Hello again everyone, welcome to This Week in The Pyramid! Euro 2016 starts this afternoon! Trying to get all my work done in the morning so I can watch France vs Romania uninterrupted.
Before we go any further, please take some time to check out the Partners page. AP has several great partners, all working to grow the game of soccer at the lower levels, and more will be forthcoming. Check out their sites and lend them your support. Now, for your regularly scheduled program. Hartford City Is Back?: In case you forgot or just didn't know, Hartford City FC was supposed to be an NASL team. But the guy who was putting it on was running a scam, cost the city thousands and a few people in city government their jobs. But now it looks like another Hartford citizen is attempting to revive the team to start playing in 2017. Xavi On Passing: Learn from the master. Seriously. This entire article is Xavi talking about how to pass, move, and plan. Deconstructing American Soccer: A podcast from These Football Times, it gives an honest look at the challenges facing MLS as they try to become one of the world's top leagues by 2020. Greg Popovich On Character: Greg Popovich is one of my favorite coaches, and the Spurs one of my favorite teams, ever. He's the American, NBA version of Sir Alex Ferguson. This is one of the best long form interviews I've found, done by someone who know's Popovich. Since he's a notoriously tight lipped coach, its really fascinating to see him open up around someone he's comfortable with. Remember, if you are enjoying the content I'm putting out, I'd encourage you to click here to Follow me on Twitter, or here to Like the page on Facebook. And if you'd like to read these interviews before everyone else, and make sure you aren't missing anything, click here and sign up for the newsletter. You'll be the first to know when articles are released and learn about other exciting content down the road. Make sure to spread the word by sharing these interviews, telling friends about the blog, those kind of things. I can't accomplish my goal of maximum exposure for all levels of the American Soccer Pyramid without YOU. Until next time, Stay Loyal, Support Local. Click Here to read 'Glasgow to California: Willie Donachie of Temecula FC' "Hopefully there's a nugget or two in there that you can use." Today's interview is brought to you by SoccerElf.com. SoccerElf.com is a brand new website dedicated to helping people all across the United States find the nearest pick up game. If you can't find one near you, guess what? You can create one. Right now, it's still the early stages, so AP has partnered with them to help get the word out, get more people on the site, and get more games going everywhere! The more chances to play, the more people will play. And the more people who play, the more the game grows. Welcome to American Pyramid ladies and gentlemen readers! I'm going to let you get right into it today. This interview is part 1 of 2 with Jonathan Fonseca, President of National Premier Soccer League club Rhode Island Reds FC. Yes, the interview really is long enough to be split up. There's a lot here, including great stories about the rise and fall of soccer clubs, lessons for owners, and the power of soccer to help heal after a tragedy. Check it out. Let's start simple. Who you are, where you're from, and what your role is with the Rhode Island Reds.
My name is Jonathan Fonseca and I'm from Cranston, Rhode Island a state in which I've lived my entire life. I am the President of the Rhode Island Reds where I've served in the roll for 3 years now. What got you interested in working with a soccer team? I've been a soccer fan my entire life and since I wasn't a fantastic player my goals quickly turned to coaching and getting involved with the backroom and running a club. Which position did you play? I was a central defender but I had a solid cross so the one day they put me as a full back I got slid tackled from behind and tore my Achilles. And that was the end of that chapter. Oh man. All it really takes is one bad move and it's over. I got kicked in the back of the heel in a pickup game last spring and had a limp for three to four months after. As life long Rhode Islander, how would you say the soccer scene in Rhode Island has changed from when you were a kid to now, as an adult? No kidding! Oh man, where do I begin with this one. When I was a kid there really wasn't anything but local town leagues and some club teams. Then came the Rhode Island Stingrays who played in the USL Pro and later the USL PDL. It was a fun family atmosphere to go watch these local guys play against other teams from around the country. And then the MLS really began to take off and a lot of these teams began to fall away. Recently I'd say pretty much since 2012 the NPSL in particular has done an amazing job in reengaging these markets to showcase local talent. It seems like the landscape has changed a lot in soccer from when I was a kid to now. Now it's not just a game for kids and their parents. You have a whole supporter culture beginning to rise up. It's truly amazing to see the level of support grow. Is that level of support affecting the Reds? Like, do you guys have a supporters group and consistent attendance? It's way harder to find these things out then it should be sometimes. It's been grown year to year. Will we ever be as big as a Detroit City FC? My guess is no. The reason behind that is we have 5 Major League sports teams in New England. Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and the Revolution. As for a supporters group, we do not have one at the moment, but I'm hoping something will grow soon. I think it will always be tough for any team in New England who's within a hour of a Major sports team to be able to compete. Just look at the history of teams in Boston. That's a very good point, and one I don't think a lot of people consider when it comes to new teams in the northeast. It's already a heavily saturated market. Let's focus on the Reds for a bit. How did the Reds even come into being? I guess you could say, much like a comic book, what's the 'origin story?' The Owner, Kabba Joof, who is from The Gambia has been living in Rhode Island for a while now and fell in love with the state. After the Rhode Island Stingrays dissolved in 2009 he noticed a void for soccer players over the age of 18. When he realized nobody was going to take over the spot as the main developmental club for players over 18 he seized the opportunity. That's pretty much how the Reds was born. Kabba wanted to help out these local kids make it to the next level whether that was making it to play pro or playing in the NPSL and giving back to the community, and in 2012 they fielded their first NPSL team. Two of those players are now playing pro soccer in the NASL. Pedro and Paulo Mendes. Hello again everyone, welcome to This Week in The Pyramid! Euro 2016 starts this afternoon! Trying to get all my work done in the morning so I can watch France vs Romania uninterrupted. Before we go any further, please take some time to check out the Partners page. AP has several great partners, all working to grow the game of soccer at the lower levels, and more will be forthcoming. Check out their sites and lend them your support. Now, for your regularly scheduled program. Check it out. Canadian Premier League: In case you didn't know, rumors have been swirling for quite awhile about a new Canadian Premier League, backed by the CFL. This is a good recap of what's going on, and why this needs to be announced sooner rather then later.
Riverside and Deportivo Coras: In case you didn't know, there is a team in Riverside, California that's looking to go pro. And they aren't just talking about. They're taking all the right political steps to make sure it can actually happen. An important read if you are looking, or are thinking about looking into, starting a team. I See Football Everywhere: A site from graphic designer Dan Leydon in Sligo, Ireland. He takes famous players and makes their names into famous business logos. A lot of fun to look at. The Neighborhood Team: This is what lower division soccer in the states could and should be, and in some cases, is. A short video leading to a larger documentary, everything is in Spanish, including the link to the full documentary at the end of the video, so be prepared. There are subtitles though, for the less linguistically inclined among us. Click Here to read 'The Secret World of Military Soccer: Ryan Praleikas of Minot AFB SC' "Play small sided games where kids are free to dribble and run with the ball and have FUN." Today's interview is brought to you by For the Love of Futbol. For the Love of Futbol is a blog dedicated to covering the lower level soccer scene in the Midwestern United States, and this site will give you player profiles, team updates, interviews and more with teams like Grand Rapids FC and Detroit City FC. Check them out at ftlofutbol.com to read more and keep up with exploding Midwestern soccer scene. Welcome once again to AP ladies and gentlemen! The sun is shining and summer is in full swing. And the Euro's start tomorrow, which means my work load is going to drop drastically. Now, a quick preface. Today's interview is different. I got to interview the head coach of National Premier Soccer League club Temecula FC, Willie Donachie. Since the season has already started, and h'es busy guy, it's not as long as some of the other interviews, but it's still a good read. Hopefully we can link up after the season for a second interview. Some background on Willie before we go any further. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and played at left back for Manchester City, the NASL version of the Portland Timbers, had thirty five caps with the Scottish National Team, and has previously coached at Millwall and the Men's National Team for Antigua and Barbuda before making it to California. Now, with that out of the way, I give you an the interview with Willie Donachie. Check it out. When did you first get interested in soccer in general and helping run a soccer team in particular? Was there a certain event that got you into the sport, or have you always been into soccer?
Where I was born soccer was the religion and literally thousands from Glasgow have become professional players.I went on to play over 400 times for Man City and play for Scotland in the World cup before playing for Portland Timbers 1980 to 1982. Going back to England I kept playing and started coaching and was lucky to work with lots of good people and many European international players. Can you recap the history of Temecula FC for me? Temecula FC is a fantastic club in a beautiful part of the world. The city is mainly families and young people giving it a healthy vibrancy. Positioned in a beautiful valley with mountains all round it has a perfect climate, usually sunny and cool at night. Very safe place with vineyards on one side and a casino at the other. Temecula was the idea of Brandon Jantz and his friend Vince Pacconi who both grew up here. They had a noble vision of a pathway for young players to carry on playing after University at a level where they could become professional. They saw the need and the response from local young players has been superb. They give their time and money to try and become professional players and I respect them so much for this. I would like to see more local people and businesses get behind the club as I know it is a constant struggle to keep going financially. However Brandon will keep it going and sacrificing a lot will build this club into a stepping stone for young local players to become full professional soccer players here or in Europe where we have many contacts. Personally I have been blessed as I have always played or coached soccer all my life so I do not really feel I have had a job, more I get paid for doing what I love. My family are all healthy, good people. What more can one ask for? Cast a vision for me: Where do you want to see Temecula FC in 5 years? In 5 years I hope the National Premier Soccer League has grown in numbers and fans and is professional. Hopefully the community gets behind the club as they are providing a wonderful opportunity for local youngsters and serving some exciting entertainment and coaching for young people. |
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