Cody Sunquist trains in Fiorentina, Italy

Cody Sunquist had just returned from a hectic three week tour of training with Fiorentina in Italy, Liverpool FC in England, and the USSF U14 National team at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, when he got the call he has been chosen to travel with the U14 National team to Croatia for an International Tournament at the end of May. While the family was busy celebrating and making new travel plans, the phone rang once again.

Liverpool FC called to see if Cody was available to come back to Liverpool and train with them for a full month in July. Without too much hesitation the Sunquist’s all said, “YES!”

“What an absolutely incredible opportunity and experience that will be for such a young man,” said Placer Boys DOC, Paul O Brien. “For everybody involved at Placer United, we feel extremely proud of Cody as this is a great achievement not only him but for the Club as well. O’Brien reached out to Liverpool Academy staff about taking a look at Cody when he was done training in Italy. Liverpool agreed to take a look and called after Cody’s first training session and asked to keep Cody for a few days longer. Liverpool Assistant Academy Manager, Phil Roscoe, said, “After looking at Cody playing and working alongside our players in the Academy, Paul and the Placer United coaching staff should feel proud of doing a really good job in the development of this player. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Placer United.”

Congratulations Cody!

Dali Alarian, U18G ’95 Red

Dali Alarian of the U18 Girls ’95 Red has accepted a position on the California Storm team of the Womens Premier Soccer League (WPSL). The California Storm is one of the founding members of the WPSL. Jerry Zanelli, head coach and league commissioner, originally founded the league with six teams. Today, the league has grown to over seventy teams nationwide.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I have always dreamed of playing on a high level soccer team,” said Dali. “You may think I am exaggerating, but that was literally my “11:11 wish” every time. So I guess you can say all that wishing paid off because I have been accepted to play with the California Storm in the WPSL. A few days after making the team I began to do some research and found out that Brandi Chastain and Alex Morgan both played for the team as well. If you do not already know, Alex Morgan is my idol. Just knowing that I get to play on the same team where she once played feels like a dream. I cannot wait to start!”

Maria Dela Cruz, Placer United ’94

Placer United ’94 alumni and Idaho State sophomore goalkeeper Maria Dela Cruz has been selected to join the Philippine Senior Women’s National Team and will participate in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014 Qualifiers May 21-26, 2013 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Dela Cruz, who holds dual citizenship in both the United States and the Philippines, was born in Cagayan de Oro City and moved to the U.S. when she was four years old. Dela Cruz grew up in Roseville, California, and attended Granite Bay High School before making the decision to attend Idaho State.

Maria began her Placer United career at Under 10 with Coach Chris Alcala and also played for Coach Jason Gantt. Coach Gene Duchateau (assisted by Coach Todd Decarlo) then took over the ’94s for a couple of seasons. Coach Ron Benjamin then took the team for the final two years.

“It didn’t take me long to know that I had an awesome athlete (GK) in Maria” said Coach Gene. “She was small but very athletic, agile with quick reactions, making her a very good shot blocker. She had these attributes along with a great attitude, good hands and ability to come out and rise above players much bigger than her with balls knocked into the box and she always found a way to come down holding the ball.  Congratulations and we wish Maria the best of luck!”

When the Philippine National Team was looking for another goalkeeper, Dela Cruz’s club coach helped put her on the recruiters’ radar. Placer United Girls Director of Coaching, Ron Benjamin said he was contacted a few weeks ago by a representative from the team. “Maria immediately came to mind,” said Benjamin. “She was a fantastic student/athlete for our soccer club and we are so proud of the fact that she will be competing at this level and possibly play in the Women’s World Cup.”

After seeing her statistics, the Philippine National Team invited Dela Cruz to join the team and has called her to report to training camp in Manila on May 6.

Dela Cruz will train with her Philippine teammates in Manila from May 6-18 and will then travel to Bangladesh for the qualifying matches May 21-26. The Philippines is in the B Group and will face Thailand, Iran and Bangladesh in round robin play.

If the Philippine team wins its group, it will automatically qualify for the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The top five seeded teams from the Women’s Asian Cup will have the opportunity to play in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

“It is with a sense of pride to play for my country and it means a lot that my coaches thought I was good enough to play at that level,” Dela Cruz said. “It is an honor to even be looked at. I didn’t even think I would play college soccer, so to be playing for a chance to play in the World Cup is unreal.”

Dela Cruz is currently working to finish her finals early and trying to train for the hot and humid conditions that await her in Manila.

“It is very tropical over there and my [National] coach recommended that I jog in the sauna here to help prepare myself for the conditions over there,” Dela Cruz said.

Dela Cruz’s mother is joining her on the trip to Manila and following the tournament in Bangladesh, the mother-daughter duo will visit family in Cagayan de Oro.

While Dela Cruz is ISU Head Coach Allison Gibson‘s first Idaho State player to be selected to play for a National team, it is not her first athlete to play at the national level. Gibson also coached US Women’s National Team player and Olympic Gold medalist Alex Morgan.

“To have this type of exposure is tremendous,” Gibson said. “I am so proud and happy for Maria. She is one of the hardest working, most positive and energetic players I have coached. When she lost the starting position to Sheridan last season it only caused her to work and train harder. It is so great to have her hard work rewarded like this.”

Visit www.the-afc.com for more tournament information as well as schedules and results.

Placer United Coach Gene DuChateau was inducted into the Adelphi University Hall of Fame recently on the East Coast. The award was presented to Gene by Robert Hartwell, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.

When Gene went up for his induction, he stood in front of the massive posterboard that you see in this photo. Check out his air time and diving technique!

Congrats to Coach Gene and his award.  The Placer United family is so proud of you!

Placer United is pleased to announce the list of coaches for our upcoming U15-U19 boys and girls teams. This year we have added some local area house hold names to our staff, as well as, some coaches known nationwide.

Our coaching slate consists individuals who coach at the National Team Level, Division 1 College Level, Junior College Level, as well as, boys and girls high school level. We have coaches who were selected to coach at the 2013 Major League Soccer combine in Florida, 2013 Girls ECNL Combine held in Las Vegas, US Club Boys and Girls 2013 ID2 play dates in Phoenix and Charleston, and various NorCal PDP events throughout Northern California.

Our staff for boys and girls U15-U18 teams for the 2013-2014 season contain two current directors of coaching and two former directors of coaching. We have included coaches who have played at the National Team Level, Olympic Team Level, Division 1 and 2 College Level, won a NCAA National Title, won a Championship with Sacramento Knights, and a coach who took a college team to the Final 4.

At Placer United, we recognize how much the game is always evolving and moving forward with bright new ideas and ways to coach the individual player and team. We take huge pride in our coaches willingness to continue to educate themselves and their work to gain as much knowledge as possible by attending the many different coaching courses offered throughout the year.

At Placer United we currently have three “USSF A”, nine “USSF B”,  and thirteen “USSF C”  licensed coaches. We also have three “NSCAA National Advanced Diploma and four “NSCAA National Premier Diploma” licensed coaches. This summer, three more of our coaches were accepted for the “USSF A” course.

2013-2014 Placer United U15-U18 Boys and Girls Coaches

Click Here for Staff Resumes and Credentials

Boys

U15 Red – Matt Scammacca

U15 White – Matt Bernard

U16 Red – Paul O Brien

U16 White – Rich Donofrio

U17 Red – Jason Gantt

U17 White – Cory Clonce

U18 Red – Matt McDougall

Girls

U15 Red – Gene DuChateau

U15 White – Rich Donofrio

U16 Red  – Todd DeCarlo

U16 White – Todd DeCarlo

U17 Red – Ron Benjamin

U17 White – Sarah Alderson.

U18 Red – Ron Benjamin

U18 White – Sarah Alderson

Former professional soccer player, Charlie Cooke, was in town this past weekend hosting a Coerver Coaching Diploma Course in Sacramento. The two day course is designed to help educate coaches on how to teach the technical side of the game.

Charlie had a great career as a player. He played for Aberdeen, Dundee, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, in addition to finishing up his career in the U.S.  He also represented Scotland on the National Team, earning 16 caps.

Placer United Girls Director of Coaching, Ron Benjamin, has been working with Charlie for the past thirteen years as the Coerver-Norcal Director of camps and clinics. Placer United coaches Todd DeCarlo and Bart Morefield met up with Ron and Charlie at the Coerver Social in Roseville this past weekend.

Coach Todd DeCarlo, Director of Coaching Ron Benjamin, Charlie Cooke, Coach Bart Morefield

Coach Gene in the goal at the home of the Portland Timbers.

Coach Gene is a well travelled former soccer professional. He was a member of the U.S. National and Olympic teams, a collegiate National Champion and a long time player in the North American Soccer League (NASL).

Earlier this week, Gene had the opportunity to vist the home of Major League Soccer team Portland Timbers.  He met with one of our good friends, John Galas, who works for the Portland Timbers and also works for the Portland Thorns, one of the teams in the newly formed National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

This was a special event for Coach Gene as he was one of the professional soccer players who helped get men’s professional soccer on the map. He is very proud of Major League Soccer and it’s success.  The former professionals have paved the way for what our league is today.

Coach Gene did not look out of place, standing in goal on the Portland Timbers home field! He may have a few matches left in him!

Placer United players continue to excel away from their Club teams as Norcal Player Development Program (PDP) Announces Regional and State  Pools for the 2013-2014 season. Congratulations to the following Placer United Soccer Club players:

US National Team – Cody Sunquist

Nor Cal State Team – Cameron Douglas, Alejandro Perez, Jordan Vice.

Region 6 2000 Player Pool – Benji Kikanovic, Clare Murphy, Isabella Perez, Emily Talmi

Region 6 2001 Player Pool – Jenna Ladrech, Cade Mawson, Ryan McKinley, Marina Soares, Kirsten Webb

Region 6 2002 Player Pool – Noah Collins , Lucas English, Christian Jimenez, Miciah Kirton, Jake Sieber, Samir Tarazi, Christian Villanueva, Fernando Zepeda

Congratulations to all of the Placer United players who competed for spots on the PDP team.  Great job!

U.S. SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY ANNOUNCES 22 NEW CLUBS
FOR LAUNCH OF 2013-14 UNDER-13/14 ACADEMY SEASON 

New Teams to Join Academy’s Existing Clubs in New Age Group

CHICAGO (March 18, 2013) – The U.S. Soccer Development Academy has announced the inclusion of 22 new clubs to the Under-13/14 age division in preparation for the inaugural 2013-14 season. The new clubs will join existing Academy clubs in the new U-13/14 program starting next fall.

The U-13/14 Academy program is based on the same philosophy as the older Academy age groups, which features more training sessions, less games and more meaningful competition. The competitive schedule will place a greater emphasis on local games due to the younger ages of the players and will also include a futsal component during the winter (U.S. Soccer Youth Invitational Events).

In the coming weeks, the Development Academy will announce the full 2013-14 schedule and team/division breakdown for the U-13/14 Academy season (U-13/14 Academy Home Page).

“We are excited to add 22 new clubs to the Development Academy system in the U-13/14 age group,” Development Academy Director of Scouting Tony Lepore said. “We feel that it is very important to spread the Academy philosophy to an expanded pool of players and clubs in this age group as we launch our first season of U-13/14 programming this fall. The new clubs have the qualities we look for in the areas of coaching, player pools, training programs, facilities, infrastructure and age-appropriate development philosophy. They are also well located and based in key markets that help to expand the elite player pool in this age group, while incorporating a model that minimizes the amount of travel and costs for league play.”

• U-13/14 Webinar with Tony Lepore | U-13/14 Academy Conference Call Quote Sheet

The following clubs have been accepted as part of the new U-13/14 program:

Los Angeles/San Diego Market (5 clubs):
Albion SC (San Diego, Calif.)
Central California Aztecs (Bakersfield, Calif.)
FC Golden State (Pasadena, Calif.)
Los Angeles Futbal Academy (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Santa Barbara Soccer Club (Santa Barbara, Calif.)

San Francisco Market (7 clubs):
Ballistic United Soccer Club (Pleasanton, Calif.)
Burlingame Soccer Club (Burlingame, Calif.)
Diablo Futbol Club (Concord, Calif.)
Juventus Sport Club (Redwood City, Calif.)
Marin FC Alliance (Greenbrae, Calif.)
Merced Atlas Soccer Academy (Merced, Calif.)
Placer United Soccer Club (Rocklin, Calif.)

New York/New England Market (3 clubs):
Beachside of Connecticut Soccer Club (Norwalk, Conn.)
New York Soccer Club (Chappaqua, N.Y.)
World Class FC (WCFC) (Orangeburg, N.Y.)

Washington, D.C. Market (2 clubs):
Bethesda Soccer Club/OBGC Soccer (Frederick, Md.)
Soccer Association of Columbia (Ellicott City, Md.)

Carolina Market (2 clubs):
Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (Greenville, S.C.)
North Carolina Alliance (Hillsborough, N.C.)

Florida Market (3 clubs):
Boca United Football Club (Boca Raton, Fla.)
Jacksonville FC (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Tampa Bay United (Tampa, Fla.)

Some notable alumni have come up through the ranks among the 22 new clubs taking part in the 2013-14 U-13/14 Academy season:

• U.S. Men’s National Team and Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber, a member of the 2010 FIFA World Cup team, hails from Beachside of Connecticut Soccer Club.
• U.S. MNT and San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski, who tied an MLS single-season scoring record with 27 goals in 2012, is a former player with Diablo Futbol Club.
• U.S. Youth National Team standout Joe Gyau, who plays professionally with German club St. Pauli, is a former club player at Bethesda Soccer Club.
• Former Tampa Bay United defender Anthony Wallace has one U.S. MNT cap under his belt and had an extensive run with the U-20 MNT that included several appearances in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.

The Development Academy was founded by U.S. Soccer in 2007 to provide an elite everyday training and competitive environment for the country’s elite youth soccer players. Since its launch, the focus of the program has been to increase the amount of meaningful training sessions for elite players by lengthening the Academy season to 10 months for all clubs, limiting the number of games and working with coaches to appropriately plan Academy teams’ training schedules for one of the longest meaningful training schedules at any level of soccer in the country. The addition of the U-13/14 age group provides the country’s most motivated and talented youth players with two additional years of intensive training to help them reach their full potential and prepare them for collegiate, professional and international soccer.

Ron Benjamin, GIrls Director of Coaching

Placer United Girls Director of Coaching, Ron Benjamin, has been selected to be a staff coach for the second straight year at the ECNL PDP combine in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The staff will be running training sessions, games and identifying the top players from the Mountain-West Region. The clubs participating include: Las Vegas Premier, Heat FC, Sereno Soccer Club, SC del Sol, Utah Avalanche, Colorado Storm, Real Colorado, and Colorado Rush. The event will be held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.