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Tuesday, May 6
College Commitments
Every player on the team deserves hearty congratulations and all the back slaps and "attaboys" we can give them. Every player on the team that wants to play college soccer is getting the opportunity. Not only are the guys good soccer players but, to a man, the team has excellent students. It goes to show that the combination of soccer skill, academics and community service coelesce to make these young men highly sought after players. They should all be very proud of their achievements. The college choices made are, in alphabetical order:
Nick Alexander - Trinity University (San Antonio, TX); the "Tigers"
Zach England - Wartburg College (Waverly, IA); the "Knights"
Alex Linthicum - Buena Vista University (Storm Lake, IA); the "Beavers"
Spenser Nash - Baker University (Baldwin City, KS); the "Wildcats"
Matt Newman - New York University (New York, NY); the "Violets"
Derek O'Grady - Buena Vista University (Storm Lake, IA); the "Beavers"
Reed Parker - Dominican University (River Forest, IL); the "Stars"
Matt Prather - Drake University (Des Moines, IA); the "Bulldogs"
Gordon Reiz - Trinity University (San Antonio, TX); the "Tigers"
Jared Robinson - MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe, KS); the "Pioneers"
Nathan Seider - William Jewell College (Liberty, MO); the "Cardinals"
Dave Sievers - Blue River Community College (Independence, MO); the "Trailblazers"
Trent Spindler - Emory University (Atlanta, GA); the "Eagles"
Devin Springer - North Central College (Naperville, IL); the "Cardinals"
Brendan Copelend, Josh Ogren and Gyer Vierthaler are all juniors and will undoubtedly make some coaches very happy this time next year. Mason Crouse and Matt Cunard both decided to end their formal soccer careers.
See the Links page for links to the websites of each school soccer program (School links are at the bottom).
Click on the Blue link below to see where everyone will be next year.
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Wednesday, September 24
Tournament Schedule
Two outdoor tournaments have been scheduled for the 2007/2008 season as of this date. More are expected in the future. The two scheduled are:
- Germantown Invitational, Germantown TN (Memphis), December 1-2, 2007
- Texas Blue Chip Showcase, Spring, TX (Houston), February 9-10, 2008.
We will play Kansas State Cup and most likley the Kansas City Invitational as a warm up. One or two additional tournaments will likely be added.
We wil play in the National Indoor Regional at the Soccer Dome on the weekend of January 25th through the 27th. We will play in the Men's Open division.
Monday, August 6
Legends Go 3-0 at a CSK (Muscatine)
The Legends 89/90 team went 3 and 0 at Muscatine the weekend of August 4th and 5th. The weekend started off cool and damp with scattered showers on Saturday but the team was lucky in that all the rain occurred between games. Coaches representing over 50 schools stopped by to watch the boys play.
On Saturday morning the boys defeated the Little Illini Soccer Club of Champaign, IL 3-1 (goals by Newman, O'Grady and Reiz). The defense was stout allowing very few opportunites. As a result the offense was able to probe and work to find theri feet and the opeinings leading to the victory.
Saturday afternoon brought a match with the spirited Schwaben Nationals U16 team from Chicago. Another 3-1 scoreline was in order (goals by O'Grady, Prather, C., and England). As in the first game the defense made numerous plays and the game was over by the time the opponent picked up a late consolation goal.
Sunday's match was played on a much warmer day. The third 90 minute game within 24 hours combined with the heat and humidity lead to a less entertaining and chippier game. The Legends took control early and cruised to a 5-1 win over Central Illinois Soccer Academy of Peoria, IL, (goals by O'Grady, Prather C. (2), Linthicum and Reiz)
Kevin Wardlaw Takes Over as Coach for 89/90 Legends
Kevin Wardlaw is now the head coach of the KC Legends World Cup 89/90 team. Jon "JC" Collett has coached the team as U15s, U16s and U17s. Under JC's tutelage the team placed as semi-finalist in Kansas State Cup twice, won back to back Winter Magic crowns, won the Kansas City Invitational, placed 2nd in the Germantown, TN tournament, was a Us Club Regional semi-finalist and won their league crown. The team developed a reputation as one of the top teams in the State of Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area. The team represented the Kansas City area from Indianapolis to Phoenix and from St. Louis to Austin, TX always acquitting themselves well while playing the beautiful game.
Kevin Wardlaw comes to the team along with his assistants Mike Stone and Mike Dye. Kevin is head coach at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas taking over the program in January 2003. In four years at MNU he has led the program to 55 wins 24 loses and 6 ties. MNU has won 2 NCCAA National Championships, 3 NCCAA Regional Titles and a share of the Heart of America Conference Championship in 2005. Prior to coaching MidAmerica Nazarene Kevin was head coach at Hardin Simmons University in the Dallas Texas area. While at HSU he led that program to 3 American Southwest Conference championships and two appearances in the NCAA Div III National Tournament. His record while at HSU was an impressive 51-20-2. Coach Wardlaw started his coaching career as an Assistant Coach at Cumberland College (KY) where he obtained his Masters Degree in Education. As a player he was a two-time All-Conference Goalkeeper and a 3-time Track and Field All-American. He holds a Premier Diploma from the NSCAA. Coach Wardlaw and his wife Tina, have three daughters; Maleah (4), Ava (3), and Juliana (a new addition).
While bidding JC farewell and good luck in his new endeavors is difficult, the boys and parents are very pleased to welcome Kevin and look forward to an exciting and productive U18 year.
Wednesday, July 11
Legends Reach Semi-Finals of US Club Regional in Indianapolis
The Legends played in the US Club Regional tournament in Indianapolis, IN from June 30 through July 2nd. The boys opened the tournament with an unlucky draw to the Ft. Wayne Fever. Despite dominating possession and shots on goal only 1 found the back of the net. Sunday brought another game in which the team dominated possession and chances on goal leading to a 2-0 win over the Rockford Raptors. Monday brought Team Dayton, a mix of Dayton Ohio's best players. Team Dayton won the rough and tumble affair 2-0 on an own goal and a goal on a set piece. The semi-finals brought a rematch with Team Dayton. The Legends fell two goals behind early on two Dayton set plays. The Legends stormed back with two goals of their own to tie the score. The Legends had the better of the play for long stretches and played considerably better than in the first encounter. Two more set plays brought goals to Dayton and the team fell 4-2. Team Dayton went on to win the final by defeating Scott Gallagher. The boys can be proud of their hard work and be secure in the knowledge that they played well and strong throughout.
Tuesday, April 17
Rockford Spring Invitational -- Where was Spring?
That's overstating it a little I suppose but the team traveled to Rockford, IL. Up until just a day before the tournament it was questionable as to whether or not the games would go on but thanks to the excellent work of the grounds crew the games did in fact play. Saturday was cold and windy but the fields were in suprisingly good condition. The team faced Regional Champions and National Finalist Rockford Raptors in the opening game, playing well, but falling 2-0. The first goal was a bit lucky as a poor cross caught the wind and turned into a looping shot that tucked just inside the far post. The second was a set piece.
The second game but Ontario's best squad, Windsor Nationals. Conditions were again cold and windy and the game was played in twilight as the tournament had to reduce games to 30 minute halves and were behind all day as the organizers struggled to get all the games in. The Legends dominated possession against a stout defense and created numerous scoring opportunities. The deadlock was broken in the second half as Mason Crouse stuck his foot in just before the keeper could make a play running a slow roller across the line for the games only score.
Sunday brought sun, ab it of warmth and a little less wind. Sadly it also brought out thawing ground and a muddier virtually unplayable field. The team needed a win to advance while the opponent could settle for a draw. As the game progresses and field conditions worsened neither team was able to play the possession and control game they both wanted to pay but had to resort to a more direct long ball approach. The Legends created the bulk of the quality opportunities, particularly in the frantic last 10 minutes but the HUSA defense packed in well and defended strongly and the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Wednesday, February 21
Legends Compete at Phoenix President's Day Tournament
The team traveled to Phoenix, Arizona over the long President's Day weekend for the 28th annual President's Day Tournament presented by the Sc Del Sol Soccer Club. The competition was likely the best of any tournament in which the boys have ever played. Drawing what had to be considered the group of death (to borrow a World Cup term) the team struggled to find it's footing on Saturday. The weather was beautiful but the soccer -- not so much. It was very windy and the brand new Reach 11 fields were rock hard and fast. The boys opened against perennial Virginia powerhouse McClean Soccer Club(whose coaching director was just hired as the new head coach for our own KC Wizards). Despite the boys best efforts the nearly 3 month lay off showed and the game was lost 0-2. Things got no easier as Saturday night brought FC Greater Boston Bolts. A regular top 10 in the country and regular participant in US National Cup and other national tournaments. The boys played better but the size and speed was too much and the game was dropped 0-4. The players claimed two goals were offside but in truth, the Bolts were the superior team.
Sunday brought a new day, a little less wind and a match up with East Side Eagles of Eugene Oregon. The Oregonians had played to 1-1 draws with McClean and Boston Bolts so a tough game was expected and provided. The boys played much better with two games under their belts and the game was very even through the first half with both teams having a handful of chances but neither able to break through. The opponent became increasingly frustrated, apparently expecting an easier game, and fouls began to mount. The game turned when a player made a rash tackle on goalkeeper Trent Spindler earning his second yellow card. With both teams needing points the game opened up and Alex Linthicum delivered the game winning goal. The win vaulted the Legends over the Eagles for third place in the group behind group winner FC Boston Bolts and runner up McClean.
Monday's consolation game involved Ajax - Chicago. The warm Phoenix weather abandoned the team as it was much colder, windy again and raining/sprinkling on and off. The boys were undeterred and intent on making their mark and in turn proving the superiority of Bracket 5. The game was never in doubt as the Legends won 3-0 (and could have had several more) in a game they dominated from start to finish.
In addition to the great soccer the boys got in a little hiking in the mountains, "bird watching" as JC would call it on Mill Street and allot of good team bonding time. The guys can be very proud of their collective performance and things look bright for the remainder of the year.
Monday, January 15
Legends Repeat as Winter Magic Champions
The Legends U17 boys defeated Gareth Hughes' U16 Legends 7-3 for the U17 Winter Magic title on Monday, January 15th. After a slow start leading to a 2-2 score line the boys out scored their younger brethren 5-1 to take their second consecutive Winter Magic championship. The team also beat the KC Soccer Club made up of many of last years KC Legends WC2 team 6-2 and the Galaxy from the Blue Springs MO at 7-2. The third pool game was a forfeit as poor weather conditions forced the withdrawal of the Real Madrid squad. Goals on the weekend were spread around amongst virtually the entire squad and those who did not score assisted. The defense let up an average of less than 3 goals per game, very good for indoor, and those were all traceable to the miscommunication that runs rampant in the scatter-brained world of "wall ball" rather than a lack of defensive presence. Goalkeeping was highlight, particularly in the final.
Monday, January 8
Legends Compete at Arsenal College Showcase
The Legends boys played in the Arsenal College Showcase this past weekend (January 6th & 7th) in Omaha, Nebraska. Arsenal's indoor facility was a beautiful indoor field measuring 110 by 65 allowing for free flowing and engaging full sided indoor soccer. The boys defeated the Scott Gallagher U16s 2-0, and played to 1-1 draws with both the Scott Gallagher U17s and the Futura Force. In addition to the opportunity to be seen by college coaches it was an excellent opportunity for the boys to get some full sided soccer in since we haven't had an outdoor game since well before the holiday break.
Tuesday, June 6
Legends World Cup Reach State Cup Semi-Finals: Caps Great Year
The U16 boys KC Legends World Cup team reached the Kansas State Cup Semi-Finals this year. After winning a tough Group C the boys fell to archrival KCFC - Rideout in the semi-final round. The game was closer than the score indicated as it was necessary to push forward to try and secure the tieing goal. The boys played well, particularly in the group win clinching victory over the Comets - Schiraldi.
Among this years many accomplishments: Champions of both Winter Magic and the Kansas City Invitational, top 3 finish in the A League, wins over KCFC - Rideout and BV Stars Grasshoppers and appearances in major college showcase events in Memphis, TN, Austin, TX, Indianapolis, IN and St. Louis (Collinsville, IL).
Monday, November 6
High School News - Legends Contribute to State Champion Squads
Congratulations to Blue Valley Northwest and St. Thomas Aquinas for winning the Kansas State High School championships this last Saturday. Five Legends players contributed to these wins (BVNW - Alexander, Parker, Reiz & Spindler; STA - Copeland). A big congratulations to Matt Newman and Devin Springer for Rockhurst's third place finish in Missouri. Alex Linthicum and Mill Valley took third in their Kansas state class. All of the other Legends players were major contributors to their teams success this year.
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