Kaley Nieters, St Joe Angels turns the corner

Keep an eye on he bottom bracket where the expected winners are St Joe, the only team with a chance to return to the Final 4 this year, and St Teresa. If those two advance as expected, tahe winner of their semifinal is my pick to win the title this year.

6:00 pm in Eureka
Eureka (19-1-1)
Pattonville (21-5-1)

Jefferson City (17-3-1) - 1
Nixa (22-3) – 3
Eden Hoogveld gave JC the lead in the 10th but Nixa equalized in the 25th when Peyton DeHart scored from Allyson Galler’s cross. Shalynn Thomas got the game-winner in the 64th while Jordyn Hoskins completed the scoring in the 69th. First trip to the Final 4 for Nixa after losing to Rock Bridge in the quarterfinal in 2010.

The winners advance to the semifinal game at 5:00 pm on Friday.

Ft. Zumwalt West (13-10-1) - 0
St. Joseph (17-2) – 3

Lee’s Summit West (22-2-1) - 1
St. Teresa (16-2) – 4

Battle of the Saints as St Joe will play St Teresa in the semifinal Friday at 7:00 pm.

St Dominic swarm Megan Swanson (smiling, by 2) following PKs

I’ll be keeping a close eye on the game in Kansas City where Kearney is playing Notre Dame de Sion. I would expect that theis year’s champion will come from the semifinal against the IWA/St Dom winner.

Notre Dame Cape (14-8) - 0
Rosati-Kain (17-6-1) – 2

Helias Catholic (15-8) – 9
Carl Junction (19-5) – 0
A goal in the first minute by Tiffany Weaver, followed by Jordan Poire in the 5th and Jordan Haggenhoff in the 10th have Helias in control.

Rosati-Kain returns after finishing second in 2012, facing Helias who are also returning, in the semifinal Friday at 2:00 pm

Incarnate Word (14-6-3) - 1
St. Dominic (23-0-1) – 3
The Red Knights scored 43 seconds into the match as a cross into the box was knocked in following a scrum, I still don’t know who to credit. Emily Monroe tied the game in the 37th with a bomb from the edge the box.

Christina Rodriguez set up the final two goals, the first to Brittany Marino in the 75th and then McKenzie Rief. It came after an hour long lightning delay leading to a 22 minute final period that saw the Crusaders in attack mode, limiting IWA to a single shot in the final period.

Notre Dame de Sion (12-8-1) - 0
Kearney (25-0) – 4
Madi Payne scored in the 9th minute, the eventual game winner. Lexi Howard in the 17th, MacKenzie Cook in the 30th and Allie Hess in the 55th.

What a game this is going to be! St Dominic vs Kearney in the semifinal Friday at 4:00 pm. Winner should lift the championship trophy Saturday.

Lutheran St Charles, 2013 Sectional Champions

St. Pius X (21-3) - 5
John F. Kennedy (15-7) – 0
Caroline Basler broke the the deadlock in the 53rd minute and the gates were opened with Halee Eastridge getting the second only a minute later.

Dixon (17-3) – 1
Springfield Catholic (13-10-1) – 2
Catholic scored first, midway through the first half but Dixon responded to tie the game minutes later. Tied at half Catholic ‘s experience carried them through.

The 2012 defending champion St Pius X squad will face two – time champion (2010-2011) in the semifinal game Friday at 1:00 pm

Duchesne (12-9) - 6
Lutheran St Charles (17-6) – 1

O’Hara (17-3) - 4
Maryville (17-3) – 2

Duchesne faces O’ Hara in the semifinal game Friday at 3:00 pm

Add Manchester City’s dramatic second-half comeback to the list.

In a game that was nothing more than an international friendly between to Premiere League sides second half substitutes Edin Džeko and Micah Richards were able to add a chapter to Busch’s late game history. With their side down 3-0 Dzeko got two goals including a tally that tied the game 3-3 in the 88th minute before Richards knocked home the game winner in the 90th minute.

Read the game recap from the Manchester Evening News

Džeko’s play may cause the front office brass for City to reconsider his fate as rumors were already swirling that he would be shipped off to Napoli despite his 14 goals last season. Such is the fate on a squad that also has Carlos Tevez and Sergio Ageuro on it.

The squads clearly were still playing for pride and after opening goals from Chelsea (the first off the head of Demba Ba that finished off a great run of play and crossing pass) gave them a 2-0 lead at the half.

Observers would have understood if Man City decided to put in less of an effort at Busch. Despite losing the FA Cup to Wigan by conceding a 90th minute goal and the squad’s manager being ousted all within the last two weeks, but they treated the sell-out crowd to a world class effort.

It was Bosnian Džeko who came on as a 2nd half sub but scored City’s second and third goal that was not only the man of the match, but the man of the hour in St. Louis where Bosnian immigrants are greater than anywhere else in the country.

Brian Kidd was acting manager for Man City for the match. He said afterwards that he was delighted to hear the match had sold-out in 12 minutes when tickets went on sale but even more pleased with the atmosphere of the match.

“The crowd really was great,” he said. “I think for a friendly match they got to see a great product and they responded in a great way. There was a lot of energy in the crowd and that translated to the pitch. It was a great night.”

This story was written by Kevin Smith, who regularly covers Sporting KC on behalf of this website.

Live on Fox (KTVI Channel 2) 1pm CT

For the first time the competition will feature an American player. Twenty-four-year-old center-back Neven Subotic, a former U.S. Youth National Team member, will take the field for Dortmund. Subotic moved to Salt Lake City from Germany, after his family emigrated from Serbia, and played for Sparta United Soccer Club from 2001-2003. Subotic’s team made it to the finals of the US Youth Soccer Utah State Cup when Subotic was 11 years old. Read more about Neven’s story at US Youth Soccer and Sports Illustrated.

Watch Parties

The St Louligan’s (a supporters group locally) will gather at Exit 6 Brewery and watch the game and then take a quick drive to the Glavin Complex to watch the Lions play the Menace. Invite your friends and lets make a day of it.
Facebook Event in St Charles

STL United and St. Louis Pick Up Soccer invite you to OB Clark’s to watch the BIGGEST game of the European club season, a throw down between two German Juggernauts. We’ll be giving away some free stuff from Heinekin, some stuff from our special friend from US Soccer, etc.
Facebook Event in Brentwood

Barrister’s
Clayton

Sponsored by Paulaner, the official beer of Bayern Munich. We’ll open at 11. We’ll have food and be giving away a bunch of swag. Huge day!
Amsterdam Tavern
Tower Grove South

If you are hosting a public event, send me details and I’ll add them here.

Ticket Availability

Thursday’s match is sold out, but fans should continue to monitor cardinals.com/soccer as tickets may be made available up until game time. Tickets to Chelsea’s training session event on Wednesday are available for $20 at cardinals.com/soccer, the Busch Stadium box office and by phone at 314.345.9500. The public training event includes a free concert by indie rock band Cracker, fireworks and a unique crossbar soccer challenge that will end with one fan in attendance winning a trip for two to travel to England next year to see Chelsea play at home.

From Baseball to Soccer – The Busch Stadium Transformation

By David Carson, Copyright Post-Dispatch

Wednesday, May 22nd – Chelsea Training Session Event

As the designated home team, Chelsea will conduct a public training session at Busch Stadium for St. Louis fans. The training session event promises to be an affordable and special evening for soccer fans. Not only will fans be able to see one of the greatest international soccer teams prepare for their historic match with Manchester City, they may also enjoy a free concert by indie rock band Cracker, fireworks, and have a chance to participate in a unique crossbar soccer challenge that will end with one fan in attendance winning a trip for two to travel to England next year to see Chelsea play at home.

Gates for the training event open at 5 p.m. Before fans enter Busch Stadium, they may want to visit one of three Chelsea fan-tents set up around the ballpark where they can pick up a complimentary Chelsea flag, sign up for information about the club and take a photo with a championship trophy. The Chelsea fan-tents located at 8th & Clark, Gate 1 and Gate 2 will be open from 3:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Chelsea’s training session will commence at 7 p.m. The session is expected to last just over an hour. The Cross Bar Challenge will start around 8:30, followed by the Cracker concert. The evening will end with fireworks around 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 23rd – Chelsea vs. Manchester City Match

Fans will want to plan to be downtown early to soak up all the soccer excitement. Budweiser will kick off the formal activities at 4 p.m. with the Budweiser March to the Match Pep Rally at Kiener Plaza. A full schedule of activities follows:

Schedule

4 P.M. – 6 P.M. Budweiser March to the Match Pep Rally at Kiener Plaza

The Cardinals and Budweiser will host a pre-match pep rally in Kiener Plaza, located between Broadway, 7th, Chestnut and Market. Local rock band Griffin and the Gargoyles will perform. Budweiser will have their Build-A-Bars and Pool Ball games as well as other soccer-themed activities. Both teams will distribute free items for fans (Chelsea flags & Manchester City megaphones), and the team mascots and a Budweiser Clydesdale will be on hand for photo opportunities. Team officials are scheduled to address the crowd at 5:30 p.m. and invite fans to “March to the Match,” led by the Budweiser Clydesdale and the team mascots down 7th Street to Gate 3 of Busch Stadium.

5 P.M. Gates open

7:00 P.M. Pre-match ceremonies begin with an appearance by Chelsea’s mascot, Stamford the Lion, and Manchester City’s brother and sister mascots, Moonbeam and Moonchester.

Chelsea and Manchester City will be introduced. Each team will enter the field with 12 local children dressed in team attire. The 24 children are between the ages of six and eight. The referees will be introduced and will conduct a coin toss ceremony with the two teams.

The National Anthem will be performed by Brian Owens of the Missouri Air National Guard Band, Sidewinder.

Flyover by Commemorative Air Force

7:30 P.M. Match Commences

Half-time Ceremony honoring six St. Louis members of United States Soccer Hall of Fame (Frank Borghi, Bob Herman, Bob Kehoe, Denny Long, Pat McBride and Al Trost)

Watching on TV – Fans can watch the match on ESPN 2.

Radio Coverage -Fans can tune into KMOX (1120 AM) to hear coverage of the match.

Online or On the Go

Fans may also get unique content from the game via the Cardinals’ Twitter account, @Cardinals.

Getting to the Game — Roadwork & Alternative Transportation Reminders
MoDOT will not have any scheduled additional lane closures on state highways inside the city limits for Wednesday or Thursday. There are projects under construction at I-64 and Jefferson and Tower Grove. MoDOT will continue to have three lanes open in each direction of I-64 Wednesday and Thursday to accommodate soccer fans.

MetroLink is a convenient alternative to driving, allowing fans to avoid the cost of parking and game day traffic. To avoid the traffic congestion and the cost of parking on game day, fans can use one of 19 free Park-Ride lots along the MetroLink line and take the train to Stadium Station, right across the street from the ballpark. Check the Metro website www.MetroSt.Louis.org for schedules and the Park-Ride lot nearest you.

Soccer Merchandise Available in Cardinals Team Store

Fans will want to stop by the Busch Stadium Team Store to purchase a variety of soccer-related retail items connected with the historic match. The Team Store has team specific merchandise, as well as special items commemorating the historic match such as t-shirts and scarves. The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, and offers free, 15-minute street parking next to the store entrance at Clark and 8th Street, between Gates 3 and 4. Merchandise will also be available at locations throughout the ballpark on both Wednesday and Thursday.

About Chelsea Football Club

Chelsea is one of the most successful teams in England with four Premier League titles and seven FA Cups. The Blues also boast two UEFA Cup Championships, one UEFA Super Cup and one UEFA Champions League title. In 2012 Chelsea, with the help of Spaniards Juan Mata and Fernando Torres, as well as English International and three-time Chelsea Player of the Year, Frank Lampard, became the first London club to win the Champions League. On May 15, 2013, Chelsea won the Eurpoa League Trophy, beating Benfica 2-1.

About Manchester City Football Club

Informally known as “The Blues” or “The Citizens”, Manchester City FC is an English Premier League side, founded in 1880 as St Mark’s West Gorton. The Club won the 2011-2012 Premier League title and has won 25 major trophies. It counts the European Cup Winners’ Cup, three League Championship titles, and five FA Cups amongst its honors. The Club plays its domestic home fixtures at the Etihad Stadium, a spectacular 47,500 seat arena, which the Blues made their home following the successful Commonwealth Games in 2003. For more information, please visit www.mcfc.co.uk.

About Relevent Sports

Relevent Sports brings the excitement and intensity of international soccer to the United States by showcasing the best clubs in the world through premier tournaments and events. Going beyond the game, Relevent provides an innovative approach to building international soccer presence by utilizing brand development, grassroots planning, corporate sponsors, international touring and philanthropic initiatives for the soccer organizations.

BUSCH STADIUM – POLICY REMINDERS

Bag Inspections Policy

The standard game-day bag inspection policies for Busch Stadium will be in effect. Bags will be allowed that meet Major League Baseball’s standard size restriction (16″x16″x8″), and all bags will be inspected prior to entry.
Fans will be permitted to bring small personal cameras and will be subject to inspection. No professional-sized photography equipment will be allowed except for members of the media with proper credentials.

Non-alcoholic beverages such as water and soda in open cups or in clear plastic bottles no larger than 2 liters are allowed.

Alcohol, bottles, cans, thermoses, hard-sided coolers; hard plastic cups/mugs are not permitted.
Small banners and signs are allowed. Banners may be displayed as long as they do not hinder or interfere with play or distract or interfere with the view of another guest. Banners may not be obscene or in poor taste, attract abuse or cause a disturbance among other guests. They should be soccer-oriented and not commercial in nature.
Please minimize items you bring into the stadium to speed up the inspection process.
Expect long lines upon entry. Allow plenty of time to go through the inspection process.
Exit/Re-entry Policy

Standard Exit/Re-entry Policies are in effect. Guests wishing to leave the stadium, but planning to return during the same game must have their hand stamped at Gates 1, 2 or 4 as they exit the stadium. Guests must show ticket upon re-entry. Inspection policy will also be enforced.

Jaycie Johnson, Lee’s Summit West

Lees Summit West will face St Teresa’s Academy on Saturday in a Class 3 Quarterfinal. She scored the game winning goal in Tuesday’s Sectional win over Blue Springs. She plays for Sporting BV in the ECNL where she scored 24 goals.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Johnson as Missouri’s best high school girls soccer player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced in May, Johnson joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Alexi Lalas (1987-88, Cranbrook HS, Mich.), Heather O’Reilly (2001-02, East Brunswick HS, N.J.) and Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.).

The 5-foot-6 senior forward has led the Titans to a 21-2-1 record and a berth in the first round of the Class 3 state tournament against Blue Springs High, scheduled for May 21. Johnson scored 63 goals and passed for eight assists through 24 games, scoring at least one goal in every game but one. The four-time Suburban Big 6 Player of the Year, Johnson is a two-time First Team All-State selection. She entered the state tournament with 192 goals and 35 assists in her prep soccer career.

Johnson has maintained a 3.01 GPA in the classroom. She has volunteered locally at a homeless shelter and food bank in addition to donating her time at youth soccer camps.

“Jaycie Johnson is a very dynamic player,” said Huw Williams, Johnson’s club coach with Sporting Blue Valley. “She goes at defenders with pace and has the ability to cut either direction effectively. Pace, skill and a will to win define her game.”

Johnson has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer on an athletic scholarship at the University of Nebraska this fall.

Johnson joins recent Gatorade Missouri Girls Soccer Players of the Year Allie Stephenson (2011-12, Lee’s Summit North High School), Shea Groom (2010 – 11 & 2009-10, Liberty High School), Morgan Marlborough (2008–09 Lee’s Summit North), Molly Campbell (2007-08, St. Teresa’s Academy), and Lauren Fowlkes (2006-2007, St. Teresa’s Academy) among the state’s list of former award winners.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade high school sports leadership team in partnership with USA TODAY High School Sports, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit www.gatorade.com/poy.

Katie Shields, SLU Billikens

Saint Louis head women’s soccer coach Katie Shields and her staff will conduct the camp, which will last from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on the Saint Louis campus. In addition to soccer instruction, campers will learn what it’s like to be a Billiken soccer player by interacting with current SLU team members, becoming familiar with the SLU campus and participating in a college recruiting question-and-answer presentation.

For complete information on the 2013 Saint Louis University Elite Prospect Camp, including a registration form, visit this SLU Billikens webpage. Questions can be directed to assistant coach Scott Gloden at (314) 977-2584 or at gloden@slu.edu.

NYC FC announcement

After three years of development and planning for a second team in New York, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced on Tuesday that English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City FC and Major League Baseball’s legendary New York Yankees have teamed up to bring it to fruition and acquire MLS’s 20th expansion club.

The new team will be named New York City Football Club (NYCFC) and is expected to begin play in 2015. Read more

Follow @NYCFC

Via Manchester City FC = The new team will be named New York City Football Club (NYCFC) and expects to begin play in 2015. “We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious professional global sports organizations to Major League Soccer,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

Courtney Silberberg, Eureka

Pattonville has too many offensive weapons to not get past Hazelwood Central despite the resourcefulness they showed in earning their first District title since 2008. Eureka still faces some injury concerns but should also advance. Beyond that, I call it a toss up in their Quarterfinal if Leinert and Wallner haven’t returned to full strength.

In Kansas City, St Teresa has been earning top seeds in the Coaches poll all season but Liberty got hot at the right time and comes in on a nice winning streak. The midfield battle between Kaitlyn Clark and Savannah Trujillo, both juniors and both committed to Mizzou, and would be a treat to behold tonight. The winner advances to the Final 4.

In the battle for the Central/Southwest spot, Nixa beat Glendale for the first time ever in the District final and should get past Kickapoo. Jeff City, who’s coach Matt Stacy has announced he will not be returning next season due to a promotion to Assistant Principal, has the responsibility for stopping Blue Springs South and showing that the Final 4 spot deserves to stay within the region. His girls want to take him all the way to the Final 4. It’s not unreasonable to think they might make it that far.

St Louis Slot A

Kayla York, Pattonville on defense

Seckman – 0
Eureka Wildcats – 10
The game ended after 48 minutes.

The Quarterfinal should be at Eureka as they host the Pirates.

St Louis Slot B
Oakville – 0
St Joe Angels – 6

Ft Zumwalt South – 1
Ft Zumwalt West Jaguars – 2
The Jaguars got goals from Haley Nichols and Kayla Collie to get past FZS. Jackie Lindner and Kerri Morris with the assists.

The Quarterfinal Saturday should be at Ft Zumwalt West as they host the St Joe Angels

Kansas City
St Teresa – 3
Liberty – 0

Lees Summit West – 3 (1st OT)
Blue Springs – 2

Central/Southwest
Moved to Wednesday, 7:00 pm at Nixa
Nixa Eagles -
Kickapoo Chiefs –

Blue Springs South – 0
Jeff City Jays – 1