Touchline | Fall 2023

GROWING THE GAME

WHAT’S TRENDING

DREAM REALIZED

NICO LOPEZ’S JOURNEY TO THE US YOUTH SOCCER

NATIONAL FINAL

SOCCER MAZE COACHING EDUCATION REFEREE DEVELOPMENT

PUBLISHED BY:

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

4070 Butler Pike, Suite 100

Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Phone: 610-238-9966

Fax: 610-238-9933

E-mail: info@EPYSA.org

Website: EPYSA.org

EXECUTIVE BOARD

President - Jeff Sommer

First Vice President -

Lennie Brown

Second Vice President -

Bill Fuller

Treasurer- Jim Brown

SecretaryMelissa Weber

At-Large - John Mickel

State Youth Referee

Administrator - Jeff Tener

District 1 Commissioner -

Jeff Tener

District 2 Commissioner -

John DiGiuseppe

District 3 Commissioner -

Bill Ross

District 4 Commissioner -

Eric McKitish

District 5 Commissioner -

Scott Merritt

District 6 Commissioner -

Phil Frederick

OFFICE STAFF

Chief Executive Officer –

Chris Branscome

Chief Operating Officer –Kelly Connor

Director of Soccer Development & Performance – Gary Stephenson

Director of Marketing & Events –

Kelsey Tepel

Registration Assistant –

Meghan Petroski

ODP Manager –

Gabrielle (Bree) Benedict

Grassroots Soccer Manager –

JT Dorsey

Outdoor Cups – David Jones

Technical Program

Manager – Evan Tyler

Director of Communications –Matt Ralph

TOUCHLINE

Editor-in-Chief –

Chris Branscome

Editors – Matt Ralph, Kelsey Tepel

Writer - Matt Ralph

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Let’s Familiarize Ourselves with the Laws of the Game

Fair play is one key pillars for the good of the game. Our collective purpose is to provide all children with a safe and fun opportunity to participate in this great game. When we all work together towards this common goal, regardless of the level of skill, ability or competition, the experience is better for everyone. More positive experiences leads to keeping more kids in the game. To provide a healthy atmosphere for children to play the game, we need to teach our players about fair play and we all need to treat each other with respect.

FIFA defines Fair Play by:

Playing by the rules and promoting the Laws of the Game

Respecting team-mates, opponents, match officials and/or fans

Acting against discrimination.

All players and coaches should familiarize themselves with the Laws of the Game each year. If your club is interested in an informational session on the Laws of the Game for teams, and parents too, we’d be happy to facilitate. A better understanding of the laws can assist a player or coach with tactical decisions as well as appreciating how the game if being officiated. Spectators who have a better understanding of the Laws may also appreciate the game they’re watching. They may gain a new perspective.

FIFA’s second point, respecting team-mates, opponents, match officials and/or fans is absolutely important in youth soccer. Let’s remember first and foremost, this is a children’s game. Regardless of age or skill level, these are children and they should be supported in a positive manner. Let’s also remember that many of our referees are minors and they deserve our support. Roughly half of our referees are under the age of 18. They are providing a necessary service to the game and are deserving of our respect for taking on the role and responsibility.

Fair play is not just for the players, or even about the players, it’s about everyone included at each game. When it comes to sideline behavior, we expect coaches, players, team officials and spectators to be respectful at all times. Soccer is an exciting and emotional game and at times, it can get the best of all of us. Nonetheless, we need to maintain control. Spectators are as invested in a game as much as the players and coaches. When spectator emotions run high, it’s incumbent on the coaches and referees to manage them. Referees and coaches should work together in these moments. Many of our leagues have specific rules and regulations regarding these situations. Please become familiar with your league rules regarding bench/technical areas and spectator management.

The third point in Fair Play is acting against discrimination. Soccer is an inclusive game by nature. Players of all sizes, skills and specialties comprise each and every team. It’s also inclusive as the world’s game with players coming from multiple nations and cultural backgrounds. It’s no different within our association’s boarders. We regularly travel to and from each other’s neighborhoods and towns. We’re hosts and guests. We should want to enjoy a game on the road as we would at home. No one should ever feel unwelcome at a youth soccer game.

We all need to respect and support everyone. Soccer provides an opportunity for everyone to belong.

If we can all embrace those three simple points of emphasis, we can move the game forward. We can create a positive environment for all to enjoy the game, regardless of who’s playing, who’s officiating, who’s coaching or who’s watching. I know that we can set an example here in Easten Pennsylvania. On behalf of our 115,000 youth players -Here’s to a healthy and wonderful 2023-24 season!

We all need to respect and support everyone. Soccer provides an opportunity for everyone to belong.

Chris Branscome Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

What’s Trending

WHO’S MAKING HEADLINES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Christian Pulisic

THE HERSHEY, PA native and USMNT captain scored a goal in AC Milan debut to become the fifth American to score in Serie A and the first to do so in their debut. The former PA Classics youth standout also became the first American to score in three of the top five leagues in Europe (Bundesliga, Premier League and Serie A).

Penn Fusion Grads

PENN FUSION RECOGNIZED 12 GRADUATING SENIORS at a banquet in May who had spent 10 years in the program. They were given No. 10 Penn Fusion jerseys with their names on them as a way to honor their commitment to the club.

Mark Fetrow

THE WEST Chester, Pa. native won his first game as head coach of the Drexel men’s soccer program in an opening day rivalry match with St. Joseph’s. Villanova head coach, Fetrow’s former boss when he was the associate head coach with the Wildcats, was in the stands with his family. As a player, Fetrow won an Eastern Pennsylvania state cup and US Youth Soccer regional championship with FC Delco in 2007.

Murphy Agnew

THE ODP ALUM from New Hope, Pa. signed with famed Scottish club Celtic FC in late July. The former national champion with Yardley Makefield Soccer went abroad in 2022 after finishing her college career at Harvard and has played for Thróttur Reykjavík in Iceland and Newcastle Jets in Australia.

Kathryn Nesbitt

THE PHILADELPHIAbased referee was an assistant referee in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England. She was a reserve assistant referee at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup final between Argentina and France last December.

Auston Trusty

THE ODP ALUM FROM Media, Pa. signed with Sheffield United in early August ahead of the start of the Premier League season.

Erica Dambach

THE HUNTINGTON VALLEY, Pa. native won her 300th game as a head coach with a 2-1 Penn State win at West Virginia on August 24. The win was her 260th since taking the job in Happy Valley in 2007. She was head coach previously at Harvard and Dartmouth and also has experience as an Eastern Pennsylvania ODP coach.

Paul Royal

THE LA SALLE WOMEN’S head coach picked up career win No. 200 in La Salle’s 1-0 win at Albany in August. Royal has been a head coach at La Salle for 21 years.

National Presidents Cup Awards

FIVE EASTERN PA PLAYERS received awards for their performances in the 20223 National Presidents Cup finals in Wichita. Gabriel Diaz of U16 boys champions FC Ballyhoo won the U16 boys MVP award. Caitlin Kraus (Steel United PA), Sawyer Valle (Southern Chester County Dragons), Kendall Billie (Keystone Athletic), Andrew Jones and Diaz (FC Ballyhoo) were all named to Best XIs.

THE MOUNT PLEASANT Mills, Pa. native, a graduate student at Lipscomb University, is among the 56 players named by the United Soccer Coaches to the watch list for the 2023 MAC Hermann Trophy, the annual award presented to the National Player of the Year in Division 1 women’s and men’s soccer. Beiler played at North Union United and LDC United during her youth career.

Kelli Beiler

LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE:

Coaching Education Classes

Bring Expertise to Clubs

On a Saturday morning in late spring, a group of a couple dozen people fidgeted in desks at Marple Newtown High School waiting for their coaching education class to begin.

The group varied in just about every way possible, from age, gender and background to experience and the motivations behind voluntarily sitting in a high school classroom on an otherwise busy Saturday morning.

The occasion was a US Soccer grassroots coaching training course, one of several Marple Newtown Soccer Association hosted last May.

Grassroots License Courses are designed to offer coaches the chance to learn more about how to develop a player-centered approach to coaching and are tailored around the four new Grassroots game models: 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11.

This particular grassroots class was tailored to coaches in the 7v7 setting. Classes are designed for two hours of classroom instruction and two hours of field instruction.

Veteran instructor Don Brady led this particular session and opened things up pairing attendees up to learn about each other and then share with the group about their background and experience. The diversity of the group came out in the sharing time as coaches were introduced. Some were parents from the club just getting into coaching, some were young coaches early in their careers while others were more seasoned coaches with a more deeper

background in the game.

“You need to keep an open mind,” Brady said early in the class, emphasizing the importance of coaches being open to the material he was about to present and the real-time feedback he would provide throughout the session.

Simple and practical knowledge like using the term training match instead of scrimmage (“scrimmage sounds like a free for all”) were shared along with memorable slogans like “No laps, no lectures, no lines” along the way as Brady worked his way through the material. He stressed that the day’s session would not be about learning drills but about understanding and applying the practice - play - practice model.

Though affable and down-to-earth in his style and approach, Brady challenged the group at times too like any good instructor would. At one point, Brady handed out green pinnies from a plastic shopping bag without saying a word and asked the group if he had done enough to get a game going.

Later on the turf fields behind the high school he asked pointed questions about what a coach should do when they notice the ball is going out of bounds a lot.

“This is an example of what we discussed earlier about adjusting the training, making it harder or less challenging,” Brady said.

Brady offered critique and invited feedback from the group, something that can be uncomfortable for a group of people who weren’t acquainted just a couple hours earlier. But he was also encouraging in his praise and demonstrated his own coaching technique in his interaction with the Marple Newtown players who had volunteered to help with the session.

He emphasized the importance of being eye level with players and recognizing that they “are their best critics.”

“I learned today about how I can change my thought process and bring it down to the level of the age group I’m coaching,” said Avo Arzoumian, a parent and coach at Marple Newtown Soccer Association. “I’m a student of life so I just try to absorb as much as possible. Everything about today was a really positive experience.”

Following the completion of the session, the coaches had homework assignments to complete, applying what they learned to a coaching plan and philosophy. Brady then graded the plans and provided feedback around the work submitted. A requirement for the D license is to take three sessions and at least two of them have to be in-person. Marple Newtown Soccer Association offered an 11v11 session the following Saturday.

Avo Arzoumian asks a question during the classroom portion of the coaching education class at Marple Newtown High School

Coaching instructor Don Brady talks to players from Marple Newtown Soccer Association at a coaching education class at Marple Newtown High School in May 2023

HOW TO START THE COACHING EDUCATION PROCESS

1. Follow the URL to the US Soccer Learning Center: learning.ussoccer.com/coach

2. Click on the “FREE INTRO COURSE” button on the left-hand side of the screen

3. Click on the “LOG IN” button

a. Log into your US Learning Center account OR create an account

4. Complete the introduction course

a. Click on “COURSES” button at the top of the screen

b. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click “Introduction”

c. Approximately 20-30 minutes to complete

5. After completing the introductory course, you will be eligible for in-person Grassroots courses

a. Grassroots Courses are listed on the EPYSA website at: www.epysa.org/ scheduled-grassroots-license-courses/ AND on the US Learning Center website at: learning.ussoccer.com/ coach/courses/available/19/list

6. Through the website, click on the course details for which course you would like to do and sign up for the course on US Learning Center

a. Through the US Learning Center, click on the course details for which course you want to complete and sign up.

7. To be eligible for a National D-License, you need to complete TWO in-person Grassroots courses (one of which MUST be 11v11) AND ONE online Grassroots course

a. National D-License courses can be found on the EPYSA website at: www. epysa.org/national-d-license-courses/ AND can be found on the US Learning Center website at: learning.ussoccer. com/coach/courses/available/3/list

GROWING THE FESTIVAL-STYLEGAME,

PHILADELPHIA CLUBS ATLAS LIONS, SALONE FC AND WEST PHILADELPHIA SOCCER ACADEMY CAME TOGETHER TO EACH

A SOCCER FESTIVAL THIS SUMMER

Smiles were ever present and laughter could be heard everywhere you turned in Northeast Philadelphia on a Saturday afternoon in August as teams from three area clubs gathered for the second of three festivals bringing their three unique communities together.

Atlas Lions SC served as the hosts on this particular Saturday, but West Philadelphia Soccer Academy previously hosted a festival of their own earlier in the summer and Salone FC hosted theirs in early September.

The collaboration between the three clubs was facilitated by JT Dorsey, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Grassroots Outreach Manager, as a way to give kids in all three clubs opportunities to play games and bring together clubs with similar missions to increase access in the city.

“To see communities embrace something to grow the game is fantastic,” Dorsey said. “They each took ownership to run a festival and do something great for all the kids and the families.”

Atlas Lions SC President Wardy Abderrahim said the event exceeded all expectations the first time out and is something they hope to do “again and again.”

“This is what we need and it makes us very happy to see all these kids happy, having fun playing soccer,” Abderrahim said. “Anywhere you go you see smiling faces. We need to do this every year.”

Abderrahim said bringing the communities together is a key component of the festivals.

With each festival, the clubs have gotten a chance to put their own spin on it to reflect their neighborhood and community.

“We’re from Africa, they’re from northern Africa but we never bring tea to the soccer field,” Salone FC team manager Foday Turay said. “First time ever we’re on the soccer field drinking tea. It’s a great experience.”

The festivals also provide a lower cost way to have competition for the teams in the summer since tournament fees can often exceed the budgets of clubs focused on access and inclusion. Funds to support the events came from Eastern PA Youth Soccer’s Innovate to Grow grant from US Soccer.

“All of us are close by, just about 10-15 minutes apart,” said Sylvester Corbie, a coach and founder of West Philadelphia Soccer Academy. “It’s good to know there are other coaches trying to grow the sport, especially with the inner city kids.”

In addition to playing multiple games, there was food, snacks, a DJ and nonstop soccer both in formal games and impromptu kick arounds.

“It’s better than being at home, you can just come here, have fun and enjoy the time,” said 15-year-old Atlas Lions player Rami Bouzaboul. “I just like the people, the coaches, the surroundings, they are teaching us to get better.”

As the games wound down, players sporting the fluorescent yellow, royal blue and pink jerseys of the club were slow to dissipate, content to keep playing pickup and enjoying the great weather.

“All of our members are different and as a state association we are striving to see clubs have little events or festivals or games where that uniqueness can come out and be shown around the game,” Dorsey said.

“It’s massively important for us to grow the game and show the diversity of the game within our association.”

SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ATLAS LIONS SOCCER FESTIVAL

DREAM REALIZED

Philadelphia referee Nico Lopez’s dedication led to selection for US Youth Soccer national final

BY MATTHEW RALPH

WHEN NICO LOPEZ WALKED OUT ONTO THE FIELD at the Under-15 Boys national championship in Orlando in July, he exceeded even his own expectations when he relocated to Philadelphia a little over a year earlier.

Serving as center referee in the US Youth Soccer national final was a culmination of a year-long effort to restart a refereeing career that had stalled during Covid.

“I started seeing a lot of the referees in a cohort I was part of down in Florida moving up and doing big games and it was bittersweet realizing I could be there if I had kept going,” Lopez said when talking about his rededication to the profession. “So I decided to shake it off and get to work.”

Lopez, 25, was born in Colombia and moved to Miami in his early teens with a dream of one day going pro as a player - but a meniscus injury early in college derailed those plans. He turned to refereeing as a way to stay active in the game.

“When I started refereeing down in Miami I picked it up as a source of income but I started to take it seriously in 2018 and was privileged to be picked to do Southern Regionals in 2019,” Lopez recalled.

Lopez didn’t think it would take another four years to return to US Youth Soccer regionals, but the Covid-19 pandemic shutting things down, finishing college and relocating to New Jersey to start his career in medical sales put his refereeing plans on pause.

Once settled in New Jersey he made some contacts and returned to the field. However, it wasn’t until he relocated again to Philadelphia that he was fully back on track.

Lopez was active throughout the 20222023 season and ended up reffing state cup finals and from there was selected for the Eastern regionals in Loudoun County, VA. He did the Under-15 boys final in Loudoun County and was then selected for the pool of referees for the national finals in Orlando.

“It was my first time at Eastern regionals and then as a newbie being

selected to go to nationals I felt like it was a dream,” he said. “Then it was just a matter of talking to my boss about taking the days off.”

Despite the challenge of refereeing games in extreme heat and humidity, Lopez made the most of his time in Orlando, both on and off the pitch, networking with other referees and taking advantage of learning opportunities throughout the week.

“Being around so many people who love the game and want to progress in it was great,” Lopez said. “It’s not about ‘let me ref some games to get some quick cash’; it’s how can I develop myself and get to the next level.”

Lopez said getting to do the final was a blessing and a privilege but was a game he treated like any other.

“You just take every game you get whether it’s a final or any other game. You gotta take it with the same seriousness and professionalism,” Lopez said.

His professionalism and commitment to the craft has made Lopez a valuable addition to the Eastern PA referee community, according to Ian Bongaardt, State Referee Administrator.

“Nico has performed extremely well since moving here and has refereed at State Cup Finals, NCS Regional Tournament and USYS Nationals,” Bongaardt said. “He continues to work hard and work higher level matches as he progresses up the referee ladder.”

Lopez will be back out this fall refereeing games in Pennsylvania at multiple levels, gaining more experience as he continues to grow and progress on and off the field. He hopes his story will inspire other young aspiring referees to consider pursuing the path he’s on.

“Go register, sign up for a class, for a session,” he said. “Then once you have the referee license you can start working local games, work with an assignor and find a mentor who is further along doing bigger games.”

Program Goals

• Improve the experience, particularly for new referees in their first matches.

• Expand opportunities and grow the corps of referees locally and statewide.

• Support and enhance organizations who have an existing training program.

• Provide structure and assistance to organizations who do not have a program.

• Create an environment that promotes good sportsmanship from all four participants: players, coaches, supporters, and referees.

• Provide an early-career, low-pressure training environment.

Referee Program Fast Facts

FREE TO ALL PARTICIPATING CLUBS Contact

2022-2023 SEASONAL YEAR NUMBERS

10 TRAINING SESSIONS COMPLETED

• Direct pathway to official referee through EPSARC (Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association Referee Committee).

• Application for all clubs for easy registration.

• Participating clubs will invite their players to become new referees with the initial training provided by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.

• We will also help to sustain training for future courses or programs provided by the participating club.

• New Referees will start at small-sided younger age matches, where sportsmanship and mentoring will support their experience. These participants can look to pursue their certification with EPSARC (Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Referee Committee) as they develop.

Evan Tyler

12 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer epysa.org

300 NEW YOUTH REFEREES

• The Developmental Referee training focuses ageappropriate application of the Laws of the Game. These referees are put on small-sided, younger age matches, that are typically intra-club matches that are a lower-pressure environment.

• Sportsmanship messaging will be aimed at all four participants in a match: players, coaches, referees, and supporters! Better behavior will help retain new referees and will improve the experiences of those referees already certified.

• Clubs will distribute sportsmanship programs and educational materials to club’s members.

• The next opportunity for referees will be getting certified and officiating travel soccer matches, if they choose to do so.

THE OFFICIAL PAYROLL TEAM OF THE UNION

GARY STEPHENSON NAMED TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

at Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals in the US Soccer Development Academy. He’s also served as a collegiate and high school coach at Holy Family University, Delaware Valley College, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Upper Dublin High School and St. Basil High School.

He is currently the regional Olympic Development Program head coach for the 2010 boys and helps lead the East region in an advisory role. In 2017, he led the U17 Boys Eastern Pennsylvania ODP team to a US Youth Soccer ODP National Championship. He holds a US Soccer A license and is a certified coaching instructor.

Long-time Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer staff member Gary Stephenson has been named Technical Director.

“Eastern Pennsylvania has long been known as a national leader in both coaching education and the Olympic Development Program,” CEO Chris Branscome said. “Over the last decade, Gary Stephenson has been responsible for further enhancing our position and driving it forward. His dedication to the game, player development and coaching education is exemplary. His efforts will greatly benefit our membership to grow the game even further.”

Stephenson succeeds Mike Barr in the role. Barr, a 2022 recipient of the US Youth Soccer Fleck Award for Excellence in Youth Coaching Education, retired last August. Stephenson worked closely with Barr as the assistant technical director and has held several different roles since joining the staff in 2011, including assistant director of coaching, coaching education instructor, ODP staff coach and most recently as director of soccer development and performance.

A native of Durham in northeast England, Stephenson holds a mechanical engineering degree from Nothumbria University in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and spent eight years working as a design engineer and structural analyst for Caterpillar. He started coaching men’s teams in 1994 and began his coaching journey in the United States in 2000. He was director of coaching for Upper Dublin SC and coached

In 2012, Stephenson developed the coaching newsletter The Evolving Game in 2012, reaching 18,000 subscribers. He has delivered thousands of educational courses, been a featured presenter at the United Soccer Coaches annual convention and for US Youth Soccer workshops, conducted USSF courses in the Caribbean and been instrumental in designing curriculum for a wide range of programming. He’s also a licensed referee and helped create the Eastern Pennsylvania Developmental Referee Program for intramural and recreation clubs. He’s served as the staff liaison to the Sideline Behavior Task Force and is a tireless advocate for children and their rights as players. He’s also led the growth of Eastern Pennsylvania’s international travel programs, organizing trips for ODP teams and their families to the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany each year.

“I am honored to take this role with Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer,” Stephenson said. “My mentor, Mike Barr, blazed and continues to blaze the trail in the sport and I should thank him daily for everything he has done. We have an amazing opportunity with the growth of the game in our state and I’m grateful to be part of the team here at the state office casting vision and supporting the growth of the game.”

As Technical Director, Stephenson is responsible for coordinating the coaching curriculum for ODP, coaching courses and the general education of coaches and personnel throughout the state association while regularly interacting with US Soccer and US Youth Soccer in curriculum discussions, programming and course delivery.

Stephenson resides in York County with his wife and three children.

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