Steamers Extend Namazi's Contract

March 27, 2006 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
St. Louis Steamers News Release


ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Steamers announced on Monday that they have extended the contract of Head Coach and Vice President of Soccer Operations, Omid Namazi through the 2006-07 season. This is Namazi's first season as coach of the Steamers and he has guided them to a 21-5 record so far, clinching a berth in the playoffs and clinching the MISL Regular Season Championship, ensuring the number one seed in the MISL Championship Series and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Omid will also serve as the director for St Louis Steamers summer camps. Many Steamers players will be participating in those camps as well. Young soccer players and teams will be able to receive instruction from Omid personally at all our camp sites in St Louis and in Illinois.

Also included in the 21-5 record is a perfect 12-0 record at home at Savvis Center, including an 8-7 overtime win over the second place Milwaukee Wave Saturday afternoon. "Building on a solid base of players from last year, Omid has made excellent player moves and his system has brought an exciting and successful style of play to St Louis," said St. Louis Steamers owner Michael Hetelson. Some of his player acquisitions include trading for Jamar Beasley from the California Cougars and Sandre Naumoski from the Chicago Storm. Namazi also acquired defender Genoni Martinez in the Cleveland Force Dispersal Draft last summer.

"I think it's great," adds Steamers' forward and Collinsville, IL native Joe Reiniger. "He's done a great job implementing a new system and I think our record speaks for itself. It's great for the organization." Reiniger would go on to say, "He makes our job as players a lot easier by putting us in the right position to win. He brought in the talent to implement his system and it makes everything easier."

Namazi came to St. Louis from the Cleveland Force following last season when he guided Cleveland to a 23-16 record and finished in second place behind the Milwaukee Wave in the regular season standings. They advanced to the MISL Championship series against the Wave, only to lose in a close fought series. Namazi was also named the MISL Coach of the Year following the season. In six seasons of coaching prior to this one, Namazi has posted a 107-70 regular season record and an 11-12 record in the playoffs. As player-coach with the Philadelphia KiXX in 2001-02, he guided the KiXX to the MISL Championship.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 27, 2006


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