Here is the latest update from ASA:

Arizona Soccer Association COVID-19 Update – March 27, 2020

The last three weeks have been unprecedented at best and it is hard to believe that it’s only been three weeks. 

While in this time of uncertainty, I want to share how absolutely amazing clubs in Arizona have been. Difficult times like these create opportunities for innovation and so many have taken training to levels not previously imagined. Some examples include:

• Toilet Paper juggling contests
• Webinars with topics that include mental strength, college recruiting, and guest speakers
• Club challenges
• Clubs using various online technical training tools

It’s great to see so many clubs staying engaged with their players and families during this time!

I also wanted to give some updates on the actions ASA has taken and communicated.

Suspension of ASA managed leagues and events

All ASA sanctioned activities are currently suspended until at least April 10, 2020. This will continue to be monitored and will be updated as conditions require. 

However, ASA has been informed that there are still a few groups hosting some form of organized activities. With that, a communication was sent today to all coaches and team officials advising that due to the suspension of all ASA sanctioned soccer-related activities, there is no insurance coverage provided to any organization or person conducting or participating in soccer activities (i.e. training, practices, games). It is important to know and communicate to all of your coaches and parents that any activities are done so at the sole responsibility and liability of the individuals organizing and participating. ASA bears no liability until the suspension of soccer-related activities is lifted.

Online FIFA 2020 Tournament

Our online FIFA 2020 Tournament has been a resounding success. Over the past week, we have hosted 128 players on each of the platforms, PS4 and X-Box, with the champions of each of these scheduled to play online against professional players Richie Ledezma on PS4 and Bryce Duke on X-Box.

Richie Ledezma, a former Arizona ODP player, is currently under contract and playing for PSV Eindhoven in Eredivisie (Dutch First Division). Ledezma also has represented the United States in the FIFA U-20 World Cup and was recently named to the United States U-23 team that was scheduled to participate in the 2020 Olympics. 

Bryce Duke, also a former Arizona ODP player, recently signed with LAFC of Major League Soccer. Duke made his debut during LAFC’s Concacaf Champions League match against Leon of Liga MX on February 18 and appeared in both of LAFC’s matches before the MLS season was suspended.

This should be a lot of fun and will be streamed live on Twitch today, March 27, 2020. Another round of the tournament will kick-off next week.

Presidents Cup and State Cup

This week we hosted a virtual DOC meeting and communicated the following:

– Presidents Cup Silver – Changed to a single-elimination event. We have offered teams a full refund if they would like to withdraw from the event since this is a format change. Teams have been communicated with and must submit their request to withdraw no later than 6:00 pm Arizona time, Friday, March 27, 2020.

We have also offered teams that may want to move up to the Gold tournament, the opportunity to do so for no incremental cost. For those teams that remain and participate in the Silver division, they will be afforded partial refunds if they play less than three games.

As of 1:30 pm today, of the 142 teams that registered 18 have requested a full refund. While 6 teams have requested to move to Gold.

– Presidents Cup Gold and State Cup – As was communicated during the DOC meeting, these events are currently scheduled to begin April 17, 2020, if it is safe for players, coaches, referees, and families. We do not have any intention of hosting these events unless it is 100% safe and can be done in compliance with directives provided by the CDC and Arizona Department of Health. We are continuing to monitor the situation daily, and at times hourly, and have developed contingency plans that range from moving the start date of the events further out to canceling the events altogether – or anything in between.

As was communicated during the DOC meeting, these events are currently scheduled to begin April 17, 2020, if it is safe for players, coaches, referees, and families. We do not have any intention of hosting these events unless it is 100% safe and can be done in compliance with directives provided by the CDC and Arizona Department of Health. We are continuing to monitor the situation daily, and at times hourly, and have developed contingency plans that range from moving the start date of the events further out to canceling the events altogether – or anything in between.