Players on the Jersey United Patriots have gathered from various New Jersey and metropolitan area communities in an effort to create a team that will provide players with an opportunity to:

a) train and compete at the highest levels, with players of equal or higher levels of ability and commitment. To develop confidence in themselves and their teammates and to learn how to become a team player.

b) to continue to work hard and develop technical skills, tactical awareness, physical fitness, athletic ability, speed, quickness, strength and agility that will place them in the top 20 percent of their peers.

c) to participate in tournaments that help the team achieve state, regional and national rankings.

d) to have the most fun and most enjoyable experience possible.

The team will participate in the U-14 MAPS league for the 2006-2007 seasonal year, as well as in numerous tournaments and ranked events. To learn more about the MAPS league in general, please click here.

Team History / Milestones

> Semi-Finalists - PDA Invitational Tournament (U-13 Boys Premier) April 2006 
> Champions - Howell Thanksgiving Tournament (Boys U-13 Premier Red Flight) November 2005
> Ranked # 11 in New Jersey State (Soccer in College Rankings ( www.soccerincollege.com) 

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Coaches / Contact Information

Head Coach:             Kevin Nash (click here for profile), Phone: 908-578-3409
Assistant Coach:        Paul Brobson, Phone: 201.320.5079
Team Manager:          Paul Brobson , Phone: 201.320.5079

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Team "Track"

Development Track:

Education: Using resources such as regular newsletters, the Jersey United and Soccer Players Association web sites, other web sites, books and videos, parents and players of this age group are provided an advanced level of education on a variety of issues related to youth soccer. Information and resources are provided on a wide range of topics including:  

        -  youth soccer governance; differences between leagues and programs
-  advancing through Select, Premier and ODP (Olympic development) programs
-  advanced levels of technical, tactical physical and psychological development
-  fitness and conditioning, diet
-  achieving balance with schoolwork, social life and other sports / activities
-  off-season soccer camps, training programs
-  in-season soccer training
-  preparing for high school play  

Guidance Planning: It is often at this stage in a player’s development that some players become disillusioned and others become “burned out” from playing, and quit the game. Others seek to move forward in their training and development and feel “dragged down” by players and coaches who are not able to “keep up”. Clearly, in this age group (ages 11-14) players fall into different categories based on interest and ability. Providing the proper level of guidance to all players can help each player find their “comfort level” so they remain interested and focused on setting and achieving meaningful goals, whether those goals are simply to become a better player, or more lofty goals including advancing to higher levels of competition and recognition.  

Emphasis in the Development Track is on assessment of a player’s individual level of skills and providing specific instruction and direction for further development of those skills. It is critical to reach conclusions on how the player views their future in the game. Are they looking forward to playing in high school? Do they want to play in bigger and better tournaments? Are they starting to choose soccer over other sports and activities? Players need to be asked many questions to determine what their intentions might be for their soccer careers. Many players play for the social aspects of the game, and these players can also become good players and contribute to a team’s success, and can personally enjoy the game more when it is clear what “path” they are headed on. Still, other players need to be more challenged, and want to advance and become among the more elite or top 10-20 % of players in their town, league, school, county, state, etc. These players need to develop more disciplined plans and challenges in order to have full enjoyment and remain interested in the game.

In order to complete accurate assessments of player’s goals and desires, Jersey United will conduct thorough player evaluations, and provide written copies to players and parents.  The result of these interviews is the development of player profiles and specific training recommendations for players and parents to follow. These recommendations may  include private instruction, group training, specific camps, or self-directed training. In addition, to help players track their performance and progress, and provide additional motivation, Jersey United (through its partnership with the Soccer Players Association) recommends the use of specific achievement programs including the President’s Council on Physical Fitness awards programs as well as other achievement and recognition programs. Parents are also provided with information on how to encourage their children to complete these programs, as well as chart progress.
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