Many of our players will be away during part or all of the local schools’ 2017 spring break period (Saturday, April 1st through Sunday, April 9th), so we’ll change from our usual schedule. We’ll have two informal spring break events:

Thursday, April 6: We’ll have an informal scrimmage at Metro North Park during our normal practice time: 5:00 – 6:15 PM on the TOPS field. We have room for Academy sisters to join us. Girls should wear normal practice attire.
Sunday, April 9: We’ll have an informal scrimmage, 3:00 – 4:30 PM on the Metro North Park TOPS field. We have room for Academy sisters to join us. Girls should wear their blue game day uniforms.

Link: spring break photos and group videos

US Women’s National Team TV alert

The US Women’s National Team plays Russia twice in April. Both games will be televised:

Thursday, April 6: 8:30 PM on Fox Sports 1
Sunday, April 9: 2:00 PM on ESPN

Viewing tips:

We encourage the girls (parents too!) to watch part of each game to see what high level soccer looks like. Many young kids get bored watching sports — they would rather play! — but they are more likely to watch a game if they have specific viewing goals. Things to look for:

Do players keep the ball moving while they play, or do they stop the ball and look around?
Do players get their heads up and turn away from defenders (find open space), or do they play with heads down and dribble into defenders (go into bones and shin guards)?
Do players keep the ball by dribbling or passing, or do they kick the ball and chase it?
When the USA is attacking, do the backs stay back near their own goal, or do they move forward to help the attack? How far forward?