 Congratulations to the SFEA 2004 Boys for winning the spring 2018 NPL 2 title this past weekend. The boys ended the season with two matches to play on the final weekend, needing good results, and they did not disappoint. On Saturday, at Paul Goode Field, the team won 4-2 versus Star Academy in an exciting match that saw SFEA jump ahead 2-0 only to find themselves 2-2 with just 15 minutes to play. SFEA responded well by returning to its aggressive attacking play and put the match away with two goals to secure the win. On Sunday, SFEA played a great match, defeating third place Sunnyvale 4-0 at Skyline College and sealing their division championship. Congratulations to the entire team and head coach Nick Lusson on a fantastic season!
2018-2019 Season to Feature a Minimum of 22 Teams Playing U9 Through U19 with Participation in Norcal, NPL, and US Soccer Development Academy  SAN FRANCISCO, CA. ––The San Francisco Elite Academy (SFEA) announced today a substantial expansion of its soccer program for youth players. Beginning with the upcoming tryout period this May, SFEA will add an additional U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) team at the U13 Boys age level (2006 birth year) as well as eight new teams across boys and girls at the U9 through U13 age levels (2010-2005 birth years).
SFEA’s addition of this new youth program comes on the heels of on-the-field success this past fall as well as the introduction of a number of new, innovative programs to support player development, like SAQ+ and Peak Performance. Today’s expansion announcement also furthers SFEA’s commitment to its mission to develop elite soccer talent in San Francisco and represents yet another milestone in raising the bar for all of San Francisco’s youth soccer players. “This starts an exciting next chapter for the San Francisco Elite Academy,” said Eddie Soto Director of Coaching for Boys and Men’s Head Coach at the University of San Francisco. “Our continued growth is something our families have been asking for, so we’re happy to be announcing we are adding younger players to our soccer programs across the board.” At the upcoming tryouts in May, SFEA will be selecting players for the following teams, at a minimum, for the 2018-2019 playing season: BOYS 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 (USSDA), 2006 (USSDA), 2005 (NPL), 2004 (NPL), 2003 (NPL), 2002 (NPL), 2000/2001 (NPL) GIRLS 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 (PRE-NPPL), 2005 (NPL), 2004 (NPL), 2004, 2003 (NPL), 2003, 2002 (NPL), 2000/2001 (NPL) “The San Francisco Elite Academy began as a promise,” said Jim Millinder, SFEA’s Director of Coaching for Girls and Women's Head Coach at the University of San Francisco. “We wanted to provide the city’s most dedicated youth players a program that elevated the level of coaching, the level of competitive play, and the level of daily training. Our new younger age group teams are about doing the same. Along with our technical partner clubs, we’ll be working to improve the foundational environment for youth players and help the next generation of great San Francisco soccer players get started.” While a few final details about the new youth program continue to be finalized, SFEA will again be leading the market in terms of quality coaching, focussed training facilities, and development-based curriculum. In addition, SFEA youth teams will be supported with additional and specialized training as well as unique playing opportunities throughout the year. “Our coaching staff is more highly-licensed and experienced than any other local club,” said Chris Flanagan, Director of Soccer Operations. “Together, we’ve conceived a youth program that better addresses the full-spectrum of developmental needs of the younger kids. We intend to be the club that sets a new standard for how younger soccer players are developed in San Francisco.” For now, SFEA youth teams will be limited in number so as to provide high value and close attention to each team, as well as to recognize that younger players often choose clubs for a variety of non-soccer related reasons. Through SFEA’s Technical Partner program, youth players at other clubs will have a chance to benefit from parts of SFEA’s youth program if their club chooses to participate. SFEA President Joe Dugan summed it up this way: “The combined lessons of our U.S. Soccer Development Academy and other specialized programs, along with the tremendous success we’ve had with our NPL-level U14 through U19 teams, have led us to establishing a more thoughtful and improved performance environment for the city’s youngest players. Since the founding of SFEA, three and a half years ago, we’ve been working tirelessly to create more opportunities for soccer players. Today’s announcement is an exciting leap forward as we’re now prepared to take the positive impact we’re making on players and expand it to more ages.” Families and players interested in SFEA’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy or our new Youth Program are encouraged visit our website at sfea.org for more information. About SFEA The San Francisco Elite is a youth soccer club for elite-level and aspiring youth soccer players in San Francisco. The organization provides next level training at a critical juncture in a player’s development by offering highly licensed and experienced coaching, soccer-first facilities, and a proven development curriculum, backed by specialized coaching and programs. SFEA was the first team in San Francisco to have a U.S. Soccer Development Academy program and places more teams in US Club’s National Premier League than any other San Francisco club. In addition, SFEA is committed to leaving no dedicated player behind and provides over $100,000 in financial aid and scholarship funding annually. About U.S. Soccer Development Academy Following a comprehensive review of elite player development in the United States and around the world, U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007 for male players in the U-15 to U-18 age groups. In 2013, the Academy expanded to include the U-13/14 age group, and in 2016, the Academy launched the U-12 age group, which has continued to improve development by setting standards and improving the everyday environment for elite players and clubs. Academy alumni have progressed to play at elite amateur and professional levels with 109 Academy graduates rostered in the MLS in 2016 and 23 Academy players earning U.S. MNT caps.
 On Sunday, the SF Elite Academy 2002 Boys traveled to the Santa Clara Youth Soccer Park for what would be the decisive match in the NPL 1 spring season. The SFEA 2002 Boys entered the match in second place and needed a win to secure the NPL1 title as then first-place Monarcas 02 Boys had already played their final match and held a two-point edge. In addition, Santa Clara Sporting 2002 Boys Green were just one point behind Elite in third, but also with a game in hand, meaning Sunday's hosts needed a win or tie to be in the driver's seat to claim the title themselves. Played in perfect weather on the pristine grass field at the Santa Clara Youth Soccer Park, both teams served up a great display of soccer. Early on, Santa Clara appeared dangerous in the counter attack and nearly capitalized on several corner kicks using routines they had obviously worked on in training. SFEA first-half keeper Nicolas Galleno was forced into several big saves. By the end of the half, however, SF Elite was getting the ball into the corners with numbers crashing into the Santa Clara box, which led to multiple golden chances, including a shot just over the post from wing Ellis Brenneman. The first half also saw an audacious outside of the foot chip shot by SFEA forward Aidan Hyde that just struck the wrong side of the left post. While the half ended 0-0, early in the second SF Elite kept working the ball forward on a foundation of defensive pressure and decisive ball winning, especially from holding midfielder Reid Pollino. The break through finally came when midfielder Owen Flanagan, scored on a knuckling free kick that found the upper left net, untouched, from a strike of around 25 yards. The goal spurred Santa Clara into action and soon the game opened up with quick counter attacks both directions. SF Elite was frustrated by what appeared a penalty only resulted in a free kick on the top of the box and a subsequent blocked try on goal. And then the increased pressure finally paid off for Santa Clara when SF Elite failed to build out of a corner clearance. A terrific one-on-one play deep in the box from a Santa Clara player led to a slotted goal from a tight angle, and the game was tied 1-1. From there, both teams looked like possible winners. Santa Clara had several end-to-end chances but great center back play from SFEA's Thibault Jamey and Declan Pantankar (and supported by second-half keeper Alex Lopez) kept the score even. Then, with just a few minutes to play, William Murray, who had been moved into central striker from his normal left back position, broke onto a long pass to get in on goal. With a defender leaning into him from behind, William managed to punch the ball between the keepers legs and recover his balance in time to smash the ball into an empty net. A huge celebration erupted on the SF Elite sideline which led to a referee warning, and the last few minutes saw SF Elite defending a couple dangerous corners until the final whistle was blown.
Head coach Mauricio Diaz De Leon was delighted with the win, and he credited the moment meeting the team's growth at just the right time, saying, "It was the perfect day for soccer. Mother's Day, on an excellent pitch, with the chance to win something. This whole season we've talked about consistency and executing the simple things. Before the match started, I told them regardless of what happens, we're in this together. I couldn't be more proud of their response. The boys embraced the challenge and competed until the last minute. They played and fought together as one. It was great to see the smiles on their faces after the win. The team worked hard and earned every bit of the celebration. " The 2-1 win pushed the SF Elite Academy 2002 Boys to a 5-1-1 league season and an unassailable position at the top of the NPL 1 table. And, remarkably, it marks the team's second league championship in a row as the SF Elite Academy 2002 Boys also won NPL 2 in the fall of 2016. The entire SF Elite Academy staff congratulates the team and Mauricio, and looks forward to more achievements ahead.
all photos courtesy of John Murray, rights reserved
 This summer they took #SurfCup by storm, coming home with the trophy. And, now, this fall it was the #NPL.
Congratulations to the Academy's 2001 Girls who will represent San Francisco in the new NorCal Premier Champions League at U16 this spring! "Everyone involved with this team is proud of all they've accomplished," said Jeff Wilson, head coach of the Academy's 2001 Girls (as well as Sacred Heart Varisty Boys and City College of San Francisco Women's Varisty), "representing San Francisco in the NPL Champions League is both an honor and the next step in these player's development toward becoming college-level soccer players." The NPL Champions League will kick off on March 18th and conclude at the NPL Spring Showcase on April 30th. The division winner is the NorCal NPL Champion and will represent NorCal Premier Soccer at the 2017 NPL National Finals in Indiana. http://norcalpremier.com/girls-champions-league-chase/  The Academy sent 3 boys teams--1999, 2000, and 2001; and 2 girls teams--2001 & 2002 to the NPL College Showcase this past weekend. All teams performed well with close to 120 college coaches in attendance. College Showcases like these are an important part of the Academy's commitment to preparing players for next-level soccer careers.
Despite perpetual downpours and constant gloomy weather, it would be hard to call the 2016 NorCal NPL College Showcase anything other than a success. Several of the divisions came down to the final minutes of action, providing an excellent atmosphere for the players, coaches and spectators alike. College Coaches in Attendance... Women's Coaches: Academy of Art, American River College, Cal, Cal Baptist, Cal Lutheran, Cal Poly SLO, Chico State, Colorado College, Columbia Basin College, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Stanislaus, Dominican, Fresno Pacific, Fresno State, Holy Names, Humboldt State, Long Beach State, Louisiana Tech, Menlo College, Nevada – Reno, Pacific, Sacramento State, Saint Mary’s, San Francisco, San Francisco State, Sierra Nevada College, Sonoma State, Southern Oregon, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, University of Antelope Valley, UNLV, William Jessup, Yakima Valley College Men's Coaches: Academy of Art, American River College, Assumption College, Cal, Canada College, Claremont McKenna, Chico State, College of Marin, Concordia – Portland, CSU East Bay, CSU Monterey Bay, CSU San Bernardino, CSU Stanislaus, Dominican, Eastern Oregon, Emerson College, Fresno Pacific, Holy Names, Humboldt State, Loyola Marymount, Montana State – Billings, Northwest Christian, Notre Dame de Namur, Pacific (CA), Pacific (OR), Peninsula College, Rogue Community College, Sacramento State, Saint Mary’s, San Francisco, San Francisco State, San Jose State, Santa Clara, Skyline, Sonoma State, Southern Oregon, Swarthmore College, Tabor College, UC Davis, UC Merced, UC Riverside, William Jessup |
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