|
Referee Availability for
League & Tournaments
As our local soccer community expands, the demand for both new and experienced referees is on the rise! Be part of America's Largest Soccer League and help support the game. Check out the Referee Classes page for details on meeting schedules, training, and certification programs. With games hosted at top facilities like SCHEELS Overland Park Soccer Complex, Swope Soccer Village, Compass Minerals Sporting Fields, and GARMIN Olathe Soccer Complex, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Sign up today to become a referee!
| |
|
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.
| |
Indoor and Outdoor Signs, Flags and Window Decals
913-706-7352
levinead@sbcglobal.net
| |
Join the Heartland Soccer Association Newsletter!
At Heartland Soccer Association, we’re always looking for ways to enhance communication and stay innovative. We have an exciting opportunity for you to get involved by contributing to our newsletter! Here’s how you can be a part of it:
- Player/Team Stories and Achievements: Share the success stories of players and teams in our community! We’d love to highlight milestones, accomplishments, and special moments.
- Expert Tips & Insights: Whether it’s soccer-related or not, if you’ve got expertise to share, we want to hear from you! Are you a gardening expert? A culinary enthusiast? A nature lover with great hiking trail recommendations? Send us your knowledge!
- Photos & Videos: If you captured any standout moments this season, we’d love to feature them in our newsletter. Send us your best photos or videos, and we’ll make sure they’re shared with the community!
- Inspiration & Encouragement: Calling all poets, artists, and creatives! If you have words or art that inspire others, we’d love to include them in our newsletter to motivate and uplift our community.
- Community Spotlights: Know someone in our community who is making a real difference? We’d love to shine a spotlight on their efforts and share their story.
At Heartland Soccer Association, our goal is to make the newsletter a space where everyone feels welcome to contribute. Your voice, talents, and insights are what make our community strong, so don’t hesitate to share what you’ve got!
To contribute or for any questions, please reach out to Katie at katie@falcocreativemedia.com. Thank you for your continued support!
| |
Did you know? ⚽️❄️ February might be the shortest month, but it's packed with soccer history! The first-ever FIFA World Cup match played in February happened in 1930 during the inaugural tournament’s qualifiers. Plus, in many countries, February marks the return of league play after winter breaks—because who doesn’t love a little frostbite with their football?
🥶⚽️
| |
Parents' Playbook:
Fun Activities to Kick Off February with Your Kids
🏋️ Winter Conditioning:
- Keep those soccer muscles in shape! Try simple bodyweight workouts like lunges, squats, and jumping jacks.
- Work on footwork drills using a rolled-up sock indoors if space is limited.
- Do a fun speed & agility challenge—set up a mini obstacle course using pillows and have them zigzag through!
📺 Soccer Movie Night:
Cuddle up for a soccer-themed movie night! Some great picks:
- The Big Green (for laughs)
- Kicking & Screaming (for fun competition)
- Pele: Birth of a Legend (for inspiration)
🎨 Soccer Crafts & Creativity:
- Have your child design their dream jersey with paper and markers.
- Make a vision board with their soccer goals for the year.
- Write a funny soccer story—maybe about a talking soccer ball!
| |
On 23 February 2000, Stanley Matthews, winner of the first Ballon d'Or, passed away at the age of 85.
A winger who is widely considered one of the greatest players in football history, Matthews acquired a long list of accomplishments over the course of his 33-year career, which he spent with only two clubs, Stoke City (1932-47, 1961-65) and Blackpool (1947-61). In all, he made a total of 783 appearances and scored 80 goals. But he won only one major trophy, claiming the 1953 FA Cup with Blackpool with an outstanding performance that led the game being called "the Matthews Final."
He came close twice before, reaching the FA Cup Final with Blackpool in 1948 and 1951, and also finished as league runners-up in 1956, the year he won the inaugural Ballon d'Or as Europe's greatest player. The following year, he was made a Commander of the British Empire, becoming the first (and so far only) English footballer to be knighted while still an active player.
Matthews also starred at the international level, making 54 England appearances and winning nine British Home Championships (three of which were shared titles).
His dedication to fitness and training sustained his career so that, at 50, he became the oldest player to appear in the English top flight. He is also the oldest person ever to play for England, making his last appearance at the age of 42 years, 104 days.
Upon his death in 2000, testimonials flew in from all around the world, including comments from Pelé, who said that Matthews "taught us the way football should be played" and Berti Vogts, who said "All over the world, he is regarded as a true football genius."
This article was taken from - https://tdifh.blogspot.com/2018/02/23-february-2000-late-great-stanley.html
| |
2024
Tournament Team Numbers
| |
Border Battle '24 - 160
Midwest College Showcase '24 - 85
Heartland Spring Cup '24 - 148
KC Champions Cup '24 - 410
Mother's Day Classic '24 - 371
Kansas City Invitational '24 - 334
KC 3v3 '24 - 65
Heartland Open Cup '24 - 61
Fall Kick Off Challenge '24- 170
Heartland Midwest Classic '24 - 129
Midwest All Boys '24 - 230
Midwest All Girls '24 - 301
Heartland Invitational Girls '24 - 377
Heartland Invitational Boys '24 - 480
*In the last 12 months Heartland welcomed teams from a total of 17 states and Canada.
| |
Heartland Soccer's Tournament Reach:
A National and International Stage
In the past 12 months alone, Heartland has welcomed teams from 17 states and Canada, demonstrating the league’s reach and influence across North America. These numbers reflect the growth, diversity, and prestige of Heartland’s tournaments, making them key fixtures in the youth soccer landscape.
With each tournament, Heartland continues to provide players with incredible opportunities to showcase their skills while bringing together teams from near and far. We’re proud to be a part of such a dynamic and thriving soccer community!
| |
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
| |
2024-25
Heartland Numbers
Spring league teams '25- 1,400
Fall league teams '24- 1,388
League players - 48,000
Tournament teams - 3,500
Tournament players - 56,000
Referees - 2,000+
Coaches - 4,000
| |
Why These Numbers Matter
The numbers behind Heartland Soccer Association are impressive not just for their size but for the way they reflect the league’s commitment to quality, inclusivity, and community. With nearly 50,000 players, thousands of coaches and referees, and a robust tournament structure, Heartland is setting the stage for future soccer stars while providing a place for everyone to enjoy the beautiful game.
These incredible figures also show just how deeply rooted soccer is in the Kansas City area. Heartland Soccer Association is more than just a league; it’s a cornerstone of youth sports, bringing together families, communities, and passionate individuals who all share a love for soccer.
As Heartland continues to grow, one thing is clear: this league is not just the largest in America—it's a leader in shaping the future of youth soccer, one game at a time.
| |
MYSA NEWS
Under MYSA's sanctioning agreement and guidelines, ALL Missouri based teams (all ages and divisions) registering for the Heartland Soccer Spring 2025 League season must be registered through MYSA.
Heartland Soccer is a qualifying league for Missouri State Cup.
| For more information on VIDSPORT email: Lisa.Lindsay@Heartlandsoccer.net | |  |
|
What an incredible evening! The 7th Annual Heartland Soccer Awards Gala was a resounding success, bringing together the best of our soccer community to celebrate the outstanding individuals who have made a lasting impact in 2024.
Held on Saturday, February 1st, at the Museum at Prairiefire, the event was sold out, with guests enjoying a night filled with camaraderie, celebration, and recognition.
From dedicated coaches and players to volunteers and community leaders, each awardee was recognized for their passion and contributions to soccer in our region.
The night ended on a high note, with everyone coming together to toast to the future of soccer. A special thank you to our partners at Kansas Youth Soccer Association for making this event possible and to everyone who attended for their support.
We are incredibly proud of all the players, coaches, and volunteers who make our soccer community so special. A huge thank you to our hardworking staff as well—your commitment and tireless efforts ensure that these events run smoothly and continue to make a positive impact on our community.
A Big Congratulations to Shane Hackett, Heartland Soccer, Executive Director on receiving the Kansas State Youth Soccer Lifetime Achievement Award!
We look forward to another year of growth and achievement together!
|
Why Choose a Heartland Soccer Tournament?
Heartland tournaments consistently draw hundreds of teams from multiple states, creating a unique and competitive atmosphere for every level of play. With up to six competitive divisions, each team is matched against opponents of similar skill, ensuring a great experience for all.
Our tournaments take place at world-class facilities, including:
🏟️ SCHEELS Overland Park Soccer Complex – a $36 million state-of-the-art venue
📍 GARMIN Olathe Soccer Complex – featuring pristine turf fields and top-tier amenities
Upcoming Tournaments –
Don’t Miss Out!
🏆The Heartland Spring Cup is joining our tournament lineup! An early-season opportunity to challenge your team against top competition, featuring multiple levels of play to ensure the perfect matchups.
🌹Midwest Mother’s Day Classic
One of the largest and most family-friendly tournaments in the Midwest! This event welcomes nearly 400 teams annually from 7+ states for an exciting weekend of soccer while celebrating the incredible moms in our soccer community.
⚽ Kansas City Invitational
The largest soccer tournament in Kansas City, the KC Invitational consistently sells out year after year. With teams traveling from 14 different states, this event provides a high-energy, competitive environment across four different levels of play: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Recreational.
🎉 The Perfect Way to End Your Season
Our tournaments are the final stop of the season for many teams, making them the ultimate opportunity to close out strong and make lasting memories.
💻 Register Today!
Don’t wait—secure your team’s spot before registration closes. More tourney info, videos and a link to register is below.
|
Heartland Spring Cup
Mar 14 - 16, 2025
Registration Deadline:
February 17, 2025
| |
The Heartland Spring Cup will be an excellent early season opportunity for your team to test itself against comparable opponents and features multiple levels of play to ensure that every team finds itself matched against similar competition.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
|
Midwest Mother’s Day Classic
May 9 - 11, 2025
Registration Deadline:
April 7, 2025
| |
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 competitive 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.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
|
KANSAS CITY INVITATIONAL
Sponsored by CH Roofing & Exteriors
May 23 - 25, 2025
Registration Deadline:
April 21, 2025
| |
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.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
| |
Heartland Futsal is proud to have been chosen by US Youth Futsal to host the USYF Central Regional Championships. There are 13 USYF Regionals across the country, providing top level Futsal teams from surrounding states the opportunity to compete for the title of Regional Champion and to qualify for the USYF National Championships July 18 - 21, 2025.
Registration is closed
| |
NO BS!
Don’t feel like cooking on tournament or practice days? BOGO burgers at the Burger Shed in January! Just mention this ad along with Heartland Soccer. We offer a full bar and restaurant right across the street from the GARMIN Olathe Soccer Complex. The Burger Shed is located inside the Embassy Suites.
Take a look at our menu: https://eatatburgershed.com/olathe/
Please call ahead for parties of 6 or more: 913-353-9335
| |
3v2 Continuous
Two teams line up at either end with an all-time attacker in a wide position.
Game starts with one team (blue) playing into their wide attacker and joining to create three attackers.
Two opposing players (red) come out and defend.
As soon as a goal is scored (or a shot on goal/ball out of bounds), two new players from the red team play into their wide attacker and support. The two blue players must now transition and defend (wide attacker returns to wide cone and waits for next ball)
This is repeated continuously for either a set number of goals are scored or a specific time period and then the wide player can be rotated.
| |
What is an Emergency Fund?
As much as we would like to pretend otherwise, we all have our spells of bad luck—an unexpected illness, a car accident, a leaky pipe. If you want to get through the inevitable rough patches without breaking the bank, it’s vital to have a robust emergency fund.
Reframe Your Thinking
Your emergency fund is not your general savings account. And it isn’t just telling yourself, “Well, if something happens, I’ll be fine because I can pull from here and move some money over there and not buy this…”. An emergency fund needs to be money that will only be used in an emergency.
This money needs to be a set amount kept in a separate account than the rest of your money so that it doesn’t get accidentally spent. It’ll also need to be somewhere you can access quickly when needed. A dedicated savings account is probably the easiest place, but you can also explore other options like multiple Share Certificates or a money market account if those would better suit your preferences.
The Bigger the Better
Experts recommend that your emergency fund be large enough to support your essential needs for at least 3-6 months. That would include rent or mortgage payments, other bills, food, and debt payments. But it’s never a bad thing to have even more saved. Just think how much more security a full year of funding would give you as opposed to just 3 months. How much will be right for you?
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: Emergency Fund
Azura Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA.
| | |
|
Referee Corner: Law 13 – Free Kicks. More about the procedures for an Indirect Free Kick…
Law 13 describes the procedures and sanctions for Free Kicks. A question that is sometimes asked is what does the Law say about kicking the ball directly into one’s own goal?
Types of Free Kicks: Direct and Indirect Free Kicks are awarded to the opposing team if a player, substitute, substituted or sent-off player or team official is guilty of an offense. A team may score directly on a Direct Free Kick. When an Indirect Free Kick is awarded, the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves but in order for there to be a legal goal, the ball must be touched or played by a second player.
Indirect Free Kick signal: The Referee indicates an Indirect Free Kick by raising the arm above the head; this signal is maintained until the kick has been taken and the ball touches another player, goes out of play or it is clear that a goal cannot be scored directly.
An Indirect Free Kick must be retaken if the Referee fails to signal that the kick is indirect, and the ball is kicked directly into the goal.
Ball enters the goal:
- If a Direct Free Kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal is awarded.
- If an Indirect Free Kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal kick is awarded.
- If a Direct or Indirect Free Kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded.
There is much more to determine if the Free Kick is Direct or Indirect (based on Law 12). We will review the fouls detailed in Law 12 in future Referee Corner articles. The goal of this article is to help you understand the procedure around the Indirect Free Kick and the sanctions if the procedures are not followed according to the Laws of the Game.
Remember, the Referee must raise their arm on an Indirect Free Kick. If they fail to do this the Indirect Free Kick must be retaken. Also, the ball needs to be touched or played by a second player. This player does not have to be a teammate of the kicker. For example, you take a kick that the Referee has indicated is Indirect. As the ball is going toward the goal, the goalkeeper tries to save it. It touches the goalkeeper’s finger and goes into the goal. What does the Law say the correct decision should be for this case? What if the goalkeeper, who knows the Law gets out of the way of the ball and it goes directly into the goal?
Understanding the Law makes you a more effective player and a more informed and better fan. We look forward to seeing you this fall as Heartland once again brings the “beautiful game” to Kansas City.
| | |
|
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!
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Referee Spotlight: Carter
At Heartland Soccer, we are proud to recognize outstanding referees who demonstrate dedication, passion, and commitment to the game. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Carter, whose love for soccer has led him to excel both on and off the field.
From Player to Referee
Carter began his officiating journey in 2022, inspired by his passion for soccer and the opportunity to start a job at just 15 years old. Now, as a key part of the Heartland referee community, he continues to grow his skills while staying connected to the sport he loves.
The Best Part of Reffing
For Carter, the most exciting aspect of officiating is the fast-paced action, especially in futsal, which he recently started refereeing. The speed and unique style of the game bring a new level of challenge and excitement compared to outdoor soccer.
Lessons Learned on the Field
One of the biggest lessons Carter has learned from officiating is resilience. “I’ve learned not to take criticism too much to heart,” he shared. In a role where quick decision-making is crucial, staying confident and composed is a skill that carries over into everyday life.
Goals for the Future
Looking ahead, Carter aspires to reach the collegiate level as a referee. His dedication and experience in both club soccer and officiating set him on the right path to achieving that goal.
Beyond the Whistle
When he’s not on the field, you can find Carter enjoying his favorite hobby—fishing. “I fish a lot and probably have way too much gear,” he admitted. He also has a love for action-packed movies, with Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith ranking as a top favorite—especially the epic duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan.
Favorite Team
When it comes to sports, there’s no question who he roots for—the Kansas City Chiefs!
We appreciate all the hard work and dedication that Carter brings to the game. Thank you for your commitment to making Heartland Soccer a great experience for players, coaches, and fans alike!
| | |
| |  |
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.
| | | | | |
