Stegman's Soccer Club: MASL & MRSL

Soccer in Minneapolis is a big, big deal… and one of the biggest organizations, which is the literal embodiment of a soccer club, is Stegman’s SC. For those from outside of the “Mini Apple,” you may be more familiar with their soccer love-child MPLS City, but if you’re a regular down at the National Sports Center or Lincoln Ground down on Penn Ave., you are very familiar with The Blues. To get more information about Stegman’s we reached out to Dan Warner, who said to just call him Warner to avoid confusion with the other Dan richly involved in the club, Dan Hoedeman.   Warner tells us he moved to Minneapolis in 2011 and was fortunate to discover Stegman’s Old Boys right away – he’s been affiliated with the club ever since. In 2018 he took the reigns of the entire Stegman’s operation so that Hoedeman and Jon Bisswurm could focus on developing MPLS City. While each affiliate Stegman’s team has its own manager, Warner oversees the whole club and still pulls all the strings for Stegman’s Old Boys. Insofar as we can determine, we hit paydirt and found the right guy to answer our questions about a good club doing great things in the beautiful “Mill City.”

Stegman's Soccer Club; Stegman's 1977, Stegman's Old Boys, Stegman's Athletic, Stegman's Blues, and Stegman's United... Stegman seems to be the common thread - which club came first and how has so many teams been born from one club?

The Old Boys are the flagship team starting in 2010. The things we did outside of game-day made us what we are and other people started taking notice. In 2011 we needed a couple of players to fill out our roster but there was so much interest we decided to form a second team under the Stegman’s Old Boys umbrella. We eventually grew to four teams across two leagues, the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League and the Minnesota Recreational Soccer League, both men’s summer amateur leagues. And of course, we played indoor and small-sided fall leagues as well. 

In 2015, FC Internationals, a storied amateur club in the MASL that had been affiliated with us, ran into some financial and organizational difficulties. We were already affiliated with them so it made sense for us to help out. We did, the two clubs merged, and the Internationals rebranded as Stegman’s 1977 won the MASL Division 1 championship in 2016 and 2017.

Challenging for the ball down at the Lincoln Ground (photo: Stegman’s SC Facebook)

Tell us a little bit about the MASL - is there a pro/rel model in place and can multiple Stegman-based clubs compete in the same division?

The MASL is a 4-division league with proper 2 up 2 down pro/rel. It also allows teams in different divisions to affiliate and share players with a few simple restrictions. We have 3 teams in the MASL (Athletic in D3, Old Boys in D2 and 1977s in D1.) We do our best to keep our teams in different divisions to utilize the affiliations but there have been a few epic battles with Old Boys and Athletic in D3 over the last 5 years. 

Stegman’s actually got started in the other Twin Cities league - the MRSL and have retained a presence with one or two teams in that league ever since. The MRSL has a similar setup - 6 divisions on Sunday nights and 6 on Monday nights with promotion/relegation but they’re a little more lax on who must go up and who must go down, nor do they have the affiliation or player-sharing system. Blues are currently in Sunday D5 (after winning D6 going undefeated in 2019) and United in Monday D3.

Founded just 4 years ago, MPLS City seems to have become a well-known sibling of the Stegman's teams - how did that come about and why wasn't it given the Stegman's surname?

Stegman’s has always been anti-.......lots of things, which is part of our, shall we say, charm. That charm works at the local, and even quasi-regional level, but not necessarily at the national level. With MPLS City joining the national soccer pyramid we took the opportunity to have a refresh and create MPLS City in the Stegman’s image but take it to another level with broader appeal. The first name when we joined the PLA was technically SSC Minneapolis City to make the connection to Stegman’s but we quickly dropped the SSC because it’s more than a mouthful and didn’t allow us quite the separation from Stegman’s we were looking for. 

Who knows if it was the right or wrong decision, but it is hard enough to make things work in the lower divisions. We were worried an esoteric, if awesome, name like Stegman’s Old Boys might be a barrier.

With so many squads in competition, do players ever move in-between the squads? Do players perceive the NPSL side as something to aspire to?

NS - Since Stegman’s is the recreational arm of the club as a whole there’s always going to be roster shake-ups; people stop playing, move for family/work, etc. The goal is to make sure everyone is playing at the best level for themselves and the club and having 5 different teams within the club makes that much easier for us. Especially when players come along but the higher-level squads don’t have any room - we are able to offer a spot within the club with potential to move up. We then see what they’re like both on and off the field and understand how the club operates - e.g. squads are built on both skill and chemistry, our ‘no assholes rule’, amongst other things. Typically, we try to get these new players folded into the club / squads during a fall or winter small-sided league to work through these things during our off-season.

Some of the players who get involved with Stegman’s 1977 & Old Boys (our D1 & D2 MASL squad) do have aspirations to play with the NPSL side and we’re more than happy to provide them with those opportunities. More often than not, players on the MPLS City and MPLS City 2 come down to the Stegman’s levels to get some additional reps and game time.

Slicing through Fargo FC at the National Sports Center (photo: Stegman’s SC Facebook)

There are various ways that clubs can set up; LLC, S-Corp, non-profit with a board and even 100% supporter owned; how is Stegman's built, what informed that decision, what are the strengths and what are the weaknesses?

We are an LLC, owned by our own players. It’s a tax nightmare, to be honest, and we’ve had to slightly adjust the structure over time, but the intent is to build a club with staying power. Part of that is the financial piece. This gives us a broad base of guys who literally feel ownership in the success of the club. The other part is player engagement and guys willing to put in the time to organize and make things happen. We’ve been lucky in that respect, and are already well into the second generation of leaders and still going strong.

Aside from providing a ton of opportunity for players of any level to participate in soccer - Stegman's is well-known for contributing to charitable causes; what has made that a part of the mission of the club and what are some of your favorite causes? 

We originally started out as a rec team that would do things the best way, the right way, and not be the boners who show up with mismatched shorts & socks…. though Club Legend, The Gray Wolf, never showed up to a game wearing the proper shorts. Anyways, the first Stegman’s squad wanted to be more than just 20 guys that show up to play on Sundays so we did some training during the week to build our chemistry. 

As we moved into year 2 and year 3 of the club we started looking into other ways to live up to that mantra of ‘being more than guys that just show up on game day’ and this naturally led us towards giving back and some outreach to those less fortunate than we are. Two of the three founders are good friends with the founder of The Free Beer Movement so we decided it would be really cool to bring some of that energy to a men’s recreational soccer match. We got some items to raffle off, a bunch of beer, and invited friends & family for the first annual Stegman’s Free Beer Night, played against an unsuspecting MRSL squad. As the years went on we decided to do some new things with it, expanding our reach and philanthropy by playing a squad from The Sanneh Foundation at MN United’s training field. As the club grew bigger, and field availability in the Twin Cities became a bigger issue, it became harder to get this scheduled so it’s been on hiatus for the last couple of years but we’re always looking to bring it back as well as new ways to give back through soccer.

Stegman’s SC is more than just a team, it’s a family (photo: Stegman’s SC Facebook)

With such dynamic soccer-minds at the helm of Stegman's, what's the next evolution? What should we be looking forward to when soccer comes back to normal?

I think the most important thing for us is to double-down on what made Stegman’s the kind of rec club that has attracted over hundreds of guys over the years - our traditions, camaraderie, beer, etc. Oh, and to keep winning and adding more championship ‘staches above our club crest. 

To Find out more about the club: http://stegmanssc.com/

Muskegon Risers (NPSL & UWS)

A little over a year ago we introduced you to Matt Schmitt and his club, Muskegon Risers READ HERE and we thought there was no time like the present to catch up with them; see what they’ve been up to and what we might have missed the first time round.  

For some of our brand-new readers, can you take a second to explain the origins of Muskegon Risers?

The Muskegon Risers organization was established in January of 2014 to help facilitate positive social and economic change along the Muskegon Lakeshore through the game of soccer. A Riser is someone who understands our community’s potential and who pushes themselves and others to realize that potential. Our ‘Risers’ name was inspired by the ‘Muskegon, Together Rising’ sculpture that stands in the heart of downtown Muskegon. Risers are not limited to an era, industry or ethnicity. The Muskegon Risers to represent the spirit of our area’s people in past, present and future tense.

MKG fields a men’s outdoor team (National Premier Soccer League), men’s arena team (Major Arena Soccer League II), women’s outdoor team (United Women’s Soccer), women’s arena team (Independent) and eSports team (eNPSL/VPG). The Risers play all home outdoor games at historic Monsignor Kehren Stadium, and all arena games in downtown Muskegon’s Mercy Health Arena.

It looks like you've updated your badge since last we spoke; can you walk us through it? What are the elements and what do they mean?

“Muskegon” originates from the word “mashkig” of the area’s indigenous Ojibwe tribe, and our arrow-shaped crest recognizes this history. Geographically, the City is positioned on Lake Michigan and has the only deep-water port, Muskegon Lake, on Michigan’s west coast. As a Port City, shipping, boating and beach-going help shape Muskegon’s modern industry and culture. The crest’s blue and green colors are a reflection of Muskegon’s natural beauty as a lakeside community, particularly during the spring, summer and fall seasons. During the Muskegon Risers winter arena season, our crest colors change to black and white as Muskegon Lake freezes and lake effect snow blankets the community. The unique symbol located at the crest’s top – layered over iconic sun and waves – is derived from the sculpture at the heart of Downtown Muskegon named “Muskegon, Together Rising”.

Indoors, Outdoors... and even on ice. It looks like your club is willing to play soccer anywhere; why is that and do the players from the NPSL and UWS players participate in all levels of competition or do you have recreation and co-ed squads?

Our purpose is centered around creating a positive impact on the Muskegon Lakeshore through soccer. As such, we're able to adapt with different variations in which the game is played and will compete if we feel confident in our ability to deliver a quality experience for everyone involved. We focus on elite performance and do not delve into the realm of recreational soccer through the Risers brand.

As mentioned, you have teams in both a men's and women's league, why is it important to provide a similar opportunity to the women of your community? Do they have a totally separate set of coaches? Budget?

Every decision we make is derived from our core mission of creating a positive impact on the Muskegon Lakeshore through soccer, and the addition of a women's team effectively doubles the force with which we are able to serve that purpose. The women's outdoor team does operate within its own business model, as does our women's arena team. Our relentless commitment to a clear organizational purpose has allowed us to create opportunities for men's and women's outdoor and indoor players, and most recently eSports players.

With the NPSL cancelling the season, are you still holding out hope for local competitions and regional cups or have you decided to just put the whole men's team on hold for 2020? What about the UWS and the women's squad - what's the word?

In late March, the NPSL cancelled its season on a national level and we completely understood the decision. Locally, we continued to evaluate our landscape until early April when it was clear that moving forward with a men's and women's outdoor season in 2020 was not in the organization's best interest. We've embraced the mantra "The Obstacle is the Way" and are using this opportunity to build an eSports program, which just started its inaugural eNPSL season last week https://virtualprogaming.com/league/enpsl

What do we have to look forward to in the Fall / Winter? Rec leagues? More indoor? What do you have up your sleeve?

Assuming the public health data and local policies are favorable, we plan to re-activate our men's and women's arena teams who would start competition in January of 2021. The question for all of our teams is when, not if, they will return to full competition which is a position we are very grateful to be in.

To keep up with Muskegon Risers: https://muskegonrisers.com/

North Alabama SC

When you look at the Alabama, you don’t expect there to be a big soccer presence due to the heavy college football influence that is the University of Alabama and Auburn University. But, clubs like AFC Mobile and those on the Gulf Coast have been changing that view. Now it seems that the passion in the south is making its way to northern Alabama.

Prior to the Thanksgiving and holiday period, I got the opportunity to talk with the President of North Alabama FC. What I learned has me excited for the future of both the soccer scene in Alabama and the future of lower league soccer in the country.

Without further ado, I present to you the pride of Huntsville, North Alabama FC.

Can you give us some background on yourself? 

I'm Brian Foy. I am a father of two soccer playing daughters, a soccer fan, and love serving our soccer club. I have served on the Board of Directors since 2014 and served as President since 2017. 

My professional background is in the software industry. I am currently the Service Delivery Executive at a Huntsville-based solutions provider for the financial services and banking industry.

I see that there is a solid developmental system set up. What made you decide to jump up another level and add NPSL? 

We are very proud of our youth development system that has prepared our players to succeed at the next level. Our decision to add an NPSL team was to provide an enhanced player development pathway for our local club, high school, college, and adult players and provide the North Alabama soccer community with a higher-level soccer experience.

I’ll be honest, I never thought of Northern Alabama as a huge soccer area. Can you tell us how big the soccer scene really is in the Huntsville area? 

North Alabama is an inspired soccer community. While football is the sport of choice in our State (Roll Tide and War Eagle), North Alabama has soccer in its DNA. Our soccer community is made up of more than 1,200 adult soccer league players and thousands more youth players participating in competitive club and recreational soccer. This does not include the local high school soccer community that fields some of the most competitive teams in the State and the three local universities: Alabama A&M University, Oakwood University, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) that field sanctioned soccer teams. Huntsville also hosts the annual Alabama State High School Soccer Championship. Each May since 2002, this three-day event welcomes thousands of local soccer-crazed fans and families to cheer on teams from across the State.

We experienced something truly magical last summer. Our soccer community really demonstrated how much it loves and supports local soccer by the way they embraced our new WPSL team. Our fans created the best matchday experience in the WPSL Southeast Conference. We even led the conference in attendance for our inaugural season - averaging 285 fans per game. We are excited about next season and cannot wait to see how North Alabama embraces and supports our new NPSL team.

Where do you plan on having home matches? 

Our home matches will be played at the John Hunt Park Championship Soccer Stadium in Huntsville. It is an awesome venue for soccer. The stadium has two identical natural grass fields. Each lighted fields measures 80x120 yards and can accommodate up to 1,000 spectators.

With the current cycle of clubs closing down or relocating due to costs, do you feel that the model you and the club have in place is something that is sustainable for the next 5-10 years?

As a non-profit club, our NPSL team's financial sustainability is based on a self-supported, break-even model without the profitability burden experienced by teams that may have a more traditional ownership model. Based on our WPSL experience last summer, we are confident that our club is positioned for a sustained entry in the NPSL. Our true measurement of success will be our player development results and further connecting with our soccer community - being the hub for North Alabama soccer families, players, and fans.

Even though the club is just starting, are there any clubs you’d consider as rivals? 

The Southeast Conference is very competitive, but given the short distance between our clubs, Inter Nashville FC looks like it will become an instant rival for us. We may need to go ahead and buy one of those big fancy trophies for the inaugural I-65 Derby. 

What are the goals for the club in year one? 

Our year one goals are to field a team that is a reflection of our local soccer community and can compete for 90-minutes with the established teams in the Southeast Conference, create an engaging and second-to-none matchday experience for our fans, and, most importantly, we want have fun - a lot of fun!

Are there any long term goals you’d like to share?

Our long-term goal is to position ourselves to consistently compete for NPSL Southeast Conference and Regional Championships. And, who knows, maybe one day qualify for the Open Cup. 

Lastly, is there anything else you’d like people to know about the club that wasn’t covered? 

We held a fan vote during our inaugural WPSL season last summer to select our club mascot - and the winner was Gravity. We can't wait to hear all of our fans chanting Go Gravity next season!

Atlantic City FC

Now entering its third year of existence, Atlantic City FC looks to further establish a presence in a market that can be challenging. Club president Andrew Weilgus talks about this past season and the future of the NPSL club.     

Other than the improvement in the team's performance on the pitch from 2018 (5-5-0, 15 goals scored) to 2019 (7-2-1, 33 goals scored), what would you consider to be the biggest changes from the club's first year to the second year?

Clubs grow every year but the difference between Year One and Year Two for our club was monumental. The entire off-season cycle from recruiting to sponsorship comes into focus so we were able to better prepare for the season.

Which players for your club made the most impact in 2019?

We had a lot of contributors and rarely fielded the same 11 from game to game. There were a great number of contributors from Jacques Francois to Joao Brum and Alex Satrestegui. Sebastian Cappozucchi was also outstanding as were a great number of other players. Walter Calderon was tremendous for us in the games he played as was Ryan Bailey and Marcello Borges. Returning players like Rich Balchan, Noah Blodget, Matt Perrella and Nick Hanuscin also played roles. There were a great number of players from the Jackson Lions organization like Matt Jeffery and Dan Pizzimenti; Charlie Cunliffe, David Nigro and Ryan Nigro were also major contributors. Coaches Brad Fraley and Mike Durrazo were also vital.

After two seasons, which teams in your division would you consider to be you biggest rivalries?  

We have several: West Chester United, FC Motown and FC Monmouth stand out.

The team has played at Stockton University and Egg Harbor Township High School. There was talk about working with the city to play this year at Surf Stadium. So where will Atlantic City FC be playing in 2020? We hope to announce that soon.

This past season Atlantic City FC had an exhibition match with the Ocean City Nor'easters from USL League 2. Do you see this happening on a regular basis? 

Yes, but because of our condensed season we were not able to field our starters against them so in the future we hope to schedule it during a more flexible time.

As a follow-up to the previous question, would you like to see the NPSL take steps to work more closely with other leagues? Or do you think the NPSL is best served by working independently? 

Yes, we love competition and only look at teams not leagues.

We have seen NPSL teams taking the plunge and going professional. Is this something that Atlantic City FC sees as an option in the future? 

The issue is budget. A ‘pro’ team has a low-end budget of $700,000. A low-end NPSL team has a budget of $50,000. It is a significant jump that most teams can’t handle. We are too young and this market is far too new to warrant “rushing” into a pro division. The NPSL offers a strong national league with top-level competition so we are happy there but respect all other leagues and their teams.

If there is one community outreach program that you are most proud of, what would that be? 

We are working hard on field availability in Atlantic City and participated in several area school field days as well as the AtlantiCare summer lunch program. Our sponsor Tropicana was also involved in several initiatives that players participated in.

What should fans expect for Year 3? 

A very competitive team that will be all around Atlantic City helping to build a community that is exploding with potential.

First State FC Midnight Riders

NPSL has found a new home in Wilmington, Delaware. The 2020 season will see the debut of First State FC Midnight Riders, the newest club to join the Keystone Conference in NPSL’s Northeast Region. Majority owner Dave Holloway wears multiple hats for the new club, serving as President and General Manager. With all that going on, Dave graciously gave us a few minutes to talk about his club.

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Why did you decide that now was the time to start a soccer club?

I had been looking for ways to weave sports (my lifelong passion) into my professional life (I'm a lawyer - which, yes, can be boring). We originally set out to get involved with some sort of youth soccer non-profit, perhaps even at the national policy level. And it was in that digging that we came across lower level soccer leagues that were actively looking for expansion markets. So after some discussions and number crunching, we thought maybe we really could bring a team to Delaware. Then (like a number of other NPSL owners), I somehow came across Dennis Crowley's blog posts about starting an NPSL team. Reading his thoughts about soccer (about what it should be in this country and how we should make it happen) felt like I was reading my own thoughts written out on the screen in front of me. From that moment on we started to hone in on the NPSL as a potential landing spot for this new team.

What is your own soccer background? How did you come to love the sport?

I played competitively up until I was about 16, when I decided to quit and focus on baseball. This was dumb (not because I was better at soccer or liked it more - I was actually much better at baseball and would go on to be recruited to a number of D1 schools for it) - it was dumb because if 16 year old me could see the current version of me, he'd see a guy who lives and breathes soccer, not baseball. (In all fairness, it was probably the nonstop competitive grind that probably soured me on baseball.) As a sport, soccer could not be any more different from baseball. There's constant motion, the ball is always in play, and the team movements are perpetual/ongoing (there's a reason they call it the beautiful game...), not turn-based like baseball. But in any event, I fell back in love with soccer in college, and played in leagues nearly every year thereafter.

It's also by far my father's favorite sport, so it was easier to watch games and stay on top of the sport if someone else in the house was interested too.

In any event, I've been a diehard soccer fan (and Arsenal supporter) for the best part of the last 20 years.

What has been the response so far in the Wilmington area since the official announcement?

Nothing short of fantastic. In the first week of our launch we got many, many messages asking about tryouts, friendly banter from other teams on Twitter, people asking us if they could work for us, volunteer for us - you name it, really. It's been great to see, but it hasn't been totally out of the blue. During all the months that we were working on getting this thing off the ground, I would often test the waters with people in the community - take the temperature for this idea - and it was always met with enthusiasm. So we had a feeling that people would support this, but of course it's great to see when it finally happens.

Having said all that, we know we still have plenty of work to do. We still need to get out there and engage and let people know who we are and what we're doing, and that work will probably never stop.

Have you secured a place to play for the 2020 season? What has that process been like?

I'll tell you the process has been difficult. One of the most challenging factors has been the fact that every grass field in the area gets shut down over the summer so it can recover in time for the fall sports season. Add on to that renovations schedules, parking and restroom issues, and NPSL league requirements, and it can make for some tough sledding in finding the right place. However, there are some exceptional soccer facilities in the area and we're excited about giving our players and our fans a great experience this upcoming summer.

Talk about Chibsah Faisal, you team's first head coach.

We knew Chibsah was the man for us after grabbing one cup of coffee with him down in Newark this past summer. As a former Division I player and current Division I coach, he obviously knows his fundamentals. But perhaps more importantly, he brings the vision and temperament that every team wants in a leader and head coach. He knows what he wants, he has a philosophy that he believes in, and he's cool under pressure. He is also as dedicated as we are to making sure that First State FC is a valuable community partner. He will be a great ambassador for our club.

Obviously you need players. What's your philosophy for putting together the team's initial roster?

That's the great thing about being able to land a college coach – Coach Chibsah and his staff are essentially recruiting 24/7 anyway, so they're already familiar with all the colleges, high schools, and youth programs in really the entire mid-Atlantic. And being from Ghana, Coach Chibsah also has a deep international network for talent searching.

Aside from our coaching staff recruiting, we're also already getting tons of emails and inquiries from players across the country who are looking for a place to play next summer: NCAA players (from Division I down to JUCO's), players who played professionally overseas, and even NPSL players looking for a new team. We're already sifting through inquiries and tryout videos, and it's only been two weeks!

Finally, we will be having open tryouts (official announcement to come sometime in the coming weeks), so that anyone who wants to represent Delaware in the NPSL can come show us what they got.

Have other teams in your division reached out to you? Any good chatter going on there?

Yes, we had a few teams reach out to welcome us, both personally and through official team channels. The Northeast Division really is full of a bunch of really well-run clubs, so I consider us lucky to be able to be able to compete against these guys. Luckily for us, the NPSL announced us right before the Annual Owners Meeting, so we were able to meet all our local teams in person shortly after we were announced.

Do you see your club launching a women's team in the future?

Absolutely. In fact, at the Owner's Meetings we had talks about this very subject with some of the owners of other women's teams in the region. We need to figure out which end is up in 2020 and get our feet underneath us, but a women's team will be pretty high on our priority list moving forward.

What ideas for community outreach do you have?

We have a running list of ways to make sure that we are using this organization and this sport to effect positive change in our community:

- Some of them will be soccer related - think specialized youth clinics, soccer related street competitions, partnering with nationwide organizations that focus on sports in urban environments, etc.

- Some of our initiatives and programs will be quasi-soccer related - think competitions and tournaments sponsored by the team but not necessarily involving soccer.

- And then some of our outreach programs will be totally separate from the sport - think more traditional volunteer and charity work.

What would you consider a successful first season?

Obviously on-field success is more easily quantifiable - our goal for the 2020 season is to win our conference and qualify for the Regional four-team playoff. Perhaps more important, though, are the strides that we will be making to embed ourselves in the fabric of our community. This is, of course, harder to measure. But generally speaking, if at the end of the season we've created a vibrant environment for soccer fans, a great summer night out for the family, and an organization that is consistently out doing good works in the community to make this state a better place to live, then we will have had a successful season.

Georgia Revolution

Can you tell us a bit about the club? Why the name Revolution?

The team was originally formed as the top of Rockdale Youth Soccer Association and their name was RYSA Revolution. New owners purchased the team in 2016 and kept the name Georgia Revolution, adding FC and changing the crest to differentiate from RYSA Revolution. The team has not been affiliated with RYSA since 2016.

What started as a single NPSL team in 2016 now has 4 adult teams and a strong youth program through our affiliates at AFC lightning and Southern Crescent Soccer Foundation. The club is very active in the community, growing soccer through free after-school programs.

What are some things that lower league soccer teams like the Georgia Revolution can offer that MLS clubs like Atlanta United can't?

This is a two part answer. The first is for the fans. We offer fans a minor league soccer experience similar to minor league baseball. It’s inexpensive, fun, and the fans are more part of the team. They interact directly with the players, coaches and front office. We know our season ticket holders and many other fans by name and spend time talking to them during and after the game. It’s really a cool experience. We're not trying to replicate the MLS, we are providing a different way to enjoy soccer.

For the players, it’s a chance to move into the professional ranks. The club is like a family, it’s not about the money (there isn't much) or personal ego, the players support each other, the coaching staff, and the club as a whole. We hear this from our players on all of our teams and it’s something we are very proud of.

Is there any collaboration with Atlanta United?

Not at this time. Hopefully in the future we can schedule a friendly with ATL United 2, or in a perfect world, face ATL United in a U.S. Open Cup match.

The club has a very developed youth and reserve system, with players from the U19s U21s and U23s often breaking into the first team. Is player development important to the Revolution?

Player development is the most important part of the Revs. We commit significant time and resources to make us the destination for players who have aged out of youth but want to continue to play at a high level. There are many quality players in the Atlanta area and we provide an option for those who commit to professional training, buy into our club philosophy, and want to play on competitive teams. This makes us unique, I don't know of any other club in our area (and possibly the U.S.) that so aggressively focuses on player development after youth and/or college and provides levels of play as high as the NPSL.

The Reserve teams compete in the Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League, how's the level of play in this league? Does it help prepare players for the first team?

Our Reserves, U23 and U21 (formally Revs Blue) all play in the ADASL. Our Reserves won the 1st division championship this year and are going to participate in the U.S. Open Cup qualifiers. Our U23 and U21 teams play in the 2nd division and are considered developmental teams that feed players to our Reserves. Six Reserves are now playing on the NPSL team. The level of competition in the ADASL is very high. Division 1 is not your typical Sunday league, most teams are comprised of former professionals and high level college graduates. The ADASL is entering its 52nd year and was recently designated a premier amateur soccer league by USASL.

Our youth play with our affiliate, AFC Lightning and Lake Country United FC. AFC is one of the oldest and most successful youth organizations in the state and we are very excited to have this new affiliation. Lake Country was our first affiliate and they are a great organization east of the Atlanta metro area which provides elite soccer in one of the most economically challenged areas of the state at a very low cost.

Does the club work with the community in McDonough at all?

Absolutely. We work with the Southern Crescent Soccer Foundation to provide free after-school soccer leagues in several elementary schools. Our goal is to give every child the opportunity to play soccer regardless of their financial means and to continue to grow the sport. In addition to that, we work with local businesses to promote each other and have developed some great relationships over the years.

There are a few players currently in college on the roster, can you say something about working with college players?

College players are a great addition to our NPSL team in the summer because they are fit and ready to play on day one. At times it’s a bit hit or miss, not all college players want to play in the summer for only the pride of wearing the badge. Over the years we have really refined who we take on the team, ensuring that they have the right attitude and want to be a Rev. The groups of college players we have now are fantastic both on and off the field.

There are also a good number of international players coming in from all over the globe. How does the club go about recruiting these players?

Atlanta is an international city. Most of our international players are local to the area, several of them are college players who play at local schools and want to continue playing with the revs during the summer.

What are long term visions for the club?

To continue to grow the sport. From our after-school programs to adult amateur to the NPSL, we are 100% focused on growing soccer and providing opportunity to players. Our goal is to one day consistently draw 1000 or more fans and become the pride of Henry County.

After the rebranding of the Silverbacks to Atlanta SC is the rivalry still alive?

Yes. Different name, same rivalry. The name change may not have gone over well with some of their fans, but Atlanta SC made the right decision based on many business factors and have kept the team alive. At the end of the day, all lower level clubs, including the Revs, are working towards long term sustainability and we support one another to make this happen.

Is there any player we should keep an eye out for this season?

There are a few but if I have to pick one, its Jack Gurr. He's our team captain and a dynamic player. He was an NAIA All-American and last season was NPSL Southeast All XI. I have no doubt he will sign a pro contract in the near future.

Anything else we should know about the club?

That we are a family. When a fan comes through the gate it’s our family members selling tickets, running the store, and doing the other dozens of things that make the match an entertaining experience. The Revs club is just that, a club that players, fans and staff can call home.

- Paul Kowalczyk

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For more information on the Georgia Revolution:

Team Website: http://georgiarevolutionfc.com

Tickets: http://georgiarevolutionfc.com/2019-single-game-tickets/

Team Store: http://georgiarevolutionfc.com/store/

Follow on Twitter and Instagram: @GA_Revolution

Like on Facebook: @Georgia Revolution FC

OSA Seattle FC

According to our NPSL West Region, Northwest Conference Division Season Preview , OSA Seattle FC’s coaching and technical staff, for the 2019 campaign, will be provided for by their Italian Serie-A partner, ACF Fiorentina. This is part of a project in which local coaches will work with Italian consulting partners to help the club develop, not only top-quality players, but top-quality coaches as well. The concept was so compelling that we decided to reach out to the club for more information, and President Giuseppe Pezzano told us all about, not just the men’s team, but the direction the whole organization is taking.

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When and where were you founded and what was the goal of the club—has that location or mission changed?

“The club was founded in 2013 under the name AC Seattle. That first year we played in the WPSL and won the Northwest Conference. The team was comprised of many Italian National Players and a top Italian coach. The club name and location has seen some changes, but our mission has always remained the same: OSA Seattle FC us an American soccer club with Italian influence that has been offering high-level soccer since 2008. The club was created to bridge the USA and Italian soccer realities, and to offer a cultural exchange program on and off the soccer field.”

Clubs in the Northwest seem to come and go, i.e. Kitsap Pumas last year and Pierce County FC the year before. What is OSA FC doing to ensure stability and longevity?

“I think there are a couple of issues, one is that it’s difficult for clubs to make it in areas that have a strong MLS presence. The other is that there’s a systemic problem, which is the lack of the pyramid structure in US soccer. If the typical pyramid structure of development were in use players would follow a traditional developmental path, which would give leagues like the WPSL and NPSL more importance, as they are a crucial stepping stones in a player’s career path towards the professional level. These leagues are where the players of tomorrow develop and ready themselves for the pros.

The Kitsap Pumas invested a lot in bringing opportunities to players, and providing great soccer to their area, but they weren’t given the importance they should have received.

Pierce county was a different story because I was the owner and founded the club for a different purpose, which was to give the many Italian players i had an opportunity to play.”

OSA Seattle FC taking on the now defunct Kitsap Pumas

Are you connected to a youth program? A women’s program? Do you have any special programs which other clubs in the region don’t offer?

“Yes, I’m connected to Crossfire Premier’s youth program. OSA Seattle FC has a women’s WPSL team, and we have started a collaboration with Crossfire Premier on the women’s side. Crossfire has one of the best development platforms in our area and have many young US national players!

We offer an international program which gives Italian and US players international opportunities. Italians come to the US to play with the club and we work with US players who want to go abroad to play. We offer study abroad opportunities in the US and Italy, as well as international play and travel tours.”

OSA Seattle FC is ahead of the curve and fields a Women’s Side in the WPSL

For most non-MLS organizations in the Pacific Northwest, operating under the shadow of the Sounders, Timbers, and Whitecaps can be daunting; how do you go about recruiting players who aren’t already involved in an MLS affiliated club? What can NPSL clubs offer that maybe a PDL club can’t?

“OSA FC works with local 1st division colleges to recruit players, we also bring players from top Italian teams, and we work with Italians also already in the USA studying at colleges on soccer scholarships.

The NPSL has no age restrictions, which I think is an important element. The league fees are also considerably less, meaning that clubs can invest more into their program.”

Drawing fans up here can be equally difficult—after several years of existence, does OSA FC draw any supporters?

“This is an area that we struggle with. We don't have a fan base, and have a hard time getting the word out. We would love to see more work by the league advertising and spreading the word about the importance of the league.”

Do you charge at the door and sell merchandise? If not, how do you pay for club operations?

“We do charge a minimal door fee and sell merchandise, but that doesn't meet our funding needs. I personally fund this non-profit club as I believe in the mission and the opportunities it creates. My for-profit company OSA Soccer Academy, LLC offers professional services such as tours and study abroad soccer programs.”

OSA Seattle FC were winners of the NPSL Northwest in 2016 and qualified for the US Open Cup round one the following year.

Does OSA FC have any rivals? Is there a team you most look forward to playing against in the Spring?

“Seeing as though teams come and go and new leagues start and fold so often, for me there are can’t be rivals until the US soccer system is cleaned up and established under 1 national pyramid system.

I’m excited about our games against Crossfire Premier, because of the great relationship we have I'll look forward to some competitive games. Between our teams I think the best local players will be on display! Their U19 academy team just beat all the MLS academy teams!”

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For more information about the OSA Seattle FC, check them out here.

For more information about the WPSL, check out the Women’s League here.

San Antonio Corinthians

Sometimes, in the lower leagues, you don’t know much about a club. You see a name in a scoreline or on a table and recognize it, but the depth of understanding isn’t there. That’s because the number of clubs is often too much to handle, even for journalists. That’s why we do this column, to support that connection between club and fan, no matter how far removed by geography and understanding. So today, we’re talking with San Antonio Corinthians, a club with an epic crest and an interesting backstory. Enjoy!

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Tell us about the history of your club.

The San Antonio Corinthians Football Club (SACFC) was founded in 2009 and accepted to play their inaugural 2014 season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in the South Central Conference winning the South Division and finishing third overall in the conference.

Your club jumped from the NPSL to the UPSL, can you talk about the differences in the league?

We decided on the UPSL due to the growth and competitiveness of the league in recent years. The leagues’ vision of growth and development were vital components in our decision making when joining the league in 2019. The UPSL has welcomed us since day one. We were thankful for the opportunity and how to UPSL National Director, Matt Kahla Jr. assisted in streamlining the membership process.

San Antonio now has several clubs, including San Antonio FC, how's the interaction between the clubs?

We have great respect for SAFC and all soccer clubs in San Antonio. It’s important for clubs to support one another out of respect for the game and to enhance the development of players all while expanding the game. We did face SAFC back in 2016 and came up short in a hard fought second round US Open Cup match.

In a market with other clubs, how does Corinthians stand out?

We run our club as a top tier organization. Aspects like discipline, accountability, competitiveness and attention to detail flow throughout. Players and staff are asked to give their absolute best efforts for the club. This season our international friendly matches help set us apart from our cohorts. We will be hosting Club Santos Laguna and Pumas respectively. We are always looking to give our players a competitive edge by challenging them to take their games to the proverbial next level.

Big friendly coming up against Santos Laguna, how did that come about and how is your club approaching this match?

Our front office and coaching staff have an abundance of international relationships that have been cultivated over the years. Whenever we are able to host events like these it is important the events are beneficial for both clubs and of course fun for our fans! We are approaching this match with the utmost respect for Santos Laguna coupled with excitement. Our style of play and training methods will remain consistent so we can concentrate on what we can control. We are very much aware of the talent we are facing with clubs like Santos Laguna and Pumas. As long as we can execute our game-plan we feel we can compete with any club.

Your UPSL regular season has just kicked off, how is the club coming along? What are the goals for this season?

We can see the men are starting to gel now that we’ve got some competition instead of just training against each other. Coaches are always analyzing and evaluating players to create the best lineups weekly. We currently stand at 2-1 in our division, with back to back victories. Our goals are to win the national championship and make some noise in the US Open Cup while showcasing local talent.

If someone wants to know more about your club, where do they go?

All our UPSL matches are streamed through mycujoo.tv and all updates and info can be found on our social media platforms and website:

Twitter – @Corinthians_SA

Instagram – @sanantoniocorinthians

Facebook – facebook.com/SanAntonioCorinthians

www.sanantoniocorinthians.com

Grand Rapids FC

Grand Rapids are one of the many exciting clubs that call the Great Lakes conference of the NPSL Midwest home. A second place finish in 2018 handed the club a short but valuable playoff run and 2019 may find the club continuing to impress on the pitch. We connected with Matt Roberts to discuss the clubs origins, goals, and more.

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When and how were you founded? What leagues have/do you compete in?

We were founded in 2014 and started playing in 2015.  Our first season we played in the Great Lakes Premier League (which eventually became UPSL) and the last three seasons in the NPSL.  2019 will be our fifth season of play.

What are the key elements of your badge and what do they mean to the club?

Our badge is pretty simple and straightforward.  The shield has four sections which represent the four areas of the city (SE, SW, NE, NW) and the color blue is very prevalent in our city (The Rapid, GVSU, city flag) so we decided to make royal, navy, and white our primary colors.

What is your club short- and long-term goals?

The short term is always to win the league championship and every cup competition we play in.  We have very high standards and believe we can put a winning product on the field year in and year out.  The long term goal would be to have a soccer stadium inside the city limits and a full professional side playing year round.  That being said, we are focused on making the best decision for the club for the long term and won't make a move until we feel 100% comfortable with the league, the costs associated with the move, and our ability to compete at that level.

Who have been your most prolific or important players in recent seasons?

We have had some great players come through over our four years in existence, but I can point to a few.  Goalkeeper Noah Fazekas is a fan favorite, but he unfortunately is not able to come back this year.   Caleb Postlewait is a defender who can play multiple positions and dominate at each one.  Greg Timmer is a force in our midfield and is coming back from an ACL injury this year.  Scott Doney was a our leading goal scorer last year and has played three seasons with us.

Image courtesy of Grand Rapids FC.

Do you have specific rivalries; how seriously do you think the club takes those matches?

 I would say our two biggest rivals are AFC Ann Arbor and Detroit City FC.  Ann Arbor is always battling for playoff spots and we founded the GLPL in 2015 together so we have played twice a year.  Detroit City is always a great game and we have a 2-2-2 record against them in our three years playing in the NPSL.  I think they are important but we take the position that every game we play is a chance to make our fans proud and want to win every time we step out onto the pitch.

Lower league soccer is full of clubs that want to grow large brands and take on the spotlight, but also full of clubs that are only focused on the results on the pitch. How does Grand Rapids fit into that comparison?

We are a little bit of both.  We aren't necessarily looking for the spotlight, but it usually shines on successful teams.  We have had the good fortune of great coaching staffs and player pools who have put us on the national map because we consistently win.  We have never finished lower than third in any league we have played in and because of that success people take notice.

FC Buffalo

The popularity of soccer has ebbed and flowed for decades. Some teams have folded while others have figured out a way to stay afloat or thrive. This year, FC Buffalo of the NPSL will begin their tenth season in the league. They have become a staple for Western New York soccer and boast a strong fan base including Buffalo native and namesake for their team nickname, Wolf Blitzer. Nick Mendola, a member of the team's ownership group, gave some thoughts about their milestone and upcoming trip to Germany, as they are set to become the first NPSL team to play in Europe.

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In your first decade, do you have any memories that really stand out on or off the field?

In Year Two, a local giant in our sports community helped us throw an international friendly against English lower division side Bedlington Terriers. It was a lesson in how well soccer could draw, and how much work goes into throwing a big, big event. Plus, the relationship between the giant (Bob Rich of Rich Products) and the British club was covered in a BBC documentary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22JJ7qmSBPs&t=1315s). And we won pretty big!

[That game saw FC Buffalo win over Bedlington Terriers (of the 9th division) by four, 5-1.]

What has been the biggest challenge with keeping a team playing in Buffalo?

While supporters have multiplied and media coverage has grown, corporate partnership dollars have tended to gravitate to the biggest sports teams in our market. That just means we need to grow our club, and it's fine motivation, but it's a lot more difficult to bring in new partnerships.

Was there any low point in which you worried that you wouldn't be able to field a team anymore?

Yeah for sure. The first few years were touch-and-go. We took some big baths on uneducated decisions, whether it was catering to perceived "needs" in transportation, team apparel, or other elements of the organization. We've seen so many teams fold, so even today we need to have a healthy dose of fear and concern in our back pocket.

There have been a lot of teams popping up around the country. Is there any aspect of what you have done with FC Buffalo that, if it were missing, would have kept you from making it this far?

It's cliche, but having fewer ardent supporters would've killed us. When we have a bad game or run of form, we've still got fans singing songs and making our stadium a special place to attend an event and share in community. I remember sweating on whether they'd come back from game-to-game in Year One, or from season-to-season very early. It's love, man.

With your tenth season in the NPSL about to begin, how has your community changed since your first started playing in Buffalo?

Oh, soccer is much bigger now, and much more expensive. And the average supporter is so much better educated on the sport due to the widespread availability of professional games on TV and the Internet. And our community of supporters has become an inextricable part of our mission to make soccer stronger in Western New York.

Does FC Buffalo have any specific traditions that is has picked up over the years?

Buffalo recently released their St. Patrick’s Day kit. Available here.

A number of supporter songs and chants, like singing "Who's The Boss?" after opposing goal kicks because a first-season goalkeeper had the last name of Danza. Our Erie County Derby with the Erie Commodores (Buffalo is in Erie County, New York, and Erie is in Erie County, Pennsylvania) is pretty special.

FC Buffalo is heading to Germany this spring to be the first NPSL team to play in Europe. How has that plan come together?

There's enough in it to write a book. We are fortunate that we linked up pretty early with FC St. Pauli and knew we'd have a top-notch place to train and a good opponent (Their reserve side) for our first match. But passports, hotels, supporter travel, food... holy smoke. It'll be much easier the second time, but wow.

What do you see is the importance of international matches with FC Buffalo or with lower league teams in the U.S.?

It's more for us than them, and I think the friendlies are really important as both a barometer of where our club stands on the pitch, but also a way to bring in fans who still haven't experienced FCB and can get a gateway into what we do as a club.

Have there been any talks of more international matches, either abroad or in Buffalo?

Oh yes. May even be announced before this post goes up on your site!

*Since talking to Nick, FC Buffalo has added a friendly against international competition in which they will host Liga MX's Monarcas Morelia reserves in Buffalo. It will be a chance to see FC Buffalo against a Mexican side before they leave for Germany.

As you celebrate this season, do you have any goals for the next 10?

We've been building toward becoming a full professional side for some time, but it's been a far more arduous journey than expected. Either there wasn't a stable enough lower pro division, or -- like now -- we've had to revisit our approach to funding one. And either getting beer into our stadium or building up a new venue will become paramount to our health. Sad but true.

Is there anything you'd like to share with the lower league soccer community?

Yeah. Support your local club, whether it's the Portland Timbers or an upstart non-league club with ambition down the street from you. And if you find it hard to support said club, then get involved in a way that makes it what you want. Sometimes you gotta be the change.

Find out more about FC Buffalo, their schedule, and upcoming plans at FCBuffalo.org.

- Andy Rittenhouse

Central Florida Panthers

With the NPSL about to roll with a new season, we sat down with Giovanni Taliaferro, Vice President and co-founder of Central Florida Panthers, to discuss their expansion club and their preparations for their first year in the NPSL.

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Can you tell us about your background prior to starting this club?

Our background are as an all volunteer Executive Board of Directors for the Central Florida Soccer League, a 501c4 not for profit adult amateur soccer league in the greater Orlando area. Our league was founded in 1964 and is sanctioned by both the USASA and the FSSA with over 2500 players between the ages of 18-72. With the level of talent in the league, we are looking at this opportunity to help them grow as players with the increased exposure via an NPSL membership.

Who designed your crest? Why Panthers?

I developed the logo with the input of both Eddie Loyola (President) and Alphonse Amato (Treasurer). With our identity and focus of being local, we felt the Panther was the perfect symbol since they are the state animal of Florida. We decided on the brand colors to represent some of the beautiful sunsets that can be witnessed in Central Florida. The 6 stars represent the decades the CFSL has been in operation (established in 1964) with the 5 major divisions.

Your conference has several well-established clubs, how will you measure success your first season?

Obviously we hope for positive results on the pitch but primarily we want to use the NPSL membership with the goal of providing opportunities for development of local amateur players and coaches alike. If we are able to assist one person in furthering their career then that itself will be a big success.

What are your goals for your new club? Short term/long term?

Short term building our identity on and off the pitch, long term we wish to partner with a youth infrastructure to also continue our mission of building the Central Florida community through the sport.

Who will be coaching the club? What is that person's background?

That decision has not been made as of yet. We hope to have an announcement soon.

With only a couple of months before the season starts, what are the plans on filling your roster?

We have a plan for tryouts and will finalize once the volunteer coaching staff is identified.

Your club is coming into this season with several other expansion clubs. What does that say about the strength of the NPSL and your club?

The NPSL has a very strong identity and appeal. We see the NPSL as an important piece of the US Soccer landscape and are honored to take part.

What should people know about CFSC?

Our vision and plan to stay local providing opportunities through promotion and education from within the CFSL and our affiliate FSSA leagues. We also want to entice local college players to stay home and try out for us instead of traveling to other states playing with other organizations.

Anything else?

Our entire staff will be made up of volunteers and hopefully we can reach out to local schools to provide real world experiences.

Duluth FC

This week’s Spotlight covers Duluth FC, who have won both the NPSL North Conference and the Midwest Regional titles over the last two years. We spoke with owner and founder Father Timothy Sas in order to learn more about the club’s beginnings, notable players, and off the field expectations.

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When and how were you founded? What leagues have/do you compete in?

Duluth FC was founded in the winter of 2014/2015, out of a conversation between two friends then inviting a few others to join in, most of us too old to play. 2015 we played in DASL, 2016 in APL, 2017 on in NPSL.

Father Tim Sas celebrates with his Duluth players. Image courtesy of USSF.

What are the key elements of your badge and what do they mean to the club?

The badge is meant to show off the place where we are: the iconic Duluth Ariel Lift Bridge, the Northland tree line, the great Lake Superior through the anchor, and the state of MN with the North Star.

 What is your club short- and long-term goals?

Short term goals are to develop a competitive team for this season and to begin work on an Academy style second team to train young local players. Long-term includes a larger and stronger presence in the Duluth and Twin Ports area both as a sports-organization but also as institution interacting with the community year-round.

Who have been your most prolific or important players in recent seasons?

Without a doubt Kyle Farrar will go down in the history of Duluth FC, in addition to him there would be quite a few others Joe Watt, last year's goalkeepers Jan Hoffelner and Alberto Ciroi. Honestly, there are quite a few others I could name, who have contributed greatly even though their names may not have become as well known.

Do you have specific rivalries; how seriously do you think the club takes those matches?

Whenever Duluth FC and Minneapolis City SC play each other, there seems to be a great deal of excitement and conversation. However, equally important are the matches with MN TwinStars FC and Med City FC. The club takes all the matches seriously, as the preparation is the same for all of them, but indeed the stakes are much higher when we face another club that contents for the top of the table. With respect to attendance, so far Med City FC seem to draw more fans than other matches.

Image courtesy of Duluth FC.

Lower league soccer is full of clubs that want to grow large brands and take on the spotlight, but also full of clubs that are only focused on the results on the pitch. How does Duluth fit into that comparison?

We take competition on the pitch seriously playing the beautiful game with the end goal to win is primary purpose for the existence of a club, and our record so far proves that. But we also try to continuously build our brand in our local area: Duluth, Twin Ports, the Northland. That's really our focus, gaining national brand recognition has never been our focus because we realize we live in an area with fewer than 200k people in a rather isolated part of the country. Moreover, outdoor football is simply not possible in our region for more than half the year; it's simply not something easy to accomplish. However, we have gained a small national following because of our results on the pitch; for that we are thankful. 

PDX FC (NPSL)

Founded just a couple years ago, the black and gold team from Portland, Oregon helps us kick-off a very special month of NPSL coverage as we gear up for the 2019 season. As Protagonist Soccer moves from the West, where the league’s roots lay, to the conferences in the east, we’ll celebrate the clubs who are often the face of soccer in their communities. We reached out to Head Coach and Co-Owner of PDX Football Club, Luke Babson, to see how they’ve been able to slowly carve out their own niche in the self-proclaimed Soccer City USA. He obliged with some wisdom and a look into how a small club can have a big vision and patiently stick to a plan to grow in meaningful steps.

PDXFC host former regional powerhouse Kitsap Pumas in 2018 (Photo Courtesy: Michael Eastman/Vox Populi Images)

Portland, Oregon seems like a daunting place to set up a new club, with the MLS clubs dominating the Pacific Northwest soccer market, what led you to start a new club in this region? What's the primary focus of this team, if it’s not competing for a market share?

We have never viewed ourselves as in competition with the Portland Timbers or other MLS clubs. The game is big in the Pacific Northwest, but it is still growing. There isn’t any reason why a Timbers supporter can’t also support PDX FC, or vice versa. We are just working to carve out our niche to build something valuable for the soccer community.

From a players’ perspective we provide an opportunity to compete in an elite league and to gain exposure. We provide a training and match environment that will prepare them to take the next step in their career. For some, this means to improve for their upcoming college season, while others have their sights set on a professional contract.

From a supporters’ perspective, we provide an opportunity to watch high level soccer at a low cost. You can catch a glimpse of some of the nation’s most elite prospects and future professionals. Our players and staff are accessible within the community. Our roster consists of a good percentage of players with local roots, and it is really special for them to be able to play in front of friends, family, and community supporters.

PDX FC are one of two clubs representing NPSL in Portland, but there’s no shade between these sides and the MLS presence in the Rose City. (photo courtesy: Shot Boxer)

Why NPSL? What does the league offer that separates it from other options? Fans of Lower League soccer, and NPSL in particular would love to see a club from this region in the PRO division--have you considered it? What would it take to get there?

The NPSL is a national league that has grown tremendously in recent years. The league is well run and has a strong vision for the future. When we did all of our research, it became very clear that the NPSL was the right fit.

We are really excited to now have a PRO option within the NPSL. There are a number of teams that have proven they were ready to make the jump to being fully professional and this is what they needed. The league wants to grow the professional division in the future and it is possible that we could consider it, but we would have to drastically change our business model. My brother and I own the team and we aren’t multi-millionaires. We would need a budget of around $500,000 per year to go pro. So, this would require some sort of combination of attracting additional investors, sponsors, and creating more revenue.

The club and coach have a growth mindset but are very aware that the club is not yet in a financial position to take on the brand new NPSL Pro division.

Your cross-town NPSL "rival" made it to the NPSL Semi-Finals last year, losing in heart- breaking fashion--but qualified for the USOC in the process. How much of a rivalry is there really? Do "derbies" really matter at this level, or should all clubs be working together to ensure their continued existence? Is getting to the USOC a dangling carrot or a daunting financial crisis?

It is definitely a rivalry and we really look forward to playing FCM Portland. We consider these “derby” games as our most important of the schedule and we want to win. There can be some interesting history between our players and staff, which can add some layers to the match up. Having a rival team helps us both. We tend to get our best attendance when we play each other. It also helps to keep travel costs low when you have another local team.

Qualifying for the US Open Cup is a goal of ours in the future. We want our players and staff to have the opportunity to compete in the tournament. Financially, the costs are dependent on if you host the matches or if you have to travel. For instance, if we were able to host a home match against a professional team, it could be great for us financially. If we ended up having to travel for multiple matches it can be expensive. It is something you have to be prepared for.

PDXFC’s Blake Leonetti battles his former teammate Steven Evans of FC Mulhouse Portland

in a “Black & Blue” Derby. (Photo Courtesy: Michael Eastman/Vox Populi Images)

Soccer is interesting, in that it can be very politically charged at times, sometimes it’s the fanbase and sometimes clubs are well-known for taking a stance on social issues. Does PDX FC lean one way or another; are there things you'd like to be doing in the community if given the resources? Besides playing soccer, how can clubs make their communities a better place?

We don’t have an interest in affiliating with any particular political party. We aim to provide opportunities for both players and supporters to be a part of our team, whatever their background may be. We very firmly believe the game should be accessible to all. When we select our roster, we pick the best players available. It doesn’t matter about your financial background, where you were born, ethnicity, age or what college you attended.

Clubs can make their communities a better place by giving their players and supporters a sense of belonging. When working with young adults and youth, you can help them develop a strong sense of identity. Ultimately, you want the club to have an infrastructure which can provide a path for success to your players. At the moment, we are able to completely fund our NPSL team without collecting any fees from the players. In the future, we are interested in adding a U19/20 team that would be funded as well. This could be a game changer for elite youth players whose families can’t afford the often-exorbitant costs of “club” soccer. We think these kinds of initiatives are important to grow the game in the USA.

There’s no shortage of talented artists and designers in the Rose City – PDXFC is more than happy to provide yet another platform for them to express their love of Soccer and City. (Thanks to CalyX Design and Brent Diskin for the use of your beautiful work)

For schedule and tryout updates, check them out here: https://www.pdxfc.com/

For the newest apparel and swag: https://shoppdxfc.bigcartel.com/

- Joshua Duder

Med City FC

I had the opportunity to discuss several questions with Med City FC manager Frank Spaeth for this week’s Spotlight. Med City is one of the top clubs in the NPSL Midwest-North Conference, finishing fourth in both of the conference’s seasons while earning the respect of its fellow clubs on and off the pitch. Check out the interview below to find out more about one of the Midwest’s great lower league clubs, how it came to be, and what it’s up to now.

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1. When and how were you founded? What leagues have/do you compete in?
Med City FC was founded in late 2016. It was actually two years ago today that I was approached about the team and getting involved. Things developed over the next month and the NPSL announced Med City FC as a new team in the league on December 21, 2016. We have 2017 on our crest to recognize our first season of playing. We've only ever played in the NPSL.

 2. What are the key elements of your badge and what do they mean to the club?

Funny story on our logo. There was another one that had been started, but it wasn't a very strong look. I asked a designer friend of mine if he'd be able to create a logo for us in 48 hours. He did, and it turned out great. The blue color represents Silver Lake at the heart of Rochester. The green represents the many parks throughout the area. The building on the crest is the Plummer building, an iconic building at Mayo Clinic. The cross in the middle connects to Rochester's strong medical community.

3. What is your club short- and long-term goals?

Our short-term goals are to continue to grow our fan base, improve our squad and continue on the competitive team we've created. We want to create pathways for our players to reach the professional level and we've been making connections that we hope will ultimately do that. Long term, we would like to get to a place where we can have our own field/stadium and continue to prepare players to reach their goals. We have a lot to do before that happens, but hopefully we can get there.

4. Who have been your most prolific or important players in recent seasons?

We've had a number of players who have been important to us in recent seasons. In terms of local players, we've had several play key roles the past two seasons, including Nate Levy, Tiernan Talbot, Alan Schembri-Wismeyer, Ayo Adebayo and Jonny Loera. We've also had several foreign players who have been valuable for us including Claudio Repetto (Italy), Ignacio Milla (Chile), Matias Pazos (Spain), Niklas Roessler (Germany), Nicholas Itopolos (South Africa), Finlay Bloodworth (England), Francisco Neto (Brazil), Thilo Wilke (Germany), Alexis Tahet (France) and so many others. We've had players go on to play third division in Spain (Javier Gomez) and fourth division in Sweden (Ludvig Hordegard and Fredrik Mansson), as well as the lower divisions in England (Jake Turnbull). We've been fortunate to offer players a great place to train during the summer and had some really high-quality players involved in our team the first two seasons.

5. Do you have specific rivalries; how seriously do you think the club takes those matches?

We have a lot of great rivalries in the league already. We have a lot of competitive teams in the conference and there have been a lot of good games. I'd have to say our biggest rivals would be Minneapolis City SC and Duluth FC. We've had some big, important games against those teams and we always play them close. I know our club takes those matches seriously and I believe they do, as well.

6. Lower league soccer is full of clubs that want to grow large brands and take on the spotlight, but also full of clubs that are only focused the pitch. How does Med City FC fit into that comparison?

We would like to continue to grow our brand by putting a great product on the pitch. We've had great support and we want to continue to grow that support and build relationships in the community. Time will tell how big we can become...

- Dominic Bisogno