The latest MIFC news for you!

December 2020

Club newClub news & updatess & updates

Mercer Island FC is our community's volunteer-led, non-profit soccer club for kids of all ages. Let’s play!

www.mercerislandfc.org

President's Message
Upcoming Winter-Spring Development Programs
MIHS Soccer Updates
Jordan Morris a Finalist for US Soccer Male Athlete of the Year
Happy Holidays!

President's Message

Hello Mercer Island FC Families,

It would be an understatement to say 2020 was a challenge for us all. MIFC was no exception to that but I would like to think that we did the best we could to keep our players, families and the community safe while providing opportunities to players an outlet for their soccer needs. We have been grateful for your support and understanding despite not having a normal season.

Over the past several months we have heard from families that, while we have not been able to play games or in some instances have “real” practices, their children have benefited from being with their teams, training, having fun outdoors and connecting socially. As a club, it was also important to us to keep our professional coaching staff employed and connected with their teams which will benefit us down the road, hopefully soon, as we resume normal activities.

Personally, I would like to thank our coaching staff, club administrative staff and board members for rolling with the punches that 2020 served up to us. By continuing to help us serve the kids in whatever fashion we could as circumstances and restrictions changed many times throughout the year, we provided a valuable resource for Mercer Island. We are lucky to have such dedicated folks devoting their time and talents to the soccer community.

As we head into a new year we are planning to continue providing soccer programs that are safe and engaging. Here is a quick summary;

This January we will be returning our popular Winter Sharpness program on Friday nights. This is a 7-week training and play program for K – 5^th grade players. This has been one of our most popular and fun academy style clinics. You can find out more here.
Select teams are taking a break from training for the next few weeks through the holidays but will resume training in January. We will offer spring training options for these teams beginning in late February and extending through the end of April. Here is more info.
Our popular MIFC Juniors program will be following a similar schedule as Select soccer and we will be opening registration for a winter/spring session in January. Watch for info on that soon.

Some of you may be hearing that the state association and other clubs are planning for a return to play in the winter with games and/or modified state cup competitions. We are keeping close tabs on those developments and will evaluate and communicate our plans as soon as we get a clearer picture.

Again we thank you all for your support, input and patience throughout this unusual year. The MIFC board would like to extend a sincere wish to you all for a Happy Holiday season!

Sincerely,

Greg Snyder

President

MIFC

Upcoming Winter-Spring Development ProgramsCoaching Staff

We have all been looking forward to January with hope that the travails of 2020 will recede in the distance as the vaccines come online. But on our Island, there is always special anticipation come January for Winter Sharpness. For seven weeks In January and February, K through 5th grade players spend Friday evenings (6:30-8pm) in group training on the Islander Middle School Turf Field to learn new skills and practice old ones with our professional trainers. For a cost of $125 - you get a socialization outlet for your pent up kids, a continuum of touches on the ball to get them competition ready, and the opportunity for SEVEN parent date nights. What's not to love? We know that our "elder" soccer enthusiasts will miss the chance this year to compete among other "elite" players in the parallel parent camp. Although COVID-19 robbed us of this year's adult program, with all its triumphs and bloopers, rest assured it will return again next year! Register here.

And while you're at it, put a note on your calendar to register for Spring Academy - our Spring training program for kids U6-U14, designed both to keep kids active AND prepare those who aspire to try out for Select teams.

MIHS Soccer Updates

While our MIFC high school teams have spent the fall on the pitch practicing and attending clinics, Island high school coaches are getting their teams ready for the upcoming spring seasons.

MIHS GIrls Soccer Update from Head Coach James Valles: The MIHS girls soccer program has been training three times a week since November. We have had a really great turnout and even though the training sessions have restrictions, such as pods and face mask requirements, the training sessions have been great. The coaching staff has been able to take a negative and turn it into a positive. The primary focus of the training session has been to build the technical ability of the players. Players with a solid technical base will have no problems adapting to the tactical changes that playing for Mercer Island High School soccer will require.

In the short time we have been able to work with the players, we have seen a vast improvement in passing, receiving, and the confidence to take on players off the dribble. We have also been able to work on shooting, which is every player's favorite thing to do, and if not, it should be. We are seeing the results in better shot selection, technique, and composure in front of goal. The incoming freshmen have really impressed with their work ethic and attendance. The future looks bright for the program.

The MIHS open session period has been extended until January 23, 2021, so if you have a player who is interested in the program all are welcome. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays from 6:30-8, even if the players have to leave early, all players are encouraged to attend.

Finally, the girls soccer season is officially scheduled to start 3/15/21 and run through the first week of May. To date, our season, although pushed back and reduced in length, is still a go.

MIHS Boys Soccer Update from Head Coach Forrest Markowitz: The boys program has been holding weekly training sessions, which provide an opportunity for the guys to get together in a safe and structured environment. These essentially replace a typical captains practice, and after a long week of online learning we all feel grateful to be able to play together in a physical space.

As of now, our 2021 season is set to start April 26th and run through the middle of June. We remain hopeful that we will have a season and games to play come springtime. Until then, our players will be training hard with their respective club teams, also holding on to some hope that there may be games to play on that side of the youth soccer world as well.

Message from MIFC Select High School Coach Tom Hill: The best thing players can do is play. Gather friends together and play for an hour or two. Getting and staying in good shape is also important so both jogging and interval training in addition to or in lieu of training. It is important to take recovery days. Daily intense workouts are counter productive due to cumulative fatigue that leads to injuries.

Jordan Morris a Finalist for US Soccer Male Athlete of The Year

Following on the heels of his selection to the MLS Best XI Team for the 2020 season, Morris captured another heady nomination, for the second time, for US Soccer Male Athlete of the Year, after notching 11 goals and 8 assists for the Seattle Sounders, propelling them to the MLS Championship match. Due to the pandemic, Morris did not have an opportunity to play for the National Team this season. While the award generally considers both Club and National Team play, Morris's extraordinary contribution to the high powered Sounders offense puts him in a top position among an impressive field of Champions League players.

Happy Holidays!

To all of our players and their families, we hope that you are able to connect with others near and far and have a restorative holiday season, whatever your tradition may be.

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