Massachusetts Adult Soccer

Edition #9

A word from the Mass Soccer president, Andy Weiss: 

"Housekeeping."

Sometimes the little things become the big things. 

Recently there have been reports of litter and trash left at a field used by one of our leagues.  The problem got the attention of local authorities, with some members of the City Council and the Parks Department wondering who to blame and even considering no longer making the field available for adult soccer games. They started talking with various youth groups and recreational organizations to see what options they had. 

This particular field is centrally located to the league, is affordable, and offers a great soccer environment.  There are fantastic games played there almost every week, and if the adults could no longer play there, both the league and the neighborhood would suffer. 

All because of some trash left on the field. 

In the end, cooler heads prevailed and at least for the moment the City is letting us play.  But we should not lose sight of this lesson.  We are fortunate that we can find a place to play, and that only happens because someone decided to invite us in.  Let's always remember to be good house guests and pick up after ourselves.  Let's leave the pitch better than we found it. 

This summer's Champions' Cup final featured the 2018 defending Champions' Cup champions, Mosteiros from the USAfrica League and the BSSL's  GPS Omens. This highly anticipated clash of the two of the strongest clubs in the state did not disappoint. It kept fans on the edge of their seats and captured the attention of casual passersby and families. It prompted the question from one group that stopped to ask, "Was this actually amateur soccer?"  Click here to read more...

The Ucal McKenzie Cup is an annual tradition in the Baystate Soccer League.  The opening rounds of this single game elimination tournament start in the spring with it's Division 2 and Division 3 teams facing off against one another. Then, enters the Division 1 powerhouses. You win, you advance.

Over the summer, quarterfinal rounds were completed and now only four teams remain:  GPS Omens, Fall River FC, Kendall Wanderers, and MIT FC.   The Omens will play the upstart Fall River of D3S and defending champs Kendall Wanderers meeting fellow D1 side MIT. Click here to read more...

As hosts of the 2019 USASA Adult Soccer Fest, at Progin Park in Lancaster, Massachusetts teams were not only well represented, with a team in every age group, but they came to play hard as well. In the men's divisions, competition age groups ranged from over 40 to over 75 years of age. On the women's side, competition age groups ranged from over 30 to over 70 years of age! 

The Mass Spirit teams placed first in the Women's over 30's and over 50's and 2nd in the over 40's. The Breakers placed 2nd in the Women's over 55's.  GPS won the men's over 50 championship and NEOTHSL won the men's over 70 championship. Congratulations to all teams! 

Special thank you to Tournament Director, Cezar Wasecki, and his team, for all their hard work organizing and overseeing Soccer Fest. Also, thanks to the referees that donated their time and services. This tournament would not be successful if it wasn't for the dedication of so many volunteers.

Both the Old Colony Women's Soccer League (OCWSL) and Eastern Mass Women's Soccer League (EMWSL) had another great summer of exciting soccer, culminating in a first ever cross league all star game in Weymouth, MA.

This "Friendly" match was the first women's cross league game. EMWSL is a large league with 3 divisions that play year round primarily base in Boston metro- northshore. OCWSL is a smaller single division summer league based on the south shore. It was the smaller OCWSL that prevailed with a 4-0 victory!  

It was the diligent work of league presidents Michelle Sherman of the OCWSL and Dee Woolley of the EMWSL that launched this new tradition. We heard that Dee has already asked Michelle for a rematch next year! Click here to read more about both league summer highlights...

True Soccer Enterprises hosted our first Mass Charity Tournament. This tournament featured 14 men's teams, competing in 3 divisions to earn recognition and money for the charity of their choice. 

Congratulations to all participating teams for raising awareness to your valued causes. Thank you to True Soccer Enterprises and Johnny Garofalo for organizing and executing a great day of soccer and donating $3,000 to charities that make a difference in our communities! Click here to read more...

The United States women’s team has the ball, working their way down the field. A pass comes into the middle just in front of the goal, and then a blistering shot finds the back of the net. The team mobs the scorer in celebration. Goal, USA.

But this isn’t the World Cup. This is the Boston Unity Cup, and all of the teams are made up of people from Greater Boston. And except for Team USA, the teams are made up of players born in or representing other countries.

"We're representing different countries but the people playing are all from various parts of the world. It's just so diverse, it's lovely. I love it," Brazilian women's team co-captain Raquel Franco says. Click here to read more...

This year's USASA National Cup Tournaments Mengel Cup, Fricker Cup, and Amateur Cup, were well represented by Massachusetts teams. 

In the Mengel Cup, the Warehouse Gunners of Massachusetts lost in the semifinals to the eventual Region I champion Pancyprian Freedom O30 (ENY) 2-0.  The Warehouse Gunners team is part of the Bay State Soccer League. 

In the Fricker Cup quarterfinals in April, Brockton FC defeated HNK Connecticut Croatia (CT) 2-0.  In May, Brockton FC went on to play Lansdowne Yonkers FC of (ENY) in the semifinal round. Despite a hard fought game, Brockton FC lost to the eventual Regional Champions. Brockton FC is part of the Bay State Soccer League.

In the Amateur Cup, Mosteiros FM played against Cedar Stars Academy from Eastern New York in the Quarterfinals. In a hard fought game, Mosteiros FM lost 1-3.  Mosteiros FM is part of the USAFRICA Soccer League. 

It was a warm and sunny April afternoon when these pioneers of walking soccer and their faithful fans took to field at Laurel Farms in Sherborn, Massachusetts. This inaugural pick-up walking soccer match was organized by OTHSL board member, Steve Siniscalchi.

What is walking soccer? Walking soccer is a fun way to get low impact exercise while experiencing the comradery of team soccer. There is no contact between players and one foot must remain on the ground at all times.  Soccer experience is helpful to play, but not necessary. Click here for more information on Walking Soccer and upcoming matches

Interested in becoming a referee? Courses are being offered this summer all across Massachusetts. There are many different dates and locations available.  Additional course descriptions are available in the MSRC Course Guide.

2019 Massachusetts State Referee Committee Course Offerings

- Discounted Revs tickets are available for their September 29th game vs NY FC! Click here for more information.

- Managing your team just got easier.  Check out our new Teamsnap Discount Program available for Mass Soccer teams!

- Get 10% off gear and uniforms through this special link: WeGotSoccer

- USASA provides members with exclusive perks and over $4,500 in savings on everything from pizza and the zoo, to movie tickets, oil changes, hotels, and car rentals! Click USASA Abenity Program for more information.

Joga, 

Have interesting stories? Want to contribute? Interested in sponsoring our next newsletter? Email us at News@Mass-Soccer.org