Once you hit your thirties or so, getting older makes a convenient excuse for not performing well on the soccer field. But its still an excuse. I know this from personal experience. I am guilty of trying to justify my poor play with the phrase, "I'm getting too old." If that were true then that would free me from any accountability. It would mean that there is nothing I can do. I don't believe that.

There are a bunch of great players in their mid-thirties and even older that still contribute in some of the top leagues in the world. I created an All-World-Advanced-Age-Soccer-Team mainly for myself but I thought it would be fun to share it here. All of the players selected will be at least thirty-five this year.

Brian McBride, forward, 36 in June.
McBride, the Captain America of soccer is still one of the most dangerous aerial threats in the world. Although injuries have limited his playing time this season, he is the captain of his EPL club Fulham.

Filippo Inzaghi, forward, 35 in August.
"Pippo" Inzaghi continues to score goals for AC Milan in a league known for stingy defending. Just yesterday he scored a hat trick to raise his goal tally to nine in eighteen games this season.

Claude Makelele, midfield, 36 in February.
The Congo born player has redefined the holding midfield position, an unforgiving position in the EPL. Neither size nor age has prevented him from making seventeen appearances for Chelsea this season.

Luis Figo, midfield, 36 in November.
The Inter Milan midfielder has made seventeen appearances for the top team in the Italian Serie A. Rumor is that he will be coming to the United States to continue fooling defenders in the MLS next season.

Ryan Giggs, midfield, 35 in November.
Giggs was just resigned by Manchester United to play through to 2009 despite his age. He was recently given the start over the young phenoms Anderson and Nani in United's important showdown with Chelsea.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco, midfield, 36 in January.
Mexico's most popular player made a big move to the Chicago Fire last season where he helped his team reach the Eastern Conference Final and was a finalist for league MVP. He has started all five games and has two goals so far this season.

Javier Zanetti, defender, 35 in August.
Zanetti leads his team Inter Milan, with thirty-two starts. This Argentine defender is known for joining the attack from his defensive position. Zanetti captains Inter Milan and the Argentinian national team.

Fabio Cannavaro, defender, 35 in September.
Cannavaro's contract with Real Madrid extends through next season. Despite standing just 5'9" tall he is considered one of the worlds best central defenders. Cannavaro is currently the captain of Italy.

Paolo Maldini, defender, 40 in June.
Maldini is the elder statesman even on this team. He has seventeen appearances with AC Milan this season and has recently announced that he will play one more season next year with AC Milan.

Lilian Thuram, defender, 37 in January.
Thuram is a central defender for Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga. He has appeared in fifteen domestic and Champions League appearances this season.

Kasey Keller, Goalkeeper, 39 in November.
There are a lot of goalkeepers still getting the job done in their late thirties. I admit I selected Keller because he is not only American but because he played for the Portland Pilots. He is also one of the worlds best keepers.

These and many other players are proof that people can continue to play at a high level well into their thirties or even forties. One day, everyone is eventually put on notice by their body to slow down. But until then, easing off the throttle is a choice and not something forced upon us. Its shameful to be so eager to jump into a wheelchair and waste the precious gift of health and activity.

What do you think of this team? Could they compete?

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Local soccer players interested in playing competitive soccer beyond high school while attending college have a new option at Chemeketa Community College located in Salem. Chemeketa has started a new men's and women's soccer program that will begin play this fall the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC). The NWAACC includes the community colleges in western Oregon and western Washington.

Community or junior college soccer programs are a great alternative for players that may not have the grades for a larger university, need a more affordable education, would like to stay close to home, or just need a couple of years to figure out what to do with your life. Seriously, how can someone be expected to choose a professional field of study before they can even buy a beer. I personally attended a community college after high school because I had no idea what I wanted to do. When I came to OSU those credits transferred and saved me a few bucks.

Playing junior college soccer doesn't automatically mean you have less talent. Professional soccer players Alan Gordon (LA Galaxy) and Brian Farber (California Cougars) both transferred to OSU from junior colleges and the Beavers were very fortunate to have them.

The women's program will be lead by head coach Oscar Monteblanco and men by head coach Marty Limbird who allowed me to interrogate him for the Corvallis Soccer Blog.

Question: How did you become Chemeketa's first men's soccer head coach?
Marty: I have been teaching full time at Chemeketa for 5 years. Included in my teaching load has been every soccer class that the college offers. Because of this I am familiar with the top players who have been here on campus already. Interestingly enough I am also familiar with the NWAACC recruiting, athletics, etc. through volleyball coaching at Chemeketa for my first 3 years at Chemeketa.

Question: What can you tell us about the school?
Marty: Chemeketa takes pride in its athletic traditions and programs, so when the soccer program was presented and approved, the goal hasn't been to just field a team, but to create a championship atmosphere and a program that players want to play for. This is what Chemeketa stands for, a raised bar that we feel drawn to rise above. So, with high expectations and a high standard of excellence with everything Chemeketa does academically and in the community; the soccer program will be no different. You should look for us to compete very well in our first year...I am confident in the players we are bringing in and the training we will do.

Question: Tell us about your coaching and soccer background?
Marty: Most of my Soccer background is from Canada. I grew up there and have played and coached there. I was a member of the Rangers Premier Mens soccer team and the youngest on the team at age 16. The team was filled with international players and players with very different outlooks on the game and styles of play. This is what sculpted my coaching I suppose because I had many players who took me under their wing, and each of them had a different perspective on the game.

This has created a philosophy and style of play that is mixed with creativity that players can bring along with the structure and strategy that may seem more rigid. I think there is room for both and times for both styles of play so, you can expect fast paced, well played soccer, with some creative flairs from the players we have on the team.

Coaching wise, I am comfortable saying that in the soccer world I am pretty much unheard of, but this makes it fun for me....I expect people to say who is this guy...and where did this program come from. I am familiar to coaching and at the college level, but not in soccer oddly enough; I coached volleyball for years. I think there can be a crossover with the same philosophy in coaching, how to motivate players, how to structure training and drills, and game preparations at this level. So although the drills, skills and strategy may be different; coaching in its bare roots is the same, this coupled with my playing experience should blend nicely. However; I am not naive to the fact this will be a steep learning curve entering into the South Division with Clark (last year's Champion).

Question: What soccer opportunities still exist next fall at Chemeketa for soccer players in Corvallis and Oregon?
Marty: Players who are interested in playing can still contact me, although we are very close to finalizing our team. We had 95 players at our open tryout, and could have easily fielded a competitive team from that, but I have held off finalizing the last few spots for those players I haven't seen. We are still looking at forwards and wings and filling our 2nd keeper spot. We have plenty of guys vying for those spots, but nothing final yet and I am open to seeing more. I feel very good about our Midfielders and Defense and these would be tough positions to crack into for next year. We have a few players who only have 1 year of eligibility left, so after this year more spots will open again.

Question: What kind of student-athlete do you think the new Chemeketa program will best appeal to? What kind of student-athlete are you looking for?
Marty: We are a new program; therefore, I am looking for the special blend of athleticism and skill with an attitude of a champion. Players who can hold themselves as champions off the field. You have to understand that we are in the spotlight this year and therefore I want players who will be outstanding young ambassadors for our program....our players will become our best recruiting asset for future players! We are also a unique program, we have scholarship money, we are a small college with strong competition and allow players who may not have the grades to enter a Div 1 or 2 program an opportunity to get there through us.

Question: Are there any prerequisites for being a student athlete at Chemekeda? GED? Age? Part-time students?
Marty: Players on the team must be enrolled full time (12 credits) the fall they begin participation. There are no age requirements, however they must still be amateur in status and if they have played professionally anywhere they become ineligible.

Question: Will you offer financial assistance to players?
Marty: We do have scholarships in the form of tuition, but not enough to give everyone on the team a full scholarship. Many players will receive some type of scholarship next year.

Question: What are your goals for the first few seasons?
Marty: We are competing in a very competitive league and therefore my goal of reaching the NWAACC tournament will not be an easy one, but one I feel we will be striving for every year. A championship is not out of the question....I'm not going to say that we will step into the league and win a championship. This all falls on our preparation, but the players who can help us win a championship are in the area and we've got some of the best players in the valley coming here next year!

Question: What do you think your biggest challenges will be?
Marty: Overcoming player's mindsets and becoming a cohesive team is always a challenge. We will have 20+ players who were all-stars for their high schools. The challenge will be bringing all of those players on board with their individual roles in a greater team concept. If we can do this quickly and have everyone buy in, we will be dangerous, if not we will be the best team on paper, but one filled with a individual talent only. That doesn't win us any championships.

Question: What should interested players do?
Marty: Call or email Marty Limbird: 503-399-5030, mlimbird@chemeketa.edu

Question: I understand that Ivan Sanchez from Corvallis High School is playing for you next season. Can you tell us how that happened?
Marty: I am extremely excited about Ivan, I went after him hard because I know that he may be the key to our first championship caliber season. He was sought after by other colleges in our league and I truly appreciate his character and resolve. He is mature, charismatic and a great goalkeeper. A HUGE asset for us! I appreciate the fact he took a risk with us, with many other coaches in the league telling him not to because we were a new program, he knew different and didn't listen; he knew we could be something special. Ivan is a great kid and I am confident with him a part of our program.

Question: Have you already selected some players for next season? How many spots do you still have available?
Marty: We have signed 21 players and have about 4-5 spots that we are still looking at players for.

Question: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us about the Chemekeda soccer program?
Marty: Come watch next year....as a new program I think you will be impressed with what we do and how we play. We will train hard and this will show in our energy level and playing ability.

For all you seniors that still haven't decided what you are doing next year, you may want to give Marty a call. Female players can reach womens' coach Oscar Monteblanco at oscar0657@comcast.net or 503.888.3152. Also check out http://blog.corvallissoccerblog.com/2007/01/available-college-soccer-programs-in.html for a list of other colleges in Oregon with soccer programs.

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Championship night at the Corvallis Sports Park delivered drama and excitement to an overflowing crowd. All three finals to determine the top team for the Coed Competitive, Men's Competitive and Men's Premier divisions were closely contested and a ton of fun to watch. Here is a highlight video from the night for you to enjoy.

In the Coed Competitive division the Rabbits failed to field three women and took the field a player short against Crown Royals. The Rabbits managed to take the lead and it seemed as if they might pull it out. Early in the second half with the Rabbits leading 2-1, two female players tangled near the boards which somehow led to two male players engaging in some pushing and unfriendly hugging. After both men were ejected from the match the Rabbits quickly tired. Crown Royals turned up the heat and the Rabbits just didn't have enough bodies to keep up. The closer-than-the-final-score-indicates game ended 6-3 for Crown Royals.

The Tigers won the previous night by exactly the four goals required to earn their spot in the final against the undefeated Optimators. The Optimators who lost in a tight final last season were looking to avoid becoming the Buffalo Bills of the Corvallis Sports Park. The relatively fresh Tigers team played goal for goal with the more experienced Optimators. With just five minutes remaining the Optimators took the lead behind their powerful scoring duo and it seemed that they were in a good position to close the game out. The young Tigers with a slew of chanting fans behind them never quit and managed to draw level. With just seconds left in the match the Optimators allowed themselves to be distracted by the referees' play-on decision that gave the Tigers the opportunity to score the game winner. Tigers win 8-7.
Wrecked-Em and the Minute Men split their two contests during the Men's Premier season. This final would decide who is the top indoor soccer team in Corvallis. Both teams feature great local talent and fantastic players from OSU. There were a few nice exchanges during the game but much of the game consisted of individual battles between very athletic players. A number of great stops by the Minute Men keeper helped keep the score close. Some of the Minute-Men players may have been guilty of disappearing however. The confident Wrecked-Em team never seemed worried about the outcome despite the close final of 6-5.
Now I'll shamelessly point out that that all three of my predictions from earlier in the week were correct. I even selected the Tigers to win a championship before it was a sure thing that they would be in it. But it is all of the teams played (yes, even the those that lost) that deserve our credit for competing hard and providing us all with some great soccer to watch.

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This Wednesday six teams will face off to decide the champions of the Winter II 2008 season at the Corvallis Sports Park. Championship night at the Sports Park is always an exciting evening. Here is a video clip from last seasons championship night. Below are my predictions for each match.

Coed Competitive (7:30 PM)
Crown Royals (7-1) vs. Rabbits (5-3)
This is a rematch of last seasons final in which I incorrectly predicted that Crown Royal would win. The Rabbits have lost twice already to Crown Royal and I am predicting a third win and championship for Crown Royals. The Rabbits have lost a couple of players to injury that will hurt them. This game still will be a battle though. Its going to look really bad if I get this one wrong twice in a row.

Men's Competitive (8:25 PM)
Optimators (8-0) vs. Tigers (7-1) or Right About Meow (7-1)
The Optimators will either play the Tigers or Right About Meow depending on the result of the Tigers match on Tuesday. The Tigers need to win their last match by four goals to advance. I predict that they will do that. The Optimators are undefeated this season but they have not faced the Tigers. Its a match up of the team that should have signed up for premier versus the team that has already signed up for premier next season. If Optimators win they just might get moved up. I'm predicting the Tigers in a gritty game.

Men's Premier (9:20 PM)
Wrecked-Em (7-0) vs. Minute Men (5-2)
This is the main event. Wrecked-Em fields the former OSU keeper and a four year starter. But their whole team is strong. Some of these young players could help the OSU men's team. Last season Wrecked-Em trounced Bruno for the championship win. The Minute Men also field a former OSU player but their strength comes from a couple of strong individual talents. There are sure to be some very dynamic goals in this match. I'm going with Wrecked-Em based on a better all-around team approach. These guys play very well for a relatively young and new team.

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Linus Rhode has been named the new head coach for the Oregon State University women's program. Linus found out last Friday and the athletic department released an announcement on the same day. Linus succeeds Steve Fennah who resigned somewhat unexpectedly last month. Linus has been an assistant coach at OSU for eight season.

The new assignment comes at a perfect for time for Linus who was addressing some potential work visa complications as a Canadian citizen. The promotion to a head coaching position will allow Rhode to continue to work in the United States. Linus lives in Corvallis with his wife Magdalena who is an assistant coach with the OSU swim team and daughter, Nina.
Rhode faces a challenging task of competing in the PAC-10 and the powerhouse programs in California. It is an endeavor that has eluded the Beavers for most of the last decade. OSU has not reached the women's NCAA tournament since 1994. The test ahead is no secret to Linus though. He has had a front row seat to the disappointing show the program has been putting on. At the very least, Linus knows what he is getting into.

His experience in Oregon should put him in a good position for recruiting Northwest talent. Linus is charismatic which doesn't hurt bring good players to the program either. Great players don't always make good coaches but it can't hurt that Linus has played at an elite level shared by few coaches in the entire country. If he can impart some of his creativity and willingness to be responsible for the outcome of a game, it will be very positive for the program.

I should point out that I have never coached college soccer nor do I have any kind of coaching license. With that out of the way, I am going to offer some unsolicited coaching advice to Linus from the comfort of my padded chair.

Make getting the top local talent to OSU the top priority. In this way build a connection with Corvallis and Oregon.

Walk over to Pat Casey's office and ask if you can buy him lunch. Pick his brain for all its worth. Bleed him dry. Go. Now.

Get the girls involved in local grass roots coaching as volunteers. In five years those twelve year olds will be seventeen and hopefully will have been dreaming of playing for the Beavers just like their favorite players who coached them.

Hire a female assistant coach or coaches. (I asked Linus about Tiffany Milbrett and he said that she was coaching youth soccer in Vancouver. Disappointing, but I am glad he knew exactly where she was.) Local girl Kelli Conkrite would be an interesting hire.

Let the girls play with the freedom and confidence to do things that are unexpected and amazing (just like you Linus).

Don't over-extend yourself by moonlighting for clubs and camps. That's what your assistants and players are for. Devote yourself to the OSU program. Your predecessor made the mistake of taking a head coach position with CUSC and it was a disaster for everyone.

Have an open tryout for OSU students this spring or next. At least watch the intramural games. The girls are already registered at OSU and don't need athletic scholarships. If it worked for the Philidalphia Eagles...

What changes or new priorities would you like to see from Linus and the OSU women's soccer team?

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The rich soccer tradition that presently thrives in Corvallis was founded by visionaries with the devotion to create something special for our city to enjoy. Some of them continue to serve the Corvallis soccer community while others have subsided to make way for a new generation of soccer ambassadors. These people deserve a special place of honor based on their service, impact, tenure and accomplishment for the Corvallis soccer community, the Corvallis Soccer Hall of Fame.

Over my sixteen years in Corvallis I have been able to enjoy first hand the impact a number of people have had on the local soccer scene. I have also been fortunate enough to hear the stories of how soccer took root and flourished in Corvallis by the people that were here before me. Based on all of this it seems obvious to me that several people deserve to be among the first to be honored here. Here we go.

Cyril "Skip" Reeves
Skip began at Crescent Valley High School since the year it opened. In 1979 Skip Reeves captured the first of Corvallis' three high school state championships. As head coach he led the CVHS boy's team to a 1-1 draw and co-championship with Lakeridge overcoming. That early achievement inspired the city and many of the early soccer pioneers to create a strong soccer tradition in the Mid-Valley. A generation of young Corvallis players that were coached by Skip are continue to pass his contributions on to their own teams as coaches.

Elaine Markley
Over one-thousand children play in the Corvallis AYSO soccer program each year. It is easily the city's most successful youth program and Elaine Markley has steadily been one of the programs biggest volunteers and contributors since anyone can remember (I think its been over twenty years). As the Secretary for Corvallis AYSO, Elaine is the catch all for every face of the program's administration. Even though her own children have since outgrown AYSO, she continues her diligent efforts to ensure our children have a place to play soccer in Corvallis.

Ed Luebbert
Before anyone had even heard of a youth soccer club in Corvallis, Ed Luebbert was forming, managing and coaching local youth teams to participate in tournaments around the state. Ed's early efforts exposed the first generation of young soccer players in Corvallis to a higher level of training and competition and paved the way for the organizations like the Corvallis United Soccer Club to be created. Today, Ed enjoys watching his children and grand children play soccer in Corvallis.

Dave Oberbillig
Oregon State University soccer was born from a university soccer club that was coached by Dave Oberbillig for many years. He helped bring Division I soccer to OSU and when the University added soccer to its athletic program in 1988 Dave became the Beavers' first women's head coach. He lead the Beavers for four seasons finishing twice as the conference runner-up. Dave was also a co-founder of the Corvallis United Soccer Club and coached the first youth club team outside of Portland to win a state championship.

Blake Leamy
Blake first achieved notoriety in Corvallis as a youth soccer coach and one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Corvallis United Soccer Club. Blake served as the head coach of the CUSC for many years. Also know as the Reign, CUSC was a very successful soccer club that provided hundreds of young players in Corvallis with a higher level of coaching and competition. Blake was also the boys head coach at Crescent Valley High School and in 1996 won the the OSAA state championship. Blake has coached several OYSA state championship teams and in 2001 was honored as the OYSA Coach of the Year. Blake is also one of the founders of the Corvallis Sports Park and today is best known as the general manager of the local indoor soccer facility enjoyed by hundreds of children and adults each day.

Tom Rowney
Between 1992-97, Tom Rowney lead the OSU Beavers women's' soccer program. In 1994, Tom Rowney lead the the Beavers to their first and only NCAA championship tournament appearance. Tom is best know as the technical director of F.C. Willamette, the youth soccer club for many of Corvallis' best young female players since 1995. Tom oversees F.C. Willamette and the Goal-Line Soccer Clinics. Tom's club has won at least seven OYSA state championships. Note that Tom may sound English and enjoy stout but he was born in Ohio and is American. There the secret is out now.

Tony Vandermeer
The Willamette Valley Firebirds, a semi-professional soccer team based in Corvallis was the brain child of Tony Vandermeer. His efforts brought a soccer franchise to Corvallis and for a time gave the city its own semi-professional soccer club to support. In 1999 the Firebirds put Corvallis on the national soccer map by reaching the semi-finals of the PDL national championships. Hundreds of people used to attend the Firebirds matches. Tony also coached the boys team at Corvallis High School for many years. In 1995 he won the OSAA state championship with CHS. Tony has moved on to Redmond where he continues to coach high school soccer.

Jeff Merten
Jeff grew up playing in the AYSO program, at Crescent Valley High School under Skip Reeves and for the Beavers at OSU. His greatest accomplishments were not as a player (though he manages to hang in there with the modest gifts he was given). Jeffs love for coaching soccer led him to become the youngest coach in the country to attain a USSF "A" license. Jeff was a contributor to the creation of CUSC. He was resposnsible for creating the club's Developmental Program, a successful soccer program for children under ten. Jeff has coached other coaches, AYSO teams, youth teams and the CVHS girls program. With Blake Leamy, he helped build the Corvallis Sports Park where thousands enjoy soccer each year at the finest indoor soccer facility in Oregon.

Kelli Conkrite
Since she was as young as eight, Kelli Conkrite showed signs of being a great soccer player and she did not disappoint. Kelli is Corvallis' most accomplished local-grown soccer player. Kelli has been an Olympic Development Program national pool player. As a soccer standout at Corvallis High School she was a two-time Valley League Player of the Year, two-time All-State first team selection and scored a total of 49 goals during her junior and senior seasons. Kelli was recruited by the University of Portland and in 2005 appeared in 20 matches for the Pilots' NCAA National Championship campaign. This past fall Kelli finished her senior season as the Pilots starting center back and reached the NCAA quarter finals.

For many of these people, it would take an entire page to fully describe their contribution to Corvallis soccer. I know I have summarized a great deal so I invite you to add your own contributions (as a comment) to help honor these individuals. Share your stories with us.

Undoubtedly some very important people are missing here. Let us know who should be honored in the Corvallis Soccer Hall of Fame. Tell us about their contributions to the Corvallis soccer tradition. Every few months or so a list of candidates will be presented here and everyone will be able to vote for their favorites.

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