Last year I had the privilege to be a part of the Innaugural season of the MISL Major Indoor Soccer League Orlando Sharks expansion team. It was challenging in many ways. Most of us were not indoor soccer players. We may have had some experience playing indoor soccer growing up, but that is not the same as playing with or against other players who do it for a living. We had to learn a "new" game and fast. What made it even more challenging was that there are no indoor soccer complexes in Orlando. There are places to play indoor soccer BUT not a regulation field with the same size dimensions, astroturf, boards and goals that all MISL league fields are required to use. Imagine trying to prepare for playing against other teams in the league who have a majority of experienced players that train everyday in the same conditions that they play their games in, while your team is training outside on grass with no boards. It is very frustrating to say the least. BUT no excuses! We are professionals and good soccer is good soccer PERIOD. There were many times we just did not get the job done on the field. Anyway now we are coming up on our 2nd season. The league has dispanded in the off-season, and has been re-structured to promote the indoor soccer game to a higher level. The barriers to entry that previously existed are now supposed to be gone. This should make it easier for new investors to buy franchises in the league and therefore easier for the league to grow to more than 8 teams.
The new indoor soccer league is going to be called the XSL Xtreme Soccer League. Below is a press release from this past Friday. All I can say is change is good, that is if the rules of the game still stay realtively the same. We all remember Vince McMahon's attempt at rebranding football as "Smashmouth" football with his XFL Xtreme Football League will last only one season. I would hate for the new XSL Xtreme Soccer League to fall even remotely into the same failure category as McMahon's attempt at rebranding a sport that Americans already love as it is.
Soccer in the US is a much different story. Soccer is the #1 sport in the world, except in the U.S., and even though soccer is the biggest youth sport in America, there is a drop off point somewhere in the junior high and high school years where kids stop playing. Why? I feel there are many reasons. Americans want instant action and scoring and they need immediate gratifcation. There is also a lack of elite soccer role models seen on TV and in the newspapers. I could go on but for now I won't, the great thing is that indoor soccer is a fast paced, action packed, high scoring and yes a "smashmouth" version of the game. Indoor soccer suits the American mentality very well. So I will hold any judgement of what our new league will bring. Being a player, an insider, I have to be able to separate my personal feelings from getting in the way of performing day in and day out.
So hold the complaints everyone until you directly experience the new "Xtreme Soccer Xperience".
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 29, 2008
TO THE XTREME!
Official unveiling of Xtreme Soccer League takes place September 16
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – A new interactive sports lifestyle debuts Sept. 16, 2008, with the formal introduction of the Xtreme Soccer League and the Xtreme Soccer Xperience. More than an indoor soccer league, the XSX is an energetic and innovative 12-month experience built around skilled soccer professionals, entertainment and fan participation – both live and online.
“Soccer played a major role in my life, and those of my partners,” said Viktor Jakovljevic, co-owner of the Chicago Storm. “To be a part of this lifestyle brand is a dream come true.”
“It took us only a short time to fully appreciate the impact this lifestyle brand has, and we are elated to be at the forefront of the Xtreme Soccer platform,” said Jeffrey Vanderbeek, co-owner with Michael Gilfillan of the New Jersey Ironmen.
“We are thrilled to enter our Silver Anniversary season in the new and exciting format of Xtreme Soccer,” said Charles Krause, owner of the Milwaukee Wave.
“Being part of a group that is committed to long-term success and understands the value of such an amazing product is truly special,” said John Hantz, owner of the Detroit Ignition.
All information pertaining to the XSL and XSX will be available on Sept. 16, including markets, schedules and contact information. More details on that event will follow.
