FC Sparta Michigan will play their home matches at Hurley Field in Berkeley, MI. The team is led by CEO Eric Kallis, Director of Operations James Babb, and Head Coach George Kallis.
“Fans should know that our club is not only instilling the concept of winning in the minds of our players but the concept that hard work will lead to success,” Eric Kallis stated.
Sparta joins a vibrant soccer market with great tradition and talent, something the organization has embraced in preparation for their inaugural season.
“The greatest feeling in the world is when you step out onto the pitch knowing that you will succeed because you take a look around and see your 10 best friends playing next to you,” Eric Kallis added.
Detroit City FC had success in their first season, on and off the pitch. They return to their fortress at Cass Technical High School in downtown Detroit. DCFC prides themselves in strong attendance numbers, a large supporters’ group, and their charitable work in the community.
They are led on the pitch by 2012 captain and defender Josh Rogers.
Attacker Adam Bedell is a Livonia product that stars at the University of Detroit Mercy. He is expected to pack some scoring punch as he did at the collegiate level, leading the Horizon League with 11 goals and 27 points.
Knox Cameron is a former Columbus Crew striker, who played in 30 games and scored 4 goals for the MLS side.
“No matter what way you enter the match, you must keep the ball,” DCFC Head Coach Ben Pirmann said. “The best teams in the world keep the ball. We have special players on this team and the fans deserve to see their special flair.”
FC Buffalo returns to 4,000 seat Robert E. Rich All High Stadium in 2013, a stadium that was opened in 1926 and designed after the European soccer stadiums of the time.
Defenders Jake Rinow (Cornell) and Adam Lauko (Wisconsin), midfielder Andrew Bednarsky (St. Lawrence University), and goalkeeper Kareem Gray (Canisius) are all expected to be impact players for the 2013 FCB squad.
COO Scott Frauenhofer, GM Nick Mendola, and Director of Partnerships Brent Garner all lead Buffalo’s front office.
FC Buffalo is very excited about the direction they are heading in 2013. The addition of new head coach Brendan Murphy has seen the club undergo a change in culture. The club believes that Coach Murphy is a perfect conduit for player development as FC Buffalo seeks to become a destination for the top U.S. and international players in the NPSL.
“We’ve had seven players move on to sign professional contracts in our first three seasons,” Frauenhofer remarked. “Our dedication this year is to winning and we know we have to do it in a very difficult conference, but we are up to the challenge.”
The Erie Admirals play their home games at Cathedral Prep Events Center, a facility that seats 2,500 and features an artificial turf surface. Goalkeeper Dan Mudd and forward Afrim Latifi are two players that have been with the Admirals for five seasons. The team is counting on their ability and leadership to make sure there is continuity year after year.
John Melody has been the head coach since the club’s inception and purchased the team two years ago, while Neil Brown is entering his third season as associate head coach. Colleen Dixon and Debbie Boniminio are key members of Erie’s front office.
“We have a tremendously strong conference and our goal is to compete week in week out,” Melody commented. “I do think in the not too distant future that the winners of our conference will also win a national championship.”
Zanesville Athletic FC is the other newcomer to the Great Lakes. They will play their home matches at Maysville Athletic Complex, a state of the art facility that features an artificial turf surface.
Tyler Drumm (IUPUI), Smart Osadolor (Tiffin), and John Barr (Muskingum) are being counted on as key contributors to the 2013 ZAFC squad.
The team is led by Head Coach Brenton Dawson, GM Lou Cancasci, and President Josh Stocker.
“ZAFC is going to be competitive in every match,” Stocker said. “It is our goal to win all of our home matches, challenge for the conference title, help our players improve, all while playing an attractive brand of soccer.”
AFC Cleveland marks the return of top-flight soccer to downtown Cleveland with their move to Krenzler Field on the Cleveland State University campus.
Forward Tommy Schmitt (Akron) and defensive midfielder Carter Poe (Duquesne) return for the Royals, anchoring the attack and the defense. Dan O’Callaghan (Hiram) is a newcomer that is expected to have an impact on the Cleveland backline.
Cleveland’s coaching staff includes head coach Andy Hoggarth with Aaron McGuiness, Chris Limle, and Marquis Walker all serving as assistants. Director of Player Personnel and Scouting David Schmac leads the front office.
“It is a privilege to play in the Great Lakes Conference, one of the most competitive regions in the NPSL,” CEO Terry Lawriw stated. “It is going to be a great season for our players, staff, and supporters.”
Erie came out on top in 2012, claiming the Great Lakes Conference title in the regular season. Cleveland won the Rust Belt Cup and advanced through the conference playoffs before falling to the Madison 56ers, just missing out on a berth in the national championship series.
