The Midfielder

Heartland Soccer Association Newsletter

  

 

9161 W 133rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66213

Phone: 913.888.8768

Spring 2016 Heartland League

Registration Now Open.

 

 

Last Day to Register

is January 11th

  Heartland Soccer Association is recognized as one of the largest soccer leagues and tournament hosts in the country.
We offer recreational to premier divisions, ages U8 through U19.
Over 33,000+ players and their teams had the opportunity to play competitively at all
skill levels in both league and tournament play this spring.
HSA BY THE NUMBERS!
 
1,265 league teams this fall
22,000 players this season 
 2,400 tournament teams this year
38,000+ tournament players this year
1,600 plus referees
1,400 plus coaches
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Scheels OP Soccer Complex was turned Pink during the Heartland Midwest All Girls Tournament.
 
 





 


 

At Overland Park Regional's new ER of Olathe your family will have access to the lifesaving expertise backed by the largest physician network in the area along with an accessible, family-friendly environment. With short wait times, an array of amenities and the comfort of one-on-one attention, we provide a unique emergency room experience. If you or your family require hospitalization, Overland Park Regional Medical Center is nearby.  

http://oprmc.com/service/emergency-care                         

 

Congratulations to the winners of the "Referee/FM Pink Out Breast Cancer Awareness" drawing !
 
 Mike Nease, Arvin Fuentes, Carlos Molina, Kasey Klugman, Lauren Saunders,
Craig Vermillion, Jeff Green,
Mason Keleman and Erin Fabing.
The winners received a gift certificate to either Dick's or Lenny's ,  courteous of our sponsors Dick's and  Lenny's.
Thank you everyone that supported the event this past weekend.
SIGNUP TO BE A REFEREE!
 
Sign up to be a referee for Spring 2016 Heartland  league.
 
here is the link:
If you have a referee, coach, club, team or player accomplishment that you would like to share please email
If you would like to nominate a player for the play of the month for the November newsletter, please email
2015 Heartland Invi­­­tational Tournament

We would like to thank every one of the 692 teams that took part in the 2015 Girls and Boys Heartland Invitational Tournaments. With unseasonably warm weather, and only one day of rain, we were able to play all games without any stoppages over the two weekends.

Halloween came on the Saturday of this year's girl's tournament, and while most teams were not scheduled that evening, those that did play did so in very appropriate conditions.    

  
The Boys tournament was the largest single weekend event that we have ever conducted. Over 100 Trophies and close to 2000 medals were awarded on Sunday afternoon. An incredible 650 games were played over the course of the weekend.

We wish to express our gratitude to all of the staff members who gave both their time and expertise in making sure that the games were played according to schedule and in a safe environment. It would be impossible to administer these events without the tireless work of Assignors, Scorekeepers, Field Marshalls, Medical Staff and Match Officials.

We would also like to thank the Technical Directors of many of the attending clubs who contributed so greatly in the placement of their teams. We are always striving to ensure that teams are accurately placed, as we realize the impact that this can have on a tournament. Club Directors who know their teams and are willing to take the time to address their issues provide an invaluable service.
Thanks again, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2016.

Dave Morrow
Heartland Soccer

You're invited to the
Magico El Clasico
For division 2 teams and below not competing in the Central Regional Championships
magico

Details

  • Dates: January 2nd - 3rd
  • Entry Fee: $495 per team
  • Age Groups: U8-U14 Boys & Girls
  • Registration Deadline: December 15, 2015
  • Facilities: Johnson County Community College and MAWC
Questions please contact 
Lisa McCaughey at: 

US Youth Futsal Regional Championships
Qualifiers For The 2016 U.S. Youth Futsal Nationals

Details

The tournament will be hosted in some of Johnson County's premier indoor sports and multi-use facilities.

 
  • Dates: January 15-18, 2016
  • Age Groups: U9-U18 (Boys and Girls).
  • Location: Overland Park, KS
  • Facilities: Roeland Park, Johnson County Community College and Mid America West Complex.
  • # Of Games: 3 minimum
  • Awards: 1st place player awards and 2nd place player awards.  1st Place Teams qualify for the 2016 U.S. Youth Futsal National Championships.
  • Qualifiers: Champions in each division receive a bid to the U.S. Youth Futsal Nationals.  February 12-15, 2016 in New Century, KS
  • Fees: $575 per team
  • Registration Deadline: January 3rd, 2016
This is a play-to-stay tournament.
Questions please contact
Lisa McCaughey 


Congratulations to the Fall 2015 Kansas and Missouri Girls State Cup Champions!

 

Kansas State Cup Champions

 

U15 Girls- Sporting Blue Valley Roma 00/01

U16 Girls- KC Blaze Blue Angels

U17 Girls- Sporting Kaw Valley Nationals

U18 Girls- Kansas City United Premier Rangers 97/98 

Missouri State Cup Champions

 

U15 Girls- FC Kansas City Ristov 00/01

U16 Girls- FC Kansas City Pink Panthers Elite 99/00

U17 Girls-FC Kansas City Forte Elite 98/99

U18 Girls- FC Kansas City Vardar 97/98

 

Heartland Soccer is proud of your hard work and accomplishments. Good luck at Regionals!

2015 MIDWEST ALL GIRLS TOURNAMENT SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
 The award-winning Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex was turned pink Oct 9-11 as thousands of soccer players from around the region took to the fields for the Midwest All Girls (MAG) soccer tournament. Johnson County healthcare leaders Menorah Medical Center and Overland Park Regional Medical Center, along with Midwest Physicians, are the exclusive healthcare partners with Heartland Soccer Association (HSA) and the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex, both headquartered in Overland Park.
            
Once again in show of support for breast cancer awareness and to serve as a visual reminder that early screening saves lives, OP Soccer Complex staff and MAG tournament staff wore pink t-shirts. The field marshals wore pink HCA vests, and referees used pink flags. Pink corner flags were posted on every field during the tournament.
 
The weekend's pink presence was designed to call attention to October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and remind women to get their mammogram. The MAG featured 300 teams from seven states, drawing thousands of players, parents, grandparents and families from across the region in one of the Kansas City metropolitan area's largest all girls annual soccer tournaments.
 
The hospitals, a part of HCA Midwest Health System, Kansas City's largest healthcare network, hosted an interactive community health fair as a part of their commitment to keeping the community healthy. Sports medicine physicians, certified athletic trainers, cancer specialists and therapists were on hand to provide tips on staying healthy. With the expertise of the area's largest physician network and award-winning hospitals with advanced technology and high-quality, compassionate care, Menorah, Overland Park Regional and Midwest Physicians make the partnership with HSA a win-win for athletes, coaches, parents and the medical professionals who attend tournaments and league play throughout the year.
 
"We value our partnership with Heartland Soccer Association, helping keep kids safe on and off the fields," says Kevin Hicks, Chief Executive Officer at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.  "This community event gives us the opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of early detection-and that it helps saves lives when it comes to diagnosing and treating breast cancer."

Thank you McCarthy Morse Chevrolet for choosing Heartland Soccer

to participate in the 2015 Chevy Youth Soccer Program!

We appreciate your support during  Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 

 

 

 

2014: Heartland Tops KC Attendance
  
The 2014 attendance numbers have been gathered and released, showing Heartland Soccer at the top. With the Scheel's Overland Park Soccer Complex and Heritage Soccer Park , HSA welcomed well over 2.8 million last year. This is the highest attendance in the history of Heartland Soccer. With the continuous growth of Heartland, the 2015 numbers are expected to be even higher.
 
Autographed Soccer Balls
 
Sporting Kansas City team members autographed  pink soccer balls for Heartland Soccer. 
Two were auctioned at the Midwest All Girls tournament, with the entire amount received going
to the American Cancer Society, Making Strides KC. 
One was given away through a free drawing held at the Midwest All Girls tournament. 
The winner of that third ball was Jodie Ewing of Liberty, MO. 
She was attending the tournament to watch her daughter compete
with the Pink Panthers Elite U16 team.  Congratulations Jodie!

2015 Hit Tournament Pictures



Congratulations to the Edible Promotions Winners
from the Heartland Invitational Boys Tournament!

1st place: 300 free cookies
Michelle Williams, Heartland Youth Soccer KC Blast
  
 2nd place: 200 free cookies
Ron Schnieder, Topeka Youth Soccer Association
  
 3rd Place: 100 free cookies
Vern Shad, Omaha Youth Soccer Association

 For Fundraising ideas visit:
Congratulations to the O'Hara High School and Michael Drake
Celtics' win their first ever state title


The O'Hara Celtics left St. Louis last Saturday and headed West with a trophy in hand. A trophy that has never meant more to the Celtics' soccer program. History was made. The 2015 boys' soccer team won their first ever state title in school history. 
"We're going to look to continue to build upon this and make this a tradition," head coach Dirk Lawson said.
 






 
 
 
 
This state title came in Lawson's first year as head coach.       
Senior Michael Drake said, "First day he came in, he said 'you guys are going to be state champions' and we thought he was crazy."
After 2 months on the job, the Celtics' were in St. Louis for a varsity showcase where they played 4 games. In the final game they faced the 2014 state champions, Perryville. Following a 2-0 loss, Lawson told the entire team the next time they see those guys, it will be in the state championship game.

"We thought he was crazy then, too. But, he was just speaking the truth."

In the Celtics' journey to a state title, they had to top four Top 10 teams and beat the defending state champs, Perryville, in the championship game.

 "It just shows that it wasn't luck. It wasn't just happenstance. It was the fact that these gentlemen are that good. It wasn't given to them, they earned it," Lawson said. 



Lawson and the Celtics could not have done it without their senior caption, Michael Drake. 
Drake scored the lone goal in the state championship. This marked his 40th goal of the season... the most in a season in school history. 

 
Lawson has a Heartland Soccer Association pedigree. The week following the state championship game, Lawson started an interview by first and foremost thanking his KC Select coach Bob Littell for his success. "He has helped me develop since I was a young kid into my high school years."
This just shows, once again, that the coaches and teams that make up Heartland Soccer continue to develop the core of players' skills, competitiveness and commitment. Heartland is the reason thousands of soccer players, like Michael, are who they are today.  
Congratulations to Michael and the entire Celtic soccer team for winning the 2015 Boys Class 2 State Title. 



Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Dan Farrell Explains How Common ACL Injuries are in Athletes and How Advanced Techniques Help in a Faster Recovery in Athletes of All Ages.


ACL injuries are in the spotlight after Kansas City Chiefs player Jamaal Charles injured his right knee. Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon Dan Farrell discusses how to diagnose and treat ACL injuries in athletes of all ages.

Watch more:






The Papa John's Referee Spotlight shines on Phillip Gomez this month.
He is an example of the many referees who continue to advance as a referee and choose to mentor young referees.
 
Phillip Gomez became a certified referee in 2007 as a way to stay involved with the game and make some extra money, not realizing that eight years later he would be traveling all over the state and region to work some of the most exciting and competitive games.
 
Phillip is a certified US Youth Grade 6 Kansas State Referee. He is eligible to referee youth, adult, amateur and semi-pro games. He is certified to do high school games in both Kansas (KSHSAA) and Missouri (MSHSAA). In addition to the Grade 6 certification and high school certifications, Phillip is certified in the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA) and referees KJCCCC, NAIA and NCAA games. He was selected to work a Region II Championship game, a Sporting KC scrimmage and the KCK Men's League final this fall, which is one of the most competitive adult soccer leagues in the Midwest.
 
Phillip graduated in 2014 from Kansas State University with a bachelors degree in Marketing and an emphasis in sales. After graduating college he decided to focus on a referee career.
His typical mornings are spent exercising, training and performing drills that professional MLS referees do to stay in top form. In the evenings and weekends, Phillip can be found on the pitch officiating youth, high school, and college games. When not working games, he spends his weekends mentoring young, new referees with the Heartland Soccer Association Referee Development Academy. "I love to give back by mentoring. My greatest accomplishment is mentoring young, new referees." Phillip said.
"As I meet these new referees, I see myself when I first began reffing. I remind them it is a learning process: You're going to make mistakes.  Keep working at it.  You're going to get better."
 
Heartland Soccer would like to thank Phillip for all his dedication and hard work. We are extremely proud of his accomplishments.
 

      
                

 

 Heartland Referee Development Academy


 
The Heartland Referee Development Academy Program (RDAP) would like to thank all 24 of its Mentors who spend a combined 400+ hours on the fields watching, teaching, and cheering on the new and young referees working Heartland games! This season, the Mentors focused on topics like First Impressions and Preparation, Work Rate and Effort, Teamwork, and Communication. The Mentors were very impressed with a number of young referees and were very pleased at how well the Rookie Referees performed, learned, and improved throughout the season.
  
The RDAP also sponsored three Referee Academy Clinics during the Heartland Midwest Classic, Midwest All Girls, and Heartland Invitational tournaments. These select referees were recommended by the Mentors as referees who work hard, lead by example, and know the Laws of the Game. Each participant got to work with their very own Mentor, received individualized feedback, and participated in an advanced training session.
Jorge Adams
Linda Arterburn
Emily Astle
Nick Buffo
Cally Busby
Brandon Davis
Rhys Gaunt
Aaron Middaugh
Lauren Saunders
Daniel Spearman
Zaid Umar


Four of these referees were then selected to work Kansas State Cup games this fall.
  
We also conducted two evening continuing education meetings at OPSC, in September and October. September participants played a thrilling version of Referee Pictionary, complete with fabulous prizes for group winners. And October attendees practiced effective communication with a fantastic beast (Jabberwocky!) and everyone got a whistle for live, outdoor practice with Sgt. Mentor Ricky.
  
Finally, Heartland's own MLS Assistant Referee put our kids through a Professional Referee's workout with an outdoor training session during the Midwest Classic Tournament. Everyone in the RDAP wants to say THANK YOU to everyone who participated in any/all of these events! Your success is our success! If you have any desire to be watched by a Mentor next season, check out the RDAP page on the Heartland website!
              


 

 Coaches Corner

 

 

     

2016 Heartland Calendar 

  
    
 
  
 
 
  
 
 

A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS

Academy Sports and Outdoors

Advocare

American Family, Keith Stanfield

Burger Fi

Chevrolet

Chick fil A

Damsel in Defense

Dicks Sporting Goods

Edible Promotions

FC Kansas City

Fox & Hound

Fry Wagner

Global Connections

Goodcents

Hasty Awards

It Works

J&K Soccer

Jimmy John's

Johnny Cascone's

Kincaid Coach

Lenny's Subs

Le-Vel

Levine Advertising

Mary Kay

McCarthy Auto Group

Menorah Medical Center

Missouri Comets

Molle Toyota

Momo Bands

Nerium

Nill Bros.

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Papa John's

Pickleman's

Pinstripes

Planet Sub

Portable Soccer Goals

Prairiefire

Premier Designs Jewelry

Price Chopper 

Rasmussen College

Research Medical Center

Rock and Brews

Salty Iguana

Scentsy

Shred-It

Simply Soccer

Slim Chickens

Soccer Master

Sporting KC

Storage Mart

Tastefully Simple

The Storage Place

Thirty-One Gifts

TeamSnap

T-riffic T-shirts

TSS Photography

Brent Walton, photographer 

Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun

You Oughta Be In Pictures