Protagonist Soccer and Maryland Major Soccer League Announce Media Partnership

Protagonist Soccer is pleased to announce that our organization and Maryland Major Soccer League have entered into a media partnership. The goals of this relationship are to bring more attention to this vital league and to expand the coverage provided by Protagonist Soccer to MMSL, its member clubs, and players.

Now almost four months in, Protagonist Soccer has continued to blossom into a primary provider of coverage in lower tier soccer media. The goal of the organization has always been to grow the game - across the country, in every city and neighborhood - through superior coverage. Without a doubt, Protagonist Soccer believes that regional soccer leagues are the primary means to sustain this growth. These leagues underpin the entire the national soccer pyramid and should be given the same level of media attention as national and professional leagues. Protagonist Soccer is seeking to expand the coverage of regional soccer and, in turn, spark more interest among local soccer fans across this country.

Maryland Major Soccer League has existed since 1965, descended from several Baltimore-based local leagues dating back to the 1920s. Led by commissioner Bill George, the league has grown into a model for other regional leagues. With 2 divisions, 19 teams, over 600 players, extending across the state of Maryland and beyond, Maryland Majors is the gold standard for regional soccer excellence. With some of the best known clubs in amateur soccer, MMSL has proven that “amateur” does not mean boring or bland soccer.

Protagonist Soccer looks forward to developing the relationship between our organization and Maryland Majors. We aim to give the best coverage possible, delving into the stories that make regional soccer great. The goal of this agreement will always be to grow the game, by highlighting the excellence of a powerful regional league.

For more information on Maryland Majors, go to their site or their twitter account.

Being as Cleveland as Possible

This is a story of what it’s like to create a soccer team out of thin air and get it ready to play competitively in 90 days. It involves Chipotle, four 43-foot high double-sided pylons carved out of sandstone, a popular new electrolyte-filled beer and a love for and devotion to the city of Cleveland that allowed this new club to be successful right from the start.

“We don’t do things easy here in Cleveland,” Cleveland SC defender Coletun Long said. “For us, it is always about doing it the hard way.”

Cleveland has a rich history when it comes to soccer. The Cleveland Stokers started it all with a single year in the North American Soccer League in the late 1960s before the Cleveland Stars/Cobras spent nine years in the American Soccer League, encompassing most of the 1970s. The Cleveland Force made its debut with the advent of the Major Indoor Soccer League in 1978. When the league changed to the National Professional Soccer League in 1989, Cleveland was right there with the Crunch. In fact, it was the Crunch that ended the city’s long championship drought, not LeBron’s Cavaliers. The Crunch won the NPSL in 1993-94 and added two more titles.

Other Cleveland soccer teams brought the city more titles. The Cleveland City Stars won the United Soccer League’s second division in 2008 and, as recently as 2016, AFC Cleveland won the National Professional Soccer League crown with a 4-2 victory over Sonoma County Sol.

Unfortunately, soccer success in Cleveland has eventually been accompanied by teams folding for one reason or another. It could involve the end of a whole league or, in AFC Cleveland’s case, having its “membership terminated because it was not in good financial standing with the league.” That quote came from a tweet by the NPSL’s official handle on December 12, 2017. Less than 18 months after hoisting the league’s trophy, AFC Cleveland would be no more.

That left the city without a team to root for.

“I love soccer and I did not want it to die here,” Long said. “I knew I would regret it if I did not at least try. I had to exhaust every resource. My teammate Chris Cvecko and I started having a conversation in the car and talked further in a Chipotle parking lot outside the city. We wrote down ideas and called teammates and others previously associated with AFC Cleveland.” One of those “others” ended up being Sam Seibert, who worked on AFC Cleveland’s media relations staff. A long-time resident of northeast Ohio and a Kent State grad, Seibert also could not abide by the loss of soccer at any level in Cleveland. “I was only about two or three days from contacting Coletun myself,” Seibert said. “I wanted to gauge his interest level in a new club and plans for the players. He contacted me on a Wednesday night and I was going to call him that weekend. Those two were so passionate about sticking together.”

Seibert worked with AFC Cleveland its final season in 2017 and got a good sense of the overall atmosphere and how the club itself worked. Combined with his professional business acumen outside the soccer arena, Seibert felt ready to take on the challenge of owning a new NPSL club in Cleveland. “When you play and work together, you cannot let a championship team die in Cleveland,” Seibert said. “These are talented guys and I am tired of seeing them leave. They need to be in Cleveland with their families. They need to have a business model for this success.” That confidence, combined with the determination of several AFC Cleveland veterans, led to the NPSL’s official announcement of the Cleveland SC club in February.

That was the easy part.

“I want to be as Cleveland as possible.”

— Sam Seibert

Seibert still had to secure professional partnerships, hire a coach, get a roster together, find a place to play, gain a social media footing, work with the local supporters and much, much more. “We first had to make sure that we were properly structured from a legal standpoint and we had many meetings in the first 30 days so that we knew what we were going to have,” Seibert said. “We had some great minds involved, including players and former players. The soccer community in Cleveland was fractured and we needed some unity to take place. Everything went lightning fast. It was a blur.”

SHULA

Two weeks after the official team introductory announcement, the first domino fell. Cleveland SC announced that it would play its home games for the 2018 season on the campus of John Carroll University at Don Shula stadium. It is a great venue, located less than 10 miles from downtown, that holds more than 5,000. “We had to find a place to practice and a place to play pretty fast,” Seibert said. “I spoke with John Carroll coach Hector Marinaro, the former Crunch/Force standout, and Assistant AD Russell Houser. We came to terms in regard to the cost and availability.”

Vinny Bell, an All American at nearby Case Western University and the first player ever signed by AFC Cleveland, felt all this was business as usual. “At the level we play and the type of team we are, this whirlwind approach was nothing new to us,” said Bell, who scored twice in AFC Cleveland’s title victory over Sonoma. “We played in five stadiums in six years with AFC. This is a hectic league and it was hectic getting this together on such short notice, but that was just how we had to do it.” Bell was part of the initial group chat established by former AFC Cleveland players. Now that they had a stadium, who was going to be their coach?

“OZZY”

When you’re a native of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England and you play as a youth for Barnsley FC, you grow up either a fan of the Tykes, or the more illustrious club 20 minutes north, Leeds United. But Ryan Osborne always fancied himself a member of the Toon Army. “I am Newcastle all the way.” That seems appropriate, as Newcastle is that large English Premier League side in northeast England that fancies itself more of an intimate club, even though St. James’ Park holds more than 50,000. In that respect, Newcastle is a lot like Cleveland. Big, but accessible.

“Cleveland is a market that supports soccer, no matter the level,” Osborne said. “The big city helps attract players. It is a brilliant place to be.” Osborne helped the University of Charleston to four consecutive West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, splitting his time between forward and attacking midfielder. He followed that up by playing one season with the West Virginia Chaos in the Premier Development League, helping lead the club to the final eight in 2014. During this time, Osborne was already whetting his coaching whistle. He started the first men’s program at University of Charleston-Beckley in 2014 and then served as an assistant at Marietta College for two years before joining the men’s soccer staff as both an assistant and recruiter at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio in 2016.

“I was in Cincinnati at a showcase and bumped into Declan McGivern, who had played with AFC Cleveland,” Osborne said. “He was looking to play with the new Cleveland club and I was told they thought I might be a good fit. To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive. I had seen how the owners were in the PDL and I also wanted to put my own stamp on the club. I wanted to make sure there were opportunities for new players as well. I called Sam up to see what he had to say.” Seibert met Osborne at a pub in East Cleveland and the two believed in each other right away. Osborne was officially announced on March 13th and he, Seibert and Seibert’s staff set out on putting together a roster. There was a one-day tryout, which took place over two two-hour sessions at Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst. Close to 60 tried out for the 21 roster spots. “My first impression of Ozzy? Why is he making me run so damned much,” said Bell with a laugh. “It was the longest preseason that I have had in my seven years. He got this team serious quickly and that was a big reason for our success.”

Seibert agreed.

“Ryan and I met at the pub for about an hour and really hit it off,” Seibert said. “He is passionate and he knew how to connect with the players. That was big for us.”

PARTNERS

“I always want to be directly tied to the city; this needs to be known as a city club,” Seibert said. “I want to be as Cleveland as possible.” That philosophy led to the development of several strong local relationships from the start. Seibert and his staff secured NovaCare Rehabilitation, Admiral Products (OTF manufacturer), the Old Angle Tavern and others as local, Cleveland-based partners for different club needs. They got Planet Fitness to sponsor the jerseys and they worked with two newer Cleveland staples to get heightened exposure. Cleveland Clothing Company, which prides itself on “spreading Cleveland pride, one t-shirt at a time,” according to its website, was founded in 2008 and now features five locations and a bustling online presence. Seibert worked with the company to get Cleveland SC merchandise out there, inspiring supporters and potential supporters to get excited about the club’s brand. “This merchandise platform really helped get brand out there in terms of exposure,” Osborne said. “You need to thank those companies for helping our club, which had less than three months of existence. It was huge.”

And then there was the beer.

ORANGEAID

Justin Carson, one of Platform Beer’s founders, has played soccer his entire life and grew up and avid fan of the Crunch and Force. He still competes at the Michael Zone Recreation Center on Lorain Avenue and tries to play three times a week between indoor and outdoor. Platform Beer has a location on Lorain Avenue as well. “I know how much soccer means to me and the impact it has had on my life, so when I read about this new club in The Plain Dealer, I was curious,” Carson said.

Cleveland SC signed a partnership deal with Platform Beer in May, and in late August, Carson and his colleagues released a beer devoted to the club. It’s called Orangeaid and Carson said it was a limited 30-barrel (300 cases) release. The beer, which sold out within the first week, was described by the Akron Beacon Journal as a “sour session brewed with fresh orange and electrolyte salts.”

That’s right… electrolytes.

“We were a bit apprehensive at first with the beer idea being a low-calorie electrolyte sour beer,” Carson said. “But it made sense developing something that goes hand-in-hand with soccer. You want something light. I did not know what to expect, but people loved it. We have a lemon lime version coming soon.” The can even has a Gatorade-look to it, but more importantly, it has Cleveland SC’s crest on it.

That crest features the “Guardians of Transportation,” four 43-foot tall pylons watching over both ends of the Hope Memorial Bridge, a 5,865-foot long viaduct over the Cuyahoga River that connects Lorain and Carnegie Avenues and serves as a major entrance into the heart of Cleveland. “The bridge is kind of an iconic thing. It is the passage into downtown. You can’t miss it,” Bell said. “It leads you right into the heart of Jacobs and the Q and West Side Market. I love the crest. It invokes nostalgia and the importance of connecting with each other.”

One of the Guardians of Transportation

6TH CITY SYNDICATE

Osborne hit the nail on the head when he spoke of the importance of supporters.

“From England, you appreciate this at a younger age as a player. Fans are the lifeblood of a club,” Osborne said. “Those guys gave us energy when we needed it, and they are definitely a loud bunch.” Seibert was even more effusive in praise: “They (6th City Syndicate) was here from the beginning. They provided support through email and texts and they got the word out through social media,” Seibert said. “These are supporters who will live and die with you, and that helped a lot.”

The supporters’ group has been around for several years and was looking for someone to cheer on once AFC Cleveland folded. “There are a core group of us and we never got an official response as to why AFC Cleveland stopped being a club,” said RJ Pooch, one of the leaders of 6th City Syndicate. “As we were coming to grips with that, we knew the guys who played for AFC Cleveland would not quit. And then Sam got involved. In 90 days, they went from inception to kickoff. How do you not support that?” Pooch and his fellow supporters brought the drums and smoke and painted banners and made Shula Stadium their own.

“All of us are really different, but it does not matter. If you support Cleveland soccer, we are happy to have you. For me, it’s the only team I support. You don’t find your club; your club finds you. I’m here for anything NPSL. It is much more intimate here.”

Fellow supporter Jonathan Dale, who also serves as a capo (vocal leaders for songs and chants) for the Columbus Crew, agrees. “I have played and supported Cleveland soccer since I was 6-or-7. I love it,” Dale said. “I went to Force and Crunch games, but AFC Cleveland never really fit my schedule. Now, we have to keep doing what we are doing. RJ made tons of banners when the season first started. We know we have something special, so let’s make it as Cleveland as possible.”

Pooch, Dale and fellow supporter Ed Zelaski have been impressed with Seibert’s transparency and communication. “It is really helpful for us that we have an owner who wants this and is willing to work with us,” Zelaski said. “He knows the things that we like. Sam stepped up. It was really important and it just shows how big of a difference it can be when an owner who understands the market is there.”

Seibert had his team and a stadium to put them in, and supporters to rally behind them. He had his partnerships in place and a strong social media presence to get the word out about all of it.

Now, it was time to play. Cleveland SC was placed in the seven-team East Conference Division of the Midwest Region Conference. Fellow NPSL debutante FC Columbus was placed in the Great Lakes Conference Division. The two sides played friendlies in mid-April with both teams winning at home. They jokingly referred to it as the Grandpa’s Cheesebarn Derby, named after the cheese, smoked meats and candies business located almost perfectly between the two cities in Ashland, Ohio.

The regular season began on May 19th, 90 days since the club was officially announced as the last of 98 NPSL clubs to receive membership for the 2018 season. Cleveland SC blanked the Rochester Lancers, 2-0, and posted four straight clean sheets to open the season.

Everyone played a role in the team team’s early success.

“We had six interns this year and they did a hell of a job,” Seibert said. “Being exposed to minor league baseball, as I have, allows you to do it something like this. We need to fill spots, no matter what your job title is. My fiancé was doing the announcements at the first game. We had guys acting as a ball boy, taking stats, getting rain gear out. We all had to do a little bit of everything.”

After a three-game winless streak, Cleveland SC caught fire, winning four in a row, including a 3-2 affair over Erie Commodores FC, their rivals. AFC Cleveland had Detroit FC early in the club’s career, but Erie, located just more than 90 minutes and 100 miles away, has become the club’s biggest rival. Over the last few years, AFC Cleveland, and now Cleveland SC, players have developed a healthy hatred for the Commodores.

“Their owner, John Melody, actually helped us when we were first starting to think about forming a new club,” Long said. “He was great. But, it’s also great in any sport when you have a rivalry. Since I started six years ago, sentiment has grown to the point that I hate Erie. The games have gotten bigger and bigger. There have been red cards and fights. It is great for us and the NPSL that there are two teams that care that much about beating one another.”

Osborne, who knows a good rivalry in Newcastle-Sunderland, concurred. “Those are the games you want to play in,” Osborne said. “Fans are getting into it. The drums are playing. Everything is loud.”

Erie got the better of Cleveland SC in the regular season finale to win the division, but Vinny Bell and his teammates got revenge in the round of 32 playoffs. Bell scored twice and provoked an own goal in the 79th minute as Erie advanced with a 4-0 victory.

Cleveland SC traveled to Ann Arbor the next round and lost, 1-0, ending a successful inaugural season at 8-3-3 overall. The club was comprised primarily of AFC Cleveland guys (about 16 of the 21 players on the roster), but a newcomer with a familiar name had his first experience representing the city.

“Cleveland soccer is one of the biggest aspects of my life. Being from Cleveland gave us that fire and passion and that love of representing the city,” Jesse Marinaro said.

Marinaro is the son of Cleveland legend Hector Marinaro, who scored more than 1,000 combined goals for the Crunch and Force over 16 seasons. Jesse Marinaro played for his father at John Carroll and now, a year after graduation, is part of the fledging group charged with reigniting the soccer flame in Cleveland. “All my friends have asked about it. It is high quality soccer and will not disappoint,” Jesse Marinaro said. “We have all spread the word around. It is awesome to watch this thing grow. It is a humbling feeling to put that jersey on and represent this city.”

Seibert’s first nine plus months, including his first competitive season, have been a success. Those around him credit his professionalism, passion and personality. Crowds at Shula were modest, 200 to 300 a game, but Cleveland weather and possible skepticism regarding the club’s long-term viability may have played a role.

“The NPSL has a low floor and a high ceiling,” Seibert said. “On the field, we can match up with everybody we play. We found our identity and relied on our chemistry. It is going to continue to be tough, but Ohio would not have it any other way. We are not going to do something unless we do it the right way. We did not invite anyone out who did not come back again.”

Osborne provided an honest evaluation of the first year.

“Playing at Shula was great and the playoff game at Erie was magic,” Seibert said. “A lot of clubs have come and gone and, when you are a new team, there is always a level of skepticism. People want to know that the team is going to stay. It can be hard to adjust on the fly. Volunteers handled some thankless tasks that they will never get proper recognition for. We did a pretty good job, considering. For me, it is nice knowing that the players coming back understand the culture we have, and the fact that we went all the way to the final 16 in our first go of it.”

Seibert gave his administrative staff, including Gary Wiggins (Head of Marketing) an extended break after the season concluded. “A lot of guys were committing a lot of time away from families, studies and jobs,” Seibert said. “After about 30 days, everyone got back in it. We want to capitalize on this opportunity out here.”

Seibert is currently out in Minnesota attending the NPSL’s ownership meeting [at the time of writing]. He never stops working for a club he wishes to see rise as high as possible. “It has been a dream of mine to be a part of this in Cleveland,” Seibert said. “I accomplished more the last eight months than the rest of my entire life. Cleveland SC is a diamond in the rough buoyed by our previous entities. We have this great passion for sports here. We need to continue on with it.”

- Brian Burden

UPSL SoCal Power Rankings Update

Pro Premier

1. California United FC II

A few weeks back, during the first edition of my power rankings, Cal United finished at the top spot. The club finished with a perfect season: eight matches and 24 points. In those eight matches Cal United scored a total of 53 goals and only allowed one. Its biggest win came in the final week of play when it beat OC Real Force SC 16-0. United’s prowess in front of goal was unlike any other team within Southern California. It averaged a goal every fourteen minutes of play. Currently Cal United is still playing for U.S. Open Cup qualification. The third round match against Cal FC was tied at 2-2 in the 89th minute of play when the power suddenly went out. Due to a city ordinance, the lights were not allowed to be turned back on after 10:30 pm. This stellar match was one of the best matches I've seen within the lower leagues and now will be replayed at a later date.

2. Cal FC

Earning the second spot, Cal FC went undefeated with seven wins and one draw. In its eight matches it would go on to score thirty goals while only allowing six. In Cal's last match of the season, it came up against a determined Sporting San Fernando side unwilling to give away three points. That final match ended 3-3. Cal FC had the opportunity to take out Cal United FC II during the Open Cup qualification battle, but even after going up two goals in the first ten minutes, it could not see out the result before the lights went out.

3. Santa Ana Winds FC

The Winds came in second place in the SoCal South with six wins and two losses. During those eight matches they scored nineteen goals and allowed ten. Their success was not limited to their divisional record; during Open Cup qualification they beat the LA Wolves 4-0, Lionside FC 5-0, and Buena Park FC 3-2. The Winds put up the strongest performance against first place Cal United FC II, losing 1-0 against a team that averaged seven goals per match. The winds also lost earlier in the season to Gremio FC San Diego 3-0.

4. LA Wolves

The Los Angeles side had a very strong UPSL fall season, only losing one match. Having lost to Santa Ana Winds early in Open Cup qualification, the Wolves focused on closing out the season to earn their spot into the UPSL playoffs. Their one loss was via a 5-1 beatdown from Cal FC. Those five goals that were allowed were more than they let in all season. They finished the season with a plus eleven goal differential and look ready to face any competition they may face on their path to the UPSL National Playoffs. Hopefully that path stays away from facing the Winds, a team that has shown they can beat the Wolves time and time again.

5. Orange County FC 2

This Orange County club coach by Paul Caliguiri finished in third place of the SoCal South. OCFC had a hard time finding consistency throughout its fall UPSL season. Its best streak fell towards the end of the season where it had a three game win streak that was then stopped in the final week of play by Cal United FC II. While it finished in third, it had the second best goal differential at plus eleven.

6. Sporting San Fernando

Scoring the second most goals in the division at 21, Sporting San Fernando showed an ability to step up against the stronger competition within the division and put an end to Cal FC's perfect season, drawing 3-3 in the final match of the season. Sporting will need to continue its run of form as it fights for a spot in the UPSL playoffs

7. San Diego Premier Pros FC

My initial pick to win the SoCal South did not pan out. Its play style was impressive, but was unable to beat the top two teams in the division. Those two losses would be the only ones of the season and the Pros would go on to earn points against every other club in the competition, including a 2-2 draw against Orange County FC 2. Being one of the three San Diego clubs, the Premier Pros had the opportunity to play in two separate San Diego derbies. The first was a draw at home against San Diego Zest FC and then a 7-1 beat down of Gremio FC SD.

8. San Diego Zest FC

The Zest finished one point behind its crosstown rivals San Diego Premier Pros FC. After a tough start to the season, San Diego Zest FC went on a five game streak where they earned all 13 of their points. During that stretch it drew away against SD Premier Pros FC and beat Gremio FC San Diego 5-2. The Zest's impressive point streak would come to an end when it lost to Santa Ana Winds FC 3-2 in its final match of the season.

9. Kern County Mustangs FC

After receiving promotion via last season’s UPSL Championship promotion playoffs, the Mustangs went on to finish fourth in the SoCal North Pro Premier. They earned four wins and three losses, while still having a goal differential of plus five. Their only losses came against the top three clubs in the competition. They received a 3-2 loss against Cal FC, a 3-2 loss to LA Wolves, and a 4-3 loss against Sporting San Fernando.

10. Lionside FC

Rounding out the top ten once again is Lionside FC. It managed to maintain a positive goal differential by scoring seventeen goals and allowing sixteen. Since the first edition of the power rankings, Lionside FC managed to play to a close 1-2 loss against LA Wolves FC, then beat Panamerican FC 5-1. It finished fifth in the SoCal North table with ten points.

Championship

1. City Legends FC

It was a huge inaugural UPSL season for the City Legends Football Club in which it went undefeated in the SoCal South, earning promotion into the Pro Premier. It scored 25 goals and only allowed eleven. The club was led in the goalscoring by striker Kevin Marello who put in nine goals for the Perris club. The biggest win of the season came during the Battle for the Inland Empire, where it took down then second placed Inland Empire FC 3-2.

2. LA 10 FC

The dominant Los Angeles side went on a tear through the SoCal North division. It scored 44 goals while only allowing eleven. LA 10 finished the season with a record of eight wins, one draw, and one loss. That loss was against Newhall Premier, where LA 10 was forced to forfeit after its home field was vandalized and was unfit for competition. Unfortunately for LA 10 FC, this match still constitutes a loss and pushes them into second place in my power rankings. Hopefully during the offseason LA 10 FC can battle with City Legends FC to see which club is the best in the UPSL SoCal Championship.

3. Newhall Premier

Finishing second in SoCal North with a record of eight wins, one draw, and one loss, it ended the season with victory in the match LA 10 FC was forced to forfeit. The North competition was a bit stronger than its Southern counterparts and with its record and tremendous goal differential of plus twenty, Newhall has proven to be a strong candidate to win the Championship promotion playoff. What helped push this club into third place in the power rankings was its big 5-1 victory of Warriors FC.

4. Warriors FC

The only team to finish with a perfect away record, its two losses came at home via a 3-2 defeat from LA 10 FC and a massive 5-1 defeat at the hands of Newhall Premier. The Warriors are in a great run of form winning their last five matches by three or more goals. This high powered offense scored the second most goals in both Championship divisions with 34 goals.

5. Inland Empire FC

IEFC finished second in the SoCal South division, proving to be one of the most balanced sides within the Championship. It scored 28 goals while only allowing eight. While allowing less than one goal a match, it posted five clean sheets throughout the season and look to be a favorite for promotion via the promotion playoffs.

6. Disciples FC

Finishing third in the SoCal South table, Disciples proved to be one of the toughest sides to play against. They drew both top-of-the-table sides City Legends FC and Inland Empire FC. Their one loss of the season came at home from the SoCal Troop FC, where they lost in a scoreline of 1-0. The Fullerton squad has recently begun a brand refresh, updating its crest to have a more traditional soccer feel. With their great results and new look, the Disciples will be ready to compete for promotion during the playoffs.

7. Anaheim Legacy FC

Another SoCal South club makes its mark onto the power rankings. The Legacy finished the season with a record of six wins, one draw, and three losses. It managed to beat Anaheim FC in the Anaheim derby 1-0 and went on to win its last five matches of the season. This streak helped propel it into the top ten, after its initial slow start to the season.

8. Revolution FC

The Revolution finished fourth in the SoCal North division with a record of six wins, one draw, and three losses. While it scored 24 goals this season, it also allowed 21 which is the worst in the top ten. Revolution matches always had plenty of highlights for its fans with matches like the 5-2 loss against LA 10 FC, 5-3 win over C.D. Independiente, and a 6-2 win over Sporting San Fernando II.

9. SoCal Troop FC

Moving up one spot to number nine is SoCal Troop FC. The Troop closed out the season with strong performances against Fontana International SC and Inland Empire FC, after its loss to City Legends FC. It finished the season with a goal differential of plus eight.

10. Santa Ana Winds FC II

Rounding out the fall 2018 UPSL power rankings is Santa Ana Winds FC II. After being ranked sixth in the previous edition, the Winds went on to lose their final two matches of the season. They would finish in sixth place in the SoCal South table, still earning a goal differential of plus five.

- Steven Ramirez

"It's Up to Us" - Chris Kessell's Unlikely Bid for USSF Vice-President

“We need to make sure this Federation is for everyone, not just the people at the top”

Chris Kessell announced his intention to run for Vice President of the United States Soccer Federation on November 30th. The Vice Presidential election had run a little under the radar compared to the high profile election for the Federation’s President but it is swiftly approaching. The deadline for interested candidates to declare interest and provide the 3 required Letters of Nomination to the Federation is December 18th. The field has been decidedly thin so Kessell’s announcement has started the build-up to the election in earnest.

While the announcement of Kessell’s candidacy was met with ringing endorsements from those who know him in West Virginia and indeed those contacts he has made through a long-standing impact on the sector of social media affectionately known as “Soccer Twitter,” it’s understandable that many associated with the game on a National level might ask, “Who?”

“I will be viewed by some people as, ‘This is just some guy from West Virginia who is trying to rock the boat’”

This will likely be the view of some of USSF’s board but Chris is anything but “just some guy.” Chris may be one of the foremost examples of leadership at the grassroots level in the country. He is the President of West Side Soccer Club, a club that provides playing and coaching opportunities to kids and adults in Charleston. As part of that he has run a coaching education and mentorship program at the club. This issue is one of the first on Chris’ platform in this election.

“Right now, we have a coaching licensure program masquerading as coaching education,” Chris wrote in his platform announcement. We are often guilty of conflating the two in coaching discussions in the US. Those coaches with the higher licenses are automatically seen as having received coaching education but the two are actually separate. He is calling for improved coaching education for those volunteer coaches that are so important at the grassroots level.

“People from communities like the one I’m from oftentimes make amazing leaders because they bring a different perspective to organizations.”

— Chris Kessell

The licenses are an issue as well because of their lack of accessibility. “I tried to get my ‘C’ license but I’m locked out because of geography. Even trying to work with the Federation to get a ‘C’ license course out here in West Virginia proved to be unfruitful,” Chris added. This point will certainly resonate with many grassroots level coaches, and to emphasize this point, this past year, National “C” license courses took place in just 24 states, missing huge geographical areas in the process.

Chris’ soccer leadership did not stop at the club or coaching education level, however. He is also the President of the Kanawha Valley Soccer League. During his time as President, he’s focused on expanding programs for the existing youth structure, added an adult league to the system, and increased the amount of girls’ youth teams to combat a gap that had led to many girls leaving the sport prematurely due to lack of opportunities.

He also founded Chemical Valley AC, an adult team that helped raise money to build a futsal court in Charleston where they host weekly meet-ups to provide kids and adults of all ages and skill levels another opportunity to play that they would not have otherwise. Then, having accomplished all that, he took the next step and now sits on the Board of the West Virginia Soccer Association, the state’s main governing body. This rise has come from a desire to “see things done for the good of the sport and those involved with it rather than the benefit of a few select people,” according to Kessell. This desire also lead to the second main point of his platform: Total Soccer Transparency.

“I don’t think there’s a person in leadership at US Soccer right now that came up working with inner-city kids.”

— Chris Kessell

Chris outlined twelve points in his quest for transparency in US Soccer, many of which seem extreme for an organization as opaque as our nation’s Federation. Among the points are posting financial records, contracts, executive’s tax documents, and lobbying activities online so the public can have access to them. Chris disagrees that it’s as radical as some might suggest. “That’s just good governance. I’ve worked in non-profits for about 15 years and this is not groundbreaking stuff. This is standard operating procedure. I don’t look at this as massive reform, I look at this as being good stewards of the game and being a great non-profit organization.”

The call for transparency has rang out from many people involved in soccer in the US, especially given the relationship between USSF, MLS, and SUM, which is still the subject of a rather high-profile lawsuit. This call grew even louder on December 2nd as Gregg Berhalter was named the manager for the Men’s National Team. Several reports emerged that in the end, Earnie Stewart, who had been hired as the Men’s National Team General Manager with the express role of hiring the next manager, had only formally interviewed two candidates for the role. Earnie had been hired by Jay Berhalter, Gregg’s brother who serves as USSF’s COO. This process, which has lacked any modicum of transparency, speaks right to Chris’ point. “The conversation around his hire has nothing to do with the game. All of the talk is about his brother. Until we have faith that everything is on the up-and-up, every decision that is made is going to be second guessed.”

As part of rebuilding people’s faith in the Federation and providing further teeth to cleaning up the game in the US, Chris also wants to establish an Anti-Corruption Task Force, which would provide independent checks to USSF as well as investigative power to help root out corruption at the national levels of the game. However, included in this would be a hotline, that anyone with an issue at any level could report suspicions of corruption. “If the Federation can become a watchdog and help root that stuff out across the board, it’s good for the game. What happens if something is going on at a State Association right now? Who are you going to call? The police? There has to be a place for people to call to report.”

His final point is the one that is maybe most ambitious given what has been said about USSF over the years. He wants to develop a strategic plan that is publicized. “I have never been a part of an organization that didn’t have one. I feel if you have one, you have measurables that you can be critiqued on.” The idea of metrics and measures of effectiveness outside of financial gain and National Team wins driving stakeholders and the press to be more critical of the Federation does seem to be counter to much of how USSF currently does business.

Chris’ pedigree at the local level is sterling, and he has done a ton for the game in West Virginia, but how would he handle the move from the sideline to the boardrooms full of former Wall Street Executives? “People from communities like the one I’m from oftentimes make amazing leaders because they bring a different perspective to organizations. They see things through a lens that is a little bit different than the status quo.”

His difference in perspective to the usual suspects at USSF is also driven by his background. “I don’t think there’s a person in leadership at US Soccer right now that came up working with inner-city kids. That’s what I did as a professional for 12 years.” This perspective and experience could bring a person to USSF who would represent groups of people that the Federation has at least said they want to provide more opportunities to. Chris added, “We hear all the time that we need more minority participation, more inner city kids, more rural kids. I was a rural kid. I worked with inner city kids. I think I bring something to the table here that a lot of people involved in the governance of the game in this country don’t have.”

Chris, being the outsider reform candidate will certainly face an uphill battle to win the Vice Presidency at US Soccer, but regardless of whether he wins, he will continue to fight for the people that the Federation has marginalized. “I just want us to not forget that there’s more to the game...there’s more to the Federation than the National Teams and Professional Leagues. There’s millions of kids who play the sport because they love it every weekend, and there are millions of adults who play every weekend because they love it and they need the Federation’s support too.” Chris may be a longshot to win, but his impact on the local game has been undeniable, and his refreshing approach to the game makes him the...Protagonist in this election.

- Phil Baki

My Introduction to the World of Arena Soccer

I’ve got a confession to make to you all.  While I am a full-fledged soccer lover, I’ve never given indoor/arena soccer or futsal much thought.  I’ve always talked about getting in to it, but never followed through. That changed once Orlando announced they were going to have an arena soccer team named the Seawolves.  I made it a point to keep close tabs on their progress from the time they were announced until now. Hell, I even have made it a point to endorse the hell out of the MASL (Major Arena Soccer League) when I’ve talked with the other writers at Protagonist Soccer.  Luckily, I work with a group of guys who support my decision to step outside of lower league soccer coverage to give MASL some coverage as well.

Like I said, I’ve always talked about it but never actually followed through.  After watching it for the first time, I can tell you that this game is a different beast, that’s an understatement.  If you’ve never watched it before, think of it as a combination of soccer and hockey spread across four quarters that are slightly longer than an NBA quarter.  There are line changes like in hockey in order to set up specific plays or to have a specific group on the pitch (I guess that’s what it’s called) for free kicks.  There are also “sin bins” for players who commit fouls deemed worthy of a “blue card.” This essentially is the penalty and power play system from the NHL and college hockey.  There are also “board passes” like in hockey since arena soccer is played in a dry, carpeted hockey rink.

In addition to all of this, there are rules that differ radically from the outdoor game, but these rule changes actually make it more enjoyable.  There is no offside rule, which allows for what could be deemed “cherry picking” and helps drive up the scores of these games. In addition to that, the goalie can’t kick the ball past the three lines on the carpet without being whistled for a foul.  Free kicks also vary wildly compared to the outdoor game. Sometimes, they’re taken from the “top of the D” or other times they are taken from the spot of the foul. It really depends on the ref’s decision and the location of the foul when it was committed.  In MASL, there are no ties either. This means that teams play a 10-minute overtime period where golden goal rules apply, but then move to a best of 3 shootout should nothing happen in the overtime period.

While these are some of the rules that I came in contact with during my first match, there are plenty of other rules that I recommend reading up on while watching a game.  That way you aren’t confused when something happens or you’re able to at least understand why a decision was made a certain way.

As for the match I watched, I got to see the Orlando Seawolves first game in their history against the St Louis Ambush.  For most Orlando City fans, there is a connection between the USL days and the Seawolves with Lewis Neal and Luke Boden signed to the arena side.  Additionally, America Soccer Club fans should be interested in this team, as a few of their players (one of which also played for Orlando City B) also play with the arena side.  I previously got to meet Tyler Turner when I visited an America practice, but it was also good to see Rafa Tobias playing for the Seawolves.

The Seawolves battled all match long and had to come from behind twice to tie the game.  Ultimately, they went in to overtime tied at 4, but then lost in a shootout 2-1. Luke Boden and Lewis Neal obviously missed scoring in front of the Orlando faithful because they both opened their seasonal accounts in the match.  In addition to this, Boden also had two assists in the game. While the crowd was small, they made plenty of noise for the home side, especially when the two former OCSC boys scored. Crowds should eventually grow as the season moves along and more coverage is put out about the Wolves.  The exhilaration and angst of watching the match was almost on par with watching my favorite outdoor teams play on the weekends.

So, if you’re looking for something that gives you that same feeling of lower league soccer or MLS/USL, find your local arena soccer team and get out to their games.  I promise you won’t be disappointed.

- Shawn Laird

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.

Exploring the WPASL and the Expansion of the Amateur Game in Wisconsin

In a time when USL-associated clubs like Forward Madison and a soon-to-be named Green Bay USL League Two club are grabbing the headlines, the purely amateur base of Wisconsin soccer- one cemented by giants like Milwaukee Bavarians and the Croatian Eagles -has received yet another boost with the announcement of the Wisconsin Primary Amateur Soccer League (WPASL). Protagonist contacted the WPASL to discuss the league’s goals in both the near future and long term.

The WPASL, which was founded by a series of amateur clubs in northwest Wisconsin, has a clear-cut mission: “The purpose of the WPASL is to give northwest Wisconsin a legitimate, sustainable amateur league for the top players in the area to compete in. In the short term, we hope for our league to give the top amateur and college players in the area a place to play for the late spring and summer… our hopes are to have a team in each soccer-sustaining area and we also hope to have each amateur team have youth systems under them, giving the youth players in our area a team to look up to and aspire to play with.” The league will call northwest Wisconsin home, a region largely void of the beautiful game outside of the youth and recreational levels, and seems determined to take the first steps in changing that trend. “There is also no NPSL or UPSL teams in northwest Wisconsin currently, but I would keep an eye out in the future for developments in those leagues.”

The WPASL is not shying away from the fact that soccer in its home has often been, and may continue to be, attached to the scene in Minnesota. “The WPASL does feel proud to provide northwest Wisconsin with a higher level league for its soccer players, but we would say that we are more keen to compete against and with Minnesota clubs and leagues, due to the fact that most of our cities are closer to Minnesota cities (Duluth, St. Cloud, Twin Cities) compared to Wisconsin cities (Green Bay, Milwaukee, Madison).” The WPASL, despite aiming to maintain a relationship with its neighbors, does feel that it can change the narrative of northwest Wisconsin soccer, a narrative largely built around silence. “We do hope that our league can help to gain respect for soccer in northwest Wisconsin. Soccer up here is not very well respected, especially by those south of Eau Claire, and this is frustrating because there is talent up here, even if thin. This league will give our players a chance to showcase their skills.”

With its first year of existence approaching soon, the league has a clear direction for how large it hopes to be in the near future as it grows in the midst of an ever changing soccer environment. “We will have six teams in our league for 2019. We had interest from fifteen different cities, but there were only eight ready for play this summer, and we decided to begin with six for the first season to make sure we can keep costs low and to make sure our league will run smoothly. We hope to expand to eight to ten teams in 2020, and then we will see how many cities are ready to play after that. We will continue to announce our founding members on every Friday. It's a very exciting time for our league and for soccer in northwest Wisconsin.” The league has announced three of those clubs, including Hayward United, Rice Lake City, and the Eau Claire Heat.

The league’s first announced member was Hayward United, which finished its first and only Duluth Amateur Soccer League (DASL) season in seventh place with a 2-2-4 record. The club grew quickly during its time in a league that, despite its lack of flash, gave birth to Duluth FC of the NPSL. “We [Hayward] joined the DASL in 2018. We were looking for somewhere to play regionally, and they were the closest league. We learned a lot from playing in the DASL. It was a great experience for our team and we met and played against some really great people. The Duluth teams we played against were very even all around, with most of the games being decided by less than two goals. The competition was great for us, but it was also difficult because we had to travel an hour and a half for each game and the league was quite expensive for only getting eight games.” Hayward does hope to maintain a connection to the soccer scene in Duluth, “We hope to continue to play against the teams we played against in the DASL, as they were very even games and we have formed great relationships with the people up there, but it will likely be non-league games.”

Hayward sees its new start and new league as a great way to launch the club into a new era, one where it can build on the beautiful game’s legacy and the way it exists- and maybe eventually prospers -in the northwest of Wisconsin. “We are hoping that the new league will boost our club's support by having more games in Hayward… When I was growing up, there was an adult team here called the Hayward Scorpions who played 2-3 games a year against Rice Lake and Washburn, and I had always hoped to create something more professional, a team for our youth to look up to and aspire to play on. That is the goal we are trying to create here, a system where soccer doesn't have to end after high school/college. We think that this model will help boost soccer all over northwest Wisconsin, and I think that most of the other teams in the league have the same vision.”

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The league’s second announced member, Rice Lake City, does not have prior experience in one of the region’s more well-known leagues, but has played previously to joining the WPASL, “We participated in the Rice Lake Amateur Soccer League (RLASL), a 7v7 adult soccer league… After a successful adult summer season in the year of 2017, the Rice Lake Adult Soccer League had become a growing group of soccer enthusiasts with the goal of providing soccer to adults within the Barron County area.”

Rice Lake City, who had played against Hayward United in friendlies and paired with the club as key voices in the forming of the new league, sees the league as a chance to develop the way people view the adult sport in Wisconsin. “The WPASL was simply the next step as we had so many teams playing in the RLASL… and so much more interest available… we came up with this extension of what the RLASL was already doing and started with a small piece of what will be a much larger puzzle, which will be eight teams in a league eventually. We have a long way to go but the future looks great for northern Wisconsin soccer! Investing in this now can only promote larger soccer in northern Wisconsin.”

The WPASL will play its first season in 2019 with six founding members, though more are expected for later seasons. The league will be the first of its kind through its efforts to unite a largely forgotten chunk of Wisconsin under the banner of soccer. Its current operation, like most of the leagues at its level, is humble at the moment, but lower league soccer in the upper Midwest all too often has shown us that such simple beginnings can easily birth clubs that compete at the top levels. Will WPASL follow the likes of DASL and MASL and provide the beginnings for the next big club? Only time will tell. Until then, the WPASL will make sure that northwest Wisconsin is on the map of the world’s game.

- Dominic Bisogno

Forward Thinking: How Forward Madison FC Decided Their Newly Beloved Crest

It’s rare to see the majority of the soccer world all in favor of a new crest. A crest that captures the personality of the city, colors brought by the eclectic residents, and one that stands out more than others. Forward Madison FC went to the community to get help for what is now one of the most beloved crests in the soccer community. And while the background story about the plastic flamingo and why it was chosen has made its way throughout the press, this is the story about how the crest was chosen and how it almost wasn’t the one that set the internet ablaze.

For those still unaware, USL League One’s new team Forward Madison FC, caught the eyes of many when it revealed its crest as a plastic pink flamingo- the city’s official bird after UW-Madison students put 1,008 plastic pink flamingo lawn ornaments across the university’s front lawn as a prank back in 1979, leading to the official adoption of the bird in 2009. This was the type of quirkiness and “Madison-ness” that Managing Director Peter Wilt wanted represented with the new crest and team in Madison.

“I think we wanted to reflect the spirit of the community. And Madison is a progressive community that doesn’t always follow the mainstream of the United States. As a community, they kind of forge their own path and they’re not always serious. That story of the flamingos is a representation of that culture that has been built in Madison, largely because it’s a university town and it has a progressive, indeed liberal, history that doesn’t always take itself so seriously.”

It wasn’t luck or going with a backstory that ultimately decided the crest. After Peter and his team- including Kuba Krzyzostaniak, Director of Fan Engagement and Digital Media -held focus groups, surveys, and input from the community, they knew they were on the right path of representing their community in a way that would make the town proud. Kuba spoke about the authenticity, saying:

“I think for us, it’s kind of a lot about being authentic and so with the uniqueness of the crest that being true to our community, true to Madison, and how people here view the city and view themselves as kind of being fun, quirky, and different. I think we’re just being really authentic and unique to what our community is about..”

However, the process was a long one and at times sailing wasn’t smooth. In fact, the crest we now love almost didn’t happen, as Peter Wilt explains:

“Forward was the ultimate decision on the name because it was the most popular voted name, we recognize that that name cannot really have a tangible icon that will help fans connect with. So, we started thinking about how we could get an icon incorporated into it. The one that was obvious to us was the Lady Forward statue and we did go down the road quite a bit with that,  to the point that we had several logo designs made with her in it and then a fan, who is also a friend of mine, a former season ticket holder with Chicago Fire, told me how disappointed she was that Flamingos didn’t make the final cut. I told her that after Forward, I think we had more submissions for Flamingos than any other name and I’ve always loved the flamingo story with Bascom Hill. So, I pushed it to our ownership and I was pleased that they embraced it. I think at first they may have been a little hesitant to go divert a little bit from tradition and have essentially inanimate pink plastic flamingo is a bit unusual but they quickly embraced it.”

Peter continued speaking about once the decision was made on the flamingos:

“So, once we had bought in internally, then it was a matter of getting the actual image of what it would look like, and that was a process that took longer than I think any of us wanted. We were busy trying to market the team and connect with the community and once we have a logo and a name, it’s easier to do. But we also recognize that you only get one chance to do this and we wanted to make sure it’s done right.”

And “right” they did. Moving forward, no pun intended, the club hopes to continue to build on its marketing and overall success by doing what’s worked: using the community’s voice. Kuba closed our interview thinking about the future.

“I think that’s kind of what it comes back to for us, is just building from the ground up and making sure we’re getting in front of everybody in our community as much as possible and telling them about our club and getting them excited. From the grassroots all the way up.”

- Jason Weintraub

SneakerHead Santa: Quality Kids and Sharp Kicks

The first thing that stands out is the beard. It’s a long, flowing, beast of a beard. Facial hair with a mind of its own. Certainly not the sort of beard you expect to find in an office setting. The second thing you notice is the flannel. In almost every picture you can find of Damon Gochneaur, he’s sporting a flannel shirt, sometimes buttoned up, sometimes unbuttoned, sometimes with a jacket or a vest over the top of it, but flannel is clearly the first choice in the man’s wardrobe. Beard and flannel, Damon.

Damon Gochneaur became known the soccer world when he and his partner, Michael Hitchcock, decided to start a soccer club in Denton. 2019 will find their club kicking off their first season in the NPSL. The Denton Diablos logo, written about here, is an imposing Demon, arms crossed, ready to administer pain and torture. The looming, shadowy face and the muscle-laced arms scream domination and aggression. Damon is the opposite. His look is hipster meets lumberjack and his kindness goes far beyond the soccer field.

Last year, Damon decided he wanted to give back to his community. And he had a specific idea on how he would do that, rooted in his own childhood. “I grew up blessed, but middle class. I bought myself my first pair of Jordan’s at 22, Paid for all my Copa’s and Puma King’s myself. I know the confidence a fresh pair of kicks provides. I know how much better I played when I had that little edge confidence gives. And I know what it’s like to be picked on for some off brand, worn out, tired sneakers.” With his background in mind, he decided to create a charity to reward the kids in his community who couldn’t afford a nicer pair of shoes: SneakerHead Santa.

His first year, Damon and his charity gave away 8 pairs of kicks to deserving kids. How does SneakerHead Santa find the right recipients for these shoes? To find the candidates, the charity does “work with coaches, teachers & administrators at high schools across the country to find really good kids, who get really good grades, have exceptional behavior, excel in some sort of extra curricular activity and have a significant financial need, whereby a really nice pair of sneakers, cleats, basketball shoes, could make a real difference in their life.”

Ohhhh Snaps!!!! First pair of kicks have been given away! Sneakerhead Santa strikes again folks. Visit our site, fill out the form & let us know who deserves the next pair. Want to donate a pair, visit https://t.co/vD36tRnVLi and let's change a kids life, w/a pair of sneakers. pic.twitter.com/cnMlkBUgOW

— SneakerHead Santa (@SneakrHeadSanta) December 6, 2017

To some, maybe a pair of nice sneakers is an odd choice, but to the kids receiving the shoes, it’s the world. Gochneaur has seen this first hand. “Every kid we gave them too last year broke down and cried when they got them. Every kid. All district football players, immigrant 10th grade soccer players, didn’t matter, all just wanted a fresh pair of kicks. And I get that more than most.” For kids, those shoes sum up style and taste. Not being able to afford awesome shoes leaves them out of the circle of cool kids. Earning a pair of shoes because they are working hard to succeed is a win-win.

How Denton will do in their first season remains to be seen. Most expansion teams struggle a bit in the beginning, as they work to put together a functional roster and a cohesive support staff. What will be a guaranteed success is this season of generous giving on the part of Damon and SneakerHead Santa. Don’t let the color of the beard fool you, he may be from the North Pole.

If you want to make a contribution or learn more about SneakerHead Santa, email them at sneakerheadsanta@gmail.com or hit up their website: here’s the link.

The Development Team – How a Club in Thessaloniki Inspired Perseverance in Wisconsin

Founded in 2008 and playing its first NPSL season in 2009, La Crosse Aris is a well-known club throughout the lower league landscape of the upper Midwest and a member of the more-recently formed NPSL North. The team’s legacy however, is far more complicated than its veteran status and year to year results may suggest. In search of what drives the club and its origins, I spoke with its founder, Greg Saliaras.

Saliaras founded the club as a tribute to his hometown club, Aris Thessaloniki of the Greek Super League. “It’s a team that’s been established for over 100 years. It’s one of the most historic clubs, especially up in the north in Greece. It has some championships and cups, it’s had some big European moments… I grew up as a fan of the team and always aspired to play for them…  we have tried in the past to build contacts with them… as of this point our closest point has been having a former player as our coach for several years.” Aris Thessaloniki was promoted back into the Super League last season and is sitting in seventh place as of the writing of this article after suffering relegation in connection to financial troubles.

Aris’ time in the NPSL North- and the NPSL in general -has been a tough history of bottom-of-the-table finishes. The club has a combined 0-2-26 record in the NPSL North and has finished last in both of its seasons. However, the nature of the club reveals that the observer should not allow these results to simplify the team as one that just can’t make it click. The team, based in the Wisconsin town of La Crosse, is the only lower league option in an area vastly under-targeted by the soccer community. This has helped form the club’s goal, which is not necessarily to collect points, but rather to pursue development. “We are a team that doesn’t really compete with points, it’s more of a development team. We are in a small market and we always use the team as a vehicle for the 16s, 17s, 18s, and early 20s to get experience at a higher level… and prepare for college.” This approach, while often tough, does bring about positive results. “This last year we had a kid from Holmen, which is an even smaller community than La Crosse. After playing for most of the season with us he went to Greece for a month and a half with a semi-pro team over there just to experience the game over there.” It’s these younger players that call LC Aris home that give the club purpose in its purest sense; to provide paths for local talent to find opportunities in the game in college and beyond.

Image courtesy of Steffenhagen Photography

In conjunction with this, LC Aris considers itself to be a powerful tool that can teach players to always put their best on the pitch regardless of what may have happened last week. “Our mission was always to put a good product on the field, not necessarily win but be competitive and develop youth.” That effort can help kids in La Crosse earn attention that La Crosse would otherwise completely lose out on. “A high school kid when he has two years of playing in the NPSL on his resume… it gives him a better opportunity to get a good scholarship or maybe to get into a better school… players here do not get any exposure… they have to compete with kids from Madison or Milwaukee and they’re so far from those hubs that they don’t get noticed.”

As Saliaras mentions, the Wisconsin scene is one dominated by eastern cities, while western centers- even those with a collegiate presence like La Crosse, Eau Claire, and River Falls -are often left completely off the guest list.

Aris’ experiment, while a challenge, does not lack the occasional prize. Aris’ earned attention during the 2018 NPSL season when it drew the conference champions, Minneapolis City, 0-0 and sent the Crows’ title claim into a brief chaos. The draw, though not entirely expected, is a source of positivity for Saliaras and the club. “We snuck up on them, we had a few other close games too. Toward the end of the season the team really came together… By midseason, we always put a bit better product out there. We almost snuck up on a couple teams actually.” That they did, putting up real fights against Dakota Fusion, Sioux Falls Thunder, and Duluth FC. Asked to summarize how things felt about the both famous and infamous draw, Saliaras simply said that Minneapolis “Were not very happy,” a situation that Aris couldn’t help but enjoy and feel was well-earned.

The year in general represented big improvements for Aris. “We held Duluth for the first half… we were very organized… our goalkeeper was phenomenal all year but towards the end the defense helped him out more… we came together as a team and looked really nice.” The team’s actions on the pitch impacted how the other teams viewed it, with many voices from the conference’s bigger clubs voicing that they saw real improvement coming out of La Crosse. Shortly after the season had ended, Minneapolis City assistant coach Derric Johnson voiced his opinions on the various clubs in the conference on Twitter and had this to say about Aris: “Despite their position on the table Aris made massive positive changes this year. Their shape and positioning was enormously improved… they were also the only team in the North to shutout the highest scoring team in the nation.”

I asked Saliaras about those improvements and how the club, which admittedly focused more on development than results, felt about the fact that it may very well be able to get better results. “Next year we are optimistic. We’re working on a couple deals right now to find different avenues to bring better plays in to support our talented players from last year… we are looking forward to next year.” With several clubs, particularly Sioux Falls and Dakota Fusion, managing to float above Aris with thirteen and fifteen points respectively, the idea that a few wins could change Aris’ reputation is anything but unwarranted.

Remember that club from the beginning of this article, Aris Thessaloniki? The club that had great passion and big moments but, until recently found itself spending three years in the second division due to financial issues? Aris Thessaloniki went from the highest of highs to quite a few lows over the last several years but has found itself back in the big time, playing against the giants of Greek football again. It is that fighting spirit and will to continue regardless of what happened the week before that we now see in La Crosse. Perhaps, just perhaps, in the near future we might see the club that put development before points finding itself following in the footsteps of its namesake, pulling itself up from struggles and making the best of the best remember its name. Until that time, La Crosse will continue to develop young talent and continue to play the beautiful game.

- Dominic Bisogno

Sticker Shock: Lower League Sticker Culture

Stickers are a big part of supporter culture in Europe. You see them all over the place in pictures of areas surrounding stadiums, plastered all over railings and signs. They often show allegiance to a certain Supporters Group, but they also show the love for a club. Now, that same craze has made its way stateside starting with lower league teams across the nation.

Teams all over the country have their own stickers out there, but there are a few that stick out in my mind. PDX FC, Providence City FC, Detroit City FC, and Snohomish County FC all do a great job with the stickers they produce. They all have multiple, high-quality designs that are recognizable by soccer fans across the United States. 

Across Europe, stickers and patches are often traded amongst the many supporters groups for clubs. While that is the case with some supporters groups in the US, such as Detroit City FC’s Northern Guard, many times it is the club themselves producing the stickers. While it is not the same culture as over in Europe, it is still a really cool phenomenon in the US. It isn’t done as much as a way for supporters groups to mingle, but more so as a way to promote the club’s brand and it is very effective. Stickers are an affordable way to promote your team and get the crest out there. As Snohomish County FC’s general manager, David Falk, points out, “They are something tangible that reaches out beyond the computer screen,” which is important for lower league teams trying to generate interest in the United States. Providence City FC’s general manager sees it in a similar way, saying, “Stickers are definitely not a direct source of income but an indirect [source], spreading our brand and cool logo which then people are able to gain awareness of our custom jerseys which many people order from all over the globe helping us spread the good word.” They are able to grow the brand of their club, which in turn will grow their club. Josh Duder of PDX FC said, “We knew we wanted to get the new design into people's hands but when you're on a tight budget, you have to find affordable ways to do that,” showing that the vast majority of clubs that sell stickers aren’t looking to necessarily make money off of them, but are rather looking to expand their reach as a club and get more people “in the know” about who they are. 

The Northern Guard is slightly different however. Dion Degennaro, the head of communications for the widely known supporters group, states, “We see it as an opportunity to make money and as a tool for promotion,” and goes on to say, “we spend a, frankly, shocking amount of money on smoke bombs and tifos…We have created a way to self sustain our style of support.” Like the clubs, they aren’t really turning a profit on the stickers either, but they are utilizing it as a way to help generate money for the Northern Guard’s antics. 

As far as the production of stickers, there are some teams around the nation that look for local vendors to produce their stickers for them. However, most of the clubs I spoke to mentioned StickerMule as their primary provider of stickers. Just a quick look through their site will show you why so many clubs use the site so much. Stickers are priced very affordably and there are many different styles to choose from. I reached out to StickerMule, who walked me through the process of an order. It was surprisingly quick and easy and within a couple of hours my proofs had been emailed to me. When they arrived the next week, I got the chance to see how high-quality the stickers were first-hand. They feel good. They look great. They’re extremely affordable. What else could you ask for?

The editor’s laptop, featuring several stickers from lower tier clubs.

You may be asking where all of these great designs come from. Well, most of these teams have designers on hand. The Northern Guard have a few people who make designs for tiffs, t-shirts, scarves, and stickers. Josh Duder did the initial designs for PDX FC before a Portland based company called CalyX took those ideas and turned them into the crest that we know today. Other stickers have also been designed by a local cartoonist named Ben McCamish. Alonso Villasenor is the sticker designer for Providence City FC, as well as a player on the team. For Snohomish County, design goes into the hands of Mark Patrick Lavis. These guys show the heart and soul of lower league soccer in each and every one of their stickers. 

Overall, stickers have become a big part of lower league soccer. They’re often given out with jerseys and give teams a way to grow their brand. The stickers are making their clubs’ crests even more recognizable within the soccer community. They’re something that let’s a fan show off their love for their local team. The popularity of stickers in the US is not even close to being at the level it is in Europe with some of those huge supporters groups, but it is beginning to grow into a more and more recognizable part of the lower leagues of America.

- Aarik Long

Making the Leap – Vlora City and Stepping into the UPSL

Based in Minneapolis, a club with several years of experience will soon find itself part of a nationwide league for the first time when Vlora City Football Club joins the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) in 2019.

Found in 2012 when it was created by Adi Bilani, Vlora’s expansion to the UPSL is a long time coming and the result of a process which has seen the club play in many forms. Bilani explained that the club has found its way up the ladder in Minnesota, “When the club was founded, it primarily competed in local tournaments in the Twin Cities metro area. After having success competing in local tournaments the decision was made to join the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League.”

Despite the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League’s (MASL) status as a beloved league within Minnesota, Vlora City knew it had the potential to take the next step. “After a few years of competing in the MASL the club was able to work its way up to the league’s top division… During this time the club began setting up friendlies against some of Minnesota’s semi pro teams and after having good showings in theses matches, the club decided it was ready for a higher level of competition.”

Vlora City FC will be joining the UPSL’s Midwest-North Division in the spring of 2019. The division is best known for its Wisconsin clubs, which include the Madison 56ers, Milwaukee Bavarians, and Hrvatski Orlovi (Croatian Eagles), but is also home to two Minnesota clubs; Granite City and FC Minneapolis. Both Minnesota clubs had tough first seasons in the UPSL, with Granite City earning a record of 2-0-8 and FC Minneapolis finishing last on the table with a record of 0-1-9. But all three clubs- along with the newly announced Rochester FC -will be hoping to change the narrative in 2019.

Despite the massive endeavor ahead, Vlora made it clear it has no plans to end its time in the MASL and will continue to field both its first and second MASL teams. “Yes, we will be maintaining both MASL teams. The teams will compete in DI and DIII of the MASL because we want to still provide opportunities for players to develop their skills and play at higher levels.”

Vlora City FC finished the 2018 MASL season in seventh place out of ten with a 6-2-10 record in Division 1, while Vlora City II finished second in the MASL’s Division 4 and earned promotion to the third division with a 13-0-3 record. With its presence in the MASL confirmed for 2019, Vlora City finds itself on the brink of a ladder of playing opportunities that, if executed well, could leave it a powerful entity. While Minnesota’s footprint in the UPSL is very much at an early stage, Vlora City and its growing network seem determined to enter the fray with some of the upper Midwest’s top organizations.

Vlora City’s notability doesn’t end at its growing network or recent promotions. The club earned attention and admiration recently after posting on social media that it currently had thirty nationalities or ethnicities present on its rosters. Those nationalities are: Albanian, Bosnian, Mexican, Somalian, Kenyan, American (US), Jamaican, Congolese, Liberian, Nicaraguan, Ecuadorian, Zambian, Mauritian, Brazilian, Spanish, Guinean, Ghanaian, Honduran, Sierra Leonean, Thai, Ivorian, Ukiranian, Hmong, South Sudanese, Guatamalan, Italian, Togolese, Ethiopian, Czech, and Djiboutian.

With players representing four continents, Vlora City finds itself representing, in quite a big way, a common theme in the United States when it comes to sports and most certainly the beautiful game. The fact that an organization containing people and ideas from every corner of the world finds itself growing positively in just about every way is perhaps the best testament to how soccer can provide bridges across ways of life.

Vlora City maintains that the sense of community and diversity that persists around the club is not just a positive, but a core value. “We believe that our diversity as a club is our strength. We want our club to be a model for other clubs by being a club that fully embraces all players for their love of the game. We believe everyone deserves opportunities regardless of their race, skin color, or ethnicity.”

The club expands on its diversity on its website’s “About Us” page, featured on vloracityfc.com: “The club aims to use its diverse makeup and experiences to develop players who have strong character and integrity in order to pursue their dream and be change agents within the community.”

If there is one lesson to be learned from Vlora City’s story- a story that starts in local tournaments and now finds it a new member of the UPSL -it is that clubs should pursue diversity as a point of strength. As Bilani puts it, “Everyone is welcome at Vlora City FC.”

- Dominic Bisogno

Riverside County Cup 2018: A Champion Is Crowned

It seems like I have been preaching about the Riverside County Cup for a whole year now, but in reality it has just been an action packed month and a half. It started out with four clubs and quickly transitioned to three after unforeseen circumstances knocked the Riverside Coras Football Club out of the competition. The event marched on though and three markets collided to try to become champions of this prestigious event. The tournament changed from a bracket to a round robin style tournament featuring Temecula FC (NPSL), Toros Neza USA (UPSL) and City Legends FC (UPSL). But the tournament itself went through an evolution since the inaugural event in 2017, when the competition was settled between two NPSL rivals: Temecula FC and Riverside Coras FC.

This year's installment of the competition was settled after four matches and 22 goals. The Quails created an atmosphere for each match in this competition and showed the potential of regional soccer tournaments.

Match One:

Temecula FC 2, Toros Neza USA 1

The first match of the competition kicked off at TFC's home stadium, Chapparel High School. The atmosphere was incredible: music was pumping, fans were shouting, and the stadium was draped in signs showing support of their home club.

The action on the field warranted this special event. The tempo was fast paced while both teams looked to open each other up on the counterattack. In the first half, the Quails looked for the long ball and targeted the Toros left back from the get go. Temecula's multiple attacks at the Toros left back would lead to the first card of the match, in the 18th minute. Toros Neza tried to fight out of its own half, but was allowed little time on the ball. The first goal came in the 36th minute after a corner from the Quails. The first half was all TFC, as the Toros Neza attack was forced to shoot from bad angles, thirty plus yards out.

Once the second half started, it looked like control had switched from TFC to Toros Neza, as the Bulls piled on attempt after attempt. Toros Neza's passing became sharper and more accurate; it began to control the midfield and dictate tempo. This new passing mentality forced Temecula to have its once strong positional structure become dismantled as each player scrambled trying to force a turnover. Then, in the 75th minute, Toros Neza tied it up off a corner of its own. The game was on and the TFC backline became aggressive, stopping plays in the midfield and driving into the opponent's box. It was that aggression that helped unhinge Toros Neza and in the 90th minute. TFC scored, earning three points in front of its home crowd.

“Hats off to the Toros, they came out and played a great game. We were just a little better today, we had it all connected from our forwards to our mids and to our back. All around it was a great game and I look forward to the next one.”

-Man of the Match, Justin Picou of Temecula FC

Match Two:

City Legends FC 2, Temecula FC 3

The second match fell on October 13th, which is Non-League Day. Non-League Day is a day that celebrates the soccer being played in the small communities around the world, the communities that don't earn millions off broadcasting deals. These communities participate in the sport because they love it and gives their community an opportunity to create something unique; for the community, by the community.

City Legends came out quick in this first match. It used its fullbacks to apply pressure inside the midfield and forced plenty of turnovers from Temecula FC. The size difference became apparent early on and the Quails began to look for opportunities to find the heads of their tall attackers. At about the 25 minute mark, possession began to favor Temecula but the Quails still had problems breaking down the CLFC back line. After 35 minutes and a couple of huge saves from the City Legends keeper, TFC found itself on the board from a screaming shot into the top corner. Initially the aggressive CLFC fullbacks helped destroy plays, but the playstyle began to leave their backline open which led to many chances for the Quails attack.

The second half kicked off and it looked like City had begun to make some offensive progress through dribbling. The City attack was winning one-on-one duels, but just couldn't find the final pass. TFC began to sit and focus on playing defensively and countering when opportunities presented themselves. In the 72nd minute, TFC scored its second, then turned around and grabbed another in the 78th minute. The transition was killing City, but it was not done-for. Legends would put in two goals back-to-back: one headed ball after a scramble in the box and then a shot from outside the box in the 83rd. Their comeback would fall short as they couldn't grab a third and TFC picked up its second victory.

Match Three:

Toros Neza USA 2, Temecula FC 3

For the third match, Toros Neza USA welcomed the Quails to Grand Terrace High School and the Dirty Birds (TFC supporters group) followed. In the first half the Quails took a lead of 2-1 against the fighting Toros. Temecula FC would go on to seal the victory with a scoreline of 3-2.

Match Four:

Temecula FC 8, City Legends FC 1

With a win, the Quails would seal up their second straight Riverside County Cup. With a couple more weeks of UPSL play, City Legends propelled itself into first place within its division and had been playing strong soccer, earning results against top clubs within the division. But this second match against NPSL competition proved to be too much for City. The stadium was packed and the crowd was itching for the victory.

City played this game in the 4-2-3-1 formation and used the double-pivot to help seal up the midfield and offer more defensive solidity; a change from its normal 4-3-3 in which it would often only employ one defensive midfielder whose main focus wasn't to help the defense. This defensive tactic used by City forced TFC to send multiple numbers forward, often using five attackers to receive long passes from deep within midfield. The match wouldn't carry on too long without a goal. TFC claimed its first in the eleventh minute after a long diagonal pass found the left winger open in space. After receiving it, he sent in a long cross towards the back post, scoring the first goal. The early goal allowed the Quails to sit back and possess the ball in their own half while they waited for the City defense to open up. TFC would go on to score two more in the first half, while City was able to grab one in the 26th minute off a beautiful free kick on top of the TFC box.

In the second half Temecula would rain down five more goals and showed complete dominance in the match. Temecula had identified a weakness at the back post on crosses and scored seven of its eight goals from that tactic. Legends never adapted to Temecula's gameplan and the Quails continued to be relentless.

I caught up with Temecula FC’s head coach, Austin Levins, after the match.

Your team found the back post with almost every goal. Was that part of the instruction from you or was it something the players figured out on the pitch?

“We've been working a lot in the last few weeks on combination play and opening up with explosive speed. I think that was reflective with how the guys played today. We opened up chances at the last second and we were ready to pounce on it and hit it first time. Unfortunately for City Legends they caught the tail end of that and they've been punished by it today. Credit to them, they kept going to the final whistle.”

How does it feel to win the second ever Riverside County Cup?

“We are absolutely delighted. The guys played their hearts out. We worked very hard in training to change a few things from the NPSL season. We looked at our formation, who we had involved and redefined a few roles. They've done their club proud, they've done their community proud and we had great support. It's been a great four games. It just goes to show what the power of the game can be sometimes. Hopefully there are more clubs that want to be involved next year and we grow this tournament to be what it can be, it has shown the best of what's in Riverside County. Hopefully next year the tournament is even bigger and better and make it three in a row.”

---

For the second year in a row Temecula wins the Riverside County Cup. After the win the crowd in the stadium was ecstatic. The supporters came onto the field singing “Campeones! Campeones!” The Dirty Birds managed to save a few smoke bombs to let off  and filled the field with red and black smoke. It was an event that the community was proud to be a part of.

This regional tournament has shown that it can be something for the community and not just the teams playing on the pitch. Neighboring communities have the opportunity to build rivalries against other clubs giving fans more to cheer about. The dream of the Riverside County Cup is to include all amateur teams in the area. It will continue develop passion and give young players the opportunity to play in the very same competition they watched. Local soccer is all about pride and community, two things that were on display during these matches.

- Steven Ramirez

Lowcountry United's Offseason Yielding Results

Last season, Lowcountry United burst onto the UPSL scene with a bang. Few teams, even those clubs with long histories, could compare with the LUFC’s combination of powerful branding and on the field success. The logo, the kits, the social media marketing: all contributed to a massive amount of attention for a debut season. Led by their owner Alan Bahadori, focusing on social media was part of the game plan from the beginning. “In the early days, we used social media as a way to highlight our club and what we were building, used it as a valuable tool that connects us with others.” That connection paid off in multiple ways - “We began selling club merchandise and holding events, scrimmages, posting games schedules, etc.” On the field, the club came out of the gate sprinting. Lowcountry United finished the season champions of their division before being eliminated in the Southeast Conference Final, just one match from the Spring Nationals. To describe their first season as a success would be a massive, dramatic understatement.

But while things seemed to be going great for Lowcountry United, a primary issue for the club was a lack of a permanent home where they could charge for admittance. Due to restrictions in the city of Charleston, SC, LUFC was unable to charge for matches, which resulted in loss of revenue and general disinterest from the soccer fans in the city. Because the club couldn’t charge for matches, people saw the matches as unimportant and skipped out. This lack of fan interest was disheartening, but the club continued to deliver results on the league table.

“Lowcountry United is a club of opportunity, a platform for local players to compete at the highest levels available”

— Alan Bahadori - LUFC Executive Director

After so much success in the Spring 2018 season, Lowcountry United decided to put everything on the field on pause and took the Fall season off. The club-issued statement at the time listed the goals for the off time - “obtaining an official new home venue, finding sustainable club revenue streams, player recruitment & development, coaching staff, community partners & sponsorships.” Placing the venue first on the list was no accident. Even though much effort had already been made to find a permanent home, Bahadori felt like he could make a difference in the added time off. His efforts paid off this week.

The club announced this week that Woodland High School is Lowcountry United’s new Official Home Venue Partner. The field features a brand new artificial surface, dual locker rooms, 10,000 seating capacity, and a WiFi-equipped press box. As part of the partnership, the club will provide player development opportunities for the high school’s soccer players. LUFC went from a club without a permanent home to a club with one of the best facilities in their conference. Taking the time off seems to be paying off.

Also announced this week was another strategic partnership between Lowcountry United and Ladson Youth Organization. LYO has been in operation for over 50 years, serving the children of the community by offering opportunities in sports and recreation. Lowcountry United, in conjunction with Ladson Youth Organization, will “provide a program that offers a true player development pathway to the LUFC senior team.” Bahadori sees even bigger things in the future - “We look forward to growing this program into an elite local academy.”

For Bahadori and Lowcountry United, taking the Fall Season off just made sense. They went into the break with a plan that had specific objectives and the results are showing. For Bahadori, taking the time off was “important and necessary.” “We have to have the club be set up and in place for many years to come. This fall season has been the beginning of that process of taking the next step and letting LUFC begin to start living up to the extreme potential trial that is has as a soccer club.”

- Dan Vaughn

Los Angeles joins the battle in the NPSL South West

“I just want to say that we are really excited and we are going to do some fun stuff in Los Angeles: within the community, with soccer, as well as [within] the NPSL. We look to be good representatives of the Southwestern conference.”

— Harry Tachian

Every new soccer season brings new clubs. Regardless of which soccer league you look at, expansion is just a function of this growing culture.  While some fans in this country continue to wait on the Miami Beckham expansion, the NPSL has continued to develop roots in small and major communities. The next major city to hit the NPSL roster, Los Angeles.

Los Angeles United Football Club held it's introductory press conference in the heart of Los Angeles, and Protagonist Soccer was there to cover it. The venue was intimate and extremely comfortable; it had the appearance of Los Angeles, and the spirit local soccer.

LA United FC is led by Harry Tachian, a passionate soccer fan, successful businessman and entrepreneur who is looking to bring new flair to the Los Angeles soccer scene. Joining the already crowded Los Angeles market may be challenging, but Tachian looks to bring in his own “...style of fun and passion” to his new city, while promoting the diversity within Los Angeles.

“That’s the beauty of LA and that’s why we are called Los Angeles United. We are in a very diverse city, and that’s what I want to focus on. Whether that’s Latino or any other culture or race. We are open to everyone.”

— Harry Tachian

Harry Tachian and LA United have over six months until the start of the 2019 season, but still have plenty of work ahead of them. One task LAUFC has been quick to tackle, is it's need of a home stadium. “ We've identified a few locations and venues. We are in the midst of [discussions] and we will be making that announcement once we have that [ finalized].”

The stadium isn't the only thing that needs to be local, the players also need to reflect the community and the values of the club. While United has yet to roster any player, they continue to plan tryouts and search for the team members that can bring a competitive edge to the club. When asked about a preferred play style, Tachian replied,  “ I will be looking for a coach and trainers that will implement different styles. Bring something new and mix it up. There is no one style to play. Soccer to me is like philosophy, it's an art work.”

LA United becomes the eighth club in the NPSL Southwestern Conference. Harry, whose always had a dream of owning a soccer club, met Brandon Jantz (owner of Temecula FC) and immediately struck a bond with him and the NPSL. “The NPSL has a certain camaraderie that I appreciated” said Tachian, who was impressed by the South West slogan: “ partners off the field and competitors on the field.”

Passion planted the seed the seed that is LAUFC. As the club continues to grow, it's roots will burrow deeper within the community creating players, coaches and fans. Every season that club will bear new fruit, helping the entire community prosper. I for one looked forward to that first harvest and the flavor Los Angeles can bring to the NPSL.

SoCal Power Rankings

With the SoCal season coming to a close, it's time to merge the South and North into the top ten power rankings for both the Pro Premier and Championship.

Tier One: SoCal Pro Premier

1. California United FC II

California UFC II has been unstoppable this season. Every game has been merciless with the club winning in style and with marginal scorelines. Its toughest match came against OCFC 2 and United walked away with a 2-0 victory. Currently it has only allowed one goal this season and has scored 35. These next couple of weeks offer the biggest challenge as it plays Santa Ana Winds FC on Sunday and continues its U.S. Open Cup qualification on November 18th against Cal FC.

2. Cal FC

The undefeated team in the North comes in a close second with a chance to topple my first place team this weekend during Open Cup action. Cal FC has been dominant throughout its season in the north and has yet to be challenged by league competition. When against second place LA Wolves FC, Cal came out with a 5-1 victory. Cal FC has allowed three goals this season and scored a total of 26.

3. Santa Ana Winds FC

The Winds have been almost flawless this season. They have shown their dominance against their Northern rivals LA Wolves and have beaten tough South competition in the likes of Orange County FC 2. Their one loss this season came from a week four disaster trip to Gremio FC SD, where they lost 3-0. The Winds look to continue their qualification run this week against SoCal Premier side Buena Park FC. Santa Ana currently has a goal differential of plus six.

4. Orange County FC 2

Standing atop the SoCal South table, this first place team has played two to three more matches than its Southern counterparts. OCFC 2 has played against every club in its competition and during the matches with the other two top clubs in its division- Cal United FC II and Santa Ana Winds FC -it could not earn a result, losing 2-0 and 3-2 respectively.

5. LA Wolves FC

The Wolves sit in second place within SoCal North having only lost one match to the first place Cal FC. LA also had its U.S. Open Cup run snuffed out by rival Santa Ana Winds FC. While they have done well inside their division- averaging three goals a match -the Wolves have yet to show dominance against the top contenders in the division. They earned a narrow victory over recently promoted Kern County Mustangs and beat third place Sporting San Fernando 2-0.

6. Sporting San Fernando

Sporting San Fernando is running with a perfect away record, beating some of the lower placed clubs in the division. With the club's eighteen goals out of six matches, SSF has only allowed ten so far. Last week it picked up one of its biggest victories against Kern County Mustangs, but is due for its biggest match of the season this weekend against Cal FC.

7. Kern County Mustangs FC

This newly promoted club has done well in its first Pro Premier season. After winning last season's Championship promotion playoff, it has gone on to score eighteen goals in seven games. It has already faced the top clubs in the competition, losing narrowly against Cal FC and LA Wolves FC. Their recent loss to Sporting San Fernando drops the Mustangs into seventh in the Pro Premier power rankings.

8. San Diego Premier Pros FC

If you had a chance to listen to my appearance on the Lower League Soccer Show, then you know that I picked this San Diego Club to win it all in the South. Unfortunately for the Premier Pros, they have been unable to maintain their form from the beginning of the season. They have competed against two of the top three and were able to earn a point against OCFC 2, but were annihilated 7-1 at the hands of California United FC II. They go on to face Santa Ana Winds FC on November 17th and look to continue to turn around their season and march up the table. They currently operate with a goal differential of plus one.

9. San Diego Zest FC

San Diego Zest is currently battling for the title of best in San Diego. It traveled to San Diego Premier Pros FC and took a point, then welcomed Gremio to its home stadium and served its guests up a 5-1 beatdown. Its season form is on the up though as it has earned ten points in its last four matches and look to continue that upward trajectory as it faces Newcastle United FC this Sunday night. In its six games, it has scored fourteen goals and allowed eighteen.

10. Lionside FC

Lionside's best result came pretty early on against the now third place Sporting San Fernando. This week two matchup saw LFC earn a 2-2 draw away from home. Fortunes have not always been on LFC's side though, especially after being knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup by Santa Ana Winds FC. This week it faces off against LA Wolves FC after not having played a match in two weeks. Hopefully it can pick up a much needed win and maintain its perfect home record.

Tier Two: Championship

1. LA 10 FC

This rebranded club has had a dominant season this year. LA 10 has averaged almost five goals a match and has only allowed ten goals all season. While it still has two very tough games at the end of the season, it has shown that its high-flying offense can score against any opposition. LA's toughest result was earned against a home-sided Warriors FC where it earned a 3-2 victory. LA 10 FC will look to remain undefeated as it faces off against Tiburones Rojos USA this Saturday.

2. City Legends FC

In their inaugural season, the City Legends have shown that they are ready for promotion as they continue their run to remain undefeated. Their strength of schedule has also been no laughing matter, earning victories against the top clubs within their division. Their only draw came from a 3-3 match against Disciples FC.

3. Newhall Premier

This is where the Championship power rankings get a little funky. Newhall earns the third spot based on its strength of schedule. Its one draw came at the hands of San Fernando Valley FC, but it has seen great success against strong teams like Warriors FC and Revolution FC. Its toughest match yet will be in the last week of play against LA 10 FC, but the club looks poised to earn six more points before that. It has also scored eighteen goals while only allowing six.

4. Inland Empire FC

IEFC has been a powerhouse within the SoCal South this season. It has allowed the fewest goals within both the North and South divisions and remained undefeated until its recent battle against City Legends FC. The club also looks to be in position to remain at the top of the South table as it has a favorable last four matchups.

5. San Fernando Valley FC

Currently ranked second in the North table, SFVFC remains undefeated with a goal differential of plus ten. What drops SFVFC down to fifth in the power rankings is its strength of schedule. Until this point San Fernando has only faced one of the top five clubs within its division and that result ended in a 1-1 draw. San Fernando’s toughest portion of the schedule comes the next three weeks where it faces all top contenders in the North.

6. Santa Ana Winds II

Santa Ana has proven to be a powerful organization within southern California soccer. The Winds II started off the year with four straight victories, then losing two times in a row to two of the top competitors in the division: City Legends FC and California Rush SC. Its last three matches will prove to be challenging as it faces off against the remaining two teams of the top five: Inland Empire FC and Disciples FC.

7. Warriors FC

Another first year club coming up strong in southern California. It is tied for second within both Championship divisions for the most goals scored. It has scored 24 goals this season and has allowed fifteen. It has remained a tough team to play against, even battling first place LA 10 to a 3-2 loss. WFC's remaining schedule is quite favorable and it only plays one top contender in its final three matches.

8. Disciples FC

Disciples FC has played spoiler to both City Legends FC and IEFC, giving both of those clubs their only draws of the season. The Disciples Football Club has only lost one match this season and look to carry its form throughout the rest of the schedule. Even with three draws, the Disciples have managed to have a plus nine goal differential.

9. California Rush SC

While the Rush sit above Disciples FC in the table, it has also lost to all top competitors. CRSC's biggest challenge comes this weekend as it faces a traveling Disciples side that is eager to jump above the Rush in the table. It currently is tied on point totals with Disciples FC, but have a higher goal differential of plus eleven.

10. SoCal Troop FC

Rounding off the top ten is another South competitor; SoCal Troop FC. The third team in the South that is tied with twelve points, but falls to the others on goal differential. It has scored fifteen goals this season and has allowed nine. One of its four wins comes against the top five competitors and its remaining schedule looks to be a big hill to climb. But with a few more victories, the Troop can launch itself into the potential promotion candidates.

These last few weeks will play host to some of the toughest must-see matches of the season. Will the table remain in its current form, or will a club climb the rankings and achieve glory? Stay tuned, because it's firing up out here in southern California.

- Steven Ramirez

Editor’s Note: The score of the Cal FC/LA Wolves FC was misreported 3-0, it has been corrected to reflect the correct score of 5-1.

Minneapolis City SC Announce Changes and Expansions Ahead of 2019

NPSL Midwest-North Conference winners and proud Crow enthusiast Minneapolis City made a series of big announcements regarding the club’s staff and levels of play over the last three days.

The first change has moved two-year first team head coach Adam Pribyl to the position of Athletics Director. Pribyl has coached the Crows through their two seasons in the NPSL and leaves his current position with an 18-5-6 record. Pribyl won the Midwest-North conference of the NPSL with the Crows in 2018, famously doing so without losing a regular season match. Needless to say, the move puts a person who knows the club well in an important position, managing staff and resources at both a broad and small scale. Pribyl’s change in position begins a bit of a tradition in the NPSL North, which has existed in its current state for two seasons, in which the conference-winning head coach ceases to coach his side after winning said title.

City’s next move was announced on November 6th as it made public that it would begin fielding a U19 side in 2020, a decision made via an “Overwhelmingly positive member vote” according to the club’s announcement. With a functioning U23 already being fielded in 2018, the U19 side represents the formation of a full scale ladder of development for the club. The club’s announcement, featured on its website, states that “This will give Minneapolis City a complete pathway from high school to college to, potentially, professional soccer for local players. It also gives the club the ability to work with players long enough to have a meaningful impact on their development.” Speaking with Dan Hoedeman, co-founder of Minneapolis City, it was revealed that while the club is still considering its options when it comes to where the U19s will play, the overall goal is very clear. “What is most important to us is competitive level, so expect the team to participate in some elite tournaments and premier friendlies in addition to their training with the players from the U23 and NPSL team.”

Speaking of its U23 side, Minneapolis City also announced a big change for its U23s with the placing of Jeremy Handler as the side’s new head coach. Handler is a major example of experience within the Twin Cities, having worked for Augsburg University and Hamline University as an assistant coach for men’s and women’s soccer teams. Handler also holds a role within Minnesota United FC as a Development Academy Apprentice Coach and has spent a period of time as an assistant coach for one of City’s NPSL rivals, the Minnesota TwinStars. Minneapolis City U23 played its first season as an independent side, playing non-conference matches against the likes of Granite City (UPSL), Bugeaters (UPSL) and the Milwaukee Bavarians U23 team.

In terms of the future for the U23 Crows and how they may or may not expand, Hoedeman had this to say: “We got a lot out of our independent season, primarily because we were able to schedule some top teams. That said, there is value in having a team competing within a league, playing meaningful games and trying to win a title… we are looking at league options for the U23s to match the pro model.”

City’s final announcement was perhaps its biggest, with the Crows announcing that Matt VanBenschoten would become their first team head coach for 2019, a season which will see the team defend its conference title and compete in the U.S. Open Cup. VanBenschoten coached the club’s U23 side for its first year of existence in 2018 and also served as assistant coach for the first team.

Matt vanBenschoten (far left) - Image courtesy of mplscitysc.com

On his first team’s new head coach, Hoedeman explained that VanBenschoten’s interpersonal connection to the people he works with was a key factor. “The players like and respect him. Part of why they do is his commitment to them--he puts in a ton of time, so much thought, and a lot of passion into creating a context for each of them to succeed individually and as a collective. In other words, he cares. To have someone like that is critical. We want those guys to succeed not just with us but beyond us as well”.

The club admits in its own announcement that these large-scale changes may very well provide challenges in the short term. “This season, there will be a level of transition, both in the coaching ranks and in the playing ranks.”  But the idea that it will allow the club to become more stable and productive in the long term has been determined to be a risk well worth it. Time will tell how these changes play out, but at the moment it is clear that Minneapolis City is looking for ways to make an already impressive project become something more. Bringing stability and quality to the Twin Cities area when it comes to soccer opportunities will surely be a major achievement for the state and the sport; Minneapolis City seems to have its eye on becoming the source for that change.

- Dominic Bisogno

Soccer in the Valley of the Sun

The sentiment from Sporting AZ FC’s Director of Operations, Kyle Kepner, is optimistic. Even in the parking lot following a tough 2nd Qualifying Round loss to El Paso’s Southwest FC, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic about the state of soccer in Phoenix and at Sporting AZ as a club. The Phoenix area has become a focal point in a national sense now as Phoenix Rising FC became the second area club to reach the Final of a national league this year, Sporting AZ being the first.

Sporting AZ’s run to the UPSL Final in the Spring season 2018, as well as a run to the US Open Cup’s Third Round which included a defeat of their USL finalist counterparts in Phoenix, put Sporting into a much larger spotlight than their conference might provide. The Southwest Conference of the UPSL is still young, and with it being one of the smallest conferences in the league, it may be implied that it is also one of the weakest. That proved to be a poor assumption as Kyle added, “It’s strong. It’s small but if you look at how we matched up against FC Grande [Las Cruces, NM], Soutwest FC. and MSC [United Mesa, AZ] over the course of the season…we got to Denver and found that we were an excellent match for the other conference champs too. That was very exciting and very fulfilling and it should be encouraging to anyone who’s involved with a club in this conference.”

“It’s still a small soccer community, but it’s a good one.”

— Kyle Kepner, Director of Operations for Sporting AZ FC

Sporting’s run last season may have put them on the map in terms of those who follow amateur soccer and certainly those who follow the Open Cup. What does the run mean for the club and the most often overlooked members of the soccer community when it’s discussed online: the players? “Sporting AZ FC is a place for young talents to get a place to play on a bigger stage…We have a ton of ex-pro players on our club. The stories they can tell about their journey to where they are now are phenomenal…Tony Cascio is a terrific example. He was finished with his pro career he thought and was encouraged to pick it back up and now he’s a key piece of our organization. The more encouragement and stories we can get in front of the youth out there, that is the project here.”

The philosophy of encouragement and bringing players through the club and sending them on to bigger things is one that we’ve seen but the connection to the higher levels of Phoenix soccer is perhaps unique. “Having beaten Phoenix Rising in the Open Cup and earning their respect instead of turning them off to us was just phenomenal,” Kepner explained, “We have an embarrassment of riches in Arizona. We got to play the Rapids in Tucson, we played Sporting Kansas City on Rising’s field. The integration allows our players opportunities against great opposition.” There is no formal relationship with Phoenix Rising, but these contacts and a willingness to work with outside entities at the professional level have granted Sporting AZ opportunities that some teams deny themselves.

Kyle Kepner, Director of Operations

With this focus on the ideals and philosophy of the club, one might forgive Sporting for focusing on that and putting the more pragmatic parts of the game to the side. Make no mistake, Sporting AZ is as much about winning as they are about improving the quality of the game in the Phoenix area. When asked about the goals for 2019, Kyle did not hesitate, “First and foremost we want to win the conference.” That will become just that much harder of a goal this year, with the addition of High Plains Drifters FC and Tapatio FC (both of Amarillo, TX) and Summerlin Red Rocks (Las Vegas, NV). The quality of the squads is still to be seen, but the travel and quantity of clubs will make the conference that much more competitive. But with that expansion, Kyle sees a lot more potential for expansion in the UPSL Southwest. “I want to be really greedy and say that we can get a nice conference right here in the Valley [of the Sun, the Phoenix Metropolitan Area]. Certainly it’s possible to have multiple teams in Tucson. It would be great in the coming years if we could see a little more regionalization.” Certainly as the Southwest grows and the communities embracing their squads expand, it does not seem crazy to see Sporting AZ in an Arizona Division of the Southwest Conference, with teams like FC Grande and Southwest FC headlining a Camino Real Division in New Mexico and West Texas (what can I say, I’m a history nerd and that would be cool. Look it up).

The one area where Phoenix is somewhat lacking is in available fields and stadiums. Kyle lamented, “There’s a severe lack of quality playing surfaces on [the east side] of town relative to the number of youth teams and now UPSL teams.”  There is currently an initiative focused on changing that. Mesa Plays has put forward a plan that would put a $60 million sports complex in Mesa that would include surfaces for practically every sport played in the United States. “Part of the initiative is a 2,500 seat stadium which would revolutionize how our clubs are viewed as far as being attractive to players and fans around town,” said Kyle. This is a potential game changer for the area as perception of the club certainly impacts how sponsors and likely supporters act in regard to the club. The difference between being viewed as a representative of the community and being viewed as an amateur or even youth team, can be a legitimate venue. With this change, the Southwest, and Sporting AZ could remain a focal point of the UPSL. (Editor’s Note: Sadly Mesa Plays “Question 5” failed at the polls 46%-54%)

Sporting AZ has focused on improving the quality not only of their play on the field, but also of their soccer community. With the profile of the club and conference being consistently raised over the last year, and expansion on the horizon, we could be looking at this “small soccer community” and seeing all the progress that belief in a community, its players, and supporters can provide.

- Phil Baki

On and Off The Pitch – Supporting The Community with SPAM FC

Amid the vast number of clubs making it happen in the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League (MASL), a club with a simple name and a powerful message is changing its community on and off the pitch. SPAM FC’s origins are scattered across years of life in soccer, from the youth level in the late ‘90s to the promotion/relegation landscape of the modern MASL.

“SPAM FC dates back to 1998, when we were just nine and ten-year-old boys… Many of us grew up playing youth soccer for a team called Spam. After our college careers, we wanted to revive our childhood friends and Spam… In 2011, we started SPAM FC and competed in the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League in Division 4.”

The name, though quite straightforward, is an eye catching one. The club explained that the origins of its moniker are quite simply an inspiration from their youth. “Spam was our youth team that most of us played on… in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Although we were a community-based team, we became very competitive, playing at the premier level for club and competing for several state titles in high school.”

While it started in the MASL’s Division 4, the club’s first team is now a mainstay in the first division, a place earned on the pitch. Its success helped inspire the group to look beyond the actual game for ways to help people. “[We] started at the lowest level, we shot our way up to the first division in four years. Along the way, we wanted to develop a soccer platform to make a positive impact in the community, which led to the start of SPAM FC Scholarship Foundation in 2014.”

That scholarship, officially titled as the SPAM FC Scholarship Foundation, is perhaps the club’s greatest impact on its community. “SPAM FC and the SPAM FC Scholarship Foundation exists in parallel… The Foundation is our way to give back to the community because our soccer community gave us so much when we were growing up.” The focus of the foundation is to raise money to help students who have experience playing soccer to help them pay for post-secondary education. The scholarship has helped twenty students since 2014, with ten students benefiting from the latest scholarship in 2017. In the last three iterations of the scholarship, the number of students that received funds has roughly doubled every year.

A key provider for the scholarship is a tournament held by the club which uses admission fees to raise money. “SPAM FC Scholarship Tournament is one of four major fundraisers that we have annually. The tournament is a one-day, 6v6, coed, pickup-style tournament in mid-June. We average about 8 teams per year. The entry fee is $200 and players get free food and a tournament t-shirt. During that event, we raise between $2500 - $3500 with additional donations. All the proceeds go to the SPAM FC Scholarship Foundation.”

While the tournament provides the most action-packed source of funds for the scholarship, many other methods are utilized by the club to be able to provide support to a growing number of students. “In addition to the tournament, we host an annual SPAM FC Banquet in January, a GoFundMe campaign, a profit-sharing event with Steel Toe Brewery, and participate in the Minnesota Give to the Max Day in mid-November.”

Further information on its charitable activities can be found on the club’s website, spamfc.com.

Following its growing infrastructure, SPAM FC started a second team, called SPAM FC 09, which currently plays in the MASL’s Division 4. The expansion provided more opportunities for players but also added to the list of tasks and challenges laying before the club. “The benefit is that our club continues to grow. Having two teams is tough to manage. We are volunteers that have full time jobs, run a non-profit, and manage a growing football club… There are good days, there are bad days, but most days are incredible… we get to grow the game of soccer with the people we care for and support young people as they pursue higher education.” 

Its foundation and fundraisers are a reflection of one of the key principles at the core of the club, a sense that the sport is an opportunity to unite support. “When we were growing up our team comprised of kids that came from upper middle class, middle class, low-income housing, and new immigrants. At a young age we discovered soccer, which became our common denominator… We had parents that are executives and parents that worked 3 or 4 jobs to ensure there's enough food on the table so that their kids would have the best opportunity to do their best in school.”

The spirit of unity is not in itself a unique trait in lower league soccer, or soccer in general, but it is the way that SPAM FC talks the talk and walks the walk that perhaps sets it apart from many of its fellow lower league sides. With a charitable infrastructure and series of ambitions that rivals those of foundations that don’t have to run a soccer club, SPAM FC may very well become a well-known figure in the Twin Cities community beyond the borders of soccer. “As we continue to grow, we hope to continue to carry on that legacy of uniting people from different walks of life and offer a helping hand for young ambitious people to grow.”

SPAM FC finished in sixth place, out of ten, in the MASL’s Division 1 with a record of 6-3-9 while SPAM FC 09 finished eighth out of seventeen in the Division 4 with a record of 7-2-7. 2019 will hold another year of big goals and big action from the club, which is far from the end of its journey. “We get to play the game we love with the people we love and we get to help others. We can't ask for more. It's beautiful; SPAM FC, it's a lifestyle.”

- Dominic Bisogno

Matt Kahla added to FC Waco

FC Waco just released the announcement that Matt Kahla would be joining the club as Senior Vice President. Kahla has an extended CV with the UPSL, running his own club, Keene FC, and serving as the Central Conference Manager. He’s a leader and innovator in lower tier soccer, showing vision and the courage to take chances. Earlier this year, Keene announced the creation of an app that allows access to tremendous amount of club information, including match stats and available tickets. One of the first of its kind, Keene has used it effectively this season to communicate with followers of their team.

The addition of Matt Kahla to FC Waco is a wise move but leaves some questions unanswered by the press release. Is Kahla stepping down from Keene FC? If not, isn’t there conflict of interest issues that will arise? If he is stepping down, where does this leave Keene FC? These questions will need to be resolved moving forward, but for FC Waco, this is a great get.

To check out the FC Waco Announcement, here’s the link.

- Dan Vaughn