Saturday, January 30, 2010
Mexican Soccer coming to M'boro in Summer 2010
This Summer, MTSU's Floyd Stadium will be the venue as two "Mexican Soccer Powerhouses" face off in a match to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation. Not many details are available yet, but I'll be keeping an eye on this page for updates.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Cheatham County Special Olympics headed to national games
There's a great story in the Tennessean abouta Special Olympics Soccer Team from Cheatham County that will compete in the National Games being held July 18 to 23 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Atlanta Beat Stadium
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Secrets of a Soccer Mom
Interesting play coming to town ... Starting February 26th, the Tennessee Women's Theater Project will be performing the play "Secrets of a Soccer Mom", which they describe as "Three engaging women reluctantly take the field in a mothers vs. sons soccer game, intending to let the children win. However, as the game unfolds they become more intent on scoring, and realize that the competition has kindled a desire to recapture their spirit of adventure."
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Trevecca Signees & other Local Player News
A few recent news items ...
Trevecca Nazarene announced the signing of Lanie Foutch from Hendersonville High School and Rachel Mayes from Father Ryan.
A bunch of Nashville Metro players will be taking part in the USL player showcase in February ... Jason Bristol, Kevan Hawkins, Bryan Lowder, Sam Roca and Jeff Shield.
Interesting story about the KnoxCrush 99 Boys team over at the club's website predicting : "99 Boys Making National Impact"
Chelsea Stewart of Vanderbilt is playing on Team Canada in the CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championships and will be in the semis against Mexico tomorrow.
Trevecca Nazarene announced the signing of Lanie Foutch from Hendersonville High School and Rachel Mayes from Father Ryan.
A bunch of Nashville Metro players will be taking part in the USL player showcase in February ... Jason Bristol, Kevan Hawkins, Bryan Lowder, Sam Roca and Jeff Shield.
Interesting story about the KnoxCrush 99 Boys team over at the club's website predicting : "99 Boys Making National Impact"
Chelsea Stewart of Vanderbilt is playing on Team Canada in the CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championships and will be in the semis against Mexico tomorrow.
Nashville and the NPSL
The other major amateur league is the National Premier Soccer League NPSL.
Not long ago, there were rumors that there would be a team in Nashville with an ownership group that was not affiliated with the Nashville Metros. However, this past weekend the Perfectly Weighted Through Blog reported that the Nashville group removed their application in December.
But even so, the NPSL gives us a couple of additional options for watching games, by visiting Atlanta for Atlanta FC, Birmingham for Pumas FC, Chattanooga for Chattanooga FC, or Huntsville for Rocket City United.
Not long ago, there were rumors that there would be a team in Nashville with an ownership group that was not affiliated with the Nashville Metros. However, this past weekend the Perfectly Weighted Through Blog reported that the Nashville group removed their application in December.
But even so, the NPSL gives us a couple of additional options for watching games, by visiting Atlanta for Atlanta FC, Birmingham for Pumas FC, Chattanooga for Chattanooga FC, or Huntsville for Rocket City United.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Nashville and the PDL
So far we've determined that if you live in Nashville and want to watch professional soccer your choices are limited, to say the least.
But if we take a look at our country's best amateur leagues, the picture is a whole lot different.
There are two amateur leagues that are about equal to each other. The first is the USL's Pacific Development League (or PDL). Don't let the name fool you ... it has, at the time of this writing, 68 teams in 8 division ranging from Vancouver to Bermuda and from Vermont to Houston.
Included in the Southeast Division are our own Nashville Metros. The Metros have been around since 1989, which is a very long time in soccer years. As news comes out about their 2010 season, I'll be sure to post it here.
But if we take a look at our country's best amateur leagues, the picture is a whole lot different.
There are two amateur leagues that are about equal to each other. The first is the USL's Pacific Development League (or PDL). Don't let the name fool you ... it has, at the time of this writing, 68 teams in 8 division ranging from Vancouver to Bermuda and from Vermont to Houston.
Included in the Southeast Division are our own Nashville Metros. The Metros have been around since 1989, which is a very long time in soccer years. As news comes out about their 2010 season, I'll be sure to post it here.
Nashville and the USL Second Division
In the last couple of posts I talked about Division 2 soccer. Well, just underneath that is Division 3 Pro Soccer and in the United States that is the USL Second Division, also known as USL2. It will be interesting to see if and how this league is affected by the USL / NASL turmoil, but as of 2010 there are only six teams in it, none of which are close to us.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Youth License Training in Franklin
There will be classes for the US Youth Soccer National Youth License in Franklin on March 5-7 and 13-14.
More details, as well as information about other coaching upcoming coaching classes, can be found at the Tennessee Soccer Association site.
More details, as well as information about other coaching upcoming coaching classes, can be found at the Tennessee Soccer Association site.
Nashville and the NASL
In the last post, I mentioned the NASL (North American Soccer League). It's likely to be one of the big soccer stories in 2010 and 2011 as it attempts to take control of Division 2 soccer.
In 2010, it's operating a combined league with the USL, but it appears that the door is wide open for them to build and launch an exclusively NASL league in 2011.
Assuming that happens, they have already announced that Atlanta will join the league in 2011 along with several unnamed cities.
In 2010, it's operating a combined league with the USL, but it appears that the door is wide open for them to build and launch an exclusively NASL league in 2011.
Assuming that happens, they have already announced that Atlanta will join the league in 2011 along with several unnamed cities.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Nashville and the USL
In the United States, along with the MLS and WPS, we also have several other professional and amateur leagues, including some regional and indoor leagues.
Some of these leagues compete against each other, but there is also a bit of a hierarchical structure involved.
For example, in men's soccer under the MLS we have Division 2 soccer, which for many years was the USL. But recently there have been a lot of changes, as the USL was sold, and several teams formed a breakaway league called the NASL. There can only be one official Division 2 league, so there's been a lot going on over the last few months.
If you want to learn more about that just try googling "USL NASL dispute" or read some of the articles at
Inside Minnesota Soccer.
The current status of the dispute is that USL and NASL will run a joint league in 2010, and then in 2011 something else will happen. Most people believe is that the "something else" is going to be exclusively NASL.
The joint league will have twelve teams, the closest of which is in St. Louis.
This still looks like a very fluid situation and 2011 could be very different than 2010, but it looks like at least for the next year we'll have to take a trip if we want to see any Div 2 games.
Some of these leagues compete against each other, but there is also a bit of a hierarchical structure involved.
For example, in men's soccer under the MLS we have Division 2 soccer, which for many years was the USL. But recently there have been a lot of changes, as the USL was sold, and several teams formed a breakaway league called the NASL. There can only be one official Division 2 league, so there's been a lot going on over the last few months.
If you want to learn more about that just try googling "USL NASL dispute" or read some of the articles at
Inside Minnesota Soccer.
The current status of the dispute is that USL and NASL will run a joint league in 2010, and then in 2011 something else will happen. Most people believe is that the "something else" is going to be exclusively NASL.
The joint league will have twelve teams, the closest of which is in St. Louis.
This still looks like a very fluid situation and 2011 could be very different than 2010, but it looks like at least for the next year we'll have to take a trip if we want to see any Div 2 games.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Pro Futsal Exhibition and other News
According to the Middle Tennessee Super F League, there is going to be a pro futsal exhibition featuring the Detroit Ignition and the Nashville Nitro at Pope John Paul II High School on Saturday February 6th. Additional info from MVP Sports Training is that ticket prices are $6 and $20 and the game will feature former National Futsal Player Drew Drucker.
Nashville Metros FC has a page up for the 2010 Metros Mayhem Cup, which sounds like a new tournament. Dates for it are May 15th and 16th, but there are no other details yet.
The 3v3 Live Soccer Tour is scheduled to be back in town at Moss Wright Park on May 22, 2010.
Two Tennessee players have been named to ODP interregional All-Star Teams ... Seth Williams from Knoxville and Landon Foster from Franklin.
Nashville Metros FC has a page up for the 2010 Metros Mayhem Cup, which sounds like a new tournament. Dates for it are May 15th and 16th, but there are no other details yet.
The 3v3 Live Soccer Tour is scheduled to be back in town at Moss Wright Park on May 22, 2010.
Two Tennessee players have been named to ODP interregional All-Star Teams ... Seth Williams from Knoxville and Landon Foster from Franklin.
Nashville and the WPS
WPS stands for Women's Professional Soccer and it is the top level of Professional Soccer for women in the U.S. It started in 2009 with seven teams, the closest of which was in St. Louis. That made it the closest Top-Level Pro team to Nashville.
But that won't last long because in 2010, the league is expanding to nine teams, including the new Atlanta Beat. That's definitely close enough for Nashville are soccer fans to take in a game and see some of the women's players that have played and will be playing on Olympic and World Cup teams.
The Beat will open the year with an away game on April 11. Home games will be announced along with the full league schedule later this year.
They are continuing to build their roster, but so far have a number of players with international experience including 2009 Swiss Player of the Year Ramona Bachmann, Canadian World Cup Veteran Sharolta Nonen and USWNT member (and last week's #1 draft pick) Tobin Heath.
But that won't last long because in 2010, the league is expanding to nine teams, including the new Atlanta Beat. That's definitely close enough for Nashville are soccer fans to take in a game and see some of the women's players that have played and will be playing on Olympic and World Cup teams.
The Beat will open the year with an away game on April 11. Home games will be announced along with the full league schedule later this year.
They are continuing to build their roster, but so far have a number of players with international experience including 2009 Swiss Player of the Year Ramona Bachmann, Canadian World Cup Veteran Sharolta Nonen and USWNT member (and last week's #1 draft pick) Tobin Heath.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Kick It 3v3 Soccer World Championships
I spent last weekend at the Kick It 3v3 Soccer World Championships in Orlando, FL.
Games were played in great weather at the beautiful Disney Wide World of Sports Complex and the state of Tennessee was well represented in the field, with several teams proceeding deep into the tournament.
Congratulations to the following teams, all of which finished in the top 5 of their divisions.
- CCSA Tigers from Pleasant View, which finished 3rd in the 00 Male Silver division
- Chivas United from Buda ... 3rd place ... 97 Male Gold
- Lady Firestorm from Pleasant View ... 1st ... 03 Female Open
- Joga Bonito of Clarksville ... 2nd ... 03 Female Open
- Nashville Galaxy Girls ... 4th ... 93 Female Fold
Games were played in great weather at the beautiful Disney Wide World of Sports Complex and the state of Tennessee was well represented in the field, with several teams proceeding deep into the tournament.
Congratulations to the following teams, all of which finished in the top 5 of their divisions.
- CCSA Tigers from Pleasant View, which finished 3rd in the 00 Male Silver division
- Chivas United from Buda ... 3rd place ... 97 Male Gold
- Lady Firestorm from Pleasant View ... 1st ... 03 Female Open
- Joga Bonito of Clarksville ... 2nd ... 03 Female Open
- Nashville Galaxy Girls ... 4th ... 93 Female Fold
Nashville and the MLS
It would be great to have a Professional Soccer team in Nashville to watch. But since it will probably be a while before that happens, I thought I'd spend a little time and see how close we are ... geographically, at least. So today I start a series of posts looking at the various leagues in the U.S. and how they fit in with Nashville.
First up is Major League Soccer, aka the MLS. This is the top level of Men's Pro Soccer in the US and Canada, and has been operating since 1996. There are currently 16 teams, with two more joining in 2011. Of these, the closest team to us by driving distance is the Columbus Crew (6 hours drive). The Chicago Fire, however, might be the easiest to get to, via a direct flight to Midway Airport.
Not a quick trip in either case, but it's the best we've got. However, in 2012, things might get better. The MLS expects to add another two teams then, and although there's no reason to think that Nashville will get one, it's possible that Birmingham, Atlanta or (most likely) St Louis will. Any of those would be closer than Columbus. Birmingham could actually qualify as a Day Trip.
First up is Major League Soccer, aka the MLS. This is the top level of Men's Pro Soccer in the US and Canada, and has been operating since 1996. There are currently 16 teams, with two more joining in 2011. Of these, the closest team to us by driving distance is the Columbus Crew (6 hours drive). The Chicago Fire, however, might be the easiest to get to, via a direct flight to Midway Airport.
Not a quick trip in either case, but it's the best we've got. However, in 2012, things might get better. The MLS expects to add another two teams then, and although there's no reason to think that Nashville will get one, it's possible that Birmingham, Atlanta or (most likely) St Louis will. Any of those would be closer than Columbus. Birmingham could actually qualify as a Day Trip.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Nashville named as Host City for World Cup Bid
Eighteen cities have been selected as the official host cities for the United States' Bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. And one of them is Nashville. The cut down from 27 to 18 was announced this afternoon.
This is quite an achievement for the Music City. Cities that did not make the cut were Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Jacksonville, Oakland, Orlando, St. Louis and San Francisco. I'm shocked that Chicago did not make it, but it looks like the mayor wasn't much help to them.
Two nearby cities, Atlanta and Indianapolis made the list, so things are looking good for our area if the US wins the bid.
The next step is for the remaining cities, and the U.S. Bid Committee to submit formal and final bids, and wait for host countries to be announced this December.
There are great articles at the Nashville Business Journal and Nashville Post, and more good reading at Atlanta Soccer News
This is quite an achievement for the Music City. Cities that did not make the cut were Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Jacksonville, Oakland, Orlando, St. Louis and San Francisco. I'm shocked that Chicago did not make it, but it looks like the mayor wasn't much help to them.
Two nearby cities, Atlanta and Indianapolis made the list, so things are looking good for our area if the US wins the bid.
The next step is for the remaining cities, and the U.S. Bid Committee to submit formal and final bids, and wait for host countries to be announced this December.
There are great articles at the Nashville Business Journal and Nashville Post, and more good reading at Atlanta Soccer News
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