Editor’s note: This is one in a series of articles featuring the Lawrence soccer teams that participate in the Premier league of Hearland Soccer Assn.

I sat down with 10U Kaw Valley Force premier team coach Mauro Nobre to talk about the team and preview what the spring 2006 season is going to be like for the boys.

Division: Head coach Mauro Nobre said the team moved up from Division 3 to Division 2 this past fall in the Premier league of Heartland Soccer Assn.

Skills Focusing on this season: Technical skills like ball dribbling, passing, shooting, possession.

“We are teaching them all fundamental ball skills, though soccer is a team sport it is also filled with one-on-one player challenges, so we need good ball handlers,” Nobre said.

Anticipated standout player this season: Connor Henrichs

“He’s a good player, he anchors our team as a central defender playmaker and also finishes on the goal,” Nobre said.

Practices: Twice a week in Lawrence.

Games: Saturdays and Sundays at Heritage Soccer Park in Olathe.

Seasons: Fall (outdoors), winter (indoors-Futsal) and spring (outdoors).

Differences between indoors and outdoors for the team: Indoors the field is smaller and the games are quicker.

“In the indoors games you have to make quicker decisions and have perfect accuracy and speed and think quickly on transitions,” Nobre said. “Playing indoors helps the team with technical skills that carries over into outdoor play.”

Biggest competitors this season: Several big clubs in the Kansas City areas such as the Blue Valley Stars, the Kansas City Legends, the Kansas City Rush and the Kansas City Soccer Club.

“The Kansas City teams have strong programs because of its big population base,” Nobre said. “There are a lot of outstanding players, and a lot of them are taught by former Kansas City Wizards soccer players.”

Season objective: To come out in the top second or third and to eventually move up to the Division 1 level, Nobre said.

“We were Division 3 in the fall and did so well we were promoted to Division 2,” Nobre said. “Division 1 is where we need to be to compete at the highest levels.”