---- Notes ----

FC Virginia has added current D.C. United Assistant Mark Simpson to their club training staff. Coach Simpson's duties with United will not change, but he will be spending available evenings training FCV teams and goalkeepers, and will also be available to assist with affiliated clubs of FCV such as Chantilly Soccer Club and Fairfax Police Youth Club.

The first U.S. Soccer Development Academy Fall Showcase Weekend is in the history books. Thirty-eight high-level matches were played over the span of three days involving more than 700 players representing 38 of the nation's best youth teams. The showcase matches are the second weekend of a nine-month campaign in which 124 teams will compete in over 1,800 matches in conference play. Here's the wrap-up.

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, in Portsmouth, is seeking nominations from across Hampton Roads for the 2007 Hall of Fame Student-Athlete Achievement Awards. Application deadline is Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. 

The SAM soccer class schedule and online registration for the winter Pre-Kicks (3-5 yrs)  and Kickers (6-8 yr old) classes is open.

After selling out their first three 2008 Winter clinics in less than one week, the Washington Freedom have added two more clinic sessions Jan - Feb.

Applications are open for Richmond Kickers 2008 Colonial Cup, May 24-25, 2008. Deadline for applications is April 18, 2008.

The members of Mid-County Soccer Association and the Manassas Area Soccer Association/Manassas Area Travel voted to proceed with the merger of the two clubs into a single Northern Virginia Soccer Club (NVSC). Now, they've launched a new website to reflect the merger.

Less than two weeks remain to apply for US Club Soccer's Youth World Series event in Lancaster, Pa. on Nov. 23-25. Applications are due on Friday, Oct. 26.

The application deadline for the inaugural Washington Cup is Friday, Oct. 26.

---- Editor's Corner ----

Copa DC: The 7th annual Copa DC VII is filling up fast. Only a few spots are left for this adult men's indoor championship. First prize is $3,000.00! Check out their registration form, or call Evan Rodger @ 202-587-5491.

Jessica Noon: Catonsville High senior Jessica Nonn is a standout forward on the Lady Comets soccer team. Despite scoring 55 career goals, including 17 through the No. 6 Comets' nine games this season, Nonn, a four-year starter in soccer, basketball and lacrosse, earned an athletic scholarship to Virginia Tech because of what she could do with a crosse in her hand, not with a ball at her feet. But she has a perfect going away present for Catonsville: the school's first state title in girls soccer.

Blast off: As the Baltimore Blast prepare to begin their season tonight against the defending champion Philadelphia Kixx, players will also be getting ready for a season against a league with a new look. In its seventh season, the Major Indoor Soccer League has added three new teams in Monterrey (Mexico), Newark, N.J., and Orlando, Fla. After failing to qualify for last year's playoffs, the Blast are looking to bounce back. MISL-leading goalkeeper Sagu returns, along with fellow veterans David Bascome, Denison Cabral and Machel Millwood. The Blast also signed former Maryland Terrapin Scott Buete before the start of the season. Check out the season preview, and be sure to head out to the match tonight!

Ben Olsen: Ben Olsen will play in his 200th league game in United's regular-season finale against Columbus tomorrow at RFK. John Hayden of the Washington Times put together a nice piece on this dynamic, right-brained, beard-loving, Pennsylvania Dutch Boy who just happened to be good at kicking a soccer ball and leading grown men.

Strikers Interview: With the first US Academy Development League Fall Showcase out of the way, three Richmond Strikers Academy players sat down with Matt Kirkpatrick for an interview on their experience.

D.C. United Stadium: Following the D.C. United stadium saga? While I'd rather the deal be done and construction under way, it's certainly nice to get some serious public debate and attention. The whole Nationals Stadium deal barely addressed United's situation, even though the public money committed there could have built nearly 4 new stadiums for United. The team has posted a FAQ page on their web site which clearly spells out their position on many issues. Check it out, then sign the petition. There's also a public hearing tomorrow in Anacostia hosted by a D.C. Council Member specifically on the topic of Poplar Point development. You have to apply in advance to be a public questioner, but that's an easy process. Call John Adams at 202-727-6683.