State Cup Wrap Up

Hey all,

State Cup started Saturday, and will continue through Friday. I came back after an Under 15 Girls Semi-Final on Thursday, so I stayed all but the very last day.

In my first game on Saturday, I had the whistle in an Under 16 Boys match between Lou Fusz SC (from St. Louis) and Springfield SC (from here in Springfield). The game was excellent, it was a little chippy in the first half, but the second half settled down, and the boys played some great soccer. Springfield took a 1-0 lead into the last 10 minutes of the game, before Lou Fusz tied it up and sent it into overtime. The first 10 minutes of overtime went with only a couple fouls, but the next 10 had a couple more (as players were getting more and more tired). With two minutes left in overtime, Springfield took a shot from 20 yards out, hitting the upper 90 and seemingly preserving the win. After the goal, the player who scored took his shirt off in celebration. The problem, however, is that he was cautioned earlier in the game, therefore he was sent off for his second caution. All was well, though, as Springfield played hard for the last couple minutes and won the game.

Later in the day I was an AR for a State referee out of St. Louis, and the game went well. The most exciting part, however, was that the other AR was Chris Strickland, FA AR from Branson. He refereed at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, and had been doing MLS for over 12 years. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from him (not to mention, seeing his FIFA badge. That thing is huge!)

The next day I had the whistle again for an Under 13 Girls game that went well. Despite the 3-0 final score, the game was competitive throughout. Later in the day I was on the crew (with Chris Strickland in the middle) for the game of the tournament, an Under 18 Boys match-up between St. Louis Scott Gallagher and Springfield SC. Springfield had won the state championship in back-to-back years, beating Gallagher each time. The game was hard fought, with only 3 cautions. The game went into overtime, and then kicks from the mark, eventually ending with a Gallagher 4-3 win from kicks. There were local camera crews and over a hundred people watching the game from three of the four sides of the field, it was quite an experience!

The rest of the week was relatively uneventful, with nothing but good, hard-fought games. It’s quite interesting to see the emotions that players, coaches, fans, and referees go through game after game. It’s a tournament like this that makes me remember why I love soccer so much!

State Cup is an opportunity to be around old friends, make new ones, and see some of the best soccer in the state. It’s an excellent experience that every referee can learn from. Hopefully, I’ll see more of you next year!

My 2009 State Cup Experience

Greetings! I have just returned home after three days at State Cup in Springfield. Things were a bit different this year with the format, and the schedule seemed quite thin due to the fewer number of teams in the tournament. However, it was still very competitive and highly emotional as players, coaches, and parents experience the culmination of all the hard work they've put in this year.

Friday night before the games is always one of the most fun. We get to meet up with referee friends from all over the state we haven't seen in months and have a great time telling game stories and hassling each other. We also have the pre-tournament meeting where the rules are reviewed, expectations are set, and assignments are handed out. It was "short" and sweet this year, which was nice.
On Day 1, I had the pleasure of working with a current CMSRA member and the male youth referee of the year for 2009. It was a 16 boys game first thing in the morning. Although the game was competitive, the final score was 4-0, and there was no controversy and no send-offs. The assignors and administrators like this kind of game! Later in the day, I was the referee for a 17 boys match. This match paired a KC team against a Springfield team. The first goal was scored off a free kick about 22 yards out, which was actually the first foul of the game. As a referee, you sometimes don't like when that happens, but the foul was a foul. We also have to keep in perspective that it was the player that comitted the foul, and that is out of our hands.

The first half saw the KC team control play and score 2 goals. Springfield started the second half with a lot of emotion and much better skill, but they were unable to finish any of the many chances they created to score. KC scored a third goal, and the match seemed to be over. However, in the first minute of stoppage time, Springfield finally put one in the net and came alive. They controlled play and scored a second goal just one minute later off a corner kick. They had another CK and opportunity to tie the game, but the service sailed over the crossbar, and the game 3-2.

On Day 2, I was supposed to have an "easy" day with a 4th official on 15 boys and a middle on 14 boys, but there were some changes that had to be made. One of the National Referees in attendance aggravated an old injury and could not continue. I was asked to fill his spot on another 17 boys game, this one between Lou Fusz and Scott Gallagher, both from St. Louis. As many of you know, these games have the potential to be very challenging, but I had a SUPER crew, and we kept the game simple and under control. It ended up 4-1 with 4 cautions and a PK (for the losing team). Another successful outcome with no send-offs and no controversy.

Many referees had to leave town after Day 2 since they had work to return to on Monday, but I stayed. My original assignment was another 17 boys middle, but since I had already seen one of the teams, I had to be switched again. I was assigned to referee the 14 boys final between two Scott Gallagher teams. These intraclub matches can often be more difficult than the rivalries between cross-town clubs, so I knew we had better be prepared. I was impressed with the comittment by both coaches to teach their players to play skillfully, intensely, but cleanly. There was very little to deal with, and the match ended with a score of 2-0.

Overall, State Cup was just as much fun as always, primarily because we get to spend time with many of our referee friends from other parts of the state. Each night is spent telling about all of the day's action, along with some friendly ribbing. I encourage any referee who has not experienced the fun of travelling for refereeing to give it a try. It will likely be some of the most fun you ever have with the game of soccer. And if you travel to a tournament like State Cup, you get to work with some of the best referees in the state on some of the best games in the state. It is certainly a great opportunity to see a side of soccer we don't normally get to see working league games on the weekends. It also provides an avenue for advancement for any referee who is interested in moving up and doing more competitive games.

Next stop for the winners and a select group of referees is the Region 2 Championships which are being held in Sioux Falls, SD this year. There will certainly be more to come from that next step for the teams and the referees trying to reach the National Championships!

See you on the pitch...

State Cup - Travel Day

Hey Everyone,

I just got into the hotel here in Springfield, and am just hanging out (I hate driving!) until our meeting, which is tonight at 8. From what I understand, there are 70 referees from around the state coming in to work cup this (long) weekend.

Games start tomorrow at 9 am, and will go all day every day until next Friday. It’s a long week, but it is undoubtedly the best youth soccer in the state.

State Cup is a little bit different this year. In years past, the games have been held on three separate weekends, and have been played in St. Louis (at the SLYSA fields). This year, however, games have all been moved to fit into one week, and they will all be played here in Springfield. The big thing, however, is that every game is single elimination, so literately every game is important.

At tonight's meeting, our State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA) Jeff Kollmeyer will be getting everyone on the same page. Almost all of the referees working this week will be here, so it is an excellent opportunity to work on things that we don't see very often at our local games. For example, he will talk a lot about the level of competition that Cup brings, and also things like fourth official duties (the guys on TV who hold up the bright substitution sign). Also, there is generally a free gift for the referees (this is always the exciting part, I will let you know what it is later tonight!)

Anyways, I just wanted to check in. Not much is happening as of now, but in about three hours, things should start getting fun!

Kyle

Welcome

Hey All,

This is a blog set up to both keep you up to date on the latest CMSRA happenings, and also give you an opporortounity to have an inside view on some high level soccer both in Central Missouri and out, all refereed by CMSRA referees.

The intent of this blog is to be another helpful resource for all referees, no matter their age, grade level, or experience. We will talk about local tournaments, professional games with controversy, and explain the new guidelines on refereeing, coming from US Soccer.

The first major sections of this blog will be at the Missouri State Cup, and then US Youth Soccer Region 2 Championships in Souix Falls, SD! Hopefully we will have posts from multiple referees with stories about games, and pictures!

We look forward to hearing from you via email, comments (on the blog itself), and on the fields!

Happy refereeing!

-Kyle

CMSRA Blog