Construction starts with you...FC is moving mountains

When: Wednesday May 2, 2012

Silent Auction & Raffles: 5:30-7:30PM

Sit-Down Dinner: 6:30PM

Auction Check Out: 9:45PM

Where: The Wisconsin Club, 900 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53233

The FC Milwaukee Auction, a major fundraiser for our club, is tonight!! This year, proceeds have been earmarked for completion of 2 new grass fields!

This annual event is a fun evening providing a great opportunity to both socialize with great people and raise money for our fine program. Attend and you could go home with an Ipad 3, Brewers or Badgers tickets, Adidas or FC sportswear, a garmin, Koss noise canceling headphones and much more. Purchase tickets for the raffle and you could be the lucky winner of a volunteer hour buyout for the 2012-2013 season.

Gluten free vegeterian entrees are available by special request.

Questions? Contact: Tracey Durst at traceydurst@gmail.com

Thank you in advance for your support!

Logan Andryk and Mariah Vichich earn Sarah Hegarty Awards, Patrick Hodan and Brittany Von Rueden earn USSDA and ECNL MVPs (pictured left to right)

Milwaukee, WI- On FC Milwaukee’s Senior Night the club’s most prestigious honor, The Sarah Hegarty Award was awarded to U18 players Logan Andryk (U18 USSDA) and Mariah Vichich (U18 ECNL). The awards criteria are the attributes of the late Sarah Hegarty: a great player, loyal and determined both on and off the field.

In addition to the Sarah Hegarty Award, FCMN also named the Elite Clubs National League and United States Soccer Developmental Academy U18 Most Valuable Player award winners. This year's Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year winner, Patrick Hodan and U18 Women's National Team member Brittany Von Rueden took home club honors as the standout players on their respective teams.

MLS Supplemental Draftee and 47th Pick Overall Added to 2012 Roster

Chicago, IL- Tony Walls, who played with FC Milwaukee Nationals from U13-U18 and was the 2011 Horizon League Player of the Year at UW-Green Bay, has officially turned pro. The 5'11' Walls will provide depth at outside back for the "Men in Red".

Per www.chicago-fire.com, Fire head coach Frank Klopas said of Walls, "We knew the qualities he possessed after seeing him with our PDL team and he's done an excellent job throughout preseason to come in, convert from midfield to defense and earn a roster spot in the process."

Walls was a standout defensive midfielder as a player with FC Milwaukee on a team that made 2 USYSA National Final Four appearances finishing 3rd and 2nd in the nation. "The fact that we have 2 alumni (Ehtan Finlay of the Columbus Crew) who have signed pro deals this year and have a chance to compete against eachother after playing together at the club level couldn't be more exciting," said FCMN Director of Coaching Peter Knezic. " During his time with us, Tony was always among one of the best and most competitive players on the field, whether competing at the regional or national level. It is clear that hard work, together with talent and an environment that tests you pays off. Tony is one of FC Milwaukee's finest examples proving that to be true," continued an ecstatic Knezic.

Click http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2012/03/fire-sign-defender-tony-walls for more on the Walls' signing with the Chicago Fire.

FC Alumnus Registers 2 Shots and a Shot on Goal, in Surprisingly Early 1st Professional Appearance

Commerce City, CO-Making his debut as a 12th minute substitute to replace the injured U23 National Team member, Dily Duka on the right wing may not have been how FC Alumnus Ethan Finlay ideally envisioned making his professional debut, but as a professional, he was forced to adapt once called upon.

Though the Columbus Crew fell, 0-2 in their season opener on the road to the Colorado Rapids, Finlay did his best to keep things in perspective. In a post game interview, at www.thecrew.com, Finlay said, "...For me getting shots on goal was important and I had that one that made (Rapids goal keeper) Pickens make the save...we want to beat teams around the edges and we didn't quite do that today and that's kind of why the result is the way it is." A reflection on his character, Finlay didn't point that a mishandled cross late in the first half and a second half turnover leading to a breakaway goal were the cause of his opponent's goals. Rather, Finlay just aims to improve his level of play to contribute to the team's future success. 

Finlay played with FC Milwaukee Nationals for 3 years, from age U16- U18,went on to star at Creighton and was drafted by The Crew with the 10th pick overall in the 2012 MLS Super Draft. Additionally, he narrowly missing out on being named the NCAA's top male player as the 2011 MAC Hermann Award Runner Up. He recognizes that ultimately the early experience on the field at the professional level will prove invaluable in the future. "For me, it was my first time on the field. That's over with. So, I'm beyond that," Finlay matter of factly remarked.

Click the following link to listen to an audio clip of Finlay's post game interview:

http://www.thecrew.com/blog/post/2012/03/12/audio-finlay-talks-about-his-first-mls-game

4th Annual Club Event Honors College Signees and Senior Scholarly and Athletic Achievers

Milwaukee, WI - FC Milwaukee Nationals’ 4^th Annual Senior Night was held Tuesday, February 21 at Trinity Irish Pub in Downtown Milwauke. The event honors each of our senior players for their achievements; recognizes them for their sacrifices and provides an opportunity to express our appreciation for their efforts both on and off of the field within and beyond the club. It is through the great commitment and effort of individuals, both players and parents alike, that has helped to establish FC Milwaukee as a nationally recognized soccer club.

This years group of student athlete achievers is highlighted by 18 Division I commitments (4 boys and 14 girls, so far) and features a US Youth National team member/Class Valedictorian in Brittany Von Rueden; and Wisconsin's Gatorade Boys Player of the Year/NSCAA Academic All American in Patrick Hodan. Von Rueden and Hodan began their select soccer "careers" with FC at ages U11 and U12, respectively.

FC Milwaukee has now helped place over 550 players on to college soccer. 

2012-2013 College Soccer Commitments so far include:

Click "More" (to the right for the extensive list of individual honors).

AC Milan 5-0 Win Over Chelsea Secures Championship and Undefeated Season

For the past 6 years, FC Milwaukee has hosted a unique intra club indoor league during the 2nd session, at Brookfield Indoor Soccer Complex. Teams are made up of players from our older girls teams and selected via "draft" by participating FCMN staff coaches.

While our older boys teams are just returning to the club for training and gearing up for competition, after their respective high school seasons, the girls take a break from the usual routine of training and competing against their counter parts from other clubs nationwide to intermingle with and compete against fellow team and club mates of various ages.

Needless to say, the environment has proven competitive and fantastic for development. Players distinguish themselves among their peers, FCMN coaches distinguish themselves amongst eachother and some of the battles have become the thing of FCMN Legend.

Click on the link below to vote today in support of your club mate's National Championship changing goal!

Cara Walls' flair for the dramatic and game changing goal currently has her in 3rd place among 10 contenders for USYSA Goal of the Year award. You can show your support by clicking on the link below, watching the video of contenders and voting for Cara's big goal.

The scenario: In the 2011 USYSA National Championship's game 2,  FC Milwaukee's U18 girls were a team desparate for the 3 points necessary to remain alive in the hunt for the coveted National Championship. Though they dominated the match against Team Boca, they were without a goal to show for their efforts. Then, finally, in approximately the 70th minute, Walls scored the goal that would turn FCMN's National Championship fortunes.

After heading a ball on frame that Team Boca's keeper miraculously kick saved to Walls' right, Walls swiftly out ran all challengers to the rebound and in one fluid and powerful motion, turned and drove a half volley over the keeper's head into the roof of the net.

From that point on, the U18s never trailed in any of their remaining matches and as they say the rest is history. Walls went on to win the golden ball award for most goals in the tournament.

There are only 2 days left to show Cara your support. So, click here: http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/index.html, watch the dramatic goal in he video player on the right side of the USYSA home page and vote today.

Way to go Cara and good luck!