(November 7,2008) We are saddened to learn that Michelle French, coach at Eastside FC, US Olympian and Lady Sounder extraordinaire, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. We keep her in our thoughts and prayers as she undergoes treatment, and wish her a quick recovery. Eastside FC is doing a fundraiser at the US Club tournament this weekend at Starfire.  They are selling wristbands. Please stop by and show your support for a member of our soccer family that needs our help.

Crossfire has 2 players in New Zealand at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Laura Andrea Hernandez of our girls ’90-A team, is playing for the Colombian U17 team. Laura is listed as Andrea Hernandez , #19, on Colombia’s roster. She has been training in Bogota since June. In the group stage, Columbia drew 1:1 with Denmark in their first game and 1:1 with Canada in their second. They play New Zealand on Nov. 4th. Laura looked into the opportunity last spring after her Crossfire teammate Adrianna Moya played with the Chilean U20 team until injured. You can follow all the action here.

(October 20, 2008) Kate Bennett, Bellevue High School Player and Crossfire Premier player, makes the U17 US Women’s National team.  She will attend the U17 World Cup which starts next Tuesday in New Zealand.  Three weeks ago, Bennett left the Wolverines to practice with the boys team at the Crossfire Premier Academy. The move gave her more advanced training before the most recent national team camp, where she impressed enough to get selected for the World Cup squad. Read the full article in  The Seattle Times.

(October 14, 2008) On Tuesday, Crossfire coach Justi Baumgardt-Yamada, was inducted into the Federal Way High School Hall of Fame. Her number 7 jersey was retired in honor of her achievements not only while at Federal Way High school, but also because of her outstanding college and professional career. Some of Coach Justi’s high school achievements include, leading the Eagles to 2 State Championships, most career goals and assists (a record that still stands).

Mark your Calendar for the Crossfire Annual General Meeting October 27, 2008. The Crossfire AGM will last only about one hour and we will be conducting very important business such as: Election of club officers (Treasurer and Vice President in even years). The Club President will bringing a "State of the Club" report as well as vision forecasting for the coming year. Our Treasurer will bring you up to date on the financial condition of the club currently and going forward. Finally, you can ask questions and learn how to get involved with this exciting, innovative and Nationally recognized award winning Club. Get involved ! Make a difference !   Allen Bechtel, Board Secretary

What Is This Deal All About?   King County, the owner of 60 Acres North and South, and LWYSA, propose to enter into a 30 year Use Agreement that will allow LWYSA to continue to operate and maintain the fields on 60 Acres North, and develop up to 10 new fields on 60 Acres South.  This Use Agreement must be approved by the King County Council.  Additionally, LWYSA must obtain all required use and building permits from the City of Redmond before development can begin.  As part of the deal, upon approval by the King County Council of the Use Agreement, LWYSA will sell 72 acres of Sammamish Valley farmland that it currently owns to Full Circle Farms, a local organic farming company,  and King County.  This would return farmland that has sat fallow for 14 years to active production, and supply local organic produce to the surrounding community.

The Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association will be allowed to build seven to nine soccer fields on the southern portion of Sixty Acres Park under a new 30-year agreement approved Monday by the Metropolitan King County Council. Read the announcement from King County Council here and/or the Seattle Times Article here.

(September 2, 2008) Congratulations to Crossfire keeper, Keenan Gracey, who has joined the Reserves at Wigan Athletic Football Club of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England.  Wigan plays in the Premier League, the highest level of football in England.

Prior to joining the Latics, Keenan played with our USSF Development Academy team and Dan Leeming’s U-18 team that captured the championship in the U-17 Super Group at the US Club Soccer Regionals in Boise this past July.  He has been named in Wigan’s side for tonight’s match against Manchester City. Click here to visit the official website of Wigan Athletic and learn more about the Latics.

(Updated August 26, 2008) Early in July, Crossfire G92 A Schmetzer midfielder Isabel Farrell was selected to the 2008-09 Olympic Development Program National Player Pool for the 1994 (U-14) age group, identifying Isabel as one of the 100 top players from across the country in this age group.   Two weeks later, Isabel then attended the ODP National Camp in California at Cal Poly Pomona, with the hopes of being selected to the 18-player U-14 National Team.

After an impressive camp performance that included a goal scored in every match played, Isabel was been selected to the 18-player U-14 National Team.  Congratulations Isabel on this incredible national recognition! Isabel’s first tournament with the U-14 National Team was played last weekend in Carson, CA.  The 2008 Women’s Nike Friendlies featured elite youth teams from across the country and was played at The Home Depot Center.

(July 17, 2008) Bernie James has been chosen by U.S. Soccer and his peers as the Coach of the Year in the Western Conference of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U18 Group. Bernie and his U18 and U16 teams were competing against the best teams and coaches, not only in the western conference, but also in the country, as the Crossfire Academy teams played in various showcases and tournaments during this inaugural USSDA season. Crossfire is also proud that 4 of it’s academy players were chosen by conference coaches and U.S. Soccer scouts into the Starting XI U18 and U16 teams,

Crossfire is excited to announce the 2008 Nike Crossfire College Camp.  This camp is designed for players who aspire to play at the collegiate level. Coaches from the top men’s and women’s college programs in the country will direct teams through a challenging curriculum that will expose players to techniques and tactics that will be required to succeed at the highest levels.  Colleges Added (5/27)

Crossfire Premier wants everyone to be aware of a great opportunity to help raise money for the Susan G Komen for the Cure, Making Memories,and Smith & Edwards Cure for Breast Cancer Scholarship. How? through the purchase of the book "Come, Walk" authored by Crossfire Parent Karen Whittier. The book details her experiences in training for and walking in the Seattle Breast Cancer Three Day Walk. The book also includes stories from those personally touched by breast cancer.

Notice:  Crossfire Premier has decided that with the 2008-09 campaign, Crossfire will move to new team designations which use either the letter A for the first team or one of the following colors: Black, Red, White, Gray, and Blue.

(January 1, 2008) Crossfire Premier is pleased to announce that the “2008 NIKE CROSSFIRE CHALLENGE” Soccer Tournament will be held over two weekends in a new Saturday through Monday format. The first weekend, Saturday, July 12 - Monday, July 14, will be girls U10 to U19, while the second weekend, Saturday, July 19 - Monday, July 21; will be boys U10 to U19.        more