United States Adult Soccer Association
REGION III
Dear Region III,
What another fantastic summer. I believe I started out with that exact statement last year.
What is true is true. The Region III National Championship held in North Carolina was so very well run by our Cup Commissioner, Nicole McMaster. The tournament produced some incredible matches.
Florida Kickers FC advanced to Milwaukee to compete for the National Amateur Title, Clockwork Orange and Sarasota FFC represented Region III in the Open, Sporting Charlotte 030 and Nashville United advanced to the Final Four in the Over 30s and Kickers FC 040 and Sporting Charlotte 040 took their place in the newest competitive division.
The workshop in Dallas was another big Region III hit, despite important World Cup matches being played and watched during our discussions, the talks were insightful. North Texas Soccer were fantastic hosts and a huge Thank you to everyone in the North Texas Association who contributed to the success of our gathering. Much appreciation to Nick Calabro and Richard Cassedy for their informative presentation regarding State Association investments. The Committee, Karon Beyer, Chaz Ballish and Paula McFarland, did a great job organizing the topics, speakers and the trip to the US Soccer Hall of Fame.
Then in July, USASA requested that Chaz Ballish, Karon Beyer and myself, travel to Bellingham to work and assist with the management of the 2018 Adult Soccer Fest. Just goes to show how solid our Region III group is and well respected. Unfortunately, Karon couldn’t make the trip. The tournament functioned like a well-oiled machine. Washington State were excellent hosts, the weather was spectacular, and the teams had a blast!
Next up in August was the National Cup Amateur Championship in Milwaukee. The Bavarians once again hosted the event. Bratwursts were grilling, beer was flowing, and the matches were played with skill and pace, making it thrill to watch them all. Our Kickers FC fell to Westchester United from Region I in the semifinals. The hosts Milwaukee Bavarians went on to capture the title after being in the Finals three years in a row.
Two weeks after The National Amateur Finals, Florida State Soccer Association hosted the National Over 30 - Gerhard Mengel Cup, the Open – Werner Fricker Cup and the Over 40 Championship. Once again, our Cup Commissioner, Nicole McMaster did a superb job organizing and running the event. Christos FC defeated Sarasota FFC to take the Open Title.
Nashville United defeated Sporting Charlotte in one of the most exciting, well played matches I have ever seen. Charlotte went up early and looked to dominate the match, but Nashville fought their way back into the match and scored deep into the second half forcing the match into overtime. In the first period of overtime, Nashville scored on a penalty kick, but Charlotte answered back within minutes. The scored remained 2-2 and kicks from the mark were needed to determine a winner. The first two kickers saw their penalties saved. The two teams exchange kicks, keepers made saves and it went to the ninth kicker to decide. The decider was Charlotte’s ninth kicker striking the crossbar and Nashville United won the 2018 Over 30 National Cup Title in dramatic style. Our over 40 Championship did not disappointment and was played with the same intensity. The Kickers FC Over 40 and Region II’s Jack’s Stars from Chicago heads in a true clash of heavy weights. In a match that went to overtime and kicks from the mark to separate these two legends in USASA. Fortunately for Region III, the Kickers FC bring home the very first National Over 40 Championship!
2018 USASA Champions: Over 30 - Nashville United and Over 40 - Kickers FC.
Our Region III Women’s committee have made an impact on USASA’s women’s soccer. The women’s division at Regionals was a wonderful success to build upon. Teams are already preparing for Regionals in Tennessee 2019. Several women’s teams from Region I and Region II are interested in competing in our Regional event. This has the potential to grow a true Women’s National Cup program. The committee has done some great work and look to incorporate a recreational women and men’s 8v8 division in addition to our 11v11 competitive divisions. This is a huge step that USASA is eager accomplish.
What a summer!!!
Thank you to Chaz Ballish and Russell Ritchie for their work on the Region III website,www.usasaregion3.com
And thank you to Nick Calabro for continuing to keep an ever-watchful eye on Region III’s finances.
Our next gathering will be in Buffalo New York at USASA’s AGM.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone and continue the work and discussions that were started in Dallas. It is each and every state and representative that makes Region III so successful. Your input not only helps contribute to the growth and success of our programs for the members but to the overall success of USASA. I’m very proud to be part of Region III.
Travel Safe to Buffalo!
Darius Ejlali
USASA Region III Director