Strikers went down 0-1 to the Eastern PA State Cup finalist after approximately 10 minutes, and then faced an additional hurdle after a red card was shown, leaving Strikers down a man and a goal.  It was a this point that Strikers began to assert themselves.  Players demonstrated tremendous courage in cutting out attacks and making timely forays towards the PSC goal, before finally being rewarded with an opportunity to draw even from the spot early in the second half.  The score now even, Strikers continued to press and found another break when a PSC fullback found his way into the referee’s book to make the match 10 against 10.  The Arlington side created several opportunities to take a lead, but a tremendous display from PSC saw the statistically strongest defense in the Colonial League continue to turn away the league’s most explosive attack.  The match entered overtime where the exhausted players fought to find the strength to press onward.

Arlington benefited from a straight red card issued to PSC, which placed the sides at 10 against 9, and then courageously raised the level as PSC bunkered down for the remaining minutes and the ensuing penalty shootout.

Arlington’s best, last chance came as a Striker weaved through the defense and felled the goalkeeper, only for the final effort to be swept off of the goal line by a sliding PSC defender.  In penalty kicks, Strikers created an early cushion with 2 saves before parity was restored, which required sudden death spot kicks.  When PSC hit the post, Arlington stroked home the winner to claim the Colonial League championship and the added bonus of automatic entry into the prestigious Region I Premier League next spring at U16.

Strikers Red are coached by Chris Smith and Matt Miller.  Congratulations to Strikers Red!

The U14 Girls Rowdies Red had a difficult road to the semis by having to beat two higher seeded teams.  They first met the 5th seeded Richmond Kickers in the first round and won 2-1 in Richmond.  This past weekend they beat the 4th seeded Roanoke Elite team 1-0 again on the road.  Congratulations to the Rowdies Red and their coach, Luis Gendive.

The U12 Boys Eagles Red have won 3 games so far to get to the semis.  The first win was against LOUD 99 Black followed by a win against BRYC 99 Elite.  And then this past Saturday (5/5) in penalty kids against the VBTS Beach FC in Virginia Beach.  Congratulations to all the Eagle Red players and their coach, Jawed Sanie.

State Cup Games May 12th  at Gunston MS in Arlington – Don’t Miss Them!

We have two teams scheduled to play May 12th in Arlington.  The U13 Boys Attack Red will play at Noon at Gunston MS against NVSC Junior Royals 98 Blue.  The defending State Cup champs U14 Boys Impact Red will follow this game against the FCR Magic 97 from Richmond at 2pm.  Wins on Saturday will advance our teams to the Semi-finals joining the Rowdies and Eagles.  Come out and support our teams this weekend and see some great soccer!

The terms of Board members Ken Bass, Bob Waffle, and Devin Corini expire this year.  Each is planning to stand for election again, but we encourage other interested candidates to come forward and express interest.

Please contact the Chair of Nominations Committee, Kirk Leach, at roadrunnerecuador@yahoo.com with any questions or to have a candidate form sent to you.  Individuals must inform Kirk of their interest in becoming candidates by May 21, 2012.

The reason for Silent Soccer is to let the kids enjoy the game of soccer and make decisions on their own.  During the ‘silent’ game, coaches should only provide positive and encouraging feedback and allow players the time to work through issues on the field.  Parents should support their players and teams in non-verbal ways, and not by intruding in the game.  As ASA’s Technical Director Bob Bigney has stated, Let them play!

From the American Youth Soccer Organization’s wiki, here’s a solid explanation:

Common to all the forms of Silent Soccer is the key message let the kids play. While the practice does remove positive cheering of the kids accomplishments from the field, the goal is to make parents aware that the kids can play without their coaching, yelling, and other disruptive influences during play. At any age. So we remove all voices coming from off the field for this one day.

AYSO already adopts slogans like “(Let the) Players Play, Coaches Coach and Parents Cheer”. Or only Soft, Occasional, Strategic along with Positive, Instructional and Encouraging (P.I.E.) coaching from one coach on each team. And we all know that in any soccer, but especially youth soccer, referee’s calls cannot be questioned, argued or discussed with the referee team during a game; period. So what is Silent Soccer to achieve if this is already stressed in our regions and programs?

Silent Soccer goes a step further. By making everyone be quiet who is not on the field, everyone can finally hear what is happening on the field. What a concept! They can hear how supportive and talkative the referees really are with the kids. Or how the referee tells the players they see a trifling or advantage foul. How they warn the kids of behavior approaching a problem. Most importantly, they can hear how the kids support each other as teammates — whether tactically or in sportsmanship for making or missing a great play. Coaches can bite their tongue, as oft needed, and watch the game and share in the triumphs and failures of their team with the parents as it becomes a learning experience for all. That is, be supportive of letting the players act instead of overly controlling of how you want them to act. We go from being Marionette coaches to observers of the great game with our kids.

Simply put, the objectives of Silent Soccer are:

• To emphasize that the game is about letting the kids play and have fun
• To give the players a chance to play totally on their own
• To help the few parents and coaches who feel they must provide constant direction understand how disruptive it is
• To show all parents that the kids can play well on their own with limited instruction

Spectators — We request that you make no verbal comments about the game or direct any comments to the players or referees (or coaches) on or off the field. Clapping IS allowed! Be creative in how you choose to cheer your child’s team – make signs to hold up or bring a rally towel in the team’s color and wave it wildly. There are lots of ways to cheer other than verbally. But please no noise makers and especially no whistles. Often field permits for these school fields surrounded by neighborhoods will not support artificial noise makers. Especially no compressed air horns.

Coaches — It is recommended that you do not provide any direction – verbal or non-verbal – to players who are on the field. You may speak quietly to any players on the bench and have a conversational discussion about the game with the players before and after the game, and during halftime. If absolutely required, rarely and quietly call a player on the field to the touchline to provide tactical instruction while the game is in play. Just like you are allowed to do during a normal game.  Then let the player convey the message to his team.

Players — You are encouraged to speak to each other on the field as normal.  You are free to support each other and provide direction to each other.  Substitute players on the bench must be quiet as well and not cheer or provide tactical instruction to their teammates. Lest they simply replace the coach or act on his behest.

Referees — For this special day, referees are being asked to remind the spectators and coaches about these guidelines.  Continue to verbalize often during the game as you normally would and do not to be concerned about the fact they can now hear you off the field as well. You are there to help the players have a safe, fair and fun time.

Let’s always encourage and support our players while they are learning and playing the game, but for this one weekend, “Mums the Word”

Click here and enter special code "ASA"

Details: Saturday May 19, 7:30pm kickoff.  Opponent: Toronto FC

Join your fellow teammates for a chance to play on RFK’s pitch before the match.  Experience the game with field level access.  Enjoy other opportunities, including:

• Play on the Pitch
• Player Escorts
• High Five Tunnel
• Flag Carriers

Come out to the game, tailgate prior, and represent ASA by wearing your team jersey or warmups! To buy individual tickets, click on the image above.  For group ticket sales or to ask about fun opportunities like those listed above, please contact Scott Miller, ASA’s DC United Rep, at 202-587-5435 or smiller@dcunited.com.

This award recognizes improvements in office practices in seven different areas:

You may have seen this at ASA's office - mat courtesy of Arlington's Green Games

energy, transportation, waste, water, materials, employees and outreach, and innovation.  Along with other award winners, ASA was recognized at the Green Games Awards Event in late March at Arlington’s Artisphere.

More info is available at the press release linked here.

Thanks to ASA’s staff and other office users / visitors for helping ASA improve it’s green practices and reduce emissions!

Online registration is open.  Please register in advance if possible.  Registration will be available on site but advanced registration is preferred.  Click Here to Register

More Information about Tryouts and Travel Soccer

Tryout Dates and Location

Rising U9 Boys (8/1/03 – 7/31/04)

Saturday May 5^th 5:00-6:30 @Williamsburg MS #2 and #3

Sunday May 6^th 6:30-8:00@ Chesterfield

Saturday May 12^th 6:30-8:00 @Williamsburg MS # 2 and #3

Sunday May 13^th 5:00-6:30 @ Chesterfield (Rain Date)

Rising U9 Girls (8/1/03 – 7/31/04)

Saturday May 5^th 6:30-8:00 @Williamsburg MS #2 and #3

Sunday May 6^th 5:00-6:30@ Chesterfield

Saturday May 12^th 5:00-6:30 @Williamsburg MS # 2 and #3

Sunday May 13^th 6:30-8:00 @ Chesterfield (Rain Date)

1)  The Center for Disease Control’s Fact Sheet — HEADS UP: CONCUSSION IN YOUTH SPORTS — http://www.cdc.gov/concussioninyouthsports/english/toolkit_coaches_factsheet.htm (available in English and Spanish).  Discusses symptoms, treatment and general guidelines.  Key point: If you think your athlete has sustained a concussion, take him/her out of play, and seek the advice of a health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion.

2) The National Federation of State High School Associations’ online course “Concussion in Sports – What You Need To Know” – http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=15000 .  In this course you will understand the impact sports-related concussion can have on your players, how to recognize a suspected concussion, the proper protocols to manage a suspected concussion, and steps to help your player return to play safely after experiencing a concussion.

3) Heads Up! US Youth Soccer and CDC Team Up to Help Keep Young Athletes Safe from Concussion – http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/story.asp?story_id=5963.  US Youth Soccer and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are proud to be teaming up to help protect participants of all youth sports who may be at risk of concussion. The campaign, is an expansion of the “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports,” and will help get concussion information into the hands of coaches, parents, and school and health care professionals who are on the front-line to help identify and respond appropriately to concussions among young athletes.

The Search Committee has developed a job description describing the new opportunity, and we will be posting this job on a number of soccer sites.  We also have asked our staff and our coaches to forward the description to any applicable would-be candidates.  Over time, ASA has developed a strong network amongst the area’s coaching community, and we are confident that the news of this opportunity will travel quickly.  If you know of anyone who is a likely candidate, please urge them to review our posting (linked below) and to apply for this position.

We are seeking to start interviews in mid-March, and we hope to have the new Director start with us by June 1 at the latest.

The full job posting is linked here.