63rd NSCAA Convention Off To Quiet Start

The 63^rd Annual National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention officially touched off yesterday here in Philadelphia, and did so in a quiet manner.  

Really not much to talk about on day one, although I did manage to grab an interview with Philadelphia Independence general manager Terry Foley. Foley told me the expansion WPS (Women’s pro soccer) franchise was looking forward to Friday's WPS Draft, in which they hold the 13^th overall pick and the second selection in the second round.

By the way, make sure to check your Bleacher Report over the next few days as we will indeed keep an eye on every thing that happens here at the convention with both the WPS and MLS.

You can also count on extensive draft coverage from our talented team of WPS writers including a recap of the women’s and men’s drafts.

As a matter of fact,  the MLS SuperDraft will actually take place today with the hometown Philadelphia Union holding the overall number one pick, the No. 7 pick and the first pick in each successive round.

I anticipate that it will get quite festive at the Convention Center as the Son’s of Ben Supporters club is expected to make a strong showing to watch their club make its first ever SuperDraft Selections.

But I digress, because for the most part, there really wasn’t much to talk about on the first day; the only other excitement I got was seeing North Carolina women’s coach Anson Dorrance , who by the way was sporting a knee brace.

I also said hello to goal keeper Guru Tony DiCicco. DiCicco, the former U.S. Women’s national team coach and current Boston Breakers (WPS) manager, was taking part in the NSCAA advanced goalkeeping symposium with some of the organizations top net minding instructors.

I have a great deal of respect for Dicicco and all of the NSCAA instructors. I currently carry both the NSCAA state and regional goalkeeping certifications. 

There will definitely be a bigger buzz today here at the convention. In addition to the MLS SuperDraft, there will be several work shops, coaching clinics and over 300 vendors selling everything soccer from group trips to Europe to the latest in equipment. 

By the way, since 1976 the NCSAA has held its convention here in the City of Brotherly Love nine times, including this year.