• Cleveland SC had heard the horror stories of rushed NPSL launches. They don’t always go so swimmingly. Take the case of Los Angeles-based City of Angels FC, for example. In about two weeks’ time, the club assembled a roster, landed a venue, and designed a crest and kit. While…

• “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…
• Aaron and KJ dive headfirst into an early season Indy Eleven report card, breaking down the goalkeeping, defending, midfield play and forward corps. The panel takes a few Twitter questions from Eleven supporters before lightly previewing Indy’s upcoming matches against Mississippi Brilla FC and Bethlehem Steel FC. Thumbnail photo…
• The Mon Goals Podcast, a fellow member of the Beautiful Game Network, welcomes the Soc Takes Pod to the show to help preview Friday’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Indy Eleven match set for 7 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium. Host Justin Ashcraft and guest Kevin Johnston break down what…
• NBC Sports analyst and former USMNT footballer Kyle Martino joins regular panelists Nipun Chopra, Kevin Johnston and Aaron Gunyon to discuss the Premier League, U.S. Soccer, RCD Mallorca, promotion-relegation and much, much more. Martino also talks about his role as national board chair for Street Soccer USA. Click here…
• Newly named National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) managing director Cindy Spera joins the panel to discuss her playing career, working on Wall Street and, of course, all things NPSL. Spera touches on some of the challenges facing the NPSL and the goals she hopes the league can achieve during…
• The Speedway Soccer Pod, a fellow member of the Beautiful Game Network, welcomes Soc Takes managing editor Kevin Johnston to the show to help host Davey Shepherd preview Saturday’s clash between the Indy Eleven and Nashville SC at Lucas Oil Stadium. Both clubs are coming off wins last weekend…
• New York Cosmos chief operating officer Erik Stover joins co-hosts Kevin Johnston and Nipun Chopra to chat about the New York Cosmos, New York Red Bulls, NASL, NPSL, USSF presidential election, Cosmos B and more. Formerly the president and managing director at RBNY, Stover revisits his tenure with the…
• Brickyard Battalion president Josh Mason guests to help preview the Indy Eleven’s inaugural USL campaign and make Eastern and Western Conference predictions for the 2018 season. Mason touches on some of the ways the Eleven’s move to Lucas Oil Stadium will affect the supporters’ group. The panelists also analyze…
• AFC Ann Arbor head coach and Midwest Pro Soccer Combine organizer Eric Rudland guests on the latest edition of the Soc Takes Pod to talk Champions League, NPSL and AFCAA. Highlights include Rudland’s breakdown of Juventus’ 2-1 comeback win at Tottenham, all the new happenings at AFCAA and his…
• National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) founder Peter Wilt joins the panel to discuss the newly forming league, his former clubs and all things U.S. Soccer. Wilt helped launch the Chicago Fire, Chicago Red Stars and Indy Eleven, to name a few. Soc Takes contributing writer Kartik Krishnaiyer also guests…
• Detroit City FC head coach and Michigan State men’s soccer assistant coach Ben Pirmann guests alongside co-hosts Kevin Johnston and John Lenard to talk DCFC, MSU, the MLS SuperDraft, NPSL and more. Pirmann also touches on the greater Michigan soccer landscape and provides some of his recipes for success…
• 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…

• WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Indy Eleven remained unbeaten in USL W League play behind a goal from Kristina Lynch to knock of Midwest United FC 1-0 Friday at Grand Park. A blistering start to the season has seen Indy accumulate 13 of a possible 15 points through five matches….
• INDIANAPOLIS — With the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 lined up for Sunday, the Indy Eleven hosted New Mexico United on Saturday in their racing-themed home kits. The visitors spoiled the celebration, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and holding on for the 2-1 result. Follow Robbie on…
• LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nashville SC advanced in 2022 U.S. Open Cup play Wednesday night on an 89th-minute goal from Hany Mukhtar. The visitors had equalized through Ake Arnaud Loba in the 39th minute after LouCity’s Brian Ownby opened the scoring in the 37th. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc…
• INDIANAPOLIS — Multiple-time league MVP Solomon Asante made his Indy Eleven debut off the bench Saturday in Indy’s 2-nil victory over New York Red Bulls II. A Juan Castillo own goal and a strike by Jonas Fjeldberg helped the Eleven collect three points at home. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh….
• LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 27th-minute golazo by Racing Louisville FC’s Savannah DeMelo on a set piece was the difference between Racing Lou and San Diego Wave FC on Wednesday at Lynn Family Stadium, as the hosts held on to secure a 1-0 result. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc…
• FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Kings Hammer FC visited Fort Wayne FC on Sunday in USL League Two action and departed with a 2-1 road win. Marcello Jones and Samuel Robinson tallied for the visitors, while Maxwell Amoako produced the hosts’ lone goal. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes…
• WESTFIELD, Ind. — In the inaugural USL W League match Friday night between the Indy Eleven and Kings Hammer FC at Grand Park, Indy leapt to an early lead and held on for a 3-1 win. Indy’s Rachel McCarthy paced the hosts with a brace and Katie Soderstrom added…
• INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Eleven’s 1-nil victory Saturday against visiting Hartford Athletic extended their USL Championship winning streak to four matches and unbeaten streak to six. A low, left-footed strike to the bottom corner by Ayoze proved the difference between the two sides. Indy hasn’t suffered a league defeat…
• INDIANAPOLIS — Down a goal from an early strike by Orange County SC’s Mikko Kuningas, the Indy Eleven netted thrice in the second half to pull out a 3-1 comeback win Sunday at Carroll Stadium. Noah Powder, Stefano Pinho and Aris Briggs put their names on the scoresheet for…
• INDIANAPOLIS — Indy Eleven attackers Nicky Law and Aris Briggs linked up for a stoppage-time winner Saturday at Michael A. Carroll Stadium in a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United 2. Law’s 12th-minute strike was matched by ATL UTD 2’s Jackson Conway in the 68th, before Law found Briggs in…
• INDIANAPOLIS — With a checkered history in the U.S. Open Cup, the last thing the Indy Eleven wanted Tuesday evening was another early exit from the competition. A couple goals later, Indy saw itself painfully bounced once again, this time by way of a 2-nil defeat to visiting St….
• INDIANAPOLIS — Hosting LA Galaxy II in their home opener, the Indy Eleven settled for a 1-1 draw Saturday night at Carroll Stadium in front of a crowd of 8,000-plus. Michael Salazar struck first for the visitors in the 35th minute before Indy’s Raul Aguilera equalized in the 61st….

• LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Goals by Sophia Smith and Hina Sugita helped the Portland Thorns to a 2-1 road win over Racing Louisville on Friday at Lynn Family Stadium. Alex Chidiac provided the lone tally for the hosts. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to…
• FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne FC shut out the visiting Cleveland Force 3-0 on Saturday behind a brace by Maxwell Amoako and an own goal by Cleveland goalkeeper Andrew Cooke. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to…
• INDIANAPOLIS — Playing in its first game at Carroll Stadium, the Indy Eleven women wrapped up an undefeated USL W League regular season with a 3-0 win Saturday against Detroit City FC. In the nightcap, the DCFC men’s side bested Indy 1-0 in USL Championship play. Follow Robbie on…
• LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Goals by Paige Monaghan and Taylor Smith helped lead Gotham FC to a 2-1 road win at Racing Louisville on Friday. Savannah DeMelo provided the lone tally for the hosts. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter…
• PITTSBURGH — Albert Dikwa’s volley in the 79th minute Wednesday delivered the Pittsburgh Riverhounds a 1-nil victory over the visiting Indy Eleven at Highmark Stadium. 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….
• NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The visiting Portland Timbers rallied from 2-nil down to draw Nashville SC 2-2 on Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Goals by Nashville’s Sean Davis and Hany Mukhtar were canceled out by strikes from Dairon Asprilla and Jaroslaw Niezgoda. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on Patreon…
• INDIANAPOLIS — A 58th-minute tally by Joshua Perez carried Miami FC to a 1-0 road victory at Indy Eleven on Saturday evening. 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….
• HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — The undefeated Indy Eleven traveled to Keyworth Stadium on Friday, topping Detroit City FC 3-0 while moving their record in USL W League play to 8W-2D-0L. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to become a…
• FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne FC hosted a friendly with Tigres’ reserve side Wednesday at Shields Field, with the teams settling for a 1-1 draw. 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….
• FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne FC topped visiting Toledo Villa FC 2-0 on Saturday in USL League Two play behind goals from Victor Claudel and Riley Lynch. Fort Wayne sits in first place after collecting 18 points in nine matches. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on…
• WESTFIELD, Ind. — In a battle of USL W League Great Lakes Division leaders on Friday at Grand Park, the Indy Eleven bested Racing Louisville FC 3-1 to take over first place in the standings, bumping Louisville to second. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on Patreon for…
• FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne FC hosted FC Cincinnati 2 for a friendly Tuesday, and goals on either side of halftime led to a 1-1 scoreline at fulltime. FC Cincy 2 plies its trade in the MLS Next Pro league, while Fort Wayne FC is a member of…

• HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — The undefeated Indy Eleven traveled to Keyworth Stadium on Friday, topping Detroit City FC 3-0 while moving their record in USL W League play to 8W-2D-0L. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to become a…
• FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne FC hosted a friendly with Tigres’ reserve side Wednesday at Shields Field, with the teams settling for a 1-1 draw. 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….
• FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne FC topped visiting Toledo Villa FC 2-0 on Saturday in USL League Two play behind goals from Victor Claudel and Riley Lynch. Fort Wayne sits in first place after collecting 18 points in nine matches. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on…
• WESTFIELD, Ind. — In a battle of USL W League Great Lakes Division leaders on Friday at Grand Park, the Indy Eleven bested Racing Louisville FC 3-1 to take over first place in the standings, bumping Louisville to second. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes on Patreon for…
• FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne FC hosted FC Cincinnati 2 for a friendly Tuesday, and goals on either side of halftime led to a 1-1 scoreline at fulltime. FC Cincy 2 plies its trade in the MLS Next Pro league, while Fort Wayne FC is a member of…
• WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Indy Eleven remained unbeaten in USL W League play behind a goal from Kristina Lynch to knock of Midwest United FC 1-0 Friday at Grand Park. A blistering start to the season has seen Indy accumulate 13 of a possible 15 points through five matches….
• INDIANAPOLIS — With the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 lined up for Sunday, the Indy Eleven hosted New Mexico United on Saturday in their racing-themed home kits. The visitors spoiled the celebration, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and holding on for the 2-1 result. Follow Robbie on…
• LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nashville SC advanced in 2022 U.S. Open Cup play Wednesday night on an 89th-minute goal from Hany Mukhtar. The visitors had equalized through Ake Arnaud Loba in the 39th minute after LouCity’s Brian Ownby opened the scoring in the 37th. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc…
• Younes Dayekh. Remember that name. For college soccer teammates at Bradley, St. Mary’s College and Illinois-Chicago (UIC), they know that name all too well. He’s the one they can count on to bring his A game both on and off the field. He has an infectious smile, is full…
• INDIANAPOLIS — Multiple-time league MVP Solomon Asante made his Indy Eleven debut off the bench Saturday in Indy’s 2-nil victory over New York Red Bulls II. A Juan Castillo own goal and a strike by Jonas Fjeldberg helped the Eleven collect three points at home. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh….
• LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 27th-minute golazo by Racing Louisville FC’s Savannah DeMelo on a set piece was the difference between Racing Lou and San Diego Wave FC on Wednesday at Lynn Family Stadium, as the hosts held on to secure a 1-0 result. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc…
• FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Kings Hammer FC visited Fort Wayne FC on Sunday in USL League Two action and departed with a 2-1 road win. Marcello Jones and Samuel Robinson tallied for the visitors, while Maxwell Amoako produced the hosts’ lone goal. Follow Robbie on Twitter: @RobbieMeh. Support Soc Takes…

Photo credit: AFC Ann Arbor

AFC Ann Arbor head coach and Midwest Pro Soccer Combine organizer Eric Rudland guests on the latest edition of the Soc Takes Pod to talk Champions League, NPSL and AFCAA.

Highlights include Rudland’s breakdown of Juventus’ 2-1 comeback win at Tottenham, all the new happenings at AFCAA and his handling of Dario Suarez‘s six-month suspension following a post-match red card during the 2017 NPSL season. Listen:

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

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Image credit: USAi Old Bhoys

INDIANAPOLIS — I’m a soccer nerd. I love the sport; the passion of supporters; the euro-snobbery; the effort by anyone to grow the game to greater heights in the U.S.; coaching youth and amateur soccer; all of it. I also never intended to become a sports team “owner.” The past 10 months have seen me expand my soccer experience by adding “general manager of a UPSL team” and in doing so, “team owner” to the list.

The initial adaptation of the “Old Bhoys,” now dubbed Old Bhoys Soccer Club, was an idea borne from the desire to fully integrate a youth club from ages four to 40 (and above), to create a wholly true soccer club (for all). It was also an idea that morphed a bit as it developed. A chance email inquiry with the former Premier League of America (PLA, which has now effectively become the Midwest Conference in the United Premier Soccer League) led to several conversations about bringing an Indy-based team to light. This initial dialogue took place in late-2015. Over the balance of 2016 and into 2017 a lot of research into what local clubs were doing in the PLA, NPSL, UPSL, PDL, as well as other amateur sides that were either just getting their start or competing in more regional or state leagues. A few of the clubs that immediately caught our eye for doing it the right way, for having the willingness to be open and communicative with the hows and whys, were Mpls City SC, Oakland County FC, Providence City FC and Kingston-Stockade FC. There are countless other excellent examples as to what to do, but this group was very active on social media and were open to pulling back the curtain on how they performed, and what to expect. In fact, Dan Hoedeman’s first-year review on FiftyFive.One helped shape my budget development and revenue expectations. It’s a great read, worth the time to nerd-out further. While I could completely “get” the fact this would be hard work, I was not fully prepared for the grind — nor the reward — of building a team from scratch and attempting to compete in the ever-changing U.S. Soccer landscape.

In just under two-and-a-half years after my first conversation with Ben Rode (Oakland County FC), the UPSL announced our league expansion effort. The excitement of receiving our first call from the league to announce the Old Bhoys joining the UPSL was almost immediately met with the juxtaposition of a “what-have-I-just-done” moment. As in, this is real. And kickoff is in less than six months. Good luck. Just like that, Old Bhoys was started — November 2017.

Using some of what Hoedeman had shared through FiftyFive.One as a broad foundation of a budget, determining where costs were going to go and what this effort was going to cost became almost as much of a focus as it was to get our head around building an actual squad that will play in the summer of 2018 (more on cost below). By early December, I was fortunate enough to have brought on Steve Bushre as head coach, work with the super-talented Nick Budrewicz to design an Old Bhoys-specific logo and begin the conversation with kit suppliers. Steve and I coordinated, scheduled, held and managed three tryouts over December and January, and completed our initial round of signings — the first dozen-plus players — all but one of whom had a local Indiana tie. When we launched, it was done so under the umbrella of a local youth club to provide that “next step” to connect the youth and adult soccer efforts. Unsure of when to start, how long it would take to build some momentum in building a roster and how we create camaraderie with essentially new-to-us players, we were able to build an initial roster through the tryout process and started indoor training immediately. Our first unofficial training session was the middle part of January. We transitioned outdoors through a partnership with a local high school the first full week of March. By this time our schedule was taking shape, and both Steve and I were working to add friendlies to our 10-game regular season. In a parallel path, our league (the UPSL) was also taking shape with the Midwest Conference. Prior to finalizing the league schedule, the Midwest Conference, in its maiden UPSL season, fielded 23 clubs. Division alignment was the next step for the league/conference.

As for the Old Bhoys, we continued training, initiated relationships with local universities and colleges for squad development, and began our friendly season. Taking a page from Dan Hoedeman and Dennis Crowley, the implicit goal of roster development was to focus on primarily local players — those who grew up in the Indy area or played collegiately in the vicinity. We were relatively successful in year one with this endeavor, with those outside of the area bringing some key insight and leadership to helping grow this club the way we all believe it can, albeit with some additional outside support. By March 5, the Old Bhoys had put together the following schedule:

Date	Opponent	Home/Away	Date	Opponent	Home/Away
3/19/2018f	IPSC U19	Home	6/2/2018	Carpathia FC	Away
3/31/2018f	Joliet United SC	Away	6/9/2018	Toledo Villa FC	Away
4/14/2018f	DeKalb County United	Away	6/16/2018	Muskegon Risers SC	Home
4/25/2018f	FC Indiana	Home	6/23/2018	Ann Arbor FC	Home
5/5/2018	Carpathia FC	Home	6/30/2018f	Ft Wayne Sport Club	Away
5/12/2018	Oakland County FC	Away	7/5/2018f	Indy Fire DA U23	Away
5/19/2018	Toledo Villa FC	Home	7/13/2018	Ann Arbor FC	Away
5/26/2018	Oakland County FC	Home	7/21/2018	Muskegon Risers SC	Away
5/29/2018f	Indy Saints FC	Home

Friendly matches in italics

We did everything in our power to avoid Indy Eleven match days — at the very least avoid similar kickoff times. They are Indy’s team; we don’t compete with them in that space or that regard. However, we welcome the opportunity to provide a supplement to the soccer in this town, and aim to do so in what’s typically been a short spring/summer season. This was my core focus in schedule development.

For now, I’ll skip on the match recaps — they are available at our existing website: usaioldbhoys.com. There is work underway to update and rebrand the website — we hope to partner with Soc Takes, among others, to share that announcement when fully ready.

With our schedule in front of us, and kit supplier identified (hello, Stimulus — great kit design home and away!), the front office’s attention turned to costs. Below is our beginning-of-the-year budget. This is what we started with to operate:

Indianapolis UPSL 2018 Forecasts
REVENUE	EXPENSES
Sponsors	$  7,500.00	Club Wear (kits)	$   3,300.00
Merchandise	$  1,800.00	Club Wear (warmups)	$      900.00
Season Ticket Sales	$  3,750.00	Coaching Wear (total)	$      420.00
Game Day	$  6,000.00	Ref for Game Day Expenses	$      720.00
Club Contribution	$  5,000.00	Coaching Agreements/Stipend	$   5,000.00
Total Revenue Stream	$24,050.00	Field / Misc. Game Day	$   4,000.00
		Player registration	$   1,200.00
Potential Admiral Credit on Apparel	$  1,500.00	Travel	$   3,500.00
		Training kits	$   1,200.00
		Team Equipment	$   2,500.00
		League Fees	$   2,000.00
		Application / Expansion Fee	$      500.00
		Merchandise	$   2,105.00
		Logo Design	$      200.00
		Marketing	$   2,000.00
		Website Fee	$      480.00
		Total Expenses	$ 30,025.00
		League Fees & Logo Adjustment	$  (2,700.00)
		Net Total Expenses	$ 27,325.00
NET INCOME (LOSS)		($3,275.00)

I expected to lose money with this project, but was not prepared for the actual results. In the “good” column, we were very close with our cost/expenses forecast! In the “bad” column, we lost way more…insert frown-face emoji right here (☹ there…). See the 2018 results below:

USAi Old Bhoys 2018 Results
REVENUE	EXPENSES
Sponsors	$  3,000.00	Club Wear (kits)	$   2,954.00
Club Contribution	$            –	Club Wear (warmups)	$            –
Merchandise	$  1,038.00	Coaching Wear (total)
Season Ticket Sales	$     840.00	Ref for Game Day Expenses	$   2,300.00
Game Day	$  2,102.00	Coaching Agreements/Stipend	$   3,000.00
Operational Revenue	$  1,005.00	Field / Misc. Game Day	$   2,115.00
Donation support	$      82.27	Player registration	$      180.00
Total Revenue Stream	$  8,067.27	Travel	$   3,146.82
		Training kits	$   1,002.66
		Team Equipment	$   4,422.27
		League Fee	$   2,000.00
		Entry Fee	$      500.00
		Scarves, Merchandise	$   3,265.90
		Logo / Banners	$      978.96
		Misc. Tryout Fees	$      475.00
		Website Fee	$      304.63
		TV / Film Production	$   2,500.00
		Athletic Training	$   1,950.00
		Total Expenses	$ 31,095.24
		Net Total Expenses	$ 31,095.24
NET INCOME (LOSS)		($23,027.97)

I threw up a bit, to be honest, when putting this together. At first it was a little bit in my mouth…then more. And I have to acknowledge how much my wife rocks. In all seriousness, there were some assumptions made based on conversations and discussions prior to kickoff that led to the optimistic budget plan for the original budget. Once decisions were made and real costs began to crystallize, there are areas that allow us to focus on improvements in cost management and (hopefully) revenue growth in 2019. The biggest area of weakness identified was the lack of sponsors. With a late start, this was admittedly weak. Additionally, better merchandise management will be a focus, as will managing costs associated with team equipment and facilities costs. In summary, this is what bringing UPSL soccer to Indy cost me. Was it worth it? Yes. Is it sustainable? Not a chance.

Now, it’s time to look forward. Look forward to grow the front office (i.e. volunteer!) staff to develop a greater sounding board. We are reaching out in different directions to grow relationships for those that are like-minded, and want to provide a platform for local Indy soccer players. We established an independent soccer club. We are now Old Bhoys Soccer Club. While not a nonprofit organization by the letter of the law, we are a for-purpose organization whose front office will not take payment. Any and all revenue we earn or intend to earn will roll right back into the club to continue to make this something that outlasts me. It has to; it has to become part of the Indy community and we (I) have to do a better job of improving our part in the community.

Looking back on the past year, I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet many wonderful soccer folks in Indianapolis and the broader Midwest region. There is much work yet to be done, in the office and on the pitch. But I think we have the ingredients here to grow our community, act with great integrity in how we build this soccer club, and treat those that support us and help us with the utmost respect. Interested in growing soccer? Me too! Let’s get together and do it in the Circle City.

Some key highlights:

• First Regular Season Point: June 23^rd, 2018, hosting Ann Arbor FC. Our CB scored the game-tying goal in the 90+3’…wow! And thanks to Greg Rakestraw’s team, you can watch it here.
• Every home game live stream via MyCujoo was in the top 5 nationally in views on that platform…proud to say my oldest kid had a big hand in that production.
• Total season attendance was 574…or an average of 81 for each of our 7 games at Cardinal Ritter — pretty amazing when the only person running any marketing for this was (is?) me.
• Jon Busch’s first match as an analyst was our home finale on June 23. That was fun; again, see above for where to watch if you missed it!
• Mike Carney working the PA for four of our home games, and my oldest kid doing the fifth. They both did an awesome job. Looking forward to Mike’s work at Bishop Chatard this season on the pitch as their head coach!

If you’re interested in joining the crusade I call Old Bhoys Soccer Club, or know some folks who want to lend a hand to grow this, let me know. Contact me at either of the following channels:

• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @Andy_H_1980

More to come! Follow us on Twitter (@OldBhoysSC) and stay tuned for club updates and news — we’re hoping to make a lot for 2019!

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