Touchline - Spring 2023

MINI-PITCH OPENS AT GLAVIN PLAYGROUND YMS HOSTS

HVAA PROVIDING PATHWAY FOR FEMALE PLAYERS

IRON VALLEY UNITED THORNS REFLECT ON PRESIDENTS CUP CHAMPIONSHIP CONCUSSION FAQ’S

WORD SEARCH

AWARDS BANQUET

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 PresidentBill Fuller

Treasurer- Jim Brown

SecretaryMelissa Murphy Weber

Registrar - Jim Christian

State Youth Referee

Administrator - Jeff Tener

District 1 CommissionerBecky Barlow

District 2 CommissionerJohn DiGiuseppe

District 3 Commissioner -

Bill Ross

District 4 CommissionerEric McKitish (incumbent)

District 5 CommissionerScott Merritt

District 6 CommissionerPhil Frederick (incumbent)

OFFICE STAFF

Chief Executive Officer –Chris Branscome

Chief Operating Officer –Kelly Connor

Technical Director –

Mike Barr

Director of Soccer Development & Performance – Gary Stephenson

Marketing & Events Manager –Kelsey Tepel

Registration Specialist –Michele Brown

Registration Assistant –Meghan Petroski

Coaching Department

Administrator –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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Keeping Our Children Safe From Abuse Requires Vigilance

In February at our Annual General Meeting, I spoke to the leadership of soccer in our state on a number of topics, most of which were focused on the future of our sport. The theme was “grow the game.” Our goal is to be more inclusive and create opportunities for all children to participate and have the resources they need to enjoy soccer and thrive. We need to provide the same for coaches, administrators, and referees. We need to look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played in our backyard for the first time ever and utilize this once in a lifetime opportunity in multiple ways. But I also spoke about another way for us to grow is to provide safe spaces for kids to play. Safe spaces mean two things; locations with new and improved fields that are free of violence or crime and safe environments free of discrimination, abuse, and negativity.

Chris Branscome Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

In March at the US Soccer Annual General Meeting, similar discussions were being held regarding “safe soccer,” the Yates Report and what we all must do to eliminate these negative aspects of the game. Youth, professionals, and amateurs were involved in the discussions, and we all are experiencing it in varying degrees. This is a national concern, and we need to work harder and smarter to address it. From my own experiences in Eastern Pennsylvania and throughout these national or regional discussions, one of the pressing issues is the emotional abuse of youth players. As the US Center for SafeSport defines it, emotional abuse is behaviors and actions that cause emotional harm to another person. It ranges from verbal acts, physical acts, acts denying attention or support and stalking.

My focus here is on emotional misconduct from coaches towards players. At our level, our players are children. Children should not be subject to emotional misconduct. When you see an adult screaming at or berating a child or using tactics to isolate or exclude them from practice, adults need to intervene. Adults need to be advocates for the children. Ultimately, it should be reported.

SafeSport gives an additional example of the difference between emotional misconduct and tough coaching. “Tough coaches combine high expectations with positive motivation, respect, and care. Coaches who engage in emotional misconduct use fear, intimidation, and punishment.” We don’t need this kind of coach and we don’t need our children to be anxious about practice. I don’t see this behavior from the best in any sport. Jim Curtin, Jay Wright, Nick Sirianni don’t act this way, so who are abusive coaches modeling themselves after?

As we require all coaches and club board members to take SafeSport training annually, we should also be responsible for educating players and parents. A coach can take the course and still not recognize their own bad behavior. They may view themselves as being tough or motivational when, in reality, they are not. Our children may not recognize this and may think that’s the way it is. But children aren’t equipped yet to defend themselves against the adult, against the authority figure holding the key to their playing time and hopefully, fun time. Be an advocate for your child.

Parents, I invite you to learn more about SafeSport. Club boards, I invite you to stay vigilant and be visible. Coaches, I ask you to look out for all kids, not just the ones you coach. If we want to grow the game and have a bright future, we need to ensure kids can thrive when they’re on the fields. More kids will play and remain in the game when they feel respected and safe. Our players want to learn and get better. Let’s help them do that. Let’s continue this conversation and let’s make the game better.

If we want to grow the game and have a bright future, we need to ensure kids can thrive when they’re on the fields.

HUNTINGTON VALLEY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

PROVIDING COACHING PATHWAY FOR CURRENT AND FORMER FEMALE PLAYERS

IT’S NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE MOSTLY male coaches populating the sidelines at any level of soccer, but when you look around at a training session at Huntington Valley Athletic Association you’ll notice a number of female coaches working with both girls and boys teams.

From high school girls helping with the youngest kids in the micro program and refereeing in the recreation program to professional coaches working with travel teams, HVAA has a strong representation of women in their ranks.

Several coaches, like Bridgette Alexander and Brianna Pudlo, play for the club’s adult amateur team that is the defending champions in the women’s major division of the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania.

For Alexander, who grew up playing for the club before playing Division 1 soccer at the University of Hartford, coaching at her youth club has been a way to give back while also pursuing her passion.

“Having a passion for coaching has always been my thing,” Alexander said. “I knew even when I was playing in college that after my career ended I wanted to pursue coaching.”

Alexander still holds the Lower Moreland High School record for goals with 113 and helps lead the line for the women’s team, where she plays with Pudlo and several other young women involved in the club.

Pudlo grew up playing for Philadelphia Soccer Club and Danubia and graduated from St. Hubert before staying locally to play college ball at Holy Family University. She was drawn to the club as a player and saw coaching as another way to stay engaged in the game.

“They bring a lot of joy, the young kids,” she said. “Even when they’re running around like crazy, they’re so fun. Always making me laugh, always making me smile.”

Pudlo, who is a goalkeeper on the pitch, said playing in college honed her leadership skills and gave her the confidence to try out coaching. Growing up she didn’t have any female coaches and mostly coaches against men now.

“It’s nice that we have a lot of female coaches around,” she said. “I can hear Bridgette’s voice across the turf, Lena (Staropoli) coaches with me and there are several others and we can lean on each other for advice on dealing with parents coming from the boys and girls side, other coaches, referees and all of that.”

Like Pudlo, Alexander didn’t have any female coaches growing up. She sees herself in a lot of the young girls she works with and knows that she is more than just a coach to many of them. Alexander started playing at the club after a basketball coach saw her juggling a ball and encouraged her to look into the travel soccer program.

“I think there’s special things about being able to connect with the girls in a little bit of a different way,” said Alexander, who is a school counselor by day. “They can look up to me as someone who looks like them, played here and went on to play in college.”

Female involvement in the soccer program extends to the organization, which also has programs for baseball, basketball, softball, taekwondo and chess.

“You see all the research about the positive impact sports can have on girls when it comes to self-awareness, positive body image and mental health,” said Allie O’Neill, president of HVAA. “Having such great role models as female coaches only adds to that.”

The club can count one of the top women’s coaches in the country as one of their success stories. Erica Dambach, head coach of Penn State women’s soccer, played for the soccer program her father, Calvin Walsh, introduced in 1978 and helped develop into what it has become.

“There’s a history behind it and a legacy to leave,” said Luciana Ammaturo, HVAA’s vice president of sports and director of communications. “I think we’re still just at the beginning of that.”

GROW THE GAME 2022 GRANT WINNERS

Penn Fusion

Pequea Valley Youth Soccer Association

Philadelphia Soccer Club

Quakertown Soccer Club

Lehigh Valley TOPSoccer

Towamensing Soccer Club

AC Fairhill

Anderson Monarchs

Back Mountain

Barrens Travel Soccer Club

Carlisle Area Youth Soccer

Fairmount Soccer Association

Hanover Area Youth Soccer

Susquehanna Township Soccer Club

Upper Darby Futbol Club

MINI-PITCH NUMBER 3 OPENS AT GLAVIN PLAYGROUND

of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Union,” Connor said. “And together we invest resources to build many soccer fields throughout the city, providing a safe, modern and fun space for the kids and even some of these adults out here.”

After the official ribbon-cutting, Philadelphia Union mascot Phang joined several of the kids to break in the new pitch.

“Philadelphia is a host city of the 2026 World Cup and this mini pitch is an important addition to our city’s infrastructure,” said Paul Howard, executive director of the Philadelphia Union Foundation.

Glavin Playground, which is known to many in the community as “A&W,” is named after Frank Glavin, who worked with the Department of Recreation. Glavin helped create programs for children and adults with special needs. The updates to this site were designed in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to help continue Glavin’s work by providing an inviting community space for children and adults to prosper.

“This transformation here is awesome,” Mayor Kenney said.” The brightness of the playground reflects the incredible life you can feel when walking through this neighborhood.”

THE SUN WAS SHINING ALMOST AS BRIGHTLY AS THE faces of the children playing on the colorful new playground equipment and mini soccer field at the renovated Glavin Playground in the Port Richmond neighborhood on March 16.

The occasion was the ribbon-cutting on $3 million in renovations to the park, which includes a mini-pitch in the city constructed through a partnership between the city’s Rebuild Project, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and the Philadelphia Union Foundation. The mini-pitch is the third of 15 planned across the city.

“It’s part of our larger collective to grow the game of soccer, investing in access and opportunity, something we are proud to deliver to the Glavin Playground and many sites in the future,” said Kelly Connor, chief operating officer of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. “We hope this space is a place where lots of fun is to be had and lots of goals are to be scored.”

Mini pitches were previously completed at Francis J. Myers Recreation Center Athletic Courts in Southwest Philly and at Capitolo Playground in South Philly.

“Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is a proud partner of the city

Kathryn Ott Lovell, commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation; City Councilmember Michel Driscoll; Kira Strong, executive director of Rebuild; community leader Geri Logan and Tom Morris, director of Public Gardens and Landscapes at Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, also spoke during the ceremony.

IRON VALLEY UNITED THORNS

TOGETHER. THAT IS THE

common theme that the 2004 Girls Iron Valley United Thorns team stressed when discussing their Presidents Cup National Championship victory. The majority of this team has come up through Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association as a group, playing together since they were young. They have grown up and found success together.

“Seeing all of our hard work pay off by winning that title together meant everything to us,” said one of the players. “It was so special to go to a great stage like the National competition with the girls we grew up with. Winning it all made all of the blood, sweat, tears, and time that we’ve been spending working on and off the field for this game truly worth it. The whole experience was so surreal.”

As for the coaches, they have had a front-row seat watching a group of girls first learning to kick a soccer

ball grow into strong women, and now champions. “It has been an amazing journey with this team and an absolute privilege to coach each and every one of these girls, some of them since they were 7 years old,” said head coach Chris Young. “There have certainly been ups and downs over the years in terms of the on-field success as measured in wins and losses, but all along the way, there has been a consistent undercurrent of the evolution of a really special team.”

These girls have grown in Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association and are the first team in Iron Valley history to win the National Championships for the Presidents Cup. They will now compete in the National League PRO division this summer.

“EPYSA has provided a platform and opportunities for various playing experiences for this team to play at an appropriately challenging competitive level at each stage of the team’s development throughout that evolution, which has culminated in the team’s promotion to National League PRO,” said Young.

“Not only did we win the Presidents Cup National

COMPLETE THEIR JOURNEY

field take more pride in helping these girls grow as people than any trophy they could have won. “As a coach, you hope that there is a lasting impact on their life and not just their soccer journey,” said coach Tim Grinstead. “I am very proud of these girls, and I take great pride in knowing that we set up an environment where they had choices in how to pursue their future success beyond soccer. To see them grow from little girls just having fun to successful adults ready to conquer the world is a great privilege.” Young added, “My overriding emotion is happiness.”

Championship, and secure a spot in the USYS National Championship, but we did it all as a team, not individually,” said one of the girls. “We all worked so hard together and we couldn’t have done it without each and every player there!”

While the USYS National Championship is the culmination of a long career playing youth soccer for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer A, the skills, teamwork, and work ethic they have learned will continue to stick with them as many continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level. Those girls continuing their careers playing college soccer, credit what they learned in EPYSA for getting them there.

“Playing soccer for EPYSA has completely shaped me into the person I am today,” said one girl set to play college soccer this fall. “It has taught me the value of working hard to accomplish my goals and competing at all times for what is important to me. I think one of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned is that the most successful people are those with good character; the ones who help their opponents up after a foul, the ones who willingly shake hands after a tough loss, and the ones who ultimately realize that respect is earned by outstanding character just as much as outstanding talent. The strong competition and healthy environment provided by EPYSA will carry over with me into my college program.”

The coaches who have seen this team accomplish their goals on the

Even the girls who are not continuing their playing careers in college are not leaving the soccer field completely. Many of the Thorns are taking the opportunity to give back to their community, EPYSA, and the next generation of girls through coaching, refering, and mentoring younger players. “I believe that sports teach life-changing lessons and that everyone should be able to have these experiences,” said a player still very involved in EPYSA. “Soccer has always been an outlet for me when other things in my life become overwhelming, and helps me to channel my competitiveness into something healthy and rewarding. I feel very inspired to pass the love of this amazing sport on to the next generation of players through my role as a US Youth Soccer Certified Referee and as a volunteer Kickers coach.” Another player also stated, “The Thorns have such a unique team culture and I really want to pass that down to younger players. The culture of a team can really set the stage for how a season will go. I want to teach this to younger kids because I honestly believe that it’s one of the things that made the Thorns so successful.”

As this group of incredible individuals gets ready for their last run together as a team, competing at the highest level for the USYS National Championship, they know their success all comes down to sticking together. The Thorns team mantra for several years has been, “If One Goes, We All Go” and that could not be more fitting. “That’s what we say before every game and has become our team’s motto through all the ups and downs over the years,” explained one of the team’s leaders. “We go through everything together. We’ve seen each other go through injuries and come back and we’ve watched each other grow as soccer players and as people. So, getting to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of being Presidents Cup National Champions and now competing against some of the best teams around the country is a full circle moment and it makes us feel very proud.”

ODP PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE SELECTED TO THE NATIONAL ODP TEAM?

Making the ODP National Team has been a goal of mine since I first started playing ODP. Over the years I was able to make the Region 1 team and Inter-Regionals but not making the National Team kept pushing me to work harder and listen to feedback from the coaches to help make me a better player. I’m very proud to represent the PA-East Region. Looking forward to the opportunity in Dallas.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT PLAYING ODP?

Playing with top level players, that I usually play against, but through ODP able to play with them and create friendships that will last a lifetime.

It means a lot because it is the furthest I’ve made it doing odp and it is a big honor being selected out of all the talented players.

I enjoy playing with the best players all across the whole state and country and all the great coaches I’ve had.

It shows my growth as a person and player over the last two years and that hard work and persistence does pay off. My goal this year was to make regional team after making alternate the year before. I was able to achieve that and also this great opportunity to play with the national team. It feels good to meet and exceed a personal goal.

The best part about playing ODP is the chance to play with and against talented girls from other clubs, states and regions of the country. Getting to experience travel and to meet and get to know new players and different coaches is also really fun.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to go play and represent my state against great teams

I enjoy making new friends the most and sharing the love of the sport we have

KYLIE MAXWELL

ASTIN LEHMAN

KHERINGTON YEZIK

DANIEL DIXON

Being selected to the ODP National team is a tremendous honor for our players. Here is what it means to them in their own words.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE SELECTED TO THE NATIONAL ODP TEAM?

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT PLAYING ODP?

Being on the National ODP Team means to me because shows me what hard work, focus and dedication can help to achieve. Also, it proves that accomplishments like this are possible for people like me and my culture.

What I most enjoy about playing for ODP is the amazing opportunities to play with and against talented people across the USA and internationally.

It makes me feel honored. I feel as if all of my hard work is finally starting to pay off. Also, I am very happy and I’m going to enjoy all of it and make the best out of this opportunity.

I like that you can get to know your teammates really well since you’re always with them. I also like that you can get your name out to different coaches and teams, and just having fun playing at a good level.

It is a true honor for me to be selected for the National ODP team. Having worked very hard and having been part of the 07 ODP PA soccer state program for several years , it has always been a goal of mine to reach both the Regional and now National ODP level of play. I am ready to continue to learn and work some more! I am humbled, honored, excited, and grateful to everyone at ODP, my coaches, teammates, as well as my family for this opportunity which I recognize is an honor and an achievement. I am one step closer to my ultimate goal of becoming a part of the US Mens National Soccer Team.

Having been a part of the ODP program for the last 6 years, I continue to both benefit and enjoy so much from the organization. Traveling to many different states, meeting bonding and competing against other skilled players in state-level friendlies, and more recently at Regionals, all have been an invaluable experience on my soccer journey. Over the years I have benefitted from strong mentoring and top-notch soccer coaching from the highly qualified ODP coaching staff. I am forever grateful for the opportunity and appreciative to ODP for all it has added to my early life as well as my current and future soccer career!

I am super excited about this amazing opportunity. Looking forward to having a great week with friends, and playing some awesome soccer! I appreciate all the work my parents have done to put me in the position that I am today, and I am excited to showcase my talent. It means so much to me, and I am so excited to represent Pennsylvania!!

I enjoy that I can play in a non pressure but competitive environment. Getting to meet new people from around the state, northeast, and country is also such a cool experience. It’s also fun to try new positions that I wouldn’t normally play.

JOSH ANDERSON

NATALIA HANSON

SALVATORE PALAZZARI

YMS HOSTS REFEREE TRAINING SESSION FOR YOUNG AND ASPIRING REFEREES

Yardley Makefield Soccer is looking within its own ranks to fill a need for more referees.

The club recently held a referee training session and had 40 young and aspiring referees show up eager to learn.

Gary Stephenson, director of soccer development and performance for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, oversaw the clinic with Rich Estey and Connie Webster from YMS.

“It was meant to give them a little bit more structure and guidance,” said Reza Moghadam, YMS recreation director. “The turnout was great and Gary did a really good job giving them some structure, guidance and confidence. The feedback we’ve gotten has been really positive.”

Moghadam said the size of the recreation program - which attracts up to 1,000 kids - creates a need for a sizable pool of referees every year.

“We try to utilize our kids that are within the program to ref the rec program,” Moghadam said. “Mainly for 7v7 and 9v9 but it can also include 11v11.”

Stephenson said YMS’s focus on the club referee program made working with them “a breeze.”

“This was amplified when stepping onto the field and seeing the energy of the board around the referees and then the numbers of eager players wanting to learn and work as community referees,” Stephenson said.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EASTERN PA YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAMMING, REACH OUT TO GARY STEPHENSON AT GSTEPHENSON@EPYSA.ORG.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN OFFICIATING?

How to get involved?

Email etyler@epysa.org for any and all details or to discuss dates to host the program

Why should you get involved in the program?

You learn the fundamentals of officiating in a relaxed and interactive environment to prepare you for officiating in a real game.

What does the course provide?

The course provides the educational fundamentals of officiating a soccer game utilizing FIFA law as well as learning how to be professionally interact with players, parents, and coaches.

How old do you need to be to participate in the program?

ALL AGES CAN PARTICIPATE!

How can someone sign up?

All program/courses will be posted online as well as social media. If an individual wants to participate, reach out to their club to see if they are already hosting the program. If the club is, they can join the session when it takes place. If they are not, they can participate in a program at another, nearby, club if they choose.

OFFICIAL PAYROLL PROVIDER OF PHILADELPHIA UNION

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Apr 7-8 CASA Freedom Festival

PA

Apr 8 APL Spring Showdown Downingtown, PA

Apr 8 Nether United Spring Invitational Wallingford, PA

Apr 29-30 8th Annual FC Delco Spring Invitational Downington, PA

May 6-7 BUSC Spring Fling Tournament

PA

May 6-7 The Challenger Invitational Manheim, PA

May 12-13 Whitpain Spring Classic

May 12-14 YMS EPIC 2023 Yardley, PA

May 13-14 The Challenger Invitational

May 19-20 Whitpain Spring Classic Centre Square Park

May 20-21 Reading Rage Flash

May 20-21 York Cup White Rose Classic York, PA

May 26-28 Hershey Memorial Day Challenge Hershey, PA

May 27-29 24th Annual FC Delco Players Cup Downingtown, PA

May 27-28 Gettysburg Blue Gray Cup Gettysburg, PA

Jun 3 Leon Grenko Memorial Soccer Tournament Jim Deitrich Park

Jun 17-18 The Mid-Atlantic Cup

2023 AWARDS

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer held its annual awards banquet on Friday, February 24, at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel. The following individuals and teams were awarded at the banquet:

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Gary Blockus, Lehigh Valley Youth Soccer League

COACH OF THE YEAR CHAMPIONS

Girls, Tom DeGeorge, Coppa Rage; and Boys, Dave Simpson, YMS

D’ANJOIELL AWARD

King of Prussia Soccer Club

MIKE BARR AWARD

Don Brady, ODP & Coaching Ed

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY

Angelo Zalalas, Angelo’s Soccer Corner

SERVICE TO YOUTH

Fred Potts, Rose Tree SC

Bob King, Hulmeville

TEAM OF THE YEAR CHAMPIONS

Boys, Ukrainian Nationals Elite 64 05B Girls, Philadelphia SC Coppa Rage

BANQUET

Head Games: Concussions in Soccer FAQ

By Stephen A. Stache, Jr MD

Concussion diagnosis and care has come a long way in the last decade. Leagues have made changes to help make the game safe across sports and the medical community’s understanding of how to diagnose and treat concussion has improved exponentially, in the last few years. Still, if contact is part of your sport, concussion is a risk. While orthopaedic injuries like ankle sprains and muscle strain account for the overwhelming majority of injuries in youth soccer, concussion rates are increasing and accounted for 10.6% of all boys’ soccer injuries and 21.9% of injuries in girls in 2021-2022 in the United States.

Below are some answer to frequently asked question regard concussions in soccer:

Q: What is the most common cause of concussion in soccer?

A: “Attempting to head the ball and colliding or falling is by far the #1 risk of concussions in youth soccer, causing more than 30,000 concussions each year. Heading accounts for nearly one third of concussions in youth soccer.”

Source: Concussion Legacy Foundation: https:// concussionfoundation.org/sites/default/ files/2021-01/Safer_Soccer_White_Paper_CLF.pdf

Q: Are younger children at increased for sustaining a concussion in sports? What about Gender?

A: “Older youths (12-17), females, those with a history of concussion, and those participating in high contact sports were found to have higher risks of sustaining a concussion”

Source: Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology: https://academic.oup.com/acn/ article/34/1/60/4938567

Q: What can I do to help protect my child from concussions?

A: Know your child. If your child does not feel comfortable heading the soccer ball,

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Stache is a non-operative sports medicine physician and serves as the Division Chief for Non-Operative Sports Medicine at Rothman Orthopaedics. He completed his fellowship and residency training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and obtained his medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College. He is board certified in both sports medicine and family medicine and has particular interest in concussion management.

Dr. Stache served as a team physician for a variety of sports teams on a professional, collegiate and high school level. Originally from the Pittsburgh area of southwestern Pennsylvania, he was a former collegiate athlete playing four years as a starter in football at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Stache previously served as the Head Team Physician for the Philadelphia Eagles and as a team physician for the Philadelphia 76ers. He currently serves on the medical staff for the Philadelphia Phillies, Drexel University and St. Joseph’s University

then he/she should probably not be doing it.

Technique, technique, technique. Make sure that they can do so safely participate in soccer with proper technique, including heading.

Know how to look for signs and symptoms of concussion. Make sure your league has protocols in place on how to manage game or practice incidents where concussion is suspected, who can and should pull an athlete from play and if an athlete should see a physician prior to returning to participate

Source: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: https://injury.research. chop.edu/blog/posts/concussionsyouth-soccer-current-guidelines-andresearch

Q: What about protective equipment? Can it make a difference?

A: “There is evidence that helmet use reduces head injury risk in skiing, snowboarding and bicycling, but the effect on concussion risk is inconclusive. No strong evidence exists for the use of mouthguards or face shields to reduce concussion risk.”

Source: Research: British Journal of Sports Medicine: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/43/ Suppl_1/i56.short

Q: What should an athlete to if they suspect that have a concussion?

A: GET OUT OF THE GAME!!!! Athletes who do not immediately report symptoms of a concussion and continue to participate in athletic activity are at risk for longer recoveries than athletes who immediately report symptoms and are immediately removed from activity.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC4874376/

Soccer is a phenomenal sport, and one that can be part of a life-long health and wellness plan that allows for continued participation long after youth, highschool and college soccer careers end. Knowledge is power, and while injury is unfortunately part of participation in every sport, the more you know the more prepared you can be. Always follow the rules of the game and participate with common sense and fair play. And most importantly, if you are injured, in any way, do not participate and seek medical attention.

WORD SEARCH

Test your soccer knowledge by finding each team in the word search below.

PRACTICE COACHING ED SOCCER

STATE CUPS

EPYSA GRASSROOTS

JUGGLE

ATHLETE NIKE GROW THE GAME

FORTUNE

TELLER

2

Cut and fold the square below to make your own soccer themed Fortune Teller.

3

1

8

Run 5 Sprints

4

Take a PK Do Your Goal Celebration Grab a Friend and Have a Pass Try a New Field Position

7

Juggle 30 Times Do a Bicycle Kick Dance to Your

Warm Up Playlist

6

5

SCAN THE QR CODE AND SUBMIT A VIDEO OF YOU OR SOME FRIENDS DOING THE FORTUNE TELLER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 2 UNION TICKETS!

What’s Trending

BOOK

Men in Blazers Present Gods of Soccer: The Pantheon of the 100 Greatest Soccer Players (According to Us)

PLAYERS

Nether United alum and former Eastern PA ODP player Auston Trusty made his senior national team debut on March 24 in Grenada. He started on the back line with former Philadelphia Union teammate Mark McKenzie. Photo credit: isiphotos.com.

SINEAD FARRELLY IS BACK

The former Spirit United Gaels star and ODP player from Havertown signed a one-year deal with NY/NJ Gotham FC of the NWSL, returning to the professional game after a sevenyear hiatus. Photo credit: NY/NJ Gotham FC.

“There were times when this did not feel possible for me,” she stated in a news release. “But I have made it to this moment, and I’m going to keep building on it. As I continue, I hope to inspire others to follow their dreams, no matter how far out of reach they may seem.”

TV SHOW

Ted Lasso returned in April for a third season on Apple TV+. Richmond AFC is back in the Premier League and no one is giving them a chance to stave off relegation heading into the start of the season. Promo image credit: Apple TV+

LOGO REFRESH

West-Mont United Soccer Association recently unveiled a new refreshed logo that teams will begin wearing for the 2023-2024 season.

ODP COACH SPOTLIGHT

Takiyah Thomas

COACHING HISTORY: West Chester University GK Coach, Nether United Zone 1 Director, EPYSA ODP U17G, Philadelphia Union PPP Program, Penn State Brandywine Assistant Coach, Neumann Assistant Coach, Rustin High School JV coach, Penn Fusion

FAVORITE THING ABOUT COACHING ODP: “Having the opportunity to meet and collaborate with highly skilled athletes and coaches.”

FAVORITE SONG BEFORE A GAME: Queen “We Will Rock You”

ACTRESS WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE: Aisha Tyler

GUILTY PLEASURE: Cookies

Austin Siodlowski

AKA: AS, SID, OZ

COACHING HISTORY: Penn FC - 6 Years, EPYSA ODP - 8 Years, USYS Region 1 ODP - 5 Years

FAVORITE THING ABOUT COACHING ODP: Working with players from outside of my home area. Seeing players challenge themselves beyond their everyday comfort zone.

FAVORITE SONG BEFORE A GAME: Blur - Song 2

ACTOR WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE: Aaron Paul

GUILTY PLEASURE: “Heluva Good! French Onion Dip” or Tony Luke’s Cheesesteaks

Takiyah alongside some of her players during an international trip

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Fernando Carrizo

AKA: DJ NANDO

Fernando has been coaching soccer for over 25 years. He started Futbol De Carizio Academia to help players work on their technical skills and tactical abilities and been an Eastern PA ODP coach since 2010. He’s coached U-12 and U-13 boys and girls, U-15 boys and is coaching U-14 Boys North. He’s also coached the Upper School boys team at Moravian Academy since 2012 and won three state titles (2014, 2019 and 2022).

FAVORITE THING ABOUT COACHING IN ODP: “Connecting with each and every player, male or female. Making players get out of their comfort zone and learning new positions is key to understanding and reading the game! Too many players are too comfortable playing one position.”

FAVORITE SONG TO LISTEN TO BEFORE A MATCH: Robbie TroncoFright Train (Original Song is about 10 minutes long) “Robbie Tronco is a DJ from Philadelphia and started TroncoDelphia record label in July 2007.

ACTOR WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE: Cristo Fernández (Ted Lasso)

GUILTY PLEASURE: DJing at Nightclubs!

QUARTERLY CALENDAR

ODP EVENTS

Apr 2-10 ODP International Trips London, Barcelona, Milan

Apr 2 ODP U12 and U13 Conference Games, U14+ Training

Apr 30 ODP U12 and U13 Conference Games, U14+ Training

May 20 ODP U12 and U13 ODP State Cups

May 21 ODP U12 and U13 Scrimmages, U14+ Training

Jun 5 ODP Training

Jun 9-11 ODP East Region Tournament

COACHING EDUCATION EVENTS

Apr-May 4 available D-License Courses

May

May 20 9v9

May 20 11v11

RESIDENT CAMP SCHEDULE

Jul

Jul

OUTDOOR CUPS

Jul