Patrick Lott
Posted: Thursday, September 2, 2010 10:25 am

PSA team are Bayern Finalists

Club Soccer Spotlight: PSA Development is our “Goal”!

I have two daughters who play for the PSA soccer; a club which teaches soccer at a very high level, both skills and the game. They also teach accountability and provides character development.  Observing each of my girls’ teams highlights these attributes; and reminds me of why I stay with PSA year after year.

My youngest Daughter Peyton is on the PSA GU12 team. This team made the finals for the second tournament in a row. That they did so, in spite of playing some very athletic teams is a tribute to their growing skills. Playing at this age often involves having to compete with larger more athletic teams who can kick and run. A good soccer team can still be beat by a faster bigger team or even by a single individual player at this age.

I sometimes have to remind myself that this is how it was for my older daughter Maegan’s team at this age. That, winning at age 11 while gratifying, is not nearly as important as developing the skills necessary to win when the team is high school age.

The ups and downs of a season are reflected in the microcosm of a tournament. The difference between one game and the next can be dramatic in a younger team. The highs and lows amplified by your own child’s play the position she may be asked to play, number of touches or bench time. It can be easy to get frustrated with progress by individuals or the team and lose sight of the long term goal. 

We stay with PSA, because the coaches and club administrators live up to their philosophy. My older daughter Maegan is on the GU15 team with PSA. They are a team which demonstrates for me everything PSA teaches and is what I desire for both the girls. 

Watching the GU15’s you see a group of talented, intense, intelligent and athletic young women. This team is a group of girls who play soccer at a very high level with confidence and as a team and importantly, they are having fun. Their support for each other is highlighted by the on and off field camaraderie. Watching them laugh, talk, encourage, chide and support each other is a joy.

There is a confidence born of the years together as a team. While there are new girls every year, this team has a core of players together for years.

Some of these girls have been together since they were 7 years old, half their life. Most have been with the team a minimum of 3 years. They are cohesive units that demonstrate the synergy trait common to PSA teams.  

The kick ball and hit first then play soccer teams are no longer a problem at this age. They are either gone or playing at a bronze level. Teams that are incorrectly taught or encouraged to resort to shirt pulling, and other aggression tactics are soon out played by this team which has learned soccer skills come first and foremost.

I look forward to the GU12 girls continued progress with the expectation that they will continue to develop the character, skills, and lifelong friendships demonstrated by their big sisters.

The GU15 girls ended the weekend with 3 wins and one tie against all silver teams. They had 9 goals scored by 6 different players and allowed only 5 goals in an all around team effort.

The GU12 girls finished second with an overall finish of 1 win 2 ties and the loss in the finals. Emily Rodriguez was named player of the week.  

With the season to come, both the GU12 & GU15 teams have had very positive tournament results to draw upon; including multiple championship games for each and at least one champion title each.

PSA Youth Soccer has taught the girls a lot of skills, and how to battle for control of the ball