Photo credit: Arturo Pardavila III (Creative Commons license)

When it was announced on May 21, 2013 that Major League Soccer (MLS) had granted a franchise in New York City — to be owned by Manchester City conglomorate City Football Group (CFG) and the New York Yankees, no less — high expectations were immediately placed on the nascent NYCFC.

Part of the expectations came from the simple fact that the club would be playing in the largest market in the league, which was very much untapped despite the presence of the New York Red Bulls across the Hudson River. Similarly, the success of the Red Bulls — who have made every iteration of the MLS Cup Playoffs, finishing at or near the top of the Eastern Conference and ultimately winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2013 — added the weight of a certain level of on-field performance to the new fan base’s expectations.

But because of the size of the market, as well as the fact that CFG and the Yankees represented what was certainly among the wealthiest ownership groups in the league, there was an added burden — the team was expected to spend as big as was possible under the confines of the restrictive MLS salary cap. That meant three Designated Players (DPs), utilizing the new allocation money systems to the fullest and stocking up on premier domestic talent.

The club’s first signing was no slouch, as World Cup winner and Spanish international David Villa would mark the club’s opening epoch — ultimately providing the club with their first beloved captain. Controversies aside, the signings of Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo (midway through the year) ticked the big-name box and placed a firm check next to the “three DPs” requirement. Additionally, the club used the new Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) clause to bring in a young U.S. men’s national team member over the usual DP threshold in Mix Diskerud. While the latter didn’t quite pan out — at all — the big names many expected were present in abundance.

With CFG aware of the struggles traditionally encountered by foreign ownership and foreign coaches in MLS, the club reached out to a proven winner to lead from the bench in year one, agreeing to terms with Jason Kreis, winner of the 2009 MLS Cup with Real Salt Lake, as the club’s first head coach. Kreis filled the remainder of his roster with a mixture of his RSL boys from his previous gig, some foreign internationals and loans scouted out by CFG, and a few unknown domestics such as RJ Allen and Kwadwo Poku.

Year one didn’t go as planned for NYCFC, finishing outside of the playoffs with 37 points. Kreis was fired, Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira was brought in and behind the scenes CFG tinkered and toyed with their USA-based club’s building philosophy. The changes in construction methodology are worth examining, as NYCFC from 2016 forward has been a regular contending force near the top of the league. So what changed?

2015

We begin in the club’s inaugural season. The annual salary information available through the MLS Players Association enables us to look and paint a clear picture of the philosophy that went into building NYCFC’s first team in year one.

The immediate item of note is the number of players in the low-end range (

Image credit: MASL

Welcome back to our preview series for the upcoming 2018-19 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) season. If you missed part one, click here to take a look.

The South Central Division is new for this season, comprising teams from the Eastern and Central Divisions last season. With five teams, it’s the largest of the four divisions and covers the largest geographic area, stretching from Milwaukee to central Florida.

Florida Tropics SC – Lakeland, Fla.

* Founded: 2016 * Home venue: RP Funding Center (6,500) * Head coach: Clay Roberts * Last season: 10-12, 3rd in Eastern , DNQ

* Average attendance: 2,433, 9th

The Tropics have switched divisions, joining the recombined South Central Division, meaning that they might actually have better luck at making the playoffs for once. They’ve come awfully close twice now, and in their third season, few things would be nicer than postseason play. The coaching staff has all returned for a third season, though their seats might start to get warm if the Tropics once again finish below .500.

Kansas City Comets – Independence, Mo.

* Founded: 2010 (2014-15) * Home venue: Silverstein Eye Centers Arena (5,800) * Head coach: Kim Roentved

* Last season: 7-15, 3rd in Central, DNQ

Ever since Vlatko Andonovski left the Comets in the summer of 2016, the team has gone through a noticeable decline. In his three seasons as head coach, Andonovski won the final MISL championship, then debuted in the MASL with a 20-0 season and a conference finals appearance followed by a 17-3 season and another conference finals appearance. Under Roentved, the Comets finished below .500 for the first time since their debut in 2010. Not good. They’re bringing back some talented players and retooling the roster, so maybe this season will be better, but honestly, who knows?

Milwaukee Wave – Milwaukee, Wisc.

* Founded: 1984 (2014-15) * Home venue: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena (9,500) * Head coach: Giuliano Oliviero * Last season: 17-5, 1st in Central, lost Eastern Conference final

* Average attendance: 4,101, 1st

The Milwaukee Wave are the oldest continually operating professional soccer team in the country. Period. They’ve existed without missing a season or reorganizing as a new entity ever since their founding in August 1984. They’ve been playing since before Harrisburg coach Pat Healey was born. Anyway, last season was yet another solid campaign for the Wave, making the conference finals for the second consecutive season, and finishing its ninth consecutive winning season. Always expect the Wave to be good. Always. They haven’t finished a season with a losing record since 1993. Literally the only complaint I have about Milwaukee is the switch from blue as the accent color to electric lime. It’s not nearly as pretty or wavy.

Orlando SeaWolves – Kissimmee, Fla.

* Founded: 2018 * Home venue: Silver Spurs Arena (8,000) * Head coach: TBA

* “New” for 2018

Orlando is kind of half an expansion franchise and half what remained of the Cedar Rapids Rampage, which folded at the end of last season. Most of the players on the roster came to Orlando from Cedar Rapids, although there’s entirely new ownership, management and likely coaching staff as soon as it’s announced. Considering the Rampage were easily the second-best Central Division team last season, Orlando has a promising core already.

St. Louis Ambush – St. Charles, Mo.

* Founded: 2013 (2014-15) * Home venue: Family Arena (9,643) * Head coach: Hewerton Moreira * Last season: 3-19, 4th in Central, DNQ

* Average attendance: 2,605

The Ambush, in five professional seasons including four in the MASL, have never made the playoffs, have never even come close to a .500 record and have won just nine games across the past three seasons combined. That’s pretty horrible, and attendance has consequently suffered. Hewerton Moreira took over as head coach last season and while there was an improvement — three wins compared to one — it’s still not looking great. Short of poaching all the former staff from Sonora, St. Louis is in for a slow rebuild.

Follow John on Twitter: @JohnMLTX.

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INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Eleven and Tampa Bay Rowdies, both currently well above the playoff line in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, dueled to a scoreless draw Wednesday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

A 20th-minute second yellow card to Eleven defender Paddy Barrett caused the hosts have to cope with a potent Rowdies attack down a man for the vast majority of the match. Ultimately, however, Tampa Bay proved unable to crack a stingy Indy defense.

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Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbMeh.

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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…
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Image credit: Indiana Futsal

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Futsal and Indy Parks and Recreation have teamed up to offer drop-in futsal every Tuesday evening at Garfield Park from 6-8 p.m. beginning April 30.

The weekly futsal games will be held indoors at the park’s Burrello Family Center. It’s $3 at the door to play.

“Indiana Futsal is excited to bring the game to Garfield Park with this affordable program for adults 18-plus,” said director of Indiana Futsal Justin Becht. “Tournaments and youth programs coming soon!”

Indiana Futsal’s drop-in program previously ran for seven years at Ellenberger Park prior to relocating this year. Nestled on Indianapolis’ near south side at 2345 Pagoda Drive, Garfield Park is the city’s oldest park. It was founded in 1889.

For more information or questions regarding Tuesday drop-in futsal, call 317-327-7220 or visit IndianaFutsal.org.

Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to become a patron today.

Related

• 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…

Image credit: Kutoa Project/Icarus

INDIANAPOLIS and NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kutoa Project, a nonprofit based in Nairobi, has a purpose that’s easy to get behind. And now you can support it while rocking a fresh, limited-edition kit in the process.

The Kutoa Project has partnered with apparel outfitter Icarus to manufacture a fly new jersey that’s now available for purchase online, the organization announced Wednesday. The end product is a boisterous green, black and white shirt that’s certainly not lacking in imagination nor style.

For the past few years, Indy Saints FC general manager Jason Brown and his wife, Shae, have alternated living between Indiana and Kenya. Together, they established the Kutoa Project in Nairobi to help local kids and young adults overcome trauma.

The Kutoa Project’s mission could best be summarized with three Fs: fostering, faith and — of course — football. The organization “equip(s) Kenyan youth who have been affected by violence, abuse, homelessness, trafficking, diseases, or loss by providing therapeutic social services in a safe, Christ-centered environment,” as its website describes.

One of the organization’s initiatives involves a considerable dose of soccer. Kenyan kids and young adults alike participate in leagues and clinics put on by the Kutoa Project.

“It takes about $5,000-$7,000 to run the program here as we’re growing it a piece at a time,” Brown said. “We’ve had over 300 players in our leagues, attendance of about 3,000-4,000 per season, offer a free youth clinic every other month with 100-250 kids and volunteer coaches.”

Only 100 of the limited-edition Kutoa Project kits were pressed, so grab them while they last at kutoaproject.bigcartel.com. Here’s a look:

Photo credit: Kutoa Project/Icarus

Revenue from sales of the jersey will directly fund young footballers’ participation in the Kutoa Project’s leagues and clinics. Consumers can get their hands on the jersey for $60 plus shipping in sizes ranging from small to extra large.

“The proceeds will fund a player’s fees for an entire year,” Brown explained.

The jersey’s product description adds:

“For every jersey purchased you will be providing one year of participation for youth in our community soccer programs in Nairobi, Kenya. In 2018, we reached over 250 young adults in our community soccer leagues and over 500-plus children in our soccer clinics.”

Get fresh, help Kenyan youths connect with the beautiful game and support an organization dedicated to bettering the lives of young Kenyans affected by trauma — all in one. By purchasing the Kutoa Project kit designed by Icarus, you’ll be doing just that.

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.

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Teammates mob Dane Kelly in celebration of his second-half tally. Photo credit: Robbie Mehling/Soc Takes

INDIANAPOLIS — Outside Lucas Oil Stadium during the second half of Sunday’s match between the Indy Eleven and Saint Louis FC, a nasty thunderstorm began spewing down from the heavens. Inside the stadium, a mild tempest of its own formed around the same time.

After a nil-nil first half, an entertaining three-goal second interval ended with Indy holding off the visitors for a 2-1 win. The insertion of pacey Tyler Pasher at halftime might as well have served as the National Weather Service’s severe storm warning.

“It was another solid home win for us,” Pasher said. “We have a pretty good streak going on right now. As you can see, everybody’s starting to find their stride — find comfort — toward the second half of the season.”

Pasher regularly made himself dangerous with his top-end speed and dribbling skills, eventually opening the scoring with a stellar individual effort in the 67th minute. Isolated one-v-one in the corner after collecting a pass from Lucas Faris, Pasher skinned Saint Louis left back Paris Gee as the defender recklessly dove in and whiffed on an attempted tackle. The sequence resulted in Pasher cutting to the middle with too much space and finishing at the far post.

Here’s how @Typash put the #BoysInBlue on top … #INDvSTL pic.twitter.com/JSgD8dzped

— Indy Eleven (@IndyEleven) August 18, 2019

Pasher now has nine goals in 20 league appearances this season. Seven of those have come since the start of June. As the weather has heated up, so has the pacey winger.

Another second-half substitute, Dane Kelly, put an end to his scoring drought in the 81st minute and gave Indy a 2-nil advantage. It was his fifth tally of the season, but he hadn’t scored since April 28.

“With Dane, you know, Dane just needs one goal,” Pasher said. “And now it’s just going to keep coming for him.”

Here’s how Dane Kelly scored his 5th of the year and put the game away for Indy in the 81st minute.

IND 2:0 STL pic.twitter.com/poHK4PyNyK

— Indy Eleven (@IndyEleven) August 18, 2019

“I think I came out with a bit of energy, “Kelly said. “That’s what coach wanted.”

The usually prolific Jamaican striker tracked a bouncing long ball from Paddy Barrett and out-wrestled Saint Louis defender Sam Fink, who lost his footing and tumbled to the turf. Kelly then lofted a gentle volley over goalkeeper Tomas Gomez for his first strike of the summer.

Dane Kelly flicks a volley over Tomas Gomez for his first goal since April 28. Photo credit: Robbie Mehling/Soc Takes

Saint Louis FC pulled one back in stoppage time on a class free kick off the boot of Lewis Hilton, but the hosts were able to cling to the three points until the fulltime whistle.

@LewisHilton4 on target 🎯😍 pic.twitter.com/xPYvkGa0Xp

— Saint Louis FC (@SaintLouisFC) August 19, 2019

Eleven head coach Martin Rennie went with something resembling a 3-5-2 for the occasion. Captain Matt Watson, Tyler Gibson and Kenney Walker formed a trio of CDMs in the middle of the park, with usual suspects Ayoze and Farias manning the left and right flanks, respectively.

Rennie’s back three consisted of — from left to right — Neveal Hackshaw, Barrett and Karl Ouimette. Ilija Ilic and Eugene Starikov rounded out the starting XI, the latter of whom drew his first start since March after returning from injury to score the game winner Tuesday in a friendly at Detroit City FC. But on this night, it was Rennie’s substitutes who helped open the game up and impacted the proceedings the most.

Tyler Pasher explodes by Paris Gee in the second half. Photo credit: Robbie Mehling/Soc Takes

Saint Louis FC seemed content to allow Indy to hold the ball more, opting instead to get out and run on the counter. It worked for the visitors early on, as evidenced by both teams generating about the same number and quality of chances in the first half. But in the second, Rennie’s halftime subs and tactical adjustments quelled Saint Louis’ game plan.

“The biggest thing was, in the first half we were playing a lot of central balls to feet where Eugene and Ilic were,” Rennie explained. “In the second half, we played a lot more out of the pressure and out diagonally beyond their pressure. And that opened up the game quite a lot for us.”

The Brickyard Battalion echoes the sentiments of Alejandro Bedoya and many others. Photo credit: Robbie Mehling/Soc Takes

The three points jumped the Eleven to fourth in the USL Championship Eastern Conference standings. Saint Louis sits in 11th, just below the playoff line, after departing with zero points in tow. Both clubs have games in hand over most of the other Eastern Conference sides.

Indy will return to the Lucas Oil pitch next Sunday to host the Charlotte Independence, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. Saint Louis FC, meanwhile, will venture to Ottawa on Saturday to take on the in-form Fury.

The Eleven haven’t lost at home since July 4, 2018.

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.

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Image credit: Central Florida SC

A new NPSL expansion team, Central Florida SC, has arrived in Orlando, Fla., the league announced Friday. Affectionately known as the Panthers, the side will join the Sunshine Conference and take the pitch this year.

“We expect to showcase the wealth of talent that participates in the Central Florida Soccer League and our affiliate, the Florida Suncoast Soccer League,” club president Eddie Loyola said in a release. “With an NPSL membership, we will be able to provide a pyramid of opportunities for our league’s amateur players and coaches.”

Loyola heads the executive board of directors that operates the team, which also includes vice president Giovanni Taliaferro and treasurer Alphonse Amato.

“The NPSL is thrilled to grow its presence in Florida,” said NPSL managing director Cindy Spera. “We expect Central Florida Soccer Club to do many great things on and off the field. They bring so much to the league, including strong leadership and many talented players and coaches.”

Image credit: Central Florida SC/NPSL

Central Florida SC will retain its affiliation with the local Central Florida Soccer League (CFSL) while in the NPSL. The CFSL is the home to “nearly 3,000 adult soccer players,” per NPSL director of membership development Dina Case.

The club expects its addition of an NPSL side — while maintaining its presence in the Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based CFSL — will ultimately open doors for both the club’s players and coaches.

“While other clubs may be standalone organizations with some having a youth infrastructure, our organization will be a vehicle to serve two main purposes,” Loyola added. “First, we will provide league players with exclusive opportunities to further their careers in the beautiful game with increased exposure via an NPSL membership. Second, we will provide league coaches with exclusive opportunities for hands-on experience coaching at a higher level.”

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.

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INDIANAPOLIS — Entering their match against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, the Indy Eleven hadn’t conceded at home all season, but also hadn’t scored multiple goals in a home game either. Both trends ceased Saturday evening at Lucas Oil Stadium, as Indy rallied from 1-0 down for a 2-1 victory. Robbie Mertz opened the scoring for the visitors, but goals by Kenney Walker and Tyler Pasher carried Indy to the comeback win.

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Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh.

Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to become a patron today.

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