Springfield, MO- From MissouriStateBears.com: Jack Griffin of Beverley, England, has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Bears, the Missouri State men’s soccer program announced Monday (May 20). Griffin will be a freshman in the fall for the 2013 season at MSU.

Griffin joins a Missouri State squad that is already loaded with talent from across the North Atlantic Ocean. A graduate of the Beverley Grammar School, Griffin becomes the seventh player from England on the current men’s soccer roster.
He is one of five newcomers looking to make an impact on the Bears’ team that went 5-8-4 last season. That list also includes a pair of New Zealand athletes and two in-state standouts.<

Jack Griffin | M | Beverley, England | Beverley Grammar School
Griffin will start his career with the Bears as a central midfielder after playing the same position for the Grimsby Town F.C. He signed with Grimsby in 2008, despite interest from Hull City A.F.C. In his second year with the Grimsby Town youth team, Griffin scored 10 goals and was a fixture on the reserve team. The midfielder also captained his school team to three successive league titles as well as a Smails Cup victory for his district team in 2008.

Associate head coach Michael Seabolt on Griffin:
“Jack is a strong central midfielder. He has a good record over the last two years, impressed during in-person evaluation, and comes highly recommended. He has a strong personality, a good academic record, and several leadership qualities. From the moment we first spoke to him, he expressed a strong desire to be an MSU Bear and we are thrilled to make that a reality.”

Jack will join Josh Finch and James Routledge of New Zealand, Neal Sampson of Kansas City and Jakob Neidig of Ozark on the 2013 roster.

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New York, NY-Major League Soccer has announced their 20th expansion club.

From Mlssoccer.com:Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced today that a partnership of global sports powers, Manchester City Football Club and the New York Yankees, has acquired the League’s 20th expansion club. The new team will be named New York City Football Club (NYCFC) and expects to begin play in 2015.

“We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious professional global sports organizations to Major League Soccer,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber . “This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country. The New York area is home to more than 19 million people, and we look forward to an intense crosstown rivalry between New York City Football Club and the New York Red Bulls that will captivate this great city.”

“New York is a legendary sports town, as well as a thriving global city with a rapidly expanding soccer fan-base,” said Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City Football Club , who will oversee the process of filling top New York City FC leadership positions in the weeks to come. “We are thrilled to contribute to the energy and growth of New York City Soccer. In the Yankees, we have found the absolute best partner for developing a world-class sports organization and a winning team that will carry the New York City Football Club name with pride.”

Manchester City will be the majority owner of the new Club. As an investor, the Yankees will be an active member of the ownership group. The New York Yankees and Manchester City Football Club have an existing commercial relationship through Legends Hospitality, LLC, an international entertainment, hospitality and marketing organization. Yankee Stadium is pleased to be hosting Manchester City on Saturday, May 25 for a “friendly” match against Chelsea FC, giving New York area fans a rare opportunity to see two outstanding English Premier League clubs up close.

“We are pleased to be associated with this major move by MLS to increase its presence in the New York market and to enhance the opportunity for New York soccer fans to enjoy high-level play in their own city.  We look forward to the opportunity to work with Manchester City to create something very special for the soccer fans of New York — and to bringing another terrific team to this city for all sports fans to enjoy,” said Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner of the New York Yankees . “Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, will be the point person in leading the effort to launch and establish the team on behalf of the organization,” Mr. Steinbrenner added.

With millions of residents watching soccer every week and nearly two million people actively playing the game, the New York/New Jersey area is one of North America’s most vibrant and proud soccer communities. The region has filled stadiums for countless marquee soccer events including the 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, three MLS All-Star Games and numerous international exhibition matches. NYCFC becomes the first MLS club whose home will be located within the five boroughs, joining the Red Bulls as the second MLS club in the metropolitan area.

“Soccer is one of the world’s most exciting and popular sports, and it should be played on the world’s biggest stage — in New York City,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “New Yorkers are the greatest sports fans in the world, and they will welcome a Major League Soccer franchise with the full-throated and loyal support they are famous for. Manchester City has a great reputation for both winning teams and serious community investment, and that will help them fit in well with the excellent leadership of New York City’s other professional sports teams. Increasingly, sports events and activities — from the NHL playoffs to the MLB All-Star game to the SuperBowl — are spurring economic growth, as our investments in new arenas and infrastructure are paying off.”

Future: A Home Field for NYC’s Newest Team

New York City FC is committed to seeking a new permanent stadium in New York. Until that time, the new team is arranging to play in an interim home beginning in its inaugural MLS season in 2015. Over the past year, MLS began discussions with the City of New York and other stakeholders about the possibility of constructing a new stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona Park (FMCP) in Queens. The Club’s new management will continue these discussions with local government officials, community residents and businesses, soccer leagues, and MLS. The Club will continue to review other potential sites as well.

“New York City FC will have a permanent home in the City in the great traditions of New York sports and world soccer — a home that must be a sports, commercial and civic success,” Soriano said.  “But in considering any stadium site, we will listen first. This is what we have always done in Manchester and what we will do in New York.  Only in this way, can the Club truly represent the City whose name it will carry.”

“City Soccer in the Community”: NYC FC’s Commitment to Youth Soccer in NYC

Manchester City is a leader among sports organizations in its charitable efforts, with one-sixth of its staff fully dedicated full-time to community outreach. Building on this tradition of community outreach, New York City FC will expand and enhance the grassroots youth soccer program “City Soccer in the Community,” which it has been running in New York since 2010. The program, now headquartered at PS 72 (Lexington Academy) in East Harlem, which boasts New York City’s only rooftop soccer field, provides quality soccer instruction and programming to thousands of children in 20 NYC public schools each year. New York City FC looks forward to expanding its community outreach to bring soccer to thousands of more kids throughout the five boroughs.

Manchester City has funded the construction of soccer facilities for youth in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington D.C. For more on City Soccer, click here. In addition, the “City in the Community,” foundation focuses on similar initiatives worldwide.

About Manchester City
Since new ownership took over five years ago, Manchester City has gained its place as one of England’s most successful football clubs and one of the fastest growing clubs in the world, on and off the field. Last spring, Manchester City won the 2012 Barclay’s Premier League Championship.  This year it finished second in the League and was the FA Cup runner up.  Manchester City FC is wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

New York Yankees
Established in 1903, the New York Yankees are Major League Baseball’s most storied franchise with 27 World Championships and 40 American League pennants.

About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. Major League Soccer’s 18th season  features 19 clubs each playing 34 regular-season matches. Those clubs include the Chicago Fire; Chivas USA; Colorado Rapids; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; 2012 MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy; Montreal Impact; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; Philadelphia Union; Portland Timbers; Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Sporting Kansas City; Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. New York City FC, was unveiled May 21, 2013.

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Dylan Owens of Willard v Greenwood 2013

Springfield, MO- The Class 2 District 11 All District team has been released. District 11 is made up of Hillcrest, Liberty Mt. View, Republic, West Plains, and Willard. Voting for this honor is done by members of the Missouri State High School Coaches Association.

Sara Marcotte of Republic v Northwest 2013

Congratulations Ladies!

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Osage Lady Indians Class 1 District 11 Champs for 2013

Springfield, MO- Osage High School, the District 11 champions, have listed the Class 1 District 11 All Team Honors on their website. Congratulations to all the ladies on a great season.

Osage faces Springfield Catholic tomorrow in sectionals. The game will be played at 6pm, Osage high school.

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Prairie Village, KC- The Football Club of Kansas City is Women’s Professional Soccer Team competing in the National Women’s Soccer League. FC Kansas City is a Women’s Professional Soccer Team competing in the National Women’s Soccer League(NWSL) The “Blues” began playing in  the NWSL on April 13^th, 2013.

The Blue’s play their games at the Shawnee Mission District Stadium. General admission tickets are $15. If you are interested in any of the FCKC programs, please contact Brent Garrison  at bgarrison@kcprosoccer.com.

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Kasey Opfer fights for the ball the District 11 game v Nixa 2013

Springfield, MO- The First Round of the High School Girls Championships starts tomorrow. MSHSAA has the championship brackets set for all three classes.

Class 1

Catholic and Osage High School will play Tuesday, May 21 at 6pm in Osage.

Class 2

Republic will take Carl Junction on Tuesday at 6pm in Republic.

Class 3

Nixa plays Kickapoo at7pm on Tuesday in Nixa.

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