Mali Soccer Riot

Even A-J fans will have a hard time topping this.

Follow Up the FIFA Standings

From Jerry Green of the Orlando Sentinel:

Hey, don't laugh. The U.S. is now tied for 10th with Italy in the FIFA world rankings. This is the highest ever for a country that doesn't know these rankings exist.

ATTENNNNN-HUT!

Zane DeWitt (Dyno Nobel) takes it to the goal while his teammates stand at attention, waiting to salute.

Where are they now? 

Day light Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time begins APRIL 3!!!

As a result, we will push the starting times for our Tuesday and Thursday games back to 5:30 PM.
The first games affected are the Tueday, April 5 ones.

FIFA World Standings

The United States has moved into a 10th place tie with Italy in the FIFA World Standings. Can you name the others in the top 10?

Me neither. Here they are:

1) Brazil
2) France
3) Argentina
4) Czech Republic
5) Spain
6) Mexico
7) Netherlands
8) England
9) Portugal

Harvel Disposal is in 14th.

This is what happens when fund raising does not meet expectations.

Shirts

Hang on! If you recall, we have something like 70 new players. They were assigned to teams only 10 days or so before the season started. That's not a very long lead time.

Thanks for your patience.....

Photos

Do you have any good, digital photos of UCSL soccer action? If you do and want me to post them on this site send them to me at jope@cba.siu.edu !

Final (?) Registration Number

As of today, we have 317 players registered to play this Spring 2005. We lost around 30 from the Fall 2004 season but made up for that by adding 75 new players!

Supplies for coaches

If you need anything, let me know. I am expecting a shipment of goalie shirts and soccer balls tomorrow (March 18). I also have uncovered some goalie gloves and mesh soccer bags.

Medical Release and Liability Form

All new players must fill out a medical release form. This is mandatory! Those who played in the Fall 2004 season should already have one on file with his/her coach. You can get a form here.

Child rearing article

Here's a fascinating article that, although it does not deal specifically with soccer, is relevant in many ways to what we as soccer parents can and shouldn't do. The money quote..."Having overprotective parents is a risk factor for anxiety disorders because children do not have opportunites to master their inate shyness and become more comfortable in the world." (Michael Liebowitz, clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University).

Schedules

I have linked to the schedules for the PreK/K, 1st and 2nd grade, and 3rd and 4th grade schedules. Let me know if you see anything wrong!

GOAL SAFETY

Yet another kid has been killed by a falling soccer goal. This has become a recurring problem across the country. PLEASE help keep our kids safe by stopping them from climbing or hanging on the goals! And you have the league's permission to scold OTHER people's kids, too!

FAQ for Referees

Here's a site designed to answer some of the mysteries of refereeing. It's put up by U.S. Soccer.

WE NEED COACHES!

We're looking for at least two coaches - one to coach the Junior High Girls team, and one to coach the High School team (if we end up with one.) Contact me at jope@cba.siu.edu if you are interested.

Head Protection Gear

The US Soccer Federation has published its opinion on head gear/helmets for soccer. It's very interesting, but to summarize...they don't like 'em much. The report summary is here .

REGISTRATION REMINDER

Don't forget the deadline! It's February 16th, and it's coming on fast! If you don't want to spend the $.37 to mail it, come to the Anna Junior High School Saturday, February 12 from 10AM - 1 PM. At least I THINK that's the time and place. Check the Gazette Democrat to make sure.

SPRING 2005 REGISTRATION

Registration for the Spring 2005 season has begun. Registration forms for Fall 2004 participants will be mailed within the next week. Information about important dates is included in a cover letter; you can read the letter at the link to the right (see "info"). Blank registration forms are also available. The info and registration form are in PDF format.