SUSC Super Y 2007
SUSC Super Y 2006
SUSC Super Y 2005
SUSC Super Y 2004
SUSC Super Y 2003
SUSC Super Y 2002

SUSC Super Y 2007

The United Soccer Leagues (USL) named Seacoast United as the #2 Club in the country for 2007.   This ranking takes into consideration all clubs participating in the USL's Super Y League from throughout the United States and Canada.   The ranking takes into consideration the overall record of the Club and administration competency.   The boy's side of the Club had an overall ranking of #2 and the girl's side had an overall ranking of #10.  The New England Division was well represented in the "Top 11" with a total of 3 clubs represented which makes the fact that SUSC received the #2 rank even more impressive.

The Super Y league has also made great advances in its ODP (Olympic Development Program).  Both SUSC directors Karl Edmonds and John Price recently attended one of the ODP weekends in Coco Beach Florida.  The organization, faculties and competition players faced was excellent, and SUSC is happy that over 25 SUSC players will attend one of the four ODP events this month. 

Currently, the 2007 Super Y League schedule is being finalized.  Games will begin in April 2007 and end in August 2007.  Teams can expect to play anywhere from 12 to 16 games, with half of the games being at home at the new Epping Outdoor Complex.  SUSC has also made a bid to host the Super 20 National Finals, and if successful this will mark the second year this event will be held at SUSC. 

Player selection for Y League teams is based on the current teams squad of players that were selected for USYSA competition (regional League(s) and state cup). However, in many cases coaches have chosen to add to their squad by using players from other SUSC teams, or indeed players form outside of the club.  It is purely to the coaches’ discretion if they add any players to their squad.  Any players that have aspirations to play Super Y for SUSC should contact the coach of the team and arrange to come to a training session.  Please be advised that any selection to the team is based on playing ability, and whether or not the players is a suitable fit for the competition expected in the league.  Player tuition for the 2007 season is $435 for U-14, 15, 16, 17 and $350 for U-20.

SUSC Super Y 2006

Seacoast United Soccer Club has entered 10 teams into the 2006 Super Y League New England Division. Those teams, U-14, 15, 16, 17, 20 boys and girls will compete in the league for the fifth straight year. The Super Y league continues to give SUSC players the opportunity to play in a well-organized and competitive league through the summer months that hopefully culminates in teams’ playing in the National Finals in November. Under the direction of John Price, SUSC Y League Coordinator, SUSC enjoyed a fantastic 2005 season on and off the field. SUSC had five teams play in the National Finals, in Tampa Florida and were exposed to some of the best competition in the US. SUSC also had over 20 players selected for the Super Y League ODP (Olympic Development Program). Off the field SUSC was ranked number 1 in New England and ninth nationally in the official Y League Club Ranking system. Each year clubs are awarded points for on-field performances, results, organization, and compliance to minimum standards among other items. This recognition is a testament to John, the entire SUSC coaching staff and players and parents involved with the club for the their hard work and dedication.

Currently, the 2006 Super Y League schedule is being finalized. Games will begin in April 2006 and end in August 2006. Teams can expect to play anywhere from 12 to 16 games, with half of the games being at home at the new Epping Outdoor Complex. SUSC will also host the U-20 National Finals at the new complex in Epping, from August 3rd to 6th. Once the schedule for the 2006 season is finalized it will be sent out to coaches and Team Managers and posted on this site.

Player selection for Y League teams is based on the current teams squad of players that were selected for USYSA competition (regional League(s) and state cup). However, in many cases coaches have chosen to add to their squad by using players form other SUSC teams, or indeed players form outside of the club. It is purely to the coaches’ discretion if they add any players to their squad. Any players that have aspirations to play Super Y for SUSC should contact the coach of the team and arrange to come to a training session. Please be advised that any selection to the team is based on playing ability, and whether or not the players is a suitable fit for the competition expected in the league. Please see below for the list of 2006 Super Y League Coaches. Player tuition for the 2006 season is $425 for U-14, 15, 16, 17 and $350 for U-20.

Sincerely,

SUSC Super Y 2005

In August 2004 Seacoast United Soccer Club signed its annual contract with the Super Y League and committed to entering 12 teams into the league for the 2005 season. Those teams will be U-14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 boys and girls. The club is enjoying much success playing in this league and feels the Super Y League is a big part of the over all club goal, player development. John Price, SUSC boys coaching director, will once again administer the clubs involvement in the league and working with coaches and team managers to ensure a smooth operation. Please see the following points that outline how the club will manage the 2005 Y League season:

· SUSC will attend the annual scheduling meeting for the league in January 05, in Baltimore, MD. At this time the Super Y League season schedule will be finalized. Teams can expect to begin their games in April 05, however the bulk of the seasons' games will take place in July and August.
· The Super Y league will consist of players that are born after August 1st for their particular age group. The league has reverted back to the more traditional age group eligibility. Teams will not be picked according to calendar year this season.
· Rosters will be finalized in March 2005. Up to 26 players can be added to the league roster, and it is to the coaches' discretion if he or she decides to roster this many players at that time.
· Teams are picked from players playing for SUSC and other teams in NH, Maine and Mass. There is not a formal tryout for these teams rather the coaches will pick the teams from seeing players play in their competitive games.
· SUSC has, and will continue to keep all costs as low as possible. For the 2005 Super Y Season costs are:
U-14, 15, 16, 17 boys and girls $390
U-18, 19 boys and girls $320
Payment due dates:
U-14, 15, 16, 17 boys and girls $195 May 4th 2005, $195 July 6th 2005
U-18, 19 boys and girls $160 May 4th 2005, $160 July 6th 2005
If possible parents are asked to pay the full amount in May.
· Teams will use their current SUSC equipment for games. Players added to the teams from other clubs will be asked to purchase their equipment form the club at cost.
· Team Managers will again be used by each team to help with referee payments, providing water to the opposition teams for home games, and travel co-ordination to away games.
· SUSC will continue to support the leagues ODP program and offer the services of the SUSC coaching staff if requested.
· SUSC is aware that a U-13 age group is provided by the league but has decided not to include its teams in this age group. It is felt that the additional months that would be added to the season for these teams is not in the best interest of 12 and 13 year old players.
· National Finals. If any of the teams qualify for the National Super Y League National Finals, players will be asked to pay an additional fee to cover the coaches expense of travel and accommodation. This fee will be kept to a minimum. In 2004 5 SUSC teams qualified for the national finals in Orlando, Florida. The additional cost to players for coaches' expense was $38.
· Club Travel. SUSC realizes that travel demands in the super y league are often extensive. Therefore, the club will do everything it can to schedule back to back away games in proximity of each other. For example when teams travel to Ottawa for a game, we will make sure that the day after this game or the day prior will see the teams play against Nordic, VT. This will enable the teams to play two away games that are in somewhat of a proximity to each other thus making travel more manageable. Also coaches and team managers will encourage parents to car pool to these games, and where necessary organize transportation for the players to the away games.

For more information on SUSCs' involvement with the Super Y League a list of archived articles are available in the club area of the SUSC web-site, www.seacoastunited.org. Also you can visit the official Super Y League web site at www.superyleague.com.

If there are any questions on how the Super Y league will be managed in 2005 please contact Karl Edmonds, SUSC Director of Player Development at susckarl@thepipeline.net

SUSC Super Y 2004

On Saturday February 7th myself (Karl Edmonds) and John Price attended the annual administrative and scheduling meeting for the Super Y league New England Division. The first half of the meeting included the administrative aspect of the league, and guidelines were set out to ensure the smooth running of the division. One aspect of this discussion was to lay out a firm understanding of the chain of command that connects the players, parents, club and the league. The regional operations manager for the New England division is Kevin McGovern and any communication form the club will directly to Kevin. Likewise John Price, SUSC boys coaching director, will be the SUSC representative and it will be John that communicates to the league on behalf of the club whenever it is deemed necessary.

John will also be responsible for making sure that SUSC is completely prepared for league play in an administrate capacity for the ten SUSC teams playing in the Super Y League. From scheduling, directions to games, organization of uniforms and indeed picking of teams John will be the 'go to person' for SUSC. The second major talking point at the y league meeting was 'league minimum standards.' The minimum standard guidelines highlight the least possible standards expected from clubs during the season and more specifically on game day. Items such as providing the opposition teams on game day with a bench to sit on and water to drink are tasks that have to be upheld or fines are invoked. These tasks, unfortunately, are difficult ones to sustain since SUSC currently does not have its own outdoor facility. However, as many people know the club is very close to obtaining it's own outdoor complex which will mean that the implementation of minimum standards will be very easier. John will broach the current difficulties of maintaining minimum standards by appointing team managers for the y league teams. These managers will be responsible for getting water to the field (provided by SUSC), paying the referee's, completing the game day scores sheet for home games among other tasks. Closer to the season John will host a meeting with the ten managers to go over these responsibilities.

Before the schedule is presented in this article for the Super Y league New England Division it is important to bring all players and parents up to speed on current events specifically concerning the teams. On Friday Jan 23d the ten Y league coaches met to discuss the up coming season. Items that were discussed included number of squad players, the schedule, games day preparation, picking the team, player fee costs among other items. Minutes form the meeting were taken and sent back to the coaches. After more feedback form coaches' SUSC was able to define specific points to help prepare themselves, players and parents for the 2004 season. Here are the details of our meeting:
Please remember that available players for the 2004 season are picked based on calendar year. This means that players born is the same year will be brought together to play on the same team.

1. There are not open tryouts for the y league teams. Teams are picked based on coaches' personal evaluation of players and evaluation from other coaches.
2. For coaches to get a look at SUSC players other than their own current team they may observe another team practice or indeed invite players from the other team into their practice. Coaches may also invite players into their practice from other clubs, however, only 2 players will be allowed to come to any given practice at one time.
3. Up to 22 players will be picked for the squad on March 29th 2004. The roster size can increase to 26 players over the course of the season.
4. On game days only 18 players will be allowed to dress for the game.
5. Player selection into the initial 22-player squad will be confirmed in a one on one conversation with players and coaches. If a player is not selected the one on one conversation will again take place. If a player is not picked for a team coached by a coach other than their regular or usual coach, then a conversation will first take place his/her coach and then with the coach of the y league team.
6. Players will wear their current SUSC game gear for the y league games. However, new jerseys have been ordered for the teams that will be numbered 1 through 26. For players playing for other teams but coming to SUSC for Super Y, they will have to purchase the SUSC home/away shorts and socks. These items will be sold at cost.
7. The cost for the Y league per players for the season is :
· 1990, 89, 88, 87 $380
· 1986/85 $330
Payments dates are: half May 1st 2004
Completion of payment July 1st 2004
8. The initial schedule for the season is broken down by team and added below. The game dates are firm, however, they may be some minor adjustments. Game venues and kick-off time will be added at a later date. Training will take place throughout the summer, and be scheduled as games allow.
9. For reference the Super Y League web site will be linked to the SUSC web site. Players and parents will be able to view a variety of articles and information on this site including, our own personal club site. This site will include rosters and player profiles as well as administrative and coaches contact information.
10. The Y League web site will also be a valuable tool for information such as league rules and regulations like the substitution rule. Also the league is changing the way it organizes ODP, and updates on those changes will be made available soon.
11. Each division in the league will be creating an executive committee to discuss the positive and negative points the league face. SUSC will be vying for a position on this committee to enable the club to voice opinion and concern about how the league is organized.
12. SUSC will also be making a vehement claim that at least one of its coach's is/are involved in the ODP structure and coaching staff.
13. The Super Y League Finals will take place in December '04 after the high school season.

On Friday September 12th the Super Y league made an official announcement that stated for the 2004 Super Y League season, rosters would consist of players born in their birth year. As many people know, the rosters in the past consisted of players that were born on or after August 1. This change to birth year has not come as a surprise to Seacoast United, as we were aware that the United Soccer Leagues (USL) wanted to make the switch. Subsequently, over the past two months the SUSC coaching staff has met three times to discuss the impact the change would have on our club. After much deliberation the club has made its decision which will be presented to parents and players in two phases. The first phase will be discussed now, and cover the general way SUSC will incorporate Super will be Y League play with TOC play. The second installment will be posted in November, and this will discuss specific details of how the Super Y League teams will be picked, the details of the season and the squad of players.

First and foremost is should be noted that SUSC will hold tryouts for the U-15 through U-18 teams in November 2003 as it has done in the past, with the August 1 cut off for players. The club will once again encourage all interested players to tryout, and it will pick its premier (A) and Seacoast (B) teams based on ability. Theses teams will adhere to the traditional season, winter indoor training and games, outdoor league play in GSYSL or NEPYSL, two tournaments of the coaches choice, TOC or NH Open Cup single elimination type tournaments and of course outdoor training twice per week. Tryout dates and information, along with coaches information will be available on line by the end of the week. The Super Y League team will be classed as a separate team form the premier or seacoast team, and therefore will be picked differently. The specific dates of when the team will be picked, the schedule, the squad and cost will be presented in phase two in late October or early November. The Super Y League teams will be picked by the coaches from players already playing for SUSC in its premier and seacoast teams, as well as players from outside of the club. Once again, the details on how the teams will be picked will be discussed in phase two.

If there are any questions, or need for clarity in this matter please feel free to email Karl Edmonds, Director of Player Development at susckarl@thepipeline.net

SUSC Super Y 2003

Seacoast United is preparing to enter its third year in the USL's Super Y league. As many Seacoast United players and parents know, the Super Y league offers and brings the very best teams in the country together to play in one league. The idea behind the league is to offer players the chance to play against the best competition to increase player development. This league has afforded many SUSC player of this opportunity, and I am happy to say the players have more than show their capabilities in the league. During the last two years SUSC has had two Super Y League divisional champions. In 2001 the SUSC U-17's coached by Rob Thompson won the New England division, as did the U-14 boys last year coached by Ian Burgess.

The Y league is affiliated with the United Soccer League's (USL). The USL owns the U-23 Player Development League (PDL), the Division 3 Select League and the A League, as well as the W League (Women's Professional League). Within this organization come certain rule changes that differ from that of the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) that Seacoast United and other clubs are accustomed. The USYSA regulates the leagues we play in, GSYSL and NEPYSL, as well as the tournaments we play in including the Snickers Tournament of Champions, (TOC). One major rule change that show the contrasts between the two organization is the roster size. The USYSA advocates an 18-player limit on the roster, where the USL allows for 26. Also concerning substitutions the USYSA allows changes to be made constantly throughout the game, where the USL allows player to come back to play after being substituted but not in the same half. So if a player were substituted after 15 minutes of the first half, that player would not be allowed to re-enter the game until the second half. Further, the USL advocates a 'club pass' approach to its games, which means a Seacoast United team could bring into its squad a player from a younger Seacoast Team if they had injuries or were short of players. This process is not allowed, for the most part, in the USYSA.

All of the Y league teams that play in the league are picked from a number of premier clubs from their particular state. For example the Boston Bulldogs/Renegades pick players form a number of other clubs in Massachusetts. SUSC formally did not pick form a variety of clubs, but has had to change this policy and become more selective when picking the team. The USL has demanded that all teams must select players from all over the state to ensure the high quality of play. Seacoast United must comply with the wishes of the league and has altered it philosophy concerning the Y League. SUSC can and will, now allow for non-SUSC players to be added to the Y League roster. Players that are added will be added at the discretion of the particular coach. Some coaches may elect to add many players to their squad, where other coaches may chose not to add any. Further, coaches may add players to the roster form other SUSC teams, notably the second team. Again it is to the coaches discretion if and when he adds a player from the second team.

Cost of playing in the Super Y League is $125. This cost covers the league fee's and referee fees. SUSC has made every attempt to keep this cost to a minimum. All players that are on the roster or get added to the roster will be required to pay the player fee. Also, players that are added to the roster and are not SUSC players will be required to purchase SUSC uniform shorts and socks. If there are any questions regarding this approach to the Y League please contact, Karl Edmonds, John Price, or Neil Stafford.

SUSC Super Y 2002

SUSC has recently come though its second year playing the Super Y League. We had five team represent us in the New England division of the league, the U-14 boys and girls and the U-15, 16 and 17 boys. The teams in each division consisted of two Mass. Teams, Boston Bulldogs/Renegades and Western Mass. Pioneers, The RI Rays/Stingrays, Nordic Spirit from Vermont and Blackwatch form New York. SUSC played each team at home and away and vied for a place in the national Championships. The U-14 boys achieved this goal and recently traveled to North Carolina to play in the national finals. Congratulations to Ian Burgess and his team for a truly outstanding season.

The U-14 boys year started with a home win against Boston, and from there they never looked back. In the finals in NC they tied their first two games. These results were very hard to take as SUSC outplayed their opponents respectively. Wins in these games would have made for an interesting fourth game against host team CASL. CASL had won both previous games convincingly and looked to be one of the strongest teams in the age bracket. CASL beat SUSC and went on to win the tournament. There is no doubt that the U-14 had a fantastic year, congratulations to them once again for an incredible season.

The U-17 boys came close to a wild card birth needing to come second in their division to qualify for the national tournament. As they went into their last game with Blackwatch they needed to win the game. Blackwatch only needed a draw in the game to qualify. The game ended in a 2-2 tie and therefore Blackwatch qualified for the national tournament with the wild card, coming second to Western Mass Pioneers. The other teams in the league, the U-14 girls and the U-15 and 16 boys had similar seasons. The teams had some good wins and some setbacks. The U-14 girls and U-16 boys started their seasons strong, but lost a succession of games to put them out of contention for winning the league. The U-15 boys had a tougher time of it but soldiered on through their games showing great dedication and character.

The number of games that were won and lost this season, however, is not how I, and SUSC judges the experience the teams had in the league. Rather it is the competitive nature and environment that the players experienced in the games that is the true way to judge the season. Only a few of the results were one sided and in games that SUSC teams had lost the games were close. I watched a number of games during the season. Most recently I saw the U-17 boys tie with Blackwatch in their final game. This was a game that SUSC should have won after taking an early 2-0 lead. But with the game ending up in a tie Blackwatch advanced and SUSC U-17's season was over. The lessons learned in this game for those boys and game like it are invaluable to their development. The U-17's lacked conviction in front of goal and were punished for that in this game, and it is these sorts of lessons that highly competitive games teach. The U-16 boys were not in the running for a championship spot like the U-17 boys but much of the same criticism directed at the U-17's can be directed at the U-16 boys. During the game against Boston at the Gillette Stadium U-16 boys constantly made bad decisions and gave the ball away. Again lessons are there for the players to learn. Both the U-17 and U-16 teams are extremely talented, but lack in one area or another and that stops them progressing and realizing their potential. Besides all of the training and working with the coaches the players on these teams need to do that little bit extra to help themselves. If these players had spent maybe 10 hours during the spring watching the champion's league on ESPN they would be educating themselves about the game. Specifically they would see the various options they have when they have the ball in certain position. Further, a similar amount of time discussing free kicks with teammates or corners would help the team gain an advantage for set pieces. Individually, spending time taking free kicks and trying to bend the ball are things that help players gain the edge on their opponents.

The U-15 boys had a number of injuries to key players during the season, which did not help the team, although the boys soldiered on throughout the season. I coached the team in an away game v Boston. Once again a Seacoast United was in a 'cauldron of learning' since the game was both fast paced and physical. The boys lost the game 2-0, but played well. Over the season the U-15's lost more games than they had won but this should not have had an adverse effect on the players. The opportunity to play in the games was the important factor not winning or losing. I was particularly proud of the way the boys performed against Boston. The team has true potential and a squad of good players. I feel that this team would have won more games if some parents involved with this team had been more supportive.

As Seacoast United prepares for the spring of 2003 Y League season a number of changes will occur for that season to better help the players and the teams be more competitive, and thus develop. As of yet the Y league has not disclosed the divisional age brackets it intends to have next year. Once SUSC is informed of the divisions an announcement will be made.
In closing I would like to thank the players, parents and coaches for the their dedication and commitment to the Y league season. SUSC realizes that there is a lot of time and expense that families have to bear in order to have their son or daughter play in this league.