also did very well in Norcal State Cup play, showing our depth and strength in the age group. The boys played in the white group and had six consecutive wins to advance to the Diamond 3 quarter-finals. They won their quarter-final match 4-0 but were upended in the semi-finals. The girls were placed in the Red division of the Cup and played against some very tough opponents. After the first and second round, the girls were placed in the Diamond 2 division quarter-finals. In that game, the girls won in thrilling fashion with a 2-1 win in golden goal overtime. In the semi-finals, they out strong and had a convincing 2-0 win. In the final, the girls gave it their best but came up short in the end with a 3-1 loss.

What a great season for our U11 boys and girls teams! We look forward to continued development and success as they move into the U12 age group.

U9 and U10 Teams

The Placer United U9 and U10 boys and girls programs also saw much success this past season. Many of the teams were in the top division of the Norcal Fall League, placed highly in tournament play and had nice runs in the Norcal State Cup. Highlighting these age groups were out U10B Red who finished #7 in the State with a 3-1 win over FC Elk Grove Navy. The U10G Red had 4 wins, 1 loss and 3 draws in the Gold division of the Norcal League. The girls also did well in the Norcal State Cup finishing #12 in the State. The U9 girls teams and the U9B Red were all seeded in the top 1-32 in the State Cup event.

We are very proud of all the kids! Congratulations!

At the request of Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), 16 girls from Placer United Soccer Club traveled to the State Capitol Monday to meet with winners of the year’s NCAA soccer champions — the women’s soccer team of UCLA. The UCLA women’s soccer team was honored by the Legislature for winning its first NCAA championship in the program’s history.

“This is such a unique opportunity for the young players to meet the best in college soccer,” said Senator Jim Nielsen. “Connecting young children with accomplished college athletes gives them aspiration and motivation to continue their dreams.”

Accompanied by their parents and coaches, soccer players from Placer United introduced themselves to the UCLA champions and received autographs.

Jeff Flint, Placer United Board Chair, noted how excited the young players were to meet with the national champions. “This is such a great honor for our players. They have been talking about it and thinking of what memorabilia they should bring to have autographed.”

In December, UCLA captured the NCAA title after defeating Florida State Seminoles in overtime with a score of 1-0. Under the leadership of Head Coach Amanda Cromwell, the Bruins finished the season with a 22-1-3 record and defeated three number one seeds en route to the championship.

UCLA Head Coach Amanda Cromwell reflected on the team’s visit to the Capitol, “We had a great experience in the State Capitol today. It was nice to be recognized by all the Senators and the State Assembly. The reception at the end was very unique in that they brought some club players in from Placer, and it’s always nice to join the college players with the young girls to see their role models front and center and get to meet them, talk to them and get autographs. We thank everybody at the State Capitol for all their efforts.”

We are very excited to announce that we have secured a block of seats for the upcoming inaugural season (April through September 2014) of the USL Pro League Sacramento Republic FC. Placer United Soccer Club members have the opportunity to sit together for every match and show our club colors and spirit.

http://shop.sacrepublicfc.com/products/club-seating-deposits-for-placer-united-soccer-club

How much does it cost?  It will be $331 per seat for a 20-game full season ticket.  This seating location can only be purchased through a youth soccer club affiliation and the spirit behind this offer from Sacramento Republic is to bring together area youth soccer clubs and have us all sit together to show that Sacramento is ready for Major League Soccer in our town.

So who wants in?  One way to organize this moving forward is to create our own “mini plans.”  Look within your own team and figure out how many games each family wants to attend.  There will be 17 guaranteed games (14 USL Pro league matches and 3 friendlies – vs. MLS, a European and Mexican League team), with 3 potential playoff games (you will be refunded for any games not played).  Ask your Team Manager or a season ticket veteran organize on behalf of the team, then sign up through the Placer United Soccer Club link above.  We have until 2/16/14 to get ORGANIZED and submit for seats in our own section. This historic, inaugural season is going to be great fun. We want to make sure we have enough seats for Placer United members, so buy now!

How do we make it happen?  Once your family, your team, or group of friends have decided how many seats you need, please click on the link  http://shop.sacrepublicfc.com/products/club-seating-deposits-for-placer-united-soccer-club and submit your request.  $100.00 per seat will be needed to secure each spot.  50% of the balance will be due on or before 3/1/14 and the remaining balance due on or before 4/1/14.

This is a fantastic opportunity to see professional soccer played in Sacramento.  Coming together as a group will help to show the world that Sacramento is a soccer town and we deserve an MLS team.  Organize and join the fun!

Thanks for your time and GO REPUBLIC!

Republic FC only USL PRO club to align with two MLS Clubs.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (January 23, 2014) – Sacramento Republic FC has entered into separate affiliate agreements between the Portland Timbers and the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer (MLS), making Republic FC the official USL PRO affiliate to both MLS clubs. The agreements come following a development partnership between MLS and USL PRO in 2013 to help further the development of professional soccer in North America.

Each respective affiliate agreement between the Timbers, Earthquakes and Republic FC, set to play its inaugural season in USL PRO in 2014, encompasses multiple strategic elements including but not limited to player development.
“We are excited to partner with the Timbers and Earthquakes in an effort to develop talent on the field, emulate each club’s business success and to entertain our fans with the high quality talent from each club,” said Warren Smith, president of Sacramento Republic FC. “Our organization is twice blessed with the ability to learn from not one, but two MLS clubs, their experienced operating teams and engaged, passionate supporters. Each affiliate agreement is an important part of our efforts to provide Sacramento Republic FC, as well as the entire Sacramento region, one of the most talented USL PRO clubs in the league and a MLS vision for our community.”

In addition to providing loan opportunities for select players, Rod Underwood, an assistant coach for the Timbers Academy and Timbers U-23s and a longtime professional coach, will join the coaching staff of Republic FC as an assistant coach to Head Coach Preki.

“We are pleased to form an affiliation with Sacramento Republic FC for 2014,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers general manager. “This partnership allows us the ability to aid in the development of players by getting them more consistent playing time in a competitive environment, while helping Republic FC strive for success on the field.”

The Timbers and Earthquakes annually will loan a minimum of two players to Republic FC for the entire USL PRO season to further aid in player development, but will retain the ability to recall those players as needed. Each MLS Club’s agreement with Sacramento Republic FC are one-year in duration.

“We are excited to team up with Republic FC as our USL PRO affiliate,” said Earthquakes President Dave Kaval. “Establishing a USL PRO affiliation is a critical step in our continued investment in player development that includes our Academy, our PDL team, and our homegrown player efforts.  Beyond the player development benefits, we feel that it is important to help develop professional soccer in Sacramento with an eye to eventually making it a home of its very own MLS team.”
On January 23, 2013 MLS and USL PRO announced a groundbreaking, multi-year partnership aimed to enhance the development of professional soccer players in North America, strengthen the competition in both leagues and establish a solid foundation for future collaboration.

ABOUT SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC
Sacramento Republic FC is an expansion franchise of USL PRO. The club will launch its inaugural season in 2014 and is planning to host its matches at an 8,000-seat multi-use facility at Cal Expo, pending approval by the Cal Expo board of directors. The club’s commitment to position Sacramento as an “indomitable city” is evident through its community investments and obtaining an MLS franchise by 2016. The club has taken steps to build the franchise with the highest caliber of talent, both on and off the field, for its inaugural USL PRO season including the hiring of head coach Predrag “Preki” Radosavljevic. The club’s motto is urbs indomita – Indomitable City. Indomitable Club. For more information, visit SacRepublicFC.com or follow the club at www.facebook.com/sacprosoccer and @SacRepublicFC.
ABOUT USL PRO
USL PRO is the strongest U.S. men’s professional soccer league on and off the field below and in support of Major League Soccer (MLS). Focused on league stability and franchise performance longevity, USL PRO features 13 teams, including announced 2014 expansion teams in Oklahoma City and Sacramento. Through aggressive and deliberate growth in adding teams fully capable of meeting USL and US Soccer standards, USL PRO is building a robust, national professional soccer league in a format that promotes the benefits of regional league play. In 2013 USL PRO began a groundbreaking, multi-year partnership with MLS that features individual team affiliations, inter-league play, and the opportunity for MLS clubs to field a second team in USL PRO. In addition to league play, USL PRO teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various domestic and international exhibitions. USL PRO is the longest-standing pro league affiliate member of US Soccer.

Three Placer United teams played in the Norcal State Cup playoffs this past weekend.

The U11B Red had a pair of victories to advance to the State 1-8 quarter-finals. In group play, the boys defeated North Bay Elite 2-1 and Heritage 3-0. In the quarter-finals, the boys defeated the Monarcas 4-1 to advance to the semi-finals on January 25th.

The U13G Red played in the State 1-8 quarter-finals. Despite a barrage of scoring opportunities, the girls were up-ended 3-1 by Cal Odyssey. In the 5-8 playoffs, the girls lost a heartbreaker to Mustang 2-1.  They will play for 7th/8th place in the State on February 16th.

The U12G Red played in the quarter-finals of the Premier 3 Cup on Saturday and came out with a 3-1 victory over Walnut Creek. In the semi-finals, the girls defeated Peninsula Odyssey 1-0 to advance to the final on February 15th against the Central California Soccer Alliance.

Congrats to the teams on a great weekend!

What a great weekend for all the Placer United players who were selected to play for Cal North teams at the 2014 ODP Region IV Championships held this past weekend at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Arizona.

Placer United boys players on the Cal North 2001 team that made the Region IV semi finals included Cade Mawson and Dominic Paielli. The Cal North 1999 boys team with Placer’s Ryan Branigan also made it to the semi finals. Placer United had standout goalkeeper Jay Roundtree between the sticks on the Cal North 1998 boys team.

Placer United’s Emily Talmi and Lindsey Porter represented Placer United on the Cal North ODP 2000 girls team that also made it to the Region IV semi final game. Maggie Bell made it to the final playing for the girls Cal North 1998 ODP team.

Congratulations to all the players.

Go Placer!

Indoor Training Center

In 2012, Placer United purchased a 27,000 sq. ft. building to provide training opportunities to improve technical skills and tactical understanding of the game. This facility enables Placer United professional coaching staff to provide soccer skill training for more kids entering the sport at all levels of skill, as soccer players visit the building to participate in indoor leagues, skill camps, speed & agility clinics, and open play. Amenities include:

• four futsal fields
• one keeper training area
• small ball soccer training with a size 1-2 futsal ball to develop ball skills
• waiting area for parents complete with Wi/Fi and large screen TV

Further, this facility, known as the “crown jewel of soccer facilities” in the greater Sacramento area, draws adult leagues and offers an opportunity for anyone who enjoys soccer to play.

Outdoor Training

Placer United Soccer Club, in partnership with Richland Communities and the City of Lincoln, will be developing a major new soccer complex. The complex is planned to break ground in late 2015 or early 2016 with a least four fields open by fall of 2016.  At build out, the state-of-the-art facility will include:

• twelve full-size soccer fields (including one stadium/championship field)
• three training fields
• futsal courts
• an office/locker room/meeting space/dining complex
• multiple concession stands
• maintenance facilities
• kids’ play areas
• a parks area with walking trails integrated with adjacent creeks.

Placer United Soccer Complex will be the largest and best soccer complex in Northern California. It is expected to be a major sports tourisum venue as well as the home site for most Placer United training sessions and home games. The complex sits adjacent to and is highly visible from the new Hwy. 65 freeway bypass around the City of Lincoln.

Placer United currently trains on fields throughout Placer County with a home field located at Del Oro High School. Del Oro provides us with lighted grass and turf practice fields. In addition, we have a strategic partnership with the Roseville City Unified School District and maintain lighted training fields at Cirby Elementary School in Roseville.

Erika Garcia, a graduate of Placer United and a junior and All Ivy League player at Harvard University, just received word that she has been selected to participate in the Full Senior Women's National Team Camp in Mexico from January 26 through February 6.  After the training camp ends on February 6, she will be headed with the National Team to China to play a round of games. They will play North Korea on February 11, China on February 13, and New Zealand on February 15th. This will be Erika's first opportunity to earn National team caps**.

A message from the Mexican Technical Director stated that the purpose of this trip is to prepare to qualify for the World Cup in Canada 2015 and win the Gold Medal of the Central American Games.

We are very exicited for you, Erika! Congratulations!

**A cap in soccer is a recognition that is earned by a player for every appearance in an international game for her country. There are no official rules that say you must be playing on foreign soil when you represent your country or that you must be a member of the country's national team for you to get 'capped'.

Two Placer United girls teams secured top 1-8 spots in the state and will advance in Norcal State Cup.

The U11G '03 Red had a pair of victories in group play on Saturday and won their group. They advanced to the Elite 8 for the second year in a row. In game one, the girls defeated MVLA Lightning Blue, 3-1. In game two, the girls had a convincing 7-1 victory over DeAnza Force. The quarter-final was played on Sunday and the girls came out victorious with a 1-0 win over Milpitas. They now advance to the State Cup semi-finals versus West Valley Magic on January 25th.

The U13G '01 Red finished up group play with a 0-0 draw versus Livermore to win their group and advance to the Top 8 in the state. This is their second consecutive trip to the Elite 8. They play in the State Cup quarter-final match next Saturday the 18th versus Cal Odyssey.

The U11G 03' White had a draw and a pair of close defeats to advance to the quarter-finals of the Diamond 2 division. In the quarters, they played the Central Valley San Jose Mercury Red. It was a nail-biting game and the girls came out with a 2-1 win in golden goal overtime. They now move on to the semi-finals versus Tracy on January 25th.

The U12G '02 Red had a pair of 0-0 draws in their final group play games and move on to the Premier 3 quarter-finals versus the Walnut Creek Inifnity next Saturday the 18th.

Congrats to all of these teams on an excellent weekend!