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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 Minerals Sporting Fields, and new GARMIN Olathe Soccer Complex.
Sign Up to Become a Referee.
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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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Did you know?
Soccer is the most widely played and watched sport in the world. With over 4 billion fans globally, it surpasses other popular sports such as basketball and American football in terms of sheer popularity and participation.
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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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Balancing Soccer and Family Life: Tips for Busy Parents:
- Prioritize and Schedule: Establish clear priorities and schedule regular family meetings to discuss upcoming soccer commitments and family events.
- Create a Routine: Develop a consistent routine that incorporates both soccer activities and family time.
- Delegate Responsibilities: Share the responsibilities of managing soccer commitments and household tasks with your family members, if possible.
- Maximize Quality Time: Make the most of the time spent together as a family by prioritizing quality over quantity.
- Set Boundaries and Learn to Say No: Recognize the importance of setting boundaries to maintain a healthy balance between soccer and family life.
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This Month in History:
April
20 April 1895 - Villa Wins The Cup, Then Loses It
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On 20 April 1895, Aston Villa (pictured) scored what was at the time the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history to beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 before a crowd of 42,560 at London's Crystal Palace. Because many of those attendees were slow entering the stadium, they missed the record-setting goal.
There is some dispute about who actually scored the goal. According to post-match reports, Villa center forward John Devey started the match, kicking the ball to inside-left Dennis Hodgetts, who then sent it to winger Charlie Athersmith on the right. Athersmith then crossed it to the goalmouth, where it fell to inside forward Bob Chatt, who then half-volleyed it toward the goal. The ball entered the goal sometime between the 30th and 39th second of the match.
Press reports credited the goal to Chatt, but some Villa players said later that West Brom keeper Joe Reader deflected Chatt's shot into the path of Devey, who fired it into the net. In any event, the FA still lists Chatt as the goalscorer on the 30th second. It turned out to be the match-winner, as neither team was able to penetrate the other's defense for the remainder of the match.
It was the second FA Cup title for Villa, who had won it in 1887 by beating West Brom 2-0. Villa didn't get to hold on to it for very long, though, as the 1895 Cup itself was stolen shortly after the Final and has never been recovered.
Villa's record goal stood for 114 years until it was overtaken in 2009 when Everton's Louis Saha scored at the 25-second mark in their 2-1 loss to Chelsea.
This article was taken from - https://tdifh.blogspot.com/2010/04/20-april-1895-villa-wins-cup-then-loses.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 -2024
Tournament Team Numbers
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Border Battle '24 - 160
Midwest College Showcase '24 - 85
Heartland Spring Cup '24 - 148
KC Champions Cup '24 - 410
Mother's Day Classic '24 - 357
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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2023-2024
Heartland Numbers
Spring league teams '24 1,386
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 are proud to be a part of this community!
The vibrant landscape of youth soccer in Kansas City continues to flourish like never before. One of the key factors contributing to this growth is the strong community we have built here at Heartland Soccer. Today, we stand as a nonprofit and educational youth soccer association, having grown to be the largest and most competitive youth soccer league in the United States.
The rise of state-of-the-art facilities across Kansas City has further fueled the growth of youth soccer. There is no doubt that these venues serve as the beating heart of our soccer community, and we are so grateful to be able to help provide these for our teams.
Another significant factor contributing to the growth of youth soccer is the unwavering support from parents, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors. Your dedication and commitment continues to play a critical role in creating a fun and safe space for our players. We can't thank you enough for all that you do.
We are so proud to be here in KC, a hotbed for soccer talent and passion. Looking ahead, the future of youth soccer in Kansas City is looking bright as we strive to bring new and innovative strategies to the game. But everything we are able to accomplish at HSA is thanks to the community, support, and collaboration. Good luck the remainder of the season and thank you for bringing so much joy!
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Dear All,
Please know that if you are utilizing guest players for Heartland league, you must submit the physical guest player forms to the referee when checking in.
The guest player card must be present and they have to be added to the line-up card.
Here are the rules…..
3.4 GUEST, MULTIPLE ROSTER PLAYERS & CLUB PASSES A maximum of three guest players are allowed per team per game, except for U15 Divisions. Those divisions will have a 5-guest player limit during their gender specific high school seasons. Boys will have a 5-player limit in the Fall only and girls in the Spring only. Teams may not exceed the maximum number of players allowed on the game day roster by adding guest players. Players may only play for one team within a subdivision, i.e., they may not dual roster or guest play with another team in the same sub division. Players may guest play or dual roster “up”, but not “down” within their age group. For example, a U14 Division 2 primary rostered player may guest play with a Division 1 team, but not with a Division 3 team. That player may NOT play in any division lower than Division 2 in his/her own age group. A player primary rostered to a team that is older than his/her actual age group may guest or dual roster with a team playing in highest division of his/her actual age group. For example, an actual U14 player who is primary rostered to a U15 team may play as a guest or dual roster player with a U14 Division 1 team. Once a player has played a game for their primary roster team, they are not permitted to change their primary status and play for a lower division team within the league for that season. They are also not permitted to play for a second team within that division during that season.
Players can only double roster or guest play up to 2 divisions within an age group. E.G. A U10 D4 primary rostered player, can only guest play or be secondary rostered to a U10 D2 team and no higher. Players can guest play or be secondary rostered up to the next age group without limitations. All guest player forms must be taken to the game and submitted to the referee. Failure to do so will result in the player being excluded from the game and possibly a forfeit.
Thanks,
Heartland Staff
|  |  | The Midwest Mother’s Day Classic consistently attracts over 400+ teams including competition from 7 states every year. The Midwest Mother’s Day Classic offers up to six levels of play ensuring that every team finds itself matched against similar competition. In addition to providing excellent competition, this tournament is formatted to be particularly family friendly. |  |  | |
The Cost of College Life
Heading to college brings a new set of everyday costs that students must consider. From daily meals to transportation, the routine expenses can quickly add up.
Depending on your living situation, meal plans or grocery bills become a regular part of the budget. At the same time, transportation costs for commuting or exploring the city can impact your monthly expenses, and there will be costs that are due once or twice a year. Managing these costs is crucial for maintaining financial stability and getting the most out of your college experience.
Typical costs include a lot of different things- Not all students will need to pay all of these expenses, but here’s a general estimate of what some things could cost:
- Tuition fees: $10,000-$50,000 per academic year
- Textbooks and course materials: $500-$1,000 per semester
- Accommodation or housing: $5,000-$15,000 per year
- Meal plans or grocery expense s: $2,000-$5,000 per year
- Transportation: $500-$2,000 per year
- Laptop or computer equipment: $800-$2,000 (one-time expense)
- Basic furniture and household items: $500-$1,000 (one-time expense)
- Utilities: $50-$200 per month
- Cell phone and communication expenses: $30-$100 per month
- Health insurance and medical expenses: $1,000-$3,000 per year
- Extracurricular activity fees: $100-$500 per year
- Clothing and personal supplies: $500-$1,000 per year
- Emergency fund for unexpected expenses: Recommended $1,000-$3,000
The figures are general estimates, and costs vary widely between colleges and regions.
Before heading off to college, take stock of what you already have—chances are, you already posses some essential items. Everyday items like clothing and basic furniture might already be in your possession. By identifying these items early on, you can minimize unnecessary expenses and better allocate your budget toward your needs.
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 The Cost of College Life
Azura Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA.
|  | Kansas City Invitational is the single largest soccer tournament in Kansas City and consistently sells out. This tournament offers four different levels of competition: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Recreational. Teams have traveled from 14 different states to play in the Kansas City Invitational. Appropriate seeding of teams ensures that everyone can compete against opponents of their own ability level. |  |  |  |  |  | |
TRANSITION TO SCORE
Set up
24 x 24yd circle from top to bottom.
The goals are placed 18yds from the circle.
Rules
Two teams of four players. Two goalkeepers. Three neutral players
To start, the red team maintain possession of the ball using the three neutral players.
The green team must try to regain the ball and quickly break out of the area.
The green team can choose to dribble or to pass to a team-mate running outside of the area in order to score 1v1 against the keeper.
If successful, the green team quickly change roles with the red team in the game.
All players must be inside the circle.
To add difficulty – you can restrict the red team and neutrals to two touches in this game.
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Game on! Fuel up before or after your match with half off appetizers at the Burger Shed. Within walking distance of the GARMIN Olathe Soccer Complex, located inside the Embassy Suites at K10 & Ridgeview.
Place your order now or take a look at our menu: https://eatatburgershed.com/olathe/
Please call ahead for parties of 6 or more: 913-353-9335. Just mention this ad and Heartland Soccer.
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Referee Corner: Law 12 - Handling ….
The topic for the Referee Continuing Education meeting last month was a deeper dive on Handling (aka, Handball). This month we will review the current Laws of the Game to increase our understanding of this potentially controversial decision.
Handling the Ball
For the purposes of determining handball offenses, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit. Not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offense.
It is an offense if a player:
- Deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the hand/arm towards the ball.
- Touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of the hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalized.
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- Scores in the opponents’ goal:
- Directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper.
- Immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental.
The bottom line is that FIFA does not allow goals to be scored with the hand/arm. However, please note the terms directly and immediately. What if the ball accidentally hits an attacker’s hand/arm and then 3 or 5 passes later a goal is scored. Is this against the Laws of the Game? The Referee has to make a decision on directly and immediately. There are some additional considerations around the topic of the handball.
- When players are outside of the Penalty Area every handball is a Direct Free Kick
- When the goalkeeper leaves the Penalty Area, they become the same as any other field player. This means that handling, as described above, would result in a Direct Free Kick.
- Inside the Penalty area handballs by the defenders result in a Penalty Kick. Handballs by the attackers results in a Direct Free Kick.
- Inside the Penalty Area handballs by the Goalkeeper are always an Indirect Free Kick.
Handling will remain a controversial decision, but you now know what the Laws of the Game say. Key phrases are deliberate, making the body bigger, and unnatural position.
If you want to become a Referee you can start by going to the Kansas Referee website and signing up for an Entry Level Clinic. We look forward to seeing you at the Heartland complexes this Spring.
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The Referee Blog
The Memories we make today become tomorrow’s history….
The night before the match, players imagine how they will play tomorrow. I would be willing to wager that this player is seeing herself being successful. For some players this means scoring a goal. For others it could be making a tackle to win the ball and start an attack. And, if you are a goalkeeper you are thinking about the save you might make to preserve the win for your team.
When you combine all the memories of a weekend and a season they become history. Your experiences as a soccer player are a part of who you are as a person. You will remember the successes and the failures (the highs and the lows). The more successes you have, the better your history as a soccer player. We can think back on players whose successes helped them write history as professional players (CiCi Kizer, the McLagans, and Will John – to name a few) and even making the US National teams (Matt Besler and A.D. Franch). This is some of the history of Kansas Soccer which started with memories made at Heartland.
Players are not the only ones who think about the match the night before. Coaches think about what they worked on during their practice sessions and hope that their players will remember what they have learned. Again, there will be successes and mistakes. It is how we learn and develop new skills. Some of the coaches that worked at Heartland have also gone on to further success at the Professional and the US National Team levels.
The fans are hoping that their child plays hard and contributes to the team’s success.
What about the Referees? If they are new, they are hoping for a match without controversy. They see themselves making correct decisions and not getting yelled at by the players, the coaches, and the fans. They know, however, that not all the decisions will be correct. Referees, like players, learn from their mistakes. What can you do to help today’s memories become good history for tomorrow? Let’s look at some examples…
In an under ten boys match (final score was 2-1), the Referee (a premier player who has been a Referee for almost 5 years) reported that one parent kept making comments and yelling at the Referee when the Referee called fouls or handballs against her team. She would say things like the Referee had no idea what she was doing. Her behavior influenced her child and the other members of the team and the parents. More fouls were committed, more fouls were called, and the sidelines got more upset. When the Field Marshal asked the parents to leave the field, they refused. The game was terminated. The Assignors spent time with the young Referee to make sure she was OK. The good news is that she will be back again. The memories of that match will not become the memories that ended a Referee’s history.
In another example (this time a Tournament Final), the young Referee crew was nervous about what to do in case of a tie at the end of regulation. They had never managed a Penalty Kick Shootout and wanted to make sure they did it correctly. We advised them to not worry about this unless it became necessary (told them a Referee mentor or Field Marshal would come back during the second half and help them if it became necessary to do the Shootout). The score at half-time was 0 – 0. In the second half both teams scored. With less than a minute left in the match the score was still tied. Then, a defender committed a foul in the Penalty Area (a tackle). The Referee blew the whistle and called the Penalty Kick. The attacking team scored. The officiating team did not have to do the Penalty Kick Shootout. However, having the confidence to call the Penalty Kick in the last minute was a real display of confidence and understanding of the Laws of the Game. I congratulate the Referees for having the skills to make this match critical decision at the end of a championship final.
Memories becoming history can be special. A young Referee told his father, after his second- ever match, that he wanted to quit officiating. This dad reminded the 13-year-old that he had signed up to work two more games later in the day. Because he had committed to do this, the dad said the Referee had to go back. If the young Referee still wanted to quit after those additional games, the dad would support the decision but only after the young Referee fulfilled his commitment. He went back. He did not quit and decided he might like officiating after all. How did this decision to continue work out for him?
This young Referee became the first FIFA Assistant Referee from Kansas. He was one of the US Referees assigned to work the World Cup in Qatar. But wait! There is more! His friend, who started at the same age, made some impressive memories as a Kansas Referee working at Heartland. He was the Kansas Young Male Referee of the Year, the Region 2 Young Male Referee of the Year, and the National Young Male Referee of the Year. He went on to a contract with PRO doing MLS matches. In 2024 he joined his friend as the first FIFA Referee from Kansas. They are both in the Kansas Soccer Hall of Fame. Memories with more successes than failures can become outstanding history.
If you want to be involved as a decision maker on the field and create memories that become a part of history, please join us, and become a certified Referee. Information on clinics can be found at the Kansas Referee website. For the rest of you, support your players, coaches and Referees so soccer in Kansas can make more history.
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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
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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Cody embarked on his referee journey in 2020, during the spring of his 7th-grade year. After playing soccer, it dawned on Cody that he could contribute to the game in a different capacity - as a referee. At the age of 13, he decided to pursue certification as a referee.
Cody said, "My favorite part about reffing is getting to give back to the game and provide an environment for players to enjoy the sport."
Beyond the game itself, refereeing has served as a profound learning ground for him. "A life lesson for me that I have learned would probably be how to handle conflict. As a referee, I feel I have really grown in my ability to settle conflict and resolve issues between people.”
While Cody referees indoor games during the winter at various locations, his aspirations extend further. "I would love to be able to work towards being a regional referee and working higher-level games," This is certainly a testament to his ambition and commitment to the game.
Outside of reffing, Cody plays for Lee’s Summit High School and Kansas City Scott Gallagher ECNL U18/U19, soccer is deeply ingrained in their identity. He hopes to continue at the college level.
Off the field, he volunteers at his church, mentoring a group of 4th graders on Sundays and engaging in church-related events.
While soccer and refereeing occupy much of Cody's time, his diverse interests shine through as his hobbies consist of coding and computer science. His favorite literary genre lean towards dystopian fiction, with Lissa Price's "Starters" being his latest read. And when it comes to movies, he gravitates towards sci-fi and action, recently watching "John Wick Chapter 4."
As for his fan allegiance, Cody is a supporter of Manchester City, relishing the thrill of Premier League clashes.
Thank you, Cody, for your resilience, passion, and dedication to our soccer community!
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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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