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Elite Player Program

USASA vs. Ireland Game Gets Scoreless Outcome

USASA vs. Ireland Report by Aleks Mihailovic, USASA Men’s National Team Head Coach

I would like to take a moment and express my sincere gratitude to the United States Adult Soccer Association and the Republic of Ireland’s National Football Association for giving me the opportunity to represent USASA against the National Amateur Team of Ireland in San Francisco on September 26th at Kezar Stadium. The match was a tough encounter with no score by either side. See pictures from the game here and here.

Mike Maloney did an outstanding job in organizing the entire week and in making sure that all unforeseen issues were taken care of. Region IV Director Bill Bosgraaf, as in the past, did a great job in the preparatory work which included the communications with the Irish, the try-outs, the paperwork on the players and preparing the equipment. Along with Rick Olivas, Sean McNulty, Jan Mullen and the other volunteers from California Soccer Association-North, the entire Irish community in San Francisco and the City of Francisco, this trip was a success. At no point, I feel that our players throughout the week were not taken care of. The food and accommodations were very good. There was no down time during this week – it was purely all work from all sides to accomplish our goals.

From the coach’s point of view, this game was very successful especially because of the unexpected challenges our team had to overcome in a very short period of time. Two days before we were suppose to arrive in San Francisco, I received news that our starting outside midfielder, Bojan Jovicic was involved in a motorcycle accident and will be out for some time. The day we arrived in San Francisco we received news that our most experienced attacking player, Jesus Ochoa suffered a torn ACL in his knee. At our first practice session, Manny Mariel our starting forward strained his MCL to his right knee and was out for the week. That pretty much wiped out our attacking unit. Even though I was given the opportunity to use several replacements, I opted to go with the players who I originally selected.

I was extremely proud of our team for several reasons. First of all we faced an opponent who was in prime physical and game mode by recently coming off a UEFA Championship Tournament in Croatia. They prepared for a year and a half for this tournament and were ready for high level competition. After being selected, our players went into this game without any formal training and had a few days to come together and become a team.

After the Wednesday’s scrimmage the majority of the people who witnessed this game thought that we didn’t stand a chance for the upcoming match on Saturday night. With several tactical adjustments our players raised their game, and in my opinion, were a better team during Saturday night’s game. They executed the game plan to near perfection; even though the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

We could have won this game when we created a one-on-one situation with the Irish goalkeeper in the second half; the shot barely missed the near post. It was a battle between two equally balanced teams with neither team wanting to concede a goal. Every one of our players stepped up for this challenge, and in this game became a team.

I want to take a moment and thank Kelly Flynn our trainer for the hard work she did to keep us rejuvenated and healthy. I want to give special thanks to my Assistant Coach and friend, Steve Lennon, for his support on each and every day. In addition the helping hands from Rob Lavelle, Dan Roberge, Ante Loncar, Jeff Cade, Tigh O’Sullivan, and Charles Wollin, were greatly appreciated throughout the week. I also want to thank all the State Associations, clubs for their support of our program. A special thanks to our President Brooks McCormick and Vice-President Marge Madriago for providing the support to our team.

To play the game at such a level is a rare opportunity. I know without the vision of USASA, these opportunities don’t exist. USASA’s vision is to provide opportunities and programs for all the levels in our association. This is why USASA is the driving force in amateur adult soccer in our country. I am proud of the fact that our team was represented by all four regions. All this selection process was handled more effectively economically.

When we were in Ireland in 2007, our team was treated with tremendous grace and hospitality. I can truly and honestly say that the Irish Football Association and more particularly, the Irish National Amateur Team, is a great team, but the people themselves are world class. In particular, Mike Hanely, Dennis Cruise Coach Gerry Smith, and the entire Irish team are not only a high-level opponent, but also friends. I am very grateful for the friendship that both sides have developed and the competitive game we have been fortunate to compete in.

Once again I thank the USASA for allowing our players this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Coach Aleks Mihailovic

USASA Men’s National Team Head Coach
USASA Coaching Committee Chairman

Goals

The goal of the USASA Elite Player Program is to form the USASA Men and Women’s National
Select Teams. The National Select Teams will represent the USASA in competition with other professional and international teams. Through these competitive games identification and selection of our elite players into the professional ranks is the ultimate challenge for each player, as well as providing the USASA an identity through this Elite Player Program.

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Elite Player Program Commissioner

Our Elite Player Program Commissioner is Ante Loncar. For any information regarding the Elite Player Program, please contact him.

Contact Ante


Purpose

The United States Adult Soccer Association’s (USASA) Elite Player Program, originally known as the Select Teams Program, identifies players that exhibit skillful qualities with the intent of becoming a part of the USASA National Select Team player pool. Once selected, the player will be showcased in competitions against professional and international teams. The exposure that our elite players may gain by competing against those professional and international teams can result in professional opportunities for those players. In addition to identifying our elite players, the program provides our coaches the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in highly competitive game situations.

Structure

The structure of the Elite Player Program begins at the State Association level, where scouts or coaches are recruited to seek out the best available players in their areas. Once these players have been identified, they are invited to attend the USASA Elite Player National Camp. At the Elite Player National Camp players will be tested in training sessions and games to determine a USASA National Select Team. The USASA National Select Teams then schedules events/games during the following year to provide the players opportunities to display their talents in front of professional and international competitions.

In addition to players being invited to the Elite Player National Camp, all National State Association Select Teams and/or League Select Teams within a National State Association are invited to compete in the USASA’s National Select Teams Championship, also known as the George F. Donnelly Cup.