Ironmen Open Season This Sunday
December 11, 2008 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
Newark, N.J. (Thursday, December 11, 2008) - After months of preparation, the New Jersey Ironmen return to Prudential Center this Sunday at 4:00 p.m. to open their second season against the Chicago Storm. Much anticipation surrounds the opener after a busy offseason saw Ironmen Head Coach Omid Namazi land some of the top players in the indoor game.
"I'm anxious to see what our team looks like on the field," Namazi stated. "We've done everything we need to prepare, and we will see the end result of our preparation on Sunday."
In one of his first moves over the offseason, Namazi named midfielder Goran Vasic his assistant coach. The playmaker will go double-duty between the field and the bench this season and has already gotten very comfortable in his new role.
"Everything has gone smoothly so far," Vasic commented. "The players have been responding well to Omid and me, and everyone knows what is expected. As a team, we expect nothing less than a championship."
Many good moves have been made to bolster the talented roster of the Ironmen, among them the addition of three-time champion Shawn Boney.
"There is a lot of talent of this team," the 6-foot-7 Boney remarked. "Once we play how we are supposed to play, we will be fine."
The 2008-09 Ironmen are loaded with indoor veterans, and at the top of the list is the head coach. Namazi once made four consecutive finals appearance with three different clubs when spending a full season at the helm. He has two championships under his belt and has taken a total of four different indoor sides to the postseason.
"I think this team has the potential to be the best I have ever coached," Namazi said. "If we remain committed and focused, we should be tough to beat."
One familiar face on the other side of the turf this Sunday will be playmaker Lazo Alavanja, who signed with the Storm during the offseason. Meanwhile, Chile Farias, the top point-getter for Chicago last year, has made the move to New Jersey and will suit up for the Ironmen this season. Joining Farias in the midfield will be his U.S. National Futsal Teammate Sunny Naumoski, second-year Brazilian midfielder Lucio Gonzaga and Vasic. The New Jersey backline will be held down by Matthew Maher, Ryan Hall, Oral Bullen, Rey Martinez, Evan McNeley and Aaron Bonser. The Ironmen will look to 2005-06 MVP Adauto Neto, reigning Rookie of the Year Fredrico Moojen and Boney to frontline the offense up top.
Due to a fractured cheekbone to slated starter Le Clembo do Carmo, New Jersey has brought back former Goalkeeper of the Year Brett Phillips to protect the net. Temple graduate Patrick Hannigan will serve as his back-up.
At the conclusion of their home debut this Sunday, the Ironmen will be co-hosting with the Soccer Learning Center the Heroes Cup Revenge Match. The Heroes Cup Revenge Match is the second installment in a soccer series between the Jersey City Fire and Police Departments, with the first win going to the fire department this past summer at Giants Stadium. Running concurrently with the preparation for the Heroes Cup is a jersey fundraiser. Both a police department and fire department jersey have been placed on Ebay, each with one side autographed by the Ironmen players and one side autographed by the Red Bull New York players. Funds raised from the fire department jersey auction will go to The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas, and the money raised by the police department jersey auction will go to the Women Rising programs for women and families.
The Ironmen are also partnering with Jersey Cares at their home opener by hosting a coat drive at their home opener, which will benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Fans are encouraged to bring gently-worn coats that can be donated at the Prudential Center entrances.
Also on hand for the 2008-09 Ironmen home opener will be philanthropist Ethan Zohn, who will be the honorary captain during the season opening ceremonies. After receiving the million-dollar prize for winning Survivor-Africa in 2001, Zohn did the opposite of what drives most people to reality television. He took his winnings and co-founded Grass Root Soccer (GRS), a non-profit organization that focuses on worldwide HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. In Africa professional soccer players are viewed as heroes within their communities, and GRS begins their approach with them. They first train those athletes about HIV/AIDS, and then those players go into the schools in Africa to teach the youth about the lethal disease. Zohn recently completed a 550-mile soccer dribble from Foxboro to Washington D.C. to raise awareness and funds for his cause. Also making a special performance at the opener will be raggatone artists La Union Del Barrio.
The Ironmen provide fun and affordable family entertainment with tickets starting at only $10! Don't miss out on the action! Call 1-800-IRONMEN today!
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from December 11, 2008
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- Storm Sign Kyle Lance - Chicago Storm
- Ignition Complete 15- Man Roster With Three Signings - Detroit Ignition
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