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Meram and Gruenebaum Star in Road Draw SANTA CLARA, CA - May 19, 2012 - The Crew came away with a point after drawing the San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday Night. Justin Meram scored his second goal in as many games to give the Black & Gold the lead after keeper Andy Gruenebaum stopped a penalty shot from Chris Wondolowski. Earthquakes second-half substitute Alan Gordon scored a 90th minute equalizer as San Jose rallied late to deny the Crew the shutout. It was a very intense match from the get-go as both teams wanted to show their dominance on the field. In the seventh minute Gruenebaum made the first of his career-high seven saves by smothering a laser-strike by Quakes midfielder Simon Dawkins. In the 21st minute defender Eric Gehrig was called for a foul on Steven Lenhart inside the box and San Jose was awarded a shot from the penalty spot. Wondolowski took the shot but Gruenebaum made himself big and was able to deflect the ball. Dawkins tested Gruenebaum again in the 26th and 29th minutes but the Crew goalie was deft to save both chances. The Crew began to find its rhythm and came close to scoring in the 34th with a shot by Tony Tchani and again in the 43rd with a nice low cross by Eddie Gaven that barely missed Meram’s feet. The Black & Gold took the lead in the waning moments of the first half when Tony Tchani played the ball to Meram on the left side of the box. The second-year forward faked Earthquakes defender Steven Beitashour and then chipped the ball far post over San Jose ‘keeper Jon Busch and into the back of the net. The Crew continued to attack with the same intensity in the second half but Tchani’s strike in the 54th and Meram’s rocket from distance a minute later both went barely wide. San Jose tried to respond in the 74th with a dangerous attempt by Gordon, but the linesman raised his flag calling him offside. The Earthquakes continued to rally in front of the Crew goal in the last few minutes of the match and finally got an equalizer in the 90th as Gordon picked up a rebound of a crossbar and was able to beat Gruenebaum for the 1-1 draw and the hard-fought point. AFC Cleveland Gets First Win in Franchise History PARMA, OH - May 18, 2012 - AFC Cleveland came away with an exciting 4-2 victory over the visiting FC Buffalo Friday night. “Any time, any season the first win is vital,” AFC Cleveland manager Andy Hoggarth commented. “But the first win in franchise history is massive.” “We ‘ve been down both games,” Bell stated. “It was important to strike first and get the momentum that carried us through the rest of the game.” FC Buffalo's Mike Reidy would bring things even at 1-1 with a penalty kick of his own in the 56th. It wouldn't take long for Cleveland to respond as Dennis Holowaty struck one home just three minutes later to give AFC a 2-1 lead. AFC Cleveland would score yet again in the 62nd as Dean Miller sent a chip past FC Buffalo keeper Jordan Dilapo to put Cleveland up even further at 3-1. The scoring continued for both sides as Gary Boughton scored for Buffalo in the 86th and Cleveland got another from English defender and NPSL Player of the Week Ruairidh Winters in the 89th. “We had high energy players off the bench,” Hoggarth continued. “They were chomping at the bit to get into the starting 11. They come off the bench and they fire it.” AFC Cleveland goalkeeper Ben Yabrow finished with 9 saves with similar results from Dilapo, who finished with 8 saves. AFC Cleveland improves to 1-0-2 with the 4-2 victory over Buffalo, which falls to 0-1-1 on the young NPSL season. ISN Stars of Coaching Presented by Korrio - May 2012
“It has been the most unique experience that I ever had,” Safar declared. “We have people from all walks of life. We try to bring them together with a common goal. For many it is the one positive thing they have in life, something they cherish.” Players from different religions and cultures coming together to play the world’s most popular sport is something quite special to see. It doesn’t matter if they are white, African-American, Muslim, or Buddhist, everyone feels welcome and accepted, joined by a common objective. Many coaches would turn down a challenge of coaching in the inner city, but Safar never shies away from doing what is right when it comes to soccer. It is a special vocation, especially when you do it because you love the game. It certainly isn’t for the crowds as many games have only 2 or 3 spectators, but it is important to his players. “For many, the last game they will ever play will be the last game of their senior season,” Safar concluded. “The reason why I coach is to help players find something positive in life,” Safar continued. “Whether it is hope, friendship, skill, or confidence. I want them to have success, to see a smile.” Educating players and parents is a big part of the coaching business. Safar points out that player development is a process, one that requires patience. “If they stick with it, the sky is the limit,” Safar commented. He is always looking for opportunities for his players, hoping they get more exposure. But he understands that the cost of premier soccer is prohibitive for many. “It shouldn’t cost as much as it does today,” Safar said. “It should be inexpensive or even available at no cost.” Having free soccer would make a difference in the game on a national level and would surely pay dividends for the national team programs in the long term. The academy concept has been mentioned as a solution to this issue and while Safar admits it is a great idea in principle, a lot of kids are still neglected and not seen. “Until the emphasis is not on money and how we look,” Safar continued, “we will not reach the heart and soul of the sport.” Safar believes the men’s national team is off to a good start under Jurgen Klinsmann, mainly because he has a style in mind and an idea of where he wants to be. “As a country, we need to find our own identity and style,” Safar remarked. “In the past we have tried to copy someone else or try to play soccer like every other sport.” Again he reminds us that it is a process and that we need to be patient and let Klinsmann collect results with time. It takes time to build a program with his own players; he needs time to scout, evaluate, and teach the next generation of American stars. And those stars will have the challenge of facing off against the world’s best. Safar happens to be a big fan of the Brazilian national team. Their flair and confidence on the ball is well documented. “Their transitional attack makes other teams look foolish,” Safar said. Players like Ronaldinho, Neymar, Ronaldo, Robinho, and Robert Carlos represent what is right in the South American game, a style that is all about maximizing potential on the ball. “I tell my players that when they have the ball at their feet, they have complete control. They have what the defender wants.” Just another lesson from an expert coach who has devoted his life to the beautiful game. It has been a life dedicated to helping his players reach their goals, whatever they may be. Thanks to coaches like Matt Safar and programs like Challenger and Akron Garfield, the sport is growing and thriving in NE Ohio.
Be sure to check out Korrio’s new “Parents Spring Soccer Season Survival Guide”. It has excellent tips on how to prepare for tand thrive in the hectic spring season. Akron Men's Soccer Adds Six More Players For 2012 SeasonAKRON, OH - May 9, 2012 - University of Akron head men's soccer coach Caleb Porter announced the addition of six more players for the 2012 season Wednesday, including SMU midfield transfer Robbie Dershang. Dershang, a 2010 Top Drawer Soccer (TDS) Freshman All-American and two-year starter, was a key contributor on a Mustangs' team that posted an overall record of 29-9-3 over two seasons while advancing to the NCAA Tournament each year, including a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2010. Prior to his time at SMU, Dershang was an NSCAA High School All-American at Cherry Creek HS and the 35th-ranked recruit in the nation, according to TDS. He was also the 5A Colorado Player of the Year as a senior after scoring 21 goals and adding eight assists and earned all-statehonors twice. With a host of international experience, Dershang was named to the U.S. National team Pool at the Under-14, Under-15 and Under-17 levels and participated in the U.S. Under-17 residency program in 2008. Dershang will have two years of eligibility remaining at UA. Joining Dershang at UA next fall will be incoming freshmen midfielder Osas Malkin (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic HS), defender Phil Fives (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny HS), midfielder Chase Jabbori (Novi, Mich./Novi HS), midfielder Alex Ranalli (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty HS), and defender Brad Ruhaak (Akron, Ohio/Copley HS). These six new Zips will join UA's initial six-player signing class announced last February that was ranked No. 1 in the country. Despite losing seven starters from its 2010 NCAA National Championship squad to the Major LeagueSoccer SuperDraft,Akron made another deep run in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive year before falling to eventual NCAA runner-up Charlotte. UA will return eight of 11 starters next fall.
ISN's University of Akron men's soccer coverage is proudly presented by Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®. Cruise? All-Inclusive? Vegas? Call Bob Hasinski at 440-724-3513 for a great deal on a vacation of a lifetime! Bob can also be reached at bhasinski@cruiseshipcenters.com. You won't be sorry if you book your next vacation with Bob Hasinski and Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®. Akron Women’s Soccer Releases 2012 Schedule AKRON, OH - April 17, 2012 - Eight matches at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field and an away date at Michigan State highlight the 2012 Akron women’s soccer schedule, fifth-year head coach Chris Pfau announced on Tuesday. Season tickets for the 2012 season are on sale now. The Zips will play five Mid-American Conference contests on its home pitch, including an Oct. 7 meeting with rival Kent State as part of the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge. Also on the 2012 slate is a pair of games at the University of Tennessee Tournament, where the Zips will play Virginia Commonwealth and William & Mary. Women’s soccer season tickets are just $40, and are available for a $20 add-on for men’s soccer season ticketholders. Season tickets can be purchased online at www.GoZips.com/tickets, by calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766), or at the C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office. The ticket office is open Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. All season ticket holders will receive a complimentary Akron Soccer scarf – one per season ticker purchased while supplies last. “This is a very good schedule that will challenge us early and have us prepared for the MAC season,” Pfau said. “William & Mary was a nationally ranked team last fall and playing them will allow us to see where we stand early in the season.” UA will host Morehead State in the season opener on Aug. 17. Akron is 2-1-0 all-time against the Eagles, but dropped the last meeting 3-1 in 2010. The matches against VCU and William & Mary will be played Aug. 24 and 26, respectively, in Knoxville, Tenn. It will be the first meeting between UA and VCU, while William & Mary was a 6-0 winner over Akron in 2008. The Tribe were ranked as high as No. 14 last season and lost to North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Akron will tangle with Michigan State for the second straight season on Sept. 2. The Spartans were 5-0 winners in Akron in 2011. UA’s last away meeting with a Big Ten school resulted in a 1-0 victory over Michigan to open last season. “We are excited to play Michigan State again this year after playing them last fall,” Pfau commented. “It will be another early test for us, especially playing at their place.” The Zips travel to local rival Cleveland State on Sept. 7 and host Canisius on Sept. 9. Akron is unbeaten against both schools, and defeated Canisius 3-0 in the inaugural match at the renovated Lee R. Jackson Soccer Field in 2010. Akron’s final non-conference test is a home match-up with Marshall on Sept. 16. The Zips are 3-1-1 all-time against the Thundering Herd and the two squads will be playing for the first time since 2006, when Marshall was a member of the MAC. UA opens its MAC schedule with games at Miami (Ohio) and Ball State on Sept. 21 and 23, respectively. UA has lost the last two meetings with the RedHawks and will play at Ball State for the second season in a row. Home matches with Northern Illinois (Sept. 28) and defending MAC Champion Toledo (Sept. 30) round out the month of September. Akron downed NIU 1-0 in DeKalb last season and earned a 2-2 draw at Toledo. The Zips will split the next weekend, traveling to Ohio on Oct. 5 and playing rival Kent State at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field on Oct. 7. UA clinched its spot in the 2011 MAC Tournament with a thrilling 1-0 overtime win over the Bobcats in last season’s regular-season finale and are looking to avenge a 2-0 loss to the Golden Flashes in its last meeting. Coach Pfau’s club travels to Central Michigan and Bowling Green on Oct. 12 and 14. The Zips and Chippewas tied, 0-0, in the 2011 regular season, but CMU was a 2-1 winner in the first round of the MAC Tournament in Mt. Pleasant. UA is 2-0-1 in its last three meetings with BGSU. Akron’s final home matches of the regular season take place on Oct. 19 against Western Michigan and on Oct. 21 versus Eastern Michigan. The Friday night match against the Broncos will be Senior Night for the program. Akron took down Eastern Michigan 3-0 last season at First Energy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field. The 2012 regular season wraps up on Thursday, Oct. 25 with a road game at Buffalo. Akron is 7-4-0 all-time against the Bulls, but lost 1-0 at UB Stadium in 2011. “We had our best results ever against the MAC West Division last season, but didn’t do as well against the East as we had in previous years,” Pfau said. “We have proved we can play with everyone in the conference, and this season will be about doing it on a consistent basis. Every weekend is going to be a tough battle.” 2012 Akron Women’s Soccer Schedule: The Pelé Sports Fan Ambassador Club – April 2012 The game of indoor soccer has some of the most diehard fans in all of the beautiful game. Cleveland’s own Shawn Bartczak is one of those true supporters even though the ride called pro indoor soccer hasn’t been easy. The indoor game has always been exciting, especially when large crowds create a circus-like atmosphere and a sport that is truly American. The biggest criticism of soccer amongst casual fans has always been a lack of goals, but that is certainly not the case here.
Bartczak has followed the game since the Cleveland Force (1978-1988) and Cleveland Crunch (1989-2005) were the talk of the Forest City. Richfield Coliseum saw some of the biggest names in the game: Hector Marinaro, Otto Orf, Zoran Karić, the list goes on and on. Bartczak enjoyed his time at the Coliseum, seeing record crowds and meeting the players after the game. He also traveled south to Canton to see the Canton Invaders at the Memorial Civic Center. “Canton had a family atmosphere,” Bartczak declared. “You got to know a lot of the players. It really was a small hometown team.” But the meteoric rise of indoor leagues soon experienced a drastic fall, one that saw the game almost disappear completely as both Cleveland franchises folded and the Invaders became nothing more than a memory. A new MISL and an upstart PASL would eventually appear on the soccer landscape, two attempts at reviving the magic that once surrounded the sport of indoor soccer. The MISL would go the way of a true pro league, while the PASL tried to create a “blue-collar league.” “The PASL has a lot of scoring, the games are exciting,” Bartczak continued. “All the guys work hard; they are working regular jobs.” Bartczak has done his part to promote the league, covering games and even leading online broadcasts. His sole goal: to make sure the league gains more exposure and in return, more fans and a chance at longevity. Part-time pros dominated the PASL for years, but soccer dynasties like the San Diego Sockers have turned the tide. The Sockers fought their way to a perfect season, dominating opponents with a mix of youth and big-name veterans. “Both of their keepers are great,” Bartczak concluded. “They dominated Detroit in the championship game. You couldn’t ask for a better game.” The indoor game has a bright future thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of fans like Bartczak. It won’t be an easy ride, but it will certainly be interesting. Pelé is unquestionably the world’s greatest soccer ambassador, spreading his love of the Beautiful Revolution wherever he goes. He has become the game’s strongest supporter and has been the source of inspiration for millions around the globe. From the streets of New York to the fields of South Africa, Pelé Sports is a name synonymous with passion, creativity and innovating the game the way it should be played. A world without Pelé would be a world without soccer with millions missing out on the joy and the Beautiful Revolution we all love in this game. Today’s supporters carry on the prestigious legacy of Pelé, growing and promoting the game in their own communities and passing the torch to a new generation of footballers. Mainstream media outlets have failed to give a face to these fans, people who do extraordinary things everyday and have stories that deserve to be told. Whether it is an Iraqi War veteran who is a passionate supporter of his favorite MLS side or a student making an impact on the college game, the concept of ambassadorship is alive and well here in North America. Today’s supporters are not hooligans or fanatics or even überfans, but rather gatekeepers to the true spirit of the beautiful game. International Soccer Network, in conjunction with Pelé Sports, plans to celebrate the contributions of North American soccer fans every month with a new series of feature articles.
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The attack was balanced as four different AFC Cleveland players found the back of the net. Case Western Reserve striker Vinny Bell opened the scoring for the home side in the 41st with a successful PK attempt..jpg)
Soccer in the inner city represents a different world, a world that Matt Safar of Uniontown, Ohio knows very well. Safar, the head coach of Akron Garfield’s boys and girls soccer teams, has embraced the diversity of the beautiful game found there. His high school squads resemble the United Nations with players from Laos, Mexico, Palestine, Vietnam, and Japan participating in a program that has gone leaps and bounds under Safar’s expert tutelage. _499x334.jpg)
Korrio
“There is a lot of scoring,” Bartczak stated. “The speed of the game is very fast and the ball stays in play.”
