What a soccer summer it has been!

I am back states-side and soccer continues in CASL and for soccer fans. The Challenge Ambassadors will all be home today as the boys teams arrive at RDU. It was a successful trip with positive comments and e-mails from tournament directors, opposing coaches and hotel staff. See the most previous post for details!
The CASL Under 16 and Under 18 USSF Development Academy teams begin play this weekend in Milwaukee trying to become the national champion in this prestigious league. Eight teams in each age bracket are there and each team will play 3 round robin games and then a placement game. The #1 seeded CASL Chelsea Under 18 team made it through the Playoff and begin play Saturday and then play every other day for 7 days. Coached by CASL Director of Coaching, Rusty Scarborough, this team has been great all year. The Under 16 team, coached by new UNC men's soccer coach Carlos Somoano, peaked at the right time and won three close games in the playoffs in Frisco, Texas. I will blog results from these games starting Saturday. GOOD LUCK GUYS!
Also, starting next week will be the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) playoffs in Denver, CO. CASL's best older girls teams will be competing in this top league. More to come from this competition next week and, of course, the blog will keep up with scores and scorers.
Today, the US Women's National Team will find out their 1/4 final opponent in the FIFA Women's World Cup. The US, 2-0-0, will play the 2-0-0 national team from Sweden this afternoon. Both these teams would like to stay away from a 1/4 final matchup with talented Brazil on Sunday.
Ho hum..........the Railhawks keep dominating the opposition. They play on the road in Minnesota this Saturday after a good win in front of a great crowd last Sunday that led up to the Railhawks fireworks display. The lead that the Hawks have built, is staggering after only 14 games.
SOCCER, SOCCER, SOCCER-it is everywhere and there could be more big games on the horizon......more to come. KICK em straight!
                                                                           Charlie Slagle