May 2009 Archives

I want every person who reads this to take a second and leave a thought today. The focus is 100 percent on you today.

What will you remember from the 2009 season?

It might be your favorite player scoring the game-winning goal or seeing your favorite player come back from an injury. You may have made new friendships or just enjoyed being a part of the ride. Here is your chance to give the spotlight to whomever you want. There are thousands of good players, coaches, refs, volunteers, ball runners, school officials and yes, even IHSA officials.

All it takes is one second today to give someone some overdue praise.

And I'll be the first person to start kudos line...

Former Lincoln-Way and Indiana standout and MLS player Ned Grabavoy was a player that could've sat out of high school and played year-round club, but he didn't.

And today, he reminds players what they'll miss if they do sit out.

I can hear the folks in the Bloomington Ivy Tower saying, "There Joe Trost goes again, picking on us."

Picking on you?

No, I'm not picking on Marty Hickman, Beth Sauser and the rest of the YouTube watching gang dancing with Mr. Add-A-Tude in the IHSA offices. What I am going to do - once again - is show how the IHSA fails to put kids first. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - until the member schools regain control, you will continue to see the same lack of common sense time and time again.

Don't believe me? Let's play a little game of here are the facts...

From 9-10 p.m. Wednesday, there will be a live talk right here about IHSA tournament games from 1A, 2A and 3A.

To take part, you must have a legit email address which will be tested and you must respond prior to joining. To join ahead of time, post comment here prior to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Enter comment and live talk will begin at 9 p.m. You must hit refresh.

Call it a typo - the IHSA site is now corrected. The Class 1A finals will be played over a two-day period as has been the case in past years. But instead of pulling this blog down, I think it's still worth some thought.
****************************************************************************************************************
According to the IHSA site - ihsa.org - the Class 1A finals will be played in one day...this Saturday. This would be a first for the IHSA tournament. And before I officially call to find out why, I'm going to think outloud:

1. Keeps cost down by playing two games in one day. You don't need hotel rooms for teams and workers, and you only need workers for one long day. And maybe this will help Class 1A attendance. The past two years, the attendance for the Class A finals has been very, very poor. Makes sense.

2. With that said, forcing a team to play two games in one day is not going to produce the best soccer. It's not the end of the world, but I still don't think people making the scheduling decisions understand the game of soccer. And why do I say that? Because there isn't one person the IHSA staff that has a soccer background.

There will be some news and notes later, and I still have a good Q&A I will be posting from a Sandburg defender.

But I want to throw this out there...

Have you ever looked at youth soccer not just in Chicago - but throughout the U.S. - as a dysfunctional family? Seriously, think about that.

High school coaches, club coaches, ODP, U.S. Club, egos, parents, bad officials, know-it-alls, clueless administrators, good people, bad people, different rules and so on. The reason I bring this up is because every year there is always something that makes me look at this sport and say, "It's just so messed up."

Talking to coaches this week and receiving a number of emails, I've said that to myself a couple of times. There are so many good things, but just like a dysfunctional family the bad ones jump out.

And those that speak out tend to look like the bad ones, but that isn't always the case.

So here's my question - is youth soccer screwed up? Are there too many cooks in the kitchen and really not enough Indians?

One of the greatest things about high school athletics is playing in front of your peers.

I don't think anyone would doubt that - right?

The feeling of walking down the hallway, having students talk about the game last night and feeling a sense of pride.

We all agree on this - right?

So if that's the case, then why is the IHSA tournament played at only select sites? Why not allow more students a chance to see the tournament by hosting home/away contests? I'm sure officials will be an issue, but there are ways to work around that.

It's time to do what is best for the sport.

Agree?

Finally - yes FINALLY - Oak Park is getting lights.

After years of living in the stone age, the Oak Park Village Board finally gave approval for lights on Monday by a 7-0 decision. This ongoing debate was fueled by residents around the school who said their quality of life will be drastically affected.

Huh?

Whether you believe it, I am a pretty sensitive person. No really, I am. I just don't have patience for my stupidity or that of others - unless there is a reason. And in this case, I just don't get the quality of life debate.

Never did and I never will. I mean, Wrigley Field has had lights for 21 years now - 21 years. It's 2009 folks - not 1809.

The school has been there for DECADES. The lights will be on 66 hours spread out over 60 days during the school year. Honestly, when they are done installing the light poles, I might grab one of the hammers and hammer some sense into these people.

This is the third piece in a series of breaking down each sectional of the IHSA tournament. Let me know your Final Four, winner of each sectional and why? The reader with the most correct answers at the end of the series will receive a $100 gift package.

New Trier is the favorite, but Loyola has been solid all season. And if the Ramblers and Trevians meet, Loyola's Allison Suhey will be a girl on a mission. Maine South has been at Great America this spring, riding the Hawks rollercoaster. Evanston has a lot of young talent, but still might be a year away. The wild card here again is Niles North - I said it at the start of the season. While it didn't meet expectations during the regular season, there is enough experience on this squad to upset one of the top four seeds.

Here are the seeds:

One thing I love about the girls soccer season is right now - the weather. With the boys, it goes from good to bad. But with the girls, it goes from bad to good.

I'm just hoping the clear skies today brings some common sense to the parent from Payton, who basically said I don't support the Public League because we didn't cover the Public League tournament title game.

Here's a little history lesson - one of the main reasons why we used to cover that game all the time was because it gave the Public League an automatic berth to the IHSA tournament finals. But in the big picture now, it means no more than the Naperville Invite title game or Pepsi Showdown girls event at Toyota Park. And last Thursday, probably the biggest game was the battle between Fremd and Hersey for the MSL Cup.

For all the times I've stood up for the Public League when suburban coaches have asked why I'm covering it so much, why I allow them in the Pepsi Showdown, why I made them the lead story in the preseason girls preview in 2008 (a first for the Sun-Times and took a beating from editors on it) and why I go to bat for its lack of facilities when Public League coaches and parents call me and say they need help - it just annoys me there are clueless parents like this one out there running wild on the streets.

And now for some real news....

Team Chicago - Where Soccer Begins - offers Brazilian skills training, elite player development and full indoor program included in club fee.

Who: U7 to U18 boys and girls

When: May 16, 2009 to June 6, 2009

Where: PlayUSA Soccer facility in Aurora

Visit teamchicagosoccer.org for additional information or call 630-978-8244.

When the email came last week, it was one that I selfishly hoped would never come.

But it was only a matter of time, and the time has arrived.

St. Ignatius coach Aaron Carpenter (left) is officially leaving the school.

I've always been pretty easy to get in touch with. People know my email, my cell and I'm kind of hard to miss standing on the sidelines at 6-foot-5 with the trademark Nike hat on.

And to a fault, I respond to emails quick and even respond in the middle of the night if I wake up and look at the blackberry. But with that said, I will say I opened myself up to every person in the world when I posted my personal email address here last week.

Mercy.

I think I'm still spinning from the Public League parent from Payton nailing me on Friday for not supporting the Public League. If I haven't supported the Public League and gone to bat for the coaches, kids and teams - I want to know who has? For that comment, this parent wins a first-class ticket to wear the 'Attitude' costume at the IHSA tournament finals. Congrats.

Mercy.

With that said, let's get back to the issues. And yes, there will be news and notes throughout the day, a club tryout update and a little Q&A from an area player.

Before CKicks returns later today with news and notes, I throw this out there - should a player have a main position on the all-area team?

Or if a player plays a handful of different positions such as forward and defender, should they be list on the team as a F/D.

Today's player tends to play different positions in high school than it does in club, allowing high school coaches to use them in different areas. But when it comes to the all-area team, should a player be listed for just one position?

As the case is every year, it's Sun-Times All-Area nomination time. Whether people want to believe this the call is theirs, but this honor is as prestigious as they come.

Think of all the players, all the schools in the Sun-Times coverage area. To be selected as one of the top 11 or even one of the top 33 is pretty special. And as many coaches know, I'll debate a player left and right all the way down to the final spot on the third team.

So I decided this year to let you in on the process, open the door to critics and let you see how I decide who earns a spot on the 2009 all-area teams.

Here is your daily club tryout information.

As I mentioned Monday, I'm more than happy to help spread the word. Send your info to joetrost@hotmail.com. I've been flooded with emails this week and plan to run one spot each day.

Here is Wednesday's posting:

Ela Elite will begin holding tryouts for high school-aged players on May 16. All tryouts will take place at Lake Zurich High School. Additional information may be obtained by visiting http://www.elasoccer.com/page/show/39130-ela-elite.

This is the second piece in a series of breaking down each sectional of the IHSA tournament. Let me know your Final Four, winner of each sectional and why?

The reader with the most correct answers at the end of the series will receive a $100 gift package.

Hinsdale Central is the team to beat. But there are some wild cards. St. Ignatius - will it be healthy? Oak Park - peaked early, will it peak again? Lyons - young talent, will it step up? York - bowed out early in 2008 tournament, so will it bounce back this year? Fenwick - Carly Smith (left) and the Friars battle until the final horn.

Here are the seeds:

I've written about this in the past, but every year it seems to be an issue.

Why does it bug high school coaches so much when a student - not a professional athlete - decides not to play high school soccer?

Any dedicated reader of this blog knows I'm for students having a choice, but also think that giving up the experience of playing for their high school community is something no student should ever do.

High school coaches, many of whom are educators, have to remember the big picture. Students have choices, and those choices will be agreed with by some and disagreed with by others.

But remember - these are high school students. Even if their parents are nuts (and I've seen a few), these are still high school students.

High school coaches - especially those who are teachers in the school - should assist their students (if called upon) whether they play for them or not. Coaches are educators first - you know that big part of their check you can see at thechampion.org - and a coach second. If you don't believe me, go sit down and talk to Kelly coach Stan Mietus , who always reminds me that he's trying to prepare his kids for the future.

And if you don't believe him, call me - I'll get you in to see the 'Get a Clue' fairy.

Attached is the 2010 Pepsi Showdown girls pool. There is one spot left, as the largest tournament in the country will grow to 48 teams next spring on its way to 64 in 2011. Who will fill the last spot?

Since running the information about Eclipse Select tryouts on Monday, I have been flooded with emails from surrounding clubs. As I mentioned Monday, I'm more than happy to help spread the word. Send your info to joetrost@hotmail.com.

Here is Tuesday's posting:

The Naperville Soccer Association (NSA), one of the area's premier nationally-ranked traveling soccer clubs, is hosting tryout May 17 through June 1. Pre-register tryout information may be found at napervillesoccer.com. If you are unable to make a NSA Premier tryout, you may call 630-428-9371 to set up alternate date and they will work around your current team's schedule.

This is the first in a series of breaking down each sectional of the IHSA tournament. Let me know your Final Four, winner of each sectional and why?

The reader with the most correct answers at the end of the series will receive a $100 gift package.

Could Naperville North and Neuqua Valley meet up once again as they did in the photo to the left? Here are the seeds:

Here is your chance to pick the 2009 Sun-Times Player of the Year.

Tell me who it should be and the reason. Let's see what you know.

I can't wait until I have the first club idiot - yes, I said idoit - email me and say why are you promoting that and not this. So to save that idiot the time and from me having to read that, if you send me stuff, there's a good chance I might run it.

With that said, Eclipse Select is holding tryouts and here's the important info you need:

Who: All youth boys and girls soccer players
What: Tryouts for Eclipse Select teams to be part of an elite youth soccer club
When: May 16-June 14 (Check eclipseselect.org for specific age group dates)
Where: All five Eclipse Select Sites (Libertyville, Oak Brook, Tinley Park, Naperville, and Tri-Cities - Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles).

If you would like me to help spread the word, send me your stuff - joetrost@hotmail.com. If not, don't complain when I help someone else.

After a short weekend getaway, Cornerkicks is back...I know, contain the excitement. No parades needed.

There will be A LOT of information on Monday and throughout the week, so make sure to check back often. There may be postings every hour. Don't believe me - try me.

So let's jump right into it.

A local coach and I had an interesting conversation on Saturday. He is a supporter of kids playing club and improving during the high school offseason, but he threw this out at me - fad. Is it a "fad" that kids are skipping high school to play club in the spring?

Before you answer, sit back and think about it. And then I'll tell you my thoughts later. It's an interesting thought.

There are still a couple interesting games on tap this week, including two just added last week - New Trier vs. St. Ignatius (Tuesday) and Fenwick vs. Maine South (Thursday).

And here is this week's top 10...

This is a great story by the Daily Herald about a great person and a company that continues to give back to the community.

Grant helps soccer club leader mentor young Hispanics

Serving as president of a competitive soccer club is more than managing a sport for Shah Quaiyoom (middle left).

For the past two years, Kelly Lewers and Melanie Coderre (left) have been the one-two punch for Homewood-Flossmoor.

After Coderre led the Vikings with 27 goals a year ago and Lewers added 21, the duo has raised the bar this spring. Lewers leads the way with 30 goals, while Coderre recorded her 25th tally during a 2-1 win over Andrew on Wednesday night.

Coach Todd Elkei's crew has played in two of the most competitive tournaments around this season - the Pepsi Showdown and adidas Tournament of Champions - and is the heavy favorite to represent the South Suburbs in the IHSA finals at North Central College next month.

So with this in mind, what other area duos come to mind? From Waubonsie Valley's Bri Rodriguez and Vanessa DiBernardo to Lake Forest's Nicole Lipp and Rachel Quon there are a number of powerful one-two punches.

Who deserves some praise?

After sitting in the shop the past couple of weeks, the Waubonsie Valley state title bus is finally warming up.

Amazing what happens when a team is healthy and has everyone on the field. As it showed Tuesday during a tough 2-1 victory over previously-unbeaten St. Charles North, the Warriors are hands down the team to beat this spring.

With all of its players healthy, there is not a team in the state that can beat this squad. Post this in locker rooms, blow my words up or put them on a billboard along I-88 - I don't care. The facts are the facts. Talent wise on paper, this team is better than any other around. Yes, Neuqua, Naperville Central, St. Charles North, Lake Forest and others are very, very good - but when you figure in experience, too, the Warriors grade out better than the rest.

Do you now agree - as I said at the start - the only thing that will stop Waubonsie Valley from winning its third consecutive IHSA tournament in June is if lightning strikes its bus on the way to North Central College in Naperville?

One thing I do know is if the Warriors beat Naperville Central on Saturday, they will return to their second home next Monday - No. 1 in the Sun-Times poll. Why? Because they are the No. 1 team - hands down.

The Road to 64...and then to 128. (You think I'm kidding, but I'm not).

That will be case the with the Pepsi Showdowns beginning in 2010. They will continue to be the largest tournaments in the country and also will become the premier high school tournaments...in the country. (You think I'm kidding, but I'm not).

Here is the up-to-date girls lists of teams:

Last Thursday, Barrington coach Ryan Stengren reached out to me about joining the 2010 Pepsi Showdown. It's something we've talked about the past two years actually.

Then I saw an email from Naperville Invite officials talking about date changes and expanding to include the Barrington Tournament in 2010, which is something Ryan and I spoke about last year. I gave a call to Ryan this morning to find out what was up, and he wasn't sure because he hadn't even spoke to them directly about it.

But somehow Naperville officials have gone public, trying to make people believe something is a done deal when it's not. What's even more interesting is that Naperville Invite officials are looking at moving the dates of the 2010 tournament. Those will conflict with the 2010 Pepsi Showdown, which had dates in place through 2012 for more than a month.

With five teams from the 2009 Barrington field - Lake Zurich, St. Viator, Libertyville, Glenbrook South and most likely Barrington - in the 2010 Pepsi Showdown mix already, it doesn't make sense to have the dates conflict so all teams have as many opportunities as possible.

It's good to see the "premier" tournament catching on, but the goal is to promote the sport - not compete. Because at the end of the day, there really is no competition.

Because of the lovely weather this season, area teams are looking for games. A number of squads lost nonconference opponents earlier in the season and couldn't find a makeup date, while others have recently lost nonconference games because their opponents have to fit in a rescheduled conference game.

Two teams looking for games this week or next are Maine South and St. Ignatius.

And a reminder, to post a response, you must include a real email address or it won't be posted.

Huntley's Alyse Williams (left), one of the Midwest's top defenders in the 2011 class, suffered a season-ending injury and had ACL surgery last Friday.

"We got off of the bus with four girls on crutches last Thursday," Huntley coach Kris Grabner said. "Alyse went into the corner after a ball, her heal sunk into the soft ground and she went down. We really did not even see her twist

"Nina Barreto has been injured since our game against St. Ignatius. Kelly Creager is having an unidentified problem with her right leg very close to her ankle, and Caitlyn Owens had a head on with two other players during practice. Other than all of the injuries, we are playing well."

One of Williams' strongest games of the season came during a 0-0 tie against new No. 1 St. Charles North.

You would think the world is coming to an end with all the talk of the Swine Flu or whatever they are calling it these days. I'm all about prevention, all about safety, but do schools close during the winter when a child has the flu? Does the IHSA think about postponing or cancelling sports when there are thousands of cases of the flu every year?

Let me guess, this is next - we're going to tell soccer players not to shake hands after games? Wouldn't surprise me if that happens.

RELAX PEOPLE...