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We scour the internet for content to engage, inform, entertain, and enlighten the Fusion community. We hope you enjoy this week's selections!
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Saturday, October 22 is Silent Saturday!
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Love the game? Show it with silence!
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Silent Saturday is one day out of the schedule in which parents, coaches and spectators are not allowed to talk during the game.
The core idea of Silent Soccer is to encourage everyone to simply watch and let the kids enjoy the game of soccer.
This may sound like a radical idea, but the program has been enormously successful all over the country, in both large and small soccer clubs.
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If you're like most parents, you really enjoy watching your child compete in sports.
Did you ever consider how you might be affecting your child, your child's performance, and your relationship with your child, while you're cheering from the sidelines?
This 4 1/2 minute video may open your eyes. It features children speaking directly to the camera -- and to you -- about how they experience their parents from the performance fishbowl.
The video is funny, moving, painful, and insightful, and just might make you change your perspective as a spectator and parent & bring you closer to your child.
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2 Games = 2 Big Wins for the Fusion U12 Boys Maroon!
The U12 Boys Maroon, coached by former US Men's National Soccer Team captain Kyle Davies, enjoyed an action-packed and successful weekend.
On Saturday, October 8, the team traveled to Walnut Creek to take on the top U12 Norcal Fall Premier division team. The Fusion offense came out strong, with Rodrigo Salazar staking the boys to a 1-0 lead with an early goal. In the second half, Tanner Breesch and Marcos Valdez scored back-to-back to give Fusion a 3-1 lead and the momentum to hold off Walnut Creek and leave with the Win.
Both teams played aggressively, but Fusion’s powerhouse offense was too much for WC to handle.
On Sunday, October 9, under a blazing afternoon sun, the team faced off against the Montclair Clippers in their 3rd Round 1 state cup game. Defender Parker Warner assisted Tanner Breesch on a beautiful goal. Fusion kept up the attack, with multiple shots on goal, and Breesch found the back of the net again to put Fusion up 2-0.
The defense and offense worked cohesively, passing and controlling the ball throughout the game.
Defenders Marco Wilde, Dominic Galo, AJ Hattaway, Parker Warner, and keeper Andrew McKeever need to be commended for establishing a "brick wall" defense that was pivotal in securing both wins.
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U10 Girls Livermore Lightning Strikes Down San Ramon Red!
On Sunday, October 9, the formidable San Ramon Red visited Kellman Park to take on Fusion's U10 Girls Livermore Lightning.
The result: a convincing 8-2 Fusion victory!
Aubrey Bessolo, Kaitlyn Sousa, and Gabby Tabaracci scored for Fusion while Gabby Sisto, Marin Lnenicka, Lauryn Meier, and Jade Selway led a solid defensive effort.
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On Saturday, October 8, on a picture-perfect fall afternoon, the Fusion U5 Hawks and Sharks squared off at Hagemann Park.
The Hawks soared! They followed their kicks, saved balls from going out of bounds, and drove the ball down field. They played energetically and worked together well as a team.
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The Main Event: U5 Bandits v Stompers!
On Thursday, October 6, Haggeman Park hosted the big showdown:
The U5 Bandits against the Stompers!
Both teams played with great skill & sportsmanship & all players slept well that night after finishing their chores.
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In each edition of
inFusion
, we profile a coach, player, Board member, staff person, volunteer, alumnus, or other member of the amazing Fusion community!
In this Fusion Focus we profile Fusion Coach Craig Scheer.
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Craig Scheer must have been born to play soccer.
Why else, at the age of 12, would he travel 3 hours a day, three days a week, to play in a more competitive league than his hometown could offer?
Craig parlayed his soccer skills into a full college scholarship, multiple All-American honors, and a ten year career as a professional soccer player.
When his playing days ended, Craig decided he wanted to coach the game that he loves so dearly. He arrived at Fusion SC 8 years ago, and we are delighted to have him.
Meet Coach Craig!
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Craig in 2008 as a member of the MISL California Cougars.
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Tell us a bit about your background.
I'm from
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, south of St. Louis. I started playing soccer when I was 5 and from the very beginning I was hooked. When I turned 12, our local competitive team folded, so I started playing in St. Louis, known as "the soccer capital of the midwest." One of my parents would drive me 1 1/2 hours each way, three times a week, for six years, so that I could play with the best. My parents sacrificed a lot for me.
After high school, I received a full scholarship to play soccer at Lewis & Clark Junior College in Godfrey, Illinois. I was named All-American, and and after two years the University of Illinois at Springfield offered me a full scholarship. I played two years and was named All-American both years. My senior year, our team was ranked #1 in the country.
During my senior year, I was invited to play in the Umbro Senior Bowl in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, which is a showcase for the nation's best college soccer players.
I was drafted by the Hershey Wildcats of the USL A-League. I played a couple of years in the A-League, then trained in Belgium, followed by 8 years in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
I was a midfielder most of my career. Towards the end I played some fullback.
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"Craig coaches with such a passion whether it's practice, game or tournament. He knows what the players are capable of and demands 100% from them.
Although known as a 'strict coach', he's also the 'cool' coach and the young players thrive under his direction. In addition to developing great young soccer players, Craig has inspired our players to focus on health and fitness. He encourages them to take their conditioning into their own hands and insures that if they put effort into their health and fitness on their own, they will definitely see a marked improvement on the field.
I love how the players have been inspired to meet and run laps on their off days. I love how when a player comes off the field during a game and I hear him say 'Hey coach, how'd I do?' Or 'What could I have done better?'
A truly great leader for our young athletes!"
- Catherine Christian
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You must have seen lots of changes during your 8 years of coaching for Fusion Soccer Club. How has the Club changed during this time, and what are some positive developments that have taken place?
In the beginning, before the club became Fusion, it seemed everybody was kind of on their own. We didn't have professional coaches, just parent coaches with trainers. Since Fusion, there has been a curriculum put in place that has put the Club in a direction everybody can follow, which has created unity within the Club. We have professional coaches now who offer a high level of soccer knowledge to teach the kids.
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What's your favorite TV program?
That would be the King of Queens.
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As a former professional soccer player, what advice would you give a young soccer player who dreams of playing in the pros?
Develop a great work ethic. Understand that there is no substitute for hard work. Work on your game constantly. Watch games, study games, put yourself in environments that are going to be challenging. Strive to play at the highest level with the best players. And don't let anybody tell you that you can't make it. Believe in yourself!
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Wha
t is your proudest soccer moment?
I have two: Being selected to the Umbro Senior Bowl, and being drafted into the A-League.
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Coach Craig gives instruction at a Fusion fitness camp.
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What would you say to a young athlete who has to choose between playing soccer, football, and basketball.
Choose the sport you love the most, the one that's going to create the most drive in you to push yourself to develop.
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Each week we recognize a player who exemplifies the Club-wide "word of the week." Coaches nominate players for this award, and the winner receives:
- this feature spot in the newsletter
- recognition on our website
- a shout-out on our Facebook page
- a shout-out on our Instagram page
- an adidas training shirt!
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This week, for the first time, we are pleased to recognize two Co-Players of the Week:
Players of the week:
Mia Carlucci & Madelyn Funk
Team:
Black 06 Girls Select U11
Word of the Week: "
Positivity"
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Why Coach Fernando Aluzzi Nominated Madelyn & Mia:
"I am nominating two because both girls have very similar, positive stories. Both girls suffered injuries on the field (coincidentally within a week from each other) and were forced to the sidelines with casts as they recovered for 3 weeks. In spite of that, during their recoveries, both Mia and Madeline attended each team practice keeping up with what was being taught. They also attended each game, even an out of town tournament, in uniform, to root for their team and provide their support. They both showed an exemplary and very positive attitude during their entire recovery and it was very inspiring for their teammates as well as for myself as their coach."
Way to Go, Madelyn & Mia!
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Parker Warner, U12 Boys Maroon, blasts a crossing pass.
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