“Armchair Analyst” Matt Doyle, a senior writer for MLSsoccer.com, returns to the program to cover a great many things. Topics include D.C. United, FC Dallas, MLS’ new Youth Transfer Fund (YTF) mechanism and the USMNT. Doyle also recalls a complimentary letter he once received during his days as a playwright from the late Kurt Vonnegut.
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Photo credit: Kevin Johnston/Soc Takes
WESTFIELD, Ind. — As far as owner Chris McGrath knew, there was nothing else around like it. And with local resources available like sports performance outfit IFAST and Jon Busch’s High Performance Goalkeeping (HPG), his idea made total sense.
McGrath brought everything together to open Sogility, a brand-new indoor soccer training facility located just a short drive from Indianapolis at 16462 Southpark Drive Suite A in Westfield. Sogility’s grand opening is set for Nov. 4 from 1-4 p.m. and is open to the public.
“We provide soccer-specific athlete development,” McGrath explained. “We have a partnership with IFAST, who has done soccer athlete development specifically around the Indianapolis area for years.”
Photo credit: Kevin Johnston/Soc Takes
The main ingredient that separates Sogility from other soccer-focused centers in the area is the use of TOCA trainers and balls. TOCA machines focus on improving footballers’ touch and technical ability, and are also quite beneficial for goalkeepers. The units deliver size-two soccer balls at a variety of speeds and angles.
“Our niche is to provide the TOCA trainers, which can deliver somewhere between 250-500 balls an hour accurately,” McGrath said.
The concept behind the idea is that a size-two ball has a smaller “sweet spot” than an official size-five ball. Therefore, it takes more impeccable timing and technique to strike the ball well or control it. TOCA was founded by former U.S. men’s national team player Eddie Lewis.
Image credit: Sogility
McGrath, who’s also the owner of Indy Saints FC, foresees several other uses for Sogility beyond taking reps from the TOCA trainers — thanks to its partners and spaciousness. IFAST will offer its soccer-specific strength and conditioning, while HPG will bring its goalkeeping expertise. The facility can also support up to six-v-six play.
“We’re super excited that Jon Busch has decided to call this his official home for his goalkeeper training,” McGrath added. “We can even get rid of (the movable nets) and play end to end, so we can have two small-sided games going at the same time.”
The facility also boasts an upstairs lounge area for coaches, parents or other observers to overlook the action without interfering with training.
Photo credit: Kevin Johnston/Soc Takes
Teams or individual players hoping to take advantage of Sogility’s services can book appointments for the TOCA trainers, IFAST and HPG directly through its website at Sogility.net. Interested parties are encouraged to attend the Nov. 4 open house to tour the facility and find out more information.
“Soon to be a place where you can get better,” McGrath said. “You can get stronger and quicker, and improve your touch. And put all of those elements together in game play all under one roof, and close to Grand Park.”
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Former U.S. men’s national team midfielder and longtime MLS veteran Justin Mapp joins the panel to reminisce on his playing career, analyze the current state of MLS, discuss his soccer-specific personal training endeavor and much more.
Thumbnail photo credit: H. Abdallah
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Current WPSL associate commissioner for the central region and former Des Moines Menace general manager Matt Homonoff guests on the podcast to touch on the WPSL, PDL, FC Edmonton and MLS SuperDraft.
Homonoff also spent several years working in D.C. United and FC Edmonton’s front offices. In 2015, he was named PDL Executive of the Year while with the Menace. Listen:
Thumbnail image credit: WPSL
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Image credit: NISA
Per an embargoed press release provided to Soc Takes, NISA applied for divisional sanctioning from the USSF on Friday, Aug. 31. The press release reads:
“On Friday, August 31 the National Independent Soccer Association (“NISA”) formally petitioned the United States Soccer Federation for admission as a Men’s Division III Professional Soccer League. By submitting this paperwork, NISA has asked the U.S. Soccer Federation to approve the league for play in 2019.
The U.S. Soccer Federation has strict requirements for professional soccer leagues seeking to play in the United States. These Professional League Standards require that American leagues meet certain requirements relating to financial stability, stadium size, geographic distribution and number of teams.
NISA’s application meets or exceeds all Federation standards. There are currently no sanctioned Division III League in American soccer.
NISA expects to begin play in August 2019, with professional teams throughout the country bringing an exciting new brand of soccer to the American landscape.”
Soc Takes reached out to U.S. Soccer to confirm if NISA’s application was received.
This is a key moment for the fledlgling league which has dealt with multiple issues including the death of one founder, the defection of another, and a constantly changing group of primary teams.
As Soc Takes revealed earlier, NISA was allowed a delayed submission as the league plans on launching in the fall.
In terms of identity of teams, the league is believed to have a geographically diffuse set of teams, including teams on the East and West Coast, as well as teams in the South. However, Soc Takes understand that California United will not be a part of NISA going forward.
At least one of the teams in the South is believed to be Atlanta.
* * * Other rumored teams are: two teams in California, teams in Philadelphia and New England, as well as a team in Charlotte. (Soc Takes would like to reiterate that this is not a definitive list of teams) * * *
(UPDATE, Sept. 4, 3:30 p.m.: Two sources inform Soc Takes that “at least one” New England team will play in Southeastern Connecticut, close to or in Norwich. The ownership group is expected to involve ex-Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson. Also informed that Dallas is unlikely to be a part of the initial eight teams.)
The league is believed to have applied for one waiver, which has to do with field width. The team applying for the waiver will play at a baseball stadium.
The league — once believed to be advised by Eric Wynalda — is no longer employing the ex-USMNT international.
A NISA source informs Soc Takes that the league application was close to 900 pages, which includes business plans, financial models and background checks.
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Westchester United FC, based in Westchester, N.Y., is the WPSL‘s latest expansion side, the league announced Thursday. The team will debut in 2021. The 4-year-old club already fields a…
Indiana Futsal director Justin Becht joins host Kevin Johnston for a discussion on the latest happenings at Indiana Soccer, coaching, his trips to Cuba to build futsal courts, Fulham,…
U.S. Soccer unveiled head coach Gregg Berhalter’s roster for the upcoming U.S. men’s national team friendlies against Wales on Nov. 12 and Panama on Nov. 16. The Wales match…
Norwich City turned in its most comprehensive attacking display of the season Saturday in a 3-1 away victory at Bristol City. Following the conclusion of the weekend’s fixtures, the…With Louisville City FC and the Swope Park Rangers squaring off for the USL Cup tonight, it’s time to unveil the USL Cup radial bracket:
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Image credit: NASL
As Soc Takes revealed on Twitter last week, the NASL and USSF were in discussions to facilitate a continuation of the league at the D2 level. This story was independently confirmed by former Empire of Soccer editor-in-chief Dave Martinez and Jeff Rueter. Since then, reports from Michael Lewis of Front Row Soccer revealed that talks had broken down, while Jeff Rueter’s reporting suggested that NASL/USSF were still having conversations at the time.
Yet, one of the key reasons why these discussions fell apart has not been revealed.
Per sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations, the USSF approached the NASL about a settlement which, on approval, would’ve afforded the NASL with D2 sanctioning. NASL personnel, who happened to be in New York at the time, were interested in the premise of the settlement, and met with USSF personnel to discuss the details.
During Friday’s meeting, NASL representatives — including interim commissioner Rishi Sehgal, chairman Rocco Commisso and others — posited that the league should be given three-year relief from sanctioning in order to allow stabilization of the NASL. To NASL representatives, this was a critical requirement and they believed that the USSF was amenable to their request for three years.
The NASL is also understood to have asked the USSF for a clause to “prevent MLS and USL teams from snatching up NASL teams.”
On Nov. 13, however, the league was presented with a settlement proposal that changed the temporal length of this clause and introduced a clause unacceptable to the NASL hierarchy:
On Nov. 15, the league voted against the settlement, citing issues with the reworked proposal — which begs the question: Why did the league not agree to a one-year D2 sanctioning if it was certain it could meet D2 requirements?
Based on conversations with multiple sources, NASL personnel remain unconvinced that the USSF would give them a fair shake next year. “The same anti-competitive practices, they’re not going to change,” a source said.
Additionally, sources close to the issue were perturbed by what some called a “bait-and-switch” approach by the USSF. Given the trust issues between the NASL and USSF, ongoing litigation, as well as the toxicity of the rhetoric between the two parties, the propensity for a breakdown in conversations was likely.
Sources informed Soc Takes that there are no further conversations planned. At this point, the only chance of the NASL’s survival is a successful appeal of the lawsuit.
The NASL decided to pursue the lawsuit instead of agreeing to one year of survival. Whether it was a good business decision is unclear. But it shows unity and a clarity of vision that is not often associated with the NASL. What is that vision? To see the lawsuit through and to expose any skeletons in the closet of U.S. Soccer.
(An earlier version of this article incorrectly attributed Rueter as suggesting talks had broken down. This has now been updated to reflect Rueter’s reporting more accurately.)
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Photo credit: Tommy Thompson
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Footballing brothers Tommy and Tanner Thompson aren’t twins. They’re just joined at the hip.
Both excelled on the pitch growing up in California, then headed to Indiana to play college soccer before moving onto the pros. Tommy played only one year at Indiana, departing to become a homegrown signing by the San Jose Earthquakes. Tanner completed his degree and got drafted by Minnesota United FC in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, but ultimately wasn’t offered a contract and ended up signing with the Indy Eleven.
Now the two bros are linking up to run their own youth soccer camps, aptly named TT Skillz Soccer Camps. The first camp — for kids ages 5-14 — will be hosted by Noblesville United Soccer Club on July 27 and 28 from 5-8 p.m. ET. Click here to register and for more information.
New soccer camp formed by ex-IU standout & @IndyEleven Tanner Thompson & his bro Tommy. Check it out https://t.co/nK8QmGWf00 @ttskillzsoccer pic.twitter.com/BH53YvWAMB
— Bruce Kopp (@BruceKopp13) July 18, 2017
“There will be some guest appearances,” Tanner told reporters following the Indy Eleven’s 2-0 home win over Jacksonville Armada FC on July 15. “There are four coaches. All the information is on the website. We’re looking forward to having a great turnout.”
Several Indy Eleven players are among the guest appearances: defender Daniel Keller, forward David Goldsmith and goalkeeper Christian Lomeli. The Thompsons’ plan is to eventually branch out to California for future camps in Sacramento, per their website.
As sons of Gregg Thompson, a former U.S. men’s national team player, the brothers certainly possess the “skillz” to instruct and motivate the next generation of footballers. Here’s a clip of Tommy showing off his otherworldly ability via SJEarthquakes.com:
Registration for the TT Skillz Soccer Camp is still open.
***
You can follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.
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TS: For the most part, Nashville has been good both home and road on the defensive end of the pitch. It’s the scoring (1.6 per game at home with the only scoreless contest at Nissan Stadium rather than First Tennessee, 0.88 on the road) that is the bigger change, and a lot of that is just comfort with the surface, coming out a little more aggressively to set the tone, and then there’s always the fan support. Gary Smith is a little bit more ambitious in sending guys forward at home because he knows getting an early goal will allow the fans to take over and intimidate the opponent out of the game.
KJ: What are some of the hallmarks of a Gary Smith-coached squad?
TS: Defense, defense, defense. Smith’s teams are always sound defensively, and that’s been the case both home and road so far in 2018. That’s persisted through the tactical change (which was oriented more toward opening up the offense), and doesn’t show any signs of stopping. The offense has indeed improved since the move to a 4-4-2, with false-nine Lebo Moloto and a rotating cast of wingers keys to setting up the scoring, with a couple different strikers ready to finish.
KJ: Which Nashville player(s) has/have been the most pleasant surprises this season?
TS: Bradley Bourgeois is the first one that comes to mind. The 5-11 centerback was pushed into action after MLS vet London Woodberry suffered an injury in the first game… and hasn’t relinquished a starting spot. He’s a danger on set pieces despite his size, and has been very sound at the back. Another would be Brandon Allen, but the surprise comes from the fact he’s on the team, rather than the fact that he’s scoring at a pretty good rate. He was in the opposing lineup for Nashville’s game at Bethlehem Steel, and as soon as his transfer was complete, he started scoring almost immediately. That’s the offensive punch the Boys in Gold needed.
KJ: How do you expect Nashville to line up Tuesday night and what’s your score prediction?
TS: Plenty of the spots are rock-solid with the starters not questioned, with a couple that there’s still something of a positional battle (front-back, L-R):
Moloto-Allen Jome-Akinyode-Reed-Washington Davis-Doyle-Bourgeois-Woodberry
Pickens
Allen could sit in favor of Ropapa Mensah (both will play, Mensah likely the final 35 minutes or so), the right winger and right back have seen a few different contributors, with Alan Winn certain to play the former (whether he starts or comes on as a sub) and Kosuke Kimura/Ryan James possibilities at the latter.
I see a two-goal Nashville win, either a 2-0 scoreline (Allen and Moloto the goal scorers) or a 3-1 (add Washington to Nashville, and the hated Soony Saad for the Eleven).
Now for the Indy Eleven perspective:
TS: When last these teams played, Indy looked like one of the East’s best, while Nashville was hoping for a comfortable spot in that next tier. They’ve flipped roles since. What’s led to a bit of a dropoff from the Eleven, and is there faith they’ll bounce back?
KJ: Injuries and a lack of attacking identity have been the main culprits for the dropoff in form. The club hasn’t scored a ton of goals from the run of play; they’ve mostly come from set pieces and penalties. The midfield and forwards seem to be gelling at a tortoise’s pace.
As for the injuries, Tyler Pasher and Carlyle Mitchell were both sorely missed while dealing with knocks. Mitchell has since returned and given Indy’s defense a massive lift the past few games, but Pasher remains out and his timetable to return is unclear. The Eleven offense hasn’t looked the same without him.
Indy should eventually mesh and sneak into the Eastern Conference playoffs, but hardly looks like a legit title contender.
TS: Have there been any major changes in personnel or formation since the game in Lucas Oil?
KJ: Besides normal rotation to cope with injuries, there haven’t been too many drastic changes. Some to note are Brad Ring returning to his natural CDM spot after filling in at right back based on need, Kevin Venegas getting fully healthy and drawing a few starts at right back, and Seth Moses possibly taking over Nathan Lewis’ starting gig at right midfielder. Lewis had a brutal multiple-match stretch and played himself out of the job.
Jack McInerney has also somewhat inexplicably struggled. He seems to be playing with a reckless chip on his shoulder after departing the top flight, often exhibiting a lack of body control by flying wildly into challenges and earning silly cautions in the process. He’s still in the forward rotation, but no longer seems locked in as an every-week starter.
TS: Indy has been a better team on the road than at home. Is that just a quirk of the schedule, or is there something to it that should have Nashville worried?
KJ: It’s likely just a schedule quirk mixed with a hint of Lucas Oil Stadium having a difficult surface to play on. I’d expect that trend to start reversing soon though. Indy’s home schedule has been significantly tougher than its road one thus far, and I don’t think there’s any deeper meaning behind it, e.g. I don’t think this Eleven side has a special knack for rising to the occasion away from home or anything like that.
TS: With nearly half a season in the books, how has the transition to USL met expectations? It seems like Louisville and Cincy have earned the majority of Indy rivalry ire, but is there a bit of a rivalry feeling with Nashville that could play a role?
KJ: It seemed as though maybe Nashville and Indy could grow into natural rivals, but the disappointing travelling Nashville SC contingent when the teams met in Indy — combined with Nashville soon departing the USL for greener pastures — leads me to believe that’s it’s a stretch to call Nashville-Indy a rivalry. I’d love for it to be a burgeoning rivalry, but that simply doesn’t appear to be the reality of the situation.
TS: Finally, what’s your lineup prediction for Tuesday night. Any other specific predictions (including a final score)?
KJ: Coming off a brace in Indy’s 3-1 win over Toronto FC II, forward Justin Braun probably earned himself another start up top. I’m actually going to project the exact same lineup from that match, something resembling a 4-1-4-1 from left to right: Fon Williams; Ayoze, Ouimette, Mitchell, Venegas; Matern; Saad, Guerra, Watson, Moses; Braun. My official prediction is a 1-0 Nashville SC win.
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.
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