US Youth Soccer Midwest Conference Club vs. Club Division kicks off inaugural season

FRISCO, TX — The first matchups of the inaugural season of the Club vs Club Division in the US Youth Soccer Midwest Conference kicked off this past weekend at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo.

St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club (MO) hosted Galaxy Soccer Club (IL) on Saturday, as the clubs’ 15U-19U boys teams all began their Spring 2020 season in the Club vs. Club Division.

As a club, SLSG enjoyed a very successful outing, as its teams earned victories in all five age groups:

• SLSG 05 Elite won, 3-2
• SLSG 04 Elite won, 6-1
• SLSG 03 Elite won, 1-0
• SLSG 02 Elite won, 2-1
• SLSG 01 Elite won, 4-0

Andy Cooper, director of SLSG’s Boys Elite Program and head coach of the 02 Elite Boys team, talked about why his 02 Elite team’s matchup against Galaxy 02 Boys Blue had significant meaning for the players.

“The team put a lot of emphasis on this match going into the weekend,” Cooper said. “We had lost to Galaxy 02 at Regionals last year, 7-1. We came into this game with four starters missing due to injuries and sickness, but our boys wanted to right the wrongs of the last outing against Galaxy.

“This Galaxy 02 team is very strong and they were better than us in the first half. But, we handled the low spots of the game well. We made some adjustments at halftime and the boys were able to go out and execute those changes in the second half, which resulted in two goals for us.”

SLSG Elite 02’s two goals came from Seth Anderson and proved to be enough for the victory, even with Galaxy scoring a late goal off of a penalty kick to make the final score 2-1.

Cooper talked about SLSG’s first experience with the format of the Club vs. Club Division in the Midwest Conference.

“It’s a big deal to sweep all five games in the first weekend of the Club vs Club Division,” Cooper said. “We love this format and to be able to win all five games and do it at home feels great. The competition is tough and I don’t think there will be many teams that will win all five games in a day, so this is a great first step for us.”

Cooper talked about how the Club vs. Club Division format goes beyond the game for SLSG.

“The coolest part for us is that we all get to be around each other and create a unity that is important to Scott Gallagher,” Cooper said. “We love to see players, coaches and parents stick around and watch the next games. All five of our teams have each other there for support, on and off the field.

“For instance, our 01 Elite coach’s daughter, Cortney Marschuetz, has brain cancer and she was able to come out and watch a few games on Saturday. It was great to see the players giving her hugs and wearing ‘Cortney Strong’ shirts to show support and raise awareness. It’s that kind of unity everyone is proud to be a part of as a club.”

Club vs. Club Division action continues for the Midwest Conference March 1 in St. Louis when Lou Fusz (MO) hosts Libertyville FC 1974 Elite (IL).

For more information on the Midwest Conference and its Club vs. Club Division, click here.