Des Plaines Parks, DP America FC form new traveling soccer teams
The Des Plaines Park District, in conjunction with Des Plaines America Football Club, announced the formation of two new traveling soccer teams, a U-10 and a U-12, for the Fall 2011 season. Tryouts were held in July at Prairie Lakes Community Center. The co-ed teams are coached by Julio Zaul Perez, a member of the Northern Illinois Soccer League since 2008.
On August 13 and 14, the two newly formed teams played in the NISL Tournament to determine their preliminary ranking. The U/10 team won two games, 4-1 and 3-1, and lost four, 1-2, 1-2, 1-3, and 0-1. They were seeded in 30th place, out of 100 teams, and will play in the Silver 1-N Division. Their ten game season will be played on Saturdays and they will face Trevian, FC Chicago, Elk Grove, Glen Ellyn, and Sockers FC. The U/12 team won four games, 6-1, 9-1, 6-1, 2-0, and lost one, 0-3. They were seeded 17th and will play in the Gold 1-N Division on Sundays against Elk Grove, Oak Park Strikers, Campton United, Addison United, and Sockers FC. “These are all good clubs,” said Coach Perez, “so all of the games in both divisions will be challenging.”
Practices are held at Prairie Lakes and the team's training regimen concentrates on technical skill development of handling the ball in the air and on the ground and tactical skill development, as the players learn to execute their moves on the field. “We are excited to form this partnership with DP America FC,” said Josh Cantres, Athletic Supervisor for the Des Plaines Park District.
DPAFC began in the Fall of 2008, and their mission has been to provide young players an opportunity to develop their skills from certified, experienced trainers. “Coach Perez believes winning as a team is secondary to the individual players' knowledge, development, and love of the game,” Cantres said. “His coaching style provides an atmosphere where players feel welcome, comfortable taking risks, and respect themselves, each other, and the sport,” he said.
On Monday, August 29, both teams played a friendly game against Morelos FC. The competition provided both the players and the coach with an opportunity to see how their skills training fit in an actual game, and which players were strongest in which position. The U/10 season starts on September 3 with a game against Glen Ellyn; the U/12 plays Elk Grove on September 10. The teams are still looking to add players to their rosters, especially goal keepers. Soccer players interested in joining a traveling club should call Josh Cantres at 847-391-5711.