VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

OCTOBER  2010

 

CARPATHIA KICKERS MEN’S 1ST TEAM

 

USASA NATIONAL CUP FINALIST

 

Forwarded by Carpathia Donauschwaben

by George Schleis and Chris Pesta

          The Carpathia Men’s First Team, under the direction of Coaches Mike Talan, John Huth, and Manager Mike Dolan, arrived in Philadelphia to compete in the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) National Cup Men’s Amateur Finals which took place on July 30 through August 1 at the United German Hungarian’s Club (UGH) facility. UGH is one of the two Donauschwaben Club’s in Philadelphia. The Kicker’s, winners of the Midwest Region, were one of four teams to compete in this National Cup competition, one of the oldest soccer tournaments in the United States. The Kicker’s won this tournament in 1962 and lost in the finals in 1965.

          Their first game was on July 30 against the Barracuda’s FC out of Texas. This game was quite historic for the Kickers…they have not been in this position for almost four decades. As the game kicked off it was easy to see the Kicker’s were playing a home like game with many, many, fans for the local Donauschwaben Club coming out to support the team on. The Kicker’s showed no mercy as they easily handled the Barracuda’s with 5-0 score. This victory ensured the Kickers would play on Sunday in the cup finals against a strong Boston Olympiakos (MA) team.

          Carpathia Nation was buzzing as phone calls and text messages were shared amongst the faithful fans that traveled with the team to Philadelphia and for those who were home. Some were checking into car pooling to Philadelphia, while others checking into airfare. In the end, a few members made the 11 hour trip to Philadelphia to support the Kicker’s team. Sunday, August 1st, Kicker fans started to arrive in the Carpathia Club Member’s bar hoping to watch the game. Unfortunately, there was no video coverage of this game, and the faithful patrons had to rely on the cell phone calls from our friends who were at the game. The start of the game was delayed for nearly 2 hours due to a rain delay as the other fi nal games going into overtime and shoot outs. During the delay, a group of “Old Timers” (Adolph Hammer, Peter Wild, Arthur Mueller, Werner Bock, and Helmut Egger) shared many stories from their past. When Peter Wild heard about the rain delay, he shook his head and said “I hoped they brought their long cleats”!

          The game finally started at 3:45 PM at that same time it started to rain like in a monsoon. Boston came out strong, scoring a quick goal in the opening minutes. The Kickers came back to tie the game a short time later as Ryan Rzepka whistled a left footer shot past the goal keeper. Boston scored again just before half time on a corner kick. The Kickers came out at half time and slowly started to enforce their will on Boston. By half way through the 2nd half, the Kickers were controlling 80% of the game as Boston held on. With 6 minutes left the Kicker’s tied the game on another goal by Ryan. The bench and stands immediately erupted. The Member’s Bar was so loud, I’m sure the fans in Philadelphia heard them. From the restart of the goal the Kicker’s were in complete control of the game and were just off the mark with several opportunities. As the game neared the end of the 2nd half Boston broke out on a 2 on one play against the Kicker’s as one of the Kicker’s defenders slipped on the slick turf. Boston’s striker hammered a shot at the Kicker’s goal, the Kicker’s goalie Billy Melenounk made a diving attempt and just touched the ball to his right. The ball hit the far right post, spun outside the net, and then barely rolled across the line. A collective sigh could be heard all the way from the Carpathia … a valiant, determined effort … dashed in the last moments of the match. The Team and fans at the game were devastated.

          Carpathia fans showed their support by making banners that hung out at the entrance of the Carpathia Club for the players to see. Even some supporters came out at 5:30 AM to greet the players as the bus arrived home.

          Only a Kickers player can understand the magnitude of having come this far, worked so hard, dreamt of what could have been and can still dream of what WILL BE next time they get this far! The excitement that this team generated at the club … will not be soon forgotten. They reminded us all what it means to wear a Kickers Uniform and to be proud … really proud to have represented such a great soccer organization. This team has meant a lot to all the past and current Kicker’s players. 9 year old Kicker defender Evan Schleis’ message on the banner said it all, “I want to be just like you guys!”