New England COMmEnTS Board

U12 Comets - Region 1 Finalists

comet — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:51:41 GMT

The Comets did it again - amazing results when it counts!!!

When the dust was settled, the U12 Comets took home a plaque with the word "Finalist" on it. However, the Comets deserve the title "Champions" for everything they did this past weekend in Region 1 Championships hosted by Soccer Maine.

12 teams vied for the title; CT, VT, and VA won wild card draws and sent 2 teams each. Both VA teams competed in the second semi final while the Comets played VT #1 (Nordic).

The Comets started strong and beat West VA 4-0 (maximum goal difference allowed is 4) only to fall short 0-2 on day 2 to VA #1 (Jr. Majestics Gold) who will spoil the final match later on for the Comets. Day 3 presented a real drama between Academica FC and the Comets. Academicas tie allowed the Comets to advance into the semi final round after the Comets beat VT #2 (Capital SC) 4-0 to face VT #1.

The semi final was a physical, fast-paced game that ended with the Comets scoring 3 while conceding 2 to meet their rivals from day 2 - VA #1.

After a great comeback in the second half to tie the game at 1-1, the Comets failed to keep the score even. Nevertheless, the Comets take back tons of positive experiences on and off the field and know that the future in bright!!!

GO COMETS!!!

We Are Donating Old Yankee Gear to Fort Polk Kids

comet — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:35:41 GMT

Thanks to Coach Eleanor Brainard, whose son is deployed in Iraq, the New England Comets Premier Soccer Club will be donating all of its old Yankee gear to the enthusiastic soccer players at Fort Polk. There are approximately 150 kids on the base who play soccer; unfortunately, they simply do not have any uniforms, or other quality soccer equipment. Many of the families are underprivileged and on welfare, and many of the kidsʼ parents are deployed overseas for long periods of time. Coach Brainard has graciously spoken with the recreational department head and he is thrilled at the prospect of using our old Yankee gear, in the appropriate red, white, and blue.

This is truly a great cause. We ask every player who receives a free replacement kit to donate his/her following items:

       Red, blue, and white jerseys
         Red, blue, and white shorts
         Blue and white socks
         T-shirts
         Warm up jackets

In addition, gently-used cleats, balls, and other soccer equipment will surely mean the world to the kids. We will inform the players and the parents of pick up logistics and timing shortly after tryouts are complete. At NE Comets, we teach values in addition to soccer and thank everyone for their help and cooperation!

About Fort Polk
Fort Polk was established in 1941 and named in honor of the Right Reverend Leonidas Polk, the first Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana and a Confederate General. Thousands of soldiers learned the basics of combat here during the World War II Louisiana Maneuvers. Afterwards, the post was opened for the Korean War and then closed. On March 12, 1993, Fort Polk officially became the home of the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), which relocated from Arkansas. Fort Polk is also home to Warrior Brigade, which contains several combat support units. Medical, dental and military police commands also support the installation. Soldiers of Fort Polk have been called to serve around the world in recent history. They fought in Panama during Operation Just Cause and in the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Storm. Currently Fort Polk is supporting the war on terrorism by providing contingency training for the Armyʼs light infantry and special operations forces and by deploying home station and reserve component forces in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom. The JRTC and Fort Polk is experiencing a tremendous transformation to be able to continue to accomplish our missions as a Combat Training Center, Power Projection Platform and a Modern Installation that supports our soldiers and families.
Fort Polk Economic and Population Facts can be viewed at http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/FactSheet.pdf

Mighty Mites is cancelled for June 9th

comet — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:49:00 GMT

TOO HOT!!!

The U11 Comets

comet — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:35:39 GMT

The U11 Comets finished undefeated in the spring league, winning their last 2 games 4-0 (CFC Impact) and 1-0 (Southeast). The Comets are 12-2-2 on the season. The future is bright for NE Comets!!!

Cheer U12 Comets On @ State Cup Finals

comet — Sun, 25 May 2008 03:50:08 GMT

U12 Comets play Academica for State Cup Championship

June 1, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

U12 Comets will face Academica this Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. The winner will be crowned State Cup Champion!

The Comets advanced after defeating Southeast 3-0 in the semi-final match and will represent Connecticut at Region 1 Championship Series in Portland, ME on June 26 - July 1. Come and show support for this group of hard-working young players!!!

Directions - Mill Pond, Willard Ave., Newington

From Rt. 9:

Route 175 East. At 4^thtraffic light take a right onto Rt. 173 North (Willard Ave) Fields on left

From I-91:

Rt. 5/15 to route 175 West. At 5^thtraffic light take a left onto Rt. 173 North (Willard Ave) Fields on left

Updates on U9-U12 tryouts

comet — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:20:56 GMT

U9 - born between 8/1/99 and 7/31/00
U10 - born between 8/1/98 and 7/31/99
U11 - born between 8/1/97 and 7/31/98
U12 - born between 8/1/96 and 7/31/97

Boys and girls U9-U12 are invited to Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford at the following date and time:

U9-U10 boys and girls - Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 5-6:30 p.m.

U11-U12 boys and girls - Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 6:30-8 p.m.

Boys and girls U9-U12 are invited to Emmett OBrien School in Ansonia at the following date and time:

U9-U10 boys and girls - Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 5-6:30 p.m.

U11-U12 boys and girls - Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 6:30-8 p.m.

Boys and girls U9-U12 are invited to The Sports Zone in Trumbull at the following date and time:

U9-U10 boys and girls - Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 5-6:30 p.m.

U11-U12 boys and girls - Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 6:30-8 p.m.

REGISTER FOR U9-U12 TRYOUTS

If your child is already registered in the system, please choose the following option when prompted:
"I have registered or attempted to register online at least one player this season already and would like to login."

5/20 - Emmett O'Brien is closed; GK session is on!!!

comet — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:04:35 GMT

All activities for tonight at Emmett O'Brien are cancelled.
GK session is on!!!

Cancellation for Friday 5/16

Number13 — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:29:04 GMT

Hello Comets!

All activities at Emmett O'Brien are canceled for today, Friday 5/16. Please contact your manager or coach for further updates.

Thanks!
Manya

My Game

Number13 — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:39:00 GMT

Hello NE Comets!

Some of you may know that I am playing on a semi-pro team this summer in the WPSL with the SoccerplusCT Reds. Our first game is tonight, Friday, May 9 at 6:30pm. The game is at Veterans Memorial Stadium - Willow Brook Park in New Britain. The rest of my game schedule can be found at http://www.soccerplusct.com/soccerplusct/schedule.html.

Hopefully, everyone won't be deterred by the rain and will come out to support me (I expect big posters with "We love #10" written big on them).

Directions are below.

Thanks!
Monz

200 Mill Street
New Britain, CT 06051

From I-91 North or South:
Take I-91 to Hartford
Take I-84 West
Continue on 84 West
Take Exit 39A for Route 9 South
Take Exit 25 for Ellis Street
Turn left at the light onto Ellis Street
At the next light, turn left onto South Main Street
The park is about one mile on the right

From I-84 East or West:
Take Exit 39A for Route 9 South
Take Exit 25 for Ellis Street
Turn left at the light onto Ellis Street
At the next light, turn left onto South Main Street
The park is about one mile on the right

Training sessions for 5/8

comet — Thur, 08 May 2008 12:43:28 GMT

A notice on training sessions for 5/8 will go out later in the day...stay tuned.

GK session on 5/8 is cancelled

comet — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:44:26 GMT

GK training that was scheduled for tomorrow (5/8) in New Haven is cancelled.
Next session will be on Tuesday 5/13 in Ansonia.

Free NE Comets Replacement Uniforms

comet — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:24:23 GMT

Check out http://www.necomets.com

4/28 and 4/29 training update

comet — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:34:58 GMT

4/28 - Mighty Mites, technical sessions for U9/U10, U12 Comets and U14 Strikers' activities are cancelled.
4/29 - U12 Revolution and U14 Comets is cancelled. GK training is on!!!

Grant's crucial intervention boosts his chances of hanging on to job as Chelsea coach

comet — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:39:08 GMT

Avram Grant just made it a little bit harder for Chelsea to fire him.

Criticized by fans for failing to draw entertaining soccer from an expensively assembled squad, lampooned by British papers as hapless on the touchline and with Chelsea rumored to be seeking a replacement for him, Grant introduced striker Salomon Kalou in a risky second-half substitution to Tuesday's Champions League semifinal at Liverpool.

The Ivory Coast striker didn't score, but he did manage the next best thing sending in an injury-time cross that Liverpool defender John Arne Riise headed past his own goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

The away goal at Anfield means that Chelsea has a clear edge heading into the second match of the two-leg series at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday and is favorite to reach the May 21 final in Moscow.

"I do not concern myself with what people say," Grant said. "I am just doing my job to get results. And I know that 1-1 away from home in Europe is good result. It is a big step now towards our goal."

Liverpool has to at least score in west London to give itself a chance of reaching the final, something the five-time European champions have not managed in eight visits under coach Rafa Benitez.

"1-1 away is always an advantage, but it will be tough again next week," Grant said. "It gives us the advantage for the second leg. I hope it's the goal that at the end of the day, that was the important goal in the competition."

It could also be the important goal in Grant's Chelsea career.

Grant has struggled to win over fans since he moved from his role as director of football to replace the popular Jose Mourinho in September.

Mourinho arrived after winning the Champions League with FC Porto and endeared himself to fans by leading Chelsea to its first English championship for 50 years and then retaining it.

He also amused supporters with his colorful pronouncements such as how he was "a special one" while the sometimes dour Grant arrived with few credentials and apparently little to say.

The former Israel coach had never even taken charge of a team in Europe's premier club competition and soon flunked his first big tests with Chelsea.

He lost 2-0 at Manchester United and 1-0 at Arsenal in the Premier League, before missing the chance of a trophy with a surprise 2-1 League Cup final defeat to Tottenham.

That loss at Wembley provided many fans with an image they felt summed up Grant, who seemed to be scratching his head while assistant Steve Clarke and captain John Terry gave the team talk ahead of extra time.

Calls for his replacement followed and have been repeated at Premier League matches, and Chelsea has been linked with the likes of former Netherlands coaches Guus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard.

But the Blues always kept grinding out results against lesser teams and a 2-1 win against visiting Arsenal in the Premier League last month finally showed a side led by Grant could beat a top club.

His decision to bring on Kalou on Tuesday suggested he may not be the misfit many Chelsea fans had feared.

Grant's decision to replace Joe Cole against Tottenham in the Premier League this season was blamed for the team's failure to hold onto a winning position, but he braved the fans' ire in the 63rd at Anfield by withdrawing the popular midfielder in favor of Kalou.

The Ivory Coast striker almost pulled his team level four minutes later with a shot that was deflected wide, and, in the fifth minute of added time, sent in the cross that Riise knocked past goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

"We have conceded a lot of late goals this season, so it was good to see one go in our favor," Grant said. "I felt we deserved it."

Liverpool felt differently after a game in which Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech made crucial saves from Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

"They came here and got what they wanted," Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said. "Whether they deserved it or not makes no difference now."

But maybe Grant earned a little luck.

Midfielder Frank Lampard had looked unlikely to play Tuesday because the club had granted him leave to be with his seriously ill mother. But Grant's compassionate handling of the situation and an improvement in her condition over the weekend meant the England player felt able to return to the side after sitting out two games.

"The manager and the club have been fantastic and have not put any pressure on me whatsoever," Lampard said. "I just felt I could come and play, and in a way the training and the playing has helped to take my mind off things."

A little luck and a lot of thought has left Chelsea on the verge of its first ever Champions League final.

"We know this is a big step towards the Champions League final now, and we believe we can complete the task in the second leg," Grant said.

But Grant has another important date before then. Chelsea hosts leader Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday, needing victory over the defending champions to close a three-point gap at the top of the standings.

With only two league matches to follow, anything less than a win would make it highly unlikely that Chelsea could catch the Red Devils.

Lothar Matthaeus to coach Maccabi Netanya

comet — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:15:19 GMT

BERLIN (AP) - Former Germany star Lothar Matthaeus has signed a two-year contract to coach Israeli club Maccabi Netanya.

Andreas Stamatiou, on Maccabi's board, said Saturday the 47-year-old Matthaeus will take over in mid-June. Matthaeus's previous stops include coaching Hungary, Salzburg and Atletico Paranaense.

Matthaeus has been trying to establish himself as a top coach after a stellar playing career.

He captained Germany's 1990 World Cup-winning team, was FIFA player of the year in 1991, and appeared in a record 150 internationals for his country.