USL- Latest news, results

[Frank Cunha]

LI Rough Riders -- Possible new owners, return to A- League?
A new ownership group will run the team for two years, with an option to buy.

www.nydailynews.com/12-23-2003/spor...0p-130988c.html

It's a pretty crowded sports market here on LI, but I hope the Rough Riders can raise their profile.

[Frank Cunha]

Rough Riders hope for smooth sailing



By MICHAEL LEWIS
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

The Long Island Rough Riders could soon have new owners.
The club has reached agreement with Globall F.C. and Jim Kilmeade to run the daily operations the Pro Select League team for the next two years with an option to buy. Globall, owned by former pro goalkeeper Peter Zaratin, trains and develops youth teams to compete at the national and international levels.

Frank Boulton, who owns the Long Island Ducks baseball team, has been the Riders owner since 1997.

Kilmeade was general manager of the 1995 Riders championship team that boasted such future MLS stars as Chris Armas, Giovanni Savarese, Tony Meola and Jim Rooney. Now the team is looking to move back up to the A-League, the second division in American pro soccer's pecking order.

"Whatever league we play in we want to be the best on and off the field," Kilmeade said.

Paul Riley, who has coached several future MLS players (MetroStar John Wolyniec and the Columbus Crew's Edson Buddle), is expected to return as coach.



HEAD OF THE CLASS: St. John's captain and defender Chris Wingert, a finalist for the Hermann Trophy (college soccer's Heisman), was named men's college scholar/athlete of the year (3.82 GPA).

ARENA FOOTBALL: The U.S. national team, under the guidance of coach Bruce Arena, will play the Netherlands in its first visit to the Amsterdam ArenA on Feb.18. The ArenA, a domed stadium with grass, is one of soccer's modern wonders. It has a retractable roof that allows games to be played in inclement weather.

NEDVED TOP EURO: Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved (Juventus) won the Golden Ball as the European Footballer of the Year in a poll of European soccer journalists by France Football magazine. Nedved, 31, led Juve to the Champions League final, but could not play against A.C. Milan due to a yellow-card suspension. Milan prevailed on penalties. Nedved finished fourth in FIFA player of the year (as voted by coaches).

Originally published on December 23, 2003

[BethlehemFC]

I don't.

[Frank Cunha]

a lot teams in your back yard

The Cleveland Internationals will join the Columbus Shooting Stars, Fort Wayne Fever, Indiana Invaders, Kalamazoo Kingdom, Michigan Bucks, Toledo Slayers and West Michigan Edge in the Great Lakes Division

[BethlehemFC]

Nice to see such a wide range of teams!

PS -- Frank hope you had a nice holiday -- Happy New Year as well!

[Frank Cunha]

same here

been working, last week was able to get Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, temperature in the 50's its a big help

twomorrow my rain, but it looks warm for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, had to put a few orders in.

[BethlehemFC]

Glad to see you're busy!

[Frank Cunha]

KICKERS NOTES

Courtesy of the Richmond Times Dispatch


TIME TO MOVE ON: Vice President and General Manager Billy Hallock has resigned. Starting Jan. 5, he'll work for an Arlington-based agency that books high-profile public speakers.

Assistant GM and director of operations Paul Sterbenz is expected to replace Hallock, who has been with the local A-League team since 1997.

"I'm getting married next year, and my fiancee [Carrie Stevenson] and I decided this would be a good time [to leave]," Hallock said. "I've got a good opportunity with a company that's totally out of soccer, and I'm going to give it a shot. I'm pretty intrigued by it."

Hallock and his bride-to-be are from the Baltimore area.

"We kind of made a decision to head back up that way at some point and didn't want to put the club in a situation down the road if something happened in midseason," Hallock, 31, said. "This opportunity came along, and I had to jump at it."

Hallock joined the Kickers as director of ticket sales and was promoted to assistant GM a year later. When Curt Johnson left after the 2000 campaign to become general manager of Major League Soccer's Kansas City Wizards, Hallock replaced him.

Between them, Hallock and Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw continued to build the Kickers into one of the A-League's elite franchises. They reached the championship game in 2002.

"There's a lot of great things going on [with the Kickers], but from where I am personally with a lot of things in my life, it's the right time for a change," Hallock said. "I'm leaving this club in good health. If it's ever time to move on, you want to be proud of your accomplishments. I think I've done that, and now I'm looking for some new challenges."

A former University of Richmond player and captain, Sterbenz has been with the Kickers since March 1999, when he became director of public relations. He was promoted to director of operations before the 2001 season. For the past two seasons, Sterbenz also has served as manager of the Richmond Kickers Future, the club's Premier Development League team.

"Paul's got a great level of experience and great energy," Hallock said. "He'll be the perfect fit, so things will be really seamless with him stepping in."

NO GUARANTEES: The Kickers didn't have a selection in the first round of last week's A-League college draft, having turned it over to Milwaukee last spring for midfielder Jason Russell. In the second round, with the 23rd choice overall, Richmond took Maryland All-America midfielder Scott Buete.

It was an iffy pick for the Kickers, who know Buete could go in the MLS draft next year.

"He probably will," Hallock said, "but we drafted him in the event he doesn't."

From Bowie, Md., Buete (5-8, 160) started 88 games in four-plus seasons. He took a redshirt year in 2000 after suffering a broken foot in the third game. His 24 career assists are fourth all-time at Maryland. This season, Buete had three goals and as many assists and was one of only three players to start every game for the Terps (20-2-1).

With the 26th selection overall, their second, the Rochester Raging Rhinos took Matthew Delicate, the CAA player of the year from Virginia Commonwealth University.

What makes the A-League draft all but superfluous is that teams have two weeks to sign their players. After that, they become free agents able to deal with anyone.

Delicate and VCU teammates McColm Cephas and Cristian Neagu played for the Kickers Future last summer, and it's no secret the Kickers are interested in signing them - if possible - to A-League contracts.

"They're weighing their options," Hallock said. "It would be important to have them on board if [the Kickers] can make it work."

With the eighth selection overall, Virginia Beach chose William and Mary's versatile Phil Hucles. The expansion Puerto Rico Islanders, who had the first pick, and the Atlanta Silverbacks passed on both rounds.

EXTRA KICKS: David Testo's 85-yard goal for the U-23 national team against Mexico on May 14 finished second in U.S. Soccer's "Best of 2003, Youth National Team" balloting. The Kickers' A-League rookie of the year got 20 percent of the more than 25,000 votes cast online. The winner was 14-year-old Freddy Adu's "double-360 dribbling effort" against Poland (26 percent). . . . Kickers veteran defender Chris Fox is recovering from groin surgery. . . . The A-League still hasn't released the 2004 schedule. - Jerry Lindquist

[Frank Cunha]

05.Jan.2004
RICHMOND, VA - (Monday, January 5, 2004) - The Richmond Kickers are proud to announce Paul Sterbenz as the new General Manager.

Sterbenz will assume the General Manager role after former VP/GM Billy Hallock moved on to pursue another career avenue in late December of 2003. Paul's new responsibilities will include event and program management, day-to-day business operations, as well as player-personnel decision-making at the A-League level. Paul will also continue to oversee the Richmond Kickers Future (PDL) and the Kickers' newest addition, the Richmond Kickers Destiny (W-League). He was recently appointed Mid-Atlantic representative for the PDL Executive Committee for the 2004 season.

"I feel honored to be presented with this tremendous opportunity," says Sterbenz. "The level of pride that I hold for this organization is very strong and my hope is to continue to help guide the Richmond Kickers with the same class and energy as the great managers before me, [Curt Johnson and Billy Hallock]."

Sterbenz joined the Kickers in March of 1999 as the Director of Public Relations and was promoted to Director of Operations and Assistant General Manager prior to the 2001 season. A 1998 graduate of the University of Richmond, Paul holds a bachelor's degree in Sport Science and Health. He was a four-year starter on U of R's soccer team and captained the team his senior year. Paul is currently enrolled in the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Sports Management Masters program as a part-time student and will complete his degree in the spring of 2004.

"The Kickers organization prides itself on the tradition of transforming enthusiastic personnel into knowledgeable and experienced executives," says Richmond Kickers President, Tom Depcrynski. "We are very proud of Paul and he is the natural successor to the GM position. He has earned this promotion and we are confident that the growth of his knowledge over the years with the Kickers has prepared him for these new responsibilities."

Sowers Promoted to Director of Public Relations
Amanda Miller, former Director of Public Relations, has accepted a position with the United Soccer Leagues in Tampa, Florida. In another in-house move, Shelley Sowers will be filling her position with the Kickers upon Amanda's departure.

Sowers joined the Kickers staff in November of 2002 as Sales and Marketing Associate. She is a May of 2002 summa cum laude graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Marketing Management. Her duties will include organizing the daily communications of the club and managing player appearances in the community, as well as continuing to coordinate all group events. She will also become the registrar for the Central Virginia Soccer Association (CVSA).

"Shelley has been an outstanding addition to the Kickers front office," says GM Paul Sterbenz. "In her short tenure here, she has excelled in every aspect of her job and is very deserving of this promotion."

With the shift in Kickers front office roles and responsibilities, the Director of Operations position is currently vacant. The Richmond Kickers are now accepting resumes for this full-time position. Candidates should have three years of relevant experience in the realm of sport and/or event management, as well as a Bachelor's Degree, although Masters Degree preferred. Responsibilities include: coordinating and administering travel, event and program management, sponsorship implementation, and game day production. Please contact the Kickers at (804) 644-5425 for more information.

The A-League boasts 16 teams from coast-to-coast in the US and Canada, and is the highest level in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) system. For more information please check out our web site at www.RichmondKickers.com.

[Frank Cunha]

Battery Sign Chronopoulos for 2004 06/01/04

The Charleston Battery has agreed to terms with midfielder Ted Chronopoulos for the 2004 season. Chronopoulos returns to the Battery after a stellar first season in 2003 that saw him win A-League All-Second Team honors.

Chronopoulos led the Battery in minutes played (2,701) and finished second in scoring (9 goals, 3 assists - 21 points). Chronopoulos scored the opening goal in Charleston's 3-0 A-League Championship win over the Minnesota Thunder.

A Loma Linda, CA native Chronopoulos began his professional career in 1993 signing with Greek First Division team Panionios. He played 47 matches for Panionios scoring 7 goals with 14 assists in three seasons.

In 1996 Chronopoulos was selected by the New England Revolution in the fifth round (45th overall) of Major League Soccer's inaugural draft. Chronopoulos was a mainstay at the Revolution for seven seasons before being traded in 2002 to the Metrostars. With New England, he played in 139 games scoring 16 goals and adding 14 assists.

Chronopoulos played in 18 matches for the Metrostars in 2002 contributing 4 assists. His MLS career highlights included five playoff appearances, one MLS Player of the Week award (2000) and two appearances in the All-Star game (1997, 2000).

Chronopoulos, 31, has made two appearances for the US Men's National Team, the first in 1998 and the second in 1999. Before turning pro, Chronopoulos attended and played for, Cal State San Bernardino in 1990 and 1991 and San Diego State in 1993.

Charleston Battery players under contract for 2004: Chris Bagley, Ted Chronopoulos, Paul Conway, Linval Dixon, Chris Doyle, Justin Evans, Chris Goos, Michael Green, Josh Henderson, Dusty Hudock, Kevin Jackson, Steve Klein, Barry Moore, Rick Titus and Mark Watson

[Frank Cunha]

http://www.seattlesounders.net/news/?cat=1&id=114

[Frank Cunha]

Harrisburg City Islanders Hold Try-Outs 12/01/04

by Brian Shea

The central Pennsylvania weather in the first week of January didn’t qualify as soccer weather. But that didn’t stop around 50 players from showing up in East Petersburg, Pa., to try out for the Harrisburg City Islanders, one of the new entries in the Pro Select League.

City Islander coach Bill Becher led the tryouts, which drew locals as well as players from Ivory Coast, Ghana and Morocco. After two days at the LANCO Fieldhouse, Becher invited close to 20 players back for a closer look.

“We appreciate the turnout we saw today,” said Becher. “It was great to get out on the pitch and watch some truly talented players. In the coming weeks, we’ll have some tough decisions to make as we continue to shape our roster.”

The Islanders have already signed three players for their inaugural season. David Bascome, Mike Feniger and Mike Henning all joined the team in late 2003. Henning helped with the evaluation earlier this week.

Former Hershey Wildcat and Montreal Impact coach Bob Lilley, and former Harrisburg Heat players Richard Chinapoo and Mark Pulisic also were on hand for the tryouts, which drew Jeremy Olsen, the younger brother of D.C. United star Ben Olsen. He was among those invited back.

The City Islanders will bring soccer back to central Pennsylvania for the first time since 2000 when the Hershey Wildcats folded after finishing second in the A League. The new team already has a solid midfield under contract with Bascome, Feinger and Henning.

“Our roster has begun to take shape very quickly,” said Becher. “We’re working hard to put a highly competitive team together, and I’m encouraged by what we’ve accomplished so far.”

Bascome, who currently plays indoor for the Baltimore Blast, first played for the Bermuda National Team at 18, but hasn’t represented his country as much lately because of he has played primarily indoors in recent years. He played with the Heat until they folded. Besides his indoor play, he runs a soccer school in Harrisburg.

“The biggest reason I’ve signed with the City Islanders is to keep the game in Harrisburg,” said Bascome. “It was hard to leave after I’d played here for so long, and now I want to give something back and enjoy myself. There is a strong base of support for soccer here in Harrisburg, and it’s good to expose the youth players in the area to professional players.”

Feinger and Henning will join the team after playing for several local pro teams. Both played for Hershey. Henning played indoor for Baltimore and Harrisburg while Feninger spent last season in the PSL with the Reading Rage, who will drop to the Premier Development League in 2004.

“Like David Bascome, Mike Feniger and Mike Henning embody the traits we are looking for in City Islanders players,” said Islanders President Eric Pettis. “They are more than proven, talented professionals. Both have displayed a commitment to the community, and we place a high value on that.”

[BethlehemFC]

I used to live about five minutes from City Island. It's really a nice place. It's an Island in the Susquehanna River. It's got a nice baseball stadium for a AA team and small asusement rides, horseback riding, etc..

[Frank Cunha]

thanks :danc:
two more months and will be spring 8bo:

[Frank Cunha]

http://www.a-league.com/features/2004/fea,2004,0002.shtml