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.  

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.

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.    

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.

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.

Business Spotlight: Calyx Design

With a few lower league badges under his belt, Richard Miller of Calyx Design has quickly become a highly admired engineer of soccer design. We continue our series of Business Spotlights by asking him where he started and to see if there is a limit on what Calyx can do - spoilers… I’m not sure there is.

When did you launch Calyx as a business and where does the name come from?

I started Calyx Design back in 1997, after about seven years as designer/art director for a small San Francisco design shop. I’d reached the point in my professional development that it was probably well past time to strike out on my own. My employer caught wind of my plans to do just that, and fired me on the spot. It was exactly the push I needed, and I’ve never looked back.

The business name is a Latin term for the outer part of a flower, the usually-green whorl just outside the petals. In some flowers (such the clematis featured in my logo), though, it’s the part that puts on the brightly colored show.  I do love gardening and growing things, but the real reason I picked the name was that I loved the word.

Crests designed by Calyx are more than cut & paste shields or roundels, each one tells a regional or club-specific narrative.

Looking at your website, Calyx has done an amazing job on projects for all sorts of businesses, when did your interest in soccer and design begin to intersect?

I fell in love with soccer shortly after moving to Portland, Oregon in 2008. I was convinced by a good friend to become a season ticket holder for the Timbers’ inaugural MLS season (2011), and have stood in the North End in the Timbers Army for nearly every home match since.  

Early on I became involved with a small tifo crew (PTFC Moderates), and began pouring my spare time into matchday banners and 2-sticks. It wasn’t long before that work led to being noticed by folks in the regional soccer world, and to being recognized as a professional who could help with real-world soccer projects.

Do you have favorite projects - if so, which ones did you get really excited to be working on?

Soccer-wise, I’ve honestly fallen in love with every club I’ve worked with, and become personally invested in their success. It may seem like a cliche, but it’s a fact. I’m certain that my ability to identify with clients is a large part of the secret of my success.

From window treatments to book covers, menu and table cards to gigantic vehicle advertisements, Calyx can take your idea and not only help you create an identity, but help you apply it professionally in ways you might not have thought possible.

We've seen your work with grassroots soccer clubs Alta California Sol, AC Chehalem Valley, PDX FC, and Santa Maria Synergy. While some clubs in soccer have nice logos, yours are a little extra special - what's your process like? What makes your work so unique and attractive?

Crest development (any logo work, really) is all about listening. I believe that the most successful crests elicit strong emotion in their bearers, and I want the clubs I work with to fall in love with theirs.  Listening closely and reflecting the club back at itself is the only reliable way to make that happen.  

I listen to the club and its stakeholders. I learn what makes it special, what its values are, and how it connects to the community. And lest this seem too ethereal, working through this process plants both conceptual and visual ideas in me, evokes symbols, determines font choices, color palettes and all sorts of the minuscule details that add up to make a crest special..

And of course the process has to be collaborative.. After the learning phase, I come back to the club with a set of 3–5 tight sketches – often more since I can’t help myself. We go over these, identify which elements resonate and which aren’t clicking as well, and then I come back with revisions. We continue this process of sculpting until we’ve arrived at something we’ve all fallen in love with..

Are there any clubs we missed and are there teams out there you really wish would reach out to you, if not for the money, but simply to make something beautiful? Willing to say which ones you wish would call you?

I love working with lower league clubs. My ideal client is one with aspirations to elevating their club above the competition, while creating a real sense of local connection and community. 

I’ve also worked with The Portland Timbers u23s and with the American Outlaws (US National Team supporters group) to develop scarves, patches, and other merch.

Scarves, patches, animated gifs; working with Calyx can help you elevate the aesthetic of your organization and make it look top-level.

But  you don't stop at making a nice crest do you? What other renderings and files can you make that really add a ton of value to your work with clubs?

Along with the crest, even my most basic branding offering includes social media cover and profile graphics, secondary logos and wordmarks, branded textures/patterns, and a book of brand standards listing color codes, crest usage guidelines, fonts, and a guide to the set of online/print-ready digital files I’ve supplied.

Ideally, though, I get to take things further, with social media graphics (animated and otherwise), merchandise such as scarves (so many scarves!), website development, kit consultation, and so on.

Anything you're working on that is new to you? A new product or service you can offer? What's next for Calyx Design?

Let’s see…. I’ve been gradually developing my animation chops (as seen in motion graphics for PDXFC and AC Chehalem Valley), but that’s a work in process. 

I’ve recently begun to develop a line of merchandise that I sell under the name of CalyxWorks. In some ways, this is an outgrowth of my work with the tifo crew (you’ll see t-shirts that began life as rail banners), but it also allows me to share new and varied design inspirations directly with a larger public. I’ve even added a mailing list where folks can be notified when a new design drops!. 

Generally speaking, though, my wheelhouse is anything that falls under the rubric of Visual Branding for small businesses … especially soccer.

To check out everything Calyx has to offer and to get in touch: https://calyxdesign.com/

Business Spotlight: Unozero

With so many boot options for players, fans, and coaches, we often reach for the name brands we know and are familiar with. However, Venezuela-born owner of UNOZERO, Sam Garzon, was kind enough to answer a few questions about these top-quality soccer cleats that his company makes. We continue our Business Spotlight with UNOZERO:

What inspired the founding of UNOZERO and does the name have a specific meaning?
UNOZERO comes from a personal need. The need to connect with a true soccer-centric brand, one that only produces top-tier product for the serious footballer. There was nothing like it in the market before UNOZERO.

Regarding our name, UNOZERO comes from the number worn by the all-time greats, the mythical #10. The vision was to create the best performing boot, with the highest quality materials, made by the best shoemakers in the industry, in order to create a boot worthy of the great players that have sported the number.

Your design aesthetic is breathtaking, what informs the decision to use the natural materials and classic design we see instead of the flashy modern looks and synthetic materials?
Thank you for the compliment…we agree with you (laughs)

UNOZERO cleats are designed to provide optimum fit, while at the same time provide comfort and protection. When it comes to getting a ‘custom’ fit, leather and knit are the best materials. However, knit does not provide good protection as the material is too fragile. Leather, on the other hand, does provide that protection while molding to the foot for that custom-like fit.

When it comes to our design, a number of years ago I needed to buy a pair of cleats, and when I got to the store, I found I had two color options: neon green or bright red. If I wanted a more serious colorway, I would have to settle for a boot designed (and not updated) since the 80’s. I could not believe there were no options for the serious footballer. Either you get a modern performance boot and look like an 8 year old, or, you get a more serious looking boot but have to put up with an outdated technical design. That’s when I realized there was an opportunity to create something special, something different. An elegant and modern performance boot.

Our design pays homage to the more traditional boot, while at the same time contains modern accents, like the bronze elements across the mid-foot and counter. We use a modern sole-plate that provides great traction and rotation, as well as, use a mid-sole to reduce stud pressure and increase comfort.

We have truly created a ‘modern classic’ designed for today’s level of play. 

Our readership is primarily players, coaches, owners and fans of lower league US soccer; who is your target demographic - what type of soccer person are you trying to appeal to?
Our target is the serious footballer. A serious footballer is someone that plays, loves, and understands the beautiful game, and we find that these traits run across all demographics. That is why we find high school, college, amateur, semi-pro, and pro players alike wearing UNOZEROs. We cater to the true footballer. 

Each boot is hand-crafted from Kangaroo Leather by artisans in Northern Italy

We've seen your affiliation with UPSL soccer, so we know you're aware of footy at this level here - can you tell us more about how that relationship with UPSL came about and do you have anything similar planned going forward?
It is critical to support the development of the beautiful game from the ground up. Especially during these challenging times, where we have seen fundamental institutions like the national soccer youth federation fold. It is important for us to do what we can to support the continuous growth of the sport in the country. We are always looking for ways to help.

Your product line seems spartan, with just the one boot in either black or white - are there any additional boots in development; perhaps a flat for indoor or futsal players? What's next for UNOZERO?
Great question. In short, yes, we always spend time in the drawing board developing new models. In fact, we have plans to release a new model this summer. As we continue to grow, we will include other surfaces into our portfolio. We are very thoughtful on everything we do, that is why we do not pump out product every three weeks like other brands. Others play what I like to call the ‘flavor of the month’ game. We have a more meticulous approach.

UNOZERO makes honest, high quality products, and shy away from the ‘mega speed, lethal power’ gimmicks. UNOZERO is a football brand for those seeking a higher quality boot that allows them to perform at their true peak level, with no gimmicks, no compromises. This will always be true to UNOZERO, and that sets us apart.

To get yourself into a pair of UNOZERO: https://unozero.com/

Business Spotlight: Stimulus Athletic

For 12 years, Geison Moura led the line with at least 146 appearances and 89 goals, for clubs all around the world. Starting in Brazil at Esporte Club Bahia and making stops in Singapore, New Jersey, Ft. Lauderdale and Minnesota - Geison led the life a professional footballer and knows what players and clubs need to look good and feel good. His company, Stimulus Athletic, is now one of the leaders in customized sports apparel and is our Business Spotlight of the week…

Everyone loves a good origin story; can you tell me why you wanted to start Stimulus Athletic and how that came about?  

Back in my playing times, I was always very active in the community coaching camps and doing team appearances and I remember hearing from coaches how they always struggled with uniform providers. So, I decided that the day that I retire from playing I was going to create a brand that would offer easy to order high-quality custom uniforms at affordable prices. And that's what we did! 

An interesting story about my first order. From the get-go giving back has been at the core of who we are and what we do. So, before I had made any sale, I went to a local store, bought 400 dollars’ worth of sports equipment, and took it to a very underprivileged community in Brazil (where I was born). I ran a full-day of soccer camp and distributed the equipment as our first give-back initiative. Then when I got back to the house, I had a message from a very close friend saying that the school he coaches for had approved him to buy their uniforms from Stimulus. It was our very first order! We didn't have our factory fully lined up yet. I have jerseys coming from one place shorts from another place it was crazy. But we managed to deliver all the uniforms. Fast forward to today we have provided uniforms for thousands of athletes and had the privilege of helping a lot of people along the way. 

Geison has made it a point to Give Back to his home country of Brazil, where he distributes soccer equipment and hosts soccer camps for underprivileged children.

I'm most familiar with your work for MPLS City, what are a few of your favorite shirts you've done for them and what other clubs have you worked with? 

My favorite designs from MPLS City are always their latest. Their ability to show who they are where they’re from and what they stand for through their amazing designs it’s unbelievable. We are really lucky to work with them.

What aspects of style and design influence your work? While some clients may have some creative ideas of their own, how often do teams say "I dunno, what do you think would look cool?"

We have a very creative designer that has implemented a great process to help clients formulate their unique designs. 

From MPLS soccer kits to warm-ups for Karen Football Association, Stimulus provides a large selection of apparel for customization.

Do you cold-call soccer clubs to see if they need a shirt done, or do they come to you? What has been the most effective way of generating new clients?

Most of our clients have come to us from word of mouth.  

Aside from shirts, what other articles of apparel do you produce? Do you make items outside of the soccer world?

Aside from game uniforms (jerseys, shorts, and socks), customers can choose from a variety of custom products such as jackets, hoodies, pants, backpacks, and more. My background is soccer and that's the reason I got into this business, so naturally, most of our clients are soccer clubs. However, we have been growing in other sports as well including Basketball, Baseball, and Ultimate Frisbee.

What is Stimulus up to next – are there any innovations we have to look forward to?

We are currently working really hard to develop one of the most innovative kit designers. Our easy to use platform will allow customers to create stunning uniforms exactly the way they want. By adding as many logos as they wish and choosing from a huge variety of cool patterns, styles, and colors, our kit designer will make any team look like pros! 

No more emailing that one guy you know who can do 3D .ai renderings - you can do this on your own!

To check out more gear from Stimulus or to get a quote for your club, check them out here: https://www.stimulusathletic.com/

Business Spotlight: Legend Soccer Co.

Our Business Spotlight series continues as we reach out to the businesses which not only work with lower league soccer in the United States, but also continue to think outside of the box and develop undeniably unique products. We first came across Legend Soccer Co. when they were posting videos of seemingly indestructible bamboo shin guards back in 2017 (link to video at the bottom). We wanted to let them tell us more about the product so we reached out to co-founder and former soccer player himself, Sean Person.

Who started Legend Soccer Co and why? What's the mission of the business?  

Roland Benedict and I started Legend, with a goal to bring new ideas and innovation to the game, while injecting principles of sustainability and social responsibility. We both played our entire lives and eventually into higher levels of the game. We noticed that the products surrounding the game hadn’t changed that much and didn’t represent the game that well. A majority of the largest brands outsource all production overseas to capture cheap labor and increased margins. I could go on-and-on downside of production of products in the 3rd world, but simply put, we take pride in supporting the manufacturing industry in the USA.   Mission: Legend Soccer Co. is a soccer specific company, whose goal is to progress the game through high-quality, innovative, & eco-friendly products.

The shin guards in different phases of production, from parts to assembled and packaged

Your product is simply stunning and has been seen all over the place, including the pages of Howler Magazine; what are the shin guards made out of and how long do they last?
Our shin guards are made from bamboo and are guaranteed for a lifetime. We pride ourselves on making a quality, eco-friendly product, which are manufactured in the USA.

A player could go to Amazon and pick up a pair of shin guards for under $10 - tell us why somebody should spend a little more and get your product?
There’s a lot of shin guard choices out there, but ours are one-of-a-kind. In addition to all of the sustainability characteristics, bamboo is simply a better material to make a shin guard. They’re lightweight, ridiculously strong, odorless, and has a patented tear-drop design, which helps keep the shin guards in place during the game. On top of that, we can customize a player’s guards with any design. Player’s enjoy a lifetime product, which represents their time with the game. It acts as a functional memento, which they’ll have forever. It’s a real pleasure hearing stories of players putting them on and the whole team being jealous. They’re so unique, you can’t help but to check them out.

Lastly, there’s been an estimated 200 million pounds of plastic shin guards produced in the last 40 years. With so many negative effects of plastic production, we hope soccer players will see the benefit in supporting our product.

Various clubs from around the world have had their badges carved into these wooden gems, which are nearly indestructible and ecologically responsible

Legend Soccer Co has worked with a ton of teams and players at this point; are you able to name some of your favorite designs and maybe most famous clubs or players you've made custom gear for? 
We have pro players around the world wearing them, but our recent partnership with the Forest Green Rovers, in the UK, was a special one for us. We recently teamed up with FGR to help them continue the reign as being the world’s most sustainable football club. Every new player gets welcomed to the club with a fresh set of customized shin pads. We’re excited to see football start-up again and follow the excitement around the innovative club.

Not that we don't adore the shin guards, but are there any other products in Legend Soccer Co.'s future? Has any thought been given to making bamboo screw in studs or teaming up with a glove company and creating bamboo inserts to protect goalies’ fingers? 
Those are good ideas and yes, we have more products to come! They don’t necessarily involve more uses of bamboo, but all are specifically designed for the needs of a soccer player and always have sustainability and socially responsible foundation to them. The innovations in the next products are really exciting and we can’t wait to share them. More to come!!

For the most part, you’ll have to order your pair online, but Legend’s shin guards can be found in select soccer boutiques (Photo: Possession FC in Portland, OR)

Check out Legend Soccer Co. and order a pair, here: http://www.legendsoccer.com/

Legend’s strength test video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6os7DOZ85s

Business Spotlight: Ruffneck Scarves

A staple of the soccer supporter’s scene is undeniably a soccer scarf – every team in every clime offers some version of the iconic footy apparel and we wanted to find out more about one of the most widely used companies in US Soccer. From MLS and USL to NPSL and WPSL, if you love soccer, you are just a few degrees of separation from a Ruffneck-made scarf. Continuing our Business Spotlight series, we reached out to founder Jeff McIntyre to find out more about his brand and its connection to soccer at all levels.

Tell us how and why Ruffneck Scarves got started - what was the original mission and is that still the same?

We originally started Ruffneck back in 2007 because we were collecting scarves from around the world and couldn't find any options available to us in the U.S. We put up a little retail site online selling a few collections of scarves and then started working with a few local Seattle groups that were interested in making custom scarves. The mission was simple at first, sell hard to find scarves online, but it quickly shifted into creating a brand for proper custom scarves we could provide to supporters to help spread the love we had for the game across America.

Ruffneck has worked with some of the largest soccer brands in the US - but what are some of your favorite non-MLS scarves you've seen come through production?

We've really been fortunate to work with some great organizations at all levels of soccer as well as other sports and industries. Some of my favorite designs are on scarves we've worked with supporters’ groups on. American Outlaws chapters, our own local Emerald City Supporters and USL supporters really get creative and clever with their scarves.

Based in Washington State, Ruffneck has started off working with local clubs, supporters’ groups, and schools.

What do prospective clients need to submit in order to get a custom scarf made? I'm sure most folks have an idea of how they want their scarves to look, but do you have in-house design just in case the client is not design savvy?

Really, all we need from a group looking for custom scarves is an idea of what they're looking for and how they plan to use their scarves. Our internal creative team has been coming up with designs for many years and is able to help the customers design what they envision. It's not to say that if a customer comes to us with a design they want to use, we won't create it... In fact, we encourage our customers to be involved in the design process. 

There are a few industry competitors, sure they also make scarves, but what sets you apart? Also, tell us about the fundraiser aspect of your business - how did that come about?

Like every industry there will always be competition. We have had several small companies come and go when it comes to making scarves. What sets us apart, is that we've always been committed to serving our customers best by providing a great experience and the highest quality scarves. Our ability to deliver on those things is what has led us to being the official scarf provider to the likes of MLS, USL, US Soccer, NHL and several other teams and leagues around the world.

Fundraisers came about naturally by request of our customers. We realized school, teams and charities wanted an alternative way to raise money for their organizations besides the usual chocolate bar or t-shirt promotion. It became a natural fit for those groups connected to soccer and over time the popularity has crossed over into much more than soccer and sports.

Jeff McIntyre, not only helped to start Ruffneck Scarves, he helped found both Bellingham United as well as the league they played in, EPLWA.

Traditional Jacquard Knit, HD Knit, Sublimated "Summer" Scarves and... Custom Face Masks. How long did it take for the figurative light-bulb to appear above your heads on that one? What materials are you using and how protective are your custom masks? 

We are the "scarf guys" first and foremost... that will never change. It's what we love and what we know we're the best in the world doing. We started selling the face masks recently for a few reasons... we realized there was a need for the general public for cloth face masks for basic levels of protection. Also, with the economy being shut down, we too were suffering from very little sales and had to pivot to survive this downturn. Because we are in the "textiles" business, we quickly pivoted our production to being able to make masks out of readily available materials. We have a few different styles and materials we use in these. Some are cotton and some are a poly blend. Our premium mask has Velcro straps for comfort and fit and does have multi-layers and included filter for added protection. None of our masks are medical-grade.  

When we all come back out of our homes again, and supporters’ groups or soccer clubs are looking to make new scarves, will you be fully online and capable of making orders and how do they get in touch? 

We are all looking forward to getting back to watching our favorite sport and doing our favorite activities again. I can't wait for that day, but the safety and health of our employees and customers is most important. With that being said, our production is still online and available to produce scarves just as we are producing masks at this time. If anyone is looking for scarves, masks or interested in customizing scarves or masks, all they have to do is visit RuffneckScarves.com for more info and contacts.

Whoa Whoa Whoa... Rainbow Unicorns?

While making our regular rounds through social media we stumbled upon a bright and colorful shirt design by recent Business Spotlight participant Skadi Soccer. Of course, in an era of so many fun and imaginative soccer shirt designs we weren’t sure that it was… real. So we reached out, low and behold, the Rainbow Unicorns are in fact a real soccer club - and an absolute blast to be a part of! Anthony Melo answered the call to tell us more…

Who are Rainbow Unicorns and how did they get started? Where did the name come from?

The Rainbow Unicorns are a rec league team from Nashville, TN. Some of us had played in a men's league together and we really hated that macho, hyper-competitive environment (no shade to the guys we played alongside, y'all were great!), so we got the idea to include a bunch more of our friends and create our own co-ed team. It was during this discussion that our name was created, and the idea was really just to have something silly and bright, something that you couldn't take seriously. We knew we weren't going to take ourselves too seriously, so the name reflected that silliness that we wanted to bring to the field. 

Rec soccer is fun for everyone - no need to take it too serious!

What league do you play in and do you have any plans to expand or grow the team? Or is it just for fun?

We currently play in Mid State Sports Leagues, which hosts many different recreation level sports. We don't really plan on expanding the team at all, this is a great thing we've got going with friends and that's what matters most.

Is the shirt design recently shared by Skadi something that's in the works? Had you considered making a few extra to see if they'd sell? 

The shirt design from Skadi is legitimate, and really incredible. It's funny how that happened, because we took this idea of a team that didn't take itself seriously on the pitch and said "what if we projected that with an Instagram?" Well that made its way around some folks we knew from supporting Nashville SC, and I guess Antony saw it too. He knew some of us from when he came down to watch Nashville in USL, and he reached out and asked if we wanted to work on a kit together. At the time we were actually looking for new shirts, because the t-shirts we are currently using are starting to get a little funky, and he really knocked it out of the park. I'm thrilled with the end result, he's got such a wonderful eye for color and a forward thinking that lends itself well to designing kits. There are no current plans to sell to the public, but it's not something we've ruled out entirely.

Where can people follow your club and what are you guys up to next?

Y'all can follow us on Instagram at @rainbowunicorns615 and on Twitter at @615Rainbow for all of your low-effort memery and self-deprecating humor needs. Right now we're patiently waiting for conditions to improve in order to safely keep on getting beat up by better teams, and you can bet we'll do it with a smile

Business Spotlight: Ginga Sportswear, LLC

One of the things we’ve discovered while covering grassroots soccer is the amazing designers and entrepreneurs who help contribute to the colorful tapestry of the lower league aesthetic. In Protagonist Soccer’s ongoing efforts to highlight brands that are in the business of helping make soccer go in our country, we reached out to relative newcomers Ginga, who caught our eye recently with their fantastic work on the Agema FC kits. We wanted to know more about them and who else they’ve been working with – Diego Hurtago, CEO of Ginga Sportswear, LLC was kind enough to answer our call.

What got Ginga Sportsear started - who got it all going and why?

The idea of a sports clothing brand specifically soccer came years ago when I used to live in a really humble place, in the city of Bogota Colombia. We had no clothes on our birthdays, we had no clothes on Christmas so we basically always had to wear the same pair of jeans and jerseys. My mom used to have a sewing machine and she used to make babies’ clothes for a living. One day there was a piece of fabric hanging and I asked my mom if she could make me a certain type of jersey, I drew the jersey and she made it exactly like the one I pictured. From that day on I started selling jerseys and different apparel to my friends for a very good price. We always bought the fabrics that were on sale and make some sick clothing. One day we made this compression long sleeve shirts and I had so many orders my mom couldn’t handle it anymore and we had to stop because she was earning no money from making my clothes the little money I charged was for my lunch at school and some soccer cleats and stuff, have in mind that I was 13-14 years old at the time. However, I knew that I wanted to have my own clothing line, with my own name and logo, something that it had to do with my main passion, soccer. Back in the day while I was living in Colombia, I knew that dream was impossible, I grew up from a place where dreams don’t really come true unless you’re really talented or you’re really lucky. My only way out was my only real talent which is playing soccer, soccer got me out of that place and brought me to the United States. Soccer gave me a college education; it gave me many reasons to keep fighting for those dreams that at the time seemed impossible. Now that I’ve played at every level possible in this country it was time to bring that old wish back and make reality my two biggest desires which were creating my own clothing line and playing pro soccer.

Recently we’ve seen your work with Agema, what other soccer clubs have you worked with? Any teams or organizations outside of soccer?

Even though we are pretty new in the industry we have partnered with great teams and organizations some that are extremely professional such as MARYLAND BOBCATS FC who were recently crowned as UPSL NATIONAL CHAMPION, we also take pride in being an official provider for the soccer arena Colombian National team in which we worked in many events in California, we also were there with them in the 2019 Minifutbol World Cup in Australia. We work with many UPSL teams such as LOKO FC, THE PALM BEACH SPARTANS, DEPORTIVO ALACRANES, MIAMI ACES, and our most recently SPORTING CLUB VERDUGOS. Our work has cough the attention to many NPSL teams, pro soccer arena teams from the MASL and we are finalizing those as of now. Sadly, the pandemic put a pause in all our projects, but we are getting deals little by little, we know the teams that were working with us are still there, and at the right time they will become part of this great family. To keep mentioning other few teams, we have worked with ASA COLLEGE from Miami and many amateur teams from south Florida, Colorado, California, New York, some of the very known as GAM UNITED FOOTBAL CLUB and FOOTBAL CLUB DIABLOS. We also work with many other teams in Colombia. We have our own little store in Colombia. Our main focus with the company right now is soccer but we are actually developing new products for other sports at this moment.

Some clients may have a sense of what they want, while others might not be so fashion forward; do you offer in house design? If so, what inspires and informs Ginga’s design aesthetic?

Honestly, I taught myself how to design and learn everything on Illustrator, photoshop and all these programs, but I knew I had to find one person that only focused on our designs, so I could have more time and reach more people, so I stopped designing and I find a fantastic designer (another pro soccer player) that is very creative and comes up with many ideas. I think us being soccer players give us the sense and the knowledge to get on the players head and know exactly what they want. For every club that we want to work with we study the team’s culture, city, and community and we try to put that picture in the jersey. Just like you say some clubs already know what they want and we go with their guidelines and some others don’t really know and that’s when our ideas come into play. If you do not have any ideas of the design you want for your team, logo, or name we will find and create what fits the most for their organization. We can make classic designs, artistic design, crazy designs, and crazier designs. We always start between artistic and crazy. We can also make your team’s logo as we have done before or even find your own team’s identity. Even if you do not become a part of the GINGA FAMILY our motto is always for you to leave with your own identity.

Aside from shirts, do you offer any other apparel pieces or do you have plans to?

Yes, we most definitely do have an extended catalog where we offer different apparel such as training jerseys, track suits, jackets, joggers, hoodies, training bags, wind runners, polos, scarfs, and socks THE WHOLE PACKAGE. We even sell big flags for any team or supporters, many times we provide them for free with any order. We were planning on launching our online store this month, but we are going to hold for a little bit and do it at the right time. Because a lot of people have been asking how can they buy individual apparel, therefore this online store is going to be perfect for them. We will have women clothing, casual/street clothing, and much more, we are working to bring something really good. So, if you go to our website right now, don’t judge us so quickly, we are working on it and soon everyone will be able to buy different products.

What’s the future of the company - where do you see the business in five years?

I see my company growing and growing every day and that makes me extremely happy. One of the reasons we created this company was to support and give jobs to my family in Colombia because they have been around in this business for years. Watching them with a new factory and calling it our own makes me realize that I have come far but I know there is so much more that I need to keep striving for, mostly because of them back home. In 5 years, I am planning to being a well-known brand in the soccer world working in many states. Working with many pro teams here and abroad and finding a way to give back to kids like me who once had that vision and help them realize that there is something better out there and even though it’s hard you still can achieve it.

To Contact Ginga Sportswear: https://gingasportswear.wixsite.com/gingasportswear

TO check out more of their work: https://www.facebook.com/Gingazone/

Copa de Insignias Kickoff Announced

We’ve seen a handful of grassroots soccer organizations drop out of our country’s most historic soccer contest recently, and we wanted to offer a slightly less prestigious opportunity for them to re-engage in an open cup contest. Introducing the inaugural Protagonist Soccer “Copa de Insignia,” a battle-of-the-badges, a cool-crest-contest if you will, for the ages… or at least for now. If you are an owner, coach, fan, or player of a non-MLS and non-NWSL team, who’s branding you believe to be top-notch then this contest is for you and your beloved badge.

To nominate a badge, it’s simple. Follow and tweet at @Protagonistpods with your nomination. Include #Copadeinsignias in your tweet and that badge is now added to the pile the staff will be sifting through for our 96. Following that account will also set you up for voting, so don’t forget the follow!

The contest is set to include 96 American crests from clubs who participate in a city, state, regional or non-MLS / non-NWSL national set-up. Copa de Insignias will kick off in earnest on Saturday, December 21st and all the lower league logos will be arranged in 32 groups of 3 and available to vote on through Protagonist Soccer’s Podcast’s Twitter handles. Group stages will end Christmas day, Wednesday the 25th and the knock-out rounds will begin on the 26th. The final is set for the last day of the year, culminating in an announcement of the winner of the Copa, and Badge of the Year just before midnight.

The Grand Prize winner will receive 50 3x3” die-cut stickers of their winning badge from Stickermule; the other three semi-finalists will receive a Protagonist Soccer Sticker pack, chock-full of all of their opponents’ badges in sticker form! All prizes will be distributed no less than 7-days after the winners are announced and all awards are final. In addition to no MLS and no NWSL we will also exclude any affiliated teams in other leagues. Keep your eyes peeled for the next contest which benefits the least desirable lower league branding! While Protagonist may not be able to solve the greater problems of soccer at this level, we can, at the very least try to have a fun time and celebrate the stunning logos, badges, crests, etc… which all of you amazing clubs have come up with!  

Protagonist Soccer and NPSL announce Media Partnership

Beginning November 29, 2018, the National Premier Soccer League and Protagonist Soccer have entered into a media partnership. This relationship will broaden the focus and enhance the depth of coverage provided by Protagonist Soccer to the NPSL and its clubs, players and connected subjects.

In three months, Protagonist Soccer has emerged as a frontrunner in lower tier soccer media. By focusing on the stories of amateur soccer clubs, Protagonist has brought a renewed energy to soccer fans across the country. The staff of the site believes that if the public connects to the clubs and players of the lower leagues, the leagues can grow and develop into a solid and stable base to the American pyramid. With this goal in mind, Protagonist focuses on telling the stories of the lower tier - the players, the clubs, the owners, the fans - these stories are the connective tissues that will grow the body of American soccer.

National Premier Soccer League has grown into a strong and functional league since its founding in 2003. Now spread across 29 states, the league is 92 clubs strong with more expansion planned. With the upcoming launch of NPSL Pro, NPSL is positioned to be one of the most important forces driving the development of a strong foundation for American soccer. Proven leadership, established clubs, stability and growth, all hallmarks of the NPSL.

Protagonist Soccer looks forward to developing the relationship between our site and the NPSL. We will strive to offer the best coverage possible, coverage that focuses on growing the game, enhances the fan experience, and connects the American soccer customer with a quality national league.