ACSL Food Bank Drive Update

For its second annual food drive, ACSL collected more than 170 items for the Westside Food Bank. These items will be distributed to families in need through a network of over 70 organizations serving the LA Westside.

Area shelters and organizations have reported the need is about 30-40% above normal, and over one million people in Los Angeles County - about 10% of the population - are currently seeking food assistance of some kind. Most say they never thought they'd be in such a situation, and it reminds us that being dealt a few bad hands in a row can really change one's circumstances quickly.

ACSL is proud to support the communities in which it plays and wishes everyone Happy Holidays!

More information on the Westside Food Bank can be found on their website: http://www.westsidefoodbankca.org/

Swamp Donkeys take ACSL Cup

The Swamp Donkeys took three straight wins Saturday to capture their first ACSL Cup, downing That's What She Said in the quarters (3-3) on penalties (2-1), and Esjberg FC (4-3) in the semi-finals, before toppling Del Rey City in the finals 6-4.

Del Rey's path saw them advance on penalties twice, against ACFC (4-4, PKs 2-1)and AWOL Select (1-1, PKs 7-6). Esjberg FC took the consolation final 9-4 against Esjberg FC.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to the players and officials for another successful season.

ACSL Week 6

Six teams have qualified for the league cup this coming Saturday. Esjberg FC, AWOL Select and ACFC topped their individual divisions while second-place squads Del Rey City, That's What She Said and Swamp Donkeys also advanced.

While Esjberg FC and the Swamp Donkeys were tied in points at 13, Esjberg took the Serie A title based on their head-to-head results against the Donkeys ... a 5-5 draw and a 4-2 win.

Esjberg FC and AWOL Select recorded the two best 1st-place records on the season and will receive a bye through the first round, while the remaining four squads (including EPL winners ACFC) will have to win three straight matches to hoist the coveted league cup.

ACFC will face Del Rey City in the first round at 9 AM, and if successful will be paired up against AWOL Select at 10 AM. The Cup and Consolation finals take place at 11 AM.

Congrats to the division winners and best of luck in the playoffs.

PS: any help with field set up (before the day's matches -- around 8 AM) and break down, following the Cup matches (around noon), would be appreciated.

World Cup decision

It is with great disappointment we absorb the news that the US has lost the 2022 World Cup bid to Qatar of all places. US Soccer put together an incredible bid, bringing enthusiasm for the sport in this country (and on the continent as whole) to an all time high.

We should take pride in the fact that the Bid Committee put together an incredible package and roused the support of millions of soccer fans.

The World Cup will eventually return to the US ... we're sure of that.

But for now keep growing this great sport locally by supporting soccer at all levels ... whether it's coaching and organizing youth soccer (the future of US success in World Cup), participating in adult soccer by both playing and providing opportunities for team play ... and by cheering on your local MLS or semi-pro side.

All will guarantee soccer's continued success here.

ACFC Update

As this year ends, I'm very proud of our progress in 2010.

Here are some of our achievements this year...

- Two first place titles in Santa Monica League 7s divisions.
- Two second place finishes in the Kick for a Cure Tournament in San Diego.
- Admitted into to the LA Premier League.
- 1st Place in the EPL division of the Angel City Soccer League (playing for league championship this Saturday)

As we enter 2011, our club is continuing to grow. We have big plans for the new year, so I want to let you know what will be happening....

1. As always, we'll be entering 3 teams in the Saturday 7 v 7 league at Santa Monica Airport (10 weeks, beginning in February). I will manage these teams, but I'll be looking for three guys to help with each team. Please let me know if you're interested in helping out with game day coaching and management.

2. Tom Bry and Pete Wasek will continue managing the 30+ Premier league team, which plays year round.

3. We will continue practicing on Monday nights at the Santa Monica Airport until January 10th. After that we will find a new field to use until we can return to the airport in April of 2011.

4. Starting in March or April, I'll be forming another 30+ team to play in the LA Municipal League. This team will allow more of our over 30 year old players to play competitive 11 aside matches and earn a spot on our Premier League team.

5. Ivan O'Neill will continue to manage our charitable activities. While we're happy to be organized to play a lot of soccer, we also want to give back to the community. Ivan will lead that effort and will be contacting you for help with this.

6. Rahoul Ghose continues to manage our websites. Please use the site as a resource for all club information. Rahoul is great about updating results and schedules and he writes our blog.

7. We subsidize some costs through small sponsorships and money we earn in our league, but our club is mostly funded through player dues. Playing on each of our teams costs money and Pete Wasek continues to manage our finances. With such a big club, it isn't easy to do, so please continue to pay your dues to Pete when he asks. Our leagues cost a lot of money, but we play on nice fields against excellent competition with good referees. This is hard to find and it's worth paying for. Our club does not make a profit. All money goes toward club expenses.

8. We will continue to recruit players in the off-season. If you have friends that you'd like to bring in, please let me know. We're looking for exceptional players. Please keep that in mind when you bring friends.

9. Angel City FC has a board of directors-- Dave Woirhaye, Kirby Adams, Rahoul Ghose, Pete Wasek and Myself. These guys donate extra time and work to organize the club and keep it running as well as it does. They are all volunteers and I thank them for their help.

I've enjoyed playing with you guys. It will take time to get to the top level, but we're on our way and are competitive everywhere we play. I'm proud of our club and I promise it will always be a club you can be proud of.

I'll keep you updated as we form all our teams for the next season.

All the best.

Ben Kull
newben@mac.com

ACSL Week 5

With one week left in ACSL regular season play, three* teams have sealed their berths in the Cup Round. AWOL Select* sits on 12 points, three up on nearest rivals TWSS in La Liga division and five points above Angel City FC (who mathematically can still qualify).

The Swamp Donkeys* and Esjberg FC* are tied on 10 points in Serie A, four points above the AC Allstars.

And the EPL is still wide open with ACFC and Malibu tied at nine points and Del Rey City in striking range on seven points. Week 6 will decide the final three playoff spots and the seeding -- two teams with the best overall records earn a bye through the first round, while other contenders will face three matches in a single day to hoist the Cup.