Force Returns to Cleveland

Published on August 23, 2002 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Cleveland Force News Release


CLEVELAND, OHIO- For many indoor soccer fans a long-awaited day has finally come. Cleveland Crunch President and General Manager Paul Garofolo announced today at a press conference held at the Convocation Center at CSU that the Cleveland franchise would once again be known as the Cleveland Force.

"With the NPSL changing its name back to the MISL last season, the addition of other founding members of the original MISL as well as the return of the "Rocket Red" ball, the franchise felt the time was right for the change," commented Garofolo.

In keeping with tradition, the team announced they will keep the original yellow and blue Force uniforms featuring the traditional team logo for use during their home stands. While the new Force will share a familiar name with the former franchise, a new "millennium" logo and color scheme were developed by artist George Vlosich III to be utilized on the team's travel uniforms. Both the traditional Force logo as well as the millennium logos will be featured on team merchandise and apparel.

Under the Force name, fans will get to see the franchise renew rivalries with several members of the original MISL (Baltimore Blast, Dallas Sidekicks, Kansas City Comets and San Diego Sockers) as they all will compete in the new MISL all under their original names.

During its historic 13 seasons of play, the Cleveland Crunch won three league championships, seven conference championships and was home to arguably the greatest player in National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) history, Hector Marinaro. The Crunch was also honored as the first team selected to host the All-Star Weekend for the newly formed MISL in February of 2002.

The original Force franchise, owned and operated by Bart, Iris and Scott Wolstein, competed for 10 seasons as a founding member of the original Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), hosting games at the Richfield Coliseum beginning in the 1978-79 season before leaving the MISL after the 1987-88 season. In the 10-year history of the original franchise over two million fans attended games in which the team finished with an overall record of 231-209. In their final season of play, the original Force averaged over 14,000 fans per contest. The Force made indoor soccer history on April 5, 1986 when a record 20,174 people filled the Richfield Coliseum to watch the Force defeat the Minnesota Strikers 7-4 in the final regular season game of the 1985-86 season.

"I would like to thank the Wolsteins for their support in making this name change a reality. To this day, the standard of excellence set by the family serves as the barometer for which all teams compare," stated Garofolo.

In its final season of 1987-88, the original Force finished the regular season with a record of 30-26, won the Eastern Division Championship four games to one over the Minnesota Strikers, and advanced to the MISL Championship before being swept by the San Diego Sockers.

After the Force, Cleveland need only wait one season to regain a franchise as the newly formed Cleveland Crunch took the field for the 1989-1990 season under the ownership of George Hoffman. The Cleveland franchise was purchased by the current ownership, North Coast Professional Sports in December of 1999. The ownership group of Richard Dietrich, Michael Gibbons and Paul Garofolo will retain ownership of the team under the Cleveland Force moniker.

The 24th season of indoor soccer in Cleveland begins on Saturday, October 5th in Baltimore, Maryland, as the new Cleveland Force take on long running nemesis the Baltimore Blast at 7:05 p.m. Cleveland fans will get their first look at the new Force on Saturday, October 12th when the Blast travels to the Convocation Center at CSU for the home opener. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Season ticket packages, group tickets and individual home game tickets can be purchased immediately by calling the Cleveland Force office at 216-896-1140 in Cleveland or 330-535-KICK in Akron. Beginning Tuesday, September 3rd individual home game tickets will be available to Force fans at all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at 216-241-5555 in Cleveland, 330-945-9400 in Akron, 330-747-1212 in Youngstown, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Convocation Center at CSU Box-Office.

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from August 23, 2002


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