World Cup Tour of NYC 2010 + CougarFest + Soccer in Jersey

Cougars & Friends,

There are only a few short months ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2010, an event second only to the Winter Olympics and CPAC in global appeal. It's time to get things going for the World Cup Tour of New York 2010. Many of you may remember that this team had its origins in the last World Cup, and it is time for a celebration!

The 2010 World Cup Tour of New York
I've begun the initial research ahead of this year's event, and would love to get a team together to plan and prepare for the World Cup Tour 2010. With New York City being a truly global city, it is possibly the only place in America, and possibly the world, where short of traveling to South Africa (one can only dream) we can see the world in 5 boroughs (+ NJ). While Team USA for many of us will be the favored team, there are 31 other nations competing where the beautiful game is celebrated with passion, fervor, and delight. It is the goal of the WCTNY to explore these cultures and share in the passions, traditions, and cuisines. Oh, and drink beer.

Calendar
March/April - South African Expedition through books, music, movies, art and food.
May - Pre-World Cup Training & Exploration
June 11 - World Cup Game 1 - South Africa vs. Mexico
July 11 - World Cup Finals

CougarFest
Anyone interested in planning a party in April/May? Soccer at Pier 40, beers at the Ear and an outdoor foos tournament? Maybe we can even entice some of the musically talented Cougars to sing some tunes... More details to come on this, but if you have any ideas, let's make it happen!

NY/NJ Metrostars (aka Red Bull New York)
The Metrostars are long gone, but it is difficult for me to put my full support behind a team named after an energy drink. However, if you have seen footage of the new stadium in Harrison NJ, or passed by on the train, you will agree that the stadium is going to be a fantastic soccer venue. It would be a shame to miss out on the opportunity to cheer on high(ish) level soccer at such a fantastic venue, just because the team promotes caffeinated cough syrup.

Games of interest:
3/27 vs. Chicago
4/24 vs. Philadelphia Union
5/15 vs. Seattle Sounders
8/14 vs. LA Galaxy

Let me know if you want to go in on some seats for this! Ticket Info.

Mexico vs. Ecuador @ Meadowlands
Saturday May 7th
Another new stadium, showing some world class international soccer, also accessible by train! Tickets are definitely more expensive. $75 for decent seats, but there are also $30 tickets too. More info.

That's all for now. Let me know if you're interested in helping with any of these plans, and getting together for a planning session after next Sunday's.

Kick some ass tomorrow.

--Sage

Cougars Resume Season This Sunday vs. Chuck Norris at 2:15pm

Chers Cougouars,

J'espère que vous avez été en appréciant les paysages hivernaux extérieur, et à travailler sur votre condition physique au cours des deux dernières semaines.

Ce dimanche nous sommes de retour sur le plancher prêt à prendre sur une autre victime. S'il vous plaît laissez-moi savoir si vous êtes CougIN.

Nous avons besoin de joueurs en particulier les femmes.

Cougars vs. Chuck Norris at 2:15pm, 33rd and 3rd Ave.

Merci,

- Sage

Cougars Back in Action! Sunday at 1:30pm vs. Queens Boulevard

Cougars,

we're back on the court this Sunday at 1:30pm vs. Queens Boulevard who are currently top of the table. At least they will be until we crush them this weekend!

Who's CougIN?

--Sage

CougIN Sunday 1/24 at 2:15pm Cougars vs. NY Cosmos

Pumas,

Otro juego de fin de semana pasado, otra victoria! Vaya, pumas!

El partido de este domingo es a las 2:15 de la tarde. ¿Quién es CougIN?

--Sergio

(Google es el culpable de cualquier traducción pobre.)

CougIN Today at 2:15pm - P.S. 116, 210 E. 33rd Street at 3rd Ave.

Cougs,

Kickoff is at 2:15pm. The location is P.S. 116, 210 E. 33rd Street at 3rd Ave. I have no idea how crowded the gym is, but try to show up at 2pm to warm up and determine our lineup.

Season dues are $145/cougar. If you haven't paid already, please bring checks or Paypal.

Cougarbucks: $145/cougar (Paypal)

CougIN

Men:
Rich
Scott
Raghav
Sage
Nathaniel

Women:
Annie
Abby
Katie?
Laura?

Anyone else?

If you need to reach me, my cell is: 917.686.5059.

--Sage

League Rules:

* Games will last 44 minutes, split into 22-minute halves with a break of one minute for refueling

* Games are 5-versus-5 (including goalkeeper) with 2 female players (excluding goalkeeper) being required on the outfield at all times.

* It is a hardwood floor, therefore sneakers are the recommended footwear. Shinguards are mandatory in all divisions of the League – our referees will not allow any players to participate without them. Beware.

* The use of walls and out-of-bounds will be explained prior to kick-off by the referee - in all instances at least three of the walls will be utilized.

* The ball is allowed to go above head height during general play. However, should it touch one of the utilized walls above a certain height, then it will be deemed out of bounds. Play will then begin with a kick-in and opposition players should be at least five yards away from the kicker.

Note: Teams will be advised of the wall height prior to kick-off – once you view the gym, it is obvious but confirmation will be provided.

* If the ball touches the ceiling during general play, it will be deemed out of bounds. Play will re-start with a free-kick to the opposing team.

* Goalkeepers CANNOT pick the ball up from a deliberate pass-back from one of their own team.

* Goalkeepers must release the ball from their hands within 10 seconds. This is to guard against time-wasting. If the 'keeper fails to do so an indirect free-kick will be awarded.

* All players may enter the penalty area during general play but not during a goal-kick. Again, clarification will be provided prior to the game as to the penalty area.

* When releasing the ball, either by hand or by foot, there is no limitation on where the 'keeper can throw or kick the ball. We are aware of other leagues that stipulate the ball cannot travel beyond the halfway line without first being touched by another player, but this rule is not in effect with NY Coed.

Cougin Winter Indoors - Kick off This Sunday at 2:15pm at 33rd and 3rd Ave. Winter Schedule included!

Cougars,

The winter indoor season kicks off this Sunday!

2:15pm at PS 116 at 210 E. 33rd Street at 3rd Avenue

Who's CougIN?

Details about the league are on the NY Coed Soccer Web Site. All the games are at PS 116. 5v5, with 2 women in the field at all times.

http://www.nycoedsoccer.com/WinterIndoorManhattanSunday.html

Please pay on-line or bring a check. I'll have jerseys for those of you who ordered last season.

Cougarbucks: $145/cougar (Paypal)

Who's CougIN for Sunday? We still need 1 or 2 Cougs on the roster if you know anyone who'd like to join!

--Sage

Coug INdoors - Kickoff January 10th, Sunday Coed League on 33rd and 3rd Aves. - Deposit Paid

Who's Cougin?

We have 5 confirmed and should probably get 10-15 on the roster - which means, recruit friends! Plus we're back in a coed league, and will need to confirm enough lady cougs!

It's $145/cougar (will go down if we get 10+ players on the roster)

Paypal Link: http://bit.ly/couginwinter2010

LOCATION
All games are played on Sundays from January 10th onwards at a gym on East 33rd Street and 3rd Avenue.

Kick-offs are 12:00pm, 12:45pm, 1:30pm & 2:15pm. Teams should expect to rotate through these times during the course of the season.

FORMAT
Games consist of 22-minute halves and teams will have a minimum of 8 fixtures with more should the team progress into the play-offs..

This is an Open Division, meaning players/teams will be of varying levels.

ROSTER
The games are 5-a-side requiring a goalkeeper and four outfield players. While the 'keeper is non-gender specific, a minimum of two female players must constitute the outfield participants at all times.

--Sage

Hipster Hash Run Tomorrow

Cougs,

if you're off tomorrow and are looking for some fun and adventure, Jacks and I are planning a Hipster Hash Run through downtown Manhattan and Williamsburg (natch). If we were really hip, we'd be doing it as a fixed gear bicycle race in Bushwick, but we can only dream.

Starting location is the Stumptown Coffee in the uber-hip Ace Hotel on 29th between Broadway and 5th Avenue, a location so decidedly un-hip, that oh yes, it's hip. Fuel up on single origin espresso while admiring the antique-y decor and chatting up the bespoke fedora sporting baristas. From there we'll wind our way through the East side of downtown (you know, the hip areas), and across the Williamsburg bridge, with a final stretch leading to McCarren Park, finishing up with lunch at one of the many hip and tasty eateries in the area.

If you're up for the run, bring some cash, your metrocard, and an appetite. The run as planned is about 5.5 miles, with stops along the way for refueling. We plan on meeting at 9am, and will probably end up at McCarren Park around 11:30 or noon.

Any Williamsburgers want to meet up at McCarren Park for some pick-up soccer after the run?

Feel free to join at any point, invite friends, etc.

Meeting Location: Stumptown Coffee, 20 West 29th Street, in the Ace Hotel between Broadway and 5th Ave
Time: 9am
Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Destination: Williamsburg
Distance: 5.5 miles
Phone: (917) 686-5059

Enjoy your holiday tomorrow, whatever you may have planned!

--Sage

Fall Season Done - Winter Indoor?

Cougs,

tough loss yesterday, but another fun season. If anyone wants to get an off season Coug going in the next week or two, send it on to the group!

Following Scott's suggestion, we looked into a couple of indoor leagues yesterday at Loreley. It looks like Zog or NY Co-ed may offer the best options:

1. Zogsports - Weekend Indoor League - http://www.zogsports.org/ActivityTaxonomyDetails.aspx?id=597206

Early/regular registration will open TODAY and close November 18th/December 4th or earlier if the league sells out. $125/Cougar with 12 on the roster. The league runs on Saturday afternoons from 12-6 and Sunday afternoons/evenings from 12-10PM. Most games are on Sunday.  The division you choose does not determine when you will play.

• 7 regular season games and 1 scrimmage
• 5 on 5, 3 men (maximum) and 2 women (no maximum) on the court at all times
• In a gym, no goalie, with small goals. Side walls are live, back walls above 10 foot line are out
• Two 23-minute running halves

Pre-season scrimmages on January 9th/10th with some possibly on the 16th/17th.  

All games will be played In Manhattan at: High School for Environmental Studies (56th between 9th and 10th), Julia Richman (68th and 2nd), Edward Reynolds West Side High School (102nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus), JHS 22 (Houston Street and Columbia Street), Xavier High School (16th between 5th and 6th), LaGuardia High School (Amsterdam between 64th and 65th).

• Players Division - Think you're a jock? This division will be competitive, but still fun.
• Sorta Players - Pretty good athletes, maybe played together before, but still social and laid back.
• Casual Division - Played before? Not a bad athlete? This is the happy middle ground.
• Extremely Casual Division - this is the pure fun division. It's for you if you're looking more for the social than the competition or consider yourself a beginner at the organized game.

2. NY Coed Soccer - Indoor League Options - http://www.nycoedsoccer.com/IndoorLeagues.html

• $1600/team
• 5 v 5 with goalie

Here are the leagues that look most promising.

BROOKLYN MONDAYS: Cobble Hill starts January 11th
All games will be played 8-11pm in Cobble Hill location, steps from F-train. Details to follow shortly

BROOKLYN TUESDAYS: Williamsburg starts January 12th
All games will be played 8-11pm at Automotive High School. Details to follow shortly.

BROOKLYN SUNDAYS: Williamsburg starts January 10th
All games will be played Noon onwards at Automotive High School. Details to follow shortly.

MANHATTAN SUNDAYS: starts January 10th
All games are played Noon-6pm at Baruch College. Details to follow shortly.

Please send on your thoughts for the best night. If you know of any other good leagues, send word!

Jerseys & CougarBucks

Cougs,

the jerseys are getting printed... though not in time for this weekend... so let's get a win so we can wear them before the season's completely over!

Depending on how much you've paid over the past 2 seasons, or just for the shirt alone, I need to collect CougarBucks from many of you.

If you're name is on the list, you will be getting a shirt:
Women - Abby, Laura, Annie, Erica, Katie, Jessi
Men - Nick, Alex, Jake, Evan, Sage, Dermott, Graham, Jacks, Rich, Scott, Trevor, Isidro, Damian, Dan

1. If you played the past 2 seasons, and paid in full I need $10.
2. If you played Summer season ONLY and paid in full I need $5
3. If you played Fall season ONLY and paid in full I need $35
4. If you paid for a shirt ONLY, you owe $0
5. If you haven't paid yet this season, I please send in your CougarBucks.

If you're not in the city, I will mail you the shirt. If you can't make it to the game, let me know how to get it to you.

Please contact me if you have questions about what you owe. Bring cash/checks this Sunday. I need to pay the balance on the shirts, which comes to about $350.

Let's get a win on Sunday!