2015 was a monumental year for American soccer and even more so for the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). We decided that a “Top 10 Moments” feature was fitting because 2015 was such a big year for everyone associated with the NPSL. We’ve gotten tons of input from NPSL supporters and fans so here’s the list:
10. Indiana Fire Take the Midwest Region by Storm
Few thought the Fire would run away with the Midwest title in 2015, but that is exactly what happened. Indiana defeated the heavily favored Madison 56ers in the first round of the regional championships before dispatching AFC Cleveland the very next day to claim the hardware.
The club made headlines again in mid-November when they became Indy Eleven NPSL. This was a huge step as another NASL team joined the NPSL ranks. The team will still be led by some of the region’s best in John Simmonds and Mark Webber. The duo has already developed many great prospects with the Fire, including Vincent Mitchell and Thomas Sanner. Both players were invited to the MLS Combine in January and should be high picks in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
Indy Eleven has a world-class staff of their own, one that includes Peter Wilt, Tim Hankinson, and Tim Regan. Indiana Fire gets a whole lot better as Indy Eleven NPSL; there’s no question of that. This moment represents a huge upgrade for the Midwest Region.
9. Five NPSL Alumni Join MLS Teams as Homegrowns
In December, a record five NPSL alumni signed with MLS teams as Homegrown Players. Bradley Bourgeois joined the Houston Dynamo, while Brandon Allen, Chris Thorsheim, Mael Corboz, and Scott Thomsen each came to terms with the New York Red Bulls.
Bourgeois was a standout with Tulsa Athletics and The University of Tulsa before joining the pro ranks. Allen played with both the Clarkstown Eagles SC and the New York Red Bulls U-23s, while Thorsheim, Corboz, and Thomsen all won an NPSL title in 2014 with the Red Bulls U-23s.
This is just the beginning as several more NPSL alumni are expected to be chosen at the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, especially during the early rounds.
8. Strikers U-23 Join the NPSL
The influx of NASL teams into the NPSL continued in the 2015 offseason with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The club boasts everything a supporter could want: an impressive front office and coaching staff, talented players, and loads of connections in the global game. Simply put, they bring a lot to the NPSL.
Having a U-23 squad should help feed their first team with young talent. It’s a great model that has already worked for pro teams involved with the NPSL. Keep in mind that the New York Red Bulls U-23s and New York Cosmos B won the last two NPSL titles. Both of these organizations have seen players regularly make the jump from their NPSL squads to the first team. Expect the Strikers to be immediate contenders for the Sunshine Conference and national titles.
7. Tampa Bay Rowdies 2 Joins the NPSL
When people think of the Rowdies, they think of an iconic brand that has a great connection to the American game. The Rowdies won a national title in the original NASL in 1975 and were runner-ups in 1978 and 1979. They’ve had similar success in the modern NASL, winning the Soccer Bowl in 2012.
Today the Rowdies are one of the top programs in American soccer and adding another level to their developmental pyramid is only going to make them stronger. Expect them to make a run at the NPSL title in 2016, coming out of one of the country’s top conferences.
The Rowdies are the sixth NASL team to have a reserve/U-23 side in the NPSL.
6. New Perspectives for a Growing League
The addition of Southern California Sports Club, Corinthians USA, and Boston City Football Club helps bring a new perspective to the NPSL. Each side has individuals that are big names here in the U.S. and in South America.
Daniel Gamba brings a real South American flavor to SCSC and the NPSL. Gamba, who also serves as the CEO of the Professional Sports Network, has been related to the soccer world at a personal level since childhood and played for several clubs in Brazil and Argentina. In the team’s announcement Gamba talked about implementing a “similar training methodology and philosophy used at top clubs in countries like Brazil and Argentina.” He is joined at SCSC by Dave Elmore, one of the biggest names in minor league baseball. It’s perhaps the most impressive duo in the entire league.
Corinthians USA has Paulo Campos as technical director and Robert Da Silva Almeida at head coach. Campos is a world-renowned Brazilian football manager, a coach with incredible international coaching credentials. He has served as the head coach of the Liberia, Kuwait, and Qatar national teams in addition to managing high profile clubs in Nigeria, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai, Greece, and Brazil. Almeida is best known for his time with Santos FC and the Brazilian national team. The legendary midfielder also played for Atlético Mineiro and Corinthians in addition to being a key figure in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Boston City FC has Palhinha as their co-founder. He is a legendary Brazilian footballer known for his time with São Paulo and the Brazil national team. As a player, he won the Intercontinental Cup twice and the Copa Libertadores three times, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer in 1992.
Adding a new perspective and becoming more diverse is a major step forward for the NSPL.
5. Two Big Announcements for Detroit City FC
There is no question that Detroit City FC is one of the most discussed teams in league history and that they are one of the most dominant programs in the Midwest Region. They do a lot of things right and that’s why they’ve been given the spotlight time after time.
They receive loads of media attention, both here in the States and abroad. They have a supporters’ group that is the envy of every American club. They sell out matches on a regular basis thanks to an incredible matchday atmosphere, one that features chants, flares, smoke, and great football. DCFC is the complete package.
October was a time for major announcements in Detroit. First was the announcement of a May 2016 friendly with FC United of Manchester, arguably the biggest brand in English non-league football. Second was the launch of a community investment campaign to renovate historic Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck.
It’s a special occasion when English teams come to the U.S. and this is sure to be a great event. There’s no question that the environment will be electric and that the play will be world-class.
The opportunity to play home matches at Keyworth is an incredible one. It will give the club more seating for fans and supporters, a larger regional footprint, and the opportunity to host more international friendlies and events. In 2016 Keyworth will be the #1 destination for the beautiful game in the Midwest.
4. Lots of Eyes on the 2015 NPSL Combine
The NPSL took a major step forward in their player development and promotion efforts with the introduction of a player combine in 2015. Keep in mind that the USL and NASL no longer have a combine. It’s quite impressive to see a 4th division league pull this off.
A number of players, including Lansing United teammates Tyler Pasher and Brian Cunningham, turned pro as a result of the event. Pasher landed with the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Cunningham headed to New Zealand with top flight side Waitakere United.
The event drew loads of scouts from across every major league in North America, giving NPSL players unimaginable exposure and a real chance to sign with a pro club. 2015 was the first year for the NPSL Combine and much more is expected from this year’s edition, taking place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 8-10, 2016.
3. Seven NPSL Players Selected in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft
The 2015 MLS SuperDraft was a big event for the NPSL as seven of its players were selected.
Defender Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps), forward Miguel Aguilar (D.C. United), forward Akeil Barrett (Orlando City SC), forward Kharlton Belmar (Portland Timbers), and midfielder Eric Bird (Philadelphia Union) were selected on Day 1. Virginia Beach City FC forward Sidney Rivera (Orlando City) and Tulsa Athletics defender Tony Rocha (Sporting KC) were selected in the final two rounds of the SuperDraft.
Parker and Aguilar played a major role with their teams during the MLS season and both were major contributors in their team’s CONCACAF Champions League campaigns.
2. Kingston Stockade FC Joins the NPSL
The addition of Kingston Stockade FC quietly became one of the top NPSL stories of the year. The club, founded by Dennis Crowley, has found incredible success in the early months of their existence. They look to be one of the most promising teams to come into the NPSL in years. It’s an exciting time to be a soccer fan in the Hudson Valley.
Crowley, who is the co-founder and CEO of Foursquare, has the backing and guidance of MLS executives Greg Lalas and Michael Milberger. He has put together an incredible staff that will market and promote the brand in innovative ways. They should be league leaders in the areas of marketing, branding, media relations, and social media.
Simply put, they are a team to watch for in 2016. They have already made a difference in a league of 82 teams and it is literally just the beginning. So much more is expected in the future.
1. 2015 NPSL National Championship: Chattanooga FC v. New York Cosmos B
It was an honor and privilege to be in Chattanooga for the 2015 championship match. Seeing this game unfold and being part of the experience was one of the top moments of my career even though I have covered the likes of the U.S. nationals teams, dozens of MLS teams, the Gold Cup, and numerous European clubs on tour in North America. This certainly ranked up there, but why?
There are a lot of reasons. First and foremost was the environment created by Chattanooga FC and the Chattahooligans. It felt like the World Cup had come to Chattanooga’s Finley Stadium. The crowd of 18,227 broke the U.S. amateur soccer record and was more than the attendance of both the USL (5,247) and NASL (10,166) title games COMBINED.
Second, Chattanooga FC are a great club led by great players and an incredible staff. They are a model for doing things right in the American game. They are truly connected to the community and represent the city, which is a hidden gem in the South, in a tremendous way. Teams across the country, from MLS on down, have looked to Chattanooga for ideas on marketing, branding, community relations, among other things.
Third, the match was great football on the field. Chattanooga FC matched up well against New York Cosmos B and the game was close. The Cosmos walked away with a 3-2 win, but Chattanooga remained a model of consistency and success.
Many thanks to the Chattahooligans and Chattanooga FC for taking such good care of us!
There is a lot to look forward to in 2016: the most competitive landscape in league history, a record number of teams, noteworthy alumni in the pros, and some surprise announcements. It’s going to be an incredible 2016!
