2014, Our Emerald Year ...

Our Emerald Year…

This year, Emerald City FC celebrates its 35^th year and, appropriately enough, the gemstone associated with the 35^th anniversary is…the emerald.  So, 2014 is the Our Emerald Year at ECFC and we are committed to making it our best year ever.  The strength of our club is showing in every way: our numbers are growing, our teams are winning, our players are developing, our programs are tremendously successful.

 We recently announced a partnership with a Serie A (Italy’s top league) team, UC Sampdoria of Genoa.  This will bring new training opportunities and a new international presence in our city to further enrich the culture of not only our club but the larger soccer community around us.  A new website and new uniforms are also in store for 2014.  Our residence camp returns to Fort Casey August 15-17—a great event (mark your calendars—everyone should plan to attend!).

By every measure, Emerald City FC is a shining example of what can happen when you combine the most talented coaches, the most dedicated parents and the most committed players and focus all of that energy on to a guiding principle of proper player development.  Emerald City FC sets itself apart in many ways, but above all things, we boast the best coaches and best development philosophy in the region—hands down.  Accordingly, as we move forward into 2014, we will continue to embrace a single standard: excellence—in all things.  So, cheers to all and may everyone shine during Our Emerald Year.

Bill Walsh

Executive Vice President

Emerald City FC

Emerald City FC coaches and staff on the National Stage

Emerald City FC senior staff participated in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) annual convention last week. A highlight of the conference was a tour of the Philadelphia Union training facilities, including a visit with former M95 Green player Peace Brandon who is now a part of the Union’s training program. "The Philadelphia Union's Player Development / Academy Program is hands down the best in Major League Soccer.  The opportunity to see their facilities, meet with their staff and see how they are approaching the development of young people in the Union Academy Program was fantastic.  It was also very reaffirming in that we are congruent at Emerald City FC with the philosophy and vision that was evident in the long-term approach to the development of the young people in the Union's system." said Director of Coaching Erik Oman. "I was excited to visit with Peace and hear about how well he was doing in the Union Academy.  He felt that his experience at Emerald City FC had prepared him well for the step that he has taken in his life to be a part of the Philadelphia Union Academy Program."

The convention offers a multitude of workshops and continuing education opportunities, including both  lecture and field sessions on topics as wide ranging as technical and tactical components of the game, physical training of soccer players, psychological components of the game, long term player development, grant writing, fund raising, National Team reports, and focus groups related to directors of coaching, club board members, administrators, referees and others.  

As members of the NSCAA Academy National Staff, Erik Oman and Matthew Olson not only attended many sessions, they served as speakers and workshop moderators, each introducing several of the sessions during the week.  Erik focused much of his time on sessions related to club development, the NSCAA Club Standards Project and best practices research, long term player development programs, training the psychological components of the game and field sessions related to training the playmaker, developing vision and field awareness, and a demonstration by the Philadelphia Union Academy staff on the latest research in proper physical preparation and training of youth athletes.  In addition, both Erik and Matthew were invited to participate in the NSCAA Leadership and Diversity training event that preceded the start of the Convention on Tuesday.  

Ruth Nicholson, Emerald City Operations Manager, earned an NSCAA Club Development Diploma at the convention which included workshops on best practices in player development, models of club management, best practices and key roles in club operations, and risk management. She has also been invited to work with the Club Standards Project Coordinator in an upcoming advanced club assessment, as well as designing sessions for future on-line webinars.

Former Emerald City FC player, Aaron Kovar, chosen as Sounders FC next homegrown player

Emerald City FC would like to congratulate Aaron Kovar on being the second former ECFC player and Sounders Academy homegrown player to be signed by the Sounders FC. No other MLS club has signed three homegrown player contracts besides Sounders FC, were 2 of the players spent their formative development years playing for Emerald City FC.

Aaron Kovar, left mid for Stanford

For more on Aaron Kovar, his signing with the Sounders and life in Seattle, please click here

Sounders FC sign Aaron Kovar and Sean Okoli click here for the complete article.



Emerald City FC players selected to the 2013-2014 PSPL Academy - Updated with '01, '00, '99 age groups

Congratulations to the following Emerald City FC players who have been picked to join the PSPL Academy:

PSPL G'00
Francis Thyer, F'00 Green

PSPL G'96
Clare Fuget, F'96 Green
Libby Niehoff, F'96 Green

PSPL B'99
Saku Carter, M'99 Green
Ryan Farley, M’99 Green
Avery Jacobsen, M'99 Green
Jack Bong, M'98 Green
Tanner Hannay, M'98 Green
Alex Whalen, M'98 Green
Owen Whalen, M'98 Green

PSPL B'98
Luca Barsher, M'97 Green
Raj Bhatia, M'97 Green
John Reynolds, M'97 Green

PSPL B'96/'97
Hossie Ellahi, M'95 Green
Mac Lyle, M'97 Green


What is the PSPL Academy Program?
The Puget Sound Premier League offers opportunities for top players from U8 to U18 to improve their technique and boost their exposure to college and national team scouts! Player pools are selected for U12 to U18 boys and girls teams at tryouts in October, December and January. Best players are selected to represent the league and the state of Washington in US Club Soccer PDP regional events and in national showcase tournaments. Players can train monthly, twice-monthly or weekly depending on the program and the competitive cycle.

Want to know more about the PSPL Academy? Click here

2013-2014 ECFC Futsal Program

2013-2014 Emerald City FC Futsal Development Program

December to January

For 7 to 12 year olds

Open to ECFC and Non-ECFC players

 

 

ECFC 18th Annual Holiday Indoor Jamboree - December 23rd

All U8-U18 ECFC players are invited to play in what has become a great holiday tradition for Emerald City, the Holiday Indoor Jamboree.

·  Monday, December 23rd at ARENA SPORTS – Magnuson

·  Co-ed teams formed in 2 age groups: U8-U13 & U14-U18

·  Players enter as individuals and will be placed on teams

·  Round robin format; teams playing as many games as possible

·  First games for younger group will start at 9:00 AM SHARP!

·  First games for older group start after 1:00pm.

· Jamboree is FREE for all ECFC players – Players are encouraged to bring a friend - also for free!

Entry deadline is Noon Friday, December 20th. 

Enter by sending an email to the link below. 

Include player’s name, gender and age group

 mark@emeraldcityfc.org

Please provide an email address and phone number that is monitored regularly.

Teams and schedules will be emailed to participants the day before the event.

You MUST print the Arena Sports release form and have your player bring it with them when they check in for their first game. NO FORM, NO PLAY.

http://www.arenasports.net/about-us/waiver-form

 

Questions: contact mark@emeraldcityfc.org

Emerald City FC coach Scott Smith named Girls Soccer Coach of the Year by the Seattle Times !

 

Coach of the Year, Scott Smith, Bellevue High School

"It was a year of firsts at Bellevue as second-year coach Smith guided the Wolverines to their first KingCo 3A/2A regular-season title, first conference tournament title, and first state berth. Bellevue (17-4) finished third at state."

Scott Smith has been an ECFC coach since 2009 and is currently coaching ECFC F'02 Green, ECFC F'00 Green and ECFC M'02 White.

For the full Seattle Times article please click here