(03.10.10)
Gambia becomes 4th African Rush Partner; 27 Overall
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(From top left: Tim with Gambian dignitaries, Tim with Members of Gambia Rush, Media at the Announcement of Gambia Rush)

We are very pleased to announce our newest partner The Gambia Rush.    Gambia Rush, located in Western Africa will be our 27th partner.  This club will act as an academy serving only four age groups U12;  U14; U16 and U18 attracting and developing the top athletes.  “This partnership is unique to the Rush.  We are partnering with an organization that is well established in the football world.  They get it,” said Tim Schulz President & C.E.O. of Rush Soccer.  Schulz recently made a five-day visit to our new partners.  Why do they get it?  The community conducted a formal announcement, where 100’s of supporters showed up to embrace the partnership.  Along with the supporters, the Mayor, the Minister of Sport and the Technical Director of the Gambian Football Federation where among some of the dignitaries that attended.  The launching was televised on national t.v. and also covered by the national newspaper and many of the local papers.

Erik Bushey, Technical Director of the Colorado Rush states, “Yes, this partnership is already in force.  Evidence can be seen today as we have four of the Gambian players playing on our U18 Academy team and they are legit.”  Erik goes on to say, “This is just the beginning for our club, and for these players.  Our aim is to help these young men develop and become professional players, whether here in the states or Europe.  I believe it will happen.”

The partnership marks our 27th Rush partner over all, but our 4th partnership in Africa. The expansion to Africa helps in our long term vision and that is to compete with some of the top clubs in the world.  When will this happen?  It will take ages but the Rush have a goal in mind and we are determined and calculated.

Tim goes on to say, “Omar Sisee is the man who is behind this.  He understands the Rush vision and will act as Technical Director.  He is the epitome of our core values: passion, tenacity, accountability etc.  We could not ask for a better man to lead the Gambian Rush.”

Omar is thrilled with the new partnership saying, “Obviously we are very excited. We have very good people working for us in Gambia. There are some very good players and now we just need to get over there and get working.”

Short term, the partnership aids in player exchanges, bolstering select teams, participation in coaching education and overall cultural exchange opportunities….Go Rush!

New Mexico Rush's Ben Spencer Makes U15 National Team

(03.08.10)
Auxerre Win Again, Ready for Bordeaux

AJ Auxerre have rattled off their third straight win with a 1-0 victory over Valenciennes over the weekend. With the win, Auxerre have 48 points and are tied for 5th place with Lille in Ligue 1 with a game in hand. Ireneusz Jelen scored his team leading 7th goal in the win.

Auxerre will take on league leading Bordeaux on Wednesday. AJA upended the current French leaders 1-0 in October, the very same weekend that the partnership with Rush Soccer was announced.
Bonne chance AJA!

(03.07.10)
Conor Casey Signs Contract Extension

(Rush Soccer Technical Director Andrew Kummer with Conor Casey at a recent press conference announcing Casey's new MLS contract)
Conor Casey, a Colorado Rush product, recently signed a three year contract to continue playing with the Colorado Rapids of the MLS. The Rapids held a press conference at Denver's South High School, where Conor grew up, to announce the new contract, reported to be the largest in Rapids history. Conor had a breakout year in 2009 with the Rapids setting a new franchise mark with 16 goals scored, just 1 goal shy of the league leader. The 28 year old forward is currently working to make the USA roster for the 2010 World Cup. 

(03.04.10)
Horan Makes U17 National Team

Lindsey Horan was recently added to the roster of the U17 Women’s National Soccer Team. Lindsey, who currently plays for the U16 Colorado Rush Nike team, has played with youth national teams in the past (U15’s), but will be playing ‘up’ a year with the U17 team this year. To be eligible for the 17’s, players must have been born on or after January 1, 1993. Horan was born in 1994 so will be one of the younger players on the squad.  

Lindsey will be traveling with the U17’s to Costa Rica for the 2010 CONCACAF regional qualification tournament beginning March 10 with the championship game scheduled for March 20. Opening round games for the Americans will be against Haiti, Cayman Islands and Costa Rica. The two top teams from the CONCACAF region, plus host country Trinidad & Tobago (who receive an automatic bid), will advance to the 2010 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup event scheduled for September 5-25.

Lindsey spent some time with the U17 team in early February for a series of international friendly games with Germany. Lindsey scored two goals (one a game winner) against the German U17 National Team.

“It really is a great feeling to make the 17’s. All of the hard work I have put in has paid off. I am so appreciative of the coaches at Rush who have helped me get to this point. I am just thrilled for this opportunity,” exclaimed Lindsey upon hearing the good news.  

Lindsey’s coach, and Rush Soccer President, Tim Schulz agreed saying, “Lindsey is making a name for herself nationally.  She continues to work hard.  I say this specifically so the other players see the formula….hard work pays off.  She does not work hard because we tell her to or because she has to, she works hard because she loves the game.   Currently she has realigned her goals….she wants to help the US win a world championship.”

(02.26.10)
Idaho Rush Coaches to Participate in Blue Toe 2010

Coaches for the Idaho Rush have already begun to look at the extended forecast in Idaho as the club has decided that all coaches will coach their games on March 6 barefoot. Coaches are making this sacrifice, and hoping for sunny conditions (the current 10 day calls for rain showers), as a fundraiser aimed at providing shoes to children in Haiti. For more information on the event click here or to learn how your team can participate contact Idaho DOC Mark French.

(02.25.10)
Two Rush Stars Invited to id2 National Camp

(Megan and Madi)

Megan Buckingham of the Michigan Rush and Madi Hall of the Colorado Rush have been invited to US Club Soccer's ID2 National Camp starting Friday February 26th and running through March 1.

The ID2 camp helps provide the best female players in the nation an additional opportunity for exposure to National Team staff members.

Many of the players attending this camp, including Madi, were selected through their play in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). Madi plays for Colorado's U15 Nike girls who are currently in fourth place in the 'A' bracket with three games to be played in March at the Las Vegas College Showcase.

Congratulations girls and good luck at camp!

For a complete list of the players attending the id2 National Camp, please click here.

(02.24.10)
Casey and USA begin Tune Ups for World Cup


Colorado Rush alum Conor Casey is one of 20 players on the USA roster for this evenings game against El Salvador (7PM EST, ESPN Classic). Conor is still looking to secure a spot on the roster for the 2010 World Cup and a good showing tonight will only help the cause.
"Conor has positioned himself nicely for a shot at making the World Cup roster," commented Rush Soccer Technical Director Andrew Kummer. "With two big goals in the qualifyer against Honduras he showed that he is a class player in front of the goal. I wish him well tonight."

(02.23.10)
Maryland Joins Rush Nation

Rush Soccer is excited to announce that we now have a partner in Maryland! Please click here for all the details.

(02.16.10)
Rush Select Teams at PDT (Updated 2.16)

(Girls teams training on Friday)
Four Rush 'Select' Teams will be competing in Phoenix this weekend at the President's Day Tournament.
Tune in over the next few days for scores and updates as our Select teams look for success in sunny Arizona.

(U14 Boys training before the PDT)

Day 3 scores- The U13 Girls Select were the last Select team standing at the PDT in Arizona. They took on Sereno on Monday.
T 0-0 Sereno - (Select lose 4-3 in PK's)
Player of the game: Emily Maresh - Michigan Rush
 

Day 2 scores

U13 Girls
W 4-0 Balistic (NV)
W 1-0 Grand Junction Fire (CO) - Quarterfinal
Have advanced to Monday Semi-final vs. Sereno. Winner will play in final against winner of Sonoma County Alliance and Utah Avalanche Premier Monday afternoon.

U13 Boys
L 2-0 VSA (NV)
T 3-3 SC Del Sol (AZ) - Consolation game
Finished PDT 1-2-1.

U14 Girls
W 1-0 Sparta United (UT)
W 4-1 SC Del Sol (AZ) - Consolation game
Finished PDT 2-2

U14 Boys
L 3-2 Milan FC (Canada)
W 3-1 Eastside FC (WA) - Consolation game
Finished PDT 2-1-1

Players of the day from day 2:
Girls: Abby Moore U14 Girls - KS Rush
Boys: Johnny Nartowicz U13 Boys - FL Rush

Day 1 of the Presidents Day Tournament is in the books for 4 Rush Select teams. 

U13 Girls
W 4-0 San Tan Legacy (AZ)
W 5-0 Cook Inlet SC Velocity (AK)

U13 Boys
W 2-0 Tuzos  SC (AZ)
L 2-0 Alliance FC Academy (MI)

U14 Girls
L 2-1 Michigan Rush Nike
L 2-1 North West Nationals (WA)

U14 Boys
T 3-3 NM Stricker FC
W 2-0 Sereno

Players of the day from day 1:
Girls: Betsy Brandon U13 Girls – CO Rush
Boys: Geoffery Dee U 14 Boys – TN Rush

(02.14.10)
Stanton Off to U15 National Camp

(Morgan (right) at National Camp)

Morgan Stanton who plays with the U15 Colorado Rush Nike team is heading to California for a week of training with the U15 National Team. Morgan does have some experience with the national team as she was part of the U14 Identification Camp last year and also spent some time with the U14 team. Before heading out to the Home Depot Center, Morgan took a few minutes to share her thoughts on the camp.


You are headed off to U15 national camp soon. How are you feeling heading into camp?
I’m really excited just because it’s a great experience but at the same time I’m nervous. I know at first I will be nervous but after the first practice I can open up and will get used to being around everyone. So I’m really excited just because the coaching staff is so good and the players are really good. I’m looking forward to learning a lot from the coaching staff and bring what I’ve learned home to the Rush and help my team get better.

How is this camp going to be different from when you were called in for the U14 ID program?
There is only one team this time instead of two. This year we will play against a college team from California and a boy’s team. So I think it is going to be a lot more serious than last time and I think they will be expecting more out of us. We are also doing a bunch of testing this time. There is a running test, a long ball test and a shooting/chipping test as well as a juggling test. I have been working with my coach (Wes Hart) on some of these tests so hopefully I will be ready and perform well under pressure.

What other kinds of training have you been doing in preparation?
I’ve been working hard to improve on the areas that they told me to work on last camp. I’ve been watching a lot of games on TV to see how the pros play and their technique and field recognition. I’ve also been playing a lot with older girls teams and against boys just to get the feel of playing against stronger players.

Watching all of these games on TV, you must have a favorite team and favorite player.
Yeah. Barcelona and Messi.

Is a week long camp harder physically or mentally?
I think it’s harder mentally because sometimes you won’t start a game and you might get a little down on yourself or if you are playing older, harder teams and you don’t play as well. This is basically a week long tryout so you are nervous and you want to do well. So when things don’t go your way you struggle mentally. Physically things aren’t too bad because they get us lots of rest and great trainers to take care of us but the mental side you have to work on by yourself.