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.

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.

My Best Ten and Me: Featuring Former Staff Writer Dominic José Bisogno

For this week’s Best Ten & Me we went to well for a former staff writer and current free lancer who’s done work for These Footy Times, Football Paradise, The Growler Mag, Breaking the Lines, and the Beautiful Game Network - Dom Bisogno. If you follow him in the Twitterverse, you’ll be acutely aware of his high regards for South American footballers and in particular Mr. Salomón Rondón; we were not let down in our expectations of his inclusion. Dom gave a us a fleshed-out classic 4-4-2 after we gave him the following 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) Bobby Shuttleworth
I’ve gone with Shuttleworth, who I saw live on many occasions in 2017 for Minnesota United. He moved on to Chicago eventually, but Bobby was an absolute wall on his day. I watched him bust his nose, save critical chances, and make memories for me, so he gets the spot and adds a touch of American.

* (RB) Dominic Bisogno
I’ve always liked fullbacks. Across a range of systems and formations, fullbacks have such a wide range of roles to play. I’ve enjoyed playing both left and right back but decided on the right. I’m not the fastest or smartest player, but I do a half decent job of tracking players and have a good jersey tug in my arms. My dad frequently played the position as well, so perhaps there’s a lineage somewhere in there.

(CB) Virgil Van Dijk
I’m not sure how to word this beyond the obvious. Virgil Van Dijk has emerged as one of the elite defenders of the world, becoming a symbol in a Liverpool squad usually only defined by its attacking options. Commanding, award winning, and ruthless; you simply can’t leave a talent like this out of the eleven.

(CB) Diego Godín
Godín is a special player. For club and country, he’s played at the highest levels for over ten years and built a reputation as a ruthless student of the world’s top defenses at every turn. South America is usually lauded for its attacking talents, but Godín is an example of the top, major trophy worthy, defensive talent available there.

(LB) Andrew Robertson
I struggle to find a reason not to love this man. He’s the rags to riches story we like to think lay behind all our favorite players (but often doesn’t), but he’s also an unapologetic bastard on the pitch. Looking across from my position on the right, I can only dream of showing the level of intensity Robertson does every week.

(RM) Ibson
He’s played for notable clubs in Portugal, Italy, Russia, and Brazil, but it’s Ibson’s three or so years at Minnesota United (both NASL & MLS) that define him for me. Ibson was the most uniquely fun player I’ve ever watched live. He had tricks, he had attitude, he had the occasional goal, he had everything. The club may have not flourished on the league table while he was around, but he’s a player I’ll forever miss being able to watch live for his passion, skill, and drama.

(CM) Yangel Herrera
My Ankles shiver when I watch Herrera play for Granada these days, just like they did years ago watching him play for Venezuela’s U20’s and eventually for the senior team. He’s got a few good goals in him and plenty of assists, but at his core, he’s the quintessential Venezuelan midfielder; he’s a bone cracker. It’ll be years before he hits his prime but I need him in that midfield to teach people a lesson.

(CM) Andrés Iniesta
People don’t appreciate players like Iniesta the way the used to. He didn’t score all the goals, he didn’t have viral celebrations, but by God was Andrés Iniesta a master of the game. In his prime, he is a must.

(LM) Yeferson Soteldo
Easily one of Venezuela’s most exciting young players, Soteldo has lit up Brazil with his offensive play for Santos as of late, along with his recent role as a key attacking option for la Vinotinto. He’s 5’2” but makes up for it with some of the most magical feet you’ll ever see.

(CF) Josef Martínez
Seeing Josef Martínez live in 2017 was a turning point in my relationship with football. He’s one of a few Venezuelan players I’ve seen live and the only I’ve seen score a hat-trick (a shame it was against my club…) Hailing from the same city as my dad, it’s honestly an honor to have any shred of connection to such an insanely talented player.

(CF) Salomón Rondón
He’s Venezuala’s all-time top goal scorer and a historic player for the clubs and trophies he’s managed to win in Europe, he’s alsoprobably going to be my favorite player forever. Rondón is the hard working, genuine man we want all footballers to be. His headers aren’t half bad either.

Turbo Sports FC and the New Look of the UPSL in Minnesota

There are few things that lower league soccer does more than change. Yet another example of this took place recently when the UPSL announced a realignment of its clubs in the upper Midwest. The move saw the likes of Milwaukee Bavarians, Madison 56ers, and Croatian Eagles leaving a UPSL conference they had brutally dominated the year before. This has left the Minnesotan clubs from last year, FC Minneapolis and Granite City, with their own conference that is set to be home to five new members of the UPSL.

One of those new teams is Turbo Sports FC, a Minneapolis-based club founded in 2017 that had previously played one season in the Minnesotan Amateur Soccer League (MASL)’s Division 4. The MASL is a widely respected league in Minnesota, featuring NPSL reserve squads and several clubs that are often rumored as having a chance of being the next big NPSL club, like Dynamo FC and FC Minnesota. Turbo Sports debut season in the MASL’s bottom division ended with a 6-3-7 record and a reasonable midtable finish. Club owner Ceephas Dean said that the club will likely not pursue playing in both the MASL and the UPSL this year, despite some clubs using the MASL as a home for a second team. “As of now we aren’t sure but the plan in the future is to field a team in the MASL. As of this season we will just be having 1 team”.

On why Turbo chose the UPSL as its new home, Dean had this to say, “The idea of playing in a national league is what stood out as well as the way the league is structured as well as the growth of the league it can open doors for players & the club.” Asked about the club’s key goals going into this major transition, Dean gave five core points, “The biggest to be successful during the season, grow the club, continue to do the right things, maintain a good level of play, [and] start doing community activities.” 

Image courtesy of Turbo Sports FC

One of the more intriguing aspects of the conference realignment is that it makes the conference far harder to predict. Bavarians won the Midwest-North with a perfect 10-0-0 record, with the two newer Minnesotan teams collecting only 7 total points across their combined 20 games. With the older Wisconsin clubs split from the Minnesotan wave of additions, it is quite possible any of the teams involved in the new Midwest-West conference will do well, though the clubs with previous UPSL experience, especially Granite City who earned 6 of those 7 points, will have an advantage. Dean had this to say on his club’s entrance into the new-look conference. “The conference does have good teams in it, so we will see how it all pans out for us but hoping to finish strong and in the top half as of now this conference is up for grabs and we are going to battle every game and give it our all.”

While the move of Bavarians and Croatian Eagles to a conference where they can face the likes of Union Dubuque and Dekalb County will make for one of the league’s highlight conferences, where some of its best clubs will face off, the shifts in Minnesota are equally important for the league. The UPSL earned some strange looks from the vibrant Minnesota lower league scene when its two Minnesotan clubs turned out to struggle so strongly in 2018. Allowing the two returning Minnesotan clubs, four new Minnesotan clubs, and the first South Dakotan club in the league to play one another and develop talent through an actively competitive division.

Turbo’s most recent results, all from friendlies, show the club has clear aims to prepare to face the sort of clubs that populate its region of the UPSL. These include a 2-2 draw with FC Minneapolis, a 3-2 win against Dynamo FC, who were recently promoted to MASL’s Division 2, and a 5-1 win over soon-to-be WPASL side Hayward United.

If nothing else, we are witnessing an immense growth in Minnesota’s presence at the national league level, with the NPSL North continuing to harbor a number of the state’s top clubs and the UPSL suddenly home to six instead of the two it held in 2018.

- Dominic Bisogno