Monday, December 8, 2003 - Cleveland Internationals News Release

 

CLEVELAND, OH -- Cleveland Internationals Soccer Club, in conjunction with United Soccer Leagues, announced today the addition of Premier Development League and W-League teams, which will begin play in 2004.

Since its formation in 1976, Internationals Soccer Club has developed into a dominant youth premier soccer club for boys and girls (ages U8 to U19) fielding 20 to 26 teams.  Beginning in 2004. 

"We have had a long term objective and vision for our club that our players would have the ability to participate and compete with the Internationals Club at the next level," states owner and women's director Zdravko Popovic.  "With the addition of the PDL and W-League, we have achieved this."

"We are pleased to welcome Cleveland as the newest member of United Soccer Leagues," said USL CEO Dave Askinas. "We are encouraged by the addition of another quality youth organization such as the Internationals taking player development to the next level by adding PDL and W-League teams as well as joining the Super Y-League."

"This opportunity allows us to offer the total package to players in the Greater Cleveland community," remarks George Nanchoff, one of the owners and club's founders.  "A U8 player now has the opportunity to develop and excel all the way to the highest level in his/her hometown while maintaining his/her amateur and NCAA status.  Playing with and against the best college and amateur players found in the Midwest Region is as close to professional soccer as you can get." 

"Our goal is to help support the soccer in our community and to better the overall game played in Ohio North," according to Louie Nanchoff, one of the owners and club's founders.  "We expect all levels of soccer in this community to benefit from the new leagues - through camps and clinics, player awareness of the next level and joint partnerships with other PDL and W-League franchises for top level tournaments and playing opportunities.  We are excited to see what will develop."  The owners - George and Louie Nanchoff, and Zdravko Popovic - look to roster the majority of the players for these teams from members of the "Internationals Family" to insure a "hometown" atmosphere. 

Home games will take place at Parma's Byers Field.

"The Greater Cleveland community will now have a unique opportunity," according to Popovic, "As they watch and enjoy our 'homegrown' talent compete in spring and summer games.  The men and women who take the outdoor field at Byers will be competing at the highest level available to them in the region."

The PDL, a 56-team league, offers top players in the US and Canada the opportunity to perform in a professional-like setting during the summer months allowing collegiate players to maintain their college eligibility.  Each team will play a minimum of 18 games (9 home, 9 away).  The first four games of the season will be used to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.  The Open Cup features teams from USASA, PDL, USL Pro Soccer League, A-League and MLS.  A tentative schedule was developed at the recent USL Annual Operations Meeting held in Clearwater, Florida; however, the schedule will not be released until the league schedule is finalized.  Games are expected to begin in the middle of May. 

The W-League, the oldest national soccer league for women, is a 37-team league for 2004.  The league will permit the nation's best college and post-collegiate players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their remaining collegiate eligibility.  Each team will play a minimum of 14 games (7 home, 7 away).  A tentative schedule has been created at the recent USL Annual Operations Meeting; however, the schedule will not be released until the league schedule is finalized.  Games are expected to begin in the middle of May.

Rosters for both the PDL and W-League teams will feature 26 players.  Game day rosters will be limited to 18. 

In addition, to ensure that members of the Internationals Club continuously compete at the highest levels year round, the Club will commence  participation in the Super Y-League.  Affiliated with US Soccer, the league is designed for talented youth players destined for professional levels.  Internationals will participate for the first time in 2004 in the 300-plus team league.  The club will field teams in Boys U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U19, and Girls U14, U16 and U19 age groups.  Internationals Club players will be given first preference to fill the rosters; however, any quality player from outside the International Club is welcome to tryout.  The club looks to provide the most competitive teams at all levels and will roster accordingly.  Division and conference affiliation as well as number of games to be played will be determined early in 2004. 

United Soccer Leagues has evolved from the initial Southwest Indoor Soccer League founded in 1986 to the largest organization of soccer leagues in North America and was the vision of founder Francisco Marcos.  "The bottom line is you need a place where prospects can work their way to the top.  USL has become that vehicle," according to Marcos.

The league is dedicated to growing the sport at the grassroots level in every community across the US and Canada, and in providing a quality family entertainment experience that is accessible, exciting and educational.  USL consists of the following leagues - Professional (A-League & USL Pro Select League), Amateur Soccer (PDL & W-League) and Youth (Super Y-League).