And
And
Present...
The Pulse! No. #52
COVER STORY & LATEST HEADLINES:STARFIRE'S PUGET SOUND PREMIER CUP!!!Champion’s League Style Cup is Open to Competitive U11 to U14 Teams
Myrtle Beach, SC (August 4, 2008) – US Club Soccer, the Puget Sound Premier League, and Starfire Sports are pleased to announce the creation of a new fall Cup competition called the Starfire Puget Sound Premier Cup for Washington State teams and clubs looking for additional competitive matches.
"This is a new format that is similar to the UEFA Champion’s League and English FA Cup tournaments," said Stanley Holmes, president of the Puget Sound Premier League. "The intent is to boost competition, create regional rivalries, have some fun and prepare teams for the state cup."
The six-match Cup-style competition, sanctioned by US Club Soccer, will be played on Sundays, starting in late September at the Starfire Sports complex in Tukwila, Washington. The Puget Sound Premier Cup is open to any team or club that wants to play against tougher competition or wants to play a wider variety of teams in the Washington area. The Cup is designed to augment regular Fall League play. Teams are encouraged to register early.
Holmes said the PSPL have future plans to create a Cup-Winner’s-Cup that would include top teams from other states and provinces, but that is still in the early planning stages. For now, the focus is to offer a quality Cup competition that welcomes teams looking for something refreshingly new or exotically different. "It’s all about having a quality experience because that’s what creates quality soccer, and part of that includes the location,’’ Holmes said. "You can’t do better than Starfire."
"We are very excited to offer local teams another choice for competitive matches," said Teddy Mitalas, Director of Soccer Operations for Starfire Sports. "It is our belief that all young players should be able to reach the highest level of play possible, and this new competition provides that opportunity."
US Club Soccer Executive Director Bill Sage said he welcomes efforts by the Puget Sound Premier League to expand the competitive opportunities for young soccer players in Washington State. "They proved in the spring that they could run a great league," Sage said. `` This fall will be another opportunity for the clubs to develop their players, with quality competition provided by the Puget Sound Premier League and Starfire Sports.”
The six-game League format will include divisions for boys and girls, ages U-11 to U-14. Only one division for each age group will be offered and space in each division will be limited. Cost for the six-matches is $450. To register, go to the Starfire Web site, www.starfiresports.com~btw, this was a Free Plug for SF...(you owe me one Teddy) 
HEADLINES!...YOU SEEM VERY SMART. WHAT "GOOD" IS THE PDL IN YOUR OPINION?!!!How would you answer this question if someone sent it to you??
Well in today's Pulse we will find out! There were not a whole lot of questions sent into the newsletter this past week, so Dragon decided to ask a few of our staff the same question!
We will have a chance to see how different people respond, from a coach to a crazy canuck :lol: Look for the answer to this question from the following staffers:
THE REF
THE COACH
THE DOC
THE MINI-VAN
THE MAN-RUG
Enjoy all the varied answers, I know I will :mrgreen: :mrgreen: "BABY BATGIRLS" WIN THEIR 1ST CHAMPIONSHIP!!!What happen to Batgirl you ask?? Well she is Kickin' A$$ with her new team of course!
Many Kudo's to the "Lil' Batgirls" after winning their very 1st tournament! Dragon is very proud of you!!!
Strawberry Classic Champions
GF 41 GA 3 Will add a picture later if we get one!
COLOR ME GREEN: TALES FROM A NOVICE SOCCER MOM!!
Entry #2 - “The Soccer Bag”
One of the most important aspects of the soccer uniform, possibly the most important, is the over-worked, under appreciated soccer bag. Tossed about, left sitting in mud, rained on and occasionally forgotten field side (only to be remembered long after the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat fades), this thing has come to shine in this mom’s mind as the soccer players must have accessory for all time. Ladies who use big handbags or purses have nothing on this item and should drool at its overwhelming presence. In a dream like sequence I think about the nooks, crannies, pockets -n- pouches, all noting the huge storage capacity for soccer gear – an organized soccer mom’s dream for her darling player. Look out Coach and Gucci, the Addias and Nike sack is about to kick your butt! Wouldn’t it be grand to see the fashionable cat walk gleam from shiny zipper pulls, the twiggy models bent sideways thanks to the weighty contents and the audience ooohs and aaahs at this black and white creation that holds everything soccer.
Rippppp – the imaginary sound of a record needle grating against the vinyl snaps me back to reality from that cat walk vision.
So, in our household, the standard reality is the soccer bag has taken up residence right next to the front door. That beautiful bag, an organization lover’s gem, seems to be stationary next to the front door so much so that I should start charging its owner rent! Why is it I’m the only one within the household that sees the value of this bag changing real-estate from the front door area to the back of our truck on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons along with some weekends? I should say that the field side real-estate would probably want to lay claim to the soccer bag visitation rights, but it seems as though this soccer mom has to be the one to issue a court order for that to happen! Such documentation usually gets completed in the form of a verbal list: where are your cleats, in the bag; where are your shin guards, in the bag; where is your water bottle, in the bag. Now… where is the bag? Oh yeah, by the front door!
One day, when (or if) I make it to soccer heaven, I will enjoy the most beautiful vision of them all – on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays along with some weekends I’ll see my happily smiling soccer player with cleats on, shin guards in place, and water tucked neatly away inside a well cared for soccer bag strapped to his shoulder standing at the ready to do battle on the waiting pitch umpteen miles away that Garmin will direct me to. Until then all you Crazy Parents, join me in thinking about next week’s article: sports photography, yes everyone can do it!
~By SoccerFlicks96'S UPDATED DTR #3!!Did not have time today to post the updated 96-DTR on the forum, so I thought I would save it for the Pulse...Enjoy! :mrgreen:
GU96 DTR #3 TIER 1 – (Looking Good 
)NWN’s- NWN G96 won its division, defeating Utah’s La Roca Po, 1-0. at the US Club Regional tournament held in Boise.
Xfire Barton- Nike Crossfire Challenge Champions
Eastside 96 Red - Copa Del Mar Invite U13 Silver Division – Finalist and Championship in the Portland Cup!
Glory - 2008 Oswego Nike Cup CHAMPIONS and 2008 Nike Crossfire Challenge Finalists
Westsound - 2008 Tyee Cup (play-up) - FINALISTS. Lets win a Tournament
TIER 2 – (Loosing Ground :oops: )ECFC – OK showing at Oswego, needs to come back with championship at the Puma Rimland Pacific Cup in Bellingham
Xfire Black – Will be attending the Rampage Pre Season Classic, Moorpark, CA- Let see if there still in DTR in 2 to 3 weeks
Harbor FC- Played up at Tyee Cup / not a lot of success
WPFC Black – We need a Tournament Championship- Close but no cigar
TIER 3 – (Need some strong appearances :?)Synergy FC – on Vacation until Aug 5th – Plays in the Big Foot and should meet up with Snohomish Black in the championship
CB United- 2008 Redmond Crossfire Select Cup ~ Tournament Champions - Chinook cup is next in West Linn, OR
Timbers – All Quiet
Reign - Missing from this weekend Tournament FW Blast Off
Eagles – Played up at FW Blast Off lost in the finals
Eastside White – Lets see if they can stay in the DTR after the Puma Rimland Pacific Cup in Bellingham WA
FC Crush- Did not make it to finals at the Oswego Nike Cup – Needs a strong showing at Starfire X-treme Cup
EFC 96 BLUE'S ROAD TO THE BLUE RIBBON!!!
...Champs for the 1st time!Congratulations to the EFC G96 Blue team for winning their first tournament championship at the Federal Way Blast Off! The girls headed into the tournament after starting a successful summer season with 1 semi-final bid & two trips to the finals. Feeling a bit of an underdog in Federal Way (with the exception of support from Islander, PnJ, and beer?)…the girls knew that this was a tournament that they needed to make something special happen!
Game 1 EFC vs Sumner Blitz: Blue went into this game without any knowledge of this team – but hey, that’s what makes things exciting! The girls were a bit sluggish in the first half and were struggling to find the right connections up front. The defense held Blitz to a handful of shots, but Blitz was able to capitalize on a defensive mis-play and took a 1-0 lead into the half. In the second, Blue shook things up and made some changes in the line-up by shifting power and strength to the forward and sweeper positions. While Blue had a number of great shots on goal, the Blitz keeper proved to be just too much – she was outstanding!! Thankfully the girls were able to tie up the game and all ended in a 1-1 knot.
Game 2 EFC vs UP Strikers: This game pinned two teams who played each other twice during their U11 fall season. EFC took game one 1-0 and then the Strikers took the second game 1-0…both defensive death battles. Blue went into this game knowing this game was going to be another battle and as expected…the game was a gem! EFC came out determined in this game and early on threatened with some great shots on goal…after much persistence, EFC’s center forward broke free for a beautiful goal and took the 1-0 lead into the half. The first part of the 2nd half goes easily to the Strikers who were beating EFC to nearly every ball. Thanks to an incredible save by EFC’s keeper, the Strikers were unable to get one in the back of the net. EFC stepped up their defense and control to take the game to the final whistle 1-0…whew!
Game 3 EFC vs Timber Barons: This game was do or die for the team…they knew they were going to need the win in order to have a chance at the finals. Going into the game, three teams were tied for first in points (EFC, Blitz & Blackhills)…but only two could move forward. The first half was ugly for EFC who played sluggish and nervous…the Barons capitalized early in the first to take the 1-0 lead. Thankfully Blue was able to take the game into the half only down by one – it could have been worse. As with game one, coach shook things up a bit and again put strength and power back up front…but in this game it really paid off! Within the first minutes of the second, Blue scores to tie up the game 1-1 and from that point on, Blue took control of the game. Great passing, solid defense and nagging forwards wore down the Barons and EFC came away with the 3-1 win!!
Game 4 EFC vs Blackhills: THE FINALS!!! Well what can you say…it’s always an honor to be playing in the finals of any tournament and is an outstanding feat in and of itself. Except this time for Blue…this one meant something…they fought tooth and nail…they felt in their bones that they could really do it…get that coveted blue ribbon! They say that the third time is a charm and Blue was hoping that number 3 would be magic! However, with magic & luck out the window…it was game time…time to make it happen…time to play some ball!
Unfortunately for Blue it didn’t take much time at all for Blackhills to capitalize on a mid-field to defense mis-cue. Seconds later the game was 1-0 in favor of Blackhills…EFC was shaken, totally thrown off. However, Blue had been there before down by one early on. Blackhills kept pressure…size and aggression was definitely on their side and Blue was going to have to step up their game to match. Thanks to the stellar play all tournament by Blue’s #48, life was brought back to Blue. Minutes before half end, #48 launches a shot up and over into the corner of the net to bring the game equal…meaning the second half is a whole new ball game!
The second half presents determination from both sides, aggressive play by Blackhills, speed and passing by Blue, TONS of power by the defenses and of course, the questionable ref calls in and near the box (ok, sorry, had to throw that in there). You could tell that nothing was going to shake either team…each team was waiting for the other to make the fatal mistake…and yet, that mistake never came. Overtime we go…then double over time…then
Blue wanted nothing more than to take this thing to a shoot out…a great strength of this team. This situation is nothing new for Blue…this game would mark the third tournament in a row that Blue was faced with double overtime and 2nd of 3 that would head to a shoot out! I’ll spare the shot by shot recap, because as we all know, this thing ends in favor of Blue!!! Shots by some of Blue’s top power & the ice cold Blue keeper proved too much for Blackhills…who played one heck-of-a game! Thank you for being great competition and for the incredible roller coaster ride!
I can only describe the feeling as a parent and really it’s such a proud moment as a mom…seeing the smile on your kiddos face, beaming, that indescribable look of self accomplishment and pride and eyes that sparkle like the most precious gem.
My daughter went to dinner with that blue ribbon around her neck, she looked at it every 5 minutes in awe…so much went into earning that ribbon and for once, she was satisfied. She now knows what it feels like to reach that goal and for her – it feels…just really darn good.
Great job to all of the amazing ladies who were ‘Blue’ that day…it was the perfect weekend of soccer – thank you all for your efforts, determination, dedication and hard work. You earned the honor to wear the blue ribbon!!
Great job young superstars! Thank you for the write up! :mrgreen: (for more great pix of these young stars, please see this weeks picture special! THE WHATCOM RANGERS U15 ARE FOR REAL!!!So you think we only care about the "younger teams"...check this article out! The Ranger Gold gals are on FIRE!!!!
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/sports/story/481050.htmlWhatcom Rangers GU 15 Gold team's 4th tourney and 4th championship. Even this one in San Diego last week. 17 straight games w/o a loss and only 3 goals against (2 PK and 1 with mixed line up late in runaway game). Worth watching Rimland and Starfire showcase to see if they are for real.
**Update! They also won the Starfire college showcase yesterday. Unscored upon again in 4 games. Rimland will be fun to watch fo sho! :mrgreen:
WPS FAMILY CIRCLE FOUNDATION!!!
Here is the story that touched our hearts this week! :mrgreen: Well, we did not get any messages about anyone needing our good thoughts and prayers...I will take that as a good sign! :mrgreen:
**Remember, each week we would like to help anyone in need, please send info to the Pulse for the WPSFCF! :mrgreen: DRAGON'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK!!
...and the winner is!
LINDSEY #7 - SYNERGY LOPEZ!!!This young super star won this week Not for her play on the field (even though she is outstanding), but instead she won because of her kindness to an injured team-mate, and her leadership in keeping the injured players spirits up by doing her "magic healing" trick! :mrgreen:
Good job young one, Dragon is very proud of you! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
BRAT JR'S "YOU TUBE FUN"!!! HB vs Chinook U14
Marauders vs FC Alliance U12
Synery vs CW Fury U17
EFC vs BHFC U12
Synergy vs WPFC U14
WPFC Goal
WPFC save
Extra's
RECAP CRAZY!!!PASTLots of great action this past weekend! :mrgreen:
Here is the link to this past weekends recap action that had over 5,700 views!
http://washingtonpremiersoccer.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=9573FUTUREHere is the link to several local tournaments this weekend! :mrgreen:
Mustang Stampede
http://e7sports3.com/orgs/mustang/SchedandScores.phpRimland GIRLS
http://www.whatcomsoccer.com/Rimland%20Pacific/RPC%202008/RPC%20Schedules.htmlCowlitz KickOff
http://www.longviewsoccerclub.com/sam/standings/FW Blast Off BOYS
http://www.federalwaysoccer.com/Blast%20Off/2008/08BoysSchedule.htmVUSA Summer Slam
http://www.vancouverunited.com/doclib/VUSA%20Summer%20Slam%20Schedules%202008.pdfSammamish Mayors Cup
http://www.scoreboard.to/tourney/default.asp?subdir=mayor2008Good luck to all the kids playin' this weekend, specially the Mustang bound teams!...and never forget; if there is not enough blah blah blah on the games, you only have "you know who" to blame
CRAZY PARENT WATCH:"Shout out to da newbies"Dragon see's a few brand new posters since the last Pulse...lets give out a Shout and as always, lets All give a warm welcome to all new posters!
This week Dragon would like to applaude:
Peeps
its4thekids
londoncoach
soccerdad
the_beautiful_game
FutbolNut
G.O.A.T.
soccersmarts
FrostyDog
Welcome aboard! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
"A view from the Mini-Van"
Priceless!
...you seem very smart. What "good" is the PDL in your opinion?
Still trying to figure out the answer myself. 
The PDL is good for the teams that are in it, except if you are a stronger B team that through an LPT type process could make P1, you may not have the opportunity in PDL, because you are placed according to the “type” of team you are.
The PDL can be good for B or C team players that have proven themselves over the summer or season and get “promoted to the “A” team. It can be good for ‘A’ team players that are struggling and need more playing time, they can have the opportunity to play with the B team and work on their skills in game situations. All that depends on the club you are in as well, some promote, some don’t!!!
I have decided that the best place for my kid to play is wherever she wants, regardless of PDL or not. If the kids are learning, improving, playing hard and having fun, that is what the ultimate goal should be. (remember they are kids) :mrgreen:
Unfortunately too many DOC’s are ruining that type of experience for our kids.
JMO…
"WPS Paparazzi's"
...Time to get dufferized youngin' LOL
...Cannot quite tell what this young mans sign says, but think it said; "duffer, your my daddy" LOL
...don't know why but I just love this pix! This is "ART" Brat :mrgreen: "...Out on the Pitch"
...
WPFC 97 BLACK ROCK THE HOUSE AT FW BLAST OFF!Game 1 -- Reign Purple
6 vs 2 WPFC 97 Black
Game 2 -- Crush
3 vs 3 WPFC 97 Black
Game 3 -- HPFC White
0 vs 6 WPFC 97 Black
The rematch game in the finals
Reign Purple
2 vs 3 WPFC 97 Black
...You can dance if you want to, or you can leave your friends behind...**Please continue to send pix's to the Pulse newsroom! Anything soccer related is welcome!** :mrgreen: "Help! Is there a Doctor in the house?"
...You seem very smart. What "Good" is the PDL in your opinion?Lol! I am not sure I even understand WTF the PDL is! I will "pass" on that one and refer to duffer instead!
The Doc!*Send all medical questions for "the doctor" to the Pulse email address*OTHER NEWS AND GOSSIP AND TIDBITS:"SIDELINE SNIPPETS"Why does WPS seem to be the "undergound newspaper" of youth soccer that very few want to talk about in public?
Why isn't it such the "in thing" that people rush to tell others they know about WPS and they post on the website? ~A Crazy Parents thoughts
"COACHS CORNER!"...You seem very smart. What "Good" is the PDL in your opinion?Good question. I personally thing people make to big of a deal over the PDL. Its just another league of teams. However, since the pdl is now around and thats not changing anytime soon we might as well look at a few factors such as why did it start in the first place, and what it does for the teams in the PDL.
Why did it start? I'm not going to go into all the parts of this but to be blunt the big clubs had a few things they were upset about, but when they went to WSYSA nothing was ever changed. So basically the big clubs took their ball and went home. They decided since the state wouldn't make changes they would start their own league that they had control over. On the bright side because of the PDL changes have begun (for better or worse) atleast things are moving.
Teams in the PDL. Its honestly not much different than before. All the top teams usually played each other anyways because of LPT's. But what it is doing for those teams is promising them a spot in leagues with like competition. Plus having no LPT's is very nice for a coach. When you are preparing for your year you got to realize when any team is playing they go through peaks and valley's. Part of being a coach is trying to regulate when those peaks and valleys will come. However, when you have to prepare for LPT's your throwing the natural flow of the year out the window. At the beginning of the year after tryouts you should be working on team chemistry, and technical skills, and basic tactics. Not over working the kids just putting them on the right track. However, when you have to go to LPT's you have to start the team pushing your team rather than teaching.
Whether you agree with it or not I am personally glad atleast changes are starting to be made. There were obviously problems going on in the state and nothing was being done. That is one positive thing I will say about the PDL.
"VIEW FROM BEHIND THE WHISTLE"Myths of the Game and other Nonsense
you seem very smart. What "good" is the PDL in your opinion?
I can't possibly be very smart if I’m a soccer referee, but it's good to know I can fool some of the people some of the time…
My opinion on the PDL is mixed, but I only have a parent's perspective on why the PDL came to exist and what it is "doing." I never fully understood the explanations provided for the need to create a separate league from what already existed. Originally, I thought this league was to address the competition inequities that occurred in the U11 through U13 years.
As a parent, I became very disillusioned with the first year where my daughter's team played the same four teams over and over and over and over (spring and fall). I also did not see the coach, team, or club doing anything differently in the training or "development" of players.
Three years into the PDL structure, I’m still skeptical of what benefits the players realize from this new "club' oriented league. Perhaps this is because the PDL does not communicate well and I simply haven't heard all of the good news.
I also have no complaints towards the PDL itself beyond what I can attribute to start-up pains. The member clubs are run mostly by volunteers and the few paid staff (including the DOC's) are not paragons of organizational leadership and communication. Although improving, WSYSA hasn't done any better in its communication.
I don't see that the PDL has significantly changed my kids' soccer experience. The benefits my kids' receive are a combination of their desire, the coach, the resources of the club and the quality of competition. In my observations the PDL has only perhaps affected the quality of competition. Perhaps the PDL is having a greater affect on other factors at other clubs in our state.
I read complaints of the PDL reducing player choice or options (club consolidations), increasing cost to play, and elitism. But I'm not convinced this began with the PDL or can be fully blamed on the PDL. Soccer in the US is a middle and upper middle class sport; the PDL is just another manifestation of that fact.
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO MMMMMMMMMMMM.........The Rumor Mill** PDL DOC and Admin meeting is today at Starfire?** Reign 97's picking up 2 players from Crush 97?** OR. Heartbreakers becoming part of VUSA?** Former LOC middy to Ireland team?** The reason Squash has been so quite lately is explained below!
:shock: :shock: :shock:
** Rumor has it the Crush '06 team is already holding tryouts? :shock: 
(at least this is what this young player claims) "My 2 cents worth...The Posters Voice!"
What is with people thinking rules are a conspiracy? A tournament wants to give lower to mid-level teams a chance to have success. In their effort to do this they establish rules stating who is invited and who is not. They do a great job and even spell out rules to prevent teams from loading up with studs. Guest players were still allowed but simple rules had to be followed.
A while back a team was simply asked by their club and the state to wear the club uniforms and you would of thought the players were all told they could not play soccer anymore.
A tournament publishes it rules for scoring including tie-breakers well in advance. All teams have to play by the same rules. Why is it the team who comes up short chose until after bracket play to voice a concern? I have heard stories of parents telling opposing players they do not deserve to advance. I have also seen coaches throw temper tantrums that a 4 year old would envy.
Part of why many of us put our kids in organized sports is to teach them sportsmanship and fair play. Some of us might need to start by looking in the mirror.
LETTER'S TO THE MAN-RUG!
you seem very smart. What "good" is the PDL in your opinion? Are friggen kidding this guy? Like I give a rat's ass about your stupid league down there bub! You would be better off asking your pride marching leftist moderator then the love train. If you have a question on how to please your old hag, or how to increase your man aura, or how to not be a pussbag then ask away. Other wise, shut your trap you milksops and make me a poptart! :twisted: PDL indeed. What a friggen joke :!: "Dragon Coachs Interviews!"If you are a coach, DOC, trainer, or have anything to do with soccer, contact the editor for your chance to do an interview If you would like to donate to WPS click below to go to the front page and click on the Donate button:
http://washingtonpremiersoccer.com/Thats it for this weeks Issue of the Pulse, hope you enjoy it...and as always never forget to...
Play with Heart & Fire, Heart & Fire Always!
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Topic: THE PULSE - #52 (Read 1845 times)