DeAnza Force Dazzle

Force 90G Blue Advances to 2008 State Cup Quarterfinal! Playing in what was widely considered one of the two toughest brackets, De Anza Force 90G Blue played three brilliant matches of soccer on the opening weekend of the 2008 Cal-North State Cup.

On Saturday, the offense and defense worked together to win 5-0 and 5-0. On Sunday, Force 90G Blue made an early run at the Capital Athletic Boca Jrs. — finalist of the prestigious President’s Day Tournament in Phoenix — scoring in the first five minutes and working hard throughout to extend its lead. Although the highly skilled, fast and physical Boca Jrs. did manage to tie the game just before the final whistle, Force 90G held the tiebreaker advantage based on our Saturday play, and we advanced to our fourth consecutive year of State Cup quarterfinals or better.

Summer Plans • De Anza Force 90G Blue is planning a busy summer, traveling to some of the top college showcases. These include the Laguna Hills College Showcase (acceptance pending), Texas Shootout (accepted), Pleasanton Rage College Showcase, Mustang Stampede, So Cal Blues Cup, and possibly the San Diego Surf Cup. Due to our continuing success in State Cup, we expect to be placed in the top groups at these tournaments, increasing our players’ exposure to a wide variety of college coaches.

Tryouts!! • After State Cup is concluded, the team will lose a handful of 2008 players, which will open up spots for a number of talented, hard-working 2009s or 2010s who would like to join the top U18 team in District 2. Are you looking for a great team that has fun together AND will maximize your exposure to college coaches? Now’s the time to contact Coach Adrianne Fass, or (408) 838-0208, or Francis Dickerson, manager at (408) 866-2353.

Tryouts are being held at regular practices (typically Monday or Wednesday) and in scrimmages. All positions are welcome. Even if your team is still involved in State Cup, if you will need a team for next year, please contact us to get on our list.

A Dazzling History • Since our U11 season, the De Anza Force 90G Blue (formerly the Dazzle) has won 16 tournaments, two fall league titles, and two spring championships. We are currently a U17 team, with a roster consisting of talented 2008 and 2009 players — almost all of whom hope to play soccer at the collegiate level. Virtually all of our players have been involved in ODP, with six players currently in the State ODP pool or higher.

Top Tournaments • In State Cup, the best measure of a team because teams must play with their regular rosters, we reached the semifinals in 2007 and 2006, and the quarterfinals in 2005. This has opened the door to top tournaments where college age players get seen and recruited. Over the past three years, we have played twice each in the Las Vegas College Showcase, Surf Cup, Pleasanton Rage College Showcase, and Mustang Stampede; once in the Laguna Hills Eclipse College Showcase and Texas Shootout; and all three seasons in the So Cal Blues Cup.

We had nearly 40 college coaches watch our matches at Eclipse, and 30 coaches watch us at the Rage tournament. We’ve also had coaches at our fall league games, State Cup, and even scrimmages (we had 8 coaches at a scrimmage day in March 2008). Are you getting that exposure on your current team?

The interest from college coaches has resulted in three Force 2008 players and one 2009 player signing or making a verbal commitment to NCAA Division I colleges.

Force 90G Blue is coached by Adrianne Fass, a former five-time ODP Regional and U.S. national pool player and All American at the University of Florida. She is assisted by Felicia Perez, a past Cal-North State ODP head coach and head coach at Evergreen Valley College in San Jose.