NISA Independent Cup – 3rd Weekend Preview

OK – this time we will really have other regions joining the party. We got a fake out last weekend, but everything is now squared away with the Central Plains Region. And the winner is us, the lower league soccer-viewing public. Three days of Independent Cup footie action will be happening this weekend.

But you better be on your Ps and Qs when it comes to the Central Plains Region. With both club pairings playing Friday and Sunday, if you blink you’ll miss most everything. 

Central Plains Region

Louisiana Krewe FC v Gaffa FC – Friday, July 24th @ 9PM ET (Dobie Holden Stadium, Pearl River CC, Poplarville MS)

Louisiana Krewe FC v Gaffa FC – Sunday, July 26th @ 7PM ET (Dobie Holden Stadium, Pearl River CC, Poplarville MS)

So we not only have a change in dates for these two games, we have a change in venue. Instead of St. Julien Park in Broussard, Louisiana, we move to Dobie Holden Stadium on the campus of Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Mississippi. Advantage Gaffa FC, right? Well, Poplarville is a two-hour drive from Jackson (according to the Googles), so not exactly a home game per se.

Gaffa FC from Jackson, Mississippi, have not played a competitive match since last July due to the cancellation of the 2020 GCPL season. Winners of the GCPL in their first season (2017), Gaffa just missed out on the GCPL playoffs in 2019. This is a club that has a mix of veteran players from around the world who are coaches themselves as well as young players from the local area. The team is led by their Manchester-born center back Tom Cosgrave who will be on the roster for this tournament. 

Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, Louisiana Krewe have only played one season in the GCPL but enjoyed moderate success and made some noise by qualifying for the 2020 Open Cup. And yes, the club has had a certain soccer website on the front of its kits. Like Gaffa FC, Krewe have constructed a roster that has many international players but also give an opportunity for local players. Will Krewe continue its successful run of play?  

Lone Star Republic v Mansfield Revolution SC, Friday, July 24th @ 9PM ET (Greenhill School, Addison TX)

Mansfield Revolution SC v Lone Star Republic, Sunday, July 26th @ 7PM ET (Summit High School, Arlington TX)

Lone Star Republic out of Richardson, Texas is a club that has made it clear its long-term intentions and ambitions. Formed in 2012, the team calls itself “The World’s Greatest North Texas Future Professional Soccer Club” on its website (which has plenty of goofiness going on – so I’m already a fan). Currently the club plays in the UPSL – but for how long? NISA-bound in the future, perhaps? Like many of the participating clubs, LSR gets a bigger spotlight to show what they’re all about. 

LSR’s opponent in this home-and-home is Mansfield Revolution SC, based in Mansfield, Texas. Mansfield joined UPSL for the Fall 2019 season. Maybe the least known of all the clubs competing in the Independent Cup, but we will learn much more about Mansfield Revolution SC over this weekend. 

Southeast Division

Savannah Clovers FC v Georgia Revolution FC, Saturday, July 25th @ 3PM ET (Columbia Int’l University, Columbia SC)

By pulling out a draw last weekend against Soda City, this game still has meaning for Georgia Revolution. A win against Savannah and a Soda City loss to Chattanooga FC could put the Revs into the finds (depending on goal differential). The Revs have looked dangerous at times but has yet to play a complete game. What lineup will the Revs go with this time around? Will Todd Fidler get a chance to blast some long-range rockets? Will the Eskay brothers find the magic and the back of the net? Will 16-year-old Noel Elder continue to impress?

For the Clovers, this is about earning some respect and trying to play spoiler. It’s also time that Timo Mesa went off. Virtually absent from the game against CFC, here’s hoping that Mesa can get some service and cause havoc for Georgia’s back line.

Chattanooga FC v Soda City FC, Saturday, July 25th @ 6PM ET (Columbia Int’l University, Columbia SC)

Unlike World Cup group stages where the last games happen concurrently, Soda City will have a much clearer picture when they take the field at home against Chattanooga FC. If the Revolution lose, Soda City is through to the championship game no matter what. If the Revs win, then things get interesting. The hope here is that Soda City will have to push forward and score, making for a exciting match. You have to love the effort of midfielder Graham Jermstad, who has been a player to watch in this region. Will he be able to pull out another beauty of a goal or assist that clinches things for Soda City? Or, will it be Jack Pondy standing tall in goal keeping CFC off the scoreboard?

Chattanooga, on the other hand, has little to play for at this point. But just being able to play games again might be enough motivation for McGrath, Bement, Zeca and all to play positive soccer. The question is whether they will go with their ‘A’ lineup or rest a few players. I’m sure that there is also some motivation to finish the group undefeated.

- John Howard-Fusco

My Best Ten and Me: With Steven Ramirez, SoCal and Grassroots Soccer Writer

My team is filled with some of my favorite players from over the last decade. I wanted to build a squad that could defend aggressively and attack with more creative freedom.

Steven Ramirez, our man in Cali, has given us some insight into how he sees soccer and where he would slot into his 4-4-2. While he’s written numerous pieces about other clubs, we rarely take the time to ask him where his favorite players have come from and what makes him tick - Steven’s followed the follow rules to tell us just that…

1. You are the Player/Manager and you have to plug yourself in.

2. Any player selected must have been active in your lifetime.

(GK) Brent Reis
(Temecula FC/ SD 1904 FC) Respect to my rival. I’ve watched Reis deny my Coras on several occasions, during key portions of the season. In 2018 he made three saves in stoppage time, denying my Coras an away victory.

*(RB) Steven Ramirez
I played as a goalkeeper growing up, but fell in love with the fullback position as I got older. My main priority is defense, but I can whip in a good cross when needed to.

(RCB) Walker Zimmerman
(Nashville SC/ USMNT) An under-rated passer and an aerial master. I love a good set piece and when Zimmerman is in the box, there’s always a chance for a goal. Need a goal late in the game, throw him up top as a striker and he’ll get his head on something.

(LCB) Ezequiel Garay
(Valencia CF) 2011-2014 Benfica was must watch T.V. for me and Garay was a staple in those backlines. He can pass with both feet and can physically beat just about any player. He is also no stranger to scoring big goals against big competition.

(LWB) Crystal Dunn
(North Carolina Courage/ USWNT) I admire Dunn's attitude towards playing out of position. Every player says that they would do that in order to help their team, but she does it and becomes the best LB in the world.

(CDM) Hugo Gutierrez & (CDM) Eric Gonzalez
(Riverside Coras FC)
Dubbed “G-Unit”, Gutierrez and Gonzalez were the midfield duo for '17-18' Coras. Both players played in the #8, box-to-box role. Gutierrez was the engine that drove the play, while Gonzalez was the architect that controlled it.

(RM) Fabian Johnson
(Borussia Mönchengladbach/ USMNT) He has played every wide position and been successful. Johnson is my favorite NT player and so I want him to play right above me.

(LM) Michel Bastos
(Retired/ Olympique Lyon) Everyone probably remembers Bastos for what could be the worst free-kick ever, but Bastos was a brilliant technical attacker. He could dribble, pass and despite that clip, he could lay in a free kick.

(CAM) Pablo Aimar
(Retired/ SL Benfica) Aimar is the reason I began to watch soccer as an adult. I watched him carve up defenders in champions league, and I was hooked. The bad ass hair and the skill to match. He can do whatever he wants with the ball.

(ST) Cesar Mexia
(FC Arizona) My favorite striker in the NPSL. He plays every minute and always grabs a goal when his team needs it. Mexia has been a top scorer in the NPSL Southwest since his first season. If he can get the ball close to goal, chances are he will score.  

Ryan's Weekend Wrap Up 7/10-7/12

THE ROJA LEAGUE

Diablos Estudiantes 2 - 0 NTX Rayados

I’ve been a bit slow to the lesson, but consider me now properly instructed on not ever doubting the abilities of Denton’s junior side. The Estudiantes have grown, and risen to the occasion, of each match, and every opponent, presented to them. This was never more evident as it was in their body of work vs NTX Rayados on Saturday night, where the Estudiantes posted an early two- goal lead in the first half, then showed a discipline they’d be lacking in earlier outings by shutting down the veteran Rayados and preventing any opportunity or hope for the visitors that they might make a comeback or share a point.

Estudiantes have held onto their league lead atop the standings, and will play the rest of the season out with a target on their back. Perhaps it may be too daunting a task to maintain their place at the top, but don’t choose against the youngsters yet.

Denton Diablos 4 -1 Fort Worth Vaqueros

Be honest, If you were tuned into this match, and not from Fort Worth, you were pulling for the Diablos. We all love an underdog story, and while The Chisolm Trail Clasico may only be in its second year, it’s already brought much heartache to the Denton side still seeking an inaugural victory against the Vaqueros after two 2019 NPSL regular season matches, one playoff match, and two eNPSL matches.

From the opening kickoff, the Diablos were committed to setting the pace and closing that chapter of heartbreak, and they’d score first at the 21st minute with an expertly turned shot beyond the diving effort of the Fort Worth goalkeeper and buried in the bottom left corner of the net. Seemingly aware of past histories versus the Vaqueros, in which Denton had scored the opening match in all past meetings, the Diablos continued to maintain a predominantly offensive shape and struck for a second goal 4 minutes later. Denton fans may have seen ghosts of Chisholm Trails past when the Vaqueros found a score just before halftime to shave the Diablo lead to just a goal, but a converted penalty in the 61’ and a final score in the 87’ gave Denton an emphatic first win against Fort Worth. The Diablos will also travel down to Cowtown for the second leg of the clasico with a commanding lead.

Inocentes FC 3- 3 Irving FC

Inocentes was a worthy favorite, along the likes of NTX Rayados, to win the inaugural Roja League, at least in my mind. They're a club rich in history, culture, community and developing highly competitive sides, most recently reaching the UPSL championship game in the Fall 2018 season, where they would only fall to the now-professional side California Strikers in penalties.All that history and success clearly hasn’t been lost on their opponents so far in the Roja League season, as Inocentes is absorbing everyone’s evident best shot. Denton’s first team kept clawing back in a season opening, thrilling, 4-4 draw. Fort Worth, while woeful in other contests, brought their A effort to the inaugural Cowtown Clasico in a 1-1 game. And now Irving FC, desperate to improve their position in the standings after an admirable in a 3-2 loss to Rayados and a draw with Denton, clawed their way back from an early deficit to claim a 3-3 finale. Both sides have looked strong and been highly competitive on the pitch, but they’re each still looking for their elusive first victory of the season.

THE HEARTLAND SUPER CUP

Southwest Region

Garden City Potrillos FC 2 - 0 Atletico Liberal FC

The southwest region of the heartland Super Cup kicked off in west Kansas this past weekend, with the Potrillos, or “Colts” of Garden City claiming a 2-0 advantage over neighboring Atletico Liberal FC.

Dodge City Toros FC 0 - 1 FC Wichita U20’s

Proving that playing their under-20 youth to winning results isn’t limited to the Denton Diablos, FC Wichita’s U20’s traveled to western Kansas and battled a stout Dodge City Toros lineup to a scoreless stalemate late into the match. The Reds then found a late goal, and 3 vital points with it, to carry back to Wichita ahead of hosting the rest of their group matches this weekend.

North Region

Iowa Raptors FC 7 - 0 Raptors Reserves

Springfield FC 3 - 0 Raptors Reserves

Iowa Raptors FC 2 - 0 Omaha Kings FC

Springfield FC 1 - 1 Omaha Kings FC

USL League 2 expansion side Iowa Raptors hosted the North Region in Cedar Rapids, and easily swept aside the Reserves, before defeating the Omaha Kings FC inaugural outdoor side. Omaha, a member of the indoor PASL league, would put together a strong effort in a draw versus the UPSL’s Springfield FC. The side from Illinois would later find a win against the Raptor’s Reserves. The group enters the second weekend of play with Iowa Raptors leading with 6 pts, Springfield sitting at 3 points, Omaha with a 1 point and the Reserves at 0.

UNITED PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE

Panther United FC 2 - 0 APTX CDF 

& 

Panther United FC 2 - 3 Houston FC 2 

It was a mixed bag of results for Panther United FC this past week. They scored a win and a clean sheet against APTC CDF on Tuesday, then fell in a surprisingly close effort to Houston FC 2 over the weekend in Central Conference - South, Division 2 action.

Houston FC 2 - 1 Athletic Houston FC

The UPSL Central Conference - South, Division One Battle for Houston, bragging rights, and the division lead was as well contested, and thrilling, a match as was hoped for. HFC and AHFC competed intensely all 90 minutes,through the hot and humid conditions, of their midday match. Houston scored two goals late in the first half, then hung on through an Athletic Houston rally for the victory.

Celta Gunners 0 - 2 The Mix SC

No two teams have met so far this season in the midst of such drastic changes in fortunes. Two matches ago, Celta Gunners were a victory away from the Southeast Conference - Central Florida West, Division One lead. In contrast, The Mix were wading through their inaugural season with great struggle, trading the basement of the standings at turns with Diaspora United CC. After The Mix spring the commanding upset of Celta though, the Gunners sit in last place and The Mix are in the mix (sorry!) for postseason play.

Leg A-Z International SA 3 - 1 Clay County SC

In the battle for second place behind Southeast Conference - Central Florida East’s leading OFC Barca, Leg A-Z InterSA may be the only club remaining with a chance of knocking off OFCB. They headed off the visitors from neighbouring Clay County by a 3-1 margin and claim one of only two undefeated records in division play. The other? Leg A-Z INterSA’s next opponent, OFC Barca.

FK Orlando 4 - 2 Orlando Rovers FC

One of the better matches I watched this week, from one of the more interesting selected angles. Much of the game was partially obscured from the camera’s perch in the far corner of the pitch by the timed lawn sprinklers, but from what I could make out, FK Orlando proved the better team on the day and quietly hangs around to make things interesting for future fixtures against OFC Barca and Leg A-Z InterSA. The Orlando Rovers, meanwhile, continue to provide competitive play on the field, just without the elusive win. That should come in a few more of their matches to come.

OFC Barca 4 - 2  Macca Ballers FC

Macca Ballers gave a competitive effort against division leaders OFC Barca, but OFCB eventually pulled away for a comfortable, two-scores, win.

Royal Palms SC 0 - 10 Sporting Orlando SC

Remember last week when I said this match could get ugly, fast? Well, this match got ugly, fast. Sporting Orlando SC carried to hangover from their loss to OFCB into this matchup, and instead took out their frustrations from the week prior on Royal Palms SC, a side now boasting an alarming -17 goal differential through just three games.

Arctic Rush 1 - 1 Fairbanks SC

& 

Fairbanks SC 1 - 4 Arctic Rush

The northernmost team in a national league, Fairbanks SC debuted against Arctic Rush in Anchorage, playing a doubleheader between the sides over the weekend. The visitors held their own in a game one, earning the draw and a point. However, Arctic came back in dominant fashion the following day to pick up a victory ahead of a rematch versus Last Frontier Conference leaders, Alaska Timbers, next week.

FC Arizona U23 0 - 4 Olympians FC

Another week, another victory, another clean sheet, another three points for Olympians FC in Southwest Conference play. It doesn’t look like they’ll find a serious competitor in the conference until post-covid pay returns and the likes of Sporting Arizona, FC Grande, and Southwest FC make their reappearance. If you aren’t yet watching Olympians FC, and have them as potential favorites for the national title, you should be.

Diaspora United 3 -3 Florida Tropics SC 2

Diaspora United continues to improve each week on the pitch, following up their draw with The Mix SC last week with a draw versus Florida Tropics SC 2 this weekend. The Tropics meanwhile, have just one point in the past two matches and appear to be fading down the stretch if they can’t turn the results around this week.

Alaska Timbers 12 - 4 MatSu United FC

The Timbers certainly arently looking ahead to the rematch versus Arctic Rush. MatSu United might be competitive against Fairbanks SC, maybe.

REMAINING UPSL ROUNDUP

Greenspoint Gunners FC 2 - 2 Barca School of Excellence, FORO SC 2 -1 Arlington FC, NTX Legends 2 - 0 Real Irving CD, APTX CDF 3 - 2  La Maquina , FC Arizona 1 - 2 East Valley FC, Almeyda FC 2 1 - 0 Houston Hotshots,

FC Sharp Keys 4 -3 FC Bago, Junior FC 0 - 3  Kernow Storm FC, Roc City Boom 0 - 0 Greater Binghampton FC, 

& Roc City Boom 1 - 1 Krajisnik FC 

FRIENDLIES & EXHIBITIONS

Philadelphia Lone Star FC 3 - 0 Allentown United FC (Friendly), Santa Fe NY 1 - 0 Connecticut Roma (Friendly)

Livonia City FC 1 - 1 Grand Rapids FC (Friendly), and Sunflower State FC 5 - 0 Arkansas Wolves FC (Friendly)

My Best Ten and Me: Featuring Perry Hammond, GM of Lane United

General Manager of Lane United FC, from Eugene/Springfield Oregon, has had the good fortune of actually living in Spain and experiencing some of these amazing players himself, but he still had to stick to the rules…

1. You are the Player/Manager and you have to plug yourself in.

2. Any player selected must have been active in your lifetime.
   

Having grown up playing soccer in the US in the 80s & 90s when soccer was simply not on TV, I didn’t closely follow the sport professionally until I moved to Madrid, Spain, in 2004 (and where I stayed until 2011). I quickly fell in love with a mediocre Atlético de Madrid squad led by a mullet-sporting, 19-year-old Fernando Torres, and was fortunate enough to end up working for the club for five years as a translator. I decided to make my team from players I was able to see live during those 7 years, so of course it features a handful of my favorite Atleti players. I went with a 3-4-3 to accommodate all the attacking players I couldn’t bring myself to omit, so some guys are a little out of position.

(GK) Iker Casillas
Despite playing for our bitter rivals and denying Torres and Atleti countless times, “San Iker” was, at his peak, the best goalkeeper I’ve ever seen with my own eyes. As my time in Spain grew on, I came to consider it my adoptive country, and was able to see Casillas help them win two European Cups and a World Cup.

*(LB) Perry HammondThat’s me. Despite only playing for 3-4 months per year due to other athletic pursuits and hobbies, I was able to parlay some decent natural speed and understanding of the game into a good high school career and a non-descript collegiate career at a DIII school. While I was always a left winger in a 4-4-2, I’ve placed myself here to allow for more exciting talent in the midfield.

(CB) Diego Godin
The most underrated CB of the last 15 years, Godín would’ve been considered a superstar had he played for a bigger club. The Uruguayan played nine years for Atleti, leading one of the stingiest defenses in La Liga year-after-year and winning eight trophies with the club, including a league title in 2013-14 which he clinched by scoring the equalizer against Barcelona on the final matchday to earn the necessary draw.

(RB) Luis Amaranto Perea
While more effective as a CB, I’ll put the Colombian here to get him in the team, as he was one of my favorite players. Undoubtedly the fastest player I’ve ever seen, Atlético almost never conceded breakaways while he was on the pitch as he could chase down any attacker who got in behind. Perea is the foreigner with most appearances for Atleti and helped us win our first trophies since I’d become a fan in 2010.

(LM) Andrés Iniesta
I simply loved watching Iniesta play. Taking the ball away from the soft-spoken, versatile midfielder seemed an impossible task. He appeared to have the ball tied to his boots by a string as he maneuvered out of tight spaces using his famous Croqueta, acceleration, and brilliant vision. I’ve got him on the left as he could play all over the midfield and is more likely to help me out in defense than the next player…

(CM) RonaldinhoFor the first few years I lived in Spain, FC Barcelona matches were must watch because Ronaldinho would do 2-3 things every time out that left your jaw on the floor. The joy with which he played was contagious, and I believe he could’ve gone down as the greatest player in history had his off-field life not been so detrimental to his on-pitch performance. While he usually played in a more advanced role on the left, I’ve forced him in here to get him a spot.

(CM) Xavi AlonsoAs much as it pains me to add another Real Madrid player, I first became enamored of the Basque midfielder during his time at Liverpool, where he helped the Reds win the Champions League and an FA Cup. His ability to control the pace of the game from a deep-lying position in midfield and spray pinpoint 40-meter passes all over the field was a beautiful thing to watch.

(RM) Joaquín
Despite being my age, the speedy winger had already established himself as a rising star in La Liga when I arrived in 2004 and, amazingly enough, continues to play an important role for Betis at age 38. He’s made left backs look silly for years and has a hilarious personality to match, always cracking jokes during interviews or playing pranks on unsuspecting teammates.

(ST) Lionel Messi
Not sure much needs to be said here. In my opinion, he’s the greatest player of this generation and possibly of all-time. A team player and a pure joy to watch (except for when he’s slicing through your team’s defense), his La Liga scoring and assist records will likely never be broken.

(ST) Diego Forlán
The Uruguayan could score from all over the pitch with both feet. He’d already won the Pichichi with Villarreal before joining Atlético and did so again for us in 2008-2009 with 32 goals in 33 games, helping us qualify for Champions League for the first time in 12 years. In 2010, he scored both goals in Atleti’s Europa League final win, our first title in 14 years, forever earning a place in the hearts of our supporters.

(ST) Fernando Torres
‘El Niño’, the embodiment of what it means to be a rojiblanco. This baby-faced assassin had the pace and musculature of a thoroughbred and suffered through Atleti’s toughest years, reached his apex while combining with Stephen Gerrard for loads of brilliant goals at Liverpool, and returned in time to finally lift a trophy with Atletico. And, of course, he scored some pretty famous goals for Spain as they won two European Cups and a World Cup.

Protagonist Picks 7/14-7/19

Guest picker for this week is Danny Woodfill, owner of FC Austin Elite of the UWS. John Howard-Fusco will finally have a record for us to mock him on, no more N/A for John.

The current leader of the Protagonist Picks is our guest picker (last week Mario Alcala of Inocentes FC).

More Than a Crest

Change is a symbol of growth. It’s not about the final result, but what it took to end at that destination. As Inland Empire Futbol Club embarks on its ninth season, it does so changed. Changed from the multiple promotion battles, changed from the ongoing support of the soccer community and now we get to witness the result of that change.

““This rebrand has come at a good time, because when you are going through a lot of [bad] situations something good has to come out of it. We are going to come out a newborn creature.”

— Oswaldo Moreno

Inland Empire FC has battled with the eagle on its chest since 2011. The previous badge, while it wasn’t topping any of the ‘Protagonist top 10 crests’ articles, was still a legible and strong design appropriate for this level of soccer. So why the rebrand and why now? “I think this is a good time for us to show who we really represent. The old crest was given to us by the guy who created [our] website,” said Moreno, who intently added “ I decided to make it my own: What we represent, what we really are. It has a meaning to it, it's not just an eagle, it's not just a crest. There's meaning for us.”

The rebrand process took a few months. Moreno linked up with talented designer, Liam Broad ( @CustomMarks on twitter and CustomFootballMarks on Instagram), and began to hash out the new crest. Wanting to make sure that this design spoke to his fans, Moreno took to social media for input. This process is important for a club like IEFC. A club who has provided a pathway for talented players to play competitive soccer, but hasn’t been able to develop a relationship to the community it is named after. For Moreno and IEFC, the rebrand is about developing that connection to the Inland Empire.

“We just don’t want to be a regular team, we want to make it as a club that knows what they want. We want to grow in the community and that’s what we are looking to do.”

Aesthetically, the badge is very balanced. All the elements within the crest fit well and have enough space to breathe. The elements pay homage to the Native-American culture and history within San Bernardino County and Riverside County. The Gold star offers a focal point that keeps pulling you in.

The Inland Empire has a rich Native-American culture and a growing soccer empire. Many tribes have settled within the Inland Empire, most notably the Serrano and Cahuila. The area has birthed many talented soccer players like Landon Donovan, Chad Marshall, and Maurice Edu. The I.E. is also home to Silverlakes Sports Complex, home for many high-profile youth tournaments and professional teams in pre-season. Even with the dozens of youth and adult clubs, so few try to claim or represent the Inland Empire.

The new crest isn’t the only way Moreno is looking to change his club. Inland Empire Futbol Club is also looking to expand into the Women’s semi-pro game, an area that has been neglected in the Inland Empire, even with the amount of strong girls academies. Many clubs have talked about adding a Women’s team, but hopefully Moreno can be the one to lead this initiative within the Inland Empire.

“A lot of clubs are going out, but we aren’t going anywhere. We are here to stay.”

— Oswaldo Moreno

Moreno wants his club to represent the I.E. on and off the pitch. He wants his club to honor the past and help develop a better future for his community. The rebrand is the beginning of that change. A new look for the new Inland Empire Futbol Club.

Ryan's Weekend Preview 7/10-7/12

THE ROJA LEAGUE

A quick lesson soundly reiterated to me after Wednesday night’s Roja League action is that a sample size of a single match is absolutely insufficient to use in making future match predictions. I went a perfect...ly awful 0 for 3 in my picks for the midweek matches, and it now remains to be seen if I’ve learned from the errors ahead of tomorrow’s matches.

#2 Diablo Estudiantes vs #1 NTX Rayados

The Denton youngsters had every opportunity to hold their lead in the league into the 3rd round of games, but a 2-0 lead on Irving FC ended up being a 3-3 draw by the final whistle, and the Estudiantes gained a single point on the table rather than three. They’ve slipped to second in the standings, while their competition tomorrow night humbled the Denton first team to take the pole position. A win for Estudiantes will let them retake the top spot, while a victory for NTX would set a course for the Rayados to begin building an almost insurmountable lead in the league table. 

#6 Denton Diablos vs #5 Fort Worth Vaqueros

The 2019 Chisholm Trail Clasico was a battle between two sides looking to win the NPSL’s Lonestar Conference. The 2020 edition of the derby kicks off the clubs from Denton and Fort Worth in very...different circumstances. Along with competing for not-last place in the standings this weekend, the Vaqueros look to extend their unbeaten streak against their little brothers up north, while the Diablos attempt to find their first victory across pitches both physical and virtual in the series.

#3 Inocentes FC vs #4 Irving FC

Inocentes were the favorites to win the first leg of the Cowtown Clasico, coming off their high scoring affair with Diablos on opening night. Instead, the Fort Worth Vaqueros lead for much of the match and Inocentes would need a goal in the dying minutes of the contest to earn a draw. This weekend, they’ll face stiff competition in Irving FC, who have proven able to hang with both Rayados and Estudiantes in recent games. The winner here will remain in the league title hunt, while a loss would foreseeably remove either club from the title chase.

UNITED PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE

#4 Panther United FC vs #2 Houston FC 2

UPSL Division 2 action kicks off the league slate this weekend, with Panther United hosting Houston FC2 with opportunity for either club to move, or remain, in second place behind Crush FC.

#1 Houston FC vs #2 Athletic Houston FC

In what should be the league match of the week, unbeaten, and conference-leading, foes Houston FC and Athletic Houston FC meet for the first time this season. Athletic Houston has combined balance attack with stout defense thus far into the season, but whatever AHFC has done, Houston FC has accomplished superbly. With Houston FC boasting an average margin of victory at 5-1 this season, look for the hosts to pull away later in the second half and tally another win on the young season.

#5 Celta Gunners vs #7 The Mix Sports Club

The Celta Gunners put in a worthy effort last week, falling just 1-0 to the conference leaders Celta USA. They’ll likely carry some confidence into this weekend’s match, where they’ll face off with floundering The Mix Sports Club. The Mix could only manage a draw last week versus fellow standings basement dweller Diaspora United CC. Neither club has a victory to their name this season, but Celta Gunners will be the club to change that Saturday evening.

#2 Leg A-Z Soccer Inter vs #3 Clay County SC

The league’s two North Florida teams in the Central Florida Conference meet at Kanapaha Park (a field this author has actually played a few youth league matches on wayyyyyy back in the day) where Gainesville’s Leg A-Z Soccer International  hosts neighboring Clay County’s….Clay County SC. The teams share a victory over listless Macca Ballers, and will find much more stout competition in one another Saturday. While a loss or draw won’t immediately remove either club from a crowded mid-table, a victory would keep them closely at the heels of conference leading Orlando FC Barca.

#5 FK Orlando vs #6 Orlando Rovers

Orlando Rovers earned a respectable draw against Leg A-Z last week, while FK Orlando acquitted themselves well in a competitive loss to Sporting Orlando in their last outing. A narrow margined win should probably fall to FKO this weekend, with the slight hosting advantage.

#1 Orlando FC Barca vs #7 Macca Ballers

In a match between the conference-leading, and early national title favorite, OFC Barca and the last place Macca Ballers, this contest could see a goal differential chasm before the halftime whistle.

#8 Royal Palms SC vs #4 Sporting Orlando

As ugly as the match above could get, this one may somehow be uglier. Sporting Orlando will be letting out some frustrations from their tilt with OFC Barca last week, while Royal Palms SC remains looking decidedly shell shocked on the pitch.

#2 Arctic Rush vs #4 Fairbanks SC

It’s the debut of the northernmost national league affiliated club in the western hemisphere this weekend! Fairbanks SC travels 362 miles, SOUTH, to Anchorage in order to visit Arctic Rush. Fairbanks will need to bring their A-game from the opening whistle, as Arctic Rush is singularly focused on overtaking Alaska Timbers in the Last Frontier Conference and their welcome to the newcomers won’t be an overly warm one.#4 FC

Arizona U23 vs #1 Olympians FC

Now that the UPSL has officially announced Olympians FC as an expansion side in the 2020 season, expect the new club to go back to what they’ve done the past two weeks, scoring bunches of goals and shutting out the opponent. They’ve beaten both FC Arizona first team and East Valley FC by 3-0 scorelines. Against the FCAZ U23 side, Olympians will likely double that margin of victory, and remain one of the early favorites to win the national title for Spring/Summer 2020.

#6 Diaspora United CC vs #3 Florida Tropics 2

The Florida Tropics were stunned by SportzParadise last weekend and the resulting loss dropped them from first place in the conference to third. Diaspora United missed perhaps their best opportunity for a victory on the season when they settled for a draw last week vs The Mix. The Tropics will find their way again and put DUCC away by at least a pair of goals.

#4 Greenspoint Gunners vs #3 Barcelona SOE

While all the attention on action in the Central Conference South may be on the Houston FC versus Athletic Houston FC clash this weekend, Greenspoint Gunners and Barcelona School of Excellence can make some noise of their own in their contest. A win for either side here will seat them beside or just behind the league leaders. A tight, evenly matched affair here could see a winner slip past in the dying seconds of the match.

FORO Soccer Club vs Arlington FC

FORO SC gets their 2020 season started today after their run to the national semi-finals in Miami in the Fall 2019 season. They’ll face a prepared Arlington FC, who just reached the Lone Star Cup final against Irving FC in the past weeks.

Real Irving CD vs NTX Legends

It has been two weeks since Real Irving CD dropped a heartbreaker in a thrilling 4-3 match to Harrington FC, a contest they generally dominated but gave up two converted penalty chances and a late score in the last minutes of the match. Eager to put the loss behind them, RICD kicks off against NTX Legends, a club staple in local leagues around DFW making their UPSL debut.

#5 APTX CDF vs #6 La Maquina (TX)

After suffering two losses to open the season, APTX CDF seemed destined for a debut season spent at the bottom of the standings. But, a stunning win last week over Almeyda FC 2 has breathed new life into the club and put them in great position for a second win today versus a La Maquina side that was obliterated by Almeyda FC 2 by a 4-1 score.

#4 Fairbanks SC vs #2 Arctic Rush

The visitors to the far north from the far, FAR, north turn right around and play “host” in Anchorage in the second leg of a two-match opening swing.

#1 Alaska Timbers vs #3 MatSu United

THREE weeks after debuting with a dominant win vs Arctic Rush, the Timbers of Alaska return to the pitch against MatSu United. The AK Timbers will look to maintain their lead in the conference, while MAtSu United will try and found some consistency on the pitch that was lacking in their loss last week to Arctic.

#2 FC Arizona vs #3 East Valley FC

In a match that increasingly looks like the stakes are for a second fiddle title behind Olympians FC, FC Arizona and East Valley compete to find out which of the two sides to already lose 0-3 to Olympians this season is better than the other.

#3 Almeyda FC 2 vs #7 Houston Hotshots

They may have slipped up against APTX CDF last week, but Almeyda FC 2 are still in the thick of the race for the conference lead with a victory today. With Houston Hotshots struggling in their debut season, the opportunity for Almeyda is a solid one.

#2 Houston FC 2 vs #1 Crush FC

The best match in division two will likely be between these two, with two undefeated sides battling for the conference lead on Sunday night.

Roc City Boom vs Greater Binghampton FC AND Roc City Boom vs Krajisnik FC

The Western New York Conference kicks off this weekend with Roc City Boom hosting a pair of matches in Rochester. First, they’ll face off with fellow league newcomer Greater Binghamton FC. GBFC will be hoping to follow Tyler FC’s recent example in transitioning from NPSL doormat status to competitive UPSL side. Krajisnik FC of nearby Utica visits next to wrap up the weekend action.

HEARTLAND SUPER CUP

After debuting their Kansas City and Southeast Regions a couple of weeks ago, the Heartland Super Cup kicks off in the Southwest and North groups. The southwest features an interesting assortment of Kansas state soccer league sides from the southwest corner of the state in Liberal, Garden City and Dodge City, as well as a U20 side from FC Wichita. The north group is being hosted by the newly announced USL League 2 expansion side Iowa Raptors FC, and their Reserves side. They’ll be hosting the recently added outdoor side of the indoor league team Omaha Kings FC, and the UPSL’s Springfield FC.

Southwest Region

Garden City Potrillos

Dodge City Toros

Atletico Liberal 

FC Wichita U20

North Region 

Iowa Raptors

Iowa Raptors Reserves

Springfield FC

Omaha Kings FC

Be sure and check out all our staff’s picks for the weekend’s matches here!

Forecasting the Independent Cup

Here comes the independent tournament for independent clubs and the independent people who think and act independently. NISA’s inaugural Independent Cup gets going this weekend, and we’re here to give you a preview of the games that will be taking place.

For the opening weekend, the Southeast Region has things all to their own. The two games being played on Saturday will be taking place at the same time (Methinks that maybe this could have been avoided since, y’know, your entire audience will be people streaming the games. But what do I know, and this digression is going on and on, so…).   

Soda City FC v Savannah Clovers FC - July 11th @ 8PM ET (Memorial Stadium, Savannah GA)

So why is Columbia, South Carolina “Soda City”? Locals can fact-check me, but the story seems to go that Columbia was referred to as Cola for short, and because of this it earned the city the nickname. 

While you ponder that, let us look at Cola’s own Soda City FC. Since joining the UPSL in the fall of 2018, the team has been quite impressive: 22 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses in its first three seasons, winning its conference the last two seasons. Soda City’s success on the field reached another level this past fall, when the club made it all the way to the National Semi-final against Maryland Bobcats - taking a 2-0 lead before losing 3-2. The club has stayed focused on local players, and one to watch is goalkeeper Jack Pondy (a First Team Best XI in the fall season). 

One of Soda City’s conference rivals in the UPSL is Savannah Clovers who joined the league in Spring 2018. The two sides have met in the playoffs, with Savannah having beaten Soda City 3-0 in the fall 2018 playoff encounter. Savannah has been playing some friendlies in preparation for the tournament, including a 6-2 beatdown delivered to Charleston United last weekend (Does a 6-2 beatdown completely cancel out the term ‘friendly’? Asking for a friend). Forward Timo Mesa scored five of the six goals, so it says here that he will be a man to keep an eye on for Savannah.       

Georgia Revolution FC v Chattanooga FC - July 11th @ 8PM ET (Finley Stadium, Chattanooga TN)

To the surprise of no one, Chattanooga looks to be clear favorite in this region. But as we know, nothing is won on paper (except maybe tic tac toe). CFC looked like a team that belonged in its first NISA match – a spirited 1-1 draw on the road against Oakland Roots in a game that will forever be known as The Tie That Became a T-Shirt. So how will Ian McGrath and the boys come back after the layoff? Motivated is my guess. And as an added bonus for the local fans, this game will be televised in Chattanooga. The rest of us poor slobs will have to mycujoo it.  

Oh by the way, there will be another team on the field. Georgia Revolution FC from he NPSL and the Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League (ADASL for those in the know) started up only a couple of years after Chattanooga FC and were rivals in the NPSL right up through 2019. Like the Savannah Clovers, Georgia Revolution were prepping for the tournament by having played a recent friendly. The roster for the Revs features players who play locally but have come from all over the world. The tournament could be a showcase event for some of these players, as well as with players from all the amateur clubs, to move up in their soccer journey.   

- John Howard-Fusco

My Best Ten and Me: Featuring Brian Luchini, Manager of Steel FC

For this week’s My Best Ten & Me, we hear from Manager of Steel FC, Brian Luchini. He built out a 4-5-1 and put himself in between the sticks, but the rest of the squad is a collection of legends and winners. We were sure to reiterate the rules…

1. You are the Player/Manager and you have to plug yourself in.

2. Any player selected must have been active in your lifetime.

*(GK) Brian Luchini
I grew up playing between the pipes then transitioned to striker when I was a bit older. However, my first love was being the crazy man in net so we'll go with that.

(RB) Paolo Maldini
A ruthless, cut-throat defender that you could always count on to bring his "A" game. Not only was he known for being one of the best physically, he was also great at the mental game and could get inside opponents' heads.

(CB) Thiago Silva
A big and strong player, Silva was a staple on the Brazilian defense for years. His "never back down" approach to the game is what made me enjoy watching him. He was either winning the ball or breaking a leg.

(CB) Giorgio Chiellini
A crafty player that also brought physicality. Many players hated Chiellini because of the way he played. The ticky-tacky fouls that stopped opponents' run of play and momentum is what made him great. You could never really get anything going against him.

(LB) Roberto Carlos
Another strong and fast Brazilian defender that was also able to get involved in the attack. Everyone remembers that swerving free kick he scored vs France from 40 yards out. That free kick alone would put him on my list. He was a monster.. 

(CDM) Andres Iniesta
I liked watching Iniesta because the game came so easily to him. Everytime he was on the ball it was a simple 1-2 touches and it was off his feet. Additionally, his defensive work ethic and vision on the field made him a vital player in Barcelona's midfield. The game slowed down when he had the ball and he had insane chemistry with Messi and knew where he would be making runs all the time. A pleasure to watch. 

(CDM) Andrea Pirlo
I also loved watching Pirlo because of his ability to ping the ball all over the field with such accuracy whenever he wanted to. Pirlo also had amazing vision but he brought physicality as well. Like Iniesta, he played a simple game and when on the ball you could tell the gears were turning as to which deadly pass he would pick out.

(CAM) Zinedine Zidane
Zidane was an amazing player but also the type of player that knows he's good and could back it up. Most famous for his headbutt in the World Cup, Zidane didn't take any shit. He was physical, won battles, and punished players with both skill and physicality. His finishing was top notch and was an overall great player that balanced skill and physicality and used both evenly to his advantage. 

(LW) Kylian Mbappe
I like watching Mbappe because of 2 things- his skill, overall work ethic, and versatility. There is no doubt with his speed and footwork that he is very skilled, however his work ethic is 2nd to none. Playing out wide at times he made 60 yard runs to get involved in the attack and then 60 yard runs to get back and cover for others. He is a machine and plays both sides of the ball very well. Additionally, he is able to play in multiple positions and I like that about players.

(RW) Arjen Robben
Robben was an absolute beast on the right side. Everyone knew he would cut from the right side inside and get the ball on his left foot for a curling shot back post, but no one could stop it. Additionally, his speed on the right was nearly always superior to his opponents and he left it all out on the field. Watching him play for the Netherlands and Bayern Munich was a treat.

(ST) Thierry Henry
My favorite player of all time. To put it simply, Henry knew how to finish. He was a monster in the attacking third of the field. His footwork, vision, work ethic, and of course finishing was 2nd to none at his position. He was also a humble guy that enjoyed playing soccer for the game. He was not a big show boater and did not complain. He showed up, did his job, and put on a show while doing it. Goal after goal scored by him are flashing through my head right now but my favorite was his half volley turn goal vs Manchester United where the keeper didn't even move. Pure class.    

Ryan's Weekend Recap

UPSL Southeast Conference - Florida Central West

Florida Tropics 1 - 2 SportsParadize SA

Previously winless SportsParadize SA stunned previously unbeaten Florida Tropics 2 Thursday night. The loss pushed the Tropics from the driver’s seat leading the division, while the victory launched SportsParadize into a suddenly very competitive mid-table.

Celta USA 1 - 0 Celta Gunners

The intra-club battle was far more defensive than I’d predicted, but the one-goal margin of victory I foresaw held as Celta USA defeated Celta Gunners Friday night, taking sole possession of first place in the Florida Central West.

CFL GOSA Spurs 1 -3 SportsParadize SA

A weekend to remember for SportsParadize as they picked up a second victory to bookend the independence day holiday action. In what seemed improbable the first day of the month, SportsParadize moved from last in the division to second place. Meanwhile, CFL GOSA Spurs appears to be treading water in fourth.

The Mix Sports Club 4 - 4 Diaspora United CC

The two winless clubs absolutely refused to drop a third straight match in this contest. Neither team could claim victory either, but the high scoring game proved there’s likely to be better results ahead for both clubs if they can keep up their scoring efforts from Sunday night.

UPSL Southeast Conference - Florida Central East

Macca Ballers 0 - 3 Leg A-Z Soccer International

Macca Ballers had no answer in response to the longest-monikered club in lower league soccer, allowing Leg A-Z Soccer International to score three unanswered goals. Macca has now dropped two straight home contests and path ahead in a division including FK Orlando, Sporting Orlando, and Orlando FC Barca won’t get any easier.

OFC Barca 2 - 0 Sporting Orlando

By the predicted two-goal margin, OFC Barca pushed a threatening Sporting Orlando aside on Sunday evening and claimed a five-point lead in the division. In a limited national competition Spring 2020 season, OFC Barca seemed well positioned, and well prepare, for a deep run, built off of their unbeaten-in-division, Southeast Conference runner-up campaign in the Fall 2019 season.

UPSL Southwest Conference

East Valley FC 0 - 3 Olympians FC

The still not-yet-announced expansion side Olympians FC continues to impress, following up their 3-0 dismantling of the FC Arizona first team with a 3-0 victory over East Valley FC. The new kids in the Southwest Conference now sit alone atop the four-team group, and look to be an early favorite, with OFC Barca, for the Spring/Summer 2020 national championship trophy.

FC Arizona 6 - 2 FC Arizona U23

Big brothers took it to little brothers, early and often, for a first team victory over the young team.

The Roja League

NTX Rayados 3 - 2 Irving FC

Unfortunately, this match was not made available on a streaming platform.

Denton Diablos 4 - 4 Inocentes FC

When I forecasted this game, I picked Inocentes to win, with a total of 3 goals between the two clubs. HA! Try 8! This match was insane and aggressive, with both clubs getting chances consistently throughout the match. Inocentes will run right at you if you give them an inch and Denton loves to press. Those two combined meant a match with plenty for fans to cheer for. I think this match will be the best in this entire competition, if I’m honest.

I think it also goes to show that the cream of the crop in the UPSL could compete with the NPSL. But we’ll talk about that another day.

Diablos Estudiantes 4 - 2 Fort Worth Vaqueros

For much of this match, everything seemed to be falling into place as far as my prediction went:”...look for the youthful Estudiantes side to gain an early advantage and take a 2-0 lead into the half. From there, it will be all Vaqueros as the 2019 NPSL Lonestar Conference Champions dig deep into their disciplined experience and pull off a 3-2 comeback victory.”

Estudiantes with the 2-0 advantage at the half? Check. Fort Worth Vaqueros coming back to equalize in the second half? Check. Vaqueros digging deep and winning by a single goal? That certainly seemed probable, until the 81st minute, when predictions fell apart and Estudiantes were awarded, and then converted, a penalty. Another penalty conversion in the dying minutes gave the Denton youngsters the 4-2 win and an early lead in the inaugural Roja League standings.

Other Lower League Action

In South Florida, Hialeah City FC and Florida Wolves FC met in a friendly exhibition match, with Hialeah emerging victorious in a competitive game, 3-2. 

The Savannah Clovers FC wrapped their exhibition match tune-up for the NISA Independent Cup with a home match against visiting Charleston United. The hosts, behind five goals from striker Timo Mesa, romped to a 6-2 victory and will enter the Independent Cup this week on a high note.

@TheBreakersAFC 1 - 3 @MiamiSunFC

My Best Ten and Me: Featuring Rose Shoen, Founder and Head Coach, Azteca FC of Sacramento

We’re joined by Rose Shoen, founder and head coach of Azteca FC out of Sacramento, California for this week’s My Best Ten & Me. She tried to wiggle out of including herself per the rules…

1. You are the Player/Manager and you have to plug yourself in.

2. Any player selected must have been active in your lifetime.

She wanted to add an extra player so we gave a bench spot to a legend to ensure Rose gets on the imaginary pitch.

"The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when nobody else is watching.” – Anson Dorrance

For the head coach of this team I would make sure US Soccer hires Anson Dorrance. He is the best coach that the women’s game has ever seen, and his system has produced the best female players in the beautiful game of futbol. Technical director of this Best XI= Anson Dorrance. My formation is a 1-3-5-2, it will encompass power in the front and back, and excellent creativity within my midfield. You need an absolute savage in the goal if you want to be the best. Therefore I select…

(GK) Hope Solo
(USWNT ,  WWC 2015 and two Olympic Gold medals) As of August 6, 2016, Solo holds several U.S. goalkeeper records including appearances (202), starts (190), wins (153), shutouts (102) wins in a season (26), consecutive minutes played (1,256), and longest undefeated streak (55 games). Solo is by far the best female goalkeeper I have ever studied. She is gritty, fearless, can stop PK's, aggressively directs her back line, and mouthy. If your GK isn't a little crazy, then she probably isn't going to win you many championships. Shout out to the Leyenda, Hope Solo. 

In my back three I have selected three of my favorite and very versatile center defenders to keep my rock-solid backline.

(LCD) Crystal Dunn
(USWNT and NWSL North Carolina Courage). Crystal Dunn played her collegiate career under the legendary coach, Anson Dorrance, at the University of North Carolina. She has been drilled in technical ability and defensive prowess forever. In 2012 she helped lead the USWNT U20 to a championship in Japan. She returned to UNC to help them win a championship in the NCAA DI finals.  This led her to a successful rookie career in the NWSL, where she earned the golden boot in 2015 while playing for the Washington Spirit. She was denied a position in the 2015 USWNT which went on to win the WWC 2015. Dunn refocused herself and earned a position as a defender in the 2019 USWNT and helped anchor the backline as they went onto win the USWNT 4th World Cup. Dunn is versatile in scoring goals and defending against the best offensive lineups in the world.

(CD) Rebecca “Becky” Sauerbrunn
(USWNT and NWSL Portland Thorns) Sauerbrunn has been a standout in the USWNT backline. Fearless in the air, lethal on tackles, and managing her backline with maturity and patience. She is one of the reasons that the USWNT dominated and held so many clean sheets in the 2019 WWC. In the NWSL she anchored the Utah Royals for several seasons but was recently traded to the Portland Thorns for the 2020 season. Becky is one of the best center backs in the world currently, and it could be said she is one of the best female center backs of all time. 

(RCD) Wendie Renard
(France National Team and  Olympique Lyonnais) While watched the France National team play vs the USWNT in the WWC 2019 it was CLEAR that the French backline had one of THE MOST dominant women in the air managing their D-line. Renard won so many 50/50 balls it was incredible. In the waning minutes of the match vs the US in WWC 2019, Renard went up for a set play and scored a magnificent goal with a lethal header. She is one of the only women in the world who can score like that. She would be an ideal player for my back 3 and she would go up for set plays and offensive corner kicks. Dominant in the 18-yard box offensively and defensively. 

(CDM) Julie Ertz
(USWNT and NWSL Chicago Red Stars) If anyone has been paying attention in recent years to the development of Julie Ertz (née Johnson), they will see how she has become the defensive linchpin within the center mid triangle of the USWNT. Additionally, Julie has been a key component to the back to back WWC championships 2015 and 2019. A Santa Clara University standout, Ertz was selected in 2014 to the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL. After her rookie season she was named Rookie of the Year. She was selected as a member of the USWNT 2015 and 2019 WWC squads and was an anchor in the midfield and defense. She has a dominant ability to score on offensive set plays and defend fearlessly on defensive set plays. She is arguably the best Center defensive midfielder (#6) in the women's game currently. 

(CAM) Carli Lloyd
(USWNT and NWSL Sky Blue)- There are few things certain in life…. death, taxes, and Lloyd scoring unbelievable goals for the USWNT in the clutch moments. Carli is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008 and 2012) and WWC champion in 2015 and 2019.  Carli was a key player for USWNT during their 4th WWC championship in 2019 even though pundits thought she might be “too old”. Her dominant performances both on the USWNT and at the club level earned her FIFA player of the year in 2015 and 2016. She is the second soccer player to EVER score a hat trick in any senior world cup final. Carli scored three goals in the 2015 WWC final vs Japan in 16 minutes, this is a world cup record. The power, vision, and pure grit which she demonstrates makes her a key member of the center mid triangle. Peak Carli was a force to be reckoned with, even now as her career is winding down, she is still within the USWNT roster and can score as a sub or starter.

(CAM) Marta Viera da Silva
(Brazil national team and NWSL Orlando Pride) One of the only players to earn FIFA player of the year more than five times is the great Brazilian leyenda, Marta. She has earned FIFA world player of the year SIX times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,2010, and 2018). Another record from this crafty and ruthless midfielder, is that she holds the FIFA WWC all time record goal scorer with 17 goals. She strikes fear into defenders as she is one of the most experienced female players on the global stage and the classic #10 possesses the silky touch which is known as a trademark skill of the Brazilian ballers. Marta and Carli would be an ideal combo in the midfield due to their vast experience, vision, and the DEEP desire to be a CHAMPION at all costs.

(RM) Tobin Heath
(USWNT and Portland Thorns NWSL) If you want to see a player with the handles to drop a defender to their knees and then go back again on the next play and perform another dizzying display of pure finesse, then look no further than Tobin Heath. A former coach of Heath at the youth level stated, that Tobin was “bored” with girls her age and would nutmeg and rainbow them for fun at nationals. She went onto have an illustrious career at UNC under coach Anson Dorrance, who truly put Heath into his system. Under his guidance she helped lead UNC to three NCAA DI championships. Dorrance helped her sharpen her skills into the dominant world champion we know her as today, and put her through his “competitive cauldron”, truly making her one of the best 1v1 female players in the world. Her creativity, distribution, servicing, and ability to make the game FUN on the wing makes her one of the best to watch in the women’s game. With the USWNT Heath was a member of the 2015 and 2019 WWC championship squads. In the Thorns she has been a member of the NWSL franchise since 2013 and has been a key member of both of their championship lineups. Heath scored the game winning goal for the Thorns to earn the 2013 NWSL championship. If you want a winger who can connect and read the game and be fully synchronized with the likes of Marta and Carli, then you need Tobin on your wing.

*(LM) Rose Shoen
Reluctantly, this is where Rose would line herself up. But if she could, she would sub in Kristine Lilly as soon as possible. (USWNT and Boston Breakers WPS) On a global scale there has not be one other player with the consistency and dedication to total EXCELLENCE to do their job in the pitch for decades as the ultimate USWNT legend, Kristine Lilly. This baller holds the record for both men and women in caps for their national team, at a staggering 354 appearances and 130 goals, Lilly STANDS ALONE at the top. A true shining example of what a quiet and focused level of dedication can lead to. A stellar career for the USWNT which began as a high schooler, Kristine geared up for the USA starting in 1987 and playing her final match in 2010. Very few players can even comprehend the level of mental, emotional, psychological, and physical dedication it takes to continually earn a position in the most dominant women’s soccer player pool in the world. She is another product of the legendary college coach, Anson Dorrance, she went onto win a NCAA DI championship EVERY single year she played at UNC (1989-1992). Even though there have been MANY world champions to come out of the UNC system, the program honored Lilly by retiring her #15 jersey in 1994. Lilly played n the 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 Women’s World Cups for USWNT. She is the only third player to participate in five different World Cup Finals. She additionally played in three Olympics, earning a gold medal in the 1996 and 2004 Olympics and a silver medal in 2000. She only missed the 2008 Olympics due to giving birth to her child. Lilly is arguably the toughest player to participate in the national team ever, her consistency over three decades is unmatched on a global scale by any other player male or female. The stats don’t lie and there may never be another player like Kristine Lilly in our lifetime.

My striker pair was a very hard decision. I decided on two of the grittiest strikers, who just always find a way to score and had to battle for the women’s game on many levels.

(S) Abby Wambach
(USWNT, Washington Freedom WUSA and Ney York Flash NWSL) One of the most iconic WWC moments was Wambach scoring the equalizer goal on a last ditch attempt in the 2011 WWC quarterfinals, this goal lead to a PK shoot out in which the USA advanced to the WWC Semis and then eventually the finals where they earned 2nd place. Abby’s dominance during clutch moments made her a standard #9 in the USWNT lineup. Her USWNT career spanned from 2001-2015 she appeared 256 times winning the WWC in 2015, Olympic Gold Medal in 2004 and 2012 and FIFA World player of the year in 2012. She currently holds the goal scoring record with 184 goals scored while donning the red, white, and blue. When the cards are down you send Wambach to the box on any type of offensive set play or last ditch run to the final third. Abby is a champion and she WILL find a way to put the ball in the back of the net.

(F) Mia Hamm
(USWNT and Washington Freedom WUSA) If there is any player who lifted up the sport of women’s soccer to a global level and demonstrate what it REALLY means to “play like a girl” then you need to say the name, Mia Hamm. Another champion to come out of UNC and the direction of Anson Dorrance, Hamm won the NCAA DI championship every single year she played at UNC (1989-1993). She holds too many records to count at UNC and in the ACC. She debuted for the USWNT at the age of 15 and went onto score 158 while representing the United States. She was a key member of the 1991 and then the top striker for the WWC Championship in 1999. Additionally, she went onto win gold medals in the 1996 and 2004 Olympics. Mia was a household name in the 90’s and for good reason, she lit the field on fire with her lethal runs to goal and clutch finishes. Her performances earned her FIFA world player of the year in 2001 and 2002. Her USWNT career lasted from 1987-2004 and her goal scoring record was only surpassed by Abby Wambach. Which is why we need this striker pair at the top. They are THE BEST to ever compete in the Women’s world cup and it will be hard for any player to surpass their lengthy and star-studded careers.

Player Profile: Brooke Jones

Grassroots soccer, for the most part, has been stopped in its tracks this season. For goal keeper Brooke Jones, that meant making her debut for new club AC Chehalem Valley was put on pause. But she’s making the best of her summer and getting ready for her fall season with George Fox University. We used email to responsibly distance for this interview…

What's your origin story; when did you start playing soccer and what players or teams do you follow?

Outside of rec when I was very young, I started playing competitively when I was 7 years old. The area I grew up in didn’t have many opportunities for teams, so I played on a team with girls two years older than me. Being tall, though, I fit right in. The team was low income so a lot of our training/playing was on grass fields with primary mud, not grass, and holes everywhere. I’m still grateful for nice surfaces to play on now. My team had one head coach and a few dads who would come help out as they could, but as I got older and developed, I outgrew their goalkeeping knowledge. My dad ended up getting invested himself and took to YouTube to learn as much as he could about the position. He had never played a day in his life but based on his YouTube searches was somehow able to coach me. When I got into middle school I joined a new team, Westside Timbers, when my family moved. I played for Westside until I graduated high school. I also played at Tualatin High School during my years there.

My favorite team and the one I follow most diligently is the United States Women’s National Team. Like most female players, I watched them growing up and wanted to be exactly like them.  My family is also huge Portland Timbers fans and I’ve been to many games. Hope Solo is the player I’ve looked up to my whole life, she really changed the goalkeeping world. I follow other leagues and teams as well, but those are my big fan choices.

Nowadays, you line up between the pipes for George Fox University, have you always been a goal-keeper? If not, what other positions have you played and has that experience helped you in your current position?

I very briefly tried my luck as a field player when I first started playing, but it was not for me. I am 6’1” now and as you could imagine I had some awkward growth spurts that left me uncoordinated for most of my childhood and a terrible fit for life outside of the goal box. My dad’s YouTube coaching gave me my goalkeeping foundation, but our drills didn’t leak into many other positions on the field. 

Sadly the 2020 NWPL season has been cancelled and you were unable to make a debut for AC Chehalem Valley, how much were you looking forward to the challenge and what's the highest level you've played at?

I was so excited to play and can’t wait for next season to be able to make my debut. I was beyond disappointed for this season to be canceled, as I’m sure many cancellations were a let down for everyone. This has been an unconventional year to say the least. I was most looking forward to meeting a new group of girls and facing the challenge of learning to play beside them at such a high level of play. I currently play Division 3 soccer, and in the past have competed in multiple state championships and playoffs in high school and club and have also played in the regional tournament with my club team.  

In your academic career, what's your major or focus at George Fox University and where do you hope to take that? 

I am an English major and a Criminal Justice minor. Basically, I read and write a lot. 

I am not entirely sure what I hope to do after school. I’m hoping to find a way to advocate for people and work alongside individuals as they go through life. I am currently looking into Juvenile Detention work—possibly teaching or advocating for children within the system. We will see where it all takes me. My only plan as of right now is to not have a plan, and find my calling and love people along the way.  

We never know what twists and turns life has in store for us, but how long after college do you hope to play soccer?

Until someone makes me stop.

Eventually, I won’t be able to play anymore and I figure my body or those around me will make it fairly obvious when that time comes. Until then I hope to be playing in some context, and after that hopefully coaching. Coaching is so needed in low-income areas. Many kids aren’t given the opportunity to be coached (especially in goalkeeping). While YouTube is great, that’s not the coach I hope to be. Soccer is a great platform to speak into people’s lives both on and off the field. Even when I can’t play anymore it will still be a part of my life.

Player Profile graphic artwork provided by Cory Mizer. For more of his artwork, check out his gallery on our site.

The “B” Word: Rebranding a Legend

The common criticism of “branding” is that’s corporate speak for soulless soccer. It’s the general feeling that branding indicates plastic, polished, disconnected and commercialized, rather than building an image that exhibits a sincere connection to the fanbase, the players on the field, the history of the club, or the local demographics. Most commonly, this happens because clubs hire consultants from outside the area, which leads to a mismatch of focus from the local populace. Granted in the grassroots space, this is less common due to budgetary constrictions.

Generally in this space, we see the opposite. We see clubs with so little budget or training that they settle for the cheapest, most generic options. Kits are off the rack from sporting goods store or ordered in bulk from online distributors to reduce costs. Oftentimes, little thought is put into crest creation, so youth logos are just recycled. Let’s be honest, youth logos can be a little boring and sophomoric. How many pixilated soccer balls do we need to see? We get it, you play soccer.

But in the last few years, we’ve seen a rise in great branding in lower league soccer. Kit designers and manufacturing have adjusted their business models in such a way that clubs can afford unique and attractive looks without going broke. Even local leagues have become hotspots of slick design, thanks to businesses like Icarus and Custom SC. And that shift is moving into other merchandise. Clubs are building inventory that’s well-designed and interesting. It’s a good time to buy merchandise if you’re a grassroots fan.

But branding is bigger than just merchandise, it’s also about consistency of message and style, particularly in social media. Use of hashtags and appropriate language (even if the social media manager is a volunteer!) is so important in conveying permanence and professionalism. And when I say appropriate language, I’m not saying language that doesn’t offend. Consider Northern Guard, DCFC’s supporter group, who regularly curses and uses aggressive language in their social media posts. It’s appropriate for their brand. It’s on point and what their supporters expect. It’s part of the club’s identity.

So for a short series of articles, I set out to talk to clubs who are embracing the goal of being well-branded, either in merchandise, social media, outreach, or a combination of all of those things. Yes, it’s a series about branding, but it’s more about reflecting the values of your fans, your club, and your city in everything that sees the light of day. Some get it, some don’t. I spoke to some that definitely get it.

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Legacy brands are ones that don’t require an introduction. They’ve been around for years and have made enough of an impact that they are recognizable to anyone in the field. Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern - you know them because they have defined soccer for 100 years. Soccer in the United States has no such history, at least not an unbroken history. While soccer has had moments of great impact, the vast majority of the last 100 years have progressed without soccer being in the top 4 sports in the country. Aside from the US Open Cup, there is very little connections between the modern game and the great leagues that dominated the American soccer landscape in the 20’s and 30’s. But that doesn’t mean the names are dead and buried, some still linger on the fringes of public awareness - names like Bethlehem Steel and Fall River Marksmen.

Andre’ Ruette knew the name Fall River Marksmen. Though he has lived in other parts of the country, his own origins and many of his family members live in the New York City/North Jersey area. That personal connection, combined with soccer history made the idea of reigniting the Fall River brand a task he was willing to take on. “The footballing history and legacies from this city are remarkable. For a city that could claim itself as the home of U.S. club soccer and along with having family in the area, the choice to revive the Marksmen and the city's footballing pulse was an all too easy choice to make.”

We asked Andre’ to discuss the difficulties in rebuilding the Fall River Marksmen brand and how he’s approached that task with respect for the history.

Reviving a brand is complicated - how do you walk the line on being authentic?

There's certainly a lot of variables to take into account but the simplest explanation is to represent the club in the way I as a football supporter would want to see & experience. Running a club certainly puts you in a position of having to make business decisions but you have to put the game first, it's the essence and soul of what any club is about. At the end of the day, for me at least, I always want to ensure our club is seen as a footballing brand and custodian of the game first with the commercial aspects hopefully being the back end of one's perspective of our organization. All in all, you have to allow the game and all of it's wonderful nuances to tell the story, you can't be authentic if you're forcing the story or flogging your brand & merchandise all the time. Embrace your players and those closest to the club & allow for their stories to be told. Humans love connecting or identifying with something, let your club talk, give it the ability to allow for connections & bonds. If you can convince a true fan of the sport that you're doing right by the game, they'll in return not only respect the club but hopefully also sell others into becoming a fan of the club.

How much do you lean on history in your branding?

Typical branding or marketing ideas/campaigns that could work with your normal club don't always apply to ourselves as we always have to be mindful of the past and ensure we are honoring it and not overlooking or tarnishing anything. Although trying to be true to our clubs original roots can be difficult at times, especially given the years that have lapsed since the club folded, we're lucky to have an ace up our sleeve thanks to our club historian Derek Gonsalves. When the initial plans to roll out this revival were drawn up, one of the key parts was ensuring we had a respected club historian. Fortunately for ourselves we were lucky enough to bring Derek into the position and he's been brilliant thus far. Having Derek around to help ensure the tales of yesteryear remain fresh and honored today in 2020 has been a true blessing and wonderful crutch to lean on.

In regards to an example of our branding that ties in the past, I'd say our home kit is a good start. It was important to me to present a home kit that tied our two worlds together and Icarus kit designs helped out a lot in bringing my ideas to reality. 

Another avenue for our branding that pulls in the past is our initiative to rekindle former bonds that the original Marksmen had with various clubs from across America and Europe. We've had some really interesting discussions recently with some clubs both home & abroad and we're working on a few items that we hope further ties the stories of yesteryear to today. We've also been fortunate enough to have some private conversations with relatives of former players and seek out their stories and approval of how we present & handle their loved one's legacy. It's important to me and to all of us that we place earning the respect of the family and fellow historians well before earning a buck.

Claiming the record of the past time (Open Cups and such) seems problematic. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that.

Short answer, we'll forever happily stand in the original Marksmen's shadows. 

We're here to ensure their legacy lives on and stories told and untold, continue to be brought into conversations about domestic & international football. How the carrying of the torch is perceived is up to the footballing God's, the family members of those who are associated with the original Marksmen and of course the public's perspective and in time we hope to earn their collective trust and respect.

If you want to start getting technical about carrying on a lineage, then a lot of other clubs would be in line well before ourselves. A great example is the large number of clubs that lay across the domestic levels which have some sort of brandishing to the effect of "Since XXXX" or "Est XXXX" and how it's presented.The reality of the matter is how many of these clubs are presenting their lineage is false (going dormant, changing names/identity, relocating,etc..) yet publicly they are accepted as the truth or in the very least an acceptable alteration of the truth. Largely those who are successful in navigating those waters are financially strong enough to provide an assortment of other variables that make up their identity and the altered aspect of their history is buffered or downed out. Then there's another small group of clubs, which I hope we fall into, who handle their history/story with enough transparency and care that the story of yesteryear is allowed to form a unique bond with the here and now. 

If it were all about the potential of cashing in on the name and using it for personal gains then that train would have departed the station by now. Most don't know outside of those I share my dinner table with, that not long after the club's revival was made public there were two separate offers from sources that wanted to finance & place the team in a national league. If it were about the coin and/or my own arrogance, I would have signed away. To delve even deeper, I grew up as a seriously passionate Hartford Whalers and Metrostars fan, I know all too well what it's like to have an identity taken away or altered, I'd never ever want to be a part of something like that. 

Without question though, we have a long way to go until we can prove we're worthy of holding the name, let alone the memories and accolades that come along with it. There's a certain way to take care of and respect this game, it's not always the same parts and pieces for each club but if you take the time to respect the game of football and all of it's wonderful components, such as our history, in time it will all take care of itself and that's my philosophy with this club and it's accompanying history.

Did that type of thinking influence your kit design?

I wanted to find a balance of yesterday and today with our match day kits. I decided that our home kits would be a link between the 1931 Marksmen (when they folded) and today, bring that hooped kit forward and give it a slight modern twist of today. The black drawstring collar and sponsor-less design hearkens to the days of yesteryear and compliments the vibrant red & white hooped design. The numbers on the back are simple black font a close look to the very few teams in that era that did wear uniform numbers. The original Marksmen to the best of our knowledge never adorned uniform numbers throughout their history. 

All in all, I was after a classic look that would stand out on the pitch and give us a unique look that matched our club's unique history. The red and white hoops really stand out, especially from the perspective of seeing these kits in action as a fan. To me a great kit is all about finding that aesthetic that provides a unique look from both close up and from afar while also being easily identifiable & respected. I can understand our home kit not being everyone's favorite cup of tea but I'm really pleased with how it looks. Having Robert w/IcarusFC around to help w/the process was also a great blessing too.

For the away kit, my vision was to give it a modern approach along with a salute to our city & community. The faded brick design that is present throughout the kit is an homage to the many brick lined buildings that are all too present in the Fall River & South Coast community. The city was once home to a quarry and many of the older buildings that remain standing today in Fall River & the South Coast are made from the very stones that were pulled from the Fall River quarry, so a bit of a nod to that as well. The red sash across running across the front and back, plus the one shoulder is one part visual and one part story. The red sash flowing into the shoulder and over the back breaks the norm of the usual front shoulder to waist sash designs, with the all red shoulder helping to give the jersey an overall bite to it's visual aesthetics. The story aspect to the sash depicts our bond with the community and that we as a club & community can't be divided. The uniform numbers are also unique as well, a collaboration of myself and Robert w/IcarusFC. All in all, I'm really proud of how each kit looks and how it represents our club.

We have a third jersey coming out towards the end of the summer as well. It's something different that speaks to the modern approach of our club and our desire to celebrate the artistic side of this sport and our community. Football, fashion and art all go hand in hand and I'm really excited to unveil this look later on in the year. 

How much research do you do on your branding decisions?

In regards to researching, there's certainly numerous avenue's to watch after or study, be it from the football world or outside of it. When I feel the need to lean on an outside influence, I've found myself gravitating to a few successful branding and marketers from Japan and have tried to incorporate their wisdom into my decision making. The Japanese marketing world to me in many ways represents the aura of our club image, a vibrant and fresh world with an understanding and respect for traditions and history. Kashiwa Sato would be one that I often look to for advice and clarity when mulling over a branding/marketing idea or strategy, he really understands the importance of branding & marketing like not many other's I've  been fortunate to come across.

Essentially, if our current branding of the club had to be boiled down to a sentence or two, it would be, not forgetting that our limitations are tradition and common sense.

Tradition is something you see all too often with club's from the highest to the lowest levels getting wrong. You have to sell the sport and the stories that come along with it and allow for the story and atmosphere to grow and play itself out. Be aware of what your goals are, who your audience and community are and adjust accordingly. Too often clubs try to push a vibe or an atmosphere that isn't conducive to the sport or their community. Demographics and analytics are a great guide for showing how the particular parts of your club are growing and how the public are reacting to your initiatives but it shouldn't be the first go to when trying to market your club. Sell the sport, the passion, the history, the intimacy of being a small club and give it plenty of time and air to grow. Be true to the game and it will be true to you. 

As to the common sense part, you could say the above breakdown also covers this part. Not everyone is going to buy into your branding and some of your initiatives will fall flat but if you're allowing yourself just enough room to fall and get back up without losing a step, you're going to eventually find yourself on a path that lays itself out before you. It can't all be about making a dollar or moving items off your sales rack because before you know it that's going to overshadow your actual football and your players. To me personally, what's the point of running a club if it's main purpose is to sell merchandise and results in a vibe that overshadows the players and the game itself. Your aura turns from pitch to plastic and I just don't see the point. Sell the sport, your community and allow it some space to grow. 

Do you see your club as a tribute to the past?

I think the culmination of the answers above answers that question fairly clearly. For the sake of clarity and transparency though, the answer is yes.

One aspect to add into this conversation in how we honor and tribute the past would be the very man himself, founder/owner,Sam Mark. I think it gets lost in the conversation sometimes that Sam wasn't a football man, he was a businessman and certainly painted with a broader stroke than most other clubs owners.I'd like to think that taking the name and bringing it back to life is a very Sam'esque part of our club, along with our pro/rel structure and being vocally disenchanted with today's domestic club structure or lack there of it. 

Why is it important to keep the memory of the old club alive?

It's a wonderful reminder of the excellence that our sport in this country was able to produce, as well as a testament to the power of what our community can accomplish. The accomplishments of those who came before us should never be looked at with having an expiration date and I hope our club can continue honoring the achievements of those who once stood before us, community and club.

What are your long term goals with the club?

We want to be here in ten years enthusiastically talking about the next ten coming up.

With our club being run in the traditional fashion of honoring promotion and relegation, it's our goal to eventually get the club into the professional ranks, whichever league that may be at the given time. We're here to earn our promotion out of the amateur & semi-pro levels and not just pick a league from a pamphlet and cut a check. We have a very long journey ahead of us but I hope in time we're seen as an example of not only how a club can & should operate in this country but also worthy of one day earning our forefathers nickname & reputation of being the American Menace.

He ended the interview with one of my favorite quotes, one that shows his heart and character. “Wherever you happen to find yourself calling home at the moment, go find the closest FC and support the daylights out them, especially if they are a semi-pro or amateur club. Your attention, opinion and dollars truly matter, go make a positive difference.”

Branding is part of building a successful club. But it isn’t the only thing. It gives fans a connection, an impression, a preliminary welcome, but then builds beyond to deepen the tie and strengthen the relationship. Eventually is helps sustain the excitement and passion, reminding the supporters why they support, showing them what they love about their club. For Fall River, that means tying their club to a history that was almost forgotten. It’s a thread that goes back to their roots, what they are built on, their core identity. They are a textbook example that branding can be just as passionate and dedicated as the rest of grassroots soccer.

- Dan Vaughn

My Best Ten and Me: Featuring David Falk of GoalWa and Snohomish County FC Steelheads

This week, for My Best Ten & Me, we reached out to the soccer-everything man for the great state of Washington, Mr. David Falk. From founding websites and leagues to successful and entertaining clubs, David continues to engage in the soccer community and bring them all together. We gave him the same old rules…

1. You are the Player/Manager and you have to plug yourself in.

2. Any player selected must have been active in your lifetime.

He followed them for the most part.

The technical side of soccer is not why I watch and love the sport. I am more about the waves of attack, the luck of the bounce, the vision and the artistry, the roar and silence, the emotional ebbs. So, picking a formation is pretty much guess work for me. But I did enjoy watching my Snohomish County FC Steelheads win the Western Washington Premier League title in 2019 using a 3-5-2, as employed by Head Coach Dagi Kesim. His Use of five midfielders and three reliable defenders resulted in a .60 goals-against average that year.

Washington is a great soccer state. Not just good, but great. The game has deep and lasting roots here at all levels from youth to professional. Making a Best Ten & Me means something to me when this twist is added: my 10 were all born here. Full disclosure: I was born in Montebello, California in 1962.

(GK) Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller was born in Olympia - Washington’s capital city, in 1969. Many consider him the greatest footballer born here. He played for the US Nats, overseas, and for the Seattle Sounders upon their joining MLS. You might have heard of him.

(CB) Danny Vaughn
Danny was born in Gig Harbor in 1956. I thought I was going with Jeff Stock here, but alas the guy we loved as a local NASL Sounder was actually born in Baltimore. Danny is in the Tacoma Sports Hall of Fame, and certainly saw interesting times with the Detroit Express, Memphis Rogues, Jacksonville Tea Men and Calgary Boomers in the old NASL.

(CB) Jeff Durgan
Jeff was born in Tacoma in 1961. He was named 1980 NASL Rookie of the Year in his debut season with the New York Cosmos. Certainly, one of the best players our state has ever produced and perhaps its best defender. Durgan was named 46th of the top 50 athletes of the 20th century from Washington State by Sports Illustrated.

(CB) James Dunn
James was born in Olympia in 1971 along with his twin brother Jason. The solid defender won three championships with Seattle clubs. The Sounders won the A-League in 1995 and 1996, then the Seattle Seadogs won the CISL (indoor) in 1997. Cool head, hard worker, smart and gritty player

(LB / LWB) Jimmy McAlister
Born in Seattle in 1954, “Jimmy Mac” was a breakthrough player for the NASL Sounders; winning Rooking of the Year honors for the league in 1977. With rolled down socks hugging his ankles, Jimmy dashed up and down the sideline showing a presences on the ball that was unusual for American players of those times.

(CM) Jason Farrell
Jason was born in Seattle in 1970. The hardworking mid was with the A-League Sounders as they won back-to-back championships. After his time in MLS, he returned to the USL Sounders. His field vision made him great. He could finish goals like a forward and find teammates in tight spaces.

*(CM) David Falk
Really? The rules of Ten & Me state that I have to be on this list. You should search names like Nate Daligcon, Chris Henderson, Leighton O’Brien and Raphael Cox for actual choices, among others!

(CM) Joey Gjertsen
Joey was born in Tacoma in 1982. This guy was smooth on the ball and talk about making the most of what you’ve got - he played at Tacoma Community College and The Evergreen State College, eventually making his mark in Major League Soccer.

(RB / RWB) DeAndre Yedlin
DeAndre was born in Seattle in 1993. He was special even as I saw him compete in the PDL back in the day. He has made the most of his talent with hard work and an unwavering belief in himself. Recent talk that he’ll come back to the Sounders one day was welcomed by Seattle supporters.

(F) Jordan Morris
Jordan Morris was born in Seattle in 1994. He’s remained local even as he ascends the ranks of USMNT goal scorers. Knocked by some for not going overseas, Morris has helped his childhood club win two MLS Cups.

(F) Chance Fry
No one could convert like chance Fry. Born in Bellevue in 1964, the lanky striker could head with the best of them and had great technique with his feet. Chance played for the Seattle Sounders of the NASL in their final year and dominated with the A-League Sounders in the 1990’s, as that club won their two titles.

Expansion Targets: Imagining the NISA Map (emphasis on IMAGINING)

Hey there – fellow Knight John back for another speculative NISA piece. Keep in mind that it’s all in good fun.  Hope you enjoy.

If you are as staunch a follower of NISA expansion as Dan and I – the Knights Who Say NISA – then you may have noticed that all of the new teams coming on board seem to be located on the eastern half of the country. What about locations west of the Mississippi? Sure, there are four clubs huddled – sorry, clustered – in California, but nothing between them and Detroit City. Well, except the big NISA logo that they insist on planting smack dab in the middle of the map of the United States on the league’s website. (Hmmm…maybe that’s the problem…)

Well, Dan and I decided that something needed to be done. We agreed to sit down and put together some ideas of markets where NISA should consider when looking to add clubs. And when Dan got up to take a potty break, I went to work. (How that chair got lodged in between the floor and the door handle I’ll never know.)

Now if we’re playing by NISA’s ‘rules’ we have to cluster clubs together, not just throw teams hither and yon. Heartily accepting the challenge, here’s where I think the league should go when going west:

Market #1: Chicago

Wait just a minute – why would you want to have new third division clubs in a market where the Chicago Fire have done such a great job in capturing the region’s soccer fans?

Yeah, exactly. 

As the Fire have smoldered away, Chicago is beyond ready for more professional clubs. Some would argue that the city could use one professional soccer club right now, but that would be too cruel. Sort of. Anyway, since NISA is now home of the New York Cosmos, I think it would be nice to bring back another soccer team name from the past. No, not the Sting. Further back. While Fall River Marksmen and Bethlehem Steel were creating history nearly a century ago, Chicago Sparta ABA was becoming a powerhouse in the Midwest with a stadium of their own. Won championships. Hosted international exhibitions. And as far as I can tell, the moniker is not currently being used. So why not draw on some real soccer history in the region and bring back Chicago Sparta?

For our instant rival to Sparta, we’re going to take a musical journey. In the late 1960s a group of seven musical lads from Chicago sought out their fame and fortune. By 1977, the band Chicago had become a hit-making machine. The album released that year would feature a map of the city on the cover. And so, with apologies to the club currently playing in Indiana, I give you the name of that album and your new club: Chicago XI. Imagine a supporters group named after guitarist Terry Kath. A horn section playing along with the chanting fans. Baby, what a big surprise that would be.  

Market #2: Denver

Oh - surely you’re not going to go up against the mighty Rapids now, too.

Oh surely we are.

If there is an MLS club that has needed a good ol’ relegatin’, it’s the Colorado Rapids. The question is: if you could drop the Rapids into the USL, would the investor-operator even notice? But I digress. Another club name that needs to be brought back is the Colorado Foxes. For you young people out there, there was a hip and happening soccer league back in the 1990s called the APSL, the American Professional Soccer League. And the Foxes were league winners for two years. A fella by the name of Marcelo Balboa played on the club. Eventually the league called itself the A-League, merged with the USISL (the USL as we know them now), and the Foxes would fade away. Bring back the Foxes, and maybe even partner up with Leicester City. Foxy!   

And for the Foxes’ clusterbuddy, let’s have a bit of fun and get the munchies along the way. I can’t think of a better club name that embraces the region (and is pun-riffic) than Four & Twenty Blackbirds. Oh c’mon, just picture a crest that has a blackbird with a doobie resting in its beak? How would you not want this? Listen, I understand that there could be issues with having a club name that, well, more than hints at drug use, but if you don’t think the day that kit is released it isn’t flying off the shelves…

Market #3: Montana

OK, now you’re just being silly.

Sure, there may be bigger markets to plant a flag. OK – there may be MANY other markets that are bigger. But sometimes you have to zig when others say zag. Maybe the lack of professional soccer clubs in this region could spark an interest. Did anyone expect New Mexico United to draw over 10,000 a game in its inaugural season last year? 

So let’s go clustering in Big Sky Country. I’m going to eschew Billings, Great Falls, Missoula and Bozeman for now. No disrespect to these fine communities, but I think I’ve got the perfect pairing. Say hello to your newest soccer rivalry: Real Butte and Helena Handbasket FC.

OK – perhaps I am being a little silly.

Welp, I think Dan is about to break through the door, so I should end it here. We’ll be watching and waiting for the next clubs to join the NISA fraternity with curiosity.

UWS Prepares for Center Stage

While my opinions about soccer in the pandemic wouldn’t shock anyone that frequents this website, I can’t pretend I’m not a tiny bit excited for the UWS to be center stage. The league announced late last week that a National Cup would be help in Round Rock, Texas, July 9-17. As of the time of this article, the confirmed total of 7 teams will be participating, with 3 clubs from outside the state joining 4 Texas clubs. The 7 clubs are: Bat Country FC, CTX Hornets, Dallas International, FC Austin Elite, Lancaster Inferno, Santa Clarita Blue Heat, and Worcester Smiles.

I approached Danny Woodfill, GM of FC Austin Elite, about his plans for the Cup his team will be hosting. First off, why Austin? “Round Rock and Williamson County were much more lightly affected by the COVID Pandemic and as we considered playing this Summer, we thought we’d be able to and there probably teams across the country in lightly affected areas that might want to play. We have the facilities and more favorable conditions, so I thought we had to do something.”

The players will be dormed at Concordia University Texas which has a newer campus that is currently closed to outsiders, just the kind of environment needed to sequester and protect the health of the players involved. And the chance of sickness is a real thing, but Woodfill highlighted the UWS’ focus on the safety of every player. “You can never fully insure the safety of players, soccer is a game of risks; however, we have worked very hard to minimize risk. We’ve worked with our medical director, Dr. Pyron and her Medicine in Motion staff to make sure that we put in strong standards and we reduce risks. We will sequester travelling teams in dorms so they minimize their exposure to regular travellers. Additionally the city of Round Rock is fully committed to helping maximize safety and minimize risk, so we feel we can do this safely.”

The league’s press statement outlined the details of the competition: “a 9-day tournament format of three games, semifinals, and final.  The tournament will be held without fans, and games will be live-streamed.” Woodfill mentioned that his goal is for the live-stream to be HD. “It’s expensive, but we want as many people to watch as possible.” The league is currently looking for sponsors to cover the cost of streaming.

Registration for the tournament is open for all teams (UWS or otherwise) until Friday. Until that deadline is reached, the UWS can’t finalize lineups, format or matches. So we’re expecting next week to bring more details on the tournament.

- Dan Vaughn

Soccer in the Age of COVID - an Editorial

Last week, UWS announced the 2020 National Cup, a small format (currently 7 clubs) tournament to be held in Round Rock, TX (story to come later this week). Several weeks ago, UPSL announced that the 2020 Spring season would kick off in a limited number of states across the country. There will be no national playoffs, but locally, there will be matches. And while many in the soccer community are celebrating this return to soccer, I’m left wondering if this is the right decision.

The pandemic has really derailed life across the world. For months now, people have been forced to adjust their lives in hopes of flattening the curve. Facial protections, social distancing, and limited travel have all become a part of the equation which governs our daily lives. With schools and daycares now closed, kids are kept home to stay safe. Unemployment has surged nationally, while many have lost jobs, and others have had hours severely slashed. In most circumstances, those that are continuing to work have to take their lives into their own hands, particularly if they are older or immunocompromised. And ALL sports were cancelled for a time.

But life finds a way.

People are beginning to go out, some with care, while others seem to throw caution to the wind. Stores are packed in parts of the country, while restaurants seem to have customers on every corner. Beaches are crowded with people. Protests for reopening seem to have had some effect as more and more states are trying to take the economy back online.

In soccer, the Bundesliga was back first, then the Premier League is coming back online in a week or so, and soon NWSL and MLS will follow suit in this country. NISA is in talks for a summer tournament, while USL seems to be headed towards playing a limited schedule with some audience (not sure just yet). And while it seems like these leagues have some protocols in place, the further down the chain you go, the less money is available to implement rigid testing and sequestering.

I understand that every person’s reaction to the pandemic and their level of care is based on a host of factors - personal risk, family risk, economic status, geographic location, political affiliation, scientific background, information level - all of those things play a role in how you’ve decided to deal with the pandemic. And while I think I am right, I live in a pluralistic society, we’re in this together and I’m not the king. So, we have to come to a consensus locally, state-wide, and as a nation. We have to decide how we will function.

For me, I am a 41-year-old, type 2 diabetic. I feel a high level of risk due to my own health, but that’s pretty specific to me. My city has seen our numbers rise and our curve has never “flattened” but continued to rise. I am forced to work because I have bills to pay and my company has remained open, and that makes me worry a lot. I see so many people who refuse to wear masks, regardless of the science behind it. Not wearing a mask has become some sort of badge to prove loyalty to political persuasion. The political machinations have also fostered a rising wave of anti-science and anti-media sentiment, which amplifies people’s second guessing. It’s frustrating and makes me feel unsafe. For me, no amount of soccer is worth the risk of death - to me or anyone else. And I am the editor of this tiny section of the internet called Protagonist Soccer.

So, with all that being said, UPSL and UWS are readying to kick off. How should we handle our coverage? My staff is divided. One argued no. One argued yes, but with disclaimers. One has remained silent on the matter so far. But in the end, this is my call.

And that’s why I’m writing this article. Because the baby has to be split some way and this article is that split. We’ll continue to cover soccer, but we will do it with great fear about the health ramifications for those involved. We’ll cover it remotely (as we do most of the time anyway), but we’ll generate articles and reports on the leagues that are playing. I believe in the game and want to see it flourish, so we’ll cover it. This site occupies a particular niche that few else fill - we cover these levels of soccer (to the best of our ability). If we don’t write the articles, who else will?

So, we will.

- Dan Vaughn

A COVID19 Report Card: Grading the Leagues' Response to the Pandemic

With the UWS finally cancelling their season, we’ve finally reached the conclusion of leagues we cover. With that in mind, I’m going to recap how and when each club decided how to handle their season in the time of pandemic and I’ll give them a rating A-F. I used to be a middle school teacher, so I should be able to handle this.

How it Happened: The spring season kicked off, sparking a ton of excitement, with newcomers Detroit City FC, Chattanooga FC, and Michigan Stars bringing a surge of talent to the league. Two weeks into the season, the pandemic was finally ramping up to the point it couldn’t be ignored. On March 12th, the league office announced it would be putting the spring season on hold for 30 days to allow the situation to unfold. After a month and a half, the league officially pulled the plug on April 27th.

The Aftermath: When the league announced the spring cancellation, they immediately announced plans for a summer challenge cup that would involve multiple amateur clubs along with NISA sides. As of now, that is still in the works. NISA also set up an eLeague and began play. The league has also made an announcement about the format and schedule of the fall season, giving fans a lot to look forward to. NISA finances are less clear than many leagues, so how they handled the obvious losses, it’s hard to tell from the outside. We do know some clubs are definitely continuing to honor player contracts and there are some that have not.

Got it almost perfect - regular communication, few leaks, future plans in place to hold fan attention. Only miss, player salaries.

How it Happened: Rumblings of the cancelled season began leaking very soon after talks began. I received multiple contacts from within the league that this was coming, but had to hold until we had concrete information. Unlike the UPSL, which has a fall season to regroup in, the NPSL, mostly due to the collegiate players, has to play in the early summer. On March 25th, Michael Lewis of Front Row Soccer put out a story claiming the league was cancelling the 2020 season. Soon after, we received confirmation from sources in the league and ran the story as well. The plan had been for the league to announce the cancellation the next day. Leaks happen.

An internal email revealed the league was relying on the decision from USASA, which recommended cancelling any group through April 30th. The league decided it was best to cancel the season.

The Aftermath: While the decision to cancel the season was probably the right one, the league was prepared an eLeague rollout soon after. That helped take a tiny bit of the heat off the league in the social media sector, but there were some issues that emerged, regardless.

In a move that at least one other league would mirror, the NPSL decided to keep the entirety of the league fee, while only supplying a partial credit for 2021. The fee of $5,500 was reduced to a $2,000 credit. I can tell you, clubs are NOT happy about this move. Maybe it’s a reality is grassroots soccer, but it felt really unfair to clubs operating on a shoestring budget.

And aside from that decision, everything the league did leaked before it was officially announced. This is good from a media perspective, but not good if you’re a league trying to crisis manage.

Not Good, Bob - kept their league fees, leaked like a sieve, pissed off their fans and clubs.

WPSL

How it Happened: On March 20th, the WPSL announced they would be postponing the start of the league by a month, moving the season kickoff from May 9th to May 29th. The press release contained a word of caution from Sean Jones, “If the situation doesn’t seem to be improving by the end of April and our top medical experts are recommending avoiding outdoor activities, then the WPSL will comply and not compete in 2020. We have informed our teams that we will provide them 30 days advanced notice if the cancelation does take place.” That would prove to be the case, so on April 30th, the league announced the cancellation of the season.

The Aftermath: Contained in the press release cancelling the season was a precursor announcement of a potential, one-off, fall season. This would be challenging, with the large amount of college players that participate in the league, but it certainly kept up hopes that amatuer women’s soccer would be seen in 2020. However, much like the NPSL, the league decided to keep the now cancelled 2020 season fees, $3,500 per club, but offering only $1,000 credit for 2021 (or the potential fall league). Unlike the NPSL, Sean Jones got ahead of this story and gave the logic and reasoning behind the decision, which staunched the bleeding a bit.

Better, but not perfect - kept in front of the story, prepped a fan pleaser, did damage control. All in all, a mixed bag.

How it Happened: The UWS was great at keeping their clubs updated on the situation. Kudos on that. The league ran the clock out on this one, hoping to find a way to fit in a season. On March 12th, the league continued to plan on a season. On the 20th, the announced that the schedule would be adjusted. On April 4th, the league announced they still intended to play a 2020 season. However, on June 9th, the season was called and the league announced the regular 2020 season wasn’t going to happen. They just announced (June 12th) the UWS National Cup. As of today, seven teams are participating and the tournament will be hosted in Texas by FC Austin Elite.

The Aftermath: The big benefit of waiting until the last possible moment to cancel the season was that the UWS had learned from the missteps made by the other national amateur leagues. Every league that had given severely limited credit had been raked over the coals on social media. UWS, in a move their own press release called “bucking the trend,” the league announced they would be giving their clubs “approximately 80% credit towards next season’s fees.” And don’t think that last line of the press release isn’t an invite to other amatuer woso clubs “United Women’s Soccer looks forward to returning even stronger in 2021 with a full season of high level competition.”

I have two major complaints. One is that the league could have shown more leadership in cancelling the season earlier. Felt like it dragged out about two weeks longer than it should have. The other complaint is the inherent risks that come with playing soccer without the payroll to establish strong safety protocols with rigorous testing.

Close, very close - good communication, learned from other leagues’ mistakes, took care of clubs. Should have called it earlier.

How it Happened: The UPSL has, at times, struggled in moving with agility in public relations. I say this as a guy who emails the league looking for information on the regular. They are polite, but I’m almost always told, “we’re working on that.”

The league announced they would postpone the season on March 25th, using similar logic to the NPSL. The date the UPSL gave was May 2nd, which many scoffed at for being way too early for resuming play. Then an announcement came out on May 15th that league play would resume, in limited scope, on June 20th. Some states won’t allow play at this point, so those clubs won’t be participating. However, league powerhouse states like Florida and Texas, with governors set on reopening the economy, would be up and running. The league did stipulate that “The intention is to run a 10-game regular season ending the weekend of August 22-23 followed by two weekends of play-off competition, the second of those being Regional Finals on the weekend of September 5-7. Once participating divisions and teams are known, the play-off structure and season schedule will be released. This will occur no later than Thursday, June 11.”

The Aftermath: And this is the big gamble that I’ve discussed on at least 4 podcasts at this point. What happens if there’s a team infection scenario? Or if a player potentially dies from this? Or a fan gets sick from attending a match? Unlike the big professional leagues, the UPSL can’t have the same level of safety protocols. It’s a gamble, but will it pay off. That remains to be seen.

We just don’t know yet. Good communication, but with play about to resume, we shall see if the gamble pays off.

My Best Ten and Me: Featuring André P. Ruette, President of Fall River Marksmen

The Fall River Marksmen returned to the land of the living clubs last year, and the president of the team, André P. Ruette, returned my email request to participate with his Best Ten. André set his dream side up in a 3-5-3 and threw himself between the pipes. To get to the rest, he followed these two rules…

1. You are the Player/Manager and you have to plug yourself in.

2. Any player selected must have been active in your lifetime.

*(GK) André Ruette
Myself. Since you have to be included in the XI, I'm going with the GK position as there's too many options to pick for just one spot on the team.

(CB) Mike Petke
Mike Petke. Being able to watch Mike develop year after year with the Metrostars was a real joy to behold. Loyal, committed & talented, he's the backbone of a club you dream of. His play & aura would of made him a legend in somewhere in Europe, always wished he tried his luck over there.

(CB) Daniel Agger
Daniel Agger An absolute warrior at the CB position and as devoted of a player you could ever ask for. He could of cashed in on his time with Liverpool but his honorable move back to Brondby just goes to show how classy the Danish Viking was. 

(CB) Mark Watson
Mark Watson I've followed the Canadian National Team for a long time and Mark is arguably still the best Canadian defender to ever suit up for the Reds. I was lucky enough to watch him up close for a few of his years with the Battery, just a joy to watch. He's the professional player who just does all the little things right, an absolute mind for the game and deserving of his post playing career success as a coach.

(CDM) Dimitri Loskov
Dimitri Loskov... Lokomotiv Moscow legend more suited for the #10 role but I got to fit him in this 11. As skilled with his feet as his he is with his vision, such a lovely touch and a magician with a dead ball. If you're not familiar with Loskov and love old highlights on YouTube, you're welcome.

(CM) Jamie Redknapp
Jamie Redknapp. I idolized him growing up, what a joy to watch and so frustrating to see him battle knee injuries. One of the Spice boys, when he was on the pitch and healthy, he was always difference maker and should of been England's midfielding hero for a long time if it wasn't for his knee's.

(CM) Carlos Valderamma
Carlos Valderamma ... what a treat it was watching Carlos play in the MLS, it was all too easy for him. Not many players on this planet to this day with his skill on the ball, simply amazing how we could see a play develop before it happened along with his ability to place a ball virtually anywhere he wanted. 

(CAM) Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho ... What needs to be said. That smile and those skills, he was on a level that only a handful of players can claim to of achieved.

(RW) Amado Guevara
Amado Guevara .... seeing him weekly as a Metrostar made me fall in love with him. When he was switched on, he was unbeatable and could carry a club on his back...eye for the goal, killer ball, last minute match winning decisions and an edge of an misunderstood genius.

(ST) Andriy Shevchenko
Shevchenko .... Really hard to pick a striker, almost impossible to grab one but I'm going to have to pick Sheva. I fell in love with him in the early 90's when a Spanish exchange student and I used to skip school to watch Champions League matches. I'll never forget seeing him and Rebrov w/Kyiv absolutely dismantling Europe's best backlines. Once he shifted to Milan, he grew into an absolutely stunning player, worthy of his Ballon d'Or and possibly another one or two more.

(LW) David Ginola
David Ginola ... the Frenchman was half artist and half magician. On the wing or in the middle of the park, Ginola was as smooth as silk and just made the game look all too easy. Most know him for his out of this world performances in the EPL but prior to that with PSG, he was lights out and shined brightly against Europe's best in the Champs Lge and Uefa Cup.

A Game of Chance

Sometimes, things happen to fall into place by chance, in unexpected ways. Ways that forces us to rethink our loyalties and commitments. Ways that make us think about who we are and our role in our society. Sometimes, it’s just a game of chance that shakes up the world.

The Ties that Bind

The Ft. Worth Vaqueros have always utilized a unique approach to selecting their kit sponsor, according to club owner Michael Hitchcock. “The fans named the team, designed and selected the logo, select our jersey every year and we carry that philosophy to our sponsorship strategy.  Since 2014, every Vaqueros sponsor is entered into a Jersey Sponsorship Lottery where regardless of the size of the company, they have a chance to win our coveted jersey sponsorship for FREE.  So instead of selling it to the highest bidder, we let the Soccer Gods decide who will be our sponsor for that year.  Last night, we hosted our 7th Annual Jersey Sponsorship Lottery albeit first Virtual Jersey Sponsorship Lottery and Fort Worth Police Officers Association was selected as our 2020 Jersey Sponsor.”

The Fort Worth Police Officers Association has had a long standing relationship with the club, going back to day one. And over the years, the FWPOA has expanded their involvement with the club. 2 years ago, the Vaqueros launched a free Youth Academy for those kids who couldn’t afford to participate in youth leagues that were pay to play. The FWPOA stepped up to be a sponsor. And that wasn’t the end of their connection with the club, according to Hitchcock, “over the last 6 years, FWPOA has brought hundreds of Fort Worth kids and their families out to Vaqueros home games and even sponsored our Kids Zone on game days.  We host an annual Guns & Hoses (Police vs Fire) soccer match as part of a Doubleheader with a Vaqueros game.”

But, of course, we live in complicated times. After the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN, massive protests have sprung up across the country. Those protests have outspoken in their opinions of the police, police brutality, and the relationship between citizens of color and the police. Unlike past moments of unrest, protests have continued over two weeks, with the hope to spark real change to a system that is failing people of color.

And Ft. Worth has some recent history in this conversation, with the police murder of Atatiana Jefferson last year. The 28-year old woman was shot to death by police officer Aaron Dean, who shot her without announcing himself. Unlike many other similar events, the officer was indicted for murder. It was no surprise when the current wave of protest began, Ft. Worth saw its share of rallies and marches. The area was ready to speak out about the issues they had witnessed in their own community. 

When Supporters Speak

That’s why, when the news broke that Ft. Worth Vaqueros would be wearing the logo of FWPOA on this season’s kits, Nick Rainone decided it was time to resign. When I spoke with Nick, he made sure to emphasize that this was HIS opinion and decision, not the rest of the SG he has led for 4 years. “I want to state unequivocally that I am stepping down because, while I do speak on behalf of many of us, I don't speak on behalf of everyone and I won't put anything on the entire group that we haven't come to a full consensus on. I have been a supporter from year 1...I have been the President [Panther City Hellfire] for the last 4 years.” Panther City Hellfire is the independent supporter group of Ft. Worth Vaqueros.

“While Fort Worth Police Officers Association has been a sponsor from year one, it's always been an uneasy relationship for many of us as we are a pretty diverse SG and issues of police overreach have been a genuine day to day issue for many of our supporters and their families. On top of that the department already has a rocky recent history such as a violent and unnecessary raid on one of the city's main LGBTQ+ clubs, Rainbow Lounge, to the nationally broadcast beating of a black teenage girl at a swimming pool [this actually happened in McKenney, Texas. Thanks to Anthony White for bringing this to our attention]. And then Atatiana Jefferson happened. For me that alone should have disqualified the FWPOA from sponsorship eligibility despite their long relationship with the club. And in the current climate of justified peaceful protests, while FWPD has certainly not sunk to the levels of other PDs around the nation, they did gas a peaceful protest last week because someone threw one half-empty bottle of water their way.”

Nick went further in his criticism of the move. “To me this partnership sends a horrible message to our communities of color and for those who have stood up to demand real reform in policing and for those who do wrong to be ACTUALLY held accountable. So when they not only were allowed to participate in our jersey sponsorship lottery but actually won, it felt like a slap in the face to all of us who said this club was different and was community first.”

Rainone is quick to point out his own propensity to speak loudly about his beliefs and that he cannot and will not speak for the entire membership of Panther City Hellfire. “It's safe to say I am typically the most vehement in my convictions but many others have expressed similar concerns. Somewhat ties severed, some want to participate and protest, some want to support the club as is and ignore it, and a small handful are ok with it.” Much like the rest of the country, opinions are all over the board, particularly in a metro area in a southern state.

A Clash of Perspectives

From Hitchcock’s perspective, not including the FWPOA in the drawing was not an option. “Our Management team discussed the Virtual Jersey Sponsorship Lottery and the possibility that FWPOA could win the jersey sponsorship for 2020.  We are a club of inclusion and see this as an opportunity for the Vaqueros to take a leadership role in bringing the community together, on and off the field.  We're all in this together and I believe FWPOA was selected for a reason by the Soccer Gods.  We plan to introduce plans where the Vaqueros, our games and our community initiatives will help bring people together. Lots of work to be done but we plan to take a leadership role to help our community.”

That is in direct contradiction to Rainone’s view of what the correct response should have been. “I believe the club should have recognized the current national discussion and recognized that a jersey sponsorship was tone deaf at best. Our fans, front office, and sponsors have always enjoyed great engagement and mutual respect and a dialogue could have been opened to discuss this, a forum where more voices could have been heard and concerns raised with more time to discuss them. If I am being very personal in my take, speaking for myself specifically, I think the club should have recognized particularly the hurt and pain that the murder of Atatiana Jefferson has caused and understood that a serious, major nationally watched case such as that, which has still not even seen the beginnings of it's day in court due to COVID-19, was enough to take a step back from such a public partnership.”

But Vaqueros leadership wasn’t willing to make that decision, even though they are aware that many of their supporters are involved in protesting police violence. For what it’s worth, Hitchcock argues his club is pro BLM and protest. “We support BLM and the current protests. A lot of Vaqueros supporters have attended Fort Worth protests.  We respect everyone's opinion and understand that we're at a critical moment for positive change in this country and would like to play a critical role in making this happen. The Vaqueros and Soccer have a unique platform and opportunity to help make our community an even better place to live, work and play.”

The Path Forward

That being said, the club will follow through with it’s kit sponsorship deal because Hitchcock sees the potential for positive change. “We see this as an opportunity to play a key role in meaningful change in our community.  Vaqueros can be a catalyst to bring the Police community with the soccer community together.  Help advance the conversation and create programs that will help the great city of Fort Worth.  Stay tuned for more information on plans for the Vaqueros to do our part to help our community.”

One thought that bugged me was: what does the NPSL have to add to this discussion? Gary Moody, director of media relations for the NPSL, responded that, except for extreme cases, the league doesn’t get involved in sponsorship relationships. “For the most part, the league doesn’t have input on kit sponsorship. Probably 10-12 years ago, a team put a political candidate on their jersey, like as a political ad, and that wasn’t allowed by US Soccer. Obviously, the NPSL would intervene if it was something like a pornographic website or involved drug use or something inappropriate like that.”

Throughout the interview Hitchcock spoke highly of the supporter’s group and specifically Nick Rainone. “I love Nick like a brother and that will never change. He's a passionate community leader on so many levels. I respect his opinion and decision. Look forward to sitting down with Nick in the future and talking about all of this.  Hopefully, we'll see Nick at future Vaqueros games but we’ll respect his decisions.” That approach may soften the current standoff between the SG president and the organization, who stressed that he was more disappointed than anything else.

And that’s where the issue stands now - a triangle of opinions and views that all contradict each other, splintering loyalties, love, and commitment. For Rainone and the members of Panther City Hellfire who might be opposed to this decision, there’s little recourse - the team is set on it and the league is being hands-off. For the club, they’ve benefited from their relationship with FWPOA for years, see them as partners, and won’t turn their back on the organization now. FWPOA, who was not contacted for this article, are the barrier between a club and it’s SG president. They’ve supported and backed the club’s efforts in the communities for 6 years now, for the club, that’s earned them loyalty. It’s a muddy situation that will no doubt grow muddier as the situation gains more traction in social media.

Maybe that’s the perfect way to wrap this article, in the mud, with divided loyalties, conflicting perspectives, and a host of voices screaming opinions. What is right is hard to see. Finding the curb is almost impossible in the smoke. Our eyes are stinging with tears, both from gas and the injustice that stains every city in this country. Everything is confusion, everything is chaos, and how we make progress is invisible.

- Dan Vaughn