June 2008 Archives

Former Lincoln-Way, Chicago Magic and Indiana star Ned Grabavoy turns 25 on Tuesday. The former New Lenox resident is hands down one of the best high school players I have ever covered, a player that created excitement in the stands the minute he touched the ball.

Entering his fifth year in the MLS, the San Jose midfielder was asked this past weekend when he was in Chicago if he would change anything about his prep career (when he chose to play high school and club)?

"I look back at playing in high school and love that I got to play with some of my best friends," said the former high school and college All-America star. "I had a similar decision whether to play in college or playing in Europe. I don't regret a thing."

Seriously, Cubs, couldn't you have done me a favor and just won one game this past weekend - just one? I know we've won 9 of 12 and 6 of 9 - including two sweeps mixed in - and were missing half our studs because of injuries - but come on.

Thankfully, I have some thoughts on State Cup and Regionals to throw out there to get my mind off of your bad performance this weekend.

So here are the first two of the day, with more to come later:

*Is State Cup and Regionals a big thing anymore? The U-16, U-17 and U-18 Chicago Magic teams all play for the U.S. Developmental Academy, and they were not permitted to participate in State Cup and Regionals. The U-19 Magic team is now the Chicago Fire Juniors, as most of the boys play in the Fire PDL league for the summer.

*Three local Chicago girls from Eclipse Select are at a U-17 Women's National Team camp this week in New Jersey. This is the last camp before the CONCACAF qualifier.

*And when it comes to the Eclipse Select, it's damn if you do - damn if you don't. Last year, they struggled to get teams to Nationals. That had people questioning one of the nation's premier girls soccer clubs. This year, they have a number of teams headed to Nationals, and now critics are saying they should be there with all the talent they have.

But here's the most interesting question I have....

You have to love when grown parents argue over high school sports. It's one thing to talk about it, but when it gets to the point of acting like 2-year-olds over an outcome of a high school soccer match, you really feel bad for the kids that have to call these idiots "parents."

That's exactly what I and a reporter from the Tribune said when talking about recent postings on message boards and blogs.

You have to love summer. If you don't, honestly, I really don't care...because I do.

Have to say, it's been an interesting week. And I hope you don't mind that soccer will have to take a backseat in today's blog.

A former co-worker of mine, Jeff Ponczak, died last Saturday at the age of 39. Even as I type this, I still can't believe it. I couldn't believe it when my Dad called to tell me the story was in the paper - http://www.southtownstar.com/sports/1006541,061508jeffponczakobit.article.

I really learned a lot from Jeff early on in my career. He always had time to answer questions and help the young college kid sitting next to him.

Tomorrow is never promised, and sadly, we all tend to forget that.

The Chicago Magic Academy and AS Monaco FC have announced a partnership.

"This allegiance is groundbreaking for both sides. AS Monaco is committed to an alliance with all levels of soccer in the Chicago Magic program, and their U16 and U18 youth academies will be the foundation of our combined efforts. The Magic is at the forefront of soccer in the U.S.," AS Monaco President Jerome de Bontin said. "AS Monaco has one of the best academies in the world--the reserve team just won the 2008 U23 French championship--and has a long history of pioneering relationships with the purpose of identifying and developing talented soccer players."

The new partnership will elevate the Magic program by including sponsorship and technical support covering all U.S. Soccer Development Academy expenses for Chicago Magic coaches and players, an annual exchange program allowing top prospects to train in Monaco and AS Monaco coaches conducting special training sessions and camps in the U.S.

When people look back at the 2008 girls soccer season, what will be remembered? Here are just a few ideas to get things started:

*The ridiculous Feb. 25 starting date.

*Waubonsie Valley's dominance.

*More players skip high school soccer than ever before.

*The younger talent that grabbed the spotlight.

*Downers South coach Barry Jacobson becoming the first Illinois girls soccer coach to win 400 games.

*Pepsi Showdown becomes largest girls soccer tournament in the country.

*New Trier's amazing consecutive quarterfinal run comes to an end.

*A number of long-time girls soccer coaches retire.

Man, there really are some great ones.

But man, there really are some losers. Coaches, members of the media and even players talk about them all the time. I've seen parents from Fremd to Lincoln-Way and countless others make fools out of themselves and continue to even after their kid(s) have moved on. I've had college coaches ask me to hide them when they see a parent walking toward them in the past during club events.

After two coaches forwarded emails they received last week, it makes me wonder - is it only going to get worse?

I said it last week - I'm glad I'm done ranking teams this spring, because it really has been a messed up year. As I write this, I'm not sure if Waubonsie Valley is one of the top three teams in Illinois history or if the competition was down this year between No. 1 and the rest.

As I sat down to do the final rankings, I just shook my head and laughed.

Here are the final rankings, and then I have some thoughts. This will be an interesting week of blogs, because I have a lot of thoughts now that the season is officially over...or is it?

1. Waubonsie Valley 26-0-1
Loses only three seniors to graduation
2. Wheaton North 17-3-2
Preseason No. 2 captured Pepsi Showdown title
3. Wheaton-Warrenville South 19-2-1
No surprises: another solid year
4. Naperville Central 20-6
How will they fair without Casey Short next year?
5. Hersey 18-3-4
Expectations will be even higher next year
6. Fremd 18-4-1
Won’t be sending Hersey a Christmas card
7. New Trier 19-5-2
Is the Trevians’ dominant run over?
8. H-F 24-4
Young Vikings will be back
9. St. Ignatius 27-2-1
Young, exciting team gave Normal West a battle
10. Maine South 20-3-4
Is 2009 the time to bring home a state trophy?
OTHERS: Downers South, Carmel, H-F, Neuqua Valley, Lake Forest, York, Mundelein, St. Charles East