“I’m looking forward to Seamus taking over coaching responsibilities for the Fever,” said Driver. “He has been with me for 14 years and is, in my opinion, one of the most talented coaches in the country.”

O’Connor is currently an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Temple University’s Women’s Soccer program. He will continue his role at Temple while coaching the Fever.

“I’m looking forward to coaching in the WPSL again; this will be my fourth time in the league,” said O’Connor. “I’m committed to ASF’s player development model. ASF and its affiliated teams have always been about player development and I’m looking to implement that with the Fever.

O’Connor previously coached the AC Diablos, Philadelphia Liberty, and CDSA Future in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).

“For the High School players, it will be all about getting used to the speed of play required in the collegiate and professional game.  For Collegiate players, the Fever will be a great way to stay in game shape and a good compliment to the fitness program required of them by their college coaches during the summer months.  For the players who are out of college, the team will give them the chance to showcase their abilities with the goal of securing a professional contract.”

O’Connor’s most recent tenure, prior to Temple, was with Chestnut Hill College of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). He was named the Head Coach for the Men’s Soccer program in 2007 before coaching both the men and women’s teams in 2008 and 2009.

O’Connor’s coaching abilities warranted a promotion and he was appointed Director of Soccer for Chestnut Hill before choosing to exclusively coach the women’s team in 2010. He earned CACC Coach of the Year honors at the end of the 2010 season.

O’Connor also has experience in the professional ranks. In 2010, he served as Director of Operations for the Philadelphia Independence of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). The now-defunct WPS was the highest level of Women’s soccer in America and included US National Team stars like Alex Morgan, Lauren Cheney, and Abby Wambach.

“It’s great seeing players I met through ASF camps, summer select programs or clinics stay in the ASF player development model and grow up to be phenomenal players.” explained O’Connor , “even if it does make me feel old to now coach players in the WPSL that I first coached as U12 players in our ASF programs!”

O’Connor is an Irish native and graduated from the Athlone Institute of Technology (Ireland) in 1997. He was the starting goalkeeper for three seasons at Athlone while training with League of Ireland clubs Athlone Town and Longford Town.  His soccer licenses include Coaching and Goalkeeper Licenses from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) as well as a National and level-2 Goalkeeping License from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). He currently resides in Blackwood, NJ with his wife and two children, Shay and Annabridget.

Atlantic Soccer Factory (ASF) is proud to announce Matt Driver’s selection as United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) Coach of the Year for Region 1. Driver was selected from a pool of thousands of coaches in Region 1 and is a finalist for National Coach of the Year.

“It’s an amazing honor to have been chosen by my peers to represent Region 1 as the Coach of the Year,” said Driver. “This was completely unexpected and to be included with the other three National Coach of the Year finalists from across the country is absolutely thrilling.”

Driver played a vital role in all levels of soccer in America this year. He launched the Philadelphia Fever brand in the new Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League which replaced Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) as the highest level of women’s soccer in America after WPS decided to cancel their 2012 season.

On the men’s side, Driver re-launched the iconic Philadelphia Fury brand. Once a member of the North American Soccer League (NASL), the Fury made its return to American soccer by winning US Club Soccer’s National Adult League (NAL) Men’s Open Premier Division.

In addition to owning the Fever and Fury, Driver also works closely with the National Premier Soccer League. He is the league’s Technical Director and owns and coaches the AC Crusaders of the Northeast Conference’s Keystone Division.

Driver works closely with USASA to promote the organization and its players on a national scale. He was chosen to coach the Region 1 All-Stars along with Aleks Mihailovic as they played a series of exhibition games including a friendly with the NPSL Northeast Conference All-Star Team.

Driver also spends a lot of time coaching at the youth levels. He coaches several teams in South Jersey and helped raise over $1 million worth of athletic scholarships in 2012 alone. His U-18 Marlton Red Lightning team won the 2012 New Jersey Youth Soccer Association (NJYSA) state cup and was a finalist in the NJ US Soccer state cup. The Red Lightning went on to win the 2012 USYSA Regionals and was a National Semi-Finalist.

In addition to the U-18s, Driver also led the Washington Twp United U-15 Lightning to USYSA NJ State and Region 1 Championships. The Lightning was also a State Finalist for US Club Soccer.

Driver currently resides in Egg Harbor Twp, NJ with his wife Karen. He is in the business of developing soccer players through ASF’s vertically-integrated player development program which allows players to grow and improve their skills through weekly team and individual training sessions as well as summer camps and winter indoor programs.

This system is designed to develop players from an early age and then provide them opportunities to play soccer at the collegiate levels and beyond.

Region 1 Board Member, Jim Antonakas, played a key role in organizing the weekend’s events.

“My mission is to help amateur players in the region and across the country reach their goal of playing pro soccer,” said Antonakas. “When you bring guys like Matt [Driver] and Aleks [Mihailovic] you know you’re going to get professional training.

“You also get two guys that are in tune with the world of pro soccer in America,” added Antonakas. “They have the ability to identify which players have the potential to move on and play at the next level.”

NPSL Technical Director & Atlantic Soccer Factory (ASF) President, Matt Driver and USASA National Coaching Director, Aleks Mihailovic were chosen to get the All-Stars ready to play in only two days.

“It all starts with the selection process,” said Mihailovic. “The selection methods used by the coaching staff and Region 1 were spot on, it takes a special approach to unify a group in a short period of time and I believe the correct players were chosen to fill the necessary roles, which allowed us to be successful.”

The Region 1 All-Stars trained at Total Turf Experience in Pitman, NJ during their time together. Their training included a morning and afternoon session each day as well as a special Q & A session with a select panel of the Area’s most distinguished soccer minds.

“The training facilities at Total Turf were world class,” said Driver. “Andy [Logar] and his staff took care of paying attention to detail which allowed us to run a professional mini camp.”

“The Total Turf facilities proved to as versatile as it was matriculate,” added Driver.  “They provided us food via their Turfside Cafe and a conference room perfect for our panel of the weekend’s coaching staff and Lain Munro, former professional footballer and current director of the Philadelphia Union “Union Juniors” training program.”

The All-Stars’ first chance to showcase their talent and ability to play cohesive soccer came on Saturday when they traveled to Daniel Boone High School in Birdsboro, PA to play the Philadelphia Fury. The Fury returned to the US Soccer scene by winning US Club Soccer’s National Adult League (NAL) Men’s Premier Division.

The storied Fury brand is iconic to American soccer and was a member of the original National Adult Soccer League (NASL). The NASL included players and teams the became legends by the end of their careers including Pele, NY Cosmos, and Franz Beckenbaur.

Driver purchased the rights to the Fury in 2012 and it joined the Atlantic Soccer Factory family of teams that includes the AC Crusaders (NPSL) and Philadelphia Fever of the WPSL Elite League, the top level of women’s soccer in America.

The All-Star Team played well against the Fury and came away with a 4-0 victory. The Fury played well and were able to create a few scoring opportunities but couldn’t handle the offensive firepower on the Region 1 side.

“The All -Stars were very talented,” said Fury Head Coach, Joe Ricci. “They were very quick and had great technical ability and their speed of play on and off of the ball was impressive.”

“We certainly had a tall task ahead of us but I was pleased with the way the Fury played,” added Ricci. ” I was pleased with the intensity level and I believe we matched their level of play as best as we could throughout the match.”

Driver and Mihailovic both played pro soccer  in the APSL and NASL, respectively. Between them, they have coached at every level of professional soccer in America including the MLS. They know what it takes to play soccer professionally and they believe some players displayed the ability to play at that level this weekend.

“All field players performed at a high pace and goalkeepers consistently provided stability and leadership,” said Mihailovic. ” The style of play was a significant part of the team’s success. It allowed tactical flexibility and individual improvisation in appropriate situations.”

The Region 1 All-Stars next challenge was the NPSL – Eastern Conference All-Stars. The match was hosted by Oliver Papraniku and Joseph Sullivan of Jersey City Eagles (NPSL) and was played on Sunday at Cochrane Stadium in Jersey City, NJ.

The Region 1 side scored four goals once again on route to a 4-2 victory over the NPSL All-Stars led by Ngwasse Omengwasse and his four goals this weekend including a hat-trick on Sunday.

“Between the two sides, the NPSL and Region 1 were represented by 40 of the most promising soccer talents in the region, ” said Driver. “The score isn’t reflective of a great disparity of talent because Region 1 had two days to train together and the NPSL side didn’t have any. ”

” I know for certain that if the NPSL side were also given professional training the score would have been closer,” added Driver. ” It just goes to show you how proper preparation, planning, and leadership gives players the ability to showcase their talents in optimal settings for success.

The NPSL All-Stars were chosen by Eastern Conference coaches and were led by Kevin Grogan, Head coach of the Jersey City Eagles and Joe Ricci, Head Coach of the Philadelphia Fury and Daniel Boone High School Boys Varsity team. The Region 1 All-Stars were selected through scouting at the Donnelly Cup and other USASA Open Cup games.

“Overall the entire weekend was a huge success and I compliment Region 1 for the proactive approach they took by supporting this event,” said Mihalovic. “A lot of credit goes to Jimmy [Antonakas] for taking the lead and the players, administrators, and coaching staff for the effort they all provided in making the event successful.”

Antonakas believes this weekend’s success and other events like this will help expand the program to the national level. He works tirelessly to promote soccer in America and owns Mass United FC (NPSL) in Boston.

“The weekend was a huge success,” commented Antonakas. ” Everything was professionally run and it was great way to jumpstart plans to take the program to a national level and include amateur players from Regions 2,3, and 4.”

For more information about USASA and Region 1 please visit www.USASA.com and for more information on the NPSL please visit www.NPSL.info.

As a league that was initially formed to keep some of the former Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) teams and their professional players playing in America until the WPS rebounded from their indefinite hiatus. Unfortunately, the WPS folded operations on May 18^th after 3 seasons of play.

Even though the news was a huge blow for women’s professional soccer in America, the WPSL Elite League has more than adequately filled the void. In addition to the Elite League, more than 75 other WPSL teams play around the country in 11 different conferences making it the largest women’s soccer league in the world!

During a private conference call to Fever Owner, Matt Driver, the Commissioner of the Elite League, Jerry Zanelli, shared some of his views on the direction that the Elite League might take in 2013.

This was a very exciting phone call as the two men discussed the Elite League’s expansion plans. They talked about developing a viable business plan to help create a sustainable professional league where the top female players can continue to develop and flourish here in America.

As part of that conversation, Commissioner Zanelli asked Driver where he would prefer to base the Philadelphia Fever out of, and here lies the dilemma!

As many of the Atlantic Soccer Factory (ASF) family know, the Fever is just one of the four teams that ASF operates in the Delaware Valley. These teams include the AC Crusaders men’s team who is based out of Atlantic City and plays in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Keystone Conference. The Crusaders play their home games at Egg Harbor Twp High School. The Philadelphia Fury and the Philadelphia Fever U-23s (Reserves) belong to US Club Soccer’s National Adult League (NAL) and play their home games at Daniel Boone High School in Birdsboro, PA.

The Fever WPSL Elite League team is currently based out of Washington Twp, NJ. However, as a part of a first-year agreement, Driver petitioned the Elite League to agree for the Fever to play out of all three locations for the first year. After the inaugural season, Driver must choose a single location that will be best suited for the Fever to call home. This is not a decision to be taken lightly and is no way a cut-and-dry decision to make.

Due diligence has to be done when making decisions that may have a dramatic impact on the hosting soccer community. We need to get it right!

All three locations exceed the league’s expectations when it comes to minimum standards. With all other things being equal, we must take the following things into account:

• Soccer Community Awareness
• Fan Support
• Press Coverage
• Support From Our Corporate Sponsors
• Soccer Community’s Involvement In Our Grassroots Programming, Camps, Clinics, Player Development Training Programs etc.

All of these factors are an integral part of being successful and getting it right!

As Driver and ASF move forward in creating a vertically-integrated player development pyramid that remains club-neutral is capped by professional teams, they need to hear from you, the fan!

Please visit www.atlanticsoccerfactory.com/contact-us and tell us where you want the Fever to play out of next year and what it would mean to your soccer community to have them there!

The Fever will play their inaugural season at the highest level of women’s professional soccer in America. Of the eight teams in the new WPSL Elite League, the Fever is just one of two NCAA-compliant teams playing in the 2012 season.

Egg Harbor Twp, New Jersey (February 17, 2012) – Atlantic Soccer Factory (ASF) is proud to announce the creation of the Philadelphia Fever and their acceptance to the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League. The Fever will join the league as an NCAA-compliant amateur team that features New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s top collegiate players as well as former pros. The new WPSL Elite League now has (8) eight teams, including (6) full-time professional clubs, competing in the inaugural 2012 season.

The Fever will play against former Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) teams such as the Boston Breakers and 2011 WPS Champions, Western New York Flash. These clubs have in the past, featured U.S. National Team Stars: Alex Morgan, Lauren Cheney and Heather O’Reilley.

The team will play some of its home games in South Jersey and some in Eastern Pennsylvania. Most games will be played as double-headers in conjunction with the A.C. Crusaders of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and Philadelphia Fury of U.S. Club Soccer’s National Adult League (NAL).

The new WPSL Elite League is the highest level of women’s soccer in America. The league is based in the Midwest and East Coast and was formed as a response to the decision of WPS to suspend the 2012 season. Teams in the league have the option of competing with all professional players or a mix of professionals and amateurs.

“I am overjoyed to have the Philadelphia Fever become the eighth and final team in the inaugural WPSL Elite League 2012 Season.  Philadelphia and South Jersey soccer fans should get ready for a fabulous women’s soccer season. Matt Driver is well known for his commitment to women’s soccer and his high caliber players. The Fever is a great addition to the WPSL Elite League,” said WPSL Commissioner Jerry Zanelli.

Team Owner and ASF President, Matt Driver, is committed to developing homegrown talent and showcasing the area’s best soccer players. As a result, the Fever will be built around local talent and will provide New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s best collegiate players the opportunity to play in a professional atmosphere against international superstars who’ve played in World Cups and Olympic Games.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for local players to gain exposure and it gives them the chance to play at the highest level of women’s professional soccer, without forfeiting their NCAA eligibility,” said Driver. “The players that will play in this new WPSL Elite League are the same players millions of people watched during last year’s World Cup and will represent their countries at the 2012 London Olympics.”

Driver’s philosophy of player progression led him to create a vertically integrated player development program that began years ago with the creation the A.C. Diablos men and women’s teams in 2006. The men competed in the NPSL and the women’s team belonged to the WPSL. Driver inspires his players to aspire to reach their goals and maximize their potential.

The program is club-neutral and allows ASF to work with players from the time they’re four years old all the way through college soccer and beyond. Currently, ASF provides local players the opportunity to play on a men’s NPSL team, A.C. Crusaders, and now a Women’s WPSL Elite League team, Philadelphia Fever without having to leave their local club or college.

“We get a hold of these kids as early as three or four year-olds in our rec programs and we put them through our vertically-integrated player development program,” said Driver. “We develop relationships with clubs and their players and we help them maximize their potential as soccer players as well as provide them outlets to showcase their abilities and play the game at their highest ability.”

The Fever is scheduled to kick off its inaugural season in May. The team will hold a press conference to introduce the team and coaching staff to the community and future Fever fanatics.

We will continue to hold tryouts:

Philadelphia Fury (Men – NAL): Daniel Boone High School (Birdsboro, PA) 

Sunday, March 4th