FC Alliance Knoxville

Record Number of Players at Tryouts

05/22/2013 03:01 PM

Simply massive. No other term can better describe the turnout at the FC Alliance 2013-2014 team placements on Monday night. The event saw a record 400+ players attend in the U8-U12 age groups. In the Boys Under 11 session, there were more than 60 players being evaluated by club directors and staff. The 30% increase from last season was certainly eye-opening, and FC Alliance was elated at the turnout. Whether it is the allure of playing for a club which puts over 40 kids into college soccer each year, or simply learning under East Tennessee’s most successful and proven curriculum, FC Alliance attracted kids from a nearly two-hour radius around the Knoxville area.

FC Alliance Teams Meet for State Title

05/20/2013 02:38 PM

The success of the FC Alliance Gold program could not be better summed up by what happened in Sundays U14 Girls Division 3 state championship game. After a grueling round of pool play games, and after surviving semifinals clashes, only two out of eleven squads remained. And they were both FC Alliance teams: the 99 Girls Gold and the 99 Girls Gold North. Two teams from the same club meeting in a state title game is certainly a rare event, and although both teams wanted to the crown badly, there was a tremendous amount of camaraderie shown throughout. In the end, a twelfth minute goal by 99 Gold held up, as they claimed a 1-0 win over their club brethren.

The route to the finals wasnt easy for either team. After winning 1-0 and 2-0 the first day, the 99 Gold survived a rugged 2-1 semifinal over Lady Fusion 99. None of their three games were remotely comfortable, as they also knocked off the Lady Royals of Clarksville and Jackson Football Club. The 99 Girls North won 2-0 in their first pool play game and needed a dramatic 1-0 win over Tennessee United Blue to advance to the semifinals. To get to the title game, 99 North beat Stones River 4-2 to punch their ticket.

99 Gold is coached by David Clothier and 99 North is coached by Darrick Lubell and Tim McMahan.

A Letter from the President

05/19/2013 09:20 PM

My name is Rob LeBoeuf and I will serve as President on the FC Alliance Board of Directors for our new fiscal year. As we close out the 2013 fiscal year and enter the new soccer season, we have several items we believe are important to communicate to all of our membership.

Many of you attended or called into our annual meeting in February. If you missed it, this information will be even more important for you to understand. We have much to share and many efforts under way as we move closer and closer to accomplishing our mission. Click here to see Our Mission.

Our Board make-up for our new fiscal year (July 2013 through June 2014) is as follows:

Board Officers

Rob LeBoeuf- President
Daniel Jeanette-Vice President
Karen Mann- Treasurer
Leigh Ann Fuller- Secretary

Board Members

Leslie Elmore
Craig Schupp
Jon Schneider

We want to thank Mike Hamil, Todd Olson, Chris Bishop and David Clothier for their tireless service in furthering soccer in east Tennessee and specifically the establishment and development of our Club to date, as their terms end. They have been instrumental, along with our coaching Directors, in building a strong foundation of values and processes that will ensure our ability to provide soccer opportunity for our coaches and players for years to come.

Most of our outgoing Board members will continue to be involved in our Club in various ways. For example, David Clothier will continue to serve as a member of our financial committee in support of our new treasurer Karen Mann. We believe continuity is important and to that end, we have established committees of the Board to engage experts who can help in complex or specialized areas and as a means of creating a selection pool for future Board members.

We have also made some changes to our Coaching Director responsibilities and added two additional people as administrators to provide points of contact for our members. Click here for Coaching Director Organizational Chart. We believe that by adding these resources and streamlining our organizational structure, we can better respond to the needs of our members and provide better oversight for each of our programs. Click here for program listing. You may have noticed Jon Schneider is now a member of the Board of Directors. This bridges the Board to the Coaching Directors and allows our soccer operations leader to have direct access and input to our Board of Directors.

The results of the 2013 Membership Survey are in; they have provided us with excellent feedback. We believe as the Board and Coaching Directors review the results we will be better able to plan resources for next fiscal year and budget what we will need for continuing our positive momentum. Thank you so much for giving us your candid and honest opinions and thoughts. It is impressive that close to 30% of our membership provided feedback. Most surveys generate responses that are closer to 10% of the represented constituency, so we are pleased with your engagement and desire to help us make consistent improvement in our Club. Honest feedback can sometimes be a bit painful but if we keep or minds open and all work together, it can be the insight we need to properly direct our effort. The great news is that the improvements outweigh the opportunities by about 2 to 1 with the reality being that we have places where we can become much better as an organization. Click here for summary slides from the 2013 survey.

For the upcoming season, we have made changes to selection options for the type of teams in the U-8 through U-11 age ranges. We have reorganized the choices based on the expectations for travel distance and training frequency. We believe this will allow you to more specifically tailor the soccer experience as your player develops his or her skills at the younger ages. Click here for Team Structure Overview. Current Black, Red, and Gold teams will have no changes to structure and will operate as usual with our coaches continuing to place players according to their abilities just as they have in previous seasons.

Placement starts next week and this open period is always a critical one for clubs as they look to build their teams for the upcoming season. Because of our success and depth of player talent, we deal with other clubs in hot pursuit of our players at many levels. When you look at the numbers over the last three years, you see that FC Alliance has sent more kids to college and put more teams into State finals than all of the other clubs in East Tennessee combined. The general assumption is that most of the success involves FC Alliance Black teams but amazingly, FC Alliance Red and Gold teams have put more kids into college soccer than any other club in East Tennessee has with all their players combined. Click the link to read the “Why FC Alliance Red or Gold” story from the website http://www.fcallianceknox.org/home/719752.html.

After the capital improvement projects this past year associated with our Amherst facility, we will take this year to begin formulating a strategic plan to determine the best course of action and timing to systematically upgrade our existing facilities. There are many projects to undertake but we believe that we need to have the discipline and fiscal responsibility to be able to pay for each item as we have funds. As most of you now, we are a non-profit (501-3c) organization and all of our funds are used to pay for our various programs and secure and maintain our facilities. We are currently in the budgeting process for the fiscal year that starts in July. Fee changes for next year will be out soon but you can expect a small increase in fees to cover basic cost of living increases for our coaches and any other budget related needs. As always, we will do our best to keep the fees low and because of our number of members will continue to be lower than other clubs but with better opportunity. Click here to review our Financial Overview.

The Board of Directors, Coaching Directors and countless volunteers that make up the workforce of our Club will continue to do all we can to provide you with the best soccer experience, player development and opportunity in East Tennessee. With your help and continued support, we can win in every way.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our venues throughout the season or at one of our team placement events in the next couple of weeks.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Coaches of FC Alliance, thank you all for the roles you play in our Club and for supporting your players and coaches.

Best Regards,

Rob LeBoeuf

Why FC Alliance Red or Gold?

05/16/2013 11:51 AM

When you look at the numbers over the last three years, you see that FC Alliance has sent more kids to college and put more teams into state finals than all of the other clubs in East Tennessee combined. The general assumption is that most of the success involves FC Alliance Black teams. So then… who is second? Who puts the next highest number into college soccer? The answer: FC Alliance Red and Gold. Amazingly, FC Alliance Red and Gold teams have put more kids into college soccer than any other club in East Tennessee has with all their players combined.

Going into “recruiting season”, FC Alliance often deals with other clubs in hot pursuit of Red and Gold players. For these clubs, adding a Red or Gold player upgrades their roster. The common selling point is “why play for a Red or Gold team when you can play on our top team?” The truth is that playing for FC Alliance Red or Gold carries more weight with college coaches than playing for most teams in other clubs. Evidence of this can be seen with Coach Chad Stocton’s 95 Girls Red. The team had nine players sign college scholarships. That number alone is greater than most other clubs in East Tennessee had with all their players put together.

"You want to get on the best team with the best coach," pointed out Academy Director Darrick Lubell. "Our club has been blessed with an unrivaled coaching staff. We have Red teams who compete with our Black teams to be the strongest in the area. We have Gold teams winning tournaments, including the state tournament."

So what makes FC Alliance so different?

"We have a curriculum which is designed to develop the complete soccer player," explained Lubell. "We know exactly what a player needs at every age to one day be able to play at the next level. We’ve had so many players move on to college soccer these last three years- over 100- that we’ve got it down to a science. All we need is a kid to show up with a ball and a passion for the game. We’ll take care of it from there."

The FC Alliance curriculum has been molded slowly over time. Each week, coaches receive detailed training plans and take part in a conference call to go over each week’s goals and refine the previous week’s curriculum. All coaches have flexibility, but the core concepts and base exercises are the same.

"We want coaches to coach to their strengths and use their own personalities in the way they teach players," explained Director of Player Development Filip Leander. "However, by having a core model to follow, it guarantees every player that they are receiving the same training that all those kids who moved on to college soccer received."

"Our plan is a proven one," said FC Alliance Director of Operations Jon Schneider. "We know if a coach implements it, his or her team will flourish. The numbers speak for themselves."

The quality of FC Alliance teams naturally draws a long list of coaching applicants every year around tryouts. This year is no different.

“We get a lot of coaches applying, both local guys from other clubs and people from out of the area,” said Director of Coaching Josh Gray. “It is surprising who wants to be a part of the club; however, we can be very selective with the amount of options we have. We finally have the luxury of being picky. For Black, Red and Gold teams we can assign the top coaches in the area. This is why we’ve been so successful. We’ve got coaches on our Red and Gold teams who are good enough to coach anywhere.”

The FC Alliance Math is Easy

05/14/2013 11:40 AM

FC Alliance has quickly risen to become one of the top clubs in the southeastern United States. Teams at all levels of play have enjoyed success unmatched in East Tennessee. At the end of the day, two things matter: how good the players become as individuals and how good the teams become as a whole. The best coaches can develop high-level players and high-level teams at the same time. FC Alliance has a world class curriculum which has been put together by the club’s most proven coaches. This curriculum has led to countless championships and a high volume of players moving on to play at the next level. Advancing players come from all areas of the club: Black, Red, and Gold. At FC Alliance, the soccer education of every player matters equally.

Consider the FC Alliance numbers:

4= 2012-2013 High School All-Americans

4= number of players signing with the Lady Vols

8= 2012-2013 High School All-South Players

8= number of players signing with the SEC

14= number of players playing for ETSU and MTSU

114= number of players signing college scholarships since 2010

The FC Alliance Math:

44 College Commitments in 2013 = Player Development

37 College Signings in 2012 = Sustained Player Development

Championships at every level = Player Development + Success

Red & Gold Players playing college soccer = Everyone Matters

99 Boys Black Wins NPL Division

05/12/2013 07:54 PM

FC Alliance achieved another East Tennessee first this weekend, capturing a division title in the prestigious National Premier League. The 99 Boys Black won the six-team South Atlantic division over some of the top clubs in the southeast, including Atlanta Fire United which has a national championship to their name. Other competitors were Triangle United, Roanoke Stars, Charlotte United, and Augusta Arsenal.

The team’s only loss in the league came in the first game: a 4-3 defeat to Triangle in December. It was a setback they would quickly avenge, turning the table on the North Carolina powerhouse in a 4-1 route on February 4. Since then, the 99 Boys Black have recorded impressive wins over Atlanta Fire (3-1) and August Arsenal (5-0), among others.

With the title, the team qualifies for the National Premier League Champions Cup in June. The tournament is played in Aurora, Colorado.

Summer League Begins June 11

05/09/2013 09:20 AM

The 2013 FC Alliance Summer League begins June 11 at the US Cellular Soccer Complex and The Field House at Amherst. For years, the league has been the hub of summer player development, focusing on high-quality soccer in a 6v6 format. This year expects to be no different, as the club expects all levels of players to pack the teams. Players can register as individuals and be placed, or entire teams can register as units. Teams from all clubs are welcome.

U8-U18: Tuesdays and/or Saturdays from June 11-July 27. "Best day for us" requests accepted. Games outdoors at the US Cellular Soccer Complex and indoors on the turf at the Field House at Amherst. $55 per player or $425 per team (8-10 players recommended).

U4-U7: Tuesdays and Saturdays from June 11-August 13. All activities indoors in the cool domain of the Field House at Amherst. $45 per player.

All players receive a game shirt as part of the fee.

Teams pre-register without the fee at tennauthor@aol.com.

FC Alliance Team Placements Approaching

05/14/2013 11:12 AM

May is a huge month for soccer kids in the state of Tennessee. Not only does it signify the impending conclusion of the school year, it also means club tryouts. FC Alliance- the most successful soccer club in East Tennessee- looks to continue growing as an organization. Spurred by the momentum of over forty more players signing on to play college soccer, the club continues to expand locations in Knox, Anderson, Campbell, Sevier, Roane and Monroe counties.

U8-U12 Travel and U13+ North Knox Tryouts/Team Placement Dates

U13-U18 (11v11) Travel Team Tryout/Team Placement Dates

42 Current Players Committed to Colleges

03/24/2013 05:15 PM

When Montana LeBouef accepted an offer from the College of Charleston this weekend, it marked the 42nd current FC Alliance player to commit to play college soccer. The vast majority, 37 to be exact, are in the 2013 class. A few, such as LeBouef and Tennessee commit Josie Jennings, have started a great foundation for what is shaping up to be an impressive 2014 class. Last year, the 2012 FC Alliance class sent 37 players to play collegiate soccer. The 2013 group has matched that number exactly, with the potential to surpass it as several more are still making their final decisions. Since 2010, 112 FC Alliance players have moved on to play college soccer.

For players like LeBouef, it is a triumphant moment. A member of the 96 Black, she suffered a serious knee injury a year ago, but has battled back into form to snag an NCAA Division 1 scholarship.

"Montana is a great example of how hard work pays off," said Coach Josh Gray. "She doesn’t miss a training session, she attends everything the club offers, and she goes 100% every time she steps on a soccer field. If a young player wants to see how hard they need to work to be a great player, he or she should watch Montana play."

LeBouef’s reputation as a relentless worker dates back to when she first started playing. Former coaches and staff marvel at the drive she has always brought to the fields, regardless of conditions.

Gray pointed out that even when she was out with the knee injury, she still attended practice.

"She’s the type of kid who really deserves success," Coach Gray added. "We’re all very proud of her."

97 Black Game Draws 50 College Scouts

03/18/2013 11:51 PM

Were there more fans or college recruiters? That was the big question during the 97 Girls Black game against the Colorado Pride Predators recently. The two teams squared off in Las Vegas for a National League game with scores of logos of schools from across the country adorning the sidelines. It was an impressive sight, especially considering the geographic map represented: Oregon to Duke; Wisconsin to Clemson; Arizona to Ohio State; and even Hawaii to Yale. The game was a microcosm of the recent success FC Alliance has had with helping players get to the collegiate level. After years of hard work, FC Alliance now finds itself on the map of most major NCAA programs in the country.

Other notable observors included: Texas A&M, Tennessee, NC State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Indiana, Georgia, Utah, Miami, Penn, Ohio State, Minnesota, Wake Forest, Santa Clara, Missouri, Baylor, Villanova, Washington State, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, San Jose State, West Virginia and Texas Tech.

Signing Day Success for FC Alliance

02/11/2013 08:09 PM

Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Marshall, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh.... the list seems almost surreal, and that is just a sampling of the many great colleges who signed FC Alliance players on national signing day. For the second conseuctive year, the fruits of the players’ and coaches’ labor shone bright on the biggest day of the recruiting year. 34 FC Alliance players inked their names to college scholarships, putting the grand total to over 70 in the last two years. Represented were, amongst others, the SEC, ACC, Big East, Big 12 and Conference USA.

One of the signees is Kathryn Culhane, who inked with the hometown Tennessee Lady Volunteers. Culhane marks the third consecutive year an FC Alliance players has signed with Tennessee.

"Kathryn is a very technial, athletic player," said Lady Vol assistant coach Joe Malia. "We look forward to her arrival on campus in August, and feel as though as she has the potential for a bright future in our program."

Culhane isn’t the only FC Alliance player heading to the SEC. She is joined by high school teammate Erika Miller, who signed with the Arkansas.

"Erika is a player we are very excited about," Lady Razorbacks Head Coach Colby Hale told media. "She can play anywhere. She has good pace, reads the game well and is comfortable on the ball."

The parade of SEC players continues with Laura Foster, who made things official with Vanderbilt. Foster recently explained to ESPN why she choose Vanderbilt: "I really liked everything about Vanderbilt. It’s one of the top schools in the country and they have a great soccer program playing in the SEC. I saw where the SEC is sending eight schools to the NCAA tournament this year."

In his signing day press release, Commodere Head Coach Derek Greene (who once coached for FC Alliance root club Impact), stated that all of his five signees are good enough to step on the field from the day they step on campus.

Mark Mishu officially signed to the same school his brother Luke plays for: Notre Dame. The elder Mishu started this past year for the Fighting Irish, who were at times ranked #1 nationally and won the Big East tournament. Despite having a brother on the team, Mark is a very different player according to Notre Dame Head Coach Bobby Clark. The coach sees him as more of an attacking player. However, there are also some glaring similarities.

"Like Luke, Mark is a very good athlete," Coach Clark stated. "Mark has a nice feel for the game. He has a nice touch on the ball and nice vision."

Ben Holt, who gained state noteriety as eighth grader by starting for state champions CAK, signed with Marshall. Holt will join longtime FC Alliance teammate Bijan Gloston who inked with the Thundering Herd last year. CAK teammate Ryan Creel, who plays for the 95 Boys Black, signed with Kentucky.

List of signees and their FC Alliance coaches:

Alli Gale- MTSU (Shane Moore, Josh Gray)

Megan Camfield- Tennessee Wesleyan (Chad Stocton)

Jona Charles- Truett McConnell (Chad Stocton)

Haven Leland- Western Carolina (Josh Gray)

Trey Gill- South Carolina (Jon Schneider)

Emily Masten-Amherst College (Josh Gray)

Keagan McCoy- Texas (Filip Leander, Shane Moore, Josh Gray)

Mark Mishu- Notre Dame (Filip Leander, John Craven)

Rebecca Buchanan- Milligan (Chad Stocton)

Martha Dinwiddie- Sewanee (Shane Moore, Josh Gray)

Meg Howard- Belmont (Josh Gray)

Shelby Todd- Western Kentucky (Josh Gray)

Morgan Key-Adams- UAB (Josh Gray)

Laura Foster- Vanderbilt (Shane Moore, Josh Gray)

Micki Dye- Tennessee Tech (Josh Gray)

Suddy Hutchins- ETSU (Josh Gray, John Craven)

Marci Carter- University of Pittsburgh (Josh Gray)

Sidney Bailey- Milligan College (Chad Stocton)

Timbra Delaney- Virginia Intermont (Chad Stocton)

Ryan Creel- Kentucky (Josh Gray, John Craven)

Heather Murphy- Austin Peay (Russell Stewart, Mike MacClean, Josh Gray)

Kathryn Culhane- Tennessee (Shane Moore, Josh Gray)

Ellie Myrick- UT Martin (Russell Stewart, Mike MacClean, Josh Gray)

Natalie Smith- Austin Peay State University (Josh Gray)

Ben Holt- Marshall (Filip Leander, Jon Schneider)

Erika Miller- Arkansas (Josh Gray)

Grace Stewart- MTSU (Josh Gray)

Brianna Avitabile- Austin Peay (Josh Gray)

Summer Lanter-Lee University (Josh Gray)

Katie Emig- Austin Peay (Shane Moore, Josh Gray)

Merritt Monger- Austin Peay (Filip Leander, Jon Schneider, Shane Moore, Josh Gray)

Blair Barker- Jacksonville State (Jon Schneider, Josh Gray)

Mackenzie Kastner- Savannah College (Josh Gray)

FC Alliance Players Named All-Americans

12/17/2012 10:57 PM

As the year draws to an end, the awards and honors are starting to pile up for FC Alliance players. Club directors were very pleased when the NSCAA announced that four FC Alliance players have been named high school All-Americans. Katie Beurlein (Farragut), Tim Baker (Catholic), Arturo Rocha (McCallie) and Meg Howard (Brentwood) join an exclusive club recognizing the best high school players in the nation. Another four players have earned prestigious high school All-South honors: Ben Holt (CAK), Caleb Lucas (Maryville), Laura Foster (CAK) and Chris Gardea (CBA). FC Alliance, which focuses primarily on player development, announced Monday that the club is "ecstatic for this outstanding group of young men and women."

It is a fitting end for what has been an amazing year for the club. The first part of the year saw a long list of FC Alliance players continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level, spanning all divisions from the NAIA to the NCAA. This summer, Tim Baker was named the ESPN/Gatorade player of the year in Tennessee. This, coupled with numerous state championships and premier league titles, has garnered the club strong respect nationally.

FC Alliance Study Center Now Open

03/30/2013 07:11 PM

Thanks to the generosity of three Knoxville merchants, FC Alliance is now offering a fully outfitted study center at The Field House at Amherst. The equipment includes computers with internet access, scanning, and high quality printing capabilities. Players only have to bring their books and a little motivation, and the club provides the rests. This is all made possible thanks to the kindness of Computer Depot, Office Furniture Outfitters and Appalachia Business Communications.

The study center is located at the entrance to The Field House at Amherst. Players who have siblings practicing or playing at Amherst are encouraged to bring their backpacks along. It is also a great place to get homework done before or after practice, or simply a place to print something if a printer isn’t available at home.

Balancing school and athletics can be a challenge. It is a balance which becomes more challenging the older players become. Although the club limits travel as much as possible, any weekend spent on the road is a weekend where homework can become a challenge. The same goes for practice nights, especially for teams who have later practices.

Like any youth sports club, FC Alliance promotes academics before athletics, as many coaches hold their players accountable academically as well as athletically.

96 Girls Red Win Showcase Event

03/03/2013 10:24 AM

Coach Kevin Keck’s 96 Girls Red headed to Cincinnati, Ohio on the weekend of February 22-24 not sure what to expect. The Ohio Elite College Showcase is a turf-only event which adds several different dynamics to the game, one specifically being a faster moving ball. Fortunately for Keck’s team, recent practices on the turf at Grace Christian Academy and deft skill worked in their favor. The FC Alliance U17 team returned as division champions of the prestigious event after a perfect 3-0 weekend.

To claim the title, the 96 Girls Red knocked off two Ohio teams and one from Kentucky. The tournament opened with a tough match against Beechmont SC. The Ohio squad came out swinging, but there best punch wasn’t enough as FC Alliance snatched a 1-0 win. Courtney Dyer scored the lone goal off an assist from Charlotte Sauter.

"It took us a few minutes to adjust to the intensity of the game," Coach Keck said. "Once we got our rhythm, we began to control the match."

The second game was much easier: a 5-0 shellacking of Kings Soccer Academy of Kentucky. Kelsey Foster and Courtney Dyer each recorded a brace, and Melissa Garvey added one. All five goals were products of good team work, as they came off assists. Stephanie Hamm, Natalie Goetz, Alyssa Hale, Sauter and Dyer each dished one out.

"King seemed overwhelmed by our speed and ability to manipulate the ball," Keck stated. "We controlled it from the beginning."

The final game secured the crown for FC Alliance, a thrilling 3-2 win over Ohio’s Metro Caraggio Premier. It was a back and forth affair, as the lead was never greater than a goal. Courtney Dyer scored twice off a pair of assists from Katie Filipowicz. Cori Crocker scored another off a feed from Madison Lovelace.

With an average of three goals per game, much attention was turned to the attack. However, Coach Keck was quick to point out an outstanding defensive performance.

"Liz Denton and the defense came up big this weekend," he added. "They posted two shutouts in three games."

FC Alliance Player Heading to Costa Rica

02/08/2013 07:37 PM

Having players suit up for a regional ODP team is nothing new for the 98 Boys Black. Coach Paulo Neto sent Will Little and Jon Creel to the Region 3 ODP team and the international circuit last season; this season it's Lucas Canineu-Neto earning the honors. Caninue-Neto, the coach's son, will represent the Region 2 ODP team this week in Costa Rica. The 98 Boys Black are defending state champions.

99 Girls Semifinalists at National 3v3 Event

02/01/2013 07:29 PM

Competing in the highest level of competition at the Kick-It 3v3 World Championships, a team of players from Shane Moore's 99 and 00 Girls stormed their way through pool play and deep into the elimination rounds. Macy Lindsey, Abbie Vibbert, Elise Clodfelter, Devin Healy, Stephanie Penpeck and Emmalee McCarter knocked off teams from Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio and Florida before falling the semifinals in a penalty kick shootout. The tournament, hosted by Walt Disney World, was held at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The team was coached by Scott Lindsey.

95 Girls Red Sends Three to College

01/26/2013 04:58 PM

With at least another four months for high school players to pick their colleges, three players for FC Alliance 95 Girls Red have ended the process early. Jona Charles, Timbra Delaney and Sidney Bailey have all made their choices and signed on the dotted line. Charles will be suiting up for Truett-McConnell next year. The Lady Bears play in the SSAC, the same NAIA conference as schools such as Lee University and Tennessee Wesleyan. Delaney will join her in the SSAC, but for conference rival Virginia Intermont. Bailey also inked for an NAIA school: Milligan College of the AAC.

All three players played for FC Alliance Coach Chad Stocton and were part of a strong 95 Girls Red team. Although more players on Stocton’s team are being heavily recruited, these three received significant attention.

Delaney joins a Virginia Intermont squad in rebuilding mode, giving her the opportunity to compete for immediate playing time as a freshman.

"Timbra is a wonderful addition to the Virginia Intermont soccer family," Head Coach Katy Stigers said in a Virginia Intermont release. "She will make an immediate offensive impact on our conference."

Bailey joins a Milligan team who was a serious AAC contender last year, making a run all the way to the semifinals and finishing with an 11-6-1 record. She is projected to play in the midfield for the Buffaloes.

"I’m excited to add a player of Sidney’s caliber," Lisa Buckey, Milligan’s head coach, stated in a recent press conference. "I have no doubt she is more than ready for the challenge."

Jona Charles will travel south to Cleveland, Georgia to play for a solid Truett-McConnell team. Truett McConnell’s highlight of the 2012 was defeating Bob Jones University 2-0 in front of over 6,000 fans.

All three players have one more season of playing for FC Alliance before moving on to the next level.

Timbra Delaney Sidney Bailey

FC Alliance Shines at 3v3 Kick It Finals

01/22/2013 07:21 PM

When FC Alliance hosted a Kick It 3v3 regional event last June at the US Cellular Soccer Complex, most figured it would be nothing more than a local event to keep players busy over the summer. When the event was finished, a lot of FC Alliance players were thrilled with their finishes... but also hungry for more. That led to a number of teams packing their bags this past weekend and heading to Walt Disney World for the annual Kick It 3v3 World Championships. After a couple of days under the sun against fierce national competition, four FC Alliance teams emerged with outstanding results.

The highest finisher was the 05 Boys. The cheeky little group advanced all the way to the finals, claiming second place and a nice heaping of notoriety for the club. They were followed by the 99 Girls and 00 Girls, who both claimed third place finishes. The 01 Girls took fifth place.

For teams interested this year, there will be regionals in Knoxville on the weekend of July 20-21.

95 Girls Black Celebrates Disney Magic

01/04/2013 03:22 PM

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida is considered by many as one of the most magical places on Earth. For most kids, telling them you’re going to Disney means rollercoasters, rides and meeting characters with big ears. However, for the most elite soccer players, going to Disney means something entirely different. It means you will be competing against some of the nation’s best teams in one of the country’s most prestigious soccer tournaments. FC Alliance’s 95 Girls Black did just that over the New Year’s holidays, and they walked away as champions.

To earn the Premier-Black division title, Coach Josh Gray’s squad survived a tough trek through a loaded field. Summer Lanter kick started the tournament with a four goal outburst in a 5-1 win over Quickstrike (New York). She would add three more goals in a 4-2 win over MatchFit of New Jersey. From there, things became much more difficult for the unbeaten FC Alliance squad. 95 Black survived a thrilling 0-0 tie with Florida powerhouse West Pines on the third day to claim their bracket on total points. Katie Emig and Keagan McCoy combined in net to preserve the clean sheet. The championship game featured Big Sun YSL, also of Florida. Lanter and Marci Carter scored as FC Alliance staked their claim to a Disney title. Lanter finished the event with 8 goals in 4 games.

The Disney College Showcase, sponsored by European professional giants AS Roma, is played in the lush Wide World of Sports Complex on the resort property. It is the same property which has hosted the Under Armor High School football All-American game, the NCAA Division 3 soccer national championships, and NCAA basketball tournaments such as the Tip-Off Classic and Old Spice Classic (in which Tennessee participated in 2008).

2012: Year of Amazing Memories

01/04/2013 11:16 AM

2012 was a year of amazing memories for FC Alliance. Years of building, merging and joining forces culminated in a long list of accomplishments for a club still in its proverbial infancy. No accomplishment was greater than the tidal wave of players signing on with college teams. The club saw 35 seniors move on to the next level, while over 25 juniors went ahead and made verbal pledges.

The college success was certainly a product of a lot of success on the field, from player development to winning games and tournaments. Here are a few highlights from 2012:

*Tim Baker of 94 Boys Black is one four FC Alliance players named All-American. Baker is also crowned ESPN/Gatorade state player of the year.

*On the same day, both the 97 Girls Black and 94 Girls Black become the first teams from the state of Tennessee to ever win the prestigious Region 3 Invitational College Showcase. Both are coached by Jon Schneider.

*In Coach Paulo Neto’s final season before taking a collegiate job, he leads the 98 Boys Black to another Division 1 state championship, as well as a Premier League title.

*The 04 COED Elite wins the top boys bracket at the Tennessee United tournament. Fielding five boys and three girls, the squad goes unbeaten against some of the strongest boys teams in Tennessee.

*FC Alliance says goodbye to the 94 Boys Black. The team ends their run of state dominance with another Division 1 title, but more importantly, nearly every starter moves on to play college soccer.

*95 Girls Black repeats as state champions and win the Region 3 Central Premier League. Teams from the SEC and Big East swoop in and get commitments from multiple players, including Kathryn Culhane pledging to the Lady Vols.

*Coach Carrie Ollom’s 98 Girls Red win the Division 2 state championship in a penalty kick shootout. Jasmine Rizk makes the championship save after a heroic performance in net all game long.

*96 Girls Black also defend their state championship, as Coach Josh Gray’s state champion trophy collection begins to grow exponentially.

*00 Boys Gold knock off East Ridge Express to win the Division 3 state championship. Skylar Bailey scores the game winner on a dramatic corner kick in the final moments.

*The Creel brothers, Ryan and Jon, are both called up by their regional ODP teams to play abroad. Ryan, a Kentucky commit, is invited to Argentina; Jon, a U14, is called up to play in Costa Rica.

*Four teams win the inaugural Tennessee Cup in Murfreesboro: 02 Girls Black, 03 Boys Black, 99 Boys Black and 95 Boys Black.

*The 00 Girls North win the GSA tournament in Atlanta, signifying the quick rise of the club’s North program.

*98 Girls Black makes a run to the Division 1 state finals, before falling to eventual national finalist Tennessee Soccer Club.

*96 Girls Black and 97 Girls Black (Premier League champions) are accepted into the prestigious National League.

*Over 200 people attend FC Alliance’s first college recruiting seminar held at The Field House at Amherst.

*Coach Luc Dessieux’s 02 Girls Red wins three consecutive tournaments to end the year.

*Peyton Thomas signs with Tennessee and Teni Butler with Arkansas as the 94 Girls Black teammates move on to play college soccer in the SEC.

*Coach Paulo Neto coaches two teams to Vulcan Cup championships, while Coach Kelly Webb coaches one. Coach Darrick Lubell’s 02 Black plays up an age group and goes to the finals.

*The 99 Boys Black defeat the #1 team in the nation and win the Open Cup in Decatur, Alabama.

*Will Little of the 98 Boys Black represents the United States in Mexico for the Region 3 ODP team.

*13 FC Alliance players make the Region 3 ODP team, while one player makes the Region 2 team.

*Coach Shane Moore’s 00 Girls Black win the CASL tournament at the championship level.

*A long list of younger teams win a plethora of tournaments around East Tennessee.

*In Coach Eddy Semaan’s final tournament as coach of the 98 Boys Gold, the team wins their first championship: United FA Fall Classic.

*04 Girls Black goes to the finals of every tournament in the fall, before winning the CESA tournament in November.

*FC Alliance starts a TopSoccer program, drawing both players and coaches from all areas of Knoxville.

Alliance Players Flood All-PrepXtra Team

12/30/2012 10:57 PM

Every year around the Christmas holidays, the Knoxville News-Sentinel releases a list of the area’s top high school girls soccer players. For FC Alliance, it has become an annual opportunity for some of its best players to get well-deserved media attention. This year is no different, as an impressive 11 of 12 players on the All-PrepXtra first team play for the club, as well as many of the second teamers.

What’s even more impressive is that most of the first team plays for FC Alliance’s Director of Coaching, Josh Gray. Gray coaches both the 95 and 96 Girls Black, two teams which have both become regional powerhouses over the past few years. Multiple second team players play for Gray, as well. Executive Director Jon Schneider is also represented, although he is coaching mostly younger high school players this year.

For a complete listing, go here: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/dec/28/prepxtra-all-kil-girls-soccer-teams/

Jamboree Garners Rave Reviews

04/25/2013 08:01 PM

To say that the US Cellular Soccer Complex was a busy place on April 24 would be a major understatement. Parking lots were packed, fields were crowded, and more than 100 soccer players were squaring off in two rounds of games. The jamboree featured FC Alliance teams only, as some of the club’s best talent was on display. Teams were matched up based off ability, as many of the contests were settled by a goal or less. The concept of intraclub play has been embraced by coaches since the club’s inception. Not only can the quality of play be controlled, but the atmosphere is relaxed and fun.

04 Girls Black Win Bash in the Boro

04/07/2013 05:07 PM

Every goal in every game counts for something. This proved especially true for Coach Elaine Roth’s 04 Girls Black in the 2013 Bash in the Boro tournament. The middle Tennessee event featured a stout top U9 bracket, which was scored on a points system based on wins, goals and shutouts. The upstart FC Alliance team took home the championship by finishing ahead of the field by one precious point. Meanwhile, Roth’s 03 Girls Black also grabbed top honors in a U10 division, the result of a thrilling 3-2 championship game win.

The road was a perilous one for the 04 Black squad. After tying host 04 Lady Strikers in the tourney’s opening game, the two teams were practically deadlocked going into the third and final game. An FC Alliance 3-0 shutout triumph over TSC Girls Premier trumped a Lady Strikers 4-1 win over Ohio’s Revolution Academy. One less goal for the 04 Girls Black, or one more allowed, and the result would have been different.

The 03 Girls Black had to win four consecutive games to grab their title. Wins over Jackson Futbol Club (1-0), TSC 03 Elite North (3-1) and TSC 03 Elite South (3-1) punched their ticket to the finals. Awaiting was host Lady Strikers Blue, a team who had not conceded a single goal in three tournament games up to that point. Roth’s squad refused to be intimidated, ratcheting up the attack for a 3-2 victory.

00 Girls North Shut Down Atlanta

12/11/2012 07:54 PM

Defense wins championships. This motto proved true for the 00 Girls North in their recent venture down to Atlanta’s GSA Adidas Invitational. The stingy FC Alliance team refused to concede a goal in three of their four games. Their suffocating, aggressive defending frustrated opponents from start to finish. The total team effort culiminated with a championship to close out the tournament and the season.

As well as they played, things didn’t start off smoothly. Despite bringing the Steel Curtain to the soccer fields, the 00 Girls North struggled to find success on the first day. They tied Atlanta’s Ambush White 0-0 in an early morning chiller, before falling to a stout United FA team 1-0 later in the day. Down but not out, the 00 Girls North roared back on Sunday, thrashing Cobb Strikers Blue 3-0. The win sent them to the finals against the same United FA team they lost to a day earlier. This time, the defense was tighter. FC Alliance slugged their way to a 1-0 championship win.

The team is coached by Darrick Lubell, Jason French and Tim McMahon.

98 Girls Gold Snag CESA Finalist Honors

11/21/2012 10:17 AM

Not having all your players is rarely a good ingredient in the recipe for success. However, for Coach David Clothier’s 98 Girls Gold, missing key team members didn’t hold them back from a fantastic weekend at CESA’s annuall Fall Classic. Despite players staying home due to annoyances such as pneumonia, the team won three of four games and brought home hardware from one of South Carolina’s most prestigious tournaments. Leading the way was goalkeeper Breanna Foy, who spearheaded a defense which allowed only one goal the entire tournament.

The journey to trophies wasn’t without exciting moments. The 98 Girls Gold won a 1-0 thriller over FC Dallas (TN) in a match which separated second place from third place. The team’s only loss came to host CESA 98 Select in the final moments of the game, a 1-0 heartbreaker.

The result is a great finish for a team which has steadily improved throughout the year. Coach Clothier cited adherence to the club curriculum and hard work as important components to the team’s rise. His team also got a little help from their friends, as several players from the club's North Academy program jumped in to play with them.

98 Boys Gold Brings Home Atlanta Title

11/21/2012 01:11 AM

Coach Eddy Semaan entered the weekend of November 17-18 feeling a little down about his 98 Boys Gold. After two years of hard work and a lot of progress, he was turning the team over to a new coach. The United FA Fall Classic would be his last event with a group of boys he’d invested countless hours with. Despite never having won a tournament, Semaan’s team delivered a going away present he’ll never forget: a championship.

Playing in Atlanta isn’t an easy task. Clubs like United FA draw players from a huge population of kids, and the teams they field are usually excellent. In the final of the Fall Classic, the 98 Boys Gold came face-to-face with a seasoned United FA team. Playing for their beloved coach, the FC Alliance team refused to back down. In the end, they stunned the tournament field, knocking off United 1-0 off a brilliant cornerkick.

Although the glamour of the championship win is the memorable moment of the event, there were a number of positives which can’t be forgetten. In the preliminary round, FC Alliance beat two NASA teams. NASA is generally considered one of the Atlanta powerhouses. The two wins were by a combined 7-1 score. In their four tournament games, the team outscored all opponents by a 9-2 mark.

U15 Boys Black Defend State Title

11/12/2012 08:59 AM

FC Alliance’s 98 Boys Black have once again proven they’re the best team in Tennessee. Coach Jon Schneider’s squad defended their state crown with a dominating performance on the big stage in Murfreesboro. In three games, they outscored opponents by a combined scored of 10-2. No game was sweeter than the final; the team knocked off the powerful Memphis Lobos 3-1. Next up is the winter showcase circuit before the 98 Boys Black gear up for high school soccer. They return to competitive soccer in late May with the regionals less than a month later.

Another FC Alliance team which made a splash in the state finals was Coach Josh Gray’s 97 Boys Black. Once considered a fringe team regionally, they’ve grown into a major player in the race to state and regional supremacy. Gray’s crew won their first two games which punched them a ticket to the finals. Their run ended there, falling to a red hot Tennessee Soccer Club team.

00 Girls Black Captures CASL Crown

11/05/2012 11:29 AM

For youth soccer teams, there are tournaments for every level of play. They range from recreational to intermediate to competitions at the most elite level. Coach Shane Moore’s 00 Girls Black recently threw their name into the ring of one of the top tournaments in the eastern United States: the prestigious CASL Shootout. Competing in the stout U13 AdiZero division, they won all four of their games, culminating with an impressive 6-1 victory over South Carolina United in the championship game.

The title game was especially impressive considering the 00 Girls Black trounced a team who had outscored opponents by a combined score of 17-2 en route to the finals. South Carolina United had scored at least five goals in each of their first three games. Such dominance is rare at a tournament of this calibar, so the fact that the FC Alliance team was able to derail them is an impressive feat.

For Moore’s squad, reaching the title game wasn’t quite as easy. Victories include a 2-1 thriller over FC1 Academy Elite, a 3-1 win over Charlotte Unite Gold, and a 4-2 triumph over Freestate Freedom Red.

Major Conferences Grab Alliance Players

10/18/2012 11:31 AM

The 2012 FC Alliance college class was by far the most impressive in East Tennessee history. Players ended up at a long list of NCAA and NAIA schools, including impressive institutions such as Tennessee, Arkansas, MTSU, ETSU and Memphis. With so many players from one club garnering a fortune in scholarship money, one would think it would be hard to top. Meet the 2013 recruiting class. 25 players have already commited to schools. 20 of those players have grabbed NCAA Division One offers. College teams taking FC Alliance kids next year include Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Marshall, ETSU and MTSU.

The list doesn’t stop there. More players have committed to strong soccer programs such as Austin Peay, Alabama-Birmingham, Milligan, Western Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-Martin, Lee University and Jacksonville State.

For the second year in a row, FC Alliance is sending a national pool player to Lee. Last year, Arturo Rocha chose Lee in order to stay close to home, picking them over a handful of schools from major conferences. This year, Summer Lanter has done the same. The Lee University women are defending NAIA national champions and have proven they can compete at the highest level.

The Lady Vols and Lady Razorbacks of the SEC are once again beneficiaries of FC Alliance. Last year, each got a player from the 94 Girls Black. This year, they each pick up one from the 95 Girls Black. Kathryn Culhane will stay in Knoxville and Erika Miller will head to Fayetteville. Also going to the SEC is Laura Foster, who will be a Lady Commodore.

On the boys’ side, Mark Mishu is one of the headliners. Mishu will follow his brother to Notre Dame. Luke Mishu is a starter there as a redshirt freshman. Ryan Creel will play at Kentucky. He will join Kaelon Fox, a former Knoxvillian who moved to Louisville, in Lexington. Ben Holt, who famously helped lead CAK to a state championship as an eight grader, will play at Marshall.

See the complete list here: http://www.fcallianceknox.org/FCA_Collegeplayers/index_E.html

Alliance Teams Win Premier League

10/17/2012 11:40 PM

FC Alliance continues to stamp it’s name on the southeastern United States. Once again, multiple FC Alliance teams have won Premier League Central championships. Both the 98 Boys Black and 97 Boys Black wrapped up their titles during the weekend of October 13-14. The 98 Boys Black are no strangers to regional success, although this is their first region premier league title. Ditto for the 97 Boys Black, as they have wandered into unchartered territory by making a huge regional statement.

The 97 Boys Black have long been considered a strong team, but not quite elite. After a year at the helm, Coach Josh Gray has helped push them over that hurdle. This year, the team rolled to an 8-1 finish in the league. Key wins include a 3-2 victory over Vestavia Hills Black (September 15) and a 2-1 triumph over Louisiana Fire Red (September 22). The team will now gear up for the Division 1 state finals in November.

The FC Alliance 98 Boys Black team went undefeated in premier league play to capture their first title. They won eight games and tied one. This is a huge improvement from 2011, when the team finished third. Also very impressive is their scoring stats, as they outscored their opponents by a combined score of 34-3. In five of their nine games, 98 Boys Black won by at least three goals.

The titles qualify both teams for the 2013 Region 3 tournament in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Campbell County Academy Blasts Off

10/02/2012 10:44 AM

Soccer in East Tennessee just continues to grow. This season, FC Alliance has added the Campbell County Academy to a ballooning list of academy locations. Approximately 150 players train and play at Lafallote Middle School throughout the week. The program was actually an existing program which joined FC Alliance to accelerate growth and take training to a higher level. The area is rich with athletes and potential, as multiple club directors have made their way north to work with teams and players.

The ultimate goal is to tranistion the top players to competitive soccer when they get older, and also provide a solid training environment to grow the sport at the middle school and high school level throughout the Campbell County area. The program draws players from a long list of communities, including Lafallote, Jacksboro, Jellico, Caryville and even several surrounding counties.

FC Alliance Academy Director Darrick Lubell appointed top academy coach Lauren Rosch to run the program. Rosch serves as the league organizer and leads skills sessions for all the players. For information on how to join the Campbell County Academy, contact Lubell at (865) 599-1568.

14 FC Alliance Players Make Region Pool

08/12/2012 09:13 PM

Making your state ODP team is a great accomplishment; it means you are one of the best players in the state you play in. Going one step further is making the region pool, meaning you are among the best players in one of the country’s four regions. 13 FC Alliance players have done just that; they’ve been awarded spots in the Region 3 ODP pool. Another player, who resides in Kentucky but plays for FC Alliance, has made the Region 2 ODP pool. This comes to no surprise considering the club’s success at high levels of play. What is a surprise is that six different FC Alliance teams are represented, an extraordinarily high number.

"We’re very proud of these kids," said Josh Gray, an FC Alliance director. "It’s extremely competitive in ODP, there are a lot of good players fighting for just a few spots. It’s impressive they came out with their names on the list."

FC Alliance players in the Region 3 pool are:

95 Girls Black: Haven Leland

96 Boys Black: Avery Wang, Johnny Bracewell, Fletcher Ekern

97 Girls Black: Natasha Davenport, Katelyn Cooley

97 Boys: Chris Fernandez, Cameron Schneider, Grayson Garland

98 Boys Black: William Little III, Jon Creel, Alex Schupp, Lucas Neto

99 Boys Black: Scott Lich

Major Sponsor: A&S Building Systems

06/23/2012 04:19 PM

Dear Parents,

Today, FC Alliance is pleased to announce we have established a meaningful partnership with A&S Building Systems, a building manufacturer located in Caryville, Tennessee. While A&S supplies metal buildings to customers all over the world, they are supporting local youth in an area that relates back to their business. Local A&S building projects include the Icearium and the Knoxville News Sentinel.

We welcome A&S Building Systems as a major sponsor of the FC Alliance 2012-2013 season, and the dedication they have shown to support our East Tennessee youth.

-FC Alliance

3 Teams Advance to Region Quarterfinals

06/18/2012 02:21 AM

The brutal pool play round at the USYSA Region 3 tournament is over, and three FC Alliance teams are still standing. Club hopes are high, as the three survivors have earned the prestigious label of regional quarterfinalists, and each is one win away from the semifinals. The 97 Girls Black have been fantastic, winning all three of their games. The 96 Girls Black needed to win today over Tophat to advance, and they delivered with a 1-0 win over the Atlanta powerhouse. Montana LeBoeuf scored on a sublime effort to pave the way. The 94 Boys Black were in a similar situation, needing a win over CESA Premier to stick around for the next round. An Austin Stone scorcher, a wicked volley from 20 yards out, was the difference in a 2-1 FC Alliance victory.

Not all FC Alliance teams made it through. The 95 Girls Black and 98 Boys Black both came up short. They have nothing to hang their heads about, as each was still alive on the final day.

Quarterfinal games will be played Monday and Tuesday.

FC Alliance Joins National Premier League

06/07/2012 01:47 AM

FC Alliance has accepted an invitation to join the prestigious US Club National Premier League. On June 1, US Club announced the creation of the South Atlantic Premier League, a new division of the NPL. FC Alliance was one of a handful of clubs offered a spot, and the club quickly accepted. The league offers players greater exposure to opportunities to play soccer beyond the club level. For 2012-2013, 00 Black and 99 Black teams will compete in the NPL with five of the region’s strongest clubs: Atlanta Fire United, Augusta Arsenal, Charlotte United, Roanoke Stars and Triangle United.

Read the entire story here: http://www.usclubsoccer.org/main.aspx?sec_id=19&guid=6ee594b0-04c7-4686-85b7-247b1e068517

96 Girls Black Win Division 1 State Title

06/04/2012 03:19 AM

FC Alliance celebrated another state championship on Sunday when the 96 Girls Black defeated Brentwood 2-0 in the finals. Playing in the stadium at Murfreesboro’s Richard Siegel Soccer Complex, coach Josh Gray’s squad survived a shaky first ten minutes and won their biggest game of the year. A first half goal from Joanda Parchman would be all they needed, but Ellie Myrick added a late strike in the second half to seal the deal. The win wrapped up an impressive tournament run by Tennessee’s defending state champions.

The performance was absolutely impressive, as in three games the 96 Girls Black outscored their opponents 9-1. The other two wins were against the Lady Lobos of Collierville and another Brentwood team.

Gray’s team will now gear up for the regional tournament in Greenville, South Carolina.

98 Girls Red Capture State Championship

06/04/2012 10:40 AM

A goalkeeper can make or break a championship. Fortunately for the 98 Girls Red, they have a great one in Jasmine Rizk. When the team’s state championship game against Chattanooga United went to penalty kicks after 90 minutes of scoreless soccer, there was little doubt Rizk would be a factor. She had made several outstanding saves in the game to keep her team alive. The gutsy FC Alliance keeper did not disappoint, coming up with two huge stops in the shootout to lead her team to their first state championship.

Although the shootout win was the highlight of the tournament, Coach Carrie Ollom’s squad put together an impressive tournament run over the three days they were in Murfreesboro. They went the entire weekend without conceding a goal, a defensive effort spearheaded not only by Rizk, but also a stout back four.

It all began with a thrilling 1-0 win over Harpeth FC Black in the first game. The top team from the large Nashville club would be the first team to see their attack completely stifled by the 98 Girls Red. Next up was Brentwood Elite, which also came up empty, as FC Alliance rolled 2-0. The tournament culminated with the slugfest against rival Chattanooga United, who needed penalty kicks to become the first team in 240 minutes to put one past Rizk.

To see the video of the play which won the state championship for 98 Red, click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGTRCCFVdW4&feature=youtu.be

ESPN/Gatorade Player of the Year

06/01/2012 04:13 AM

ESPN and Gatorade have officially recognized Tim Baker as the top high school soccer player in the state of Tennessee. Baker, who plays for Catholic High School, is a member of the 94 Boys Black. The award is based on high school performance, where the explosive midfielder dominated. He scored 65 goals and dished out 49 assists in his career at Catholic . For the 2012 season, he scored 29 goals in 20 games.

Baker has a long history of playing for FC Alliance coaches, as his entire competitive soccer career has been with the organization and it's roots. The 94 Boys Black has won six state championships, and he's been a significant contributor in every one of them.

The graduating senior has signed with Lee University.

To read Tim Baker’s profile on ESPN.com, click here

00 Boys Gold 1 Wins State Championship

05/25/2012 10:25 AM

Eighteen months ago, the 00 Boys Gold 1 was a hodge podge of players looking for a home in competitive soccer. They were all good athletes, but each had an aspect of his game to improve, ranging from enhancing technical skills to simply gaining experience in the sport. Slowly but surely, the players improved and the team began gaining momentum. They went from competing against low levels of competition to standing their ground against higher and higher quality opponents. Then it all culminated with an amazing weekend in Hendersonville, when they achieved their ultimate goal by winning the Tennessee Division 3 state championship.

The tournament began inconspicuously for the 00 Boys Gold 1. They lost to a tough Lakeway Lightning team 4-3. The deciding goal was a penalty kick, which naturally garned a wide variety of emotions and opinions from each team. The 00 Gold 1 initially figured the season was likely over, but they found new life when Lakeway lost their second game to Brentwood Select 2-0. All the FC Alliance squad had to do was beat Brentwood by two goals and they were through. Easier said then done. Earlier in the season, the 00 Gold 1 did beat Brentwood, but it was a tough 3-2 victory on a last second goal. Everyone expected a war. What they got was total domination. FC Alliance ran roughshod over their mid-state rivals, winning by a stunning 9-0 score.

The semifinal was equally as impressive. Although the 00 Gold 1 fell behind 1-0 on early breakaway goal, they recovered with a dominant second half for an 8-1 win.

The championship game was against the East Ridge Express Red. The Chattanooga club’s top U12 boys team had not allowed a goal the entire tournament. The match started well for the 00 Gold 1. The first fifteen minutes saw several solid scoring chances stopped by a stubborn Express goalkeeper. From there, both teams put each other on lockdown, as it became a defensive struggle. 00 Gold 1 goalkeeper Luke Semaan, as well as defenders Drew Bowles and Jackson Poindexter, refused to break. Finally, with less than twenty minutes left, Skylar Bailey scored on a cornerkick to give FC Alliance a 1-0 lead.

The score stood, and the 00 Boys Gold 1 claimed the title. Team members are: Elijah Arguez, Kenton Bachmann, Skylar Bailer, Drew Bowles, Finn Harris, Braden Hicks, Christian Kirk, Jackson Poindexter, Luke Semaan, Chris Shular, Mason Stivers and Brayden White.

53 Players Make College Commitments

05/18/2012 08:56 AM

FC Alliance has announced that 53 different players committed to play college soccer this spring. 35 of those players, a mix of juniors and seniors, have accepted offers from NCAA Division 1 teams. Sending this many kids into a single college sport is unprecedented for a community this size. In fact, according to numbers compiled by Rivals.com, FC Alliance produced more division one college soccer players this year than 25 entire states produced in football (the American version). In fact, 14 of those state states combined didn’t add up to the FC Alliance total. Even more impressive is the notion that the junior class is far from done.

FC Alliance has a detailed program designed to develop players from a young age all the way through high school. Coaches of the younger age groups focus on developing elite skill and teaching the fundamentals of the game. As the teams get older, the focus turns towards the tactical side of soccer. By the time they are sophomores and juniors in high school, it becomes more of a focus on winning and generating college opportunities.

“Joining the club doesn’t mean a player will or wants to one day play college soccer,” stated Darrick Lubell, one of the directors. “However, what this list shows is that our club will give players the necessary skills and tools they need if they indeed take that path.”

The club provides a solid support structure for aspiring college players. College coaches from all levels are brought in to run informational clinics for parents and players. Coaches Josh Gray and Jon Schneider specialize in linking players with schools that meet their ability levels.

“If a kid wants to play at another level, we can help get them there,” added Shane Moore, another director. “The coaches provide the right training, and the club helps the player open the necessary doors through consistent guidance and contact with college coaches.”

When 2013 Tennessee commitment Kathryn Culhane signs next February, it will become the third consecutive year an FC Alliance players has become a Lady Vol. This year’s class featured Peyton Thomas. Other schools represented, among others, include Arkansas, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State, East Tennessee State, Alabama-Birmingham, and Marshall.

To see the entire list of players, click here:

http://fcallianceknox.org/FCA_Collegeplayers/index_E.html

U12 Girls Black Win U13 Division

05/07/2012 03:07 PM

Coach Shane Moore felt confident his 00 Girls Black could have some success playing up at the annual East Ridge Spring Fling. What he didn’t necessarily expect was the type of success they would have. In four games at the Chattanooga area event, his team ripped through the competition, scoring a combined seventeen goals while giving up only two. The championship game was the final coup of the older age group, as Moore’s team stormed to a 4-0 halftime lead over the host East Ridge Express team, and then cruised to a 5-1 win.

The tournament win was much needed for the 00 Girls Black. Three weeks earlier, they made the finals of the prestigious Open Cup in Decatur, Alabama, before losing a heartbreaker in the final. This time, the team made sure there would be no last second surprises. Gwen Breslin scored three goals and Abbie Vibbert added two, as the route was on early.

On their way to the finals, the 00 Black knocked off Harpeth FC (4-0), Signal Mountain (6-0) and CUFC Red (2-1).

U9 Boys Stand Tall When It Counts

04/24/2012 10:56 PM

There aren’t many places in the United States you can go to see the true passion of soccer on full display. Normally, to see that, you have to travel overseas to countries like England, Brazil and the scores of other soccer-crazed nations around the globe. However, there is one place you can go to get a sampling of soccer at it’s purest: your neighborhood U9 soccer game. For young players, especially those barely at the midway point of elementary school, the game means everything. Rarely does any other level offer a glimpse of players driven by the pure love of the game. This couldn’t be more accurate with FC Alliance’s 03 Boys Black, who recently captured the U9 Division of the Alliance Premier Cup. Led by Coach John Giles, they won four games en route to the championship.

Their title run was something similar to a tour of East Tennessee. The boys defeated teams from South Knoxville, Cleveland and Sevierville, before facing club rivals FC Alliance 03 Boys Red in the finals. Although playing your clubmates is never ideal in a tournament, it was a spirited game eventually won by the Black.

Overall, the team outscored their opponents by a combined score of 24-6.

Play Up Two Years? No Problem!

04/23/2012 11:47 PM

Playing up isn’t easy. Not only are you likely to be less physically capable than your seniors, you are also likely to face an opponent who wants to make sure no one would think anything otherwise. Especially when you’re playing two years up. That’s exactly the situation Coach Josh Gray’s mixed team of U16 and U17 players faced at the Alliance Premier Cup. After a U18 team dropped out of the tournament at the last minute, Gray had to scramble to rustle up a replacement. The result was a mixed team of younger players. Another result was the one in the final standings, which declared them tournament champions.

This team of younger players, however, was not a group of slouches. It consisted of players from both the U16 and U17 Black teams. Both teams are defending Tennessee Division 1 state champions. There aptitude was clearly visible in the final game, a 2-1 championship victory over Javanon 94 of Louisville, Kentucky. Javanon is one of the region’s top youth soccer clubs.

For the tournament, Gray’s "ragtag" squad outscored their opponents 17-1. The final was the only real close game, as other opponents struggled to simply keep the score respectable. Both groups of girls will be returning to their respective teams this week to begin preparations for the state and regional tournaments.

U14 Girls Sweep Alliance Premier Cup

04/22/2012 11:03 PM

FC Alliance’s U14 girls pool is one of the club’s deepest and most talented age groups. If there was ever any doubt, this weekend certainly put that to rest. Coach Burak Er (Black) and Coach Carrie Ollom (Red) both guided their squads to titles in their respective divisions. For the 98 Red, it was no big deal, as they outscored four opponents by a combined score of 22-0 to earn gold. For the 98 Black, it was a dogfight almost all the way, as they had to fight and claw their way to top honors.

In fact, Black lost a pool play game to state rival Tennessee United Red 2-0 prior to the finals. This a day after a heavyweight slugfest 3-1 win over ECNL team BUSA United. In the end, however, Coach Er’s group won it all, knocking off Tennessee United 1-0 in the championship game.

The 98 Red simply cruised through their bracket. No team came closer than five goals, and this includes teams from both TNFC and Concorde Fire. With the state tournament just around the corner, the U14 age group is definitely beginning to generate some buzz.

99 Boys Black Steamrolling Southeast

04/19/2012 09:46 AM

Winning a tournament is a special occasion. Winning a high level tournament is a rare occasion. For Coach Paulo Neto’s 99 Boys Black, it is starting to become the norm. The team took top honors at their second straight nationally prestigious event, winning The Open Cup in Decatur, Alabama. Along the way, they knocked off Team Challenger FF of Ohio, ranked #1 in the nation according to soccerincollege.com. The Open Cup is a new tournament, featuring international teams from Mexico and Central America in various divisions. 99 Black’s triumph comes on the heels of winning the Vulcan Cup in March.

Team Challenger wasn’t the only significant win for Coach Neto’s team. They notched a solid 5-2 victory over Atlanta’s Norcross Fury Premier in the semifinals, and then recorded an impressive 3-1 result against regional power Vestavia Hills in the championship game. For their work, the team currently holds a #4 national ranking in the soccerincollege.com. Although internet rankings are not necessarily accurate, they do signify when a team is having a great amount of success.

95 Girls Black Capture Premier League Title

04/18/2012 11:54 PM

The 95 Girls Black are no strangers to success. The defending state champions and regional powerhouse have secured yet another honor. This time, it is the Region Premier League title. The FC Alliance squad, coached by Josh Gray, played up to the U18 division due to a lack of U17 teams, although they were technically competing for the U17 title. In eight games, they never lost, grabbing six wins and two ties. Five of those wins came against U18 teams, an impressive feat considering it is the Premier League.

Their primary competition for the U17 crown was the 95 Lady Lobos of Memphis, their perennial rival for top state honors. Although that game ended with a 2-2 tie in early March, the 95 Girls Black performed better in the league itself to win the championship. In an interesting twist of fate, one of the deciding common opponents was the older 94 Lady Lobos. The FC Alliance team beat them 2-0 the day after the tie with the 95 team. However, the 95 Lady Lobos couldn’t replicate the feat, falling to their club mates 5-4 several weeks later.

The 95 Black defeated teams from Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas en route to the title.

FC Alliance Player Representing USA

04/17/2012 11:40 AM

As Lebron James recently stated, there is no greater honor in sports than representing your country in international competition. It is an honor bestowed on only a few, specifically those among the best their country has to offer. Add FC Alliance’s Will Little to that list. The creative midfielder will be playing for the Region 3 U14 ODP team in Mexico next week in an international competition. Little plays for Coach Paulo Neto’s 98 Boys Black, the defending Tennessee state champions.

The event is taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico from April 21-28. Another FC Alliance player, Ryan Creel, will be playing for the Region 3 U17 ODP team.

Alliance Girls Spend Day With Lady Vols

04/16/2012 12:04 PM

The Tennessee Lady Volunteer soccer team reached out to their community and welcomed the FC Alliance U10 and U11 girls teams to Regal Stadium recently. The youth soccer teams attended the Lady Vols’ practice, taking in the sights and sounds of the sport at the collegiate level. Head coach Brian Pensky commented on the continued importance of reaching out to the community.

“It is another win-win situation,” said Pensky. “It is a lucky thing to be a role model and for our players here at Tennessee it is very exciting to have these young ladies gawking over our players.”

Rising junior forward, Caroline Brown, also noted the opportunity these events give the squad.

“I think these are fun opportunities for us to reach out into the community and to our fans that come to our games to build a more personal relationship with them. Hopefully they enjoy these days as much as we do.”

Throughout the team’s hour and a half long practice, members of F.C. Alliance had the opportunity to see what a division I program looked like in action and with these types of events, the Lady Vols hope to educate the next generation of players.

Head coach Brian Pensky noted that it is important to have visiting groups witness his team practice with a highly competitive intensity.

“For the young kids watching our training, which is very competitive, part of their education is learning to become a competitive athlete,” said Pensky. “It is ok to compete, it is ok to kick and scratch and claw, and part of that was the idea in playing today. Making practice competitive allowed these nine and ten year old girls to see the eighteen to twenty-two year old women competing so hard against each other, but once it was over, see that they are great friends and teammates, and that they are all in this together.”

Caroline Brown also commented on the competitive nature of practice.

“We played some small sided games going to goal. They were very intense, very competitive games and I think that was very entertaining for (the girls) to see a lot of goals being scored.”

Following team drills and scrimmages, the Lady Vols took the time to meet with the participating members of F.C. Alliance and their families. After signing autographs and connecting with their fans, Tennessee players escorted the group around Regal Stadium for a VIP tour.

“It is always fun and very inspiring to be able to come to a private practice and see people you look up to as a little kid,” said Brown. “I know it means a lot to them and it makes their day so if we can continue to do that, then we are willing to do (these events) every day.”

Brown also sees the benefit between the combination of a squad that enjoys community outreach and a coach who sees the importance of educating the next generation of players.

“I have seen a lot of that in him,” Brown said. “(Coach Pensky) likes to give back to the community and we as a team enjoy it as well, so it is a very good fit.”

Fans still wishing to see the Lady Vols this spring are encouraged to attend the annual Tennessee Collegiate Classic this Saturday, April 14, as eleven of the state’s intercollegiate squads face off at Regal Stadium.

96 Girls Black Win Region Premier League

04/13/2012 03:36 PM

It was close, but a win is a win. The 96 Girls Black have won the Region 3 Central Premier League. The championship was determined by a single goal in a tiebreaker against Tennessee rival TNFC Impact. The two teams both ran roughshod through the league, but in a classic clash of the titans they tied each other 3-3. The difference between the two in the standings? FC Alliance outscored their opponents by 20 goals, while TNFC outscored theirs by a mere 19.

Coach Josh Gray’s squad was only challenged twice in the league, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 23-3. In fact, TNFC was the only team to score on them in six games. Dynamo Juniors of Louisiana gave 96 Black a run in a late March game, but FC Alliance came out ahead 1-0. Every other opponent was outscored by at least four goals.

Premier League Central consists of teams from Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi.

FC Alliance Hits Jackpot in Las Vegas

04/08/2012 02:04 PM

The general rule of thumb for Tennessee teams is not to expect big things when you travel west of the Mississippi. For many years, teams from the local region have struggled against teams from states like California and Texas. In 2012, FC Alliance coaches Josh Gray and Jon Schneider rolled the dice, sending their teams to the prestigious Las Vegas Players Showcase. A tournament on the other side of the country can be a risky decision for a coach, as the expense and time commitment is higher. For both the U17 Black and U18 Black, the bet turned out to be a good one. Gray’s 95 girls won all four games, while Schneider’s 94 squad won one and tied the other three. Success on such a big stage sends a great signal to the members of the club: FC Alliance is becoming more and more of a player on the national stage.

The U18 Black played four teams from the California-South region. Overall, the team conceded only one goal in those four games. Offensively, things did not come easy, as two of the three ties were 0-0. In the final game, Schneider’s team did score in a thrilling 1-0 win over prominent club Notts Forrest of San Diego, California. The club is known for consistently placing players into the PAC 12.

The younger U17 Black, won all four of their games, but three of them were just as thrilling and tight as the U18 team’s games. After a surprisingly easy 3-0 win over Greater Renton FC of Washington, the next three games were all one goal wins: 2-1 victories over California’s Strikers FC and Wolfpack SC, and a 1-0 triumph over Utah’s Laroca Premier.

Overall, the club didn’t lose a single game of the eight played.