VA Rush Restructures Staff

Since our inception, we at Virginia Rush pride ourselves on our progressive and thorough programs. As the landscape of youth soccer continues to evolve, we constantly evaluate each of our programs to ensure that we are providing the best service to our members. In response to the onset of national leagues, our relationships with other entities, and our growth on the Peninsula, we have restructured our technical staff to better meet the needs of our players, coaches and parents.

'I am very excited to put this new product in place. We have spent the last six months in evaluation of each program, regardless of size, and the resulting restructure will allow us to provide top service for each program, both on and off the field,' said David Dengerink, President and Technical Director. 'Our primary goal is to provide soccer opportunities to whoever is interested in playing, without regard to age, ability or financial situation. This restructure addresses each and every program, from the US Soccer Developmental Academy and Girls Elite Club National League (formerly Red Bull National League) competing at the top level available in this country, to the three year-old Developmental players just starting out,' said Dengerink.

Read Full Article

U.S. SOCCER PRESIDENT SUNIL GULATI TO ANNOUNCE

CHICAGO (Jan. 29, 2009) – U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati will discuss the Federation’s intentions to submit a simultaneous bid to FIFA for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups on Monday, Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. ET. Gulati will also introduce the Executive Director of the USA Bid Committee. FIFA set Monday, Feb. 2, as the deadline for federations to submit the official paperwork expressing their interest to bid for either or both of the competitions. FIFA emphasized that at this initial stage in the bidding process, the only requirement is for countries to be able to demonstrate their ability to host a sporting event as large as the FIFA World Cup.

VMI Goalkeeper Brian Sowell selected to All-Big South Second Team

Sonny Landry, former Rush player now Captain of VMI

Sonny Landry selected as 2009 Team Captain for Virginia Military Institute. Congratulations Sonny.

2007: Played in 15 contests as a true freshman, starting 14...notched first collegiate point on Sept. 5 versus Gardner-Webb, assisting on what turned out to be the game-winning goal...named to Big South Presidential Honor Roll.
High School: Can play most positions on the field...as a freshman starter, helped lead the Patriots to the state tournament for the first time in six years...team captain for the Virginia Rush Nike club team, and helped his team reach the State Cup Semi-finals in 2003, and the semi-finals in 2004 and 2006...team was invited to play in the Nike Friendlies in Bradenton, Fl. for three straight years...leading goal scorer for the U-18 Nike squad with 13 goals in 2006...participant in Virginia State ODP since 2001...was selected to travel with the team to Germany for the Munich International Tournament, where they took a 1-0 decision over Bayern Munich... traveled to Canada for a round-robin tournament with the area’s club teams.

Shrewsbury Town Academy Head2Head

Two of Shrewsbury Town's Academy players go Head2Head in a juggling contest.

Hat trick gives USA winning start to 2009, (VIDEO)

by Ridge Mahoney [HEXAGONAL COUNTDOWN] Be it a competitive match or a friendly, be it played in January or June or any other month, breaking down a bunkered defense is a difficult task. Several elements are essential for success in such situations and against Sweden on Saturday the U.S. men displayed enough of them to win their first match of 2009. In wowing a crowd of 9,918 at Home Depot Center by scoring all three goals in a 3-2 victory, Man of the Match Sacha Kljestan displayed one of those elements, a clinical finishing touch. He curled a free kick from 35 yards into the top corner, he confidently tucked away a penalty kick, and he polished off his hat trick with a crisp first-time strike. - Read the whole story... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_H-ddMDAsA&eurl

Dr. Dan Freigang to speak to U14-U18 Nike/Swoosh & USSDA Teams

We are very pleased to announce that Sports Psychologist, Dr. Dan Freigang will be here in Virginia Beach next week for presentations and discussions on developing a "Winning Mindset". (Please click here for Dr. Dan's bio.) All U14-U18 Boys & Girls Nike, Swoosh and USSDA players and coaches are invited to attend.

ESPN RISE: Jordan Cyrus High School All American

Sereno Soccer Classic - Day 2

Rush Soccer teams continued their impressive winning form on Day 2 of the Sereno Soccer Classic in Arizona. Once again the teams competing went 7 - 0, scoring 25 goals and conceding just 2. In the first two days of competition Rush teams have 14 wins and 0 losses having scored 58 goals and conceding 3.

Monday will see the tournament reach the semi final and final stages.
U14 Girls: Final vs Eastside (WA)
U13 Girls: Semi vs Sereno White
U14 Boys: Semi vs Boulder Force
U13 Boys: Semi vs Sereno White

Rush Select Victorious on First Day of Sereno Soccer Classic

The U13 and U14 Boys and Girls Rush Select teams won all 7 games on the first day of the Sereno Soccer Classic in Phoenix, AZ. The Rush teams scored a total of 33 goals while conceding only 1.
Maddie H., Kylee K., Alex A., and Georgia B., contributed to the U13 girls 8-0 drubbing of Sereno Blue and 3-0 victory over the Arizona Sting. Tomorrow (Sunday) the Virginia Rush girls and their team go up against current AZ State Cup Champions Sereno White. A victory will see the U13s advance through to the semi-finals to be played on Monday.
Please check back for further updates.

What it means to be a football (soccer) fan.

Manchester United versus Chelsea, massive game, and a fan from each team has been chosen to give commentary on the game side-by-side. Personally I don't think they show much emotion as to what is happening on the field ;-) DW

Leeds United Academy Head2Head

Two of Leeds United's Academy players go Head2Head with some juggling fun.

Four VA players to Represent Rush Soccer in Arizona

Congrats to four U13 players invited to represent Rush Soccer Sereno Soccer Classic January 17th-19th. The teams will be arriving in Phoenix on Friday, January 16th and kicking off the three day tournament on Saturday, January 17th. Read the full press release.

Hull City Youngsters Head2Head

Two of Hull City's youngsters go Head2Head juggling. Not much difference in size here. I'm guessing center mid and center back.

Perseverance. Hard Work.

Have you ever been told you are not good enough? Not fast enough? Not big enough?

Very few athletes retire. Most are cut well before they ever have the chance to retire. Chances are that if you have not been cut, you will be one day. How do you react? How do most people react. How did James Harrison react?

Not drafted out of Kent State. Cut four times before finally making it onto an NFL roster. Too Short. Not quite fast enough.

James Harrison.

NFL Defensive MVP

"Just to prove people wrong and I can do this," Harrison said when asked what motivates him. "I can do this at this level."

Read the Sporting News article.

Congrats to Rush State ODP Players

Congratulations to the following Rush players for being selected to the VYSA ODP Teams:

Boys: Heath Saunders, David Ellis, Will Klein, Ian Lundstrom, Robert Bryant, Mason Duke, Ben Tyler, Drew Damico, Luke Williams

Girls: Chloe Rento, Lauren Muncy, Brianna Jasenak, Anna Cronin, Caroline Casey, Savanah Miller, Sierra Johnson, Megan Preti, Kelly Smith, Kaitlynn Klamut, Hanna Foster, Alex Askew, Georgia Boubouheropoulos

U17 Nike Girls at Disney

Congrats to the U17 Nike Girls for winning two and drawing once to sit atop of their group. Best of luck in the SemiFinals of this top event.