Fall is in full swing here.

School routine has settled in and the soccer season is coming up on the midpoint. Kids are just getting their heads into the game and with our famous fall weather, we should be in for some great fun over the next four weeks.

There are a couple of ways to increase the fun quotient: the Fall Classic, the Sioux Park Challenge, and the Cobbler/Raider game on Sept. 24.

The Rushmore Soccer Club's Fall Classic on Sept. 29 is open to recreation and competitive teams. Coaches should note that the registration deadline is Sept. 14. All of the forms are at www.rushmoresoccerclub.com.

The Sioux Park Challenge is a 3V3 tournament planned for October 19-21. This is open to players from the Under 6 Division up through adults. They have included a Parent's Division where the kids are the coaches.

This will be a lot of fun. Sign up online at www.bh3v3.com or pick up forms at the Rapid City Youth Soccer League office on West Main Street. The registration deadline is Oct. 1, so do it now.

On Sept. 24, the Sioux Park Stadium will showcase a crosstown rivalry: Rapid City Central versus Rapid City Stevens. Junior varsity games begin at 4 p.m. with the girls varsity starting at 6 p.m., and the boys at 8 p.m. Both teams will honor their senior members at these games. Plan for pizza at the park as Pizza Hut is helping support these teams.

Indoor soccer will again be offered through RCYSL for November. Register before October 12 for a fun indoor experience. This is small-sided, very fast and great for building skills and control. This is not a continuation of fall teams, but more of the "sandlot" style. Check the Web site for more information.

"Sundays R Fundays" held the first training/coaching session with Melissa Leone on Sunday. This was the first of five sessions that offer both players and coaches an outstanding opportunity. Leone is a former professional soccer player and coach. She leads these sessions aimed at the volunteer coaches who staff our soccer teams. If you are coaching (recreation, challenge or club) this is just too good to miss.

Leone's next session will deal with "dribbling" and the session for U-8 to U-10 boys and girls begins at 2 p.m. with older divisions meeting at 4 p.m. Coaches receive the printed worksheets to use for their practices and have an opportunity to watch Leone coach a group of players in the focused skill. Players register at training@rcysl.com or by calling Tim Rogers at 716-0957. There is no fee.

The U.S. Women's National Team opened play in China against North Korea on Tuesday. Nike ads call them "The Greatest Team You Never Heard Of."

The time difference puts the live games in extremely early morning (3 a.m.), but soccer channels are re-broadcasting the game later. So, if you don't check the Web sites and skip the news, you can pretend it's live.

The U.S. is in Group B, which includes exactly the same opponents the U.S. played at the last World Cup: North Korea, Nigeria and Sweden. After a tie with North Korea, the U.S. plays Sweden tomorrow, and Nigeria on Sept.18. Sweden and Nigeria tied on Tuesday. Check the Galavision schedule for evening re-broadcasts. Or, set your recording devices for the live broadcasts on ESPN2.