Sunday, May 30, 2010

ACSL Playoff Results

Quarterfinals

ACFC (2) vs AWOL Select (1)
Goals: Nico Voigtlaender, David Woirhaye

Semi-Finals

ACFC (3) vs Malibu United (4)
Goals: Custis Smith (2), Nico Voigtlaender

Consolation Finals

Typhoon FC (12) vs ACFC (7)
Goals: David Woirhaye (5), Blake Nickle (2)

Sunday, May 23, 2010

ACFC makes ASCL Cup Round

It wasn't easy ... and some might even say it wasn't pretty ... but despite being forced to play a man down for almost half a match, ACFC came back from an early 3-1 deficit against That's What She Said to take second place in the EPL with an inspired and gritty 5-4 final tally.

Miguel Lopez and David Woirhaye each notched a brace while Dave Wardell slotted in a single on the day. Volkert Besseling stepped between the posts for the match and made some quality saves.

Three of the ACFC goals were earned short-handed after an ACFC striker was red-carded for his behavior following an incident in the box.

ACFC will now face AWOL Select in quarter-final Cup Round at 2 PM, Sunday, May 30 and must win to advance to the semis. A win will pit the team against Malibu United (the top seeded first place squad) for a berth in the Cup Finals and a chance to reclaim the prestigious Tom Bry Honorary Cup.

The Swamp Donkeys (who topped the EPL after 20th Century Fox defaulted their week 6 match-up) face off against Del Rey City 90 in the other quarterfinal for a chance to play Typhoon FC in the semis.

Angel City FC -- who were out of contention for a playoff spot in La Liga -- did not fare well in their last match against Real Talk, losing a 4-1 decision with the lone home tally coming from Besseling. Angel City finished up the season in third purely by virtue of a +1 better goal differential than the fourth-place Real Talk. Malibu United and Del Rey City 90 took the top two spots in the division.

The AC Allstars, who also had no playoff hopes in Serie A, finished on a positive note, knocking off the LA Rovers 3-1 to stay in third. Jonny Ibanez wrapped two goals around a single strike from Mike Barthel to end the season. Typhoon FC and AWOL Select took the top two Serie A spots.

All three Angel City squads will return to Santa Monica Adult League Action on Saturdays starting June 19 at the Santa Monica Airport fields.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

ACFC wins LAPL premiere 4-2 against O'Briens

The ACFC over-30s squad are already moving up in the LA Premier League rankings after taking a 4-2 win against O'Briens FC Thursday night in the team's league debut.

The squad dominated play in the first half, creating numerous chances, and notched their first goal at the nine-minute mark with Freddie DeLeon converting a David Woirhaye cross.

Continued pressure in the second forced O'Briens to score an own goal at the 48- minute mark -- with a defender trying to deflect a shot. But the Irish side finally knocked one in themselves eight minutes later. Angel City quickly regained the two-goal lead with Matt Onheiber scoring off a Leo Wallach throw-in soon after.

O'Brien's came within a goal at 64 minutes after a scramble in the box, but Brandon Cole sealed the win minutes later, heading in a low struck corner kick from Ben Kull. Final tally ... 4-2.

Dan Klein was named MVP of the game for his strong defensive role as sweeper throughout the match. Pete Wasek and Rahoul Ghose each earned a yellow card during the more scrappy moments of the match.

Angel City FC, who now move up to 10th place in the 12-team LAPL (having taken over for the now defunct FC 90 mid-season), now face veterans Avanti FC next Thursday at Crossroads with an 8 PM kickoff. Avanti beat Hollywood United this week to move into first place with an impressive overall record of 11 wins, two ties and a loss.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Test Predicts Risk for an Ankle Sprain During Sports

This simple test can help predict your risk for an ankle sprain

By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide
Updated April 06, 2010

An ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries for athletes who play field or court sports. In fact, according to one of the largest descriptive epidemiological studies of ankle sprain in the United States, the majority of sports ankle sprains occur during basketball, with football, soccer and running following far behind.

If you play basketball, you might be interested in a simple test to predict your risk of an ankle sprain. Researchers found that a simple, inexpensive screening tool can predict which athletes may be more likely to have an ankle injury and developed a simple training routine to help reduce that risk.

The study found that athletes who were unable to complete a simple single-leg balance exercise were two-and-a-half times more likely to have an ankle sprain during the subsequent season than those who could complete the test.

In this study, 230 college and high school athletes who participated in football, soccer and volleyball were screened during their sports physicals using the Single-leg balance test.

The Single-Leg Balance Test

The single-leg balance test required that the athletes close their eyes for ten seconds while standing barefoot on one foot, keeping the other knee bent and not touching the weight-bearing leg.

The test was considered "positive" if the athlete was unable to perform the test on either one or both legs.

The participants were followed through the sports season to record any incidence of ankle sprains during sports participation. Over a 14-week season, these 230 athletes reported 28 ankle sprains. The study results indicated that athletes with a positive single-leg balance test result were significantly more likely to be among those reporting an ankle sprain.

The researchers concluded that although the single-leg balance test served as a predictor of ankle injury, the exact mechanism responsible for this increased risk of injury remains unknown.

Ankle Sprains Prevention and Treatment Strategies

If you play field or court sports and don't score well on the single-leg balance test, it would be a good idea to take additional preventive measures to reduce your risk of an ankle injury. Learn what causes a sprain, how to avoid one, and how you can recover faster if you do sprain your ankle.

* Diagnose and Treat Ankle Sprains
Do you know what to do if you sprain your ankle?
* Ankle Sprain Rehab Exercises
If you suffer a sprain, this program can help you heal faster.
* Prevent Ankle Sprains
This simple exercise helps reduce the risk of ankle sprain.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

ACSL Breakdown after Week 5

EPL

There are three teams tied for first: Swamp Donkeys, 20th Century Fox and ACFC, all with 9 points off of three wins and two losses.

However, Swamp Donkeys lead with a GD of +7 followed by 20th Century with +4, and ACFC with +2. The 6-1 win against 20th Century helped a lot this week in the GD department, but the squad needs a win next week against That's What She Said to ensure a playoff spot (they are not in contention). The SDs and 20th Cen play in the other game, so someone's going to lose points. An ACFC win will guarantee a spot.

La Liga

With their close 3-2 win today against Angel City FC, Malibu United has already qualified for the playoffs. Del Rey City 90's 7-5 loss against Real Talk kept them in second at nine points while Angel City sits in third with six points. If Malibu United beats Del Rey next week Angel City still has a chance with a high scoring win against Real Talk. Del Rey's current GD is +5 while Angel City's GD sits at -2. It's a long-shot, but possible.

Serie A

Both AWOL Select and Typhoon have qualified for the playoffs. The AC Allstars have no chance of overtaking either team and will likely decide third and fourth in their game against the LA Rovers ... it's just pride at stake. The Allstars are only one point ahead.

Games: Week 5

ACFC (6) vs 20th Century Fox (1)
Goal Scorers: Volkert Besseling (2), David Woirhaye (2), Kirby Adams, Ivan O'Neill

Angel City FC (2) vs Malibu United (3)
Craig Blois, Nico Anderson

AC Allstars (1) vs Typhoon FC (7)
Mike Gemballa

A note from coach Billy Alarcon

I want to take this opportunity to....

CONGRATULATE you!!! Tonight, about 20 minutes after our game ended, I was contacted by the commissioner of the Premier League. He officially invited us to join the very prestigious LA Premier League. (For those of you who didn't make it out tonight, we won 3-1.)

We should hold our heads up very high boys. Not just for the way we played tonight, but because of HOW we play. We play hard and our work ethic is strong and that shows in our performance on the pitch.

This is a huge accomplishment for a still pretty young club. We owe most of this if not all of this to Ben Kull. His hard work and endless hours of devotion and leg work to not one but MANY squads helped build a club out of an idea at a wedding in northern California just two years ago.

In addition to BK's hard work, blood, sweat and I am pretty sure at least a few tears, this club has developed large enough to get noticed by this very competitive league. Don't get me wrong, you guys, which most of our 30's squad has been there from the beginning, have helped keep the integrity in which we were formed, in tact.

Anyway, congrats boys!! Mike will be contacting me tomorrow with all the details. But basically we are jumping into their season which has 8 games left. And at the end of that we will be participating in their Cup, which is similar to the LA Muni playoffs. So we have plenty of competitive football ahead of us. As soon as I get all the details I will forward them to all of you ASAP. But be ready for a game this coming week.

Once again, you guys played amazing tonight and need to remember that we are capable of playing like that week in and week out. More to come...

¡¡Viva ACFC!!

coach

ACFC earns an LA Premier League spot

UPDATE: ACFCs first league match will be against O'Briens FC, Thursday, May 20 at Crossroads with an 8 PM start
_________________________________________

The Angel City FC 11s over-30 squad is moving on up ... to the West Side ... after winning a spirited LA Premier League qualifier 3-1 against the LA Brits Saturday night at Crossroads.

Following the match ACFC were asked to join the league by LAPL officials ... the squad -- which previously competed in the LA Municipal League -- will now be playing in the final eight LAPL matches as well as a cup playoff round.

ACFC's qualifier -- the second test match in a week -- saw the local side facing off against a talented and fit Brits squad on the narrow Crossroads pitch. Play was even in the first half with chances on both sides, though ACFC were back on their heels for the first five. A strong midfield, bolstered by the return of Matt Onheiber and some great back checking from the likes of Ben O'Meara and Ben Kull turned the tide though.

In his first game back since cracking a rib, David Woirhaye notched his first of two goals on the night early in the second, heading a ball past the keeper off a header from Onheiber. Ten minutes on and ACFC took its second strike with O'Meara making an impressive, diving header off a cross from the right side of the pitch.

Two down, the Brits tried to fight back with some scrappy play in the midfield ... and with about 15 minutes left in the match a lofty pass from the left side made its way over keeper Christian Olde Wolbers and into the net. Despite the lucky goal, Wolbers had a strong match between the posts, controlling his box together with central defenders Kirby Adams and Pete Wasek.

Not satisfied to play out the remainder of the game in defensive mode, ACFC kept making runs up the field and with about five minutes left, Woirhaye sealed the win with his second goal, a shot past the keeper, who had already turned away several golden opportunities.

With the win, ACFC showed a solidarity and fire which dominated the team two seasons ago when it captured the LA Muni League title and Cup round. The squad was also thankful to have its cheering squad out ... all in all a memorable evening.

Announcements on the squad's upcoming schedule, fees and other league details will be made by Manager/Coach Billy Alarcon shortly.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

ACFC 11s play LA Premier League tryout

The ACFC 11s over-30s squad will be playing its second of two tryout matches Saturday at Crossroads (7:30 PM) for a berth in the LA Premier League. Come out and cheer the squad on. (Location: Crossroads School, 1715 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, California, 90404 | bleachers available | map)

The league is at the mid-point of its 22-game season, but would allow ACFC to join now if its bid is successful as it appears one team has dropped out early.

Launched in October 2002 as a non-profit league that placed a high priority on contests with excellent sportsmanship, the LAPL now features 12 teams, including the likes of Hollywood United, Matador FC and FK Dinamo. A majority of games are played at Crossroads with some scheduled at the Santa Monica Airport ... all fields are turf ... no slide tackling seems to be the only rule change some will have to adapt to. Games are played Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays with kickoffs varying between 7 PM (Airport) and 8 PM (Crossroads).

One familiar figure at each game will be head ref Alex Gorin. Gorin is the "Law", as he has held the coveted post of LAPL Head Referee since the league's inception. From 1985 until 1991, he was a National Referee for the Premier Division of the USSR Professional Football League. Since 1996, he has held the National NISOA Referee title.

If ACFC's bid is successful the club will drop its participation in the LA Municipal over-30s League for the upcoming summer season.

Judging by ACFC's first friendly, against the top-ranked Coyotes -- which included some ex-Chivas players in the squad, the competition level will be high. But ACFC has already attracted several new prospects to the squad for 11s. Anyone interested in trying out for the over-30s squad should fill out the ACFC Player Info Form.

The 11s are coached and managed by Billy Alarcon, with help from ACFC alumni Tom Bry.

Monday, May 10, 2010

ACFC 7s results

ACFC 4 vs Swamp Donkeys 1
(2 win, 2 losses | currently in third place in EPL)

Angel City FC 1 vs Del Rey City 90 2
(2 wins, 2 losses | currently in third place in La Liga)

AC Allstars 3 vs AWOL Select 7
(1 win, 1 tie, 2 losses | currently in third place in Serie A)

The eight goals scored were from: Blake Nickle, Mike Barthel, Craig, Nico, Jonny Ibanez, Ivan O'Neill, Mike G, Matt O.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Ahhh ... World Cup ... nuff said




UMBRO website

ACFC takes trio of 7s wins

Congrats to the three home entries in the Angel City Soccer League. The trio of squads all notched tight one-goal victories Sunday at Playa Vista to move one step closer to a playoff spot. Now at the mid-season point, each squad has three return matches left.

ACFC 2 vs That's What She Said 1
(1 win, 2 loses | currently in third place in EPL)

Angel City FC 5 vs Real Talk 4
(2 wins, 1 loss | currently tied for first in La Liga)

AC Allstars 4 vs LA Rovers 3
(1 win, 1 tie, 1 loss | currently tied for second in Serie A)

The 11 goals scored were all single efforts from: Ivan O'Neill, Greg Metzger, Volkert Besseling, Pete Marlenga, Dave Wardell, Miguel Lopez, Mike Barthel, Custis Smith, Jonny Ibanez and Daniel Stafford.

Thanks to Ben Kull for getting me the stats.