Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Quickstrike acquires Sky Blue franchise
Top SYL club adopts W-League team, affiliation with WPS club
Sky Blue News Release - www.skybluefc.com
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
SOMERSET, NJ -- Sky Blue Soccer announced that the Somerset, NJ-based company has come to an agreement to transfer the rights to its W-League women’s soccer franchise to Quickstrike FC in New York. The agreement allows Sky Blue Soccer to focus on running its professional franchise - Sky Blue FC - in the inaugural season of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) in 2009. The W-League team will be relocated to New York and will be renamed the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues. As part of the deal, Sky Blue Soccer and Quickstrike FC will work together with the Lady Blues serving as a feeder/identification program for the Sky Blue FC professional team. "Quickstrike is a great organization with a vision that we really buy into," said Sky Blue Soccer President and CEO Thomas Hofstetter. "As a soccer club, not only do they have a good understanding what it takes to run a good youth program but also the business expertise to make them successful on the W-League level." Quickstrike recently saw its U14 and U15 Girls squad reach the semifinal round of the 2008 Super Y-League North American Finals. A third team competed in the U13 Boys bracket. The club finished the year ranked 13th in the SYL First and Second 11 club rankings amongst the Girls table and 21st in the Overall table. Jersey Sky Blue competed for two successful seasons in the W-League. In 2007, the team made a strong debut posting a 12-2 record with a berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This past summer, Jersey Sky Blue recorded an 8-4-2 mark. The franchise was honored by United Soccer Leagues in both seasons earning the W-League Rookie Franchise of the Year Award in 2007 and the W-League Communications Award in 2008. "We’re excited about the opportunity to bring this level of soccer to the Hudson Valley," said Quickstrike FC General Manager Joseph Belsito. "We are working very hard to reach our ultimate goal of developing Quickstrike FC into one of the premier soccer programs in the country and the addition of a W-League team to our club is an additional step in that direction." Prior to the launch of Women’s Professional Soccer, the W-League served as the highest level of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. When WPS kicks off in 2009, the W-League will serve a vital role in supporting the professional league by providing a feeder system for the top collegiate, international, and amateur players in the world. "The Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues has been one of our goals since we first started Quickstrike FC and now it’s a reality," said Quickstrike Lady Blues Head Coach Jesse Kolmel. "Our W-League team will provide not only competitive opportunities to the top female soccer players in the region, but those experiences will be passed down to players at all ages throughout the Hudson Valley." Sky Blue FC General Manager and Head Coach Ian Sawyers is looking forward to having the Lady Blues serve as a resource to support Sky Blue’s professional venture. "The Quickstrike group exemplifies everything we want from a soccer organization in terms of personnel, resources, facilities and fan base," Sawyers said. "We will rely heavily on the W-league team as a feeder system for our professional team. We will train on a regular basis with its player pool and will constantly exchange information with the coaching staff re player evaluation and player development strategies." "Any top youth, collegiate, amateur and international prospects that have an interest in pursuing a career with Sky Blue FC will be encouraged to play with the Lady Blues," Sawyers added. "Both Joe and Jesse, along with the rest of the Quickstrike staff, have shown tremendous enthusiasm, passion and insight toward the development of professional women’s soccer in the Tri-State area, we look forward to a positive long-term partnership." Season tickets are available now for Sky Blue FC’s debut in WPS. Sky Blue is also offering soccer gift packages for the holiday season. For more information about Sky Blue FC, visit the team on the internet at www.SkyBlueFC.com.
W-League 2009 season details set
Alignment and competition structure announced for next season
USL News Release
Thursday, December 11, 2008
TAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues announced the details for the 2009 USL W-League season. Among the details finalized recently at the 2008 Annual General Meeting at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa, FL were the alignment, schedule structure and playoff details for the 2009 competition. The W-League will consist of 37 teams in 2009, playing in five divisions that comprise the three conferences. One minor change to the alignment format is the name change of the Northern Division to Great Lakes. Expansion teams that have been formally announced to date are the Buffalo Flash and Quebec City Arsenal with an additional team yet to be formally unveiled. Teams undergoing name changes are the Western New York Pride (formerly Rochester Rhinos), Chicago Red Eleven (Chicago Gaels), Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues (Jersey Sky Blue) and the Colorado Force (Fort Collins Force). Teams will play a 12 or 14 game seasons depending on their division with the season opening May 8 and concluding July 19. The W-League postseason will be extended to three weeks with the league semifinals and championship being split into two separate weekends. Eleven W-League teams will qualify for the postseason tournament in 2009 with the league’s Regular Season Champion (based on point percentage) receiving a bye to the league semifinals. The remaining teams will compete in three conference tournaments in playoff week one July 24-26 to determine the other three league semifinalists for the weekend of July 31-August 1 at two locations. The regular season champion will face the lowest remaining overall seed unless they have played during the season, which would result in a pairing with the next lowest seed. The championship game will be August 7-8, and will air on Fox Soccer Channel.
2009 W-League Playoff Bracket [+]
2009 W-League Alignment
Central Conference Midwest Division: Chicago Red Eleven, Cleveland Internationals, Fort Wayne Fever, FC Indiana Lionesses, Kalamazoo Outrage, Minnesota Lightning, West Michigan Firewomen Great Lakes Division: Buffalo Flash, Hamilton Avalanche, Laval Comets, London Gryphons, Ottawa Fury, Quebec City Arsenal, Toronto Lady Lynx, Western New York Pride Central Conference Playoff Format: The playoffs begin with a midweek divisional playoff game between the second and third-seeded teams in the Great Lakes Division. The divisional playoff winner will join the Great Lakes top seed and the top two teams from the Midwest Division at the conference tournament (top seed has first right to host or host determined by bid). The divisional top seeds face the lower seed from the opposite division in the conference semifinals. Eastern Conference Atlantic Division: Atlanta Silverbacks, Cary, Charlotte Lady Eagles, Hampton Roads Piranhas, Northern Virginia Majestics, Richmond Kickers Destiny, Tampa Bay Hellenic Northeast Division: Boston Renegades, Connecticut Passion, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues, Long Island Rough Riders, New Jersey Wildcats, New York Magic, Washington Freedom, Western Mass Lady Pioneers Eastern Conference Playoff Format: The top two teams each from the Atlantic and Northeast Divisions will meet at the conference tournament (top seed has first right to host or host determined by bid). The divisional top seeds face the lower seed from the opposite division in the conference semifinals. Western Conference Colorado Force, Los Angeles Legends, Pali Blues, Real Colorado Cougars, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, Ventura County Fusion Western Conference Playoff Format: The top two teams meet in a conference championship match.
Alignment and competition structure announced for next season
USL News Release
Thursday, December 11, 2008
TAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues announced the details for the 2009 USL W-League season. Among the details finalized recently at the 2008 Annual General Meeting at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa, FL were the alignment, schedule structure and playoff details for the 2009 competition. The W-League will consist of 37 teams in 2009, playing in five divisions that comprise the three conferences. One minor change to the alignment format is the name change of the Northern Division to Great Lakes. Expansion teams that have been formally announced to date are the Buffalo Flash and Quebec City Arsenal with an additional team yet to be formally unveiled. Teams undergoing name changes are the Western New York Pride (formerly Rochester Rhinos), Chicago Red Eleven (Chicago Gaels), Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues (Jersey Sky Blue) and the Colorado Force (Fort Collins Force). Teams will play a 12 or 14 game seasons depending on their division with the season opening May 8 and concluding July 19. The W-League postseason will be extended to three weeks with the league semifinals and championship being split into two separate weekends. Eleven W-League teams will qualify for the postseason tournament in 2009 with the league’s Regular Season Champion (based on point percentage) receiving a bye to the league semifinals. The remaining teams will compete in three conference tournaments in playoff week one July 24-26 to determine the other three league semifinalists for the weekend of July 31-August 1 at two locations. The regular season champion will face the lowest remaining overall seed unless they have played during the season, which would result in a pairing with the next lowest seed. The championship game will be August 7-8, and will air on Fox Soccer Channel.
2009 W-League Playoff Bracket [+]
2009 W-League Alignment
Central Conference Midwest Division: Chicago Red Eleven, Cleveland Internationals, Fort Wayne Fever, FC Indiana Lionesses, Kalamazoo Outrage, Minnesota Lightning, West Michigan Firewomen Great Lakes Division: Buffalo Flash, Hamilton Avalanche, Laval Comets, London Gryphons, Ottawa Fury, Quebec City Arsenal, Toronto Lady Lynx, Western New York Pride Central Conference Playoff Format: The playoffs begin with a midweek divisional playoff game between the second and third-seeded teams in the Great Lakes Division. The divisional playoff winner will join the Great Lakes top seed and the top two teams from the Midwest Division at the conference tournament (top seed has first right to host or host determined by bid). The divisional top seeds face the lower seed from the opposite division in the conference semifinals. Eastern Conference Atlantic Division: Atlanta Silverbacks, Cary, Charlotte Lady Eagles, Hampton Roads Piranhas, Northern Virginia Majestics, Richmond Kickers Destiny, Tampa Bay Hellenic Northeast Division: Boston Renegades, Connecticut Passion, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues, Long Island Rough Riders, New Jersey Wildcats, New York Magic, Washington Freedom, Western Mass Lady Pioneers Eastern Conference Playoff Format: The top two teams each from the Atlantic and Northeast Divisions will meet at the conference tournament (top seed has first right to host or host determined by bid). The divisional top seeds face the lower seed from the opposite division in the conference semifinals. Western Conference Colorado Force, Los Angeles Legends, Pali Blues, Real Colorado Cougars, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, Ventura County Fusion Western Conference Playoff Format: The top two teams meet in a conference championship match.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Milan confirm Agger interest
Soccernet staff
December 10, 2008
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AC Milan have confirmed that they will make a move to sign Liverpool defender Daniel Agger in the January transfer window.
GettyImages
Agger: Unsettled at Liverpool?
Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed on Wednesday that the 23-year-old Denmark international was on a list of "three or four" that the club want as replacements for ageing veterans Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta.
"In January we will sign a defender, there's no doubt about it," Galliani told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport. "We have a list of three or four players who could be useful in defence and Agger is one of them. In January we'll sign one of them."
Agger has been linked with a move to Milan after reports of a fall-out with manager Rafael Benitez, which has also resulted in contract talks between the club and the player reaching an impasse.
"We've followed Agger and his situation at Liverpool before now, we know about the problems between the player and the club over a new contract," Galliani added.
Milan are willing to pay about €8 million for Agger but Benitez has said that he does not want to let the defender leave Anfield.
The other two names on Milan's wish list are reported to be William Gallas, who has been stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal, and Palermo starlet Simon Kjaer.
Soccernet staff
December 10, 2008
Comment
AC Milan have confirmed that they will make a move to sign Liverpool defender Daniel Agger in the January transfer window.
GettyImages
Agger: Unsettled at Liverpool?
Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed on Wednesday that the 23-year-old Denmark international was on a list of "three or four" that the club want as replacements for ageing veterans Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta.
"In January we will sign a defender, there's no doubt about it," Galliani told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport. "We have a list of three or four players who could be useful in defence and Agger is one of them. In January we'll sign one of them."
Agger has been linked with a move to Milan after reports of a fall-out with manager Rafael Benitez, which has also resulted in contract talks between the club and the player reaching an impasse.
"We've followed Agger and his situation at Liverpool before now, we know about the problems between the player and the club over a new contract," Galliani added.
Milan are willing to pay about €8 million for Agger but Benitez has said that he does not want to let the defender leave Anfield.
The other two names on Milan's wish list are reported to be William Gallas, who has been stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal, and Palermo starlet Simon Kjaer.
Galliani hopes Beckham falls in love with Milan
Reuters
December 8, 2008
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AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani hopes David Beckham will fall in love with the Serie A club during his short-term loan stint from Los Angeles Galaxy and decide to stay longer.
"Let's hope he falls in love, the problem is that he has lots of advertising contracts," Galliani told Sky television.
"Let's hope feelings prevail, although at the moment it seems unlikely because I've seen his advertising contracts and they are scary."
The 33-year-old is moving to Milan to keep up his fitness during the United States close season and stay in contention for an England squad place.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has said in the past that he would like to sign Beckham permanently.
Galaxy and the midfielder have said, however, that he will return to the U.S. in the spring for the start of the 2009 Major League Soccer season.
Galliani said the player would arrive in Italy later this month.
"He's coming on Saturday (Dec) 20, he'll do the medical examinations, the press conference and attend Milan v Udinese (on Dec 21)," Galliani was quoted as saying by Monday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"He'll have seven days holiday at then this adventure will start in Dubai (at Milan's winter training camp).
"I don't know how long it will last. At the moment, it's just for two and half, three months."
Reuters
December 8, 2008
Comment
AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani hopes David Beckham will fall in love with the Serie A club during his short-term loan stint from Los Angeles Galaxy and decide to stay longer.
"Let's hope he falls in love, the problem is that he has lots of advertising contracts," Galliani told Sky television.
"Let's hope feelings prevail, although at the moment it seems unlikely because I've seen his advertising contracts and they are scary."
The 33-year-old is moving to Milan to keep up his fitness during the United States close season and stay in contention for an England squad place.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has said in the past that he would like to sign Beckham permanently.
Galaxy and the midfielder have said, however, that he will return to the U.S. in the spring for the start of the 2009 Major League Soccer season.
Galliani said the player would arrive in Italy later this month.
"He's coming on Saturday (Dec) 20, he'll do the medical examinations, the press conference and attend Milan v Udinese (on Dec 21)," Galliani was quoted as saying by Monday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"He'll have seven days holiday at then this adventure will start in Dubai (at Milan's winter training camp).
"I don't know how long it will last. At the moment, it's just for two and half, three months."
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