@ USYOUTHSOCCER
FUELSOCCER.COM
SUMMER 2019
TOBIN
HEATH
COLLEGE Q&A’s
MARK KRIKORIAN AND SASHO CIROVSKI
A GUIDE TO TRYOUTS
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CONDITIONING WITH MARISA WINDINGSTAD NUTRITION WITH LOGAN MCFADDEN
AT THE WORLD CUP
THE USYS REBRAND + WORLD CUP PROFILES + 10 THINGS TO WATCH
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CONTENT 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH AT THE WORLD CUP
10 THINGS TO WATCH AT THE WORLD CUP
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CREDITS
FUEL Soccer is published annually by A.E. Engine, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole, or in part, without written permission is prohibited. The opinions in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher, staff or A.E. Engine. A.E. Engine, LLC 11880 28th St. N, Suite 101 St. Petersburg, FL 33716 PHONE 727-209-0792 EMAIL fuel@ae-engine.com EDITORIAL fuelsoccer.com, usyouthsoccer.org/fuel CORPORATE ae-engine.com PUBLISHER Craig Baroncelli VICE PRESIDENT, SALES David Watson VICE PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTS Dayne Maasdorp SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Chris Vita, Justin Hand, Dennis Fasone, Peter Gilchriest, Mark Morales EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Steve Prince ART DIRECTOR Jason Tedeschi GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joe Rabuck WEB DESIGNER Nicole Coooper ASSISTANT EDITOR Dan Guttenplan COPY EDITOR Whitney Francis, Steve Prince EDITORIAL Terry Jacoby, Dan Guttenplan, Steve Prince OFFICE MANAGER Dennis Fasone PHOTOGRAPHY Getty Images, US Youth Soccer, University of Michigan, UChicago, Sacramento State, University of Utah, Lafayette University, DePaul University TO PURCHASE TEAM COPIES, please send a check for $50.00 to US Youth Soccer. Each package includes a minimum of 100 magazines. Attn: Alisa Artrip-Drane, US Youth Soccer, 9220 World Cup Way, Frisco, TX 75034 (800) 476-2237
PUBLISHERS OF FNF Magazine, FNF Coaches, REBOUND, NASCAR Pole Position, ROAR!
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Q&A WITH MARK KRIKORIAN 04. US YOUTH SOCCER EXPLAINED 18. Q&A WITH SASHO CIROVSKI 22. ALLIE LONG WORLD CUP PROFILE 26. A GUIDE TO TRYOUTS
20 LINDSEY HORAN WORLD CUP PROFILE FITNESS & NUTRITION WITH LOGAN MCFADDEN 24
28. STRENGTH & CONDITIONING WITH MARISA WINDINGSTAD 30. STRENGTH & CONDITIONING WITH CAMRYN WENDLANDT 32. US YOUTH SOCCERS REBRANDING EFFORT
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US YOUTH SOCCER EXPLAINED
U
S Youth Soccer is the largest youth sports organization in the U.S. and consists of over 3 million youth players ages 5-and-Under to 19-and-Under. The organization is the largest member of the U.S. Soccer Federation and is comprised of 55 State Associations that provide structure and support within these state boundaries. US Youth Soccer provides a fun, safe and healthy game for all kids. This includes big kids, little kids, tall kids, short kids, young kids, older kids, kids who want to play for one season, kids who want to play for twenty seasons, kids who play strictly for fun and kids who want to compete at the highest level possible. Kids are different, and because they are different, their physical, social and psychological needs are different. US Youth Soccer programs are aimed at meeting the different needs of all kids.
US YOUTH SOCCER OFFERS GREAT PROGRAMS FOR PLAYERS! LEARN MORE AT USYOUTHSOCCER.ORG
US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program.
Formed in 1977 to identify players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition. US Youth Soccer ODP is all about highlevel training to enhance development of players and coaches.
US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.
Consists of the annual State, Regional and National Championships. Teams earn their way through the Series based on success. More than 10,000 teams compete each year, ultimately seeking the eye of college coaches and to hoist the National Championship trophy at the end of July.
US Youth Soccer Leagues Program.
The US Youth Soccer Leagues Program features the National League and a network of 13 conferences across the country. The competitions provide teams with the highest possible level of competition at the national and multi-state levels. The winners of each National League division earn direct entry into the US Youth Soccer National Championships.
Youth Soccer Month.
The National Youth Soccer Month campaign celebrated its 15th year of educating the public about the joys, rewards and benefits of playing youth soccer, and offered a variety of resources to learn more about youth soccer and get involved.
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US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup.
Provides a competitive experience to teams from the state to regional to national level. The Presidents Cup gives players an additional opportunity to compete against teams from across the country at a high level for the joy and the challenge of the game.
WHERE DO I FIT IN? FIFA
US SOCCER
Soccer Across America.
Designed to introduce the sport of soccer to communities not yet served by existing clubs and leagues. Focused on making soccer available to lower-income children in underserved communities, Soccer Across America provides soccer training and administrative guidance.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer.
A communitybased training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to those with mental or physical disability.
Target United Cup.
US YOUTH SOCCER
ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS
LEAGUES
TEAMS
The US Youth Soccer Target United Cup provides recreational youth soccer players with an opportunity to experience a consistent, high quality tournament, in a fun familylike atmosphere. This program fosters stimulation and excitement about soccer in an effort to increase the recreational players’ interest in and love for the game.
US YOUTH SOCCER | FUEL SOCCER MAGAZINE 2019
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We’re just days away from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, when we’ll begin the group stage in France. We’ll have plenty of coverage and time to discuss more things we’re looking forward to, but for now here are some of the things we can’t wait to see. BY TERRY JACOBY
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THINGS TO WATCH AT THE WORLD CUP
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LAST CHANCE TO WATCH MARTA IN THE WORLD CUP? Marta, a six-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and arguably the most prominent historical name in women’s soccer, has lost little of her ability at the top level. At 33 years old, France 2019 could be the Brazilian superstar’s final World Cup? Anyone who thinks this will be Marta’s swansong may have to reassess. “As I can’t predict tomorrow, I can’t say if it will be my last World Cup,” Marta told FIFA.com last year. “I try to live each day and each moment. I need to work hard every day so I can be there very well. Only time will tell if it will be my last World Cup.” One thing is certain, Marta will be a headline attraction at France 2019. She has 15 goals in 17 World Cup outings, making her the tournament’s highest-ever goal-scorer – a record that is set to stand for some time. Should she make it all the way to a sixth World Cup in 2023, Marta will equal a mark set by compatriot Formiga and Japan’s Homare Sawa. Marta currently plays for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL.
US YOUTH SOCCER | FUEL SOCCER MAGAZINE 2019
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OH CANADA’S CHRISTINE SINCLAIR. Canada played England in a friendly in April as both teams prepared for the upcoming World Cup. Canada’s Christine Sinclair scored the game’s only goal to lead Canada to a 1-0 win that not only moved Sinclair that much closer to history but also gave Canada a huge boost of confidence heading to France. Sinclair, the gifted Canadian captain, pounced on a rebound after Nichelle Prince’s shot hit the crossbar and knocked it in from close range for the 81stminute winner. The goal was the 35-year-old’s 180th of her career moving her just four goals back of retired American Abby Wambach’s world record of 184. “It’s just an honor to be chasing Abby down,” said Sinclair, who scored her first goal for Canada on March 14, 2000, in her second senior appearance. The win also was a measure of revenge for the Canadian women, who were knocked out of the 2015 World Cup by England in a 2-1 quarterfinal loss in Vancouver. The teams had not met since. England was ranked third in the world and Canada No. 5 at the time of the match.
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HOME PITCH ADVANTAGE? If France were to win the World Cup on its home turf it would be only the second time the hosts have won in the eight-year history of the event. In fact, the host team has only reached the finals once – the U.S. defeated China on penalty kicks in the famous game at the Rose Bowl before 90,185 fans in 1999. In 2003, the U.S. hosted again but failed to reach the final with Germany defeating Sweden 2-1. France is currently ranked fourth in the world, behind only the U.S., Germany and England. Despite not having a team in the championship game, the last two World Cups have drawn well. The final in 2011 drew 48,817 in Frankfurt, Germany, and the 2015 final in Vancouver drew 53,341. After not qualifying for the first three World Cups, France finished ninth in 2003. They didn’t qualify in 2007 but finished fourth in 2011 and fifth in 2015.
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BRAZIL’S DEPTH AND FIREPOWER. Brazil qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup – one of the seven nations that have qualified for every Women’s World Cup – by winning the 2018 Copa America Femenina in Chile. The title was Brazil’s seventh, making it by far the most successful women’s soccer nation in South America. Brazil qualified for the Women’s World Cup by finishing in first place in the final stage, winning seven matches in a row and scoring 31 goals along the way while conceding just two. The Brazilians won their four opening-round games by a 22-1 margin. Despite having Marta and other big names such as Formiga, Andressinha, Thais and Cristiane, Brazil’s leading scorer was Beatriz, who scored six goals in the tournament. Fourteen of Brazil’s 19 outfield squad members at the Copa America
Femenina 2018 found the net during the competition. Cristiane, who is playing in China, had four goals, as did Monica, who plays for the Orlando Pride. Andressinha and Debinha had three goals each. Marta tallied just once.
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FINALS THREEPEAT - THE RUBBER MATCH? Japan won the Women’s World Cup in 2011 in Frankfurt, Germany, defeating the U.S. on penalty kicks after the two teams played to a 2-2 draw in the final. Four years later in Vancouver, the U.S. scored a decisive 5-2 win over Japan in the finals settling the score on the pitch and not on penalty kicks. It’s back across the pond for 2019 and a rematch between Japan and the U.S. would be an exciting finish in France. Japan will again be led by veteran players Rumi Utsugi of Reign FC and Saki Kumagai of twotime reigning UEFA Champions League winners Olympique Lyon. But like the U.S., Japan, which has had great success at U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups in recent years, is getting younger. “We’ve got a lot more young players in the squad now and obviously the coach is different as well,” Utsugi told FIFA.com. “So, everything feels new. I think, for upcoming tournaments, one of our strengths will be that we all have a shared perspective. That said, you can see individuality from different players, which is quite exciting and motivating. From a personal standpoint, I feel that I need to step up.”
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WHAT (AND WHO) TO WATCH – ON TV. Twentytwo of the 52 World Cup games will air on Fox’s flagship broadcast network, the most women’s World Cup games on over-the-air TV in American history. Twenty-seven will air on Fox Sports 1, and three will air on Fox Sports 2. If the U.S. national team wins its group and makes the final, all of their games except one — the Round of 16 contest — are slated to be broadcast on Fox’s network. Other notable group-stage games on over-the-air Fox include England-Scotland on June 9, Germany-Spain and France-Norway on June 12, Australia-Brazil on June 13, and Netherlands-Canada on June 20. In the knockout rounds, Fox will air two rounds of
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FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: 10 THINGS TO WATCH | BY TERRY JACOBY
16 games, two quarterfinals, one semifinal, the third-place game and the final. Fox Sports 1 will carry the other contests. Philadelphia Union play-by-play announcer JP Dellacamera, the most decorated of all American soccer broadcasters, will be Fox’s lead voice of U.S. women’s national team games. He’ll be joined by former U.S. national team midfielder Aly Wagner, his broadcast partner for the past few years.
Chile lost to Brazil and tied Colombia which meant it came down to their final game against Argentina, who La Roja crushed 4-0 to secure one of the automatic qualifying berths for France. Two players to watch on coach Jose Letelier’s side are Karen Araya and Francisca Lara. Araya plays central midfield, with ‘Pancha’ either deployed as a wide midfielder or just behind the front two. The two stars were starters in all seven of Chile’s qualifying games. “We’re the cogs that link defence and attack, which is why our playing together and knowing each other so well is a plus for the team,” Araya told FIFA.com.
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COACH JILL ELLIS. Allie Long made her U.S. WNT debut on May 8, 2015 against Canada in Winnipeg, coming on as a substitute and playing the final 23 minutes in Jill Ellis’ first official game as head coach. The U.S. head to France as the No. 1 ranked team in the world and favorites to win their fourth World Cup in eight tries. The dynamic between coach and player at this level is much different than it is in college and, according to Long, is built on respect and honesty. “She has always had a special place in my life going back before she was coach of the National Team,” Long says. “I think we have a good relationship. It’s honest and it’s professional. It’s a lot different than when you are in college. We may have a history together but at this level she is coaching the best team in the world and everything is professional and honest.”
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CHILE’S WORLD CUP DOUBLE FEATURE. Chile will be one of four first-timers at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 after securing a historic qualification at the Copa America 2018. Three exceptional features of last year’s tournament combined to bring about that feat: Chile had home advantage; three World Cup berths were on offer; and it coincided with the coming of age of a golden generation of players. The road to France was not without its obstacles for Chile, with opening draws against Paraguay and Colombia putting their qualification hopes in jeopardy. However, a late goal led to a 1-0 win over Uruguay (1-0) and an easy 5-0 win got the soccer ball rolling in the right direction.
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U-S-A PRIDE. There may be no crying in baseball but there certainly are plenty of emotions when you are playing for your country. Playing in the World Cup in another country against the top players in the world and wearing the red, white and blue is a special feeling whether you’ve been there or not. “I will never forget that very first game when I heard the National Anthem for the first time and realizing where I was,” says Allie Long. “For that moment it really hits you that you are playing for your country.” Lindsey Horan, who has been playing with the U.S. National Team since attending the U.S. U-14 National Identification Camp in 2008, says putting on that USA jersey never gets old. “It’s the most amazing feeling,” she says. “No one should ever take it for granted because it’s such a special thing and we all work really hard to have that opportunity.”
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U-S-A CONFIDENCE. Ali Krieger will return as a veteran member of the USWNT World Cup Team. She knows all about winning not only soccer games, but World Cups. Krieger was on the 2015 team that won it all in Vancouver and believes there is little substitute for confidence and being. “We had a tough group in the beginning which not only helped us prepare but gave us a lot of confidence,” Krieger said. “We were well prepared for the tough games and had the little details down by the time we faced the real good teams. We had such great confidence in ourselves that we could win the whole thing.”
US YOUTH SOCCER | FUEL SOCCER MAGAZINE 2019
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MEGAN RAPINOE & ALEX MORGAN ARE TWO OF THE THREE USWNT TEAM CAPTAINS.
The eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place in France this summer, as the world’s best teams come together in monthlong celebration of the beautiful game. The USA currently holds the crown after its 2015 campaign, and it’ll take an almighty effort to stop the favorites from successfully defending their trophy.
PLAYERS TO WATCH AT THE WORLD CUP
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As with every major international tournament, there’s always a number of players who stand apart from their fellow stars – making headlines across the world with their moments of showstopping brilliance. BY TERRY JACOBY
US YOUTH SOCCER | FUEL SOCCER MAGAZINE 2019
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Carli Lloyd
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Position:
MIDFIELD
Youth Team:
MEDFORD STRIKERS
Team:
USA
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he next time the World Cup rolls around Carli Lloyd will be 40 years old and soccer, as Lloyd knows all too well, is a game best served and played by youth. The U.S. is bringing a team mixed with fresh, young (and highly skilled) talent along with experienced (and highly skilled) veterans to France. Lloyd is one of those veterans who U.S. head coach Jill Ellis will lean on as much for her leadership as she does her skills. In their final friendly leading up to France, Lloyd scored twice in the 6-0 win over Belgium. If this is it for Lloyd, it’s been an amazing ride regardless of what happens for the New Jersey native who first joined the U.S. senior national team in 2005. The talented midfielder delivered the winning goals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics to win gold for the Americans. Lloyd (Sky Blue FC) isn’t going to France to just lead, she is going to play and contribute. “I know that I still have a lot left to give to this team,” Lloyd said in March. “I know physically I’m in the best shape that I’ve been in. It’s important to be ready, and I know I’ll be ready, and I want to do anything I can to help the team win.” Lloyd played for the Medford Strikers (NJ) club team, winning the 1997 and 1998 State Cups. She also credits the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program for helping her develop and grow as a player.
Alyssa Naeher
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Position:
GOALKEEPER
Youth Team:
YANKEE UNITED/ SOUTH CENTRAL
USA
W
hile at Penn State, Alyssa Naeher studied kinesiology, the study of the mechanics of body movements. Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) must have been an excellent student because she has become quite proficient with body movements – she can stretch out, jump, grab, kick and move with the best of them. She will need all of those traits and more this summer when she stands in goal for the U.S. Women’s National Team in France. Naeher, a veteran of Team USA’s youth national teams, was the starting goalkeeper for the team that won the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and is expected to be the starting keeper in France. This is what coach Jill Ellis said of Naeher last summer: “She’s a keeper that we’ve really invested [in], in terms of getting experience. I think her distribution with her hands is phenomenal. I think her feet have gotten much, much better. Her choices, her selection, her confidence on the ball – I think all those things have improved.” Naeher played youth club soccer with Yankee United (Conn.) from 12U through 15U, then switched to South Central for 16U to 19U where she won a state title. She was a Parade AllAmerican and two-time NSCAA Youth All-American. She was a three-time NSCAA All-American at Penn State.
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FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH | BY TERRY JACOBY
Christen Press Position:
FORWARD
Youth Team:
SLAMMERS FC NEWPORT BEACH, CA.
Team:
USA
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center striker throughout her career, Press earned a spot on this roster due to her versatility, experience and success as a super sub. She had three assists in the U.S. win over Belgium in April. Press (Utah Royals FC) has worked her way into an import role for the WNT based on her excellent scoring rate and ability to be effective both at forward or midfielder. Press had an amazing preprofessional career. Her 14U club team, Slammers FC (CA-S), never lost a game and she earned MVP honors in every tournament they played. The Slammers were US Youth Soccer National Champions in 2003 and 2005, as well as National Championship Finalists in 2007 and 2008.
Tobin Heath
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Position:
FORWARD
Youth Team:
PDA WILDCATS
Team:
USA
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ne of the USA’s most skillful players and dynamic dribblers, Heath has been a member of the last fi ve championship squads and will be in the starting lineup when the U.S. hits the pitch in France. A staple on the right wing, Heath is a game-changer for the USWNT. She has 25 goals in 142 CAPS. She had a goal in the 5-3 U.S. win over Australia in the April friendly in Colorado. In 2016, Heath (Portland Thorns) was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. She earned NWSL Player of the Week honors after an amazing goal in week one of the 2019 season. The Basking Ridge, N.J. native helped the PDA Wildcats win one club national championship, in 2003 at 14Us, and in two other club national championship tournaments. She also helped the PDA Wildcats to the 17U US Youth Soccer National Championship game in 2005.
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US YOUTH SOCCER | FUEL SOCCER MAGAZINE 2019
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Rose Lavelle Position:
MIDFIELD
Youth Team:
Team:
CINCINNATI UNITED PREMIER
USA
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f Lavelle is healthy, she will be in the starting lineup in the midfield for the U.S. soccer team in France. Her great vision and ability to move the ball gives the midfield the playmaker coach Ellis is looking for from the position – think Manchester City’s Keven De Bruyne. Lavelle (Washington Spirit) will still contribute even if she isn’t 100 percent. One of the USA’s top players in the 2014 U-20 WNT cycle, she made her full National Team debut three years later after a successful college career at Wisconsin. She was the first pick in the 2017 NWSL Draft by the Boston Breakers. After the Breakers ceased operations, she was taken as the first pick in the Dispersal Draft in Jan. of 2018 by the Washington Spirit. Lavelle was a standout player for fi ve years with the Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club, a program she joined in eighth grade and stayed with through high school. She credits club soccer for setting the groundwork for all of the success that followed.
Ashlyn Harris
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Position:
GOALKEEPER
Youth Team:
Team:
PALM BAY RANGERS, USA SOUTH BREVARD UNITED
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lyssa Naeher is the starter, but it’s nice to have a reliable backup waiting in the wings. Naeher was first Hope Solo’s backup and now stands behind Harris. A very creative and artistic person, Harris can draw clean sheets with the best keepers in the world. Harris (Orlando Pride) has 19 CAPS, which shows that she has a great amount of experience in a backup role. She was one of the best young goalkeepers in the world while playing every minute for the USA at the 2002 and 2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cups. She has overcome several major injuries during her college career and didn’t get her first call-up to the WNT until her final season at North Carolina in 2009. She played club soccer with boys until the age of 14. He first teams were the Palm Bay Rangers and South Brevard United.
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FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH | BY TERRY JACOBY
Becky Sauerbrunn Position:
CENTERBACK
Youth Team:
Team:
J.B. MARINE
USA
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B
ecky Sauerbrunn was one of the keys to the Americans’ impressive defensive performance in the 2015 World Cup. Four years later she will be looked again to anchor a very strong U.S. backline. At age 34, this could be her final World Cup but don’t ever count her out of anything – even playing at a high level at 38 if she so chooses. Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals) was called into the U.S. team for the first time in January 2008 and then earned a place on the roster for the Four Nations Tournament in China. After the 2010 WPS season, she worked her way into the mix, becoming an important player and consistent presence in the back for the National Team. The St. Louis native has 149 CAPS. She played youth club for J.B. Marine and helped lead her teams to four State Cup titles and a 2000 Regional Championship.
Samantha Mewis
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14
Position:
FORWARD
Youth Team:
SCORPIONS SC
Team:
USA
S
amantha Mewis quickly and successfully moved up the U.S. ladder until she reached the top rung on March 7, 2014 in her first CAP against Sweden. A long-time contributor to the U.S. Youth National Teams, she played in one Under-17 and two Under-20 Women’s World Cups for the USA, including the 2012 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan which the USA won. Mewis was anything but a lock to make the 2019 World Cup team and Coach Ellis spent some time looking at other players for the center mid spot. Mewis (North Carolina Courage) started against both Brazil and Belgium but more than likely will be more of a sub in France. Either way, she’s a solid contributor with 48 CAPS. She had her best year in 2017 for the WNT, emerging as a key factor in the midfield and was one of just two players to start all 16 matches. She played 1,242 minutes, which was secondmost on the team. A native of Hanson, Mass., Mewis played from 7U through 19U with the Scorpions SC. She won the State Cup in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2012, and earned regional titles in 2006, 2008 and 2012.
US YOUTH SOCCER | FUEL SOCCER MAGAZINE 2019
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Crystal Dunn Position:
FULLBACK
Youth Team:
Team:
ALBERTSON FURY/ RVC TORNADOES
USA
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C
rystal Dunn can play almost any position on the pitch, which gives Coach Ellis some options, but the “best dancer on the team” will be dancing mostly at left back in France. Dunn (North Carolina Courage) started her WNT career as a defender and reached the full international level after featuring prominently for the WNT programs at the 17U and 20U levels. Since her emergence at the end of 2015 after a stellar NWSL season, Dunn moved up the pitch to winger/striker. More recently, she has been playing as a defender for the USWNT once again. As a senior at UNC in 2013, she led the Tar Heels in scoring with 34 points (14 goals and six assists). The Rockville Center, N.Y., native played with the Albertson Fury from 15U until she left for college. She played 13U through 15U with the RVC Tornadoes and played 10U though 13U with the RVC Power where she won a state title.
Emily Sonnett
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Position:
FULLBACK
Youth Team:
NASA 12 ELITE II
Team:
USA
E
mily Sonnett has played centerback for the last several years in Portland, but the talented fullback will more than likely play right back in France. She has been starting as Kelley O’Hara has been out with an injured ankle. Even if O’Hara can play – even if not at 100 percent – Ellis will need a reliable replacement as Plan B. Sonnett is a great Plan B or Plan A if that’s how things turn out. Sonnett started all three games at the 2018 Tournament of Nations vs. Japan, Australia and Brazil at right back. She played excellent games at right back against England on March 7 and Mexico on April 5 (going 90 minutes in each) and again on April 8 vs. Mexico. Throughout her career on the Cavalier back line, Virginia posted shutout wins 64 percent of the time. In 2015, Sonnett was named ESPNW’s National Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. She helped her club team, NASA 12 Elite II, win the 19U US Youth Soccer National Championship title in 2012.
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COLLEGE COACH’S CORNER | BY TERRY JACOBY
BONUS QUESTIONS
Q&A
WITH FLORIDA STATE COACH MARK KRIKORIAN
NATIONAL CHAMPION TALKS TEAM-BUILDING Mark Krikorian took over the Florida State women’s soccer program in 2005 and helped turn the Seminoles into a perennial national title contender in Division 1 college soccer. Krikorian and the Seminoles are coming off a 2018 National Championship after defeating No. 3 North Carolina in the NCAA Championship Game 1-0. BY TERRY JACOBY Congratulations on your national title. What was the personality like on Day 1 compared to what it became over the course of the season? “That’s a great question because at the start of the season we were missing a few players who were playing at the U-20 World Cup. We were not whole by any fashion on Day 1, and then those players started to sprinkle in and then other kids were called in to other national team camps and events. It was a disjointed start to the season and even into the regular season we were missing players at various times.” How did they respond to being back on campus after playing on these different national teams? “When they were here, they trained extremely hard and worked hard toward creating the best team that we could knowing that at any given time there were elements to our team that were not here. It was at times a managerial nightmare for our coaching staff but at the end of the day we were able to get all of the pieces playing together with the depth that we needed to compete for our NCAA Tournament run.”
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How important was depth to your success? “We also lost some very good players along the way to some very significant injuries. It’s become well documented in sports about the idea of next man or next woman up. If someone isn’t here or someone gets hurt, who is going to step in and rise to the challenge and take advantage of an opportunity. Fortunately for us our players did that.” What was the biggest difference between your 2014 championship team and this past year’s squad? “The biggest difference was that with the 2014 team all of the elements aligned for us. We had a good, veteran team. Our postseason run that year was a little more traditional where this recent team had to deal with not only the call-ups and injuries but also the challenging schedule and great teams we had to face in the tournament. That was really a big challenge for us. In 2014, everything seemed to fall in place for us where this past year there were a lot of bumps along the way.”
How has women’s college soccer changed over the past decade? “Through the efforts of a number of really good programs such as Stanford and Virginia and Florida and hopefully us, the teams that value the ball and are more interested in playing an attractive and slower tempo of soccer have continued to rise. There is more technical soccer being played which is reflective of how the game is being played on the world stage. It’s good for our game to have so many teams competing for a national championship.” You host the annual Mark Krikorian Soccer Academy Spring ID camps which are designed for elite female players in the seventh- to 12thgrade with a desire to play collegiate soccer. What are these camps all about? “Everyone used to run summer camps, and many of us still do. Over the last four or five years this idea of an ID clinic or camp has started to spring up. For the last couple of years we have hosted an ID camp where it gives kids more of a chance to get on campus and work with the staff and work with the coaches in a very direct and hands-on manner. We did three this past spring and will do more in the fall.”
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COLLEGE COACH’S CORNER | BY TERRY JACOBY
BONUS QUESTIONS
Q&A
WITH MARYLAND COACH SASHO CIROVSKI
THREE-TIME CHAMPION TALKS LEADERSHIP Sasho Cirovski, the winningest coach in Maryland soccer history, has led the Terps to three NCAA national championships including last year’s impressive title run. He has coached Maryland to 24 NCAA postseason appearances including titles in 2005, 2008 and 2018. Under Cirovski’s leadership, the Terps have enjoyed 25 straight winning seasons. The 2018 Top Drawer Soccer National Coach of the Year now leads a soccer program that expects to compete for the national title every season. BY TERRY JACOBY What was it like to win a third national championship at Maryland? “It was an incredibly satisfying accomplishment to have our team be the last one standing at the end of the year. We had come so close in previous years only to have some uncharacteristic setbacks in the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament.” Considering what happened in 2016 and 2017, what did you do differently this past year? “We decided to ramp up the schedule and really test our guys early in the season so we could become stronger for a long postseason run and that’s exactly what happened.” That tough schedule proved to be exactly that as you struggled early in the season. How did you overcome the slow start? “Yeah, we had a rough start. On Oct. 13, I think we were 4-5-3 and staring at the possibility of not
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even making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in almost 20 years. Instead of giving up, we became tougher and only lost one game from that point on. It was an incredibly satisfying experience.” What role did the team’s character and leadership play at the time you were 4-5-3? “Yeah, you can’t win a championship unless you have great leadership and tremendous character, and we had both last year. We became a team that was relentless in our defending and became very dangerous in the attack. Not only did we not allow a goal in the entire NCAA Tournament, but we scored in our last 11 games. Our senior leaders all have tremendous character and this was one of the closestknit teams I’ve had in the past six or seven years. Even during the difficult times it was easy for me to be patient with them and easy for the players to continue to believe in themselves.”
How has the NCAA Tournament changed since you won your first title in Maryland in 2005? “Every season has its own story and own challenges. In 2005, we were the No. 1 seed going into the tournament and we were the first top seed to win the tournament in a long time. In 2008, we had a really talented team but we were all chasing Wake Forest that year. We got hot at the right time, winning our last 16 games including 13 by shutout.” Soccer has improved at all levels in the United States over the years. In what areas have you seen the college game improve? “The coaching is at the best level I’ve seen it and not just with the top-25 programs but across all over college soccer. These coaches not only have played the game but have gone out and really studied the game and have their teams well prepared. The high school and club coaches are doing a great job. They are further along technically and tactically than they’ve ever been. There also is a huge international influence on the college game. You also see older players in college as teams recruit more international players and that’s adding another layer of maturity in the game.”
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WORLD CUP PROFILE | BY TERRY JACOBY
THE PATH LESS TRAVELED USWNT MIDFIELDER HORAN PAVED HER OWN WAY “I’VE HAD THE BEST SEASON OF MY CAREER AND I FEEL SO GRATEFUL TO MY TEAM, THE STAFF AND EVERYONE WHO’S HELPED CONTRIBUTE TO THIS”
LINDSAY HORAN WAS THE NWSL MVP IN 2018.
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indsey Horan has long kicked to her own beat. She made history in 2012 when she became the first American female player to sign a professional contract straight out of high school, traveling to Europe to play for Paris Saint-Germain. “Playing with the caliber of players we had on our team was amazing,” she said. “It was such an advance level of play for me that it was difficult at the beginning, especially in a new city and a different culture than I was used to. But all the players helped me make the adjustments. It just made me want to become an even better player.” Horan has been competing with that caliber of players ever since. She has been playing with the U.S. National Team since attending the U.S. U-14 National Identification Camp in 2008. One of the top players in recent history in the USA’s Youth National Team programs, she made her WNT debut in 2013 at the Algarve Cup, was called back in for the latter part of the Victory Tour in 2015 and has been a consistent call-up ever since. Horan was one of five players nominated for the BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year 2019. The 24-year-old midfielder was named the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) most valuable player in 2018 after helping lead Portland to the NWSL Championship final. She finished as their top scorer for the season. “I’ve had the best season of my career and I feel so grateful to my team, the staff and everyone who’s helped contribute to this,” she says of her amazing 2018.
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Horan is at the peak of her powers, the prime of her career and the height of her incredible skills. The U.S. National Team is getting a player clearly among the best woman footballers in the world. And she’s more than ready to represent her country starting June 7 in France. “The U.S. mentality never changes,” said Horan in an interview with Fuel Soccer in April. “It’s always the same every year. It’s a very, very competitive atmosphere with a high level of play and you have to bring your best every practice and every game or someone will take your spot.” The U.S. roster is always changing – veterans move on, youngsters move in. And that’s fine with Horan who believes the U.S. will be taking an amazing team across the pond. “We have a much younger team than in the past but also a good group of veterans,” she says. “It’s a nice mix. Everyone on the team has different styles and different personalities and the true nature and personality of the team will start to show itself when we start playing games and especially when we start facing challenges and adversity.” The competition in these World Cups keeps getting better, and the eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup promises to be the best year – certainly the most competitive. Horan says the U.S. just needs to worry about what the U.S. does best – and if they’re at their best, that will be tough to beat. “The keys for us will just be sticking to our game plan and even if we fall behind to stay with what has worked before and what we know we need to do to be successful,” she said. “Each game is going to bring challenges. It’s a long tournament so we need to focus on the game at hand and play how we know we can.” Horan, who has seven goals in her 62 CAPS, says putting on the U.S. jersey never gets old. “It’s the most amazing feeling,” she said. “No one should ever take it for granted because it’s such a special thing and we all work really hard to have that opportunity.” With two wins in April’s friendlies,
the U.S. team looked right on stride to bring their best to France. “We played two very good teams including a tough opponent in Australia and playing a team like that was a great experience and should give us a lot of confidence,” Horan says. “It helps us get ready and two wins is always nice and there were a lot of positives from those two games.” Like many of her U.S. teammates, Horan is playing for her club team in the NWSL leading up to the World Cup. She has been pleased with the growth of the league. “The league and level of play keeps getting better and better,” she says. “We’ve lost a few clubs but there are some things I believe we can do to provide better stability. But as far as the level of play it’s a very physical and demanding league – everything you would expect with American soccer. There is a high level of play and it continues to get better.”
LINDSAY HORAN WAS NAMED MVP OF THE US YOUTH SOCCER COLORADO STATE CUP IN BOTH 2009 AND 2010.
Helping kick games into the win column for Portland Thorns FC is the main goal before leaving for France. It’s a way to not only win soccer games but help get fit and prepared for the Big Dance. “No one wants to get hurt for the World Cup but everyone will be playing hard and giving their all in these league games before the World Cup,” Horan says. “We will do everything we can to help our teams win. I’m not afraid of getting hurt. These are games on my schedule and a chance to play and win soccer games.”
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HORAN GETS A “RUSH” OUT OF CLUB SOCCER
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ike almost all successful professional soccer players, Horan’s road to success traveled through years of playing with US Youth Soccer clubs. For Horan it all started with her mom. “Yeah, I played for my mom, which was sweet and wonderful,” she says of her time with the TMSA Great White Sharks (5U through 10U). “It was all about fun back then and it was a fun time.” While still fun, it got serious when she joined the Colorado Edge (11U through 12U) and then the Colorado Rush (13U through 18U). “Everything I am today I pretty much owe to them,” she said. Horan’s Colorado Rush won the US Youth Soccer State Cup from 2006-2010. She was named MVP of the State Cup in both 2009 and 2010. The team was Far West Regional Champions in 2010 and took third place at US Youth Soccer Nationals. “We never won a national title which was unfortunate,” she said. “But three or four girls off those teams are my best friends I have to this day. And some of the coaches I had there are some of the best coaches I have ever had in my life.”
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WORLD CUP PROFILE | BY TERRY JACOBY
PLAYING THE LONG GAME USWNT MIDFIELDER ALLIE LONG HOPES TO CONTRIBUTE IN FRANCE “IT’S IMPORTANT TO FIND THE BEST PLAYERS WHO WORK BEST TOGETHER ON AND OFF THE FIELD AND HAVE THAT SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.”
ALLIE LONG SUFFERED A PARTIAL TEAR OF HER PCL IN AUGUST OF 2018.
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llie Long recently got the call to represent the United States when the Women’s National Team takes the pitch in France for the FIFA Women’s World Cup June 7 to July 7. Long believes her ability to contribute to the team chemistry played a huge role in her selection to the American side. “Going into a world event you want to find not only the best players but the best players who all gel together,” Long says. “We’ve seen teams in every sport where they may have the better players, but for some reason it just doesn’t click. It’s important to find the best players who work best together on and off the field and have that special chemistry.” Long had a difficult end to 2018. A partial tear of her posterior cruciate ligament in August limited her effectiveness in the club’s final matches of the NWSL season, and rehab kept her from being able to make the most of her off season. After months of recovery, however, Long is now fully fi t and ready to compete for a spot on the plane to France. Fellow National Team player Megan Rapinoe thinks Long’s skill set will be a boost to the national team and would make a unique ingredient in that formula of success. “She offers something different than any other midfielder we have,” Rapinoe said. “She’s a low-lying holding player. She’s very good on the ball, very good in tight spaces. Great vision on the field, she’s a great passer. Especially since
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more teams are going to sit back on us, I think she can be the key to unlocking those defenses.” Long played in both April friendlies for the U.S. side and says the two wins should give the Americans another jolt of confidence – not that they necessarily lack in that department. “Leading up to a World Cup, you want to face strong competition and build confidence and get everything moving in the right direction and I think we accomplished all of that in April,” says Long, who plays midfield for Reign FC in the NWSL. “Australia is a great team and a team we could face in a knock-out stage, so being able to fight our way back after being down is huge. We are a team that will never die until the final whistle.” ALLIE LONG HELPED THE ALBERTSON EXPRESS (N.Y.) TO FOUR The U.S. women’s soccer team STRAIGHT US YOUTH SOCCER NEW YORK STATE OPEN CUPS. has long been the measuring stick and the pinnacle in international competition. But the rest of the world is clearly catching up, and that has only fueled the Americans to work harder, we are definitely bringing our A game.” smarter and take their game to an even Long debuted for the USA in 2014, but did higher level. not make a major impact until 2016 when she “I still believe we are the best in the world, rode an excellent NWSL season to a spot on the and I know my teammates feel the same way,” 2016 Olympic Team. says Long, who has six goals in 40 career CAPS. In 2017, she played 748 minutes in 13 games “That said, we know it’s not going to be easy with seven starts. Against Russia on April 6, and no game is going to be handed to us. The she scored her fourth and fi fth career goals competition is better, and we are going to have and was named to the CONCACAF Best XI for to earn everything. Other teams have gotten the first time. In 2016, Long played in all four better and have better resources and more games at the Olympics, starting three. funding into their programs so we need to step In January 2018, Long was involved in a up and play our best every game.” blockbuster deal in which the Seattle Reign FC There is little doubt that the U.S. is still acquired the US international midfielder from the team others want to knock off, but Long the Portland Thorns FC. Whether playing for doesn’t mind having the bulls-eye on those club or country, Long has long been associated red, white and blue jerseys. with toughness and the willingness to do “I hope other teams fear us in a way,” Long anything to create a clean sheet and kick a says. “We have so many players that can game into the win column. change a game in an instant and other teams Players like Long aren’t always the best know they have to bring their ‘A’ game because players, but they usually are the right players.
LONG SAYS CLUB HELPED MAKE HER THE GRITTY, TOUGH PLAYER SHE IS TODAY
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n her youth, Long played for the Northport Cow Harbor Mustangs (N.Y.) of the Long Island Junior Soccer League before ultimately landing at Albertson Soccer Club, where she helped the Albertson Express to four straight New York State Open Cups under the guidance
of Adrian Gaitan. Long also played US Youth Soccer ODP for the East Region team as well as Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association. Long, who was part of a national championship team at UNC, still says Gaitan is the most influential coach of her career. “He helped teach me the game and how to be mentally strong at such a young age,” she said. “I still seek out his advice even today and I was so fortunate to have such a good coach at Albertson. Coaches
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today can’t yell at players like they used to, and he was always brutally honest with me. He was always right, and I really appreciated that he was honest with me. Sometimes you don’t want to hear it, but it helped make me a tough, gritty player and I owe him so much in my career.” While playing with the Albertson Express, Long won the MVP award at the Orange Classic and helped her team win WAGS, Orange Classic, Disney and Raleigh Shootout.
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FITNESS AND NUTRITION | BY TERRY JACOBY
Nutrition Tips
MCFADDEN’S 4 TIPS FOR NUTRITION
with Lipscomb Sophomore Logan McFadden
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Don’t eat late at night. “I often get hungry around 9 o’clock at night and (my nutritionist) told me to eat a little more during the day and have things like yogurt which hold you over a little better.”
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ogan McFadden was brought up to eat well, play hard and never quit – until at least after the season. The standout defender, in her freshman year in 2018, helped lead the Lipscomb women’s soccer team to its best season ever as the Lady Bisons reached the second round of the Division 1 NCAA Tournament before losing to Duke. She credits her parents, club soccer, and a motor that never stops for helping her become one of the top young college soccer players in the country. Fitness, nutrition and a love of the game have been her ingredients for success. “Growing up and playing club soccer where we had four or five games in a weekend, I had no choice but to eat well and take care of my body,” said McFarland, who was named All-State two times (2017-18) at Indian Springs (Ala.) High School and was team captain in 2018. “My parents made sure I was eating right for as long as I can remember. They would tell me to eat pasta on Friday nights before those weekend tournaments. They knew what I liked and what was best for me so I didn’t really think about it much. I just ate what they told me to eat.” It wasn’t all fruits and vegetables for McFarland growing up, but she picked her spots with sweets. “They let me have snacks and things at certain times, but they were not going to let me eat Oreos a couple
REMEMBER THE CLUB EXPERIENCE
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cFadden played her club soccer for Birmingham United Soccer Association (BUSA). “I started when I was 12 years old,” she said. “We had a lot of success our first year. Our second year we
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hours before a game.” As she got older, McFadden started taking ownership of what she was eating. “When I was around 14, I started doing it on my own,” she says. “I would only eat some fruit or a yogurt for breakfast, and I felt really good during the day just with that.” McFadden says she “feels” the results throughout the day when she is eating a healthy diet. “If you eat poorly, you feel heavy and tired,” she says. “Here in college we have a fueling station where we have healthy options to get us through the day. How you eat and take care of your body is just as important as how you practice and train. It’s all part of being prepared for the games. You have to know your body and what it needs, and we have coaches and experts there to help and they provide everything we need.”
had some injuries. But the third year we got a new coach (Ben Parks) and really started making some moves. We went to Nationals and were top three in our conference. We just had a lot of success and beat some really good teams.” Playing club soccer helped improve her game but it also helped her find her right place on the pitch.
Pack healthy snacks.“I have a yogurt in between classes and then just some fruit for lunch and maybe a nutria-grain bar. That really seems to work for me.”
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Don’t try new things on game day. During the season on game days, Lipscomb orders their pre-game meal from Panera Bread – something many soccer teams do. “I always get a small mac and cheese with a piece of bread and some fruit punch.”
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Continue to fuel during games. McFadden says she will eat a few gummies at halftime to help keep her sugar up and always a chocolate milk after the game.
“One day our center back got hurt leading up to a game and the coach moved me there for that game,” she said. “I told him I didn’t know what I was doing, but he was a very defensive-minded coach and taught me so much. That was a big turning point for me. I felt like I had more impact on the game as a center back. I really liked it.”
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A GUIDE TO TRYOUTS: LOVE THE GAME FIRST Sasho Cirovski, who led the University of Maryland men’s soccer team to its third national championship under his leadership in 2018, says soccer players are always going through tryouts whenever they step on the pitch. Players need to accept that mindset if they are to be successful – no matter what level they are playing at or trying to get to. BY TERRY JACOBY
A PLAYER SHOULD SHOW A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND GOOD WORK HABITS AT TRYOUTS.
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“From a player’s standpoint, they are always in a tryout,” said Cirovski, the winningest coach in the University of Maryland. “When we recruit, myself and a lot of my colleagues will go and watch how they handle a warm-up or how they handle losing a difficult game. We sometimes will go to a practice session and see what kinds of habits they show in a practice. You can’t see these things in a tryout.” Coaches believe that good habits, strong skills and a passion for the game are keys to being successful and that players shouldn’t try to bring these qualities to a tryout but always play that way – whether in a practice, game, training session or anytime a player straps on the boots. Like Cirovski says, players are always trying out and being judged and critiqued. Every day in practice you are “trying out” to earn more playing time or to keep your starter’s position or to improve and make a bigger impact for
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your team. “We don’t have tryouts at this level, but I think tryouts are not a very good way to judge a player,” Cirovski said. “If you asked club directors, they will tell you that a tryout is a very difficult way to see how good someone really is and how they might fit into your team because you aren’t seeing all the factors that go into their technical or tactical abilities.” Cirovski believes players shouldn’t think in terms of what they need to do in order to impress a coach and make the team, but instead think in terms of creating good habits in all areas because of a passion for the game. “Whenever you go to a tryout or have the opportunity to play, you need to exhibit your best effort in all the various parts of the game,” he says. “The technical part, the tactical, the psychological and the physical are all important but what we first want to see is someone who loves the game.” If you show the love of the game, the other things usually take care of themselves. Because players who love the game want to get better, they respect the game and give their best effort every time they step on the pitch. “Coaches want to see someone’s appetite for the game,” said Cirovski, who has coached Maryland to 24 NCAA postseason appearances
including titles in 2005, 2008 and last season. “They want to see that appetite for playing and learning and supporting their teammates.” Mark Krikorian, the head coach of 2019 women’s national champion Florida State, says coaches want the best of all worlds when looking at players. “You want an athlete who combines the technique and the tactics that an elite player would, and also possess the physical and physiological components that make them an elite-level competitor,” Krikorian said. “When you are talking about a player coming in to play at Florida State or any of the top programs, we are all looking at those various components and what the quality is in each player.” Krikorian says the most important part in his mind when kids are going into a tryout is that they are giving themselves the best chance to be successful. “They need to be fit and healthy and mentally prepared to go in and compete,” he says. “I don’t think it matters what level we are talking about whether it’s a youth team, high school team, college team or national team, taking care of your body and putting yourself in a position where you can compete favorably is the foundation of success.” Not every player is going to make every team, and coaches do have to tell players that they didn’t make the cut – on this day. Krikorian, who in 14 seasons in Tallahassee has led FSU to nine College Cup appearances, four appearances in the national title game, three ACC regular season titles and six league championships, says he’s always honest with a player and hopes he or she uses the situation as a positive instead of a negative. “Our team is an elite-level team, and our expectation is to always compete at a very high level. In order to do that a player has to be fit and have the soccer quality in terms of technique and tactics,” he says. “It takes a real special player who is going to make and contribute to our team. “There is a different level that is the right level for everyone. There is a place where everyone who wants to play can play and it’s just a matter of figuring out what that level is.”
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FLORIDA STATE WOMEN’S COACH MARK KRIKORIAN
5 TIPS TO TRYOUTS
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Be fit. Make sure you’re in great condition so you can play consistently over the entire tryout.
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Show a passion for the game. Look like you’re happy to be there, and show enthusiasm through all aspects of training.
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Show good habits. Support your teammates through your words and actions. Show good effort on both sides of the field.
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Showcase your skills. Play to your strengths. If you’re a strong 1 v. 1 player, find ways to demonstrate those skills within the flow of the game.
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Use it as a learning experience. If you get constructive criticism from coaches – or even get cut – consider the feedback so you can become a stronger player.
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STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING | BY TERRY JACOBY
For Business & Pleasure Windingstad remains fit for soccer reasons
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arisa Windingstad is honest when it comes to physical fitness. She’s like many players at many levels in that she doesn’t play soccer to get in shape – she gets in shape to play soccer. She also didn’t fall in love with running and lifting weights and yoga and swimming – she fell in love with the great game of soccer. “I wouldn’t say that I enjoy fitness but I know it’s very important and something I need to do to play at this level,” says Windingstad, a standout defender for the University of Minnesota women’s soccer team, which won the Big Ten Tournament. “It helps prepare me for the season.” Windingstad said she started paying attention to fitness early in high school while playing for her club team, Omaha (Neb.) Football Club. “My freshman year of high school I got a new club coach and she really stressed the importance of preparation and getting your body in top shape,” she said. “We started
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running with her a lot and then she put us on a strength and conditioning program and that really got me going. You need to take care of your body not only to compete but to help avoid injuries.” It was at this time that Windingstad also started paying closer attention to what she was eating – and not eating – and that’s something that has evolved over time. Windingstad, who grew up on a lake, used to always play sand volleyball. It’s something she has always enjoyed and is a great workout especially for the legs. “It’s something I did more in high school but I love it,” she said. “I like to also do a lot of water activities in the summer like water skiing and surfing. These are part of my fun summer workouts.” The conditioning program at Minnesota is challenging but also rewarding and not just based on the results on the pitch. “Everyone on the team is very positive,” Windingstad says. “So no matter how hard it gets I always remember that I am doing this not only for a reason but I’m doing it with my best friends. We are doing this with people we care about and for a common goal so let’s make it fun and realize what the rewards are going to be at the end of it.” This year will more than likely be Windingstad’s final year on the pitch. “If the opportunity to play professionally came up, I wouldn’t say no but this is probably going to be my last season so that’s where all my focus is right now,” said Windingstad, a marketing major. “My goal is to leave the program heading in the right direction. I will always be a Gopher.”
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indingstad played her entire club soccer career with the Omaha Football Club. “Club really helped prepare me for the college level,” she said. “They even have a college recruiter talk to us about what we need to do in order to play at that level.” She was the Omaha FC Elite Player of the Year during her final season and was a five-time club state champion. “The difference between club and college soccer is that club soccer wasn’t your life at that time where college soccer is pretty much your life during your four years,” Windingstad said. “It’s such an honor to play college soccer and I never take it for granted but club soccer was a special time. I’m still really good friends with a lot of them and our parents are still close friends. “We won five state championships in my time there so we really crushed it.”
US YOUTH SOCCER | FUEL SOCCER MAGAZINE 2019
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Being a coach means being a lot of things. MENTOR. TEACHER. ROLE MODEL. MOTIVATOR. LEADER. ORGANIZER. It’s not easy to be all of those things. You need help, and who better to help you than an Association of fellow coaches. Membership with United Soccer Coaches provides:
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STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING | BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
Make Weight-Lifting a Strength Camryn Wendlandt has some advice for younger soccer players who are hoping to give college soccer a kick someday. The Baylor University standout suggests eating better, taking care of your body and getting stronger because the college game is much different than even club soccer. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
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rowing up in Coueur d’Alene, Idaho, Wendlandt played club soccer for Spokane Shadow SC in Washington. “Club is unbelievably different than playing college soccer,” said Wendlandt, who tied for the Baylor team-lead in goals. “It’s something that really surprises every freshman when they first start playing at this level. It’s a much faster pace with bigger and stronger players and is very competitive. I wish I would have lifted more weights when I was in high school and playing club. I wish I would have been stronger when I started playing college to help not only compete better but to help prevent injuries.” Wendlandt said playing club soccer was a “great and worthwhile” experience. “I had a great coach in club soccer and many of our players went Division 1 so that provided a competitive environment,” she said. “It was fun to practice with them and play in games and travel with them. I really enjoyed my club experience.” The difference between high school and college soccer starts before a player even steps on the pitch. Baylor’s workout and fitness routine is similar to many of the top soccer programs in the country. And one of the biggest changes in college sports is the specialization of fitness programs designed not only around specific sports, but focused on the individual
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Position:
Hometown:
School:
Year:
FORWARD
BAYLOR
needs of each player. Wendlandt says Baylor players do a number of different agility and speed drills a couple days a week and are in the weight room three days a week. “And, of course, there is soccer every day,” she says. “Soccer is the most important thing we do every day. And not just working on our technical skills but also getting in shape by playing soccer. We do conditioning in our soccer drills but also do separate training with our strength and conditioning coach.” Wendlandt says the players at Baylor are “really held accountable” for their overall fitness and health. A four-year varsity player at Lake City High, Wendlandt helped the Timberwolves to the 2012 state championship. She played in 10 matches at San Diego State as a freshman before transferring to Baylor. Wendlandt is getting ready for the upcoming season, her final go-around with college soccer. “I am not planning on playing professional soccer but if the opportunity presents itself I would consider it,” she said. “But I plan on getting a job in market research. I am really looking forward to this season. It’s going to be a special time in my life and while I’m looking forward to starting my life in the real world, first I’m going to enjoy and cherish my last season playing soccer for Baylor.”
COUEUR D’ALENE, ID
SENIOR
TRAINING TIPS FROM WENDLANDT
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Keep a journal. “We have to fill out a form every couple of days and put down how we are feeling, how many hours of sleep we got and what and when we are eating,” she says.
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Find alternative workouts. Wendlandt says most of her fitness is soccer-centric, but she does enjoy going to cycling classes, taking yoga and hiking in the offseason to help stay in shape.
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Work hard in every aspect of life. The Couer d’Alene, Idaho, native also excelled in the classroom, posting a 3.92 GPA in Baylor’s International Business and Business French program.”
US YOUTH SOCCER | FUEL SOCCER MAGAZINE 2019
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US YOUTH SOCCER’S REBRANDING EFFORT | BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
Rebranding the Preeminent Youth Sport in the Country US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the United States, this spring completed a redesign of its brand. The refreshed look and feel reflects the organization’s commitment to making soccer the preeminent youth sport in the country. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
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he fi ve themes for the rebrand include US Youth Soccer’s commitment to:
PRIMARY HORIZONTAL
Developing the player and growing the game Creating a path for every player Inclusion, friendship and team-building Instilling a love for the game Leading the future of soccer
PRIMARY VERTICAL
SME, a strategic branding agency specializing in identity development, guided the US Youth Soccer rebrand which was supported by hundreds of hours of stakeholder interviews, positioning research, strategic planning and creative execution, all culminating in a rebranding journey that took nearly two years. “When we built this brand, we had to make sure it reflected the fact that US Youth Soccer is the preeminent youth sports organization in the country,” said SME Managing Director Conor O’Flaherty. “It’s a brand that’s trusted. It points the path forward for youth soccer, with US Youth Soccer leading the way.” The brand redesign was a collaborative and inclusive process comprised of several US Youth Soccer members and staff, resulting in a new masterbrand that showcases the following elements: THE SHIELD: A badge of honor that signifies US Youth Soccer’s leadership status within youth soccer. THE STRIPES: Pays homage to America’s independence and US Youth Soccer’s collective goal of leading the future of soccer in the United States. THE LETTERS: Bold and strong to represent US Youth Soccer’s stability and unity. THE BALL: Places the sport we love at the center of everything we do. To complement the rebranding efforts, US
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SECONDARY
Youth Soccer will launch a progressive new marketing campaign designed to engage its members, enhance player and fan experiences at national and regional events and grow the game throughout the country. These marketing efforts will feature a phased approach, but new content will start rolling out immediately on the organization’s website, social and digital platforms and will continue throughout 2021. “This is how we’ll communicate with clubs, parents, players, referees, and anyone associated with US Youth Soccer,” O’Flaherty said. “How do we inspire the next generation of players? Once we engage them, how do we make them want to play youth soccer? “We want to teach the public about how to embody that path for players,” O’Flaherty said. “We want to be there for you if your club is interested in excelling or advancing the sport. Our job is take our brand and communicate it across the youth soccer landscape.” For more information on US Youth Soccer, visit USYouthSoccer.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
US YOUTH SOCCER | FUEL SOCCER MAGAZINE 2019
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FUEL Soccer has launched a new website!
fuel.usyouthsoccer.org
occer Q&A » kick » Workouts FUEL Soccer and US Youth Soccer have a brand new website with soccer » Features » College Player launched content for players, coaches and parents to Visit fuel.usyouthsoccer.org for features Spights » Faces of the Game enjoy! on players and tips on nutrition, workouts, time » Faces of the Game » Health management, recruiting, tryouts and more. & Nutrition » Professional Hailey Harbison
Youth soccer coast to coast Mental preparation WITH synergy performance COLLEGE Q&A WITH clemson’S samantha staab
tips for Nutrition Lunch options + RECIPES
Christiana Behnken
Setbacks Inspire Comebacks Two former US Youth Soccer standouts share stories of inspiration
Faces of youth soccer + player profile + a day in the life
The site is updated daily, so bookmark our page and visit frequently. We share with you the stories that people are talking about in soccer communities across the country. If you want to read about a specific topic or player, share your thoughts and let us know what you’d like to see in the future!
» Strength Training » Player
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2019
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