San Bruno Dynamite Selected to Play in Elite 2012 AYSO National Games

A year from this week, the San Bruno Dynamite 14-and-under girls’ soccer team will have experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The Dynamite are the only team from Northern California and one of 24 teams drawn to go to the 2012 AYSO National Games, held in Knoxville, TN, from July 1-8.

The national games consist of teams of different age groups and regions of the country participating in a week-long tournament, getting to know each other and having a cultural experience in the host city.

San Bruno’s select team is coached by Brian Hafter, who put together a 15-player all-star roster before signing them up for the national games. Hafter and the team learned in Memorial Day that they had been selected and started planning to fundraise right away.

The national games are played in a six-team, four-pool play format, once past the pool stage, the teams move on to the round robin stage in which the half length increases from 30 to 40 minutes.

 “We’re really excited to play all these all-star teams from all over the country,” said co-captain Talia Hafter, 13. “Playing in AYSO has helped develop our soccer skills, we keep getting better and better, so we can’t wait to show that next year.”

Besides the competition, some players look forward to the vacation aspect of the trip. “I’m looking forward to soccerfest,” said left midfielder Natalie Estelita, 13.

Soccerfest is an event held in the first day of the trip, where the players get to mingle with other teams and play together.

The team plays a 4-3-3 formation and has a simple philosophy—put enough shots on goal and eventually the goals will come. “We have an attacking style of playing, we’re not really an execution type of team,” said Talia Hafter. “We just go forward and put the shot on frame.”

Co-captains Jamie Swedberg, Talia Hafter and Estelita are all set to attend in the fall and each will look to crack a roster spot. While the high school and AYSO brands of soccer are often different, coach Hafter said he’ll look to incorporate skills and tactics the girls learn at practice as it can have a positive impact in their team growth.

Though the games are about a year away, players have already started preparing for the event. One of the team’s top scorers, Sierra Olsen, runs five miles a day to keep fit, while Estelita works out at Bally Fitness and said the fall soccer season will keep her conditioned.

Swedberg is a four-sport athlete, but plans to commit to soccer, volleyball and softball in her freshman year, plenty to keep her in shape all year round.

“We’re looking forward to win the national title,” said Talia Hafter. “We’re gonna try our hardest and keep fit throughout the year so that we can compete against some very good teams.”

“We have a really good team,” said Swedberg. “We have a year to get better, so I’m looking forward to playing and doing really well.”

AYSO pays a $600 per-team registration fee, but the Dynamite are expected to raise $1,500 per-player for year-round activities, including participating in two local tournaments and a spring league, then food, travel and stay expenses for Knoxville.

As of now, the team counts with the sponsorship of the Lions Club, who donated $1,200, which will be shared through each player, the team is also doing other fundraisers such as selling chocolate and holding car washes.

Any companies or individuals interested in sponsoring the team may contact Brian Hafter at bhafter@linerlaw.com or 415-810-8403. All donations are tax deductible.