Players First

The first-ever group of Players First-licensed clubs features 46 clubs from 19 states around the country. Through a rigorous application process, these clubs have all proven their commitment to providing a holistic club soccer experience for parents and players, which emphasizes the development of each individual to his or her full potential, and helps parents make better choices about where their children should play.

As youth’s soccer’s “Good Housekeeping Seal,” these clubs immediately take this newfound recognition into their communities and nationally, standing out as pioneers in improving the club soccer experience for players and parents.

These exemplary clubs have met the rigorous Players First standards of offering comprehensive Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety:

Arizona Arsenal SC (Gilbert, Ariz.)

Arkansas United (Little Rock, Ark.)

Ballistic United SC (Pleasanton, Calif.)

Barça Academy Charlotte (Charlotte, N.C.)

BEST FC (Westborough, Mass.)

Birmingham United Soccer Association (Birmingham, Ala.)

Blaine SC (Blaine, Minn.)

CAPS FC (Cleveland, Ohio)

Challenge SC (Houston, Texas)

Classics Elite (San Antonio, Texas)

Crossfire Premier Redmond (Redmond, Wash.)

East Meadow SC (East Meadow, N.Y.)

FC Alliance (Knoxville, Tenn.)

FC Stars (Lancaster, Mass.)

FC Wisconsin Girls (Milwaukee, Wis.)

Florida Kraze Krush (Oviedio, Fla.)

Houston Dynamo/Dash Youth (The Woodlands, Texas)

ISC Gunners FC (Issaquah, Wash.)

Lake Norman SC (Mooresville, N.C.)

Liverpool FCIA TX (Dallas, Texas)

Lonestar SC (Austin, Texas)

Manhattan SC (New York, N.Y.)

Marin FC (Greenbrae, Calif.)

Match Fit Academy (Brick, N.J.)

Mustang SC (Danville, Calif.)

North Carolina FC Youth (Raleigh, N.C.)

Ohio Elite Soccer Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Ohio Premier (Dublin, Ohio)

Placer United SC (Rocklin, Calif.)

Prince William Soccer (Woodbridge, Va.)

Sacramento United SC (Sacramento, Calif.)

San Antonio City SC (San Antonio, Texas)

San Francisco Elite Academy (San Francisco, Calif.)

San Juan SC (Rancho Cordova, Calif.)

Sockers FC (Palatine, Ill.)

Southern Soccer Academy (Marietta, Ga.)

Space Coast United (Melbourne, Fla.)

STA (Randolph, N.J.)

Sting SC (Dallas, Texas)

SUSA (Suffolk County, N.Y.)

TSC Hurricane (Tulsa, Okla.)

United Futbol Academy (Cummings, Ga.)

Villarreal Virginia Academy/Annandale (Fairfax, Va.)

Virginia Soccer Association (Haymarket, Va.)

West Florida Flames (Brandon, Fla.)

Western NY Flash (Buffalo, N.Y.)

“We believe this to be the most rigorous and comprehensive attempt in U.S. Soccer history to identify those clubs that have demonstrated a commitment to creating the kind of infrastructure and culture necessary to provide the best overall environment for players,” said US Club Soccer CEO Kevin Payne.

In addition to this nationally recognized stamp of approval, these clubs also receive increased exposure through US Club Soccer’s best-in-class search engine optimization, more access and special benefits from Players First partners and resources, features on US Club Soccer digital and social channels, customizable content and more. They’ll also be invited to a Players First symposium in 2019.

Details about the licensing process can be found on this web page, including the terms and eligibility information. These 46 clubs enjoy Players First licensing status until Dec. 31, 2020, at which time there will be a renewal opportunity. Club applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and approved clubs will be announced quarterly. Clubs that apply but do not meet the standards and requirements outlined in the application all receive a detailed letter explaining any deficiencies with suggestions and resources to correct those.

The application includes seven sections, in which clubs must demonstrate their commitment to the Players First pillars:

• Club and Applicant Information
• Club Leadership Expertise and Development
• Staff Education and Development
• Player Health and Safety
• Training and Competition Structure
• Staffing Structure
• Parent Education and Engagement

ABOUT US CLUB SOCCER:

A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer fosters the growth and development of soccer clubs in order to create the best possible environment for players of all ages.

Anchored by Players First and its five pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety, US Club Soccer offers registration, league- and cup-based competition platforms, player identification and a variety of other programming, resources and services.

US Club Soccer is sponsored by Nike and supported by LaLiga through a technical partnership.

Following Friday’s MLS SuperDraft where Placer United alumni Tucker Bone was drafted in the first round by Seattle Sounders,  Saturday ushered in another exciting day in Chicago. Placer United Soccer Club had current and former players pick up All American and All Region Awards at the 2019 United Soccer Coaches Convention. The United Soccer Coaches organization serves as the recognized leader in naming All-America soccer players and teams at every level of play.

ALL AMERICA Awards went to the following players:

• Kellie Pagador – Youth All American Team Award
• Tucker Bone – College Div I All American First Team Award
• Anna Gregg – College Div II Scholar Player of the Year Award and All American Div II First Team Award.
• Samantha Craig – Jr College All American second team Award
  All REGION Award
• Corban Anderson – College Div I All Region second Team.
  Big Congratulations to all five players. Great job!

#PlacerProud

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Placer United was named along with 46 other clubs from 19 states across the U.S  as part of U.S Club’s first-ever group of Players First-licensed clubs.

In a press release from U.S. Club, they said, “The selected clubs have all proven their commitment to providing a holistic club soccer experience for parents and players, which emphasizes the development of each individual to his or her full potential, and helps parents make better choices about where their children should play.”

“We believe this to be the most rigorous and comprehensive attempt in U.S. soccer history to identify those clubs that have demonstrated a commitment to creating the kind of infrastructure and culture necessary to provide the best overall environment for players,” said U.S. Club Soccer CEO, Kevin Payne. “These clubs immediately take this newfound recognition into their communities and nationally, stand out as pioneers in improving the club soccer experience for players and parents.”

“These exemplary clubs have met the rigorous Players First standards of offering comprehensive Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety,” continued U.S. Club.

“To receive this kind of recognition from U.S. Club is absolutely brilliant,” said Placer DOC Paul O Brien. “Sometimes all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes can go unnoticed. Everyone at Placer United has played a huge part in helping create a culture of development.

Click HERE to read the full article.

#PlacerProud

 

Placer United alumna and now Cal Poly star, Mackenzie George was chosen for the Big West Conference Freshman of the Year award. George started every match this season at forward, playing 1,647 minutes. She scored two goals and had an assist in her debut season. A grad of Woodcreek High in Roseville, Calif., George was one of 24 players called to attend the USWNT U-19 camp in May. Her assist came in the 60th minute at Santa Clara on Sept. 21, before tallying her first goal against Cal Baptist (79′) on Sept. 23. George closed the year scoring a 49th-minute equalizer against UC Santa Barbara on Oct. 28.

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Come out and watch the Sierra College Women’s Soccer team Tuesday, November 20th, in their 2nd round playoff game versus Santa Rosa. Kick off is 11:30 a.m. in the Sierra College Stadium.

Coach Gantt’s team has had an incredible season winning every game in their conference playing 23 and scoring 102 goals along the way. The currently ranked #1 team has Placer United alumni players: Francis Andrade, Sam Craig, Jordan Higgins, Macy Moen, Kiley Whipple, Grace Vargas, as well as coaches Jason Gantt (Placer United Hall of Fame), Ron Benjamin, Bashar Abduljalil, BJ Glass, Janis Hurter, and Molly McConnell. #Placer Proud

Click Here for more information.

Second Round NorCal Playoffs
#1 Ranked Sierra College vs. #8 Ranked Santa Rosa Junior College

 

It was another big month of soccer for Placer United’s 2003 player Kellie Pagador as she added another International trophy to her cabinet by helping the US Women’s U15 (2003) National team win the CFA International Women’s Youth Football Tournament in Weifang China.  Kellie who won her first International trophy with the Women’s U16 (2002) National team earlier this year in Italy played in all three games in China, which included the game of the tournament against Japan as the U.S. team came back from a two goal deficit to win 3-2. 

August 2018 — Placer United swarmed into Davis this past weekend with thirteen boys teams and nine girls teams competing in the Summer Classico Tournament.

Headlining the weekend was the 07G Gold and Coach Cory who won all three games in the Premier Bracket before a 2-0 final win versus FC Elk Grove.

Placer United 08G Gold, fresh from a win at Pleasanton Rage, played up in the 07 Championship Bracket. After three impressive victories, a 2-2 tie with Woodland was enough to secure the trophy in the group format.

The 10G Gold and 07G Black had notable results as finalists in their respective age-groups, as well as the 10G Black who finished as runner-up in the five team bracket capping a good weekend for the girls teams.

The boys teams, many of whom were playing in their first competitive event of the season, faired just as well. The 07A group were edged out 3-2 in the final of the U12 Premier Bracket to Athletico Santa Rosa.

The Placer United 07/08A group went undefeated in the Championship Bracket but two ties meant that they just missed out on the final, instead facing their own 07B Gold Club team in the consolation. Coach Emre’s 07B Black team continued the strong showing for our 07B age-group as they were crowned champions of the League One Bracket, overcoming SSA in a tense penalty shoot-out.

Wrapping up the tournament results were third place finishes for Placer’s 09B Gold in the U10 Premier Bracket after a 3-1 win versus Woodland, as well as for Coach Megan’s 10B White team capping a good day for the boys!

 

Noah Benjamin, of the 07B Gold team, recently traveled with his family to Mexico. The Benjamin family brought donated soccer gear from families of Placer United and Noah participated in training and games with the Atlas Vallarta Soccer Academy.

Over the past year, the Benjamin family collected soccer uniforms, cleats, soccer balls and other clothing to take to Puerto Vallarta.  From past visits, Noah’s dad, Coach Ron, selected a few remote locations that he noted were in need.  “We rented a jeep, packed it full of stuff and hit the road,” said Noah. “Our first stop,” added Ron, “was a small village outside of Bucerias, a small beach resort town in Nayarit on the Bay of Banderas, between La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Nuevo Vallarta.”

The Benjamin’s pulled into the village at a small convenience store and told one of the locals they had a number of donated items for  kids and within minutes, over 40 kids and adults were at the store to see what the family had brought. Many of the kids were shoe-less, so cleats and soccer balls were the biggest hit. The Benjamin family each grabbed a ball bump and inflated soccer balls as quickly as possible. The locals were very appreciative!

The second stop was another small village outside of Boca de Tomatlan. The jeep came in handy as the Benjamin’s had to cross a river that was 75 feet across. A normal car may not have made it. Again, the Benjamin’s were quickly surrounded by kids who were excited to receive gifts.

Later in the trip, Noah trained during the week and then played the final ’06 league match of the season for the Atlas Vallarta Soccer Academy. They played against the Boca Jrs ’06 of Vallarta for third place. Noah played all 70 minutes in a 5-3 loss. “It was a great experience for him to play in a completely different environment without knowing a ton of Spanish,” said Coach Ron.

The Benjamin’s want to thank those of you from the Placer United Family who donated items for this trip. It was a very fulfilling experience. Go Placer!