SOCCER ROUND-UP

The 2025 CCA boys soccer team is coached by Tim Benson. They practice 5 times a week from 3:45 to about 5:45 everyday after school. To get more information about the boys soccer season I interviewed coach Benson and these were the questions/answers: 

AFTERNOON PRACTICE; PHOTO BY JOSH GAETA

Is there any general information about the season you think people would be interested in? 

“We have over 50 boys out for soccer this season. Our team has athletes from various backgrounds and communicate in 5 different languages.”

What are you looking forward to this season? 

“I’m looking forward to seeing those players push each other to be the best team possible. This team has a lot of talent, but also wants to work hard and get better. I also really enjoy cold wind and we have a lot of that here in Iowa in the spring so lucky for me I guess.”

When and where will the first game be? 

“Our first official game is Thursday, April 3rd at home. Varsity plays at 5pm and JV plays at 6:45. Come check us out. With 50 guys playing you surely know someone on the team.”

What made you want to coach soccer?

“I played a lot of soccer growing up and through high school. It actually wasn’t my favorite sport to watch or follow and still isn’t, but I loved playing it as it is a nonstop action and a sport that rewards effort as well as being skilled. I was pretty high on the effort and not so high on the skill part. It also requires a great amount of teamwork to be successful and building the team, its skills, and its styles of play are what are fun for me. I coached some other sports before I started coaching soccer at CCA, but I always wanted to coach soccer so in 2008 I got a chance to start coaching soccer and I took it.” 

Now for the girls. The CCA girls soccer team is coached by Rachel Carney. The girls also have practice 5 times a week, they practice from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. I also made sure to interview Carney about how the girls season is going. These are her answers:

Is there any general information you think people would like to know about the season?

“All WAMAC games will be boy/girl double headers. Most evenings, varsity girls will be playing the first game at 5pm on the turf with the JV girls to follow on the grass field west of the turf.”

What made you want to coach soccer? 

“I played soccer throughout my childhood and into college (UNI). I know a coach can have on your development as a player and as a person, and that has always appealed to me. (Similar to why I like teaching!). I also enjoy spending time watching and being around soccer, it's always a great learning experience and it's a fun way for me to relax.”

When and where is the first game? 

“Our Jamboree (just a half of soccer, essentially a scrimmage) is on March 27th at Kingston stadium vs. Kennedy (6pm). Our first official game is away on Thursday, April 3rd Vs. Mount Pleasant at 4:30. Our first home game is Friday April 4th vs. West Liberty at 5pm.”

What are you most looking forward to this season?

“I enjoy watching my players grow through the season and the bonds they make with each other. This is a season of stepping up, developing, and proving our program's strength. Our success is not defined only by wins but competing at our best and committing to growth.