National Premier Soccer League

THE BATTLE FOR OHIO

The Battle for Ohio is usually reserved for the Indians and the Reds or the Browns and the Bengals. But this weekend the Battle for Ohio was all about the NPSL as AFC Cleveland hit the road to face newcomer Zanesville Athletic FC in a weekend of firsts.

It was the first home match for ZAFC, the first meeting between Zanesville and Cleveland, and the first-ever Presidential Cup match.

What's the Presidential Cup? The teams' faithful are excited about this new rivalry series that pits the two Ohio clubs against each other in what looks to be a great derby for years to come.

Cleveland got an early lead in the cup competition, defeating ZAFC 3-2 on Sunday.

“The boys finished well,” AFC Cleveland head coach Andy Hoggarth stated. “We took our goals well. It was a good win and we are happy with it.”

Both Cleveland and Zanesville started their attacks early, trading chances in the first moments of the match. Cleveland striker Tom Beck was the first to go on the board, scoring a goal in the 5th minute on a breakaway run.

The Royals would add to that lead in the 31st as Vinny Bell turned an Andre Learned cross into a goal. Zanesville was awarded a dangerous free kick just outside the box minutes before halftime, but the home side was unable to convert the chance.

The 2-0 lead by Cleveland didn’t last long as Cedric Bruce-Kotey and Smart Osadolor teamed up for a goal in the 49th minute, cutting the visitors’ lead in half. ZAFC continued to make attempts at the Cleveland goal, including a quick sequence where the ball bounced off multiple players before keeper Ben Yabrow was able to fall on it.

But everything changed in the 68th minute as Osadolor was handed a red card for an aggressive tackle on Cleveland’s David Murrow. A man down, Zanesville surrendered a third goal 10 minutes later as Bell scored his second of the night and third of the weekend.

Both sides continued to trade chances, but it was the home team that struck in stoppage time as Zanesville’s Tim Findall collected a cross from Ryan McClay to end things at 3-2.

The physicality of the match was never in question. “It was a tough game,” ZAFC midfielder Michael McLaughlin stated. “It was a tough loss. I think the team has done well and will do well in the future.”

The result gives AFC Cleveland their first win of the season, while Zanesville remains winless despite two strong showings.

Photo Credit: Pam Moody/ISNSoccer.com

NPSL RECAP - MAY 22, 2013

Peñate Named National Player of the Week

The National Premier Soccer League is proud to announce its sixth National Player of the Week for the 2013 regular season.

The winner, for the week ending May 12th, is FC Hasental forward Ericson Peñate.

Only 19 years old, Peñate played his club soccer for Real So Cal, starting with the club at age 10. He was part of both the U-16 and U-18 Development Academy teams. He also played for El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, CA. This is his first season with FC Hasental.

Ericson looks to play professionally, saying "Hasental is a good place to start on this long road."

The award, voted on by media from across the country, is part of the league’s commitment to honoring players, coaches, and staff for their exemplary work. The announcement is made on Satudays during the regular season exclusively on NPSL social media.

Photo Credit: FC Hasental

Revolution Fall Out of U.S. Open Cup

The Atlanta Silverbacks defeated the Georgia Revolution 3-2 on Tuesday night, knocking the final NPSL club out of the tournament.

The NASL side came away victorious in the Atlanta derby as the Silverbacks scored three goals in the first hour to hold off their crosstown foes.

Kwadwo Poku, who came into the second round tied for the tournament lead with four goals, notched an assist for the Revolution.

THE BATTLE FOR ATLANTA

A U.S. Open Cup Second Round matchup between the Georgia Revolution and the Atlanta Silverbacks will take place on Tuesday, May 21st, at 7PM at the RYSA Soccerplex in Conyers, Georgia. The winner will advance to a U.S. Open Cup Third Round matchup against Major League Soccer (MLS) team Real Salt Lake. To promote this game and future competitions between the two clubs, the matchup is being called The Battle for Atlanta.

The Battle for Atlanta matches two growing clubs that are only separated by 30 miles. The Atlanta Silverbacks, founded in 1995 as the Atlanta Ruckus, has been competing in the 2nd division North American Soccer League (NASL) since 2011. The Georgia Revolution was founded in 2010 and competes in the 4th division National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

This will be the 2nd game between these clubs with last year’s U.S. Open Cup Second Round matchup being the only previous encounter. The Atlanta Silverbacks were victorious in that game with a 1-0 victory from an unassisted Raphael Cox goal in the 61st minute.

This year’s matchup will be the first game under The Battle for Atlanta promotion, and increased exposure and promotion will seek to raise the profile of the game, the teams, and the competition, in the Atlanta area. With the U.S. Open Cup, this matchup is a high stakes, win-or-go-home situation, which will see the winning team travel to Salt Lake City and play Real Salt Lake.

The Atlanta Silverbacks currently sit in 5th place out of 7 teams in the NASL table with a record of 2W-1D-2L. A high scoring team with defensive struggles, they are 2nd in the NASL with 10 goals scored, yet last in goals allowed with 11. The attacking threat is led by the trio of Danny Barrera (1 goals, 2 assists), Pedro Mendes (3 goals), and Ruben Luna (3 goals). In the U.S. Open Cup, they will be looking to improve on last year’s Third Round finish, where they lost to the Seattle Sounders with a 5-1 score.

The Georgia Revolution will look to avenge last year’s Second Round loss to the Silverbacks while preparing to start the 2013 NPSL season. After winning a preliminary round game against the Colorado Rovers with a 1-1 score (5-3 on penalties), the Revolution won their First Round game with a thrilling 4-3 score against the Real Colorado Foxes. After securing a 4-0 lead from 3 goals and an assist from Kwadwo Poku, the Revolution survived a desperate second-half from the Foxes to pull out the victory.

Whoever wins the Battle for Atlanta will have the honor of representing the city against MLS opponent Real Salt Lake in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup. In its 100th year of existence, the U.S. Open Cup is a single elimination tournament that allows all teams from the U.S. Soccer pyramid to compete for the Cup and secure a spot into the CONCACAF Champions League against the best teams in North America. Last year, Sporting Kansas City defeated Seattle Sounders in penalty kicks.

Tickets for the event are $5 and are being sold at www.garevolution.com or by calling (770)483-0284. Seating is limited and tickets are expected to sell out.

For more information, visit www.garevolution.com, www.atlantasilverbacks.com, or use the hashtag #battleforatlanta on Twitter.

QCFC EAGLES HOST BLAU-WEISS WIEHRE FC

The home opener for the Quad Cities Football Club NPSL team will take on historic significance as they host the Blau-Weiss Wiehre Football Club from Freiburg, Germany, at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 22, at the Davenport Soccer Complex, 8991 North Division Street, Davenport, Iowa.

Tickets are available on the Quad City Eagles website or at the game. Ticket prices are $7 for Adults, $5 for kids 10-14 and children 9 and under are free with a parent.

This is an unprecedented event as is believed to be the first time the Quad Cities has hosted an international soccer match at this level, according to Eagles General Manager Jeff Varner.

Blau-Weiss Wiehre FC is currently second in their division standings and is trying to gain promotion to the next higher level in the German soccer system.

Promotion is a scenario that many American sports fans are unfamiliar with. In Europe and many other countries, teams have the ability to be promoted to higher level levels by finishing at or near the top of their league. It would be like the River Bandits making it to Double A, Triple A, or even the Major Leagues.

The Freiburg contingent is being hosted by a number of Quad City area families and members of the German American Heritage Center in Davenport, Iowa. The German American Heritage Center highlights the proud German heritage in the Quad Cities and features many exhibits and displays showcasing the plight and triumphant quest of German immigrants to the early QC area.

HITCHCOCK TO LEAD NPSL

May 15, 2013

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) announced today that it has entered into a management agreement with Playbook Management International (PMI). As part of the agreement, former Major League Soccer (MLS) club executive and PMI Founding Partner Michael Hitchcock will serve as the league’s new commissioner.

“We are very excited to announce that Michael Hitchcock will serve as the new NPSL Commissioner and feel that with the addition of Michael and his company, the NPSL is on the verge of great times ahead,” NPSL Chairman Andy Zorovich commented.

Hitchcock is a MLS success story, starting as an entry-level sales representative and finishing his 12+ year career in the league as a club president and general manager. His time includes work with D.C. United, the Colorado Rapids, the LA Galaxy, FC Dallas, and the San Antonio Scorpions (NASL).

Hitchcock claimed several accolades in his time with the league, including the MLS Sales Director of the Year, MLS Sales Team of the Year, and the Commissioner’s New Business Leadership Award.

"Michael Hitchcock is well respected inside soccer circles,” NPSL Secretary and Brooklyn Italians Vice President Joe Barone stated. “Michael will work with the existing teams to further stabilize them and create a model to further understand their unique markets.

The growth of the NPSL will be very strategic. Michael will play a critical part in the future of the NPSL.”

PMI, based in Frisco (TX), is one of North America’s most respected sports management companies. They boast a worldwide client list and their executives have a combined 75 years of professional sports management experience. They also maintain offices in Gaithersburg (MD), Atlanta (GA), and Ft. Lauderdale (FL).

“On behalf of PMI, I’m looking forward to working with the leadership of NPSL and the passionate, committed owners in developing a model of sustainability, strategically building the league and growing the beautiful game in every NPSL market,” Hitchcock continued. “I believe in the incredible potential of the NPSL and know that it plays a critical role in the continued growth of the sport of soccer in the United States.”

The NPSL is a national league that operates in the 4 th Division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid, which also includes the Premier Development League (PDL) operated by the United Soccer Leagues (USL). NPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup through their affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The NPSL operates in 60+ markets from across the country and is currently one of the fastest- growing soccer leagues in the U.S. Two MLS clubs, D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls, operate U-23 squads in the NPSL.

NPSL RECAP - MAY 15, 2013

Kehoe Named National Player of the Week

The National Premier Soccer League is proud to announce its fifth National Player of the Week for the 2013 regular season.

The winner, for the week ending May 5th, is Real San Jose midfielder Jesse Kehoe.

Kehoe is currently one of the league’s top scorers with 5 goals on the season. He has spent the past three seasons in San Jose.

The Dublin, Ireland native has a wealth of experience, including time spent with Hartlepool United FC, Hemel Hempstead Town FC, Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University, Manchester City FC Youth Academy, and the Shelbourne United FC Reserves.

Photo Credit: Dario Cruz

U.S. Open Cup Play Continues for NPSL Teams

The first round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup featured plenty of goal scorers with four players recording hat tricks.

Hat trick scorers included Arjgent Duka whose three tallies helped FC Icon to a 4-1 win against Brooklyn Italians. Kwadwo Poku earned the honors of scoring the first hat trick of the 2013 tournament as he helped the Georgia Revolution jump out to a 4-0 lead against Real Colorado Foxes. Colorado made things interesting by scoring three times in the last half hour, but could not find the equalizer, losing 4-3.

One first-round game remains as the Des Moines Menace hosts the Madison 56ers on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CT. The winner of that game will play at Minnesota United FC in second-round action. The venue for that game changed to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. It originally was scheduled for the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn.

Pairings for the tournament’s third round will be announced Wednesday.

First Round Results:

Icon FC (USASA) 4, Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) 1: Argjent Duka, the brother of Chicago Fire forward Dilly Duka, scored three goals as Icon FC defeated the Brooklyn Italians 4-1. The Italians won the Open Cup in 1979 and 1991, and Icon FC is competing in its first tournament.

Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) 2, New York Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL) 0: Markhus Lecroix and Frank Tweneboa were the goal scorers as the Ocean City Nor’easters beat the New York Red Bulls U-23s, 2-0, in Ocean City, N.J. The Nor’easters will face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the second round.

Reading United AC (PDL) 2, FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL) 0: Darius Madison and Steve Neumann both scored in the second half as Reading United AC defeated FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic 2-0 at Oley Valley High School. Reading will face the Harrisburg City Islanders in the second round.

Carolina Dynamo (PDL) 4, Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 4 (Carolina wins 4-1 in PKs): Chattanooga went up 4-3 in the 115th minute, but Carolina equalized in the 117th minute. Eventually, the game would go to penalties where Carolina would win, 4-1. Carolina will face off against the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL in the next round.

Portland Timbers U-23s (PDL) 3, Sacramento Gold (NPSL) 2: After falling behind 2-0 early in the game the Timbers U-23s found their way back in the game with the three straight goals to hold on for a berth in the tournament’s second round.

Georgia Revolution (NPSL) 4, Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) 3: Kwadwo Poku found the back three times to tally the first hat trick of the 2013 tournament and powered the Revs to a 4-0 lead. Georgia then withstood a furious rally from the Foxes but ultimately held on to the 4-3 win.

Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 3, FC Hasental (NPSL) 2: Hasental jumped to a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute but the hosts were awarded a penalty kick just one minute later. The visitors saved the PK attempt but surrendered their lead just before the half. The two teams traded goals until late heroics by the Fusion’s Dylan Riley in the 87th minute sent the hosts home 3-2 winners.