Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro winger Kerry Abello represented Region II ODP in an international tournament in Costa Rica February 15-20th. The Region II team was comprised of the top 2-5 players in the Region from each of the 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 teams. Kerry was the youngest member of the team and the only U14 player.

While in Costa Rica the team beat the Costa Rica U17 National Team 2-0. The Costa Rica team is currently preparing for the U17 Women’s World Cup, which it will host March 15-April 5th, The Region II team also beat the two top women’s teams in Costa Rica – Saprissa 4-0 and Arenal 5-0 to win the tournament.

In addition to playing soccer the players did some volunteer work with local children and took in the beautiful sights of Costa Rica. Below are YouTube links to four short videos with highlights of the trip.

http://youtu.be/KgaR8fZq0kc
http://youtu.be/fqHYwUd7g5Y
http://youtu.be/ElxmwIg0BcM
http://youtu.be/9GmikM5MisI

Three Team Chicago Academy teams participated in the elite Presidents’ Day Tournament February 13-17th in Phoenix, AZ. All three teams represented themselves and the club impressively.

Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro won the U14 division after going 4-0-1 with 9 goals for and 2 against. The final against AZ Arsenal – the fifth game in 67 hours – was won on a Jordan King PK in the 61st minute after a foul committed against Alyssa Bombacino. GK Bailee Witt earned her 3rd shutout of the tournament anchoring a stingy defense where Emma Rydholm, Kenndy Metzger, Kaitlyn Mauder, Katie Wieland, Sarah Avery, and Sofia Papoutsis all played pivotal roles.

On the attacking end Alyssa Bombacino (3 goals & 2 assists), Jamie Goralski (1 goal & 4 assists), and Jordan King (2 goals & 4 assists) led the way with Francesca Marconi, Kennedy Metzger, and Madison Zaleski also netting over the five games – 0-0 tie with AZ Arsenal, 1-0 win over Calgary Foothills, 3-1 win over Albion SC, 4-1 Semi-Final win over Colorado Storm, and the 1-0 Final win over AZ Arsenal .

With the win Cruzeiro became the top-ranked U14 team in Illinois and 4th-ranked team in Region II.

Team Chicago Academy-Brasilia competed in the U15 division and finished in 4th place after finishing 2nd in its group. Brasilia tied Scottsdale Blackhawks 1-1 in the opener with Jasmine Ruiz netting the goal on a great free kick, beat New Mexico Rush 2-0 on goals by Jasmine Ruiz and Maddie Lambert assisted by MaKenna Schoolman and Safia Hannin, and tied Colorado Storm 2-2 on a brace by Jasmine Ruiz from Jade Eriksen-Russo and Lupe Anguiano. Brasilia lost the 3rd place game against AZ Arsenal after dominating most of the game.

Team Chicago Academy-Bahia competed in the U13 division and finished in 3rd place after a 1-0 win against Pride SC (CO) on Sophia Majher’s goal assisted by Sarah Davies. Abby Brennan earned her 3rd shutout in four games behind a solid defense featuring Carolena Lund, Erin McCarthy, Jennifer (Jeff) Pochyly, Kiley McKee, Lauren Douglas, and Shannon Tagler.

Bahia lost its opener against Scottsdale Blackhawks 2-0, but then defeated Minnesota Thunder Academy Pre-ECNL 1-0 on another Sophia Majher goal from Molly Grant, and then defeated Colorado Storm 2-0 on a Molly Grant brace from Sophia Majher and Paige Miller.

The event was the last event prior to high school season for Brasilia. We wish all the girls the very best in the H.S. tryouts. For Cruzeiro and Bahia it served as a fantastic foundation to an exciting Spring season, which will include both MRL Premier Division play and the new IYSA State Cup round-robin format.

On the National Letter-of-Intent Signing Day Team Chicago Academy honored 17 2014 signees with a ceremony at PlayUSA

Below is a list of the 2014 signees:

Emily Curtis, Illinois Wesleyan University DIII

Hannah Rodgers, Illinois State University DI

Heather Handwork, Marquette University DI

Gianna Marconi, Colorado State University DI

Katie Ciesiulka, Marquette University DI

Kelsey Pruett, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville DI

Kristen Brots, Kent State University DI

Lilly Butler, Western Illinois University DI

Madi Harris, Case Western Reserve University, DIII

Mary Rounce, Michigan State University DI

Megan Buchanan, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne DI

Olivia Schmitt, University of Illinois DI

Rachael Brots, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville DI

Samantha O’Brien, Northern Illinois University DI

Sara Stevens, Grand Valley State University DII

Talise Romain, University of Florida DI

Tracey McCoy, Grand Valley State University DII

HELP ANDREW TAYLOR RAISE MONEY TO CONQUER CHILDHOOD CANCER

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/662279/2014
OR DONATE By Phone: (888) 899‑225

EVENT DATE: Mar 16, 2014
START TIME: 12:00 pm END TIME: 5:00 pm (Andrew’s exact shave time TBA)
LOCATION: Ballydoyle – The Irish Pub & Restaurant, 28 W. New York Street, Aurora, IL US
TEAM: Team Chicago Soccer

MESSAGE FROM ANDREW
I’m shaving my head to raise money for childhood cancer research! Did you know that kids’ cancers are different from adult cancers? It’s true. And childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So I decided to do something about it by raising money for cures. I am a soccer coach that has been lucky and blessed to have been involved in thousands of kids life. Now I am giving back to kids that have a hard life and hoping that I can make it a little easier. WAA and TEAM CHICAGO SOCCER CLUB supported Coach Jesse and I last year to raise $3,500, so let’s try again.
This year I am very honored to do it for a special cause. I want to dedicate this year’s shaving to a special little girl. My close friend Barry Briggs’ niece, Livie, is six years old and is currently being treated for leukemia. Ginger, Livie’s mother, comments "She has been so amazing through all of this so far! She is my hero.’’ I have never met this little girl but she is also my hero.
Now I need your help! Will you make a donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers.
Soccer coaches for the cure!

Three Team Chicago Academy players are currently representing Region II at the 2014 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Girls National Training Camp, taking place Jan. 27-31 at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz.

Midfielder/Forward Jasmine Ruiz from Team Chicago Academy-Brasilia is with the 1998 Region II Pool, while Winger/Forward Jamie Goralski and Center-mid Alyssa Bombacino, both from Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro, are with the 2000 Region II Team.

More than 200 athletes from the 1998, 1999 and 2000 age groups have been invited. In addition to numerous college coaches, U.S. Soccer will have representation at the Girls National Camp to offer enhanced development and education opportunities for these top players and coaches.

The Girls National Training Camp focuses on highlighting players’ individual talents as well as providing them with new tools and ideas through challenging daytime training and small-sided games. Players will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the nation’s top coaches to enhance their problem solving skills within the game, and better their technical and tactical abilities so they leave feeling confident in their performance.

US Youth Soccer ODP has continued its tradition of elite competition and player development for more than 30 years, and is the only development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League, and a majority of current and past national and youth national team members as alumni. US Youth Soccer ODP is the nation’s original player identification program, and with programs in all 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations, is available to any player, regardless of hometown or club affiliation. To learn more, visit http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/programs/OlympicDe….