Cleveland City in USL-1: It's Official

Today was the official announcement of City's promotion to the USL First Division. It was a nice press conference that got good media coverage. Chris Economides, USL First Division Senior Director, was on hand. He praised the team, saying that they are the example that all future franchises should follow. He also had high praise for the team's off-the-field work. Before this I never realized just how much work the team did in the community. They are truly dedicated to making the city a better place, as well as putting the highest quality product on the field.

After the meeting I spoke with GM Mark Geissbauer about the upcoming season. Here are the highlights...

-We ARE moving, but not to Byers. The team is considering:
Case Western
John Carroll
Baldwin-Wallace

-The team will honor all season tickets purchased up til now. So if you bought your tickets you will not see a price increase.

-They have a shortlist of 4 candidates as of now for the manager. All of the candidates have at least a UEFA "A-License." Mark expects there to be more applicants now that the team is in USL-1. They're looking to Europe for a coach, most likely from the UK or Germany. He also said that he expects there to be more applications now that the team is in the First Division.

-There will be player announcements very soon. The team has already been in contact with players from the past few seasons and are also scouting the world (mostly Europe and Africa) for new players. They also said that they will be signing higher caliber players since we're moving up a league.

-We have a 3-year contract with SportsTime Ohio to air our home games. Last season they got over 25,000 viewers per game. Pretty good for a Division Three team.

The GM also praised the role the Green Army has played in the team's undefeated regular season home record. There's also some more exciting news that I'm not allowed to print at this time. Hopefully it will be announced in the coming weeks.

What now for the City Stars? (Part I)

I would venture a guess that most people that read this blog know by now that Cleveland City are (supposedly) moving up to the USL First Division for next season. GOALSeattle reported this first on Saturday until the league made them remove the post. The information came from the Seattle Wolves delegation who were in the USL-2 League meeting. Canada.com and Devo's Direct Kicks (soccer blog from Rochester) have also reported that we're moving up.

If we do move up, it will definitely be an exciting season. I think that we've got enough talent to be able to compete, assuming most of our team from last season returns. Also, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced that MLS rosters will be smaller and that the reserve league has been cut. That should also increase the talent pool for USL. There will be more talented players available and willing to play in the First Division.

With that being said, here's who I would like to see return for next season:

Goalkeepers
Eric Reed

Defenders
Mark Schulte
Anthony Stovall
Jeremy Tolleson
Musa Otieno

Midfielders
Godfrey Tenoff
Floyd Franks
Derek Potteiger
Ryan Stewart
Adriano Sella

Forwards
Sallieu Bundu
Luke Williams
Adam Ruud
Jason Hotchkins

With that being said, who would YOU like to see come back next season?

If you haven't seen this video, watch it now

The Success of Cleveland City!

Yet again the video guys for the team put together a class video.  And, Sallieu's goal is probably the best (and most important) goal he scored all season.

Getting back into the swing of things

This blog may seem dead, but I'm bringing it back.  I'll start doing some off-season musings in the next couple of days. 

Cleveland vs. Bermuda post-game reaction

Like the picture? I think it's funny. Sallieu had a great game against Bermuda this past weekend, netting two goals. We ended up winning 5-1. Despite this, it was not our best performance of the season. The boys looked really lackadaisical during the first half, especially after they went up 2-0. Now, I know they said differently on the telecast, but at the game, it seemed like we just sat back and let Bermuda control possession. Our marking was absolutely horrid on their goal. There were two men left unguarded in the box. That's unacceptable. Maybe it was the new defensive set up. I wonder why they made the decision to put Stovy at right back and JT at left back. I personally would've switched them; kept Stovy at left and moved JT to right. It makes sense to start Musa and Schulte in the center. They're easily the two best central defenders in the league. Musa also netted his first ever goal from the team, a nice header to put us up 4-1.

The re-arrangement of the defense also had a positive effect on Godfrey. Godfrey looked out of position all season at right back. He's naturally a midfielder and he finally got to play that position against Bermuda. He looked like a good player. He wasn't constantly getting beat. He worked well and put in a beautiful ball to Sallieu on the first goal. It was a great little chip over a defender that Sallieu put away with a "bullet header," as Glen Duerr said on the telecast.

One final note, it's about the telecast. I'm glad they started showing more of the Green Army. We made a lot of noise on Saturday night, especially in the second half. The ref was horrid; he even stared us down after we gave him a ripping for yet another horrendous call. He also missed a blatant red card in the second half. But, there were more shots of us on TV, which was nice. Maybe getting us on the air more will help recruit members. I also liked Glen's comment about us singing "7 Nation Army." I thought it sounded pretty good.

I hope he's not drunk

Check out who's refereeing my game against Gimnastic in the Champions League. Someone better keep him away from the vodka.

7/26 Cleveland vs. Bermuda Match Preview

We face off against Bermuda tomorrow, well, today technically. This is a game we should win easily. Bermuda has scored something like 12 goals all season and conceded over 30. Our misfiring offense should be able to put a couple past them. Still, we face an tough battle to finish 3rd, let alone 2nd. It all depends on how Crystal Palace does. It is still possible for us to finish in the top two, but we really need to win out.

I'd really prefer if Martin would just decide on one goalkeeper. I think that Reed is a little better than Hunter and I'd just stick with Eric. But, that's just my humble opinion. What do YOU think?

I'm disappointed

So, some of you may not know that I'm a huge fan of Polish soccer. I've been following the Ekstraklasa and the lower leagues for awhile; I support Wisla Krakow and Lechia Gdansk, and to a lesser extent, Slask Wroclaw. Anyway, that's my boy Patryk Malecki of Wisla sporting the team's new away kit. He's got a little bit of sass in that picture and I also like how he's throwing in a thumbs up, just like I do in many pictures.

But, today was the day the league was supposed to start. Note that I say supposed to start. Unfortunately, league play did not begin today because of the HUGE corruption problems in Polish soccer. PZPN (the Polish FA) illegally relegated clubs for corruption. It's not that the clubs weren't corrupt, it's just that PZPN is so corrupt that they don't even do things they right way. Back on topic, it's still not totally clear which teams will all compete in the top flight. The 2nd match day will now become the first, which will be made up in late October.

Off-topic now, I just got home from work half an hour ago. There was no producer today in the sports department, so that just made things a little more difficult. On the bright side, it meant that I got to do some more work. Yes, I am actually glad that I got to do more. It made things a little more interesting than usual. Not that I get bored, I just liked the additional responsibilities. I don't know many other interns who get to do as much as I do.

Who saw the most arrogant team in MLS lose last night?

I hate Montreal, but it was great seeing the most arrogant team in MLS (aka Toronto) lose. Toronto now has failed to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League. They couldn't beat two USL teams.

God, I hate Toronto fans.

Boycott MLSR

If you follow soccer, you probably heard about the skirmish that took place at half-time of the Columbus-West Ham game. Shock of all shocks, MLS Rumors went off the deep end blaming everything on Columbus; fans, even though they said they wouldn't blame anyone. I've seen video of the fight, it was nothing. I've seen worse fights at Browns games. I've seen worse fights during high school.

Anyway, MLSR put the blame on Columbus' fans. This was not their fault. It was the fault of security at Columbus Crew Stadium. The West Ham hools waltzed over to the Nordecke's section and started throwing beer onto the Crew fans. Is it any surprise that something happened?

I also find it amusing that MLSR failed to make a big deal about the fights that happened during some SuperLiga matches this past week. What, it's not a big deal since it wasn't happening with the Crew? I'm done with that website. If you want good soccer blogs, check out the Designed Players - TheOffsideRules, TheOriginalWinger, Soccer By Ives, and duNord, and This Is American Soccer. Those guys can write about soccer.

Cleveland in FM/WSM 2009

So, if you haven't heard, there's been a big push to improve the data on players in the USL in Football Manager/Worldwide Soccer Manager. And guess what? I'm doing the research on Cleveland for the upcoming 2009 game. It's a bit tricky put in stats for some players that haven't seen much playing time, but I think I'll be able to manage. Now, the USL is not going to be playable for the 2009 game, but there is a good chance that it will be for 2010. Keep your eyes open.

Cleveland @ Richmond Post game reaction

As of right now, we'll be lucky to finish 3rd, let alone 1st or 2nd.

That's all I want to say about tonight's game.

I really hope Eto'o signs with Kuruvchi

From the sounds of it, he's actually considering signing with them. To satisfy you while you're waiting on his answer, here's Jesse Lacey (of Brand New) performing the beginnings of a new Brand New song. Maybe this time we won't have to wait three years for a new album.

It's hard work being a fashion icon

But somehow I manage. What am I talking about? Check this out: http://www.complex.com/blogs/2008/07/18/trendhumper-soccer-jerseys/#more-14610

I've been rockin' the soccer jersey since 6th grade. Represent, yo.

MLS Rumors continue to be idiots

MLSR posted an entry talking about Columbus' attendance this season. There was an article in the Columbus Dispatch about the Crew inflating its attendance numbers. MLSR titled the entry to something of the effect of "Columbus lying about attendance" or something like that. Now, yes, they did announce numbers higher than the actual number of people there. What they fail to mention is that almost EVERY team in professional American sports does this. Go to any game, and the announced number will be higher than the number of people actually there. MLSR wants to keep the hate train going towards Columbus.

In the comments section, there are the typical comments saying "move Columbus to (insert city)." This would be the biggest mistake the league could do. It would be an insult to the memory of Lamar Hunt. Columbus opened the first soccer-specific stadium in the entire country. Lamar Hunt financed the thing himself. Now you want to move the team? It would be a travesty. For those in favor of moving the team, what do you propose doing to the stadium? Just have it sit there unused? C'mon now.

Has Floyd Franks left the team?

It certainly seems possible

"Former Chicago Fire midfielder Floyd Franks is currently on trial with Jetsmark I.F. of the Danish Second Division, according to his agent.

"[Floyd] departed on July 13 for a twelve day trial," agent Rob Feigenson told YA.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduate was originally drafted by the Fire during the 2006 Major League Soccer Super Draft. During his two seasons with the Windy City club Franks scored a single goal in just nine appearances.

His time in college was much more successful, scoring 18 goals and contributing 15 assists during his 71-game career. The Vestavia, Alabama native was named First-Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference his senior year in 2005 and First-Team All-Conference USA during his junior campaign.

The visit to Pandrup will be Franks’ first trial in Europe according to Feigenson, who also noted that he'll be reunited with former college teammate Mira Mupier at the Danish club.

The 5'-10" midfielder most recently played for the Cleveland City Stars of the United Soccer Leagues Second Division. In Cleveland he recorded five goals in all competitions, including two goals in their 2-0 US Open Cup victory over Minnesota in June."

http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=3933

So long Captain America

If you haven't heard, Claudio Reyna is retiring. I know he hasn't done much at all since coming to play for the Red Bulls, but let's not forget his hard-work and dedication for our national team. The man is a legend, one of the all-time great American soccer players.

Oh, and I've had this song stuck in my head all day

There are no pictures up yet from the game

What does that mean for the blog? Well, it means I can't make more LOL City Stars. Or should they be I Can Has City Starz? Whatev.

Oh, SportsTime Ohio. You should start showing the Green Army more during the games, especially right after we score. I know on Saturday we exploded after Bundu netted the winner. It would've been nice to see that on TV.

One final note on the home run derby

Josh Hamilton, you will always be the winner in my heart.

Justin Morneau, you'll get nothing and like it.

A note on the home run derby

I wish I could hit 1 home run, let alone 28.

That's all.