FRISCO, TX (March 3, 2020) — Teams have been putting in strong efforts to get an early jump on the standings within the Great Lakes and Midwest Conferences, as the Spring 2020 season continues in its early weeks. Looking back at this weekend, there were a number of matchups that resulted in teams getting that all-important first win in both the Premier I Divisions and the newly created Club vs. Club Divisions.
Great Lakes Conference
The first matchups of the inaugural season of the Club vs. Club Division in the US Youth Soccer Great Lakes Conference kicked off this past weekend at Withrow University High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kings Hammer Academy (OH-S) hosted Javanon FC (KY) as the clubs’ 15U, 16U, 17U, and 19U boys teams all began their Spring 2020 season in the Club vs. Club Division.
The two clubs each picked up victories in different age groups:
- KHA 05 Red won, 2-0
- Javanon 04 Boys Black won, 2-1
- KHA 03 Red and Javanon 03 Boys Black tied, 1-1
- KHA 01 Red won, 5-1
In the Girls 14U Premier I Division, CUP 06 Gold (OH-S) defeated Indiana Fire 06 (IN), 1-0 in Indianapolis, Ind. The win gives CUP an early lead in the standings with four points across its first two games. CUP’s first two opponents this season, TFA Elite 06 (OH-S) and Indiana Fire 06 (IN), finished the 14U Premier I Division fall season in first and second place, respectively, with CUP taking the third spot in the standings. Tommy Spijkers, head coach of CUP 06 Gold (OH-S), talked about what the team’s goals are for the rest of the season after the early success.
“Our number one goal this season is to develop and become better both as individuals and as a team,” Said Spijkers. “We are working to develop a style of play where the girls are successful. At this age, it starts to become more of a technical game, using all the players together instead of just one or two players doing well. We are learning how to create scoring opportunities while learning how to eliminate the other team’s most dangerous aspects at the same time.
“Indy Fire is a great team. We had to change up how we defended them because we were on our back foot for the first 15 minutes. But, our girls were able to listen to the coaching and make the necessary changes to get the job done. These are great kids who are dedicated to the game and it is fun to work them like this.”
To follow the results and standings this weekend, click here.
Midwest Conference
In the Midwest Conference, Lou Fusz Athletic (MO) hosted Libertyville FC 1974 (IL) on Sunday in St. Louis, Mo., for each club’s first matches in the Boys Club vs. Club Division. The clubs’ 15U-19U boys teams within the Club vs. Club Division met while looking to get off to a strong start to the season.
Both clubs picked up victories in different age groups:
- LFA Critchley 05 won, 1-0
- Lou Fusz Phillips 04 and Libertyville FC 1974 04 Elite tied, 0-0
- Lou Fusz SC Limpert 03 won, 4-0
- Libertyville FC 1974 02 Elite won, 4-3
- Libertyville FC 1974 01 Elite won, 2-1
Srgjan Smileski, director of Libertyville’s boys and girls senior teams and head coach of the 02 and 01 Libertyville FC 1974 boys teams, talked about what his club likes about the Club vs. Club format and what he looks forward to with the rest of the season.
“We like the different age groups traveling together,” said Smileski. “The younger guys get to watch the older players, which is beneficial to them. Having everyone being at the same location allows the opportunity for the teams, parents, and coaches within our club to support each other at each event.”
Smileski talked about what it takes for his teams to compete at this level.
“It takes hard work. We had to play with just 12 players on our 02 and 01 teams and it is tough to play with a 12-man roster in these older age groups. The boys don’t get much of a break between seasons, but they want to be a part of this and they are all determined.”
To follow the results and standings this weekend, click here.