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Referee Availability for
League & Tournaments
As our local soccer community grows, the need for new and experienced referees continues. Join America’s Largest Soccer League. Additional information on referee meeting schedules, training, and education can be found on the Referee Classes page. Games are available at SCHEELS Overland Park Soccer Complex, Swope Soccer Village, Compass Mineral Sporting Youth Fields, and new GARMIN Olathe Soccer Complex.
Sign Up to Become a Referee.
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With excitement and anticipation, we’re ecstatic to announce the commencement of the 2024 soccer season! As the whistle blows and players take the field, our soccer organization is geared up for another record-breaking season.
As league play kicks off, we invite you to our state-of-the-art complexes to cheer on our teams and revel in the joy that soccer brings to the Kansas City community.
On top of league play, this season will include a lineup of tournaments designed to showcase talent, sportsmanship, and passion. Be sure to check out our tournament page on heartlandsoccer.net to view all our upcoming tournaments and registration deadlines.
Also, stay tuned for more exciting content to hit our monthly newsletter! Together, let's make the 2024 soccer season an unforgettable chapter for our teams, players, coaches and the HSA team!
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- Soccer, or football as it's known in most countries, has ancient origins and can be traced back to various cultures playing similar ball games over 2,000 years ago.
- The longest soccer game ever recorded took place in 2016 in the United Kingdom. It lasted 42 hours and 5 minutes, raising funds for charity.
- In a bizarre turn of events, the record for the most own goals in a single soccer match is held by one player, Keith Compton, who scored six own goals in a match between Taunton Town and Lancaster City in 1967.
- During a lower league soccer match in England in 1997, the referee handed out four red cards in just two seconds after a brawl broke out among players.
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Let Triffic Shirts & More provide all your custom apparel needs including Uniforms and Spirit Wear for your school, clubs, sports teams, family gatherings, and much more. We provide:
* Screen printing from 1 to 6 colors
* Custom art and design work
*Personalized names/numbers for your team spirit wear
*Embroidery
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Soccer Gear Organization
As we get ready to kick off the season, you may be wondering how you will keep all the soccer gear organized over the next few months. Here are a few effective solutions to keep you on top of your soccer mom/dad game:
- Provide your child with a dedicated sports bag to keep all of their practice equipment.
- Label all your child's gear/ uniform so it doesn't get misplaced throughout the season.
- Create a checklist that your child can look at before practices and games to ensure they have everything they need. This is also a great way to teach some responsibility!
- Encourage your child to develop a routine of immediately placing dirty soccer clothing in a laundry hamper after practices or games.
- Have some extra essentials like socks, hair ties, water bottle or an additional ball that you keep in your car.
- Have your kids be a part of the organization before the season kicks off! It's a great way to get them even more excited about the upcoming season.
Enjoy these organization tips and feel free to tag @heartlandsoccer in family photos!
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This Month in History:
January
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On 25 January 1995, Manchester United drew 1-1 with hosts Crystal Palace in a match that proved to be very costly for United and their star French forward, Eric Cantona.
Since arriving at Old Trafford from Leeds in November 1992, Cantona had become a United favorite, helping them to the League title in his first two seasons, as well as being named the 1994 PFA Footballer of the Year. Unfortunately, he had also displayed a quick temper, once receiving two red cards in two successive matches.
In that match against Palace, both teams were scoreless early in the second half when Cantona was sent off in the 48th minute for kicking Palace defender Richard Shaw. As he was being escorted off the pitch, he suddenly turned and launched himself feet-first over the advertising hoardings into Palace supporter Matthew Simmons, who had been heaping verbal abuse on the Frenchman. Down to 10 men, United managed to take a 1-0 lead six minutes later but could not prevent Palace from equalizing in the 79th minute to earn the draw.
Cantona was suspended for the rest of the season, sentenced to 120 hours of community service, and fined £10,000. Without him, United fell just short of winning another title, finishing one point behind League champions Blackburn Rovers.
For his part in the altercation, Simmons was jailed for 24 hours, fined £500, and given a one-year ban from all football grounds in England and Wales.
https://tdifh.blogspot.com/2010/01/25-january-1995-cantona-was-kung-fu.html
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Go behind the scenes at Children's Mercy Park! Learn about the history of Sporting KC and take a look at the Pitch, Press Box, Broadcast Booth, Locker Room & more!
For more information contact
or 913-912-7578.
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2023
Tournament Team Numbers
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Border Battle '23 - 160
Midwest College Showcase '23 - 85
Heartland Spring Cup '23 - 138
KC Champions Cup '23 - 453
Mother's Day Classic '23 - 401
Kansas City Invitational '23 - 336
Heartland Open Cup '23 - 61
Fall Kick Off Challenge '23 - 215
Heartland Midwest Classic '23 - 140
Midwest All Boys '23- 253
Midwest All Girls '23 - 320
Heartland Invitational Girls '23 - 432
Heartland Invitational Boys '23 - 450
*In the last 12 months Heartland welcomed teams from a total of 17 states and Canada.
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Come ESCAPE with us!
Exercise your MIND
at one of KC’s most exciting
escape room adventures.
Lots of fun!
Soccer weekends sell out quickly
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2023 Heartland Numbers
Spring league teams '23 1,380
Fall league teams '23- 1,400
League players - 42,000
Tournament teams - 3,011
Tournament players - 46,000+
Referees - 2,000+
Coaches - 4,000
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MYSA NEWS
Under MYSA's sanctioning agreement and guidelines, ALL Missouri based teams (all ages and divisions) registering for the Heartland Soccer Spring 2024 League season must be registered through MYSA.
Heartland Soccer is a qualifying league for Missouri State Cup.
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We have moved Office locations......
Heartland Soccer Association is now located at The Aspiria Complex
(previously Sprint Campus)
6450 Spring Parkway, Suite A, Overland Park, KS 66211
Phone: 913-888-8768
Heartland Soccer Association is recognized
as one of the largest soccer leagues
and tournament hosts in the country.
We offer recreational to premier divisions, ages U8 through U19.
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The 2024 Border Battle Soccer Tournament will be held in one of the country’s finest soccer facilities, the SCHEELS Overland Park Soccer Complex, home of the 2020 USYSA National Championships and GARMIN Olathe Soccer Complex.
This tournament is well established and recognized as one of the top spring tournaments in the Midwest. It annually attracts ECNL, NPL, State and Regional Champion teams from up to 14 different States. We are anticipating another sell out event in 2024 with teams traveling from all over the Midwest!
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Teaching 50/30/20 Rule to Teens
No matter how much money your teen has or where they get it — from their job, their allowance, or a birthday gift— they need to manage it well to make the most of it. Learning about and practicing the 50/30/20 rule can help them split funds into needs, wants, and savings.
This rule suggests splitting cash into three categories:
· Needs- 50%
· Wants-30%
· Savings- 20%
A need is simply something you can’t do without. It might be a cell phone bill or car insurance.
A want is something that is nice to have but not essential. This is money set aside for going to the movies, grabbing food with friends, or for a hobby or shopping.
Finally, savings is money set aside for a future purchase. When saving with a purpose-like a fancy watch, a cool gadget, or even owning a car - it’s easier to stay motivated and on track.
The whole point of the rule is to develop good financial habits that will pay off big time in the future - when they will likely have a lot more money to manage.
You can find more tips, tools and valuable banking options at Azura Credit Union. Visit us in person at one of our convenient locations or online at AzuraCU.com.
Source: Banzai Coach for teens
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The 2024 Midwest College Showcase tournament is an invitational showcase for young men and women soccer players who want to play at the college level. All who participate will demonstrate their talents and abilities to men’s and women’s college coaches from across the Midwest and beyond.
More than 1000 collegiate coaches from Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA are invited to scout players.
This College Showcase is designed by College Coaches for college bound youth soccer players and is expected to be one of the finest collegiate showcase tournaments in the USA.
The 2024 Midwest College Showcase will welcome all boys and girls competitive travel teams ages U-13 through U-19 and provide those teams with a three-game guarantee.
In addition, the Showcase will host an individual Combine for players to gain additional exposure in front of college staff.
| "Heartland offers a well run tournament at one of the best soccer complexes in the US. We will definitely be coming back." | "Sets the standard for youth soccer. Best, not just in the Midwest, BEST in the country. I've been a part of Heartland since I got serious about soccer, 17 years ago! HSA, keep going strong!" | "So glad we have this in our community, thanks for all you do!" |  |  |  | |
Soccer is Fashion!
Did you know that soccer has made a significant impact on the world of fashion, influencing styles and trends?
Team jerseys, scarves, and soccer-inspired streetwear have become iconic symbols of style. Team jerseys are no longer just athletic wear; they have become fashion statements. The bright colors, unique designs, and logos have found their way into everyday wardrobes and even into high end collections.
Fashion designers often draw inspiration from the sport and energy of the stadiums. Many designers and brands often incorporate soccer-inspired elements, creating a fusion of color that depicts the diversity of fan cultures. This includes graphic prints, bold patterns, and the use of team colors in casual clothing. With that being said, soccer culture has made appearances on prestigious fashion runways. Runway shows have even featured soccer-themed collections! How cool is that?
Soccer has become a dynamic source of inspiration, influencing everything from casual wear to high-end collections. It is such an honor to be a part of a game that has such a cultural impact in so many ways.
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Pressing Game
4 vs 4 + 2N & 2GK
Description.
The game starts with the pass from the goalkeeper to the central defender. Both teams are in the 3-1 Formation. The outnumbering situation forces the defenders to defend ball- and teammate- oriented. We play with two touches. The goal counts twice if we score after winning the ball in the opponent’s half. We play with the offside rule.
Notes.
Short Game Durations (1 Minute) to provoke more intense pressing.
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The Referee Corner:
The Referee Thought Process. The basis for Decision Making …
We talk about the application of the Laws of the Game in this column. Rather than focusing on a specific part of the Law this month, we are going to share the Referee Thought Process. This is taught to every new Referee to help them enforce the Laws in their matches. I thought you would find it interesting and helpful as you participate in matches in 2024.
1. What did I see?
2. Was it Fair or Foul?
a. If FAIR, allow play to continue.
b. If FOUL, blow the whistle.
i. What was the foul?
ii. How was the foul committed?
1. In a careless manner?
2. In a reckless manner or a tactical foul?
3. Did it endanger the safety of the opponent?
ii. This is important because a careless foul has no additional penalties.
If the Referee determines the foul was reckless or tactical in nature, the
additional penalty would be a Yellow Card. If the Referee determines the foul
endangered the safety of the opponent, the additional penalty would be a Red
Card and the team would play a player down for the rest of the match.
3. What is the correct restart?
a. Direct Free Kick
b. Indirect Free Kick
The Referee’s job is to take mental pictures of play throughout the match and to grade them based on this thought process. You can see that blowing the whistle is just the first decision that needs to be made when the Referee sees what they consider to be a foul.
For your reference, Law 12 deals with “Fouls and Misconduct". There are 22 violations that are outlined in this Law, 13 result in a Direct Free Kick and 9 result in an Indirect Free Kick. We will continue to share details throughout the Spring and Fall seasons. Now you know how to think like a Referee. Understanding the Laws of the Game will give you the factual basis for your decisions.
If you want to have the opportunity to practice the Referee thought process on the pitch, you should sign up for an Entry Level Referee clinic. Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to be a part of your game.
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The Referee Blog
How the Referees are getting ready for the Spring season during their holiday break …
The month of December is consumed with planning for the Christmas holidays, getting gifts wrapped, watching Bowl games, and generally resting from the thrills of soccer on the pitch. For those who are or have decided to become Referees, there are a few additional things we do in December. As we thank you for your continued support of the Referees, we wanted to share some of the things we have been doing this holiday break.
Entry Level Clinics: A number of people have decided that the break from school and/or work was the ideal time to complete their certification to become a new Referee in preparation for the Spring season which will be starting in late February. 51 people completed their online and in-person training and will be joining us on the pitch in the Spring. We are very thankful for their decision and know they will be joined by more of you when the new Entry Level Clinics kick off in 2024.
Recertification Clinics: The 2024 Recertification process consists of on-line training and testing. The State Referee Committee has been blessed with some very dedicated Mentors who developed multiple offerings to help your Referees become even more effective at making the correct decisions during the “heat of the matches”. For those officials who are new into their careers these Mentors developed the Basic recertification offering which focuses on the skills and practices that are most responsible for Referee and Assistant Referee success on the pitch. For those who have been doing it for a longer period of time, these Mentors developed the Intermediate recertification offering. It again focuses on the Laws of the Game, but includes some more advanced topics like Stopping a Promising Attack and Advantage. While you are watching parade or Bowl games on TV, the Referees are completing their on-line course and test.
For those who are Referees and have not yet signed up for the recertification offerings, please do this now. These are the classes that you want to sign up for:
Referee Recertification Basic: SA-66-1223-RECREC
Referee Recertification Intermediate: SA-64-1233 REFREC
The Advanced Referee Recertification Course was developed for the Regional Referees and those aspiring to be a Regional Referee or those Referees who are also Mentors. This course had both an online and an in-person component.
The in-person session was conducted on Wednesday, December 27th and there were over 50 Referees in attendance. Gordie Wetmore (SYRA) shared ways to get involved and contribute to soccer in Kansas (analogy was to a brass band… everyone does their own part but the success is based on the performance of the group). Jon Freemon, our newest FIFA referee, talked about the difference between making an accurate decision and making the right decision (what does the game expect?). He covered some of the key topics based on the new Laws of the Game – handballs and deliberate play versus deflection in the context of right versus accurate. There was a lot of good discussion as the Referees discussed game clips that Jon provided.
The Kansas State Referee Committee (KSRC): This Committee is responsible for the administration of the US Soccer Referee program in the State of Kansas. The Committee includes the following people:
- State Referee Administrator (Bill Davey) who is the leader and the primary person in the administration of the soccer Referee program in Kansas.
- State Youth Referee Administrator (Gordie Wetmore) who supports the State Referee Administrator by managing the implementation of programs with the focus on the Youth game.
- State Director of Instruction (Sean Overton) who directs the development of our edcucation offerings for Entry Level Clinics and for recertifications.
- State Director of Assessment (Marc Tiemann) who manages the process of upgrading and maintaining grade for the Regional Referees.
- State Director of Assignment (Dan Smith) who manages the assignors and their compliance with US Soccer guidelines.
- WebMaster (Cory Kramer) who assists these people in having the infrastructure to carry out their missions.
- KSYSA President (Ron Schneider) who looks after the needs and interests of the Youth programs in Kansas.
- KSA President (Bob Riggs, Acting) who looks after the needs and interest of the Adult programs in Kansas.
In their December meeting the KSRC reviewed their progress since the June meeting, discussed the roll out of the new administration system (OMS) includinhg the benefits and challenges we experienced, outlined the education plan for the next year, shared ideas for Referee recruiting and retention, analyzed the results of the 2023 Mentoring Program, and reviewed the plans for the female Referee Outreach program. The KSRC approved the 2024 Mentoring Action Plan, considered a proposal for a Referee Academy and continued to look at how to develop the next generation of leaders for the KSRC.
Yes, the Referees were busy during December getting ready to support your league during the Spring season. We wish you all a Happy and Successful 2024 and look forward to seeing you on the pitch.
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Monthly Referee Meetings
Are you wanting to improve as a referee? How about get less grief? What about being considered for higher level games and state cup? Attending monthly Kansas Referee Program meetings is a great step to help all of that happen! Don't miss opportunities to hone your craft, win some fun prizes, make new friends and elevate your game as an elite Kansas soccer referee! Referees of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to attend!
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2024 Referee Meeting Dates
February 12th — Navigating Coaches & Spectators
- 5:00-6:30pm — Intermediate via Zoom
- 7:00-8:30pm — Entry Level In-Person
March 4th — Handball
- 5:00-6:30pm — Entry Level via Zoom
- 7:00-8:30pm — Intermediate In-Person
April 8th — Offside
- 5:00-6:30pm — Intermediate via Zoom
- 7:00-8:30pm — Entry Level In-Person
May 13th — Fouls & Misconduct
- 5:00-6:30pm — Entry Level via Zoom
- 7:00-8:30pm — Intermediate In-Person
All In-person meetings will be hosted at the SCHEELS Overland Park Soccer Complex
Field House meeting room, 13700 Switzer Rd, Overland Park KS 66213
Information will be sent out via email to referees for the “Zoom” meetings.
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If you are interested in becoming a Referee, please check out the Entry Level Clinics are posted at www.kansasreferee.org. There are many ways to create successful young adults in our game. You can build up players. You can support the coaches. You can congratulate Referees on their efforts. You can thank the assignors on site for their contributions. All of us can enjoy the opportunity that we have to enjoy the beautiful game in the Heartland Soccer Association. Remember, this foundation was not created by accident. A lot of committed people spent a lot of their time making this happen. Thank them.
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Q & A with Akshat
When did you start reffing? I started my reffing journey in early April of 2022.
What made you decide to get certified to referee? I decided to get certified as I wanted to give back to the sport and recognized the importance the game demands of having quality officials to nurture player development.
What is your favorite part about reffing? My favorite part about reffing is the growth aspect. The mentorship and referee coaching provided by KSYSA has allowed me to truly grow as an official and get more praise than criticism from coaches, parents, etc.
What is a life lesson you feel you have learned from reffing? I have learned many things from reffing such as being confident, the importance of how you present yourself, and understanding that less is more when it comes to getting your point across.
Do you referee Futsal? When did you start reffing futsal? Yes, I refereed my first game at the start of December 2023. I am relatively new to futsal but I enjoy how helpful my fellow referees and assignors are and the faster pace of play.
What level of referee to you aspire to be? My goal is to continue reffing and eventually carry a National badge.
Do you play soccer? Yes, I play for Surf KC and Isaac Lister Savage FC (Indoor). I’ve played soccer for nine years.
Do you participate another activities? I participate in Track and Field at Olathe Northwest. I also volunteer at a hospital. I probably enjoy volunteering the most because I get to help someone who is struggling and hopefully make their day better.
Do you have another job in addition to reffing? I used to work at McDonalds before I started reffing, I will not be going back. I also officiate basketball when the soccer season starts to cool down.
Do you have any hobbies? I enjoy being active, so playing soccer with friends and working out are things I do every day.
What was the last book you read? The last book I read was IFAB Laws of the Game 23/24. This book was about the latest laws which apply to soccer worldwide. I read this book for Recertification and to clear up some questions regarding rule changes.
What types of movies do you like? I like comedies, especially ones starring Adam Sandler. The last movie I watched was Hustle. My favorite part of the movie was the message it tried to convey, which is that talent is irrelevant without hard work.
What's your favorite sports team? My favorite sports team is Manchester United.
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Tips to Reduce Food Waste
We can all play a part in reaching the national food waste reduction goal – to reduce food waste by 50% by the year 2030. Start using these tips today to reduce food waste, save money, and protect the environment.
At the Grocery Store or When Eating Out
Preplan and write your shopping list before going to the grocery store. As you write your list, think about what meals you will be preparing the following week, and check your fridge to see what items you already have.
When at the store, buy only what you need and stick to your shopping list. Be careful when buying in bulk, especially with items that have a limited shelf life.
If available, purchase “ugly” fruits or vegetables that often get left behind at the grocery store but are safe to eat. “Ugly” produce has physical imperfections but are not damaged or rotten. “Ugly” fruits and vegetables are safe and nutritious and can sometimes be found at discounted prices.
When eating out, ask for smaller portions to prevent plate waste and keep you from overeating. You can also request a take-away box to take leftovers home instead of leaving food on your plate.
In the Kitchen - Storage and Prep
Check the temperature setting of your fridge. Keep the temperature at 40° For below to keep foods safe. The temperature of your freezer should be 0° F.
Use the FoodKeeper App for information on how to safely store different foods to maintain freshness and quality.
Refrigerate peeled or cut veggies for freshness and to keep them from going bad.
Use your freezer! Freezing is a great way to store most foods to keep them from going bad until you are ready to eat them. Check the FoodKeeper App for information on how long different items can be stored in the freezer.
Create a designated space in your fridge for foods that you think will be going bad within a few days.
Check your fridge often to keep track of what you have and what needs to be used. Eat or freeze items before you need to throw them away.
If you have more food on hand than you can use or you need, consider donating your extra supply of packaged foods to a local food pantry or a food drive.
Learn about food product dating – Many consumers misunderstand the purpose and meaning of the date labels that often appear on packaged foods. Confusion over date labeling accounts for an estimated 20 percent of consumer food waste. Except for infant formula, manufacturers are not required by Federal law or regulation to place quality-based date labels on packaged food.
There are no uniform or universally accepted descriptions used on food labels for open dating (calendar dates) in the United States. As a result, there are a wide variety of phrases used for product dating.
FDA supports efforts by the food industry to make “Best if Used By” the standard phrase to indicate the date when a product will be at its best flavor and quality. Consumers should examine foods for signs of spoilage that are past their “Best if used by” date. If the products have changed noticeably in color, consistency or texture, consumers may want to avoid eating them. If you have
questions or concerns about the quality, safety and labeling of the packaged foods you buy, you are encouraged to reach out to the company that produced the product. Many packaged foods provide the company’s contact information on the package.
Manufacturers apply date labels at their own discretion and for a variety of reasons. The most common is to inform consumers and retailers of the date to which they can expect the food to retain its desired quality and flavor. Industry is moving toward more uniform practices for date labeling of packaged foods. But, for now, consumers may see different phrases used for product dating, such as Sell By, Best By, Expires on, etc.
At Home: Cooking, Serving and Enjoying Food with Family
and Friends
Use “ugly” fruits or vegetables to whip up healthy smoothies and soups for your friends or family. No one will notice the difference!
Be creative and have fun! Create new dishes and snacks with leftovers or items you think will go bad if not eaten soon. Have a cook off to find out who can come
up with the best dish.
Follow the 2-Hour Rule. For safety reasons, don’t leave perishables out at room temperature for more than two hours, unless you're keeping it hot or cold. If the temperature is above 90° F, food shouldn’t be left out for more than one hour. Also, remember to refrigerate leftovers within two hours.
Use serving size information on the Nutrition Facts label to help you portion meals or snacks. You can always add more to your plate after finishing off the first helping.
Prepared too much food for a party at your home? Pack extras in containers for guests to take home or take some over to a neighbor as a nice gesture.
Have a friendly competition with your friends or family members to see who can go the longest without any food waste.
Article originally published by FDA.gov May 2019
https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/tips-reduce-food-waste
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Heartland Soccer Association is seeking action photo shots of kids of all ages and abilities playing soccer in Heartland League Games or Tournaments. Submitted photos may be included in Heartland Tournament, League and other promotional materials as well as social media posts.
Instructions for submitting photos:
All submitted photo files must be .jpg format, must be a minimum of 1,200 x 1,600 pixels, and no larger than 2 MB in size. Submitting a photo doesn't guarantee that it will be used.
By submitting a photo for consideration for use in Heartland Soccer Association promotional materials, you agree that:
1. You are the sole author of the photograph and control all rights for its use. The photograph is original. You have the rights to grant usage of the photograph as stated below. There has been no prior sale, publication or transfer of rights to the photograph. The photograph shall not contain any libelous or scandalous matter. To the best of your knowledge, the photograph's creation, publication and use shall not infringe any copyright, right of privacy or right of publicity, or infringe or violate any right of any third party.
2. You grant to Heartland Soccer Association all rights to use the photograph in any and all forms of media, including but not limited to electronic, digital media and print.
3. You allow Heartland Soccer Association the right to edit, revise, adapt and crop the photo as necessary.
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