Coach Ken's Blog

Is it party time?

2011-11-08T17:33:00.000-08:00

Is it party time yet? 2011 youth recreational soccer is coming to a close in Washington, which for a lot of teams means, party time! What do most teams do to celebrate their soccer accomplishments? When and where do teams have their parties? Who pays for it? Here are a few thoughts to ponder and help you plan your soccer team party.

The vast majority of teams celebrate their soccer season’s end with a pizza party and a brief award ceremony. Many pizza restaurants work well for this. Alfy’s seems to be extremely popular because they offer pizza discounts to sports teams and often have rooms or areas that can be reserved and sectioned off for the party. Look up your favorite local pizza places on-line and give them a call to see if they’ll offer special pricing and will reserve tables for you.

What other ideas are there? You may want to consider having a pot luck dinner at a parent’s or coaches home? It can be less costly, a more family/friend cozy atmosphere, and less stressful (except for the host maybe)? Perhaps renting an indoor soccer arena for an hour is in the team budget? How about doing something fun with everyone that doesn’t involve soccer, such as bowling, roller/ice skating, or whirlyball? These last few ideas will likely cost a bit more, but I can tell you from experience your kids enjoy these activities and themselves, which is after all, the main point, right?

So who pays for the food, awards, and party expenses? Well, the parents do, of course, unless your team had a fundraising event and earned money to spend on the party! How much and how the expenses are paid for varies, but most teams have a parent or two who collects money for specific expenses, such as trophies, and who then looks to find the best deal and purchase the awards. Pizza is often ordered and paid for by each individual family as they arrive to the restaurant. Other party ideas, food, and expenses can be handled however best suites the team and person/people organizing it.

So what did your team do to celebrate their soccer accomplishments? Please share your experience and ideas with me and other readers! Thanks!

TBSC BU13 Arsenal win 7-2 over Silver Lake

2011-09-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

The Terrace Brier Soccer Club (TB) Boys Under 13 (BU13) Arsenal team coached by Ken Kruse remain in first place in their division based upon goal differential with a 7-2 victory over Silver Lake Soccer Club (SL) BU13 team coached by Ellis at Silver Firs Elementary in South Everett Sunday afternoon, September 25. This match marked both teams’ third match of North County Youth Soccer Association’s league play in which affiliate club teams are competing for points to become division champions.

Arsenal boasts solid defense, which is key to their 3-0-0 start to the season. They have given up only 3 goals in three matches with one shut out. Arsenal’s back line is anchored by Henry Shaw. His strength and speed continually win him battles for the ball making it difficult for opposing forwards to achieve anything in Arsenal’s defensive third of the field.

Arsenal also credits their wins to talented strikers with an ability to finish in combination with good passing from mid-field players. Arsenal’s Jon Ceja-Torres led off the scoring after being substituted in around the ninth minute. Ceja-Torres ended up with 4 goals on the day. Trevor Swanson added 2 more and Luis Gomez 1 to make up Arsenal’s 7 goals. Other notable forward pressure and shot attempts came from Devan Kirk and Ashton Kuanoni during the normal course of play. Ben Coffelt attempted a penalty kick, which Devan Kirk earned with a few minutes remaining, but SL’s keeper made very good save.

Arsenal’s goals were assisted by Sean Kirk (2), Devon Kirk (1), Jon Ceja-Torres (1), and Julio Maldonado (1).

TB’s BU13 Arsenal took a secure hold on their division with the 7-2 win. They have scored 22 goals while giving up 3 thus far into the season.

Arsenal Head Coach Ken Kruse gave significant credit to goalkeepers Julio Maldonado and Josh Ernst, along with all the defensive players, for the win. After the match he commented, “The entire defense is my MVP for this match.” Arsenal’s goalkeepers and defensive players were credited with some great saves and tackles. Coach Kruse was impressed with their ability to mark players, tackle the ball, and transition play quickly back into the opponents half of the playfield nearly each time SL’s strikers moved the ball forward and applied pressure.

Coach Kruse’s Terrace Brier team (3-0-0) next face Coach Herrmann’s Sno-King team (0-0-3) at Killdeer field on Sunday, October 2, at 2:00pm.

Please visit ncyouthsoccer.com and terrace-brier.org for additional details about their youth soccer programs and more scores from throughout the league.

EdCC wins 2-0 over TCC

2011-09-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Your Edmonds Community College (EdCC) men’s soccer team earned three points in their 2-0 win over Tacoma Community College (TCC) at Tacoma’s campus September 14. This match marked both teams’ opening of league play in which NWAACC soccer teams are competing for points to win their division and a spot in the post season play-offs.

EdCC Triton’s and TCC Titan’s boast solid defenses and some big players in their respective back lines. EdCC’s Tommy Ellis and Ellis Miyaoka along with TCC’s Garett Devore continually won aerial battles for the ball making it difficult for forwards to achieve anything centrally.

EdCC’s Allen Gregorios led off the scoring in the 60^th minute on a crossed ball from Kirby Hutto that eluded TCC’s goalkeeper, Chris Hicks. The final goal was scored in the 72^nd minute by defender Tommy Ellis off a corner kick. Tommy found the ball at his feet amidst the corner kick mayhem in the goal box. He got a solid foot on the ball which deflected off another player and into the back of the net.

EdCC did not need any more goals to secure the win. EdCC vaulted to the top of NWAACC’s North Division with the shut-out victory.

EdCC Head Coach Brandon Mitalas gave significant credit to goalkeeper Simon Aspinall for the win. After the match he said, “Simon is my MVP for this match.” Nearly any soccer coach will tell you shut-outs are difficult to achieve and this holds true across the NWAACC. Aspinall was credited with some great saves and has achieved his second shut-out in as many matches.

EdCC (3-3-0) next faces Peninsula (6-0-0) at Edmonds on Saturday, September 17 at 4:00pm. TCC (1-2-1) will play at home against Shoreline (0-6-0) at 2:00pm the same day.

Please visit NWAACC, EdCC, and TCC for additional details about their athletic programs and more box scores from throughout the league.

Kirby Hutto: Alaska’s 2011 Gatorade player of the year

2011-09-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

Meet Kirby Hutto, Alaska’s 2011 Gatorade player of the year. Hutto is starting his college career at Edmonds Community College (EdCC) as a student athlete in the fall quarter of 2011. He is playing for the men’s soccer program. Hutto’s played soccer since he was four years old and recently decided to come south from Anchorage, AK to join the EdCC Tritons for his first year of college. As the saying goes, “He is one to watch.”

Head coach Brandon Mitalas is excited about adding Hutto’s soccer talent and leadership characteristics to this year’s EdCC team. Mitalas stated, “Kirby has great skills and passion for the game. He makes people around him better.”

Kirby Hutto’s profile, in brief:

Height: 6’1”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Mile run: 5 min. & 20 sec.
Current Soccer Objective: Win the men’s NWAACC soccer championship.

Youth Soccer Experience:

1^st youth recreational team name - Bombers
Age 9 – starting playing up two age levels
Competitive Anchorage club team name - Velocity
Select/Traveling Alaska state team name – Northstars (http://www.alaskanorthstars.com/)

Olympic Development Program:

Participated in 2005, 2006, 2007
Made All-Star team in 2005 and 2006

High School:

Attended South Anchorage HS
Played Varsity 3 years
Team captain senior year
Voted team MVP
Voted “most inspirational” by his teammates

Hobbies and favorites:

Enjoys snowboarding, soccer, soccer, more soccer…
Favorite foods - eats just about anything put in front of him
Favorite movies - Hangover series, Planet of the Apes

Kirby Hutto has far reaching soccer potential. One should keep an eye on his soccer career with great interest. Check out the EdCC schedule at edcc.edu/athletics and come watch Hutto play this fall!

TBSC hosted coaching clinic: goalkeeping

2011-08-24T17:51:00.000-07:00

COACHING CLINIC: GOALKEEPING

Who will benefit: Youth Coaches and Goalkeepers
Date: September 9, 2011 (Friday)
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Venue: Killdeer field (address & directions below)

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT:

Fundamental foot work
Hand eye coordination
Saving and ball stopping techniques
Distribution skills

INSTRUCTOR: COACH BRANDON MITALAS
Coaching Highlights and Experience: Brandon is in his third year as head coach of the EdCC men’s program and coaches two Seattle United girl’s teams. He previously coached for Clackamas Community College, Warner Pacific College and Highline Community College. He helped coach the Shorecrest HS Boys Team to a State Championship in 2005. He’s coached teams at Eastside United in Portland and the Washington Rush, while also serving as Director of Goalkeeping for those youth clubs.
Goalkeeping Highlights and Experience: 3 Washington State Youth Championships; 2 third place finishes in WIAA State High School Playoffs; Seattle Sounders Select in 2000-2001 – made US Cup quarterfinals; Twice a 3rd place finisher with Washington State U23’s at National Championships; Seattle Pacific University; NWAACC Conference All Star; Warner Pacific College; Hibernian Saints – 2005 USASA Amateur Cup National Champions.

*REGISTRATION
Registration Deadline: 12:00pm on September 9, 2011
Register via:

email to Kruse81@gmail.com or
phone at 425-610-8272

Please include in your email or phone message:

First and last name (spell slowly if by phone)
Email address (spell slowly if by phone)
Soccer club affiliation

*You will not receive registration confirmation. Registrants will receive an email message if cancelled.

COST:

FREE to Terrace Brier Soccer Club (TBSC) members with advanced registration.
Non-TBSC members will be charged $2.00 per person with advanced registration.
$4.00 per person without advanced registration.
Payments will be collected “at the door” – CASH ONLY!

Killdeer Field Address: 21705 58th Ave W., Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Directions: I5 North/South - Exit 179 (220th) - head east to 58th. Left on 58th (heading north). Field is on the right, behind the City Church.

Hosted by Terrace Brier Soccer Club. Visit us at www.terrace-brier.org

44 teams & 44 matches in 2 days

2011-08-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Check out 44 action packed college matches on August 31 and September 1 at the Starfire soccer complex. Your local Northwest Athletic Association of Community College (NWAACC Conference) men's and women's soccer programs will be participating! This is the men's schedule and this is the women's schedule.

EdCC men's soccer team seeking ball manager's for home games

2011-08-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

Are you looking to watch some fast paced soccer? Check out the Edmond's Community College (EdCC) men's team! Your EdCC men's team is looking for youth teams and players interested in being ball manager's for home matches. If interested, please contact Coach Ken by email at Kruse81@gmail.com for details.

The men's soccer mome matches are played at Meadowdale High School while the college is contructing a new multi-sport turf play field on campus. You can learn more about EdCC Athletics by visiting their website.

Here's the men's schedule:
1. Aug 20 – Sat – Edmonds vs Trinity Lutheran– Meadowdale HS – 1pm
2. Aug 20 – Sat – Edmonds vs– South Puget Sound -Meadowdale HS – 7pm
3. Aug 31 – Wed - Edmonds vs Pierce – Starfire #3 - 9:00 am
4. Sep 01 – Thurs – Edmonds vs Clark – Starfire #2 – 1:00pm
5. Sep 04 – Sun - Edmonds vs Wenatchee Valley– Wenatchee Valley– 1:00pm
6. Sep 06 – Tues – Edmonds vs Chemeketa – Meadowdale HS – 7:30pm
7. Sep 12 – Mon – Edmonds vs Spokane - Meadowdale HS – 7:30pm
8. Sep 14 - Wed - Edmonds vs Tacoma – Tacoma – 4:00pm
9. Sep 17 – Sat - Peninsula vs Edmonds – Meadowdale HS – 4:00pm
10. Sep 21 – Wed - Edmonds vs Olympic – Olympic – 4:00pm
11. Sep 28 – Wed - Bellevue vs Edmonds – Meadowdale HS – 7:30pm
12. Oct 01 – Sat - Edmonds vs Highline – Highline – 2:00pm
13. Oct 05 – Wed - Everett vs Edmonds – Meadowdale HS – 7:30pm
14. Oct 08 – Sat - Whatcom vs Edmonds – Meadowdale HS – 4:00pm
15. Oct 12 – Wed - Edmonds vs Skagit Valley – Skagit Valley – 4:00pm
16. Oct 19 – Wed - Edmonds vs Shoreline – Meadowdale HS – 7:30pm
17. Oct 22 – Sat - Edmonds vs Everett – Kasch #2 – 2:00pm
18. Oct 26 – Wed - Edmonds vs Whatcom – Whatcom – 4:15pm
19. Oct 29 – Sat - Skagit Valley vs Edmonds – Meadowdale HS – 4:00pm
20. Nov 05 – Sat - Edmonds vs Shoreline – Shoreline – 4:00pm

How to watch USA vs Mexico men's soccer

2011-08-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in watching the USA vs. Mexico men’s soccer match on Wednesday, August 10, 2011? You can find it on ESPN3 at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT. Otherwise check your local listings or US Soccer for further coverage information.

It’s a good rivalry and this international friendly should be an interesting match to watch given how Mexico soundly handled USA in the Gold Cup final not too long ago. It’s also the first match for new USA men’s national team head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann.

Brandon Mitalas Interview

2011-08-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

I recently interviewed Brandon Mitalas, men's head coach for Edmonds Community College. http://www.examiner.com/soccer-in-seattle/interview-with-edcc-men-s-head-soccer-coach-brandon-mitalas

Neymar's got talent: how do you develop a player to be the best they can be?

2011-08-05T12:10:00.000-07:00

What do you think of Neymar's skills? True, Neymar's got innate soccer intelligence and talent, but what do you believe it takes to develop one's talent and make a player the best they can be?

Please watch this video and comment!

Following your community school soccer?

2011-08-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

August is here and starting a new school year is just around the corner. This means soccer training and tryouts are coming up shortly for Seattle area high school girls, 1A/2B boys, and all local community college student athletes. Who will be this season’s goal scoring and assist leaders? Which goalkeepers and their defenses will attain frequent shutouts and lead their teams into post season playoffs and become champions? At this point, one can only speculate.

You can follow your local community high schools and colleges 2011 soccer seasons by frequently checking out these key Internet resources:
1. Seattle Times high school sports section
2. Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
3. MaxPreps, a CBSSports.com site for high school sports
4. Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC)

Can you expect to hear about previously lesser known soccer players as they rise up out of the woodwork? You bet, but it’s too early for any reliable 2011 polls and rankings. Many teams lost coaches or key players to graduation or other ‘life’ events. Tryout completions and submitted official team rosters will provide some keen insight about returning players and team rankings. Start checking the resources mentioned above frequently as the end of August draws nearer.

Please clue me in! Do you know any student athletes playing soccer this fall that you believe will make a positive impact on the field, in the classroom or in your community? What can you tell me about them?

What is goal line technology?

2011-07-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

What exactly is goal line technology? Does it work? Implementing it will improve the game and lay to rest all those controversial game scoring moments and referee decisions, right?
Soccer fans, according to several blogs and article comments, seem to confuse goal line technology with ‘instant replay’ technology used in sports like American football or basketball. Soccer’s goal line technology is not even close to instant replay. Goal line technology uses radio waves between a transmitter inside specially designed soccer balls and other strategically placed units, such as upon goal posts. The radio signals indicate when the ball has crossed over the goal line, between the posts and under the crossbar. When such an event occurs a ‘goal’ signal is transmitted, which ultimately ends up on a specially designed referee watch with the word ‘GOAL’. The radio transmitting and signaling to the referee happens within a couple seconds. Unlike instant replay technology there is no undue stoppage in play to watch video, thank God! Watch this video to gain a better understanding about goal line technology.

Does the technology work? Yes, according to its engineers and FIFA officials who’ve witnessed the technology’s most recent testing. It is no longer a matter of whether or not the technology is reliable or even if it should be used. It will be. Implementing goal line technology at the highest levels of competition is only a matter of time, perhaps two or three years now, as opposed to decades. From there, it is only a matter of additional time to make the technology more cost effective, along with leagues across the globe finding sufficient resources to implement it, and voila, the world’s beautiful game is all better, right?

What positive or negative impacts will implementing goal line technology have on the game? Please, share your thoughts.

Wednesday’s Soccer Word: Nutmeg

2011-07-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

Learning word’s meanings improves one’s brainpower. Using soccer terminolgy correctly in sentences suggests advanced knowledge and understanding about the world’s game. So, let’s broaden our vocabulary with Wednesday’s soccer word.

Nutmeg – passing the ball between or through another player’s legs. This is considered one of the most embarrassing things you can do to an opponent, or worse, have done to you on the pitch.

Sentence Example: Man U’s forward nutmegs Sounder FC’s defender near the top of the penalty box and then strikes a brilliant ball on his next touch into the upper corner of the net for a 1-0 lead! How humiliated the defender must feel!

Now it's your turn. Make an effort to use it in a coversation in the next hour!

Good Luck!

Have You Ever Been Upset with Sports Officiating?

2011-07-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

Ever been upset with a referee's or umpire's call?

Read my amusing article... http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8210411/10_things_to_improve_soccer_officiating.html

10 Things to Improve Soccer