ANALYSIS
Regionals a showcase for soccer

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Under a facade of having fun in the sun, the 2003 Snickers U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals concluded Saturday at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Park with champions in more than just 16 age groups.

Saturday's girls under-12 championship match drew a large crowd at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Park. The San Diego Surf beat Ho'okalakupua, 1-0, in overtime on an own goal. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

But unlike last year's American Youth Soccer Organization nationals, this was serious business for more than 60 college coaches and 4,000 players.

"The tournament is extremely important for the players," said University of Hawai'i women's soccer coach Pinsoom Tenzing, who watched the games Saturday. "I can't overemphasize the importance of this tournament for college-bound kids. This is a wonderful showcase for them."

For many of the players, the tournament served as springboard for college scholarships and an opportunity to follow in the cleat steps of former U.S. Youth Soccer Far West (Region IV) players who have ascended to the U.S. National Team such as Cobi Jones, Kasey Keller, Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy.

"Region IV is quite renowned for putting out great talent," said Scott Keopuhiwa, president of Hawai'i Youth Soccer Association and chairman of the Hawai'i organizing committee for the regionals. "A lot of times, our national teams are speckled with Region IV players. The fact that many of them start here, as well as their state competitions, it speaks volumes that this tournament is quite prestigious to be a part of."

Les Armstrong, the director of coaching for Arizona's Sereno Soccer Club, said the tournament offered an opportunity for unknown players to make a name for themselves.

"What (the college coaches) are really looking for are the kids who have not been noticed before," Armstrong said. "They're looking for the darkhorse."

Tenzing proved it was never too early to begin watching prospective Rainbow Wahine soccer players. He sat glued to the action in the girls under-12 division final between Hawai'i and California-South..

"They're going to grow up someday and be playing for the University of Hawai'i," Tenzing said. "I'm just trying to identify them early. I have seen some very good kids on this team right here."

Coaches from several other colleges — including Florida State, Georgetown, Iowa, Notre Dame, Gonzaga and Arizona State — also attended the tournament.

"For college, I want to play with North Carolina," said Chelsey Goo, a standout forward for the Ho'okalakupua (girls U12) team and an eighth-grader-to-be at Mililani Middle School. "I like North Carolina because our coach (Jason Goodson) always tells us that their coach Anson Dorrance is a soccer god."

Goo said she wants to play high school soccer for Kamehameha, Iolani or Punahou. Her parents, Darrin and Wendy, say that tournaments such as the Far West Regionals offer Chelsey exposure to top competition and quality schools.

"We're trying to get her into a school where we can get her into a good soccer program," Darrin Goo said. "Soccer is her life. Basically, she eats and sleeps soccer."

In two years, Goo and others in her age division will likely become familiar with various coaches, including college level instructors, who will begin monitoring potential star players.

"Come the ages of 14-15 and older that's when they start getting looked at by regional, national and college coaches," said Goodson, who added that coaches at that time begin creating player pools and tracking players. "When they become sophomores and juniors, (coaches) can do a follow-up to see where they are."

Goodson said soccer has presented many Hawai'i players with college scholarship opportunities, especially for girls who are playing at a high level at a young age.

"For those who may not have the financial means to attend certain universities, soccer and scholarships may be their only way," Goodson said. "Soccer is bigger than it has ever been. I'd give anything to be a 12-year-old girl right now."

• First for Hawai'i: Patrick Carroll, 26, of Honolulu, became the first referee from Hawai'i selected to officiate at the national championships.

Carroll will represent Hawai'i at the 2003 Snickers U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships at Germantown, Md., on July 22-27.

A selection committee judged Carroll and other referees on their performance in the Far West Regionals. The referees were critiqued on various mechanics of the game, including their ability to control the game, their overall fitness, the way they blow their whistle, and other areas, said Mike Wong, Hawai'i's state referee administrator.

"All week I've been on top of my game," Carroll said. "I'm very happy."

Wong said the ultimate goal for a referee is to officiate in the World Cup and "this is the beginning of the process."

"At this point in time, he's probably the best referee we have in the state of Hawai'i," Wong said. "It's a great honor."