Heartland Soccer Association
JULY 2013
    THE MIDFIELDER
FALL 2013
Heartland's Biggest Season to Date

 

Heartland Soccer Association continues to grow.  The number of teams registered for the Fall 2013 season is the largest ever - 1076 teams.

 

The teams range in age from U8 to U19.  There are 483 boys teams registered and 593 girls teams registered.  (Keep in mind that older boys play with their high school teams during the fall.)

 

As you would expect, the vast majority of the teams come from the greater Kansas City metro area.  776 of the teams registered for this season are from Kansas and 291 are from Missouri.  Many teams travel significant distances to test themselves against other teams in this Johnson County based league.  On the Kansas side teams travel up from Wichita, and in from Topeka, Manhattan, and even Hays.  On the Missouri side teams travel down from Saint Joseph, in from Sedalia and Columbia, and up from Springfield.  Two teams are traveling up from Arkansas to play in the league this season and seven teams are coming from Nebraska to play.

 

The league's growth gives us some bragging rights - we're definitely one of the largest leagues in the country.  It also means that teams at every level are going to be able to test themselves against similarly skilled competition from a very diverse geographic base.  The size of our league also brings some challenges.  The biggest challenge will be scheduling the games.  We will be maximizing the use of the 18 grass fields at Heritage Soccer Park and our allotted time at the 12 all-weather fields at the Overland Park Soccer Complex.  Reschedules because of weather will be given first priority.  Reschedules for other reasons will be handled on an 'as possible' basis.

 

 
HEARTLAND SOCCER 
NEW WEATHER ALERT SYSTEM
Heartland Crest Logo

Heartland Soccer Association

has a NEW weather alert system!

Now you can choose how you want to receive the field conditions for Heartland Soccer League and Tournament play at OP, HSP and 151st & England fields.

 

You can get the information via:

* text alerts

* email alerts

* mobile app 

*download for free

* NEW rainout line #913-933-6999

* Heartland website www.heartlandsoccer.net

 

To sign up for your Heartland rainout alert system go to: http://heartlandsoccer.net/1menu_about_us/conditions.php

 

*This is a NEW system. If you have previously signed up for text alerts in past seasons and wish to continue that service you will need to sign up via the new system to receive alerts.

 

To check Lone Elm field conditions: 913-747-2515

To check Sunflower field conditions: 785-233-7099

 
In This Issue
League Outcome
Weather Alert System
Fall Calendar
Sporting KC
Fall Tournaments
Heartland Midwest Classic
Midwest All Girls
Chipotle Heartland Invitational
The US Youth National Championship
Heritage Drink Program
Check us out on the web!

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
 
FALL 2013 CALENDAR
**July 31-schedule posted after 5pm
August 10-11
League play
August 17-18
League play
August 24-25
 League play
August 30- September 2
Heartland Midwest Classic Tournament
September 7-8
League play
September 14-15
League play
September 21-22
 League play
September 28-29
 League play/Team Photo Days
October 5-6
League play/Team Photo Days
October 11-13
Midwest All Girls Tournament
October 19-20
League play
October 26-27
Rainout weekend
November 1-3
Chipotle Heartland Invitational Tournament-girls
November 8-10
Chipotle Heartland Invitational Tournament- boys
SPORTING KC NEWS: 
 
Aurelien Collin to unveil new clothing line during MLS All-Star Week
Sporting KC defender to showcase his line of elegant suits on July 30 at P&L

Article by: Jonathan Kaplan, SportingKC.com

The MLS All-Star Game is a showcase of the top talent in Major League Soccer. And while three Sporting Kansas City players will have the opportunity to showcase their talent on the field, one of those players will use the occasion to showcase his talent away from the pitch.

On Tuesday, July 30 fans will get their first look at AC78, a clothing line designed by Sporting KC defender Aurelien Collin The Frenchman will hold a fashion show at the Power and Light District (6:30-7 pm CT) on the eve of the midsummer classic to showcase a series of elegant suits that he has designed along with partner Tom Paolini. The fashion show will take place prior to the Silversun Pickups at the Power and Light District.

"I have been into fashion since I was very young," Collin told SportingKC.com. "When I came to America, I had more freedom to pursue my passion."

The 6-foot-2 center back joined Sporting KC as a guest trialist in March 2011. He signed a contract a month later and never looked back. In two-and-a-half seasons, Collin has been named an MLS All-Star twice and was named an MLS Best XI defender in 2012. He has proven to be a threat on both sides of the ball for Peter Vermes' squad, marshaling a defense that allowed a paltry 27 goals in 2012 and totaling nine career goals scored in 70 games.

But while Collin's tenacity on the field has endeared him to his teammates and coaching staff, his personality off it has endeared him to the Kansas City faithful.

"I'm very open-minded in life and in fashion," he said. "I love dressing and have a special way of dressing. I'm happy that my teammates can participate in the show. I think fans are really going to love it."

Kei Kamara, Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and Jimmy Nielsen have all agreed to model in Collin's show. According to Collin, each person will wear a suit designed to emulate his personality.

"[Matt] Besler is going to wear a more conventional suit," Collin said. "Kei [Kamara] is going to be a little more crazy. We are trying to show that suits can be for anybody. You don't need to be a professional athlete to look good in a suit. Whatever body type you have, you can look sharp, elegant and great."

Despite his love for fashion, Collin asserts that soccer is and will remain his first priority until his playing career is over.

"This could definitely be something that I pursue after soccer," he said. "But right now, soccer is still my priority and that will never change. I'm just excited to be able to show fans another part of me and hopefully we can do another, bigger fashion show in the future."

 

2013 FALL TOURNAMENTS
Below you will find information on our three upcoming tournaments this fall. 
 
All tournaments will be held at the Overland Park Soccer Complex. For any information on tournaments, please visit www.heartlandsoccer.net



About the Overland Park Soccer Complex: 

All of these tournaments will be hosted at the  'state of the art' Overland Park Soccer Complex.  This nationally renowned $36 million soccer complex boasts 12 tournament-quality, synthetic turf fields complete with lighting for night play.  Amenities at this world-class complex include FREE parking,three concession buildings, super-sized monitors with continuously updated schedules and results, a skate park, and basketball and tennis courts.  Aside from the game fields, the most used areas of the complex are the multiple playgrounds for young fans.

 

Overflow games will be played at the Heritage Soccer Park, an 18 grass field complex in Olathe, Kansas.

 

HEARTLAND MIDWEST CLASSIC
Heartland Midwest Classic traditional logo 
August 30- September 2
Boy and Girls

All games will be played at the Overland Park Soccer Complex. Last year's tournament hosted 169 teams playing in 35 divisions. Teams traveled from all over the Midwest to challenge themselves against some of the best of the Kansas City area over the Labor Day weekend. This event continues to attract larger number of teams each year. We will offer Gold, Silver and Bronze divisions.

On Saturday, August 31 at 7:30PM, Sporting Kansas City will play Western Conference foe, the Colorado Rapids. A limited number of teams purchasing 20+ group tickets to the game will be guaranteed no conflict with their tournament game schedule. Tickets must be paid in full to qualify.

Registration deadline: July 29, 2013


MIDWEST ALL GIRLS
Midwest All Girls Classic Logo  
October 11-13
Girls Only

All games will be played at the Overland Park Soccer Complex. Last year's tournament hosted 229 teams playing in 37 divisions- the largest ever Midwest All Girls Tournament. Teams ranged in age from U8-U19. We welcomed teams from clubs in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma to this fantastic event. Seeding of the teams ensures that everyone can compete against opponents of their own ability level.


Registration deadline: September 9, 2013


CHIPOTLE HEARTLAND INVITATIONAL
Chipotle Heartland Invitational - traditional logo - 06 27 13  
Girls- November 1-3
Boys- November 8-10

In 2012, 560 teams played in this two weekend event. A large number of the top clubs in the region took a last opportunity to compete against each other during that fall season. Our access to additional fields ensures our ability to accommodate the large number of teams looking for a competitive season finale. As with all of our tournaments, seeding will ensure that all teams can be competitive within their division. 


Registration deadlines: Girls- September 30, 2013 & Boys- October 7, 2013


  

HOTELS: These tournaments are 'stay to play' tournaments. A condition of acceptance requires every "out of town" team to utilize one of the sanctioned hotels and book the rooms through Global Connections Inc (GCI) using their online request system at www.GCITeamTravel.com

 

Global Connections has worked closely with the local hotels and has secured the best rates possible for these tournaments. Outstanding properties will be available at affordable prices. Various options will also be available to satisfy team needs and all budgetary considerations. A list of the hotels for each specific tournament can be found online. 

 

Contact information for GCI Travel:

Chree Smith- (913)660-7764, csmith@gcitravel.net

Katie Gray- (913)660-7767, kgray@gcitravel.net

 



THE US YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

 

 

The US Youth National Championship series is coming to Overland Park this summer, July 22-28th.  National Championships hosts are Kansas State Youth Soccer Association (KSYSA) and the City of Overland Park, along with, the Heartland Soccer Association, the Kansas City Sports Commission and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).  These organizations are working together to provide a great experience for the 88 teams coming to compete at the Overland Park Soccer Complex.  We are in need of around 1500 volunteers to work the event in order to make it successful.  Volunteers would be ball kids, field marshals, statisticians, set up and tear down helpers and others.  We've asked all clubs in the Kansas City Metro area and beyond to provide the KSYSA with the name of a Club Contact to help coordinate club volunteers.  If you are interested in assisting with the event as a coordinator or as a volunteer, please contact your current club to find out ways in which you can participate or click here to sign up.

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE US YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

 

 
  
           
 A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS

Advocare

AL Huber General Contractor

Applebees

C&S Marketing

Carrabbas

Chevy

Chick-Fil-A

Chipotle

Dicks Sporting Goods

Display Studios

El Padrino

Firehouse Subs

First Student

First Watch

Fortune Wok

Fox & Hound

Global Connections

Grenoli Trading

Hasty Awards

Iron Horse Golf Course

J&K Soccer

Jimmy John's

Kansas City Royals

Kolache Factory

Kennel Creek Pet Resort

Logo KC

Mafia Mikes

Menorah Medical Center

Michael Wineteer

Missouri Comets

Molle Toyota

Momo Bands

Mr. Goodcents Subs & Pastas

Orange Leaf

Pearle Vision Center

Pediatric Orthopedic Associates

Price Chopper

Pride Cleaners

Salty Iguana

Select Photo- Graphics

Simons First National Bank

Soccer Master

Soccer Mom Shop

Sonic

Spin Pizza

Sporting KC

T-riffic T-shirts

The Storage Place

Whole Armor

Heartland Staff Contacts

 

Shane Hackett: Executive Director

shane.hackett@heartlandsoccer.net

Dana Parry: League Operations/Scheduling

dana.parry@heartlandsoccer.net

Richard Davies: League Operations

richard.davies@heartlandsoccer.net

Bridgette Samuelson: Team Leader/

Director of Tournament Operations

bridgette@heartlandsoccer.net

Dave Morrow: Tournament Director/KPSL Registrar

dave.morrow@heartlandsoccer.net

Sue Swanson: Sponsorship/League Operations

 susan.swanson@heartlandsoccer.net

Steven Davies: League Operations

 steven.davies@heartlandsoccer.net

Katie Falco:Newsletter/ Sponsorship/ Media Relations  

katie.falco@heartlandsoccer.net

Gordon Crape: Referee Assignor

referee@heartlandsoccer.ne

 
HEARTLAND SOCCER ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER: THE MIDFIELDER