Teams aim to hit right notes at United Cup

There are not many soccer clubs that are founded by ex- pop stars, but we are fortunate to have one not a million miles away from us.

United 1996's Muhamed Fazlagic was the lead singer of Fazla, who in 1993 represented war-torn Bosnia at the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the most watched annual events across Europe.

Fazla came 16th of 25, but it wasn't that bad really as far as Eurovision songs go. (You can decide for yourself by checking it out at: www.youtube.com/watchv=hJctjigBfuI)

A year after settling in Louisville in 1995, Fazlagic founded United 1996. Thirteen years on and the club now has over 20 teams and two of its teams -- United '91 International and U19s -- won Kentucky state titles last year.

The club's big travel tournament, the United Cup Classic, takes place this weekend at Louisville Champions' Park, Edith Road, and signals the start of the spring soccer season for a number of teams.

In the girls' section, Net-Surfers field three teams. If you saw our feature on the club on Sunday, you'd know that the U17 team is benefitting from the coaching experience of University of Louisville's Shannon Smyth and Lindsay Boling. They play on Saturday against United 1996 '92 and Indy Burn, and play the hosts' '91 team on Sunday.

Net-Surfers '95, coached by Errol Morgan, will play in the Indiana State Cup this year, which places them among the elite teams in their age bracket in Indiana. They kick off their season at the United Cup Classic on Saturday against the hosts and Knoxville FC's FC Crush '95 Orange, and finish off the group stage against Swanner Athletic on Sunday.

The U11s are the third Net-Surfers team playing in the tournament and they will take on United 1996 and Hoosiers Futbol Club on Saturday, and Nelson County YSA Rowdies on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in the boys' section Southern Indiana United's U18s play in the second division against Indianapolis Rangers and Fort Wayne Citadel on Saturday. Brandon Rogers' side will finish the group stage against Louisville Soccer Alliance '91 on Sunday.


Kossis plays in Cyprus

Speaking of Southern Indiana United's U18's, former player Stephan Kossis is now togging out for Cyprus club Apollon Limassol.
According to New Albany High School's Blotter newspaper, the Bulldog senior -- who graduated early -- tried out with the first division outfit and will be used as a reserve.

His dad, originally from Greece, was offered a job in Cyprus and the family thought it would be in their best interest to return to Europe.

"The level of play is incredible," Kossis told reporter Kelsey Greater, adding that NAHS's soccer conditioning does not compare to the difficulty, the level of commitment and hard work of Apollon, currently lying fifth in the league.

Kossis, who won a sectional title with New Albany in the fall, will be returning to the US after the summer to go to college.


Chelsea goes to Brazil
While we're on matters international, it's worth mentioning Jeffersonville's Chelsea Grover, who recently went on a productive nine day trip to Brazil with Western Kentucky University.

While staying in Rio De Janeiro, they toured the Brazilian national team training facilities, stepped in legend Pele's footprints and played a lot of beach soccer, we are told.

Oh, and they also went undefeated on the field, with Grover scoring against one of the U21 Brazilian club teams.