0 LA Galaxy v Real Madrid This Thursday at Home Depot Center!

Not often does the opportunity turn up at our backdoor to watch one of the world's most prestigious club team play.  But this Thursday, August 2nd, the Galacticos of Real Madrid arrive in California to take on their namesakes - the LA Galaxy - in a friendly match at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

This is a wonderful chance for any soccer fan - young or old -  to experience the world's best players live and in the flesh.   Go compare the skill level and speed of players like MLS stars Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane with those of Madrid stars like Mesut Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. This is a great way for young players to learn how much potentially they truly have within themselves.

This event is not to be missed, so head over to the Galaxy's website for tickets...if there are any left.

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Posted in: california soccer,exhibition matches,LA Galaxy

0 US Women Advance to Olympic Quarterfinals!

Megan Rapinoe puts the US ahead!

After only 2 games, the US women's national team has already advanced to the quarterfinals of the Olympic soccer tournament with a 3-0 defeat of Colombia.

Megan Rapinoe (Redding, CA) built on her strong Olympic debut with a player-of-the-game performance today.  For quite some time the Futbol Collective has been enamored with Rapinoe's impressive wide play and ability to provide the quality service American forwards like Abby Wambach deserve.

Rapinoe's efforts were rewarded with the opening goal after a hard strike from distance in the 33rd minute.  Wambach then made it 2-0 in the second half - and in the meantime became the US's all-time leading scorer in Olympic play.  Finally veteran Carli Lloyd put the game out of reach in the 77th minute after an assist from Rapinoe.


 The US will play North Korea Tuesday in its final game of group play.  Big shout out to the USA women making American soccer proud once again. 

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Posted in: california soccer,megan rapinoe,us women's national team

1 California's Finest Strive to Bring Home Olympic Gold!

As the 2012 London Summer Olympics kick off today, the Futbol Collective would like to wish all the American athletes competing the best of luck in bringing home the gold.  Tune in to NBC Sports when US Women's National Team begin play today 9 AM PST against France.

Beyond soccer, this is a good time to recognize all the athletes from California who are contributing to America's quest to increase our lead on top of the all-time Olympics medals scoreboard.  For some interesting news please check our this article by the Oakland Tribune on the numerous Bay Area athletes representing the US including US Women's soccer star Alex Morgan (above). 

The article highlights that if the Bay Area were its own country, it would have finished 12th in the medal count at the last Olympics.  But the Futbol Collective doesn't wish to discriminate against our friends from the rest of California, so please send in news of any other Californians competing in London.

So we have to ask - if California had its own soccer national teams (men & women) who would you select for the team?
 

** One last note!  Congratulations to the family of Seattle Sounders forward and Salinas native David Estrada, whose brother Diego Estrada will represent Mexico in the 10,000 meters.  This is another reminder that California is such a wonderfully diverse state that we have athletes representing many other nations.  Show some love!

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Posted in: california soccer,olympic soccer

1 Congrats to MLS All-Star Michael Farfan!

The Futbol Collective would like to congratulate Philadelphia Union midfielder Michael Farfan on his addition to the MLS All-Star team to face Chelsea tomorrow.  This is a great accomplishment for the 24 year old from San Diego who has excelled for MLS' youngest squad in only his second year in the league.

But Michael is just one of many Californians on the San Jose Earthquakes dominated 18-man MLS All-Star team that will try to take down the Champions of Europe.  In fact 8 of the 11 Americans on the roster are from California!  Also representing the Golden State are:

• Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA), 
• Defenders Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes),  Ramiro Corrales (San Jose Earthquakes) & Heath Pearce (New York Red Bulls)
• Midfielder Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
• Forwards Chris Pontius (D.C. United) & Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Tune in tomorrow (7/25/12) at 5:30 pm PT on ESPN2/TeleFutura as California's best MLS players demonstrate the quality of American pro soccer!

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Posted in: california soccer,chivas usa,exhibition games,LA Galaxy,mls,san jose earthquakes

2 New Rule Change Limits International Players On Junior College Teams!

Over at Top Drawer Soccer J.R. Eskilson reports on a new rule change that will dramatically change the landscape of American junior college soccer.  For quite some time, many of America's best JuCo teams have relied heavily on recruiting international players to fill their rosters - severely limiting opportunities for young American players.

In response, the new rules, which take effect Fall 2012, limit the number of international players on a team's roster to only 4.  Early predictions suggest this change will impart a huge change on the quality and character of American JuCo soccer.  Take, for example, the fact that the two finalists in last year's JuCo National Championship - Cloud County Community College (Kansas) and Tyler Junior College (Texas) - carried a combined total of 15 Americans out of 52 players on their rosters.
In theory the new rule would then create 37 new opportunities for young Americans.

However it's not quite that simple.  If those new vacant rosters spots are filled by Americans, then surely there will be increased opportunity for young Americans to play at a highly competitive level.  But the numerous international players currently increase the quality of American JuCo soccer, and so their loss (or redistribution amongst other JuCo teams) will presumably decrease the overall level of play.  So there are obvious pros and cons....and teams like the UCSB Gauchos - who seems to have unearthed a gold mine scouting JuCo soccer - will have to change their recruiting approach.

The NASL, USL and NPSL are working diligently to expand the scope of lower division professional soccer in the United States, but they have a long way to go until they can provide adequate opportunities for all the talented players in America.  Until then, JuCo soccer remains an excellent way for international players to enter the American soccer market, and thereby gain exposure to NCAA and professional teams. 

What do you think about this new change? Will it turn out to be good or bad for the development of young American soccer players?  How about for college soccer?  Pro soccer?

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Posted in: california soccer,junior college soccer,ucsb gauchos

0 Bay Area Ambassadors Defeat Sonoma County Sol To Advance To NPSL Nationals!

The Futbol Collective would like to congratulate the Bay Area Ambassadors for winning the NPSL West Conference Championship.  The team from Hayward defeated the Sonoma County Sol 4-1 to advance to the NPSL National Championships.  We wish the Ambassadors the best of luck and are confident they will be bringing another National Championship back to California.

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Posted in: bay area ambassadors,california soccer,npsl,sonoma county sol

0 Amarikwa Begins His Toronto FC Debut With A Goal Against Liverpool!

Bakersfield's Quincy Amarikwa could not have asked for a better debut performance for MLS club Toronto FC.  After his Saturday morning move to the Canadian club, the 24 year old forward made an instant impression later that afternoon in Toronto's friendly against English giants Liverpool FC.  After entering in the second half, the former UC Davis standout fired the Canadian club to a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute.  Although Liverpool pegged a goal back a few minutes, Amarikwa's composed finish demonstrated that there is more than natural athleticism to his game.

So far Amarikwa has struggled to settle at a several MLS clubs so this move to Toronto FC may just prove to be the opportunity he has needed to blossom and fulfill his potential.  But clearly there are elements that Amarikwa needs improve to become a more dynamic and effect forward in the league.  What else do you think Amarikwa should add to his game to become a more complete player?

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Posted in: california soccer,exhibition matches,mls,transfers,uc davis aggies

2 Chad Barrett Weighs Up European Options

Experienced LA Galaxy forward Chad Barrett is currently on trial with Norwegian club Valerenga.  With only six months left on his contract with MLS, the former UCLA Bruin standout is weighing up his options in Europe.  At 27, this is a great opportunity for any interested European clubs to acquire a US international and proven MLS goalscorer.  At the prime of his career, where do you think Chad should continue his career? 

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Posted in: california soccer,los angeles galaxy,transfers,ucla bruins

1 3 California Teams Reach US Development Academy Finals!

3 teams from California have advanced to the finals of America's premier youth competition - the US Soccer Development Academy.  Once again this is a strong showing from Califronia's elite youth programs.  Along with MLS Club Chivas USA, amateur club's De Anza Force and Pateadores defeated MLS competition to reach the finals.  The Futbol Collective wishes all three teams the best of their luck in bringing further soccer glory to the Golden State!

De Anza Force U-17/U-18

Cupertino, California's De Anza Force U-17/U-18 have advanced to their first finals, taking place in Houston, Texas, after qualifying from a playoff group which included the LA Galaxy, CASL Chelsea FC, and Vardar SC Freiburg.  Here is profile on the elite youth club, who have outperformed local rival the San Jose Earthquakes, further demonstrating the quality of California youth soccer outside of the MLS academies.

The Force begin group play at Houston Amateur Sports Park:

• Monday, July 16: De Anza Force vs. Colorado Rapids, 8 p.m. CT
• Wednesday, July 18: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. De Anza Force, 9 p.m. CT
• Friday, July 20: North Carolina Fusion vs. De Anza Force, 8 p.m. CT

Chivas USA U-17/U-18

MLS club Los Angeles' Chivas USA U-17/U-18 also made it to the US Development Academy finals.  Here is a profile on the Chivas USA team, who triumphed over Charlotte Soccer Academy, New England Revolution and the New York Red Bulls.

Chivas USA play:

• Monday, July 16: FC Dallas vs. Chivas USA, 9 p.m. CT
• Wednesday, July 18: Chivas USA vs. Solar Chelsea SC, 8 p.m. CT
• Friday, July 20: Chivas USA vs. Baltimore Bays Chelsea, 9 p.m. CT

Pateadores U-15/U-16

In the younger age group, Pateadores reached the finals by defeating Albertson FC and the New England Revolution, and tying Dallas Texans.  The U-15/U-16 want to repeat the performances of the Pateadores U-17/U-18 team which won the 2011 Development Academy.  Here is a profile on the powerhouse club from Southern California, who professional players like Maurice Edu, Chance Myers, Danny Califf, Matt Reis and Brian Perk.

The Pateadores opponents are:

• Tuesday, July 17: New York Red Bulls vs. Pateadores, 8 p.m.
• Thursday, July 19: Pateadores vs. Charlotte Soccer Academy, 9 p.m.
• Saturday, July 21: Pateadores vs. Chicago Fire, 8 p.m.

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Posted in: california soccer,chivas usa,development academy,los angeles galaxy,mls,san jose earthquakes,youth soccer

0 LA Blues Welcome Guatemala's Most Successful Club!

The Los Angeles Blues will play host to C.S.D. Municipal - Guatemala's most storied soccer club - on July 22 in Fullerton, California.  Kickoff at 5 PM.  Check it out!

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Posted in: california soccer,exhibition matches,Los Angeles Blues

2 Maurice Edu and the Sinking Ship

Glasgow Rangers, one of Scotland most celebrated clubs, have just been banished to the Third Division because of their financial instability.  Maurice Edu has been a standout performer for Rangers, but at the peak of his career he must look for another club.  Where next for the tough-but-skilled midfield dynamo?

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Posted in: california soccer,californians abroad

0 Bocanegra's Next Move?

California native and US national team captain Carlos Bocanegra has recently left financially troubled Glasgow Rangers now that the club has been demoted to the Scottish Third Division.  Goal.com's Brent Latham suggests Boca weigh up his option in Mexico.  At 33 years of age where do you think he should finish his playing career?

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Posted in: california soccer,californians abroad,ucla bruins

0 Soccer Without Limits presents Peter Lowry's "The Lowry Lowdown"

Soccer Without Limits  has just started an interesting editorial series written by former Santa Clara University star Peter Lowry.   A talented midfielder with deft touch and vision, Lowry grew up playing youth soccer in California for Sacramento's San Juan United and the Irvine Strikers.

While Peter figures out the next stop in his career path after recently leaving the Portland Timbers, please check out "The Lowry Lowdown" to get the inside scoop on life as a professional soccer player.

Here are the links to Peter's first two contributions:  1) MLS: Not as Easy as it Looks  & 2) An Ex-Player’s Perspective on Playing in Portland

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Posted in: california soccer,mls