Midfielder Drini Redzepi puts in a tackle during semifinal action at the Las Vegas Mayor's Cup.

Matches will take place at the Texans’ Ross Stewart Soccer Complex, with our teams playing some of the best from throughout Texas and the Southwest.

On the boys’ side, the well-traveled AKFC 98 United squad will compete in the U14 division, which is already filling up with top competition, including the 2010 Dallas Cup finalists, Houstonians FC 98 Red, as well as the state champions from both Kansas and Oklahoma. Also traveling to Dallas–for the first time as an AKFC squad–are the 96 United boys. Led by club captain Ben Atkinson and a potent attack, the U16 team promises to turn plenty of heads in Dallas. Rounding out the group, and returning to action in AKFC colors after a great experience in Arizona last spring, the 00 United boys bring together one of the most diverse squads in Alaska, including players from Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Kenai and Fairbanks.

Leading the AKFC girls’ contingent is 96 Aurora, a team comprised of high-school sophomores who are already well into the college recruitment process. The Dallas tournament is yet another step in their development cycle, as the team also prepares for college-showcase participation in February.

Last but certainly not least, the AKFC 01 Aurora girls will again be taking the field in our navy-and-white strip. After an extremely impressive start in Las Vegas last fall, and absolute domination in the 2011 Nike Crossfire Challenge this past July, the team is hoping to build on their success and continue to develop at an accelerated rate. This team currently features the largest player pool within AKFC and remains one of the most exciting age groups within the program.

For more information, or to follow the teams in Texas, click here.

Things kick off in mid-February with three younger squads heading for the sun of Phoenix to take part in the 2011 Desert Classic, hosted by SC Del Sol. Taking part this year will be AKFC 00 Aurora, AKFC 99 United and AKFC 00 United.

The following weekend the AKFC 98 United boys will arrive in Phoenix for the prestigious President’s Day Tournament. Currently the #2 ranked boys tournament by GotSoccer, PDT is necessarily a very difficult tournament to gain entry into, and based on their exceptional record against top competition across the western United States, and in Sweden last summer, the AKFC 98 boys were even granted early acceptance. Well done, boys!

Following Phoenix in February, there will be a slight break for AKFC travel teams, though most players will still be participating in the Center of Excellence-Elite. After our USYS squads return from their trips to Far West Regionals, we expect to see several AKFC teams on the road again, including the AKFC 01 Aurora girls, recent semifinalists (Telemundo [Gold] Division) at the Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup.

Match time!

Making their first trip out of state, the AKFC 01 Aurora girls hit the ground running, defeating the home club’s U10 side 6-0 in a preliminary friendly match on Thursday evening. The tournament proper started off a little less successfully, however, with the girls dropping to a 4-1 defeat against a very powerful Las Vegas Premier 01 White. Though the match was tied 1-1 just after the half, LV Premier used their speed very well to pour in three goals on the Alaska visitors. After regrouping and downing Downtown Las Vegas Rapids 01 Navy by a score of 4-0, the girls moved on into the semifinals to face Dynamo Vegas 01, the pre-tournament favorites.

Delaney battles for position.

In a frantic, seesaw match, the AKFC girls twice fell behind by a single goal, but markers from Gabby Wakaliuk and Delaney Shults, both of Matanuska Soccer Club, pulled the team back. Unfortunately, the winner never came, despite a number of quality half-chances, and the squad went out on penalty kicks. Still, a very credible performance at a high level for this young squad of players facing their first tests out of state.

On the much more experienced side of things, the AKFC 98 United boys returned to Vegas to compete in what’s now the #6 ranked tournament for their division in the entire nation.

The team started well, defeating the premier team from one of CalNorth’s top clubs, De Anza Force, 3-1, behind a brace from forward Ben Sande and a free-kick from Bailey Letherman. That set up what amounted to a quarterfinal showdown versus Neusport FC from Las Vegas. The locals started well, heading into the interval with a 1-0 lead. However, just after the restart, Letherman threaded a through-ball to KPSC product Josh Jackman, who buried the chance first-time to level things. The contest seesawed for the remainder of the second half; then, with under three minutes remaining, Jackman found MSC forward Kyle Broach, who beat his defender the ball and stabbed it into the roof of the net to provide the game-winner. 2-1 to AKFC and onto the semifinals, where just two years’ prior, AKFC 98 United had been knocked out on PKs by Mustang SC of California-North.

Determined not to repeat their mistakes from the prior year, AKFC stormed out of the blocks, with central midfielder Letherman scoring with a left-footed shot just two minutes into the game. Moments later, Sande doubled the lead, poking home a centering pass from Dillon Van Hoek.

Right back Josh Spannagel holds off a Vegas Silver forward.

After the half, the team upped the defensive pressure, as Vegas Silver began to hit hopeful long-balls in search of their forwards. Then, catastrophe struck, a keeper was chipped, and things were much more tense. Just minutes after cutting the AKFC lead in half, the same forward struck again, heading home from a corner to tie things up. Despite a handful of good chances in the final ten minutes, the contest went to kicks from the mark, and like two years ago, AKFC fell in spot kicks. The boys’ disappointment was made worse hours later when Vegas Silver handled Cobras 98 Red from Texas South easily to take home the crown.

Click here to view a slideshow from the AKFC 98 United Semfinals (courtesy Jaime Chew).

Click here to watch video highlights from AKFC 98 United 3 – De Anza Force 97 Blue 1

Click here to watch video highlights from AKFC 98 United 2 – Vegas Silver 2 (3-1 PKs)

With parents and coaches seated in the stands with 52,000 other spectators in the sold-out Gamla Ullevi Stadium, the AKFC players and chaperones gathered outside the arena with players from 70 different countries, all prepared to march into the madness to represent their nations. For over an hour the crowd was treated to musical and dance performances as the teams entered, and then the moment we were all waiting for — the introduction of the United States of America. To a huge roar, not to mention everything from goosebumps to tears from the parents in attendance, our AKFC players entered the stadium.

Led by flag-bearer Ben Sande, they marched around the track and across the field to a huge ovation; our players waved their flags and held aloft their video cameras and generally just celebrated the moment.

Once the craziness subsided and all the nations had entered the arena, the ceremonies were concluded with a few more songs, the official opening of the games, and a fantastic fireworks show. To see some highlights of this wonderful event, find the YouTube video here (go to the 4-minute mark to see the entry of the United States).

Saturday, July 17
After a tortuous wait to transfer to our new school, Ånässkolan, we were picked up in several cars by the wonderful folks from Åsa IF. The group was led by Anders Bäckman, head coach for the 98 boys group in their club, who also sent two cars to the airport to pick up our late arrivals, Drini and Veton Redzepi, plus the parents coming in late. We traveled to Åsa, a village some 40 km down the coast of Sweden from Göteborg, and prepared for our friendly matches. The first thing the boys noticed, of course, was the extravagance of the soccer facilities.  Åsa is only a small village, with a small football club in the fourth division, and yet we arrived at a complex with two turf fields and four grass fields. The boys were sent into a club house and given their own locker room to change and prepare, while the parents and coaches were treated to coffee and juice at the fields. There is a stadium nearby, with a “nice” match field, according to Anders, and a major club house, but we’d play our friendlies here.

The games began with two small-sided contests, as AKFC played each of the Åsa IF 98 boys teams. I don’t think they were quite prepared for our kind of quality from an American side, as within ten minutes AKFC led 6-0. The second 25-minutes went much better for the local team, as our Alaska boys only managed three or four goals, but again gave up nothing. After a break for juice and a small snack, again provided by the local parents, we played a full-sided half, which AKFC dominated. Then we ended the soccer day by mixing the two teams and playing a final half, which was quite fun for everyone, including the fans from both clubs.

For a final treat, the folks from Åsa led everyone to the nearby beach, where they’d prepared a barbecue to welcome our Alaska group to Sweden. While everyone enjoyed soft drinks and hamburgers, players from both countries mingled, swam in the ocean and eventually swapped Facebook details. Now that we’re home, several players have already made contact with their new friends in Åsa. It also must be said that the hospitality and friendliness displayed by Anders and his group went well beyond any of our expectations. These were truly great people, and we all owe them a big debt of gratitude.

Sunday, July 18
A day of relaxation for the team, who had time to settle into their new digs at Ånässkolan. Our ony excursion of the day was a short trip on the tram to Hjällbovallen to check out the fields we’d be playing on over the next few days.

What a surprise! The facilities at Hjällbovallen are owned by Gunnilse IS, a Swedish club formed in September, 1950, and currently playing in Division 2 (Västra Götaland). A groundskeeper was present and let us into the stadium, where the team was allowed to walk on the field we’d start our tournament on. It was simply the best surface any of our players had ever walked on, and there was plenty of excitement for the games in the morning.

First up — Makati FC (Philippines) at 9 a.m.

Monday, July 19
There were very few  nerves evident as the boys arrived at the fields for their first match, a tough test against a very large Philippines squad that had already been traveling and playing in Europe for nearly a month. That composure was proven as the match kicked off, with AKFC controlling the possession and tempo of the match right from the kickoff. Unfortunately, our domination did not carry over to the scoreboard, with our only real chance created from a Hassani Dotson free kick that barely swerved beyond the near post. It was something of a worry at the half, as we counseled the boys to keep working their possession and look for opportunities, but to be wary of these very quick Philippino players on the break.

Blake's shot heads for the back of the net.

What we learned: 1) As Alaskans, we weren’t going to be able to rely on size, speed or athleticism to win anything. As was proved over the course of the next three games, we were always going to be the smaller, less athletic team, and we’d have to rely on technique and game intelligence to compete. 2) At this level, game smarts are more important than speed. Everyone is fast, and so the timing and direction of runs are critical. 3) It’s not wise to make assumptions about a player, in this case a goalkeeper, based on our experiences in Alaska. Before the match, the boys were heard talking about how large the Makati FC goalkeeper was and how they’d just shoot low and hard — exactly as they’d do in Alaska, where a big keeper is probably just in the net because he’s big. Well, we learned that international goalkeepers are in the net because they’re technically good keepers, and being big is just a side benefit, as the Makati keeper pulled off a couple of incredible diving stops of shots just off the turf.

The second match of the day was just a few hours later, also at Hjällbovallen, and featured the 98-born players taking on BP Svart, the tournament’s defending champions and the top academy team from IF Brommapojkarna. This was something AKFC coaches were looking forward to, as IF Brommapojkarna, also called BP and from west Stockholm, is the largest football club in Europe in terms of the number of active teams of all ages – over 250 teams and 3,000 players. The men’s first team competes in the Allsvenskan, the highest level of football in Sweden, but the club is really famous for its youth academy, which has produced numerous top-quality Swedish players throughout the years. In fact, BP has produced more professionals than any club in Scandanavia and there was even a feature article on their academy teams in the official Gothia Cup tournament program, as BP has also won more tournament titles than any other club (this would hold true this year, too, as BP eventually won both the boys 11 and boys 12 divisions).

Free Willy!

Our introduction to this level of soccer turned out to be a rude one, as we were down 2-0 before the boys even had a chance to breathe. The pace of the game was quite frankly frightening, and the speed-of-thought, technique and physicality of the BP players simply overwhelmed our Alaskan boys (and coaches!). Goalkeeper Chance Fannon kept us in the game as we came to grips with our predicament and through his heroics we made it to the half without incurring further damage.

After making several adjustments, both tactically and in attitude, our AKFC boys returned to the field with a new vigor and took the game to BP. After creating a couple of quality chances that were turned away, the boys in red and black caught us on the break to push their lead to 3-0. However, as a testament to the boys’ competitiveness, we immediately answered with a goal of our own and then continued to press the BP team deep in their own end. As the half wore on, AKFC gradually began to dominate proceedings. We forced a hatful of quality saves, we hit a post and a crossbar, and then we got scored on as a soft back-pass was intercepted and tapped into an open net. 4-1 but the lessons were learned. For one, we found out we could play BP’s game better than they could, so we were hopeful we’d have another chance to take them on, mainly to see if we could get them to play our game, which we knew we’d be better at.

Perhaps most satisfying, after the match our coaches and parents were approached by several spectators (BP teams draw a crowd whenever they play at Gothia), who all hailed our game, talent and spirit. Most were incredulous that an American team could push a Brommapojkarna side like that — one parent from another Swedish team told me, “No one ever challenges them like that.” In the end, that turned out to be true, as ours was the most competitive match BP Svart played on their way to a second consecutive Gothia Cup title.

I’ve also just added a few photos taken by TR Stoneback to the Flickr account — just click the images at right to visit and view.

The Swedish football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football, controlled by the Swedish Football Association and consisting of 276 teams in 22 leagues divided into five levels. Below those five levels, additional regional levels numbered six to ten exist but these lower leagues are controlled by the regional associations and not by the nationwide association. There is, however, promotion and relegation to and from all levels.

The highest league in Sweden is called the Allsvenskan, which translates as The All-Swedish. The league was created in 1924. Before that, the top league in Sweden was called Svenska Serien, and the first Swedish title was won by Örgryte in 1896.

There are 16 clubs in Allsvenskan, and during the course of a season (starting in March and ending in October) each club plays the others twice (home and away) for a total of 30 games. All matches in Allsvenskan are televised. The two lowest placed teams at the end of the season are relegated to the Superettan and the top two teams from Superettan are promoted in their place. The third lowest team in Allsvenskan plays a relegation/promotion play-off against the third placed team in Superettan.

The winners of Allsvenskan qualify for the UEFA Champions League, the runner-up together with the third placed team in the table qualify for the UEFA Europa League (this is how IF Elfsborg qualified last season for the match we’ll travel to watch on Thursday night) as well as the team who wins the Svenska Cupen. Since the start of Royal League in 2004, the four top placed teams enter that tournament together with four teams from Norway and four from Denmark. (Note: IFK Göteborg has won the second most league titles – 13 – and more league champions have come from Gothenburg than any other city in Sweden).

Moving on, the Superettan (literally, “The Super One”) is the second highest league and comprises 16 teams. Division 1 is the third level in the league system and there are 28 clubs in Division 1, divided in two groups of 14 teams representing Northern and Southern Sweden. Division 2 is the fourth level. There are 72 clubs in Division 2, divided in six groups of 12 teams each representing a geographical area. At the end of each season the two lowest placed teams of each group are relegated to Division 3 and the twelve winning teams from the twelve Division 3 leagues are promoted in their place, while the third lowest placed teams in the Division 2 leagues plays promotion/relegation play-offs against the twelve second placed teams in Division 3. Very confusing, I know, especially for Americans, but just know that relegation or promotion is extremely important to clubs and their supporters.

Division 3 is the fifth level, with 144 clubs divided into 12 groups of 12 teams representing a geographical area (here is where the first team of one of our group opponents – IFK Trollhättan –resides:  Division 3 Nordvästra Götaland). At the end of each season the three lowest placed teams of each group are relegated to the regional Division 4 and thirty-six teams from the regional Division 4 leagues are promoted in their place, while the fourth lowest placed teams in the Division 3 leagues plays promotion/relegation play-offs against teams in Division 4.

What does this all mean for us? Well, unlike in the US, all the teams we’ll play are the youth sides from a professional club. In Sweden, the youth football is run by the 24 regional associations. For instance, one of the teams we’ll face in group play, Azalea BK, play their league matches in the Pojkallsvenskan Elit Södra.  

That certainly doesn’t mean these teams will be any better, or worse, than us – it’s just an example of how the young players in Europe are connected to the highest levels of the game in a way our players are not. And that’s part of the reason we’re taking this trip now – to show our talented young athletes that they can compete anywhere in the world, and against players who’ll be on full professional rosters in just a few years.