Week 1 In the Books! From our energetic preschool, 6U, and 8U players to the fast-paced competition in 10U, 12U, and 14U, fields across Pasadena and La Cañada were alive with action for Week 1! Huge thanks to the amazing volunteer coaches, referees, and team managers who made opening weekend go.
Massive Shout-Out: To our Youth Refs taking charge on the field! Stepping up to ref takes real confidence, focus, and a serious passion for the sport. If you see one of our youth refs on the fields this season, take five seconds after the match to tell them what an awesome job they’re doing.
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Silent Saturday Ahead… On September 26, Silent Saturday gives kids a chance to play a purer form of soccer, free from coaches' and spectators' direction from the sidelines.
The goals of Silent Saturday are: To emphasize that the game is about letting the kids have fun and play. To show that kids can play well on their own with limited instruction. To help the few parents and coaches who feel they must provide constant direction, understand how disruptive it can be. To give players the chance to trust their skills and instincts without sideline input. To encourage leadership skills among the individual players as they have the unique opportunity of giving their own instruction on the field. To encourage a sense of true teamwork as the players must learn to rely upon one another and communicate with each other accordingly. To support our volunteer referees, both youth and adult, by eliminating sideline interference and comments.
While coaches and family members are asked to remain silent… clapping is allowed! Be creative in how you choose to cheer your child’s team – make signs to hold up or bring a rally towel in the team’s color and wave it wildly. We’ll be hosting a poster-making station at Victory Park to get your arts and crafts on! There are lots of ways to cheer other than verbally – applaud/clap, but please no horns, whistles, or noise-makers. |
More Reminders for the Weeks Ahead The full season of games is posted and sortable by team or coach name, field, and division. Did you know you can easily also add all those games to your calendar? After arriving at your team’s schedule, click the Subscribe to this schedule button to automatically subscribe via your Apple, Google, iCal, 365, or Outlook calendar.
What About Weather? Between recent heat and predicted wetter-than-usual months ahead, you’ve probably wondered if practices and games are still on. We’ve created an easy all-in-one resource that shows current field status and complete weather conditions. |
And for even more on Region 13 weather, policies, and safety guidelines, visit our website. |
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How to Show Up Next Week With many weeks of soccer ahead, don’t forget to review these helpful rules and reminders families need to know: Leave Pets at Home, No Earrings, Remember Shin Guards, Sit in Designated Areas, Pick Up Your Trash, Respect Referees, and, most importantly, good sportsmanship from everyone!
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Sunday Soccer Lab is Here! ⚽🔥 Does your kiddo practically sleep in their cleats? Powered by BPU Academy, our brand-new Sunday Soccer Lab gives young players the extra ball touches, footwork magic, and game-day confidence they’re craving. Designed to fit right alongside their regular team practices and games, it’s packed with the extra technical reps they want in a fast, fun, high-energy atmosphere.
Every Sunday, starting September 20, 9–10:30am |
NEXT is MORE SOCCER ⚽🌹 for 10U, 12U, 14U
Sundays Starting September 27 at La Cañada High School JV Fields Want to level up after game day? NEXT delivers weekly training and scrimmage sessions designed for players to push their limits and try new skills in a fun, relaxed environment. Region 13 coaches lead every session with a focus on maximizing touches through open play.
To attend, check the schedule and join the Spond groups below. |
WORKSHOP for COACHES Beyond the Ball: The Moments That Make Players Want to Come Back
A great AYSO experience is about more than learning to pass, defend, or score. Coaches help shape how children experience confidence, belonging, challenge, and even themselves. Sometimes the smallest coaching routine makes the biggest impact.
Join us as we explore how common coaching strategies help children develop confidence, resilience, belonging, teamwork, and joy. We’ll dig into real coaching situations, practice routines, player interactions, and communication strategies you can use right away. Come ready to talk soccer, share ideas, and add a few new tools to your coaching bag.
🍽️ Free dinner is included!
Thursday, September 17 7pm AYSO Region 13 Clubhouse 711 W. Woodbury Rd., Unit E Altadena, CA 91001 |
Volunteer Salute
We send a hearty salute to BSA Scouting America Troop 501 of La Cañada for spending a steamy day on the fields assembling goals. Huge thanks to Assistant Scoutmaster Joshua Shaw and the boys; Kyle, Remy, George, Milan, Leo and Everett- for helping to make soccer happen. |
Letter from the Commissioner
Hello everyone, As you probably know by now, AYSO is guided by six philosophies. This week, I want us to think about one of these: Good Sportsmanship.
Good sportsmanship is critical for every single one of us to display at all times. Whether we are volunteer coaches or referees, players in the game, parents watching, or simply observers at the park or practice field. AYSO emphasizes Good Sportsmanship over winning in all of our games and activities. I firmly believe that is what keeps families and players coming back year after year. When you are on that field cheering on your team, remember that some of the parents and kids on the other team are probably going to be on your team next year. Supporting everyone helps all of us to enjoy the beautiful game.
And remember: our kids are watching everything we do. If they see us criticizing the coach or blaming a referee for what happens on that field, how do they incorporate that into their concept of practicing hard and playing as a team? Part of Good Sportsmanship is recognizing that everyone makes mistakes, and that is part of learning and growing—which is exactly what we are trying to do with our children every day.
Thank you to each of you for sharing that journey with AYSO and Region 13.
—Patrick Shopbell, your volunteer RC |
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AYSO Region 13
