Kristian Heptner

Kristian Heptner Commits to UC Davis

Kristian Heptner

“I am honored to say that I have committed to UC Davis. I am very excited to play soccer at the great Division 1 program that Davis has to offer. Not only does UCD offer a top soccer program, but many great academic opportunities that I cannot wait to explore. I have many people to thank throughout my life, first and foremost my parents and sister, without their continued support I would not be the player or person I am today. My parents took me to countless games and practices and gave me love and support whether win or lose. I would like to thank my coaches Jason Gantt and Paul O’Brien, who have helped make this possible for me, as well as offering the best coaching I could ask for. They pushed me to the next level and really helped me step up my game in the past 6 months. I thank my teammates who are like a second family to me. I love every single one of them. Playing against them for so many years and now finally joining them on the same side is truly amazing. I’m very grateful to play my last year of competitive soccer with these guys, and continue on to Davis!”

Go Aggies!

Sarah Hollinghaus

Sarah Hollinghaus of U18G 97 White Commits to Weber State University

Sarah Hollinghaus

“I am so excited to announce that I am playing at Weber State University this fall. After visiting the campus and meeting the players and coaches, I knew it was a perfect fit for me. I am so grateful for everyone that has been influential on my soccer experience. I would first like to thank my parents for being at every single game, believing in me from the start, and supporting me in every decision I have made. I also want to thank my goalkeeper coaches, Simon Sheppard and Matt Bernard. To Simon, thank you for believing in me from the beginning and helping me fall in love with soccer all over again. To Matt, thank you for helping me improve so much technically this last year and enjoy getting better. I would also like to thank my coach Sarah Alderson for picking me up the very last day of tryouts and seeing my potential, as well as Ron Benjamin for being a crucial person in the recruiting process and for helping me out so much in my college search. Thank you to all my past coaches and all of my teammates over the years that have pushed me and become some of my best friends. I am so excited to take the next step and play collegiate soccer this upcoming fall and have my dream come true.

Go Wildcats!”

Gregg Named River Cats Girls Soccer Player of the Year

Anna Gregg - Placer United U18 97 Gold (standing to the right of middle with St. Francis shirt)

Anna Gregg – Placer United U18 97 Gold (standing to the right of middle with St. Francis shirt)

St. Francis junior soccer player Anna Gregg was named the River Cats Girls Soccer Player of the Year at the High School Awards Ceremony before Sunday’s game against the Tacoma Rainers.

“It means so much and feels so great,” said Gregg of the Player of the Year honor. “I set a goal to help the team to the section championship and that was accomplished. I could not be happier.”

Gregg and her St. Francis teammates captured the Sac-Joaquin Section title on Saturday on her goal to defeat Oak Ridge 1-0.

“To be recognized with a bunch of amazing athletes is unbelievable,” said Gregg.  “We have amazing student-athletes at St. Francis and it is great to be part of it.”

Congratulations Anna on a stellar high school season!

Coach Robert Handy

Placer United Welcomes Coach Robert Handy

Coach Robert Handy

Coach Robert Handy

Coach Rob is the head men’s soccer coach at William Jessup University. He came to the Warriors after spending the last three years working as an assistant coach for the Chico State men’s soccer team underneath head coach Felipe Restrepo.

While at Chico State, Coach Rob was a vital part in Chico State winning the 2010, 2011 and 2012 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division and reaching the NCAA Championship Tournament two straight years in 2010 and 2011.  Chico State was 37-14-10 over the last three years, including 30-9-7 in the CCAA.  During those three years, Coach Rob coached 13 All-Conference and 10 All-West Region players.  His responsibilities for the Wildcats’ included recruiting, overseeing  the team’s daily training and weight program, coordinating travel and fundraising efforts, and served as co-director of the Chico State soccer camps.  Coach Rob holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and NSCAA Goalkeeping Level I Diploma.

Coach Rob, a Marysville native, brings a wealth of soccer experience and extensive first-hand knowledge of the college soccer game. He was a standout defensive specialist and midfielder for California State Stanislaus from 2002-06, earning All-CCAA second team honors in 2006 as well as a Far West Region Honorable Mention. Coach Rob was also selected to the conference’s All-Academic team as a junior.  He played at Marysville High School.

Welcome to Placer United!

U15-U18 2013-2014 Season Highlights

U18 Boys Red
Champion – Placer United Boys Cup

U18 Girls Red
Won National Premier League
Finalist – San Diego Surf Cup
Champion – Davis College Showcase
Finalist – Las Vegas Players Showcase
Semi-Finalist – Placer United Girls Cup
Semi-Finalist – Pleasanton College Showcase

U18 Girls White
Semi-Finalist – Placer United Girls Cup
Champion – Sacramento United Cla
Semi-Finalist – Davis College Showcase

U17 Boys Red
Champion – National Premier League
Play in the Nor Cal State Cup Final May 10th
Champion -National Premier League National College Showcase
Champion -2013 Surf College Cup
Champion -Davis College Showcase

U17 Boys White
Champion -Las Vegas Showcase

U16 Boys Red
Qualified for National Premier League Champions Division
Finished 3rd in the National Premier League National College Showcase
Premier Elite Ranked Team

U16 Girls Red
Semi-Finalist – Las Vegas Players Showcase
2nd Place – Norcal NPL Fall League
Champion – Norcal NPL Winter League
Semi-Finalist – Placer United Girls Cup
Competed in both the Summer Surf Cup and Surf College Cup
Semi-Finalist – Davis College Showcase
Champion – Utah Avalanche College Showcase

U16 Girls White
Semi-Finalist – Las Vegas Mayors Cup
Semi-Finalist – Davis College Showcase

U15 Boys Red
Finalist – NorCal spring College Showcase
Quarter Finalist – Nomad College Showcase
Finalist – Placer United Boys Cup

U15 Girls Red
Champion – Las Vegas Players Showcase
2nd Place – Norcal NPL Fall League
2nd Place – Norcal NPL Winter League
Champion – Placer United Girls Cup
Semi-Finalist – Davis College Showcase

U15 Girls White
Finalist – Sacramento United Classic

U14 Boys Academy 
Invited to Play at 2013 USSF Academy Surf Cup
Finalist – Nor Cal 2013 Regional Play Off

U14 Boys Red
Champion – Davis College Showcase
Semi-FinalIst – Nor Cal Gold Cup

U14 Girls Red
Champion – Norcal NPL Fall League
3rd Place – Norcal NPL Winter League
Quarter-Finalist – Surf Thanksgiving
Champion – Placer United Girls Cup
Semi-Finalist – Mustang Stampede

U14 Girls White
Finalist – Northern California Spring Showcase

Hugo Perez, USSF U15 Boys National Team Coach, Drops By

IMG_0540

Big Surprise for Placer U14 Boys

USSF U15 Boys National Team Coach, Hugo Perez, surprised the Placer U14 USSF Academy team this week during training when he showed up to coach the team. Coach Perez, who played 73 times for the US Men’s National Team, and was inducted into US Soccer’s Hall of Fame in 2008, really put the boys to work in a training session focused on attacking in the final third. A huge thank you to Coach Perez for taking time at the end of training to talk with the boys about the session and explaining the importance of practicing as much as possible to improve your game.

Placer U17B NPL Champions League Winners

Champs_U17B_NPL2_2014

Congratulations to Placer United’s U17 boys as they were crowned winners of the NPL Champions league on Sunday. Going into the weekend the boys needed to secure two big wins to land the title and they didn’t disappoint. With the sidelines full of college coaches on Saturday and Sunday, the boys held their nerve to win both  games 2-1 and 2-1 and become the #1 Team in Northern California. The boys will now represent Nor Cal at the NPL National Finals in Greensboro, NC over the Summer.

Congratulations boys! Go Placer!

Placer United’s Jordan Vice Trains In England with Wolves Academy

 

Jordan Vice

Jordan Vice

Placer United’s Jordan Vice had the trip of a lifetime when he was invited to train with English Championship Team Wolverhampton Wanderers Youth Academy teams  over spring break.

Jordan had a great time at the home of the Wolves Youth Academy,  where Irish Soccer Legend, Robbie Keane, first made his name back in the day. Jordan, who plays for Placer United USSF Academy team, did extremely well and really impressed the Wolves Academy staff. He has been invited him back to train  over the summer.

Great job Jordan!

Sydney Pagador, Placer United ’97 Commits to the University of New Mexico

Sydney Pagador

Sydney Pagador

“I am excited to announce that I have verbally committed to the University of New Mexico. It’s such a blessing that I get to play soccer at the school where my dad played football. After visiting the campus, I completely fell in love with everything the school has to offer, from the academics to the soccer program. The coaches, Kit Vela, Jorge Vela, and Krista Foo are wonderful people who I cannot wait to play for. I couldn’t have done it without the love and support from everyone throughout my years of playing for Placer United.  Thank you to my first coach, Lee Callow, who taught me the basics and fundamentals of the game; to Nathan Williams who built me as a player tactically and mentally; and lastly, to Ron Benjamin for the constructive criticism and pushing me to strive to do my best and made me the player I am today. I am blessed and thankful to have been so fortunate to play for Placer United since U10.  I am looking forward to finishing my last year with an amazing team and coach. I would like to thank my teammates, who aren’t just teammates, but are my best friends and life-long sisters. There are no other people I’d rather be spending practically every day with. They make me laugh and push me to work harder and become a better player. Lastly and most importantly, my thanks and gratitude to my parents who have done so much for me— taking me to countless games and practices and supporting me every step of the way. I am extremely excited to go to UNM and am looking forward to being a part of a great soccer program. I am committed to work hard and to strive for greatness each and every day! Go Lobos!” —Sydney Pagador

Placer United Alumni, Madalyn Schiffel, Called Into the US Under 20 Women’s National Team Camp Next Week

Madalyn Schiffel

The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team head coach Michelle French has called 25 players to a camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California, running from April 13-20. One of those players is Placer United Alumni, Madalyn Schiffel who played for Coach Gene Duchateau on the ’95 Gold team.  It will be the USA’s third-to-last domestic camp before the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup takes place in Canada in August.

Madalyn will attend the domestic camp next week at the Olympic Training Center.  Then the team will take a  trip to Europe in June and then a final domestic training camp in July before heading to Canada where it will face Germany, Ghana and Brazil in Group B play. The 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup runs from August 5-24 in Edmonton, Moncton, Montreal and Toronto.

French has called up most of the usual core of regulars, but is giving several players first looks as she continues to formulate the roster ahead of the World Cup.

The U-20s will play two scrimmages on Saturday, April 19, against college teams, taking on UCLA at 12:30 p.m. PT followed by USC at 2:30 p.m. PT.

Good Luck Madalyn! We are so proud of you!