Not many American clubs have the year-round exposure and appeal of the Cincinnati Saints.  The Ohio side is a major player in several national leagues, including the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).  The club has also been a force in the indoor game for years and they are looking to rejoin the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) this season, which will raise their profile even further.

As clubs become more sophisticated they will, often, develop club wide playing systems and styles. Ajax of Amsterdam were one of the first clubs to have a club wide system of play and a numbering system which described the role of the player in that area of the field. The player in the #11 position was, always, the left flank player. Some clubs would call it “left wing.” This is an important step forward as it means that everyone in the club understands what the #11 position is and where about on the field it is even if the player in that position wore the number 44!

The first event of the Shale Soccer Classic Presented by Admiral Sports at Perry High School in Massillon, Ohio was the girls showcase. In a game featuring the top high school talent from all over Ohio along with across the country facing off, the Cleveland/Canton United defeated Mercy Medical Center FC with a final score of 8-0.

“I wish there were more events like this,” Cleveland/Canton United All-Stars head coach Drago said. 

The Kitsap Pumas are one of the top teams in the USL’s Premier Development League (PDL) and much of their recent success is due to the stellar play and strong leadership of captain Cory Keitz. 

Keitz, a center back for Kitsap, is one of the most of the most decorated and talented players on the team.  His numerous national honors include being named to the PDL Team of the Week, the All-Western Conference Team, and the All-PDL Team.  

The career of Mason Grimes has to be described as a meteoric rise.  He has moved from the collegiate game to the pro ranks and onto international soccer in the matter of months.  It’s an incredible story.

It all starts with Grimes committing to play at Cal State San Marcos, a program that plays in the NAIA.  He would see action all four years, but was a starter his final two seasons.  He led the Cougars to seven shutouts and an incredible 0.86 goals against average as a junior in 2013.  He would garner All-Conference honors during both his junior and senior seasons.

Like many people I have always thought that creativity stood as one of the cornerstones of Brazilian football. The 1970 World Cup, shown around the world, constituted the first time many people had seen the glorious skills of Brazilian players featuring Pele, Rivelino, Tostao, Gerson and many other players. They defeated the Italians 4 – 1 in the final and it could have been more! My school mates and I ran outside and played in the Liverpool streets trying to replicate  Brazilian skill and movements we had never seen before.