October 2013 Newsletter
Our Coaches Can Play

Milltown Coaches are versatile. They can organize practices. They can coach games. They can transport gear. And, it turns out, they can play soccer. Every Sunday evening, they gather to play casual games under the lights. Don't worry: they all know the importance of a proper warm-up, and of not overdoing things. They are coaches, after all.
 
Friday Night Soccer

Most Milltown families already know about Friday Night Soccer. If they don't, then they really should. These free, fun-filled clinics run by professional coaches from U.K. International soccer are a great way for current Milltown players to enjoy some extra soccer. Sessions continue through October 25.
Link of the Month

Milltown is committed to supporting a positive sports environment for all participants. So when we come across a website that provides constructive advice to coaches, parents, and players about just that sort of thing, we feel the need to share. Check out the Responsible Sports website for practical advice on matters ranging from goal-setting and sportsmanship to post-game conversations. 
Spring 2014 Season Info
 
Milltown will offer a spring soccer season for U6-U14 players beginning in early April and continuing through late May or early June. Registration will open in early January. There is a pretty good chance we'll remind you again.
 
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Winding Down 
 
It's that time of year again: the leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter, and the fall soccer season is winding down. I hope it has been a rewarding season for our players, coaches, and families, and that our players leave the field with new friendships, improved skills, and an enjoyment of the game that lasts far beyond the end of the season. 

Thanks to all the volunteers and parents that pitched in to make this a successful season. It really does take a village to make a recreational soccer club work, and I, our board, and our coaches appreciate all the support our club has received from our community this season.

As Milltown families spend their off-season weekends pursuing other interests and activities, our volunteers will be hard at work preparing for the spring season (and beyond). We have some great ideas for improving the variety and quality of our programs, and we look forward to implementing them over the next few seasons. I think the future of Milltown soccer looks pretty bright, and we will remain focused on making soccer in our area enjoyable and accessible for all.

Keep an eye out over the next few months for information on upcoming Milltown programs and events. This newsletter, our web site, and our Facebook page are great ways to stay informed about what's happening at Milltown. We've even been known to send an email or two. It's true that we aren't exactly shy when it comes to sharing news about our club. We think we have some good things going, and we want people to know about them.

Thanks again, and enjoy the off-season.

Mike Reese
President, Milltown United SC
Portland, L.A., and Milltown
 
Milltown was well-represented in the stands and on the field when the Portland Timbers hosted the L.A. Galaxy on September 29. Before coming away with a 1-0 victory, the Timbers shared some pre-game time on the field with Milltown players. We're not saying that Milltowners whispered goalkeeping advice to Donovan Ricketts, or gave Maxi Urruti tips on finishing corner kicks but...well, the Timbers did win the game. And they are undefeated since. Draw your own conclusions. Thanks to the Timbers for making us feel at home, and thanks to all the Milltown families for braving the weather and representing Milltown with style.
Just Do It

 

There's this company called Nike. You've probably heard of them. Their campus is right in the Milltown neighborhood. Well, we got to talking with them and it turns out we have quite a bit in common. We like soccer and so do they. We use soccer gear and they make it. We even hang out at a lot of the same places. So it seemed only natural to strike up some sort of relationship, and that's exactly what we did. We are proud to announce that Milltown has entered into a formal partnership with our friends at Nike that will make Nike the exclusive supplier of most Milltown apparel and gear. This partnership will bring Milltown significant cost savings and provide access to a wide range of products that we are confident our players and coaches will like.
Kohl's Cup in the 'hood
 
It isn't every weekend that Milltown teams get a chance to enter a recreational tournament
right in Milltown's own backyard. But when the Kohl's American Cup came to town on October 5-6, they had a chance to do exactly that. The result was a tournament filled with green, as Milltown was represented in almost every age bracket. Some teams finished atop the standings (congrats, Vipers!); others finished in other positions. What they all shared was this: they represented Milltown with good sportsmanship, pride, and hard work, and they got the chance to enjoy a beautiful weekend of soccer with teammates and friends. It doesn't get any better than that. Unless you add pizza, which many teams did.