Trending
All soccer fans are eagerly awaiting the 22nd edition of the Men's World Cup in Qatar -- the first time the Cup championship has been played in the Middle East.
Group play kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 20 and runs through Friday, Dec. 2. The round of 16 will be Dec. 3-6, quarterfinals on Dec. 9-10, semifinals Dec. 13-14, third-place game on Dec. 17 and the final is set for Dec. 18. France is coming in as defending World Cup champions. There will be 32 teams competing for the title -- that will move to 48 in 2026.
USA will be playing in Group B with England, Iran and Wales. It begins group play at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21 vs. Wales (FOX), followed by England at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25 (FOX) and finally Iran at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29 (FOX).
The U.S. has struggled in recent games, turning the ball over frequently and not able to get a shot off in a 2-0 loss against Japan. It played as poorly against Saudi Arabia , a weak team internationally, but the U.S. could not break down a weak defense, getting off only two shots in a 0-0 tie.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter stated that they had several key starters out with injuries but said they had a long way to go and not much time to get there. USA is in a group where they have a good chance to advance out of group play on to the round of 16.
Scholastically
With scholastic soccer teams preparing to start the district playoffs, the regular season was highlighted by some great games with great efforts by some individual players.
There were a handful of players who stood out throughout the season, as not only leaders, but making significant impacts on their teams' success every game. Abby Kline of Northern Bedford scored her 100th goal early in the season, went on to set a single-season record of 54 goals and has been key in dishing out numerous assists for the Panthers. She hit a number of game-winning goals, including one against West Branch, their biggest Inter-County Conference game.
Ella Garner of Central High School stood out as a leader in guiding the Lady Dragons to an undefeated season, coming up big in tight games with six game-winning goals, including two games to beat arch-rival Bedford in both meetings.
She amassed 24 goals, had 420 tackles, 508 passes and 971 touches and had the ability to play nearly every position on the field during her tenure at Central.
Altoona's Kade Black has stood out as a clutch player all season. Black, with a PAWest state championship under his belt, was described by high school coach Dave McCarter as perhaps the best player he has ever coached in several decades at Altoona. Black is definitely a legitimate Division 1 recruit, which was evident in both his scholastic and Classic career. Black is the leading goal scorer for the Mountain Lions and was key in providing them with two victories over arch-rival Hollidaysburg. His absence was evident when the Lions recently dropped a 5-0 decision against State College Little Lions, whom they will most likely see again in the District 6 4A championship. Black comes from a family of four outstanding soccer playing brothers.
Lainey Farabaugh of the Bishop Guilfoyle Lady Marauders has been a standout not only in scoring , but in leadership during her scholastic career.
She is described by several of the top players in the area as the best athlete they have competed against. She has scored more than 150 goals in her career at BG and exploded for six goals this year against Richland.
All of these players will play a key role in trying to gain a district title for their teams and a run into the state playoffs.
Elsewhere …
n There is exciting possibilities for growth in soccer facilities in the area. Logan Township is applying for $309,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a proposed soccer field project at Strawberry Hills in the Juniata section of the township. The project would have two soccer fields, a restroom, a pavilion, a playground, a concession stand, a parking lot and paths between those facilities. The site would require extensive grading. Logan Township Manager Tim Brown said the more public support displayed for this project, the better the chances of getting funding for the proposed project.
n Mia Oliaro, of the United States Women's National u-17 team, with roots from the Hollidaysburg area, suffered a setback prior to the team's departure for u-17 World Cup play. Oliaro suffered a knee injury, knocking her out of Cup play, but according to mother, Jeri, a former standout basketball player at Hollidaysburg Area High School and American University, Mia will be back playing with her club team North Carolina Courage. She has accepted a scholarship to the University of North Carolina.
Tom Schmitt writes a monthly soccer column for the Mirror.