Team mates will be rivals at State Cup

They might be high school team mates but this weekend they’ll battle as club rivals when the Kentucky State Open Cup kicks off.

Lindsay Hack and Kaitlin Robinett were co-captains of New Albany High School this past fall, but central defender Hack, of Louisville Soccer Club, will be hoping to blank out striker Robinett, of four time state champion Mockingbird, when they clash in the U18 group stages at Masterson Station Park in Lexington on Saturday (6 p.m.)

Also adding to the intrigue are Providence’s Alyssa Hendershot and Miriam Snyder, members of LSC, along with Hack.



“I hope Kaitlin is ready for a competitive game,” said Hack. “We have been working very hard to prepare for the upcoming tournament and I am looking forward to playing against her in the first game of the State Cup.”

Robinett, scorer of 77 goals during her high school career, described Hack as a good player and hopes this will be the first of many games they play against each other. She is headed University of Evansville, while Hack is bound for University of Southern Indiana, and both usually play each other either in the fall preseason or in the spring.

“Our team is working hard to earn its fifth straight Kentucky State Cup Championship,” said Robinett, who has been picked to play in the Indiana Senior All Stars North versus South game on June 19. “We know that all of the other teams are working hard to beat us so we have to work even harder to stay on top. One of the ways we do that is by playing against some of the toughest teams in the country.”

LSC coach Nikki Schulze said all three of the southern Indiana girls have played a big part in the team’s improvement this season.

“Lindsay, Alyssa and Miriam have brought a strong defensive presence to the team,” she said. “Alyssa has stepped up in the keeper position and really made some key saves throughout the season, while Lindsay and Miriam are strong defenders that make excellent runs into the offense.”

Schulze said the team is “very unique” because it is the first year playing at the club for over half of them.

“Seven girls are returning players and the other 12 players came from four different club teams,” she said. “It has been a great experience watching these girls come together as a team and have an excellent season. The team has continued to improve each game and it is going to be exciting to watch them in State Cup.”

LSC also plays West Kentucky and Kentucky Rush this weekend, while Mockingbird will take on Kentucky Rush and Owensboro United. With three brackets and four progressing to semi-finals, there is the possibility that they could both qualify and face each other again in the final stages.

There will be a number of other players from the area in action during The Kentucky State Open Cup preliminary rounds, which take place in Lexington and Versailles from May 28-31.

The finals weekend will take place at Lover’s Lane Soccer Complex in Bowling Green on June 5 and 6.

Above: Louisville Soccer Club’s Miriam Snyder and Alyssa Hendershot (both Providence), and Lindsay Hack (New Albany), looking forward to the Kentucky State Open Cup this weekend. The team’s first game is against four time champion Mockingbird, which features amongst its ranks New Albany’s Kaitlin Robinett.

Jeffersonville girls - - “we deserve better”

Jeffersonville High School girls’ soccer program is hoping the appointment of a head coach last night will turn its fortunes around.

There has been a lot of discontent amongst players and parents in recent months, following the departure of coach Michael Dennis last November.

Since then, many have expressed fear that the program could even collapse as the fall season grows ever nearer.

Players and parents have said they believe more attention has been focused on filling the coaching positions of the football team and the boys’ soccer program.

A recommendation for a new coach was made to the Greater Clark County school board last evening (May 25).

Jeremy Pickerell was approved for the girls’ varsity team, and Carson Webb, coach of Frankfort HS girls last year, was approved for the boys.


Jeffersonville girls' varity soccer team 2009

Jeffersonville athletic director Jeff Griffith said the girls’ position had been offered to someone (a Louisville girls’ varsity coach) in February, but he backed out. A boys’ coach had also been chosen, and he too decided not to take up the post.

Rachelle Thomas, one of the Lady Red Devils’ three captains on the varsity squad last fall, described the delay in filling the position as “degrading and sad.”

The junior said that despite the program’s lack of success, there are a lot of talented girls on the team who are part of many travel soccer squads.

“Because we don't win people at our school treat the Jeff high girls’ soccer program as a joke and the humiliation has grown now that we haven’t had a coach for months,” said Thomas.

“In my honest opinion, it’s not the players’ fault that we have been so unsuccessful, and I feel the school board is questioning our ability.

“The school isn't concerned with the fact that we do not have a coach and frankly it seems like they could care less if we existed.

“When (we lost) our former coach (Michael Dennis), I was on edge because I was uncertain where our program would go.

“I honestly feel that with a great coach, our girls’ soccer program can achieve great heights and become a great team if the school provides us the opportunity and puts faith in our ability. All they need to do is invest in the program by providing a good coach.”

Becky Kiger, secretary on the Lady Devils’ soccer board – and mother of team member Cadie -- believes the girls deserve more respect.

“Maybe there is an underlying lesson that when it comes to sports and Jeff High, females are just second class citizens,” said Kiger.

“I have been in contact (with the school) multiple times this year to find out what is going on with the coaching position. I have been told that there were positive prospects and there would be a decision in a few days.

“Our girls deserve to be treated better than this.”

World Cup Countdown – stars you won’t see

Following Inter Milan’s 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in Saturday’s European Champions’ League final, focus now firmly turns to the World Cup, which starts in 16 days.

We already know a few who won’t be traveling with their respective nations. USA’s Charlie Davies failed in his race to be fit, as we know, but also out through injury, at the time of writing, are Germany’s Michael Ballack and France’s Lassana Diarra.

And for other stars from fancied nations, there will be no World Cup after they were left out of their countries’ preliminary squads.

Ronaldinho, the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, has been omitted from Dunga's Brazilian squad, while Adriano has been left out due to doubts caused by recent off-the-field problems that caused him to miss several training sessions with Flamengo.

Holland has left out Ruud Van Nistelrooy, former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker, whose long-term absence from the squad ended his chances, while veteran midfielder Clarence Seedorf of AC Milan was also excluded.

Probably one of France’s best players, Karim Benzema, has been left out of Raymond Domenech’s 24 man squad because of his unimpressive season with Real Madrid and not because of his alleged involvement in a prostitution scandal, said the coach. Also out of the squad is Arsenal’s Samir Nasri, who could have been a useful addition with his pace and vision, and Manchester City’s Patrick Vieira, who was named to the 2006 World Cup All-Star team.

Italy’s Marcello Lippi also chipped in with a surprise, leaving out Luca Toni, the Azzurri’s main striker in 2006 and at the 2008 European Championships.


Javier Zanetti: omitted by Maradona

And we couldn’t do a piece on omissions without mentioning our friend Diego Maradona, who excluded Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti, Juan Roman Riquelme and Fernando Gago from the Argentinean squad.

You may have seen Cambiasso and Zanetti put in solid displays in the aforementioned Champions’ League final for Inter Milan at the weekend, but Maradona has chosen to leave both out. Cambiasso has not been included in the national team since Maradona took over in November 2008, while Zanetti has not even been on the roster since being dropped as Argentina’s captain.

Gago, meanwhile, is a Real Madrid regular, and creative midfielder Riquelme has been in a rift with Maradona for a time.

And with the final 23 man rosters due into FIFA headquarters for all 32 nations by June 1, expect to see some more well know names added to the list of absentees.

Strikers set for Challenge Cup finals

Seven teams from Southern Indiana United and Net-Surfers competed in the Indiana Soccer Challenge Cup preliminary rounds at the weekend and it turned out to be a good one for SIU’s U13 Strikers.

More than 295 teams ranging in age from U11 to U17 played at four host sites across the state. The is event open to travel and recreational plus teams from Indiana.

U13 Strikers qualified on goal difference for the finals weekend, which will take place in Lawrence, Indiana on June 12 and 13.

Coached by Paul Duckworth, the boys beat Westfield Select (2-0) and tied with Tippecanoe (0-0) before clinching its finals spot with a 4-0 win over NWI United FC.

Tippecanoe also finished with a similar goal difference, but Strikers advanced because only a maximum of four goals per game are counted. (Tippecanoe won its last game by five.)

Also participating in the Challenge Cup were SIU’s U11 Thunder, U12 Strom and U15 Renegade, while Net-Surfers was represented by its U13, U14 and U16 teams.

The U16s tied Carmel United 0-0 and beat Fort Wayne SC Lady Futballers 2-0, but goal difference prevented the girls from progressing.

A fiery World Cup song

Following our piece on World Cup songs, we received a note from George and the Dragons, looking for a plug for their tune, `Green Fields of England`, which is getting played at various English football stadiums. Well, we admire your bravery George, so here's the link: www.green-fields-of-england.com

World Cup countdown -- Fight for final spots begins

The battle to be part of the United States’ World Cup final roster heading to South Africa began in earnest yesterday as the preliminary 30 man squad gathered in Princeton, New Jersey.

It makes for an interesting two weeks, with seven players having to be cut when the final 23 names are handed in to FIFA by the June 1 deadline, and certain starting spots are still very much up for grabs.

Other than Tim Howard playing in goal, Michael Bradley taking his place in central midfield, and Jozy Altidore up front, it’s still unclear how exactly the U.S will line up for its opening encounter against England on June 12.

Of course, Landon Donovan, Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey can be added to the definite starters list, although where they will play is anyone’s guess.

So as we speak, there is plenty for coach Bob Bradley and his staff to ponder over, and still time for players to make a final impression.

Gaining a lot of media attention is the battle for forward positions.

Charlie Davies unfortunately lost his race against time to be part of the set-up, following his multiple injuries suffered in a car accident last October. Bradley may opt to partner Altidore with Dempsey, but others are throwing their hats into the ring just at the right time.


Hercules Gomez: camp inclusion

On fire for their respective clubs are Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy) and Herculez Gomez (Mexican side Puebla). Buddle’s recent prowess at Galaxy, where he is teaming up well with Donovan, works in his favor.

Others forward at the camp include Brian Ching, Eddie Johnson and Robbie Findlay.

Ching would probably be considered likely to earn a spot, but hamstring and calf injuries have cast a cloud over his participation, while hamstring trouble could also scupper the chances of Johnson, who may miss some of the camp.

Real Salt Lake’s Robbie Findley is considered a longshot, but impressive displays at camp, helped by his speed, could see him as a surprise selection.

Only two to three of these five will make the final roster, and if Bradley is inclined to use Dempsey in attack with Altidore, then it could be just two, leaving an extra spot available in midfield.

Speaking of the middle, Michael Bradley should be joined by Maurice Edu, who’s played well at Glasgow Rangers this season, or Houston Dynamo’s Ricardo Clark. With Donovan expected to play on the left wing barring a reshuffle, the door could open for Stuart Holden on the right if Dempsey is deployed in attack.

In defense, Bocanegra could partner Jay DeMerit in the center, or he could be moved to the problem left-back position to allow Onyewu partner DeMerit. Others that could play on the left are Heath Pearce, Jonathan Bornstein and West Ham’s Jonathan Spector, while Spector could also play at right back, a position Steve Cherundolo will also have his eye on.

More will be known after USA plays its two friendlies against Czech Republic in Connecticut next Tuesday (May 25) and Turkey in Philadelphia on May 29. The selected squad will then play a warm up against Australia in South Africa on June 5.

Preliminary Squad: Goalkeepers -- Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves). Defenders -- Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham). Midfielders -- DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Jose Torres (Pachuca). Forwards -- Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki).

SIU win State Cup games

There was improvement this year for Southern Indiana United’s U16 Mavericks and U17 Rampage at the 2010 Indiana State Cup preliminary round stage, held in Fort Wayne, Westfield and Evansville at the weekend.

Last year, both teams found the going tough, neither registering a win. However, this time round, both were more competitive, each securing a victory.

Rampage, Indiana Challenge Cup winners in 2007, beat Indianapolis Premier 2-0 in its final game at Westfield.

In their other games, Rampage lost narrowly to Evansville ESC in its first game last Friday in Evansville, but found group winners Westside United too good on Saturday in Westfield (5-0).

Mavericks, meanwhile, Challenge Cup finalists in 2008, beat Zionsville Eagles 3-0 in Fort Wayne. It lost a tight game to Carmel United 3-2 and went down to group winners Millennium SA Armory (8-0).

The finals weekend will be held in Lawrence on June 12-13, with the winners representing Indiana at the US Youth Soccer Midwest Region II Championships in Beaver Creek, Ohio from June 25-30. This year’s national finals will be held at Overland Park, Kansas from July 20-25.

Meanwhile, the Indiana State Challenge Cup, featuring many of the area’s teams, takes place this weekend. More on that next week.