U12 Eagles Win Thunder Road Classic in Auburn

Eagles vs. Troup Titans,  3 -2
Eagles vs. Alex City Fire,  2 – 1
Semifinal: Eagles vs. River City Rangers 99, tied 1 -1 regular time, then won 3-2 on penalties.
Final: Eagles vs. Troup Titans 98, 4-3

Congratulations to the team!

Ghana’s U- 17 Women’s National Team defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 1-0 in an exciting match at Homewood Soccer Park last week. After a solid spell to start the match, the Bulldogs gradually began to lose their grip on the match as the Ghanaians piled the pressure on. It was one-sided affair in the second half, and a long-range speculative free kick went in over the keeper for the winning goal. Thanks to both teams for an entertaining evening.

Ghana is holding a training camp, August 15-September 1st, in the USA in preparation for the Under 17 Women’s World Cup to be held in Trinidad and Tobago in September. The Ghana Women’s National Team is nicknamed the “Black Maidens” and considered one of the most dangerous teams going into the World Cup in September.

Key players:
Beatrice Sasu, Sherifatu Sumaila, Priscilla Okyere, and Ellen Coleman.  Ellen Coleman is competing in her 2nd Under 17 World Cup.  In 2008 at the New Zealand hosted Under 17 Women’s World Cup, Ellen became the youngest player to ever compete in a World Cup at 12 years 10 months.  Now at 14, still one of the youngest, she has more experience than most players in the tournament!

African Qualifying:
Ghana is the number 1 African seed going into the U17 Women’s World Cup by winning African Qualifying. Their group is with Canada, Brazil, and Ireland. 16 teams compete in the Under 17 Women’s World Cup after completing confederation qualifying. The USA missed out on qualifying for a Women’s World Cup the first time with Canada, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago representing the CONCACAF region.  From Europe, Ireland, Germany, and Spain are competing.  Asian qualifiers are South Korea, North Korea, and Japan. Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela will represent South America and Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa are the African participants. New Zealand is the sole representative from the Oceania Confederation. The final qualifying stage for Ghana was against Tunisia. The Black Maidens hammered Tunisia 7-0 and 4-0 to go into World Cup preparations with confidence.

Mississippi State University:  competing in the SEC, now widely regarded as one of the best women’s soccer conferences in the country, Mississippi State coach Neil McDonald brings his team to Birmingham for the international challenge and a homecoming for Zehra Syed, Kat Walsh, and Ashley Hood—all from Alabama. Mississippi State will continue their regular season the upcoming weekend with matches against UAB and Southern Miss.

All players with an interest in being a full time goalie and working hard to acquire the extra skills to help their team and make themselves more valuable are encouraged to attend. Greg will hold the sessions on Field # 3 on the South Lakeshore Road end of the field.

The opening weekend of the season is Saturday, September 11, 2010. Red Teams have been formed, so expect to hear from coaches by the week of August 23rd.

Skill Sessions consist of 45 minutes of fitness and 45 minutes of ball-work, which will challenge players to be at their peak physical and technical best throughout the season. Coaches will work on conditioning as well as footwork in a combination to improve the individual player’s ability to perform on his or her team. Come join in the fun!

Reason for changes

1. Increase the challenges and excitement for the players
2. Increase the rate of individual player development
3. Prepare players for success at the Red Team play level against other soccer clubs, which begins at U-9.

Changes
1. Normal Thursday session will be practice only with no game
2. U-8 teams will be co-ed
3. U-8 teams will play intramural games on Saturdays

There will be active coaching during the games. Learning is the most important goal.

Homewood FC “Reds” qualified for for the nationals at Kings Island, OH in August.

2nd Place Homewood FC Reds

The team will be formed through Try 0uts held on the following schedule:
Monday June 7 6:30 to 8:00
Wednesday, June 9, 6:30 to 8:00
Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 to 8:00

U-11 Lady Freedom 1st place U-12 Red Div. Coached by Mindy McBride
U-11 Lady Lightening 2nd place U-11 Black Div  Coached by Richard Stone
U-11 Freedom  2nd place U-11 Red Div   Coached by Jeff Brannon
U-12 Freedom 2nd place  U-12 Red Div   Coached by Jeff Brannon

U11 Girls Lady Freedom

U11 Girls Lady Lightening

U11 Boys

U12 Boys

Watching the event with pride and anticipation were David Putman, Soccer Director and Sean McBride, Director of Coaching, both from the Homewood Soccer Club, which is the primary user of the Soccer Park. The day was extra festive with a large crowd present to witness the event and the day’s soccer games while the children enjoyed the Soccer Clown, balloons and ice cream. It was a beautiful day to cut the ribbon and celebrate the opening of a beautiful new park for our community. Many thanks to all the people who made this possible.