FC7Soccer® BLOG - Official FC7Soccer®DA | #PlayElite LAFC® SCV Grassroots futbol

Spring Sessions and Club Training Underway

4/25/2018

FC7Soccer® Academy and Club™ teams are in full swing with spring training at Fair Oaks Ranch Park in SCV. The academy boasts 4 rudiments of matriculation with a total of 13 cleat levels for certification and 10 degrees of mastery per level to become certified. All coaches are U.S. Soccer licensed and Positive Coaching Alliance certified. We do background checks. The club teams are the "Cheetahs".

What you should know. The second rudiment (or Intermediate Elements) are where a player gets invited to tryout for the club teams (Cheetahs). Those cleat levels mirror the U.S. Soccer youth club soccer levels of play for boys and girls. Prior to that, a player must go through 3 cleat levels at the Beginner rudiment and pass the testing assessment for each to matriculate. The testing is based on the European and U.S. Soccer youth training and player development models for developing fine motor skills (technique), gross motor skills (movement with and without the ball on the pitch), agility, conditioning, and mental acuity (situational awareness on the pitch and knowing the laws-positions-formations-set plays).

Our systems gives you the data behind what your player needs to do to become the best player that they can be. Sign your player up now.

Academy Testing was Fantastic!

3/25/2018

Each level is assessed by a licensed coach. 2018

FC7Soccer® Academy™ wraps it's first weekend of testing for assessment in the new elite player development program. The testing consists of 4 Rudiments, 13 Levels, and 10 Degrees of Mastery within each level. For testing levels we use "Clustering Analysis" with predetermined processes that accurately measure; footwork, ball control, agility, and mental acuity covering both the fine and gross motor skills categories in measuring physical ability related to the techniques of soccer. We built our models around the European and U.S. Soccer® Club models with heavy South American influence mixed in.

The players all responded well. Both the FC7SA™ coaches and the players now truly understand each player's strengths and weaknesses (physically and mentally) so we may accurately chart a strategy together to prepare them for the road into club and to developing holistically as a player in the academy. This is a great benchmark for us to work against for the rest of the 2018 year, and to begin the next 8 weeks of sessions with.

Very few mastered all 10 degrees of their assessed cleat levels to receive certification and move to the next. However, most made at least 5 of the 10 degrees toward mastery. That is promising and each player should be very proud of the way they performed today. We are all very proud of them. - FC7Soccer Management and Staff.

September 18th, 2017

9/18/2017

Co-Founder, Coach CW

FATE or DESTINY? It has been my experience that fate is what your life becomes when you are self serving and are unconsciously or aimlessly going through it without awareness and/or taking action. It's the carefree road that is much more traveled in this day and age.

Our culture here at FC7Soccer dictates that you choose the smart road. Start by observation, listening, and being aware. Take action (effort) then learn from your mistakes to find the milestones of your destiny. You will know them when you align with them. They will feel like a long lost friend to you, but it's not a single road or an easy path to encounter so be focused and set goals to achieve. Challenge yourself to be fearless yet sagacious. Persist to persevere and the scars you obtain along the way will continuously serve as trophies of strength in remembrance of what it took to deny fate and find destiny -your truth path of service in this lifetime.. - CW Pickering 2017

Spring Season League Champions; U9 and U11 -2017

9/5/2017

Our U11 Champs and our U9 Champs.

Training makes the difference. Along with practice, the academy training is the reason we became league champions in 2 of the 3 divisions in the league (CSA) this Spring season (2017). We had 4 teams in the league run by the California Sports Academy this season (Spring of 2017). They were a U7 team, two U9 teams, and a U11 team.

The U7 team finished in 3rd place out of 8 teams and missed playing for the championship (playoffs are only the top 2 teams in each division). This is typically made up of kids new to the academy (5-6 year olds).

In U9, we had our regular team and since a team dropped out, the league asked if FC7Soccer Academy could produce another U9 team. With the league's help we were able to create a developmental team along side our regular U9 team were we also discovered a few potential standouts. Our regular U9 team won the division vs Real Madrid in an amazing finish. A true "El Clasico" mirroring La Liga in Europe. Our developmental U9 team won a couple of games and was in every game right to the end. What was even better was that it exposed some potential that we can add to the club level soon on both the girls and boys side. We are very enthusiastic about the potential in the academy.

Our U11 team finished very strong to handily win the division. The championship game was won by the score of 4-1. Since most of the players are 8 and 9 year olds with only a few at age 10, we anticipate starting a club team in the fall to begin competing at the club level here in SoCal. Co-Founder and Technical Director, Coach Afsheen feels we are ready for the next level: CLUB. We will begin with a single boys team at U11 and then grow from there. We can use a few good players, especially on the girls side to grow the club side of the organization.

For more information on the club side please visit our club page on this site. For more information on joining the academy, please visit our academy page. If you would like to sign up, please go to our sign up page.

FC7Soccer is Adding Club Teams to the Academy.

8/30/2017

Call Us: +1-323-844-FC7Soccer (3277)

FC7 Soccer Inc., a Not-for-Profit corporation, is adding a club branch along side of it's highly successful academy branch.

At first, the goal will be to take the players who want and need bigger challenges to the next level. We anticipate this being the first of many club teams on both the boys and girls side in soccer for the Santa Clarita Valley.

We already require all of our coaches to have a U.S. Soccer Coaching license and be certified by the Positive Coaching Alliance as a "Double Goal Coach". That puts us in a unique position and at a higher level than most of the club teams within a 50 miles plus radius.

Our coaching staff is headed toward "Elite Status" for teaching skills and a growth mindset training our players. If you are considering an academy and/or club to join, you really should bring your child out to try our camp complimentary and see if it is what you are in the market for. To see more on our Academy and our Club division, please check out the academy and club pages here on our site, and watch our commercial.

To find out more about our club teams go to our Cheetahs Club Team page. Thank you. -FC7Soccer Management 2017

Spring 2017 is Almost at Playoffs - TeamFCB

5/16/2017

The training and player development are paying off for the FC7 Soccer Academy's TeamFCBarcelona. Right now with just 1 game left in the season, both U9 and U11 are undefeated. With the playoffs just around the corner [playoffs are the first week in June], we will broadcast the games live on our Facebook and Twitter pages for all of you who cannot attend but would like to watch. Just keep an eye out on our website for the exact date and times. You will find them on the TeamFCBarcelona page. We will be looking for club players soon too. So keep an eye out on our Cheetahs page at FC7soccer.com. -Thank you for your support.

Lemons: The Super Food for Athletes [a Good Read]

3/23/2017

We Honor the Game - PCA Partner

In May of 1953, the British finally made international history when Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to safely reach the icy peak of the world’s highest mountain.
It was an incredible physical feat by brave men. Yet, why did they succeed when so many before them had failed.
Flush Toxins, Regulate Blood Pressure & Sleep Better by Drinking Warm Lemon Water Daily.
One of the key reasons is they uncovered a new secret weapon—something never tried before by other climbers. It was a special all-natural healing tonic—that research showed could dramatically boost their level of fitness... and thus, increase their chances of finally reaching Everest's summit.
What was their secret advantage? The amazing healing power of the world’s most versatile super fruit…the lemon.
In India, the Ayurveda used lemon to heal stomach issues, referring to its value as a “promoter of gastric fire.” The Romans used lemons as a cure for all types of “poison.” And historians report that 12th century Egyptians prized lemons for their “vast medicinal power.”
So it no longer surprised me that the British would enlist the help of the lemon in their quest to pull off one of the greatest feats humankind has ever known.
The secret: the team’s own physiologist Griff Pugh drafted a strict diet for the climbers—which included drinking “copious amounts of hot water with lemon to combat the acute effects of dehydration at altitude.”
Incredibly, not only did “brewed lemon tea” help the pair succeed when no one else had, Hillary and Tenzing returned from their historic mission in far better condition than any previous Everest assault team!
It may seem amazing, but when I began digging through the vast amount of resesarch on lemons, it started to make sense. For example, dating back to ancient civilizations, the lemon has been used regularly to treat all kinds of heatlh conditions. CITE: The Alternative Daily on 3/23/2017

Fall Season 2016 has All 3 Teams Undefeated

9/13/2016

It is midway through the season and FCBarcelona U7-U9-U11 are all undefeated to date. We have seen some very unselfish play at all 3 levels. Parents should be proud of their players with the great effort they have all put in to date.

FCB U9 Team Finishes Second to Real Madrid

8/3/2016

FCB 0 v RM 2 -CHAMPIONSHIP U9 2016 SPRING SEASON

Spring season 2016 gave the FC7 Soccer Academy® players opportunity to play in club level games so they can test their chops on the FCBarcelona U-Level teams we coach in Southern California.

It was a bit disappointing finish to an otherwise great season for the U9 club. An almost storybook season finishing with only one loss during the season and that was on an amazing comeback by the Real Madrid team 2-3. FCB U9 was winning for three quarters of the game 2-0 and then 2-1 when a handball in the box gave them a penalty kick to tie it up at 2-2.

The game stayed that way for the final 5 minutes and with less than a minute to go a great pass to their top player who drove in and beat our goalie for the game winner. That was in the regular season for our only blemish.

In the finale (finals of the playoffs) it was a rematch of "El Clasico" -FC Barcelona versus Real Madrid once again. We came out strong with high tempo controlling the ball the whole first half with 8 shots on goal and numerous steals versus no shots on goal for RM. Still we went into halftime scoreless at 0-0.

Coach Afsheen and Coach Andrew made adjustments and the FCB U9 team came out again strong with 6 more shots on goal before Real Madrid even had their first. Midway through half number two, another handball just outside of the box gave RM their first opportunity to score. A well placed ball went over the wall and got by our goalkeeper to give RM a 1-0 lead. We had numerous more opportunities to tie, but fell short of anything getting by their keeper. With about a minute to go in the match, Real Madrid's striker drove past our goalkeeper on the pitch for another score to make it 2-0, which is how it ended.

Our hats go off to all of our players who played well enough to win, but just didn't have the luck. A great job by our coaching staff as well -all season long! Congrats to the entire Real Madrid team for winning the championship.

On another note, the FCBarcelona U11 team played for 3rd place versus Real Madrid U11 in another version of "El Clasico". Unfortunately they too lost; 1-0 in another very tight battle. Congratulations Manchester City defeating the Galaxy for first place.

FC7SA-FC Barcelona U9 Team is Undefeated.

4/26/2016

Here we are 5 games into the season and the FC Barcelona U9 team is undefeated and untied upon shutting out 4 of 5 opponents. We have a bunch of newbies [rookies] that are working with the more experienced players and they are becoming better players a lot faster because of it. So far U9 has beaten Arsenal; 3-1, FCBM; 4-0, Roma; 4-0, Manchester City; 3-0, and AC Milan; 3-0. We have only given up 1 goal the whole season and that was in the first game versus Arsenal. Interestingly enough FC Barcelona beat Arsenal in Champions League that same week; 3-1.

These players are passing the ball, hustling, playing tenacious defense and unselfish offense. That is the difference maker between U9 and U11. The FCB U11 team has a bunch of stars but they do not always hustle or play aggressively like the U9 team does and it has cost them potentially a playoff spot. The U9 team is in first place and will be guaranteed a playoff spot if they continue to win.

We Welcome Coach Andrew to FC7 Soccer Academy®

3/24/2016

FC Barcelona U9 and U11 Spring Season

3/24/2016

Princess Messi 10

This year FC7 Soccer Academy® is taking on 2 FC Barcelona teams in the California Sports Academy soccer league. We will have both a U9 and a U11 team. We have enough kids to do so. Parents have been asking so be sure and sign your child up for the spring season 2016.

It is more than likely some of the kids will play on both teams sharing their time. If we need to we will recruit new kids but only for the U9 team. You may sign your child/player up at CaliforniaSportsAcademy.org or use the link on our FC7 Soccer Academy® page. We will also send out an email link. Remember we are not affiliated with the league so you must indicate your child will play for FC Barcelona -Coach Charles and Coach Afsheen in the comments section when you sign up. Thank you,

FC7 Soccer Academy

3/14/2016

FC7 Soccer Camp is now officially FC7 Soccer Academy. We need all player's parents to sign a new waiver of liability and indemnification, Please see Coach Afsheen either before or after training. Any player who has not signed the waiver before April 1st, 2016, will not be able to participate until the waiver is signed by their parent(s). Thank you.

FC7 Soccer Camp cultivates FC Barcelona U10

1/1/2016

The team [FC Barcelona U10] played really well in the 2015 fall season. Especially when you consider we had 6 year olds, mostly 7 year olds, and some 8 year olds playing against mostly 9 and 10 year olds on all of the other teams. The goal is to get the kids used to playing against kids older, bigger, and sometimes faster than they are since from high school on, that is how they will compete. As freshman they will be up against seniors and juniors in both high school and college. If you get them used to playing up now, the intimidation factor is nullified and then it is all about technique, skill, and finesse - or what they have been practicing.

We are very proud of each and every player. We know some played more than others, but watching and learning is just as important as the playing experience. Their time will come soon based on how much time they put in - you only get what you give.

Game 1 FCB: Win v. Dortmund 13-0

10/27/2015

We made a statement to start off the fall league. FC Barcelona came out guns blazing! Our mini-Messi; Julian broke the game wide open and finished with 4 goals. James dropped in 3 more at Striker. Tanush popped in a couple for good measure and was a monster on the defense side. Ethan, Armando, Juan, Chris all drove home scores for FCB and played fantastic in their respective team roles. Nikki, Varun, Balu, and Anish played great with assists, steals, and just missed scoring multiple times. They played in service of each other unselfishly passing, scoring early and often. On defense they ganged up on Dortmund with high-pressure up top featuring all they have learned at FC7 Soccer Camp training all summer!

TIP: Protecting / Shielding The Soccer Ball

9/20/2015

the skill of shielding the ball from the defender is an area that is very important for young players (both offensive and defensive players) and needs to be addressed in practice on a regular basis! The key component for players to remember is that what ever side the defender is on, to keep yourself between the defender and the ball. If the defender is on the left then the ball is on the right foot furthest away from the defender!

TIP: The Importance of Ball Technique

9/1/2015

Spending 15 - 20 minutes a day practicing with the ball will vastly improve many aspects of your soccer game! Basic technical drills such as JUGGLING with your feet, thighs and head as well various forms of the BELL (1-2 sole inside, outside, and instep) will greatly improve your touch on the ball (dribbling, passing, control and trapping) with all parts of the foot!!!

FC 7 Players Improving

8/30/2015

FC7SA players are continuing to show improvement each week with their passing, dribbling,( using the inside and instep of the foot as well as change of direction and in - out )shooting and defensive skills.

FC7. Blue Team Progressing

8/16/2015

Team is playing much more consistent on both sides of the ball. FC 7 players are showing vast improvement with both their dribbling and passing skills. Let's hear your comments.

Debut Win for Blue Team in Summer League Play

8/2/2015

Our debut in the summer league went well. We are the Blue team mainly made up of our core from the Cheetahs in CSA, U8, minus a star or two. The win was 8-4.

Wow, the competition is strong, despite the score and the game is fast in two ways. First it is only 40 minutes, and second, since there really is no out of bounds, play is continuous.

The scoring was quick. We scored 4 unanswered goals, then they scored 4 unanswered goals to tie by halftime. We made a few adjustments on defense and we then scored 4 more unanswered goals to close it out with a win. The good news is we won, the other news is this was the weakest team in the league.

The scoring went like this. Nikki scored our very first goal in transition. That was followed by 3 goals from Julian and 3 goals from Ethan. Juan also blasted a goal and took a steal end-to-end and found Julian open to sore one of his 3 goals. Michael almost scored a goal, just wasn't quite able to put it away this time. He and Stephano played stellar on defense with multiple steals and some fantastic transition passing that lead to goals. Lily, a member of the Blue team also, played rock solid "D" for us.

We welcome any of you to come join before it's too late. Please reach out to us for details. We also hope to hear from you in the comments section below. Please also share this with friends and family on your personal social media sites. See everyone on Saturday.

A Sad Day for U.S. Soccer #MNT

7/25/2015

You can blame the inconsistency in lineups from Coach Klinsmann, but when it comes down to it the culprit was laziness and poor execution. #USMNT should be embarrassed, especially the so called leaders on the team. Maybe it is time to recognize there is talent in the U.S. that goes untapped year-after-year in soccer. The real truth; 75%-85% of the players on #USMNT probably shouldn't be on the team simply because they are not the best in the country. No heart, no sense of urgency, no leadership, and bad tactics more times than not. No one has replaced Donovan as a leader -no one! Call it the glass half full or half empty, but the way I see it -let me tell you about the benefits of ice Coach Klinsmann. You said it yourself in 2010. -What is your opinion on this folks?

CONCACAF games being overshadowed by poor officiating!

7/19/2015

Mexico benefits from a horrible call! Not only should the game have ended but to take away a game that was hard fought by both teams is a travesty! The refereeing has been consistently bad throughout the tournament, showing once again the influence of FIFA and its corruption of the game the world loves!!!

Klinsmann: Genius or Just Lucky???

7/18/2015

48 hours after sending their top forward home, the U.S. Mens National Team #USMNT, dominated Cuba in the Gold Cup Quarter Finals. Now we typically dominate Cuba in international play, but that is a gutsy call to make going into the elimination stage of a major tournament.

Knowing Klinsmann's background, my take is that he is a great chess player and so I would choose "genius". However, I am interested in your opinions and would also like to hear what you think about the Altidore incident. Please write your comments on this blog and on our Facebook page at FC7soccer.

Consistency!

7/13/2015

Klingsmann stresses the importance of players getting consistent playing time in order to build cohesion on the soccer field, yet, in the second game of the Gold Cup, he started 7 new players. He has to continue to stick with same line up in order for the players to comfortable with each other!!!

We Need Your Advice!

7/10/2015

We are trying to decide on which LOGO for our youth soccer camp tee shirts is best. Please take a good look, then vote by commenting below. Tell us why you feel so strongly about your choice. Everyone that comments will be put into a drawing and can win a complementary FC7 Soccer Camp tee, just like the one that will be worn by camp members. The only way you can win is by giving us your opinion on which LOGO should win and why along with your name and email.. I look forward seeing lots of comments!