Abbie Faingold, GK, Portland State University

Abbie Faingold was selected to join the 2015 U.S. Maccabi Women’s Open soccer team as a goalkeeper for the European Games which are being held in Berlin, Germany from July 27 through August 5, 2015. Abbie received her goalkeeper training at Placer United from Gene DuChateau, Matt Scamacca and Matt Bernard. The aforementioned coaches provided Abbie with a solid foundation to prepare her to play at the collegiate level. With exposure at several college showcases, Abbie received a scholarship to play at Portland State University where she is playing Division I women’s soccer in the Big Sky Conference. Abbie just concluded her freshmen year with the PSU Vikings under Head Coach Laura Schott. Abbie continued to grow and advance in her goalkeeping under the training and guidance of Coach Chris Lewis, former standout PSU goalkeeper and Portland Thorns player. This is a tremendous opportunity and experience for Abbie to represent her country at the international level. Abbie is honored to have been selected.

Good luck Abbie!

Anna Gregg, left

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Anna Gregg was named the Player of the Year in the Delta League, earning league player of the year for second straight season.

She helped St. Francis to a third-place finish and runner-up section finish. She was also named the River Cats Girls Soccer Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Gregg led the Delta League with 32 goals (T54 in nation) in 2015 with a league-best 72 points (T65 in nation). She also recorded eight assists, the second-best total in the league.

Junior forward Hailey Barrett and senior midfielder Rachel Schaefer joined Gregg on the Delta All-League first team. Senior Serena Ramos received the Delta League Sportsmanship Award.

Schaefer was named the Defensive MVP for the second consecutive season, while Gregg was the Offensive MVP and Cornerstone winner. Barrett received the Iron Woman Award after scoring eight goals with eight assists, the second-best totals on the team, for 24 points, the fifth-best total in the league.

by Tod Palmer  tpalmer@kcstar.com

May 30, 2015 — Sporting Kansas City rookie Connor Hallisey made his first MLS start with forward Dom Dwyer sidelined by a sore neck and Hallisey made it count.

Hallisey, the club’s 2015 first-round pick from California-Berkeley, had played 51 minutes in four career appearances before a 4-0 win Friday against FC Dallas at Sporting Park.

Hallisey went a career-high 64 minutes and notched his first MLS assist on a goal by Graham Zusi a minute before subbing off to thunderous applause.

“It was awesome,” Hallisey said. “Obviously, leading up to the game, there were nerves, but nerves are good. They get your adrenaline going and get you out there feeling good. Once the game started, you get in the zone and don’t even think about it.”

Hallisey also earned a corner kick in the third minute with his hustle up the right flank and later broke up a promising FC Dallas attack in the ninth minute by tracking back and knocking Mauro Diaz off the ball at the top of the penalty box.

But the unquestionable highlight was his back-heel pass in the box to tee up Zusi.

“I probably could have taken the shot, but Zeus was streaking through and I’m pretty sure he was yelling ‘back heel,’ so he made it easy on me,” Hallisey said. “When somebody makes a run like that, you have to reward them.”

• Four Sporting KC players — Chance Myers, Benny Feilhaber, Tim Melia and Roger Espinoza — will be the at the Kansas City Zoo on Sunday for Sporting KC Day at the Zoo.

Among the festivities, the zoo’s six orangutans will be outfitted in Sporting KC merchandise and the club’s futsal court will be set up for use by guests from noon to 4 p.m.

Myers and Feilhaber will play soccer with sea lions at 1:30 p.m. and Melia and Espinoza braving the cold with the penguins at 2:30 p.m.

After those activities, the players will take part in a 30-minute autograph session/meet-and-greet.

• Fewer than 1,000 tickets remain Sporting KC’s opening game in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against St. Louis FC at 7:30 p.m. on June 16 at Sporting Park.

St. Louis FC, a United Soccer League expansion team, advanced to the fourth round of the Open Cup by knocking off Minnesota United FC on Wednesday in a penalty-kick shootout.

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!