Rendon Returns from Israel with U18 National Team
Luis Rendon, FC Richmond Magic ’92, recently returned to the United States after an eight day trip to Israel with U18 United States National Team. While in Israel, the team competed in a four nations tournament that included the United States, Israel, France, and Germany. Luis started in the opening two games against France and Israel, playing 66 minutes and 80 minutes respectively. Rendon did not see action in the game against Germany, but did gain valuable experience during the trip...both on and off the field. In addition to playing in the tournament, the team traveled around Israel (see picture below), which included stops in the Holy City and the Dead Sea. FC Richmond is very proud of Luis and all of his accomplishments.
Louis Rendon, #10, with starting team
Luis Rendon, FC Richmond Magic, called up to U18 US National Team
Luis Rendon, FC Richmond Magic ’93, has been called in to participate with the U18 National Team over the week of November 20-28 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Rendon, a Cosby High School junior, was initially called up to the team, but was unable to participate until he became a US citizen. After obtaining his US citizenship in February, Luis became eligible to be selected to the US National Team. The accomplishment joins a long list of recent successes for Rendon.
Rendon, a member of the Region I Team, has participated in the Disney’s Showcase Tournament in Florida (against other ODP Regional teams). While there, Luis scored 4 of the team’s 7 goals and was named to the Winter Interregional All-Star Team. Rendon was also selected to participate in the Region I Team’s trip to England and Scotland during the spring of 2010. Unfortunately, that trip was cancelled due to the volcanic ash that caused flights to be cancelled.
Luis will join the rest of the U18 National Team over the week of November 20-28 in California for a great week of high level soccer. After the week of training, the US staff will select 18 players to participate in a tournament in Israel beginning December 10. FC Richmond is very proud of Luis for this wonderful achievement and wishes him the best of luck while in California.
Roanoke Star Player, Grace Baldridge, to carry FIFA banner onto field before US vs Slovenia World Cup game on June 18. Read PDF article. [+]
Parker Walsh, former Roanoke Star player, named to the United States U20 National Team
Roanoke Star player, Parker Walsh, has been named to the United States U20 National team. Parker is currently playing for Karlsruhe SC in Germany. He has made previous appearances with the national team at the U15 and U17 age groups. Parker is set to make his U20 National Team debut in Holland. They will be competing in the Cor Groenewegen Tournament in Uitgeest, Holland, starting on May 22, 2010. There are twelve teams in the group consisting of two pools. Pool B consists of the US youth national team, Heerenveen, Atletico Mineiro, FC Utrecht, the Egyptian youth national team, and the Japanese youth national team. Pool A consists of FC Uitgeest, Cruz Azul, FC Twente, Senegal, the Canadian youth national team, and the South Korean youth national team.
Roanoke Star Player, Will Hare, joins Swedish Professional Club IK Brage
On Sunday March 7th, 2010 Roanoke Star player Will Hare boarded a plane to head to Borlange, Sweden. He joined Swedish Professional Club IK Brage’s U19 Youth Team. “I am looking forward to play every day and to take my game to the next level”, says Will. Will joins IK Brage which was formed in 1925 and has played many seasons in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. Many top players from around the world have played in Sweden’s premier league.
Will started playing soccer when he was a young kid. He joined Roanoke Star when he was 12 years old. “I came to Roanoke Star for quality coaching, training, and playing with/against high level competition”. Receiving the best coaching and training in southern Virginia was not the only thing Will did to improve his game. He worked on his fitness, especially his endurance, and always had a ball at his feet. Will wanted to be able to play soccer at a high level for the entire game without getting tired. He would work on juggling and getting touches on the ball everyday to take his game to the next level. “After a while it was a normal routine for me to work with the ball on a daily basis”, explains Will.
Will is not only a soccer player but loves the game as well. He likes to watch and keep up to date with his favorite team Liverpool. Also, when growing up he would watch his favorite player Ronaldinho. While at Roanoke Star, Will would watch and aspire to be like former Star player Parker Walsh, currently playing for professional club Karlsruhe SC (Germany). He would watch Parker at trainings and games saying, “I want to play on the same level as Parker”.
Will has played in some of the nation’s highest level tournaments and games with Roanoke Star. The greatest moment came when he played on the U15 elite team. The Star team was playing in the CASL Shoutout, one of the nation’s top soccer events, in a quarterfinal game versus a team from Florida. The team was down and as every minute passed by their hope of advancing in the tournament became smaller. Will broke out and scored two goals for the come from behind victory and the chance to play in the semifinal. “This was one of my greatest moments being able to lead the comeback and help advance the team to the next round”, he explained.
A lot of hard work and dedication was put in for the success that Will has had on the soccer field. Although having great success, there were some obstacles that he had to overcome for his success in the game. “I would sometimes think too much about the opposing team and players rather than thinking about the way our team needed to play”. With strong mental preparation Will was able to focus his attention and mind on the game he and the team needed to play. The strong mental focus has landed Will in Borlange, Sweden with IK Brage. This is the opportunity of a lifetime that many soccer players dream about. With the dedication and commitment Will has put into the game he will be successful in any country he plays in.
More News Archives to come.....
