There's 'Snow' stopping the Cards; U.S. WC bid frozen out

On Saturday morning, I joked with someone via e-mail that the University of Louisville would beat UCLA in the NCAA quarterfinal matchup by the not very realistic scores of 5-3, 5-4 or 6-5, given both teams’ propensity for flowing, attacking soccer and the expected inclement weather.

If I had have known of anybody offering odds on this game, I would probably be walking around the streets of Southern Indiana right about now with a wheelbarrow stuffed high with notes featuring the faces of various presidents.

Such a thought faded rapidly from the mind to be replaced with joy. The emotion was shared thousands of times over at Cardinal Park by the Louisville fans who braved the elements, even if they couldn’t feel too many of their bodily parts at the end of 90 minutes of play.

The Cards have reached the Men’s College Cup — their Final Four — for the first time in their history, courtesy of a thrilling come-from-behind 5-4 victory, the clincher arriving with just 52 seconds of play remaining from the boot of Aaron Horton.

Despite the snow and freezing temperatures, there was a record 5,467 attendance — plus hundreds of others on the ‘Ville Hill’ and in cars outside the soccer grounds — to see the Cards earn themselves a trip to the warmer climes of Santa Barbara, Calif.

This is a team that had won only one NCAA tournament game before this year. It is a squad that went into the postseason with the burden of No. 1 on its shoulders.

Having fallen 2-0 and 3-1 behind, top-ranked Louisville (19-0-3) showed the sort of refuse-to-lie-down-and-die attitude that accompanies teams who just don’t know how to lose.

Ken Lolla’s charges will now take on No. 4 North Carolina at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Harder Stadium.

Before they depart for the Men’s College Cup, supporters are invited to a send-off for the team at the KFC Yum! Center at 5 p.m. today. The first 500 kids at the event will get a free Louisville soccer T-shirt, while the coaches and players will be available for autographs.

The Tar Heels have won all of their three NCAA tournament games this year on penalty kicks against Georgetown, Michigan State and SMU.

They are no strangers to the Men’s College Cup, most recently falling to Akron on penalties last year and advancing to the final in 2008.

The second semifinal on Friday will feature No. 3 Akron (a team coached by Lolla from 1993-2005) against No. 10 Michigan at 11 p.m. The championship game will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday. All three games will be shown live on ESPNU or ESPN2 and online at ESPN3.com.



What a joke, there's no way . . . oh, wait, that looks nice: An artist's impression of The Al-Shamal stadium, one of the nine being built from scratch -- and 12 in total -- for the Qatar World Cup in 2022. Its shape was derived from the traditional "dhow", the local fishing boats of the Persian Gulf.

Exemplifying how the game of soccer can provide a roller-coaster ride of emotions was FIFA’s announcement last Thursday that it would be Qatar, not the United States, which will host the 2022 World Cup, while Russia was awarded 2018.

The fallout from the picks of oil rich countries with gargantuan budgets has been as entertaining as the actual decisions themselves.

The English have not been taking it very well (Google “England” and “World Cup 2018” for yourself), while the United States’ bid team was despondent but more gracious.

Both nations had technically superior assessments compared to their respective rivals. But FIFA made it clear that it doesn’t pay much attention to the reports that itself demanded.

Whatever the accusations of bribery, vote trading and backroom politics, the fact is that FIFA has chosen to continue its theme of establishing legacies and breaking new ground.

Russia will become the first Eastern European nation to host the tournament, while choosing Qatar — a nation the size of Connecticut with a population of just more than 1.5 million — means the World Cup will dip its toes in Middle East territory for the first time.

Russia’s selection is not a major surprise. Qatar’s, however, is head-scratching to say the least. Classified by FIFA itself as “high risk,” much has already been made of its searing temperatures in the summer, while it will basically be building infrastructure from scratch to host the biggest sports event on the planet.

All 12 stadiums will be within a 20-mile radius encompassing its capital, Doha. Then after the tournament, they’ll be dismantled and transported off to countries that need them.

So the decisions might be seen by FIFA as very brave and noble, but let me put this to you: Four horses are running in four different races on the same card. Only one has ever run on the course (Brazil), although he hasn’t run for a while (1950) and there are real concerns about whether he’s ready or not to do this again.

One other has run over the distance (South Africa in hosting the Rugby World Cup). The others might be good, because a lot of money has been invested in their breeding (Russia and Qatar), but no one really knows how they’ll take to the course and distance.

Let me ask you — Would you stick your hard-earned loot on all four sluicing home to victory?

One has already made it successfully home, of course, with South Africa hosting a decent World Cup this year. However, experience sadly tells me you’d be foolish to believe all four longshots will romp it. Which is why I can’t help feeling these decisions are going to come back and haunt FIFA somewhere along the line, and judging by the worldwide reaction in recent days, there won’t be too many shedding a whole bunch of tears if that happens.

And me? Well, I’m not expecting any full wheelbarrows in my backyard.

The birth of River City Rovers

EXCLUSIVE

Kentuckiana is about have a new team play in the top U23 men’s soccer league in North America.

The newly formed River City Rovers will join the United Soccer League in the summer of 2011. It will have a 16-game schedule in the Premier Development League – or PDL -- section between the months of May and August.

The team’s home is still to be decided, but the ground will be in Louisville. Among the venues believed to be under consideration are the University of Louisville and St Xavier High School.
A southern Indiana resident is among the 10-strong group of owners.

The PDL is seen as a shop window for Major League Soccer clubs looking to discover and identify aspiring pros.

Many of the players currently playing in the MLS began their careers there, while notable US internationals with PDL experience include Brian Ching, Charlie Davies, Brad Guzan, Jonathan Spector, Clarence Goodson, Herculez Gomez, Robbie Findley, Jay DeMerit and Eric Wynalda.

Muhamed Fazlagic, who founded Louisville youth travel soccer club United 1996 FC, will serve as technical director and head coach, while Thabane Sutu will be the assistant coach.

"I am so excited to be part of creating this opportunity for local players who currently play for top-ranked national colleges,” said Fazlagic. “Now they'll be able to play at the highest level in front of their friends and family. River City Rovers is certainly a new and positive chapter in Louisville’s soccer history."

Peter Laventis, one of the owners and vice-president at United 1996, said the formation of River City Rovers is the natural progression of soccer in the area.

“This team will have the ability to showcase the talents of the best players from all of the clubs, while allowing them to retain their amateur status for NCAA eligibility,” he said. “Rovers’ games will provide local fans with the highest level of soccer experience, short of an MLS game.”
Unofficially, the PDL is considered to be the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid, behind the MLS, the USSF Division 2 and the USL Second Division.

It had 67 teams competing in four conferences -- split into eight regional divisions across the US and Canada -- in 2010. So far, three new franchises have been announced to participate in 2011 season.
Average attendances have risen in recent years to about 550 a game in regular season, and over 1,100 for the play-offs.

Rovers will play in the Great Lakes Division along with the likes of Indiana Invaders from South Bend, Chicago Fire and Cincinnati Kings.

Mary Nieto, marketing director of River City Rovers, said the club welcomes players from all area club and collegiate backgrounds.

“River City Rovers will be representative of the best soccer players the greater Louisville area has to offer,” she said.

“By joining the Premier Development League, our players will be exposed to additional scouts and recruiters who, in turn, report their findings. This provides players additional time on the pitch in front of fans and against collective opponents -- competition that is as close to MLS performance as we can get.”

As for the future, Nieto said the club would be “thrilled” to one day reach MLS qualifications and status.

“Realistically, it takes a lot of investment power to make that happen but we're prepared to put in the time with the River City Rovers,” she said.

“If MLS becomes an achievable goal, we certainly wouldn't say no.”

Cards set for last 16 date with Buckeyes

Another record crowd is expected when the top-ranked and unbeaten University of Louisville (17-0-3) faces No. 16 Ohio State (11-5-3) in the third round of the NCAA Division I men’s soccer tournament at Cardinal Park at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Cards beat College of Charleston 3-1 on Sunday in front of 5,197 fans, pleasing the vast majority of them with two late goals. The attendance smashed the previous school record of 3,583, set against Indiana University in 2005.

Louisville opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a Nick Deleon effort, but Sean Flatley evened the score just five minutes later for Charleston.

With seven minutes remaining in the game, Deleon put Colin Rolfe through for his seventh goal of the season, and Charlie Campbell wrapped it up with 88:13 on the clock following a fine build-up down the left involving Rolfe and Dylan Mares.

Meanwhile, Ohio State made it through with a 2-1 home victory over Providence, a team beaten by Louisville in the Big East Tournament final on penalty kicks last week.

Louisville met the Buckeyes in a regular-season encounter at Cardinal Park in September, with the game ending scoreless.

It was the only game the Cards failed to win at home, where it is now 9-0-1 for 2010. In fact, the last time they lost at home was to Jacksonville in the NCAA tournament in 2008.

The winner will face the victor of Dartmouth and UCLA in the quarterfinal on the weekend of Dec. 3, a tie that would also be at Cardinal Park should Louisville emerge victorious against OSU.

The College Cup (the Final Four) will be held in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Dec. 10 and 12.

Meanwhile, No. 14 Indiana will play at No. 3 Akron at 4 p.m. Sunday after beating Tulsa 5-1. Goals came from Will Bruin (two), Andy, Adlard, Nikita Kotlov and Harrison Petts.

Javanon '94 off to a National League flyer

Javanon ’94 got off to a flyer in the US Youth Soccer National League at the weekend.
Coach Jason Bell’s charges played four games in Wilson, North Carolina and came through all four of them unbeaten to sit atop the eight team U17 Blue Division.

After opening with a 2-2 draw against WAZA – ranked sixth in the nation -- on Thursday night, Javanon then went on to beat Blast FC of Ohio South (1-0) and fourth ranked Sereno of Arizona (1-0).
It rounded out the trip with a 2-0 victory over RSL Florida, who was last year's national runner-up.The team mates attracted plenty of interest from college and national coaches with their performances.

The second round of games will take place from February 19-21 in Weston, Florida, when Javanon will encounter crunch matchups against joint leaders Tulsa TSC (Oklahoma), Annandale United (Virginia) and PSC Coppa (Pennsylvania).

Should Javanon win its league, it will automatically punch its ticket to the 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships in Phoenix, Arizona next July.

Next up for the team is the Disney Soccer Showcase in Florida from December 27-30.

Red Devils and Bulldogs meet again

There is no magic formula — just doing the small things right and a dash of good luck.

That’s what New Albany boys’ soccer coach Dutch Vigar puts the team’s postseason success in recent years down to.

The small things and some good fortune are a couple of the reasons why we said goodbye to Hoosier Hills Conference champions Floyd Central, who had gone unbeaten all season until Saturday (and remain unbeaten in the regular season). The Highlanders’ 15-1-2 achievement should not go forgotten.


Brian Fischer: 21 goals this season.

After a repeat of 2009’s IHSAA sectional championship penalty shootout victory over the Highlanders — and its third sectional title in a row — New Albany (6-9-2) will face Jeffersonville (16-2) Wednesday night in the second successive regional semifinal between the teams (Floyd Central, 8 p.m.).

Last year, New Albany won a tight encounter, courtesy of a Kameron Jenkins header, before going on to beat Seymour in the regional final on penalties.

This time, Carson Webb's Jeffersonville will be hoping to avoid a bus crash (no one hurt) before the game and a clean bill of health (three Red Devils missed the game due to sickness) for all its players.

That’s the easy part.

Although the Red Devils had a comfortable 4-0 victory over New Albany in the regular season, they should well know by now how resolute the Bulldog defense is this time of year.

The Red Devils do have, however, a strong attack. Brian Fischer has continued his regular-season form into the state series, already bagging five goals — including a hat trick against Providence in the Jeff Sectional decider on Saturday — to bring his tally this fall to 21.

Then there’s Jordan Vejar, who has 16 goals; Roberto Martinez (12); Gavin Leavell (11) and Vincent Straight (10).

Lucas Rigsby, who scored two goals against New Albany in the regular season, has eight goals and leads the team’s assists column with 19.

If the Bulldog rear guard, which includes goalkeeper C.J. Reynolds, Jordan Blessinger, Nick Blackwell, Luke Lete and Omar Garcia, can hold strong, it will be hoping its midfield and strikeforce can penetrate a Jeffersonville three-man defense.

Jenkins has six goals of his own in the postseason, while teammates Justin Oliver and Sean O’Connor also will be looking to catch the Red Devils on the break.

The winner of Jeffersonville and New Albany will be playing for a third IHSAA regional championship, as both have won it twice. The sectional count now stands at five and six, respectively, as we enter a two-class system next year when both teams are likely to return to facing off against each other before any regional takes place.

For the record, the Bulldogs also won a state championship in 1975, were state finalists in 1978, and won three regional and semistate championships in ’75, ’77 and ’78 before the IHSAA-organized tournament kicked off in 1994.

In the first of Wednesday night’s semifinals (6 p.m.), five-time sectional champs Madison (13-6-2) — 5-1 winners over Southwestern on Saturday — will take on Trinity Lutheran (15-2-1), which beat Seymour 5-2 to claim its first sectional championship.

The winner will get a chance to play for its first regional title in the final game at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Marlin Shattering Records

(Published Evening News & The Tribune, October 8)

The marlin is an incredibly fast billfish with a spear-like snout. The largest of the species is found in the Atlantic Ocean.

Namesake Casey Marlin also dazzles with her speed and unleashes venomous shots resembling spear-like missiles at opposition goalkeepers. She can be found in the fall on the soccer fields of southern Indiana wreaking havoc amongst hapless defenses.

This week, the 16-year-old striker brought her season tally to 26 and her high school career total to 56, breaking the Providence school record of 50 held jointly by Alix Hughes (2006 graduate) and current Manchester College leading scorer Laura Jenkins (2009).

And she’s still a junior.

“I wanted to break one record at Providence, and this is kind of like a way for me to be remembered after I leave,” says Marlin. “I don't have a number that I'm specifically aiming for by senior year; I just really wanted to beat it this year.”



Casey Marlin (right), with sister Caley. Photo by Kevin McGloshen, Evening News & The Tribune.

In fact, she will get a chance to break a second record on Monday when the Lady Pioneers line out against New Albany in the sectional quarterfinals for the third successive year. Jenkins’ season best of 27 (set in 2008) is looking a little bit shaky right about now, and could be broken post-season by one of her biggest admirers.

“Laura has actually been a huge influence on the way I play,” says Marlin. “I've always looked up to her, so it means so much that I can be recognized with her.”

After starting her playing days with local girls’ club Net-Surfers, which she says “definitely” had an impact on her, Marlin moved onto Javanon.

“My coach, Ntando Tsambo, taught me how to strike the ball with all my strength,” she says, “Every day at practice we would work on foot skills, and that made me a lot better. I learned how to dribble at speed with control, which is very important.”

Marlin is now part of Mockingbird ’94, where team mates include a couple of high school rivals in Floyd Central’s talented junior trio Taylor Patty, Lauren Haley and Rebekah Burgan.

She says that the Lady Highlanders – winners of the sectional championship for the past four years -- are “always very good” about marking her. It goes without saying that if Floyd Central, New Albany or anyone else in the nine team sectional have designs on this year’s title, they may have to come up with a way to stop the diminutive (about 5’ 3” but physically strong) goal getter.

The bad news for the opposition is that Marlin believes she’s learned to cope with the receipt of special attention.

“It is harder when a team man-marks me, but my coach (Dave Smith) has taught me to use my speed to my advantage,” she says. “I do like to think that I fool defenders by my appearance. I look small, but I can be pretty tough.”

Marlin is acutely aware, however, that without her team mates -- who have been dubbed the “Kick Chicks” -- she wouldn’t be breaking any records. On Wednesday, the Lady Pioneers – with a goal from Marlin -- defeated Louisville’s Mercy Academy 3-1 to end its regular season 14-1-1, the best in the school’s history.

“I definitely couldn’t do it without my team,” she says. “They know where and when to pass to me when I make runs. Lauren Holland (junior) especially knows every move I make before I make it. We have great chemistry together on the field - our whole team does.”

Others she is happy to be playing with, as opposed to playing against, are junior Kelsey Rogers and sophomore Leah Mattingly.

“I'm grateful that Kelsey is on my team that's for sure,” she says. “I think she's one of the best defenders in the area. It's very difficult to get past her, and the same with Leah.”

However, the one who makes her play her hardest, she says, is her sister Caley, a senior.

“Caley is an amazing player,” she says. “I am very lucky to be able to play with her. We can be honest with each other and help each other on the field, although we do argue sometimes!”

Providence coach Dave Smith says he expects the college offers to be flooding in for Marlin when she hits the showcase circuit this fall and next spring.

“Casey is a very unselfish player, often man-marked or at the very least given special attention by the defense,” says Smith. “This makes her accomplishments that much more impressive.

“These are legitimate goals scored, and never do we allow her to drop in five to 10 in one match against a lesser opponent.”

Marlin is level headed about a prospective college soccer career.

“I would definitely love to play in college,” she says. “I'm not sure if I would be ready to play at a Division 1 school, but I've got some time to think about it.”

And some time to wreak more havoc on the fields of southern Indiana!

Getting Passionately Pink again

New Albany and Floyd Central girls will be going pink for the second time at Prosser Field this Thursday (7 p.m. approx) in an effort to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research.

On the same day, the grandmother of twins Selena and Stephanie Iglesias -- members of the New Albany girls’ varsity team -- will undergo surgery to have a breast removed due to the disease.

Marcella Clements said she was “amazed” that her doctor chose the date of the game for the surgery.

“I think it is God's way of giving me hope while allowing me to share my story with others, possibly giving them hope as well,” said Clements. “Breast cancer is a disease that affects many people and because of fundraisers like this, doctors have made progress over the years.

“This game and what it stands for allows young people to see how they can help others and I think it is wonderful to see how the school supports giving back to the community.”

It’s a stark reminder, if one is needed, that breast cancer affects almost everyone in one way or another, be it directly, through a family member, or through a friend.

Rhonda Iglesias, Clements’ daughter and the twins’ mother, will represent all those affected by breast cancer from the New Albany team, while Floyd Central will also have its own representative this evening.


Action from last year's inaugural Passionately Pink game, held at Floyd Central.

The game between the two local rivals, entitled Passionately Pink for the Cure, is expected to bring out a big crowd. It will be preceded by a boys’ varsity game between the two schools (5.30 p.m.), and gate proceeds will go towards the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, which said 75 per cent of the money raised for the charity stays in the local area. Donations will also be taken at the venue.

The Bulldogs will be suited up in hot pink t-shirts and white socks, while the Highlanders will be wearing light pink t-shirts and socks. Corporate sponsorship has been secured from local businesses to purchase the jerseys for both teams.

In support of Youth Soccer Month, recreation teams from both Southern Indiana United and Net-Surfers have been invited to parade out with New Albany and Floyd Central ahead of the game.

The boys’ teams, meanwhile, will be wearing pink warm-up shirts for their games, and it is expected that they will become full partners for the third annual game next year. Both teams want to join the cause as the disease affects both women and men.

Last year, about $650 was raised. New Albany coach Julie Deuser said they are expecting to make a lot more money this time round.

In fact, the organizers said they are aiming to exceed $2,000, as a number of other events have already been held, including fundraising car washes at Ideal Fitness and Jacobi's gas station, as well as an all-you-can-eat Krispy Kreme donut breakfast at Mt. Tabor School last Saturday.

“I have a great group of parents who have been working hard at fundraising,” said Deuser. “We have several sponsors and donors this year, which is really great. The girls are excited to play and we hope there is a big crowd to not only support us, but also this worthy cause.”

Deuser got the idea from her own high school team, East Jessamine, which played its cross town rival West Jessamine two years ago in a successful fundraising game entitled Rivals with a Cause. When she spoke with Floyd Central coaches, they were very interested and excited to be involved.

New Albany, with a 4-4 record after losing 2-1 to Seymour last Thursday, has been trying to cope with the loss of Kayton Cole, a two time member of Kick It’s Team of the Season, due to an ACL and MCL tear which will see her sidelined for nine months.

“We are really young and trying to adjust to new positions,” said Deuser. “Losing Kayton has caused us to mix up the lineup and have girls try new positions. With each game we are gaining more and more confidence. I am really proud of how hard the girls are working.”

Goalkeeper Taylor Briscoe has, in particular, stood out and Deuser said she has had “an unbelievable season” so far.

“She has grown so much as a goalie over the last few years,” she said. “She is truly the anchor to our defense.”

Floyd Central has a 6-3-2 record following a 3-3 tie with Seymour on Tuesday. In the past week the Highlanders also lost 2-1 to Providence and drew 1-1 with Columbus East.