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.

The Only Time We'll Interview a 15-year Old

Shane Kaemerle subbed on for Cal United Strikers FC against Michigan Stars FC two weekends ago. A big moment for anyone, playing for a pro side in a brand new league, but for a 15-year old it’s a life changer. When we heard his story, we had to sit down and talk with him, a boy among men.

So 15, huh? When I was that age, I just played a lot of video games. What electronic games do you waste time on?

I play a lot of FIFA and Fortnite with my friends 

Can you talk about your path through the Cal United system? How long have you been involved with the club?

I have been involved for 7 months. I came out during the summer 3-4 Times a week which transitioned into me practicing full time with the club and now I am where I am

Impressive to see you make your pro debut with Strikers two weeks ago. What was that feeling like, subbing in against Michigan Stars?

It was amazing, I was pretty nervous at the beginning but as soon as I stepped foot on the field all of those nerves went away. 

Speaking of Stars, saw one player get a pretty good tackle against you. Was that your welcome to the pros moment?

Yeah, I think so, he came up to me after the game and told me that was my “welcome to the pros” 

What approach do you take, playing against 20 and 30 year olds?

I definitely have to adapt my game and play quicker because they’re a lot stronger and faster. It’s much different than playing against academy players. 

What do you think of your club's chances in NISA this season?

I think we have a great group of players and a great team and I think we will be bringing home that cup this season. 

What's your relationship like with your fellow Strikers? Anyone mentor you specifically?

My relationship is good with everyone on the team, but Kevin Jeon and Chris Klute have been big mentors for me by giving me pointers and helping me understand the game more. 

What role do you expect to play this season?

I hope to play as many minutes as I can, but my focus is to make it into the 18 each game and work myself into the lineup when they need me. 

What are your long-term goals in soccer?

My long term goal is to go to Europe and fight for a spot there. For now though I am focusing on this goal, with Cal United, to help the team to a championship. 

What music do you listen to hype up before a match?

I listen to mainly rap, Playboy Carty is my jam. 

What's the best part of being a 15 year old pro?

I get to play the sport I love for a living! I don’t have the traditional school experience, but I wouldn’t change that for anything.

How do your parents feel about you playing soccer with adults?

They’re very excited for me. My dad thinks this is the best thing for me right now to be with Cal United and grow my game. He played himself, and so for him to be able to see me grow in this sport right here in my backyard is a huge plus. 

Club of the Year Nominee: Oakland Roots SC

As a staff, we sat down and discussed which clubs deserved the title “Club of the Year.” Working together over the last three weeks we came up with a list of five. This week, I’ll introduce each club and make the argument for your vote. Saturday morning, voting begins and will continue till the end of the year. January 1, we’ll announce our Protagonist Soccer 2019 Club of the Year. I hope you enjoy these articles and then vote for your club of choice. - Dan

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There’s a famous Supreme Court decision everyone loves to quote. You may have heard of it, but it happened in 1964, Jacobellis v. Ohio. In that case, Nico Jacobellis ran a movie theater and decided to show a movie the state of Ohio had deemed obscene. When they arrested him and charged him, he challenged the law, lost twice on appeal, and eventually took it all the way to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court reversed the decision, on the grounds that the Constitution didn’t allow regulation of pornography (the film wasn’t porn in our modern sense, just a very artsy French film with sex in it), unless it was “hardcore pornography.” Justice Potter Stewart, who ruled to overrule the lower court’s decision, issued a very quotable dissent when the decision was made. “"I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that."

“Knowing something when you see it” acknowledges that there are times in life when expressing something may be difficult, even though you know that it is correct. It is not a cop out, but rather a recognition that your gut feeling is correct, with or without the logic to back it up. And maybe it’s difficult to nominate a club that has struggled to produce points on the field and has existed for less than two years, but I know a nominee for club of the year when I see it. That club is Oakland Roots SC.

So let’s consider the case for Oakland Roots for club of the year. Without a doubt, the weakest point on that list is their performance on the field. With a league track record that is only 6 matches long, that isn’t much to go on. And what we do have is weak, points-wise. Roots ended the 2019 NISA campaign with only 3 points, all from draws. Without a win, it should come as no surprise that the club struggled in the goal differential category, ending the season at -3, second worst in the entire competition. But that’s where the negatives end and the narrative turns.

Oakland Roots managed to secure several big friendlies against south of the border competition, including Liga MX first division side, FC Juarez. Against Los Bravos, Roots struggled, yielding the first three goals in 12 minutes. However, for the next 80 minutes, the Oakland side held its own against the better club, finishing the match with a score of 4-2. Their second friendly continued that run, with a great victory over Ascenso MX (Mexican second division) leader CA Zacatepec. Zacatepec won the 2019 Apertura (first half of the league’s year) by a point and probably expected to easily beat Roots. The friendly ended with a scoreline of 2-0, with goals from Jack McInerney and Octavio Guzman. Competing and beating Mexican clubs won’t hurt your standing in the hearts of Californian soccer fans, where Liga MX is the most followed league, especially among Mexican Americans. The club was competing with clubs their local fans watched on tv. The comparisons were authentic and close to their heart.

And that Mexican American demographic is a big one in the city of Oakland. The population is 25% Latino and over 40% of the city speaks a language other than English, but that population is also White, African American, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Cambodian. It’s a diverse population where soccer can serve as a uniting bond. That diversity was a central focus from the beginning with the club. Diversity is authentic to Oakland and that diversity would play a central role in every decision moving forward.

The club was founded by Benno Nagel and Edreece Arghandiwal; Nagel brought years of soccer experience, while Arghandiwal had worked in marketing, brand management, and tech. After deciding they wanted to form a soccer club, they chose NPSL’s Founders Cup as the destination. With FC’s demise, NISA was where Oakland would extend their roots. During the club’s founding, Nagel and Arghandiwal gathered a board of community advisors from diverse backgrounds within the city. Those advisors offered perspective and advice on the decisions that would shape the soccer club as it formed.

The primary focus was that the club would represent Oakland. They used a phrase to guide them “Oakland first, always” and that phrase would lead them to the creation of the club’s iconic logo and overall branding approach. Partnering with Matt Wolf, who has created multiple iconic brands in American soccer (including fellow Californian club, LAFC), they included the Jack London Oak (a symbol of the city, a 100-year old tree that stands in the center of the city) in the design. The club worked with local clothing brand Oaklandish to design a line of clothing that extended the look of the club into everyday apparel. And the branding was such a hit, it began to show up in hip-hop videos, particularly in California-native G-Eazy’s videos. Soon after NBA stars began wearing their apparel. Authenticity is hot.

That approach to authenticity extended to how the club built their roster, going after Oakland native Devante Dubose. When the announcement was made, it was done with an eye-catching video that was widely shared on social media. It featured shot after shot of Oakland, with Dubose wearing Roots gear, eventually ending with a final shot of the player standing in a parking lot with a car drafting in a circle around him. I’m not from Oakland, but it felt authentic. Roots followed that signing more Oakland-raised talent in Julio Cervantes and Yohannes Harish. From there they added more talent like Benji Joya, Victor Bernardez, and Jack McInerney. It was a club built to represent the people who would support it, the authenticity would flow from the stands to the pitch.

And the people did show up. More than any other club in the NISA showcase in the fall of 2019, Oakland showed up for the club’s home matches. Roots averaged over 5,000 fans a match, putting their attendance over the vast majority of USL Championship clubs. The club worked to build on the fan experience, including a season-ending hip-hop show at the final match.

We often talk about how bad branding is so prevalent in American soccer. We scoff at outsiders buying rights to cities and then fumbling basic decisions on how to brand, staff, and run their club. So maybe in 2019 we should trumpet one that got it right, because Oakland Roots nailed it. By focusing on the city they loved, the founders created a club that fans could love. Oakland Roots represents the authenticity, diversity, and the unique makeup of Oakland, California. You should vote for Roots, because just like Justice Potter said, you’ll know it when you see it, and you can see it in Oakland. Oakland First, Always.

- Dan Vaughn

Creating a Solution

When you take a peek into the US soccer system you are met with various problems that stunt the growth of the sport in our country. These various barriers to entry are often discussed, but solutions are often glossed over. Rather than finding or workshopping solutions, it's easier to just talk about other systems, mostly in Europe, and daydream about the eventual change of our system into another model, a more European version. Of course there are the activists who have tried or continuously try to change the system, but their presence is often met with dismay from the people who are in charge of providing this sport to all those who seek to support it.

We are often taught that if you want change you have to get out and be the change that you want to see: play in a league that promotes sporting merit (pro/rel), offer a free/low cost academy, develop kids into professionals and promote the community that you play within. All of these qualities have been described as ways to build a club in some of the most successful leagues in the world.

The Aztec people have been known as a tribe whose ambition to improve life meant learning from pre-existing cultures and those cultures around them. The culmination of ideas that when put into practice would help further the community. These are the tenants of a great soccer club, these are the tenants of Azteca FC.

A team of two leagues

Leagues in the country all operate at different times. All the leagues have various lengths of schedule and majority of them don’t even reflect a full season. So, imagine trying to operate and grow a club and only playing 15 games a year. It’s just not ideal.

Azteca FC operates in two different leagues: the SFSFL and UPSL. The San Francisco Soccer Football League is a league that operates in Northern California. The league has over a hundred years of history, fields strong teams and offers promotion and relegations. The league is home to five clubs that have won the US Open Cup, most recently San Francisco Greek-American Athletic Club. “ SFSFL is the hardest league that I coach in,” said owner and head coach of Azteca FC, Rose Shoen, who adds “ SFSFL is a grind, because in the lower divisions the only way you move up is with points. There are no playoffs. You can't slack and end up in sixth and maybe make playoffs and get promoted. You have to be top two.”

There is a big difference to playing in a pro/rel league than playing in a league without it. First, no one wants to get relegated. Getting relegated brings a hint of shame to your club. You can lose fan base and players could then move on from your club to participate at a higher level. That failure can bring about introspection and force an analysis on the club’s practices. Relegation forces a club to make adjustments to become a better club, it forces a club to break mediocrity and strive for something greater, to strive for promotion. Azteca FC is a club who has continued to push the envelope. In back-to-back seasons within the SFSFL Rose’s men have battle to earn promotion. In that battle, the club has positioned themselves in a place to be challenged by hardened veterans of the game. “ In the SFSFL there are men's teams legitimately train,” said Shoen about the difficulty of the league. She added “ there are players getting paid in the premier division, so you are competing against men who take it seriously. You are competing against men who are preparing 4-5 days a week to prepare for that Sunday game, to win.”

Image courtesy of Azteca FC.

This increase in competition will bring about many challenges on the pitch. Currently, Azteca FC has won one match, drawn one and have lost five, which has them currently in the relegation zone, but tied on four points with two other clubs. While the results may not have been in Azteca’s favor, Rose and her squad look to continue to embrace the challenge and continue to improve during the remainder of the season. Some of those improvements have started to occur as Azteca has only allowed four goals in the last three games against some of the strongest sides in the premier division.

Azteca FC also competes within the United Premier Soccer League. The UPSL is one of, if not the biggest national league in the country. They host over 300 clubs and even offer pro/rel in various regions. Azteca FC played in the Wild West North division in the Fall 2018 season, where the club finished in third place. Just outside the playoffs. “ A higher level of professionalism is needed in the UPSL,” said Shoen when describing UPSL. She added “ it’s stricter, there is no re-entry after being subbed. You really have to be a champion to be in the starting eleven.” The UPSL has given Shoen an opportunity to teach her young players the importance of hard work and the meaning of being in the starting XI.

On top of competing in two leagues, Azteca FC have gone on to play high quality sides such as FC Golden State Force (USLL2), Sacramento Gold (NPSL) and various college squads. Azteca FC believes in challenging its players and that these challenges will develop stronger professionals in the future.

A team for all

In the US, soccer is consistently considered as a sport for the upper-middle class. If you have the exposable income, you can become a soccer star. But soccer should be the sport for everybody. There’s only a couple of ingredients needed to participate in the sport: a ball and a passion for the game. The game shouldn’t cost thousands of dollars a season, kids shouldn’t have to travel hours and hours to compete against another club and parents should feel that not only are their children becoming better soccer player, but are becoming better humans and are giving a pathway to become successful. Azteca FC provides a club for multiple generations of boys and girls. The club teaches each player more than just the fundamentals to the sport, it teaches each player the importance of hard work and dedication to a craft.

The Azteca academy is a low cost option for the Sacramento community. The club members partake in futsal sessions, physical conditioning and are guided through the process of how to apply for colleges in the future. What sticks out about the organization, is that they perform grade checks. Soccer is emphasized as a privilege and can be used to take you to greater heights in the future. “ Our mission is to educate first generation student athletes about college opportunities and to open up doors for them. We are really a scholarship program,” said Shoen. “We obviously compete as a club, but our main mission is to educate these kids about how the college system works, what it takes to be a collegiate athlete and what opportunities are available to get your education through soccer,” she said when describing the benefits of her academy.

The club has gone on to already provide multiple opportunities for players that entered the Azteca academy. The club has gone on to publish nine different success stories through its website and looks to continue to add to the many players they have helped push on to the next level of education. Shoen and Azteca FC are grounded in the reality of what their players go through and how each success story is defined by different criteria. “ I always feel my objective, with any kid I bring into my program, is to get them a collegiate offer. But with some kids I work with, to even get them a high school diploma is a success, said Shoen about her work with her student athletes, she added “ I have other players where for them to go to a junior college and earn a two year degree is a success. Of course I would love to see all my players earn a bachelor's degree, but at the end of the day it's not always their reality.”

A generational club should be open to everyone regardless of income, gender or race. Azteca FC is giving that opportunity to many kids. And sometimes all a kid needs is an opportunity and someone to believe in their potential. That is exactly what Rose Shoen and Azteca FC are providing. They are creating a developing a generational club for the community and its civilians.

“The future of Azteca FC is to create a path way for kids to be in an affordable year round program that will ultimately develop them for the next level of soccer.”

— Rose Shoen

To change a problematic community, you need to be active and put forth the change that you want. It’s easy to complain about pro/rel, competition, youth development and the nature of competitive clubs in our soccer landscape. While most people will skip the solution and dream about the future, Azteca FC is creating a true generational community club. Its offering its youth a pipeline for growth and an ability to change one's fortune. Azteca FC is willing to work in the areas that are typically avoided by most soccer academies, its working with the section of the community that needs it the most. The section of the community that needs to understand the importance of collegiate opportunities. And the section of the community that would benefit the most from the lessons about developing ones life in a positive manner. Azteca FC embraces the children from lower incomes, the families fighting poverty and the hardships that are pushed upon them. Azteca FC is creating a club that truly benefits the community. Azteca FC is one of those clubs that are an example of the solution our soccer landscape needs to embrace. And hopefully we will.

- Steven Ramirez

To learn more about Azteca FC and their programs, check out their site!

Steven Ramirez's UPSL SoCal Rankings - Round 2

So it’s been a month since the last issue of the SoCal Power Rankings and a lot has changed. I rank these teams with a few topics in mind: results, strength of schedule and goal differential. Just because a team may be in second place, doesn’t mean they are the second best team in my power rankings.

Pro Premier

1.Cal FC: 5-0-0

Goals for: 25 Goals against: 7

Change in rank: -

Cal has continued to dominate each opponent they have faced in the UPSL spring season. Keith Costigan’s men have been one of the few sides to take on an opponent from the other Pro Premier division, recently beating Santa Ana Winds FC in the fourth round of US Open Cup qualification, and still stay undefeated. The bigger challenges within the league will come up at the beginning of May, but I don’t doubt that Cal will be able to put away its opponent with the same ease it has during this season.

2.Newcastle United FC: 5-0-1

Goals for: 14 Goals against: 8

Change in rank: ⇧ 2

The South Pro Premier has been full of surprises, including NUFC sitting on top of the table. During the season Newcastle has managed to put away every rival except for Cuervos FC. What has been most impressive about the club is its strong defense that has only allowed 1.33 goals per game, one of the lowest in all of the Pro Premier. The big rematch against Cuervos FC will be on May 11th, just in time for the next update.

3.Cuervos FC: 4-1-2

Goals for: 23 Goals against: 18

Change in rank: -

The crows are standing strong in second place in the South Pro Premier. They have gone on to beat league leaders Newcastle United FC and average over three goals a game. Cuervos are currently on a two game losing streak, with losses against Santa Ana Winds FC and Gremio FC SD, but enter a softer portion of the season where they should be able to push towards first place in the division.

4.Gremio FC San Diego: 3-0-2

Goals for: 9 Goals against: 9

Change in rank: not listed previously

Another big surprise in the south is the Brazilian inspired club from San Diego, Gremio FC SD. Gremio makes the jump onto the power rankings after not being listed last month. Since the initial 2019 rankings Gremio has gone on to beat Inland Empire FC and Cuervos FC. While they have shown a bit of success through the first half of the season, they must prepare to play each squad again and hope to earn results against clubs they lost to previously.

5.LA Wolves FC: 2-2-2

Goals for: 15 Goals against: 9

Change in rank: ⇩ 3

The Wolves are conditioned to being at the top of the table and fighting for playoffs. And while the latter is still a reality, the results have not swayed in the Wolves favor. The club managed to only grab one point in two matches against Sporting San Fernando and go on face some of the stronger clubs in the division over the next two weeks. The Wolves did manage to put three goals on Cal FC, but still lost the match. If the Wolves want to make the playoffs they will have to turn its form around as soon as possible.

6.LA 10: 2-1-2

Goals for: 9 Goals against: 6

Change in rank: ⇧ 3

The newly promoted Los Angeles squad is making a splash this UPSL spring season. The club recently announced a new co-owner in the Italian legend, Alessandro Del Piero, and have begun developing the brand. Not only has the club been successful off the pitch, but on the pitch the squad has allowed only 1.2 goals per match, the lowest in the SoCal Pro Premier. This is stalwart defense has helped lead the club to big results such as the 1-1 draw against LA Wolves FC and a big 4-0 blowout victory against FC Santa Clarita.

7.Santa Ana Winds FC: 3-1-2

Goals for: 16 Goals against: 11

Change in rank: ⇩ 1

The Winds have been a staple in the SoCal UPSL scene. The club often fights for top of the table, battles in the US Open Cup and is often seen as the poster club for the league. The clubs successes has led to the development of players, some of which have moved on to the next level of play. Enter Jordan Gorman, the dangerous goalscorer who left the Winds to join Milwaukee Torrent in the NPSL professional division. Gorman’s goals could be what is missing from this Santa Ana side, but the club has still manage to hold a positive goal differential. The next step for the Winds is to continue to strive for consistent results throughout the season to put themselves in a position to make the playoffs.

8.FC Santa Clarita: 3-1-3

Goals for: 5 Goals against: 13

Change in rank: ⇧ 2

Currently in second place, this FCSC side has played more matches than any other in the North competition. The club’s three losses came from some of the stronger opposition in the division: LA Wolves FC, Cal FC and LA10, all of whom earned clean sheets against FCSC. If Santa Clarita wants to continue to maintain its current position it needs to find a way to tally in more goals.

9.Sporting San Fernando: 2-1-2

Goals for: 9 Goals against: 12

Change in rank: ⇩ 4

This club has stumbled quite a bit from the previous seasons. They went from being a powerhouse in the North, with a reserve squad, to just a first team with lackluster results. San Fernando’s lack of success is one of the biggest surprises of the spring season, but not all is lost. While the club has a challenging schedule ahead of them, they have shown a capacity to score goals, only being shut out once during the season. The club will need to continue to build upon that goal scoring success, if it wants to propel itself back up the table.

10.City Legends FC: 2-0-4

Goals for: 13 Goals against: 15

Change in rank: ⇩ 2

This newly promoted side has scored in every match that they have played in this season. The club’s biggest win came in the Inland Empire derby, where they dismantled IEFC 3-0. While the club did lose to the divisions top squads such as Newcastle United FC and Cuervos FC, the club managed to tally a few goals and show its fighting spirit. That spirit will need to continue to develop if they wish to make a push for top of the table.

Inland Empire FC was previously listed at 7, but have gone one to lose three out of the four matchups this month, with the strongest portion of the schedule still ahead of them.

Championship

1.Alta California Sol: 8-0-0

Goals for: 27 Goals against: 4

Change in rank: -

1st year club and the easy bet for automatic promotion. Not only has this club ran perfect so far, it is showing dominance in the division, similar to Cal United FC II and Cal FC of the Fall 2018 season. Four of the club’s eight matches have been clean sheets and they have never given up more than one goal in any game. Alta California Sol still has some tough competition remaining, with the likes of USA Soccer Stars FC and Santa Monica United, but I have no doubts that the club will finish with a perfect record. Watch this club as it is building a great brand on and off the pitch.

2.Injen Total Futbol USA: 7-1-0

Goals for: 29 Goals against: 13

Change in rank: ⇧ 5

2019 looks to be the year of expansion squads in the Championship division and leading this charge in the South division is Injen TF USA. The club averages 3.5 goals a match and is heading into its easiest portion of the season. While this new club looks to be heavy favorites for automatic promotion in the South, its inability to shut out opponents could lead to a big loss if the club doesn’t bring its shooting boots to a match. Either way any loss from the remainder of the season would be a major upset that could shift them off the top of the table.

3.MAFO Inland Wolves FC: 6-1-1

Goals for: 36 Goals against: 13

Change in rank: ⇧ 7

Another Wolves franchise in the UPSL at the top of the table? Yes, indeed. The new expansion to the Inland Empire has gone on to put up some big wins by big margins. The Inland Wolves beat top contender Anaheim Legacy FC 6-1, then went on to demolish AC Miracle Hill 7-1. The club averages over five goals a match, the highest in the SoCal UPSL. Similar to Injen TF USA, the Wolves are entering the easiest portion of its schedule.

4.Santa Monica United: 5-1-0

Goals for: 23 Goals against: 4

Change in rank: ⇧ 5

One of the four undefeated sides remaining in the Championship tier, SMU have not only won by big margins, but have earned three clean sheets out of its six matches. In the clubs remaining seven matches SMU faces some of the strongest competition in the North. If the club can stay defensively stout it may find a way to hit the top spot in the table. April 13th against Alta California Sol, will prove to be the biggest matchup for SMU and if the club can earn a result they will have positioned themselves for the automatic promotion slot.

5.USA Soccer Stars FC: 6-1-0

Goals for: 26 Goals against: 11

Change in rank: ⇩ 2

Another one of the undefeated squads in the Championship division. Even though the Soccer stars have earned a few big results they have shown to have a few leaks in defense and have yet to face one of the top 4 squads. The real test comes in the next few weeks as the Soccer Stars face off against Santa Monica United, Red Sharks FC and Alta California Sol. Its uphill the rest of the way, but the high scoring Soccer Stars can make a run into first place if they perform well enough.

6.California Rush SC: 6-0-2

Goals for: 19 Goals against: 13

Change in rank: not listed previously

One of the biggest national brands within the UPSL, the Rush have gone on a march up the SoCal South table. The clubs only two losses came at the hands of top ranked sides: MAFO Inland Wolves and Injen TF USA. The Rush have only been shut out once and have gone on to score as much as five goals in a single match. The next two matches will prove to be another challenge, but if the club can get past Disciples FC and Anaheim Legacy FC, they will be sitting in a good spot to battle through the promotion playoffs.

7.Warriors FC: 4-0-2

Goals for: 19 Goals against: 17

Change in rank: not listed previously

The Warriors were so close to promotion last season and after a few early season roadblocks, against two of the strongest clubs in the division, the club is back on track to earn what they didn’t last season. Out of the clubs 17 goals allowed, 12 came from those first two losses. Since then the Warriors have gone on to produce great results including a 6-0 victory over Lobos FC.

8.Red Sharks FC: 4-1-1

Goals for: 16 Goals against: 11

Change in rank: ⇩ 4

This rebranded club has gone on to earn a few strong results this season, including a 4-0 victory over Valley Lions FC. Currently the Red Sharks look to be swimming in the middle of the table, which looks like an appropriate spot for the club. With half of the season left, the club still has to face the likes of Alta California Sol and USA Soccer Stars FC.

9.Anaheim Legacy FC: 5-2-1

Goals for: 33 Goals against: 18

Change in rank: ⇩ 7

Anaheim Legacy FC started out as one of the hottest clubs in the championship. From the start of the season this club was all about scoring goals. They have the third highest goal tally in the Championship division, this season and average over four goals per match. Anaheim started the season with five straight wins, but since than the club has been unable to find that winning form once more. Anaheim now has an uphill battle as they go on to face three of the toughest squads in the division.

10.Disciples FC: 5-1-2

Goals for: 29 Goals against: 14

Change in rank: ⇩2

Rounding off the top ten is Disciples FC, a well balanced side and my original pick to with the South Championship. The club’s biggest margin of victory was a 9-0 beatdown of Fontana International SC. In the club’s five remaining matches they face off against a few squads at a similar skill level. The Disciples will need to continue to bring that goal scoring prowess as well as sure up the defense against the other high scoring clubs like Anaheim Legacy FC.

SoCal Troop was previously listed at 5, but have been unable to earn a result on any of the top teams. Also no longer listed is Lionside FC, who have been on a match hiatus as they played through the Cal South State Cup. The club recently lost to SoCal Premier League side Caligators FC and will now focus on the UPSL and makeup its matches from throughout the season.

- Steven Ramirez

XSL: Regional Growth of the Game

At Protagonist Soccer we have discussed the importance of regional competition. Regional competition builds rivalries which bring in more fans. Regional competition uses its own talent without promoting other areas. Regional competition doesn’t force clubs to pay for high travel fees. Soccer fans often talk about how big our nation is and the amount of players that fall through the cracks, and it’s regional competition that helps place lower division clubs in smaller markets all over the nation. One owner saw these benefits to regional competition, so Fernando Macias created XSL of San Gabriel Valley.

The San Gabriel Valley resides in Los Angeles county and is the home to over 40 cities and neighborhoods. Over 1.5 million people, from a multitude of ethnic backgrounds, live in this dense area. The region also plays host to multiple colleges and universities. The San Gabriel Valley has all the ingredients for a regional soccer league.

The XSL was created in mid 2018 and launched with six teams in their inaugural season: Malex FC, Mafran FC, Nopaleros, Rowland United, Simon Bolivar and Soyatlan FC. Each club plays on Sundays at Gladstone High School in Covina, CA, where the XSL sets up two fields for one big soccer fest.

With the variety of league options in Southern California, I wanted to know what inspired Fernando to create the XSL. “ I played soccer in the area all my life and I noticed that most soccer leagues are very simple. All the leagues provided was a place to play, some referees and maybe some prize money if you won the championship. I know the kids that are playing these days are all millennial and there is no online presence for those other soccer leagues. Not even facebook, not even something with the schedule or the points. When I used to play I had no idea what place we were in. I had no idea how many points the other teams had. I had no idea how many goals the other players had. I decided to start a soccer league and bring it into the 21st century.”

While the league is small in size they have began to make big impressions with their branding. Along with running the league with his partner Ismael Sanchez, Fernando Macias is a talented graphic designer who has helped the league and each team with strong branding. Fernando wears many hats to help develop his league, but he is working towards some very big goals. When asked about the branding of the XSL he said  “Initially I had an idea to hire aspiring photographers, web developers, journalists from local colleges and high schools to help with the work. I’m still in the process of acquiring that, because I would like to focus on the branding. What you see online, isn’t what you’ll see next year. Next year I’m planning on stepping away from taking pictures and writing about the games and focus solely on the branding of my teams, players and coaches.”

Part of the incredible branding and that 21st century model, the XSL offers its fans a website with updated stats and standings. Their social media platforms show video highlights and player cards. They are continuing to grow as they enter their 2019 season and are looking at options for streaming, he said “next season we will have full games on our YouTube channel. Again, I will be looking for volunteers to provide commentary and analysis on the games.”

Currently the XSL is just a regional league, and while Fernando has ambitions to promote players and staff to better career opportunities, he also has ambitions of becoming a well recognized and respected league amongst the fans of lower tier soccer. What is the future for the XSL? “ I want to get as high as possible [within the U.S. Soccer pyramid], maybe third tier. Eventually that is my goal. Maybe even trying to form a California League, something regional or West-coast. Getting more marketing, getting online and even getting a news service, like ESPN, dedicated to our league. The journalists will be aspiring volunteers from High School and College. The league will help them develop their resume to later on apply to an ESPN or Fox Sports. At the same time they can help build my league. I want to be independent. I want to promote my teams, promote my players. I want to give them soccer cards, highlights, photos of their games so they can see themselves in action.”

While the XSL started out small, it has begun to make an impact on social media. Fernando has shed a light on soccer within the San Gabriel Valley and wants to continue to develop his business over the next few seasons. “I look forward to growing next season. This first season, like any first year in business, you take your bumps and bruises. Next season expect us to be exponentially better.” Fernando also added, “I’m not getting in this game to compete with these other leagues. I am getting in this game to dominate. There is no point to just get in to stay even or catch up. I see myself ahead of everybody. I see my league as the gold standard and for everybody else to catch up.

To reach the heights Fernando Macias wants the XSL to reach, he will need to show: hard work, dedication and a will to win. He has already shown those three qualities within one season and has proved that the sky's the limit, for this now small regional league.

“It’s the X Soccer League. The next level soccer league.”

- Steven Ramirez

Going On Fifty: Riverside Coras FC 2019 Introductory Press Conference

Stability for a lower league club is always in question. The United States Soccer Federation has continually ignored the teams within the lower tiers of U.S. Soccer and this has forced the closing of many great soccer clubs. Soccer history is being washed away with the sands of time and few clubs offer a true soccer history that predates MLS. While I can’t speak to the tradition and history for all clubs, I can speak for one: my club, the Riverside Coras Football Club.

On December 29th, 2018, the Coras held their 2019 introductory press conference. A lot of work went into this operation. Over the course of ten days, including the holidays, the staff and I went into a frenzy to prepare for this occasion. We found a home for our fans, gathered our videographers, promoted the event and put together one of the best looking presentations I have seen within the lower leagues, all for the cost of hard work and a few appetizers for our guests. We managed to pack the conference room with squad members, fans, partners and media members, all for this game we call local soccer.

This conference was more than just an introduction to the season. We discussed our history, our new coaching staff and what to expect in 2019, our 50th season. The Coras have a rich and vibrant history that will continue to develop each and every year and this press conference displayed the professionalism and passion that would make any lower league fan happy to call this team their own.

A Professional Expectation

With Founders Cup and NPSL Pro on the horizon, professionalism within the NPSL has become a huge topic. While my club doesn’t hold the budget to go pro within the next few years, we do everything in our power to present the best product to our fans and the other team owners within the league.

During the process of planning we discovered a hidden gem of a restaurant, La Casa Ortega, which is now the future hub of all social activity for the club. It’s half a mile away from our new stadium and offers a bar, conference room, traditional seating, and a meeting room perfect for future live shows. For this initial event we managed to bring in over fifty people to help celebrate the occasion. To shoot the event we had three cameras, three mics, and a switch board that provided an incredible live experience for our fans at home. The event was unlike anything I have seen in the NPSL.

The whole event lasted over two hours and gave fans plenty of opportunities to mingle with all of the Coras family. It was the perfect event to start our 50th season.

Honoring the Dream

The dream began in 1969 when owner Robert Lopez-Guardado’s father and uncles immigrated to Los Angeles after their playing careers ended in Mexico. With the passion of the sport still coursing through their veins, they created Coras de Los Angeles and began play in the California League. The club remained active and wouldn’t move to Riverside, CA until 2013. That October Riverside Coras FC would host its first tryout. Destiny would have her hand in play as both Shane Shelton and Jimmy Ross would walk onto the field, taking their first steps into the legendary status with the club.

“I still remember in October of 2013 we hosted tryouts at Riverside Community Park. That’s where I met Shane and Jimmy for the first time. Besides being talented players they also had the qualities to be great leaders and great captains. Since day one they were our co-captains. For them to move up and become our coaching staff, it only made sense. They are local players, they have been in the community since childhood, they went to school out here, they are both students from La Sierra University and they are pretty much a part of our family and so we are very excited to have them continue to grow within our program.”

— Robert Lopez-Guardado

Joining the Coras has been like joining a big family. I’ve been welcomed with open arms and continue to be taught different lessons about growing a club. After attending the games last year, I could see that family atmosphere. Robert would consistently make his way through the crowd greeting almost every person in the stadium and he made time with everyone. Understanding the history of our club is important and you can tell by the passion that is displayed on and off the field. The Coras have twelve volunteers on staff and even more that help pitch in on gameday. While the originators of this club want to see success on the field, they are all proud of environment created by each staff member, player, and fan. That is how we honor the dream set so long ago.

“We want to do something special in the Summer. We want to invite the pioneers of Coras de Los Angeles. Those that are still with us, we want to invite them to come out and host an event to honor them. We want to let them know that we are here to continue to keep their dream alive, the dream that began in 1969.”

A New Coaching Staff for a New Era

One thing I have always preached is that any business should always develop a pipeline of promotion. For the Coras that means sending players to greater playing opportunities, helping volunteers take their careers to the next level, and even having team captains become coaches. While Shane Shelton and Jimmy Ross have helped coach the youth of Riverside, coaching in the NPSL is at a whole different level. A level I, and both Shane and Jimmy feel they are ready for.

Their first task was hosting the first tryout to help try and find the right local talent to put on the field.

“We had close to fifty kids trying out. A bunch of talent. We want a bunch of young kids and I thought we had a solid group of boys come out and we have invited most of them to come back out to the first practice on January 3rd. We are in talks of bringing back a few players who have experience at the NPSL level, because it’s a different monster than what most of the kids [trying out] have played against in the past. So we are trying to find the right blend of young, hungry players with older, experienced guys to help mentor our younger players throughout the season.”

— Shane Shelton, Head Coach and General Manager

Now that the player selection process is well underway, the coaching staff has taken to implementing our identity. An identity that not only defines the club, but the community that it resides in.

“We have always been a gritty, hungry, passionate blue-collar team. We represent the community in that aspect, but I think we have moved away from that in the past couple of years. That is something we are really looking for in the players we are bringing into the squad this year,” says Shane Shelton.

“We have been a part of the Coras since day one. We paid to be in that first tryout at the community park. We have seen a lot of players come and go, we have seen new coaches and have basically seen it all with the Coras. I think we have a really grounded foundation of what has been successful in the past. We need to bring in a young talented group of guys that are willing to buy into a system. It’s not always the best players who win, but the hungriest and I think we have that here,” added Jimmy Ross, assistant coach and team manager.

All that’s left for coach Shane and Jimmy is to prepare their squad for the upcoming season. This year in the NPSL South West eleven teams will fight it out over twenty match days, beginning in February. The goal is to make it back to the NPSL playoffs this season, but what is more important is creating a culture within the club. A culture that promotes hard work, teamwork and a pathway to the next level of a player’s career. A path that our new coaching staff has walked before.

- Steven Ramirez