Ten Years Removed And Reunited!
After 10 years away…Hello Kicks!
Back in February 2003 there was a coworker who happened to be a huge fanatic of soccer. One calendar year removed from the just completed 2002 World Cup.
The United States actually captured the imagination of the country despite winding up short. My friend Vince Ferrara was always trying to get me to check out this indoor Texas Tradition-Indoor Soccer!
That winter there were six visits to Reunion Arena to get my fix of indoor soccer courtesy of the Sidekicks. Very fond memories of players like Tatu and Sagu.
A team with 4 titles in their history with a following for the most ardent fan of the game.
Suddenly the team and league fold and no indoor soccer until 11/3/12 when the Sidekicks reappear on the scene in the PSAL and came into action this day with a 6-0 record against the Rio Grande Valley Flash.
The Allen Events Center was packed with 5,000 strong to see history repeat. Only once has a Sidekick team started a season 7-0 (1994). Tatu now back as coach with 39-year old Sagu still manning the net.
Led by two goals from Jamie (Broken nose and all) Lovegrove and single scores from Ron Stavrou, Sean Bellomy, and Ricardinho Dallas improved to 7-0 in 2012-2013 with their next home game on January 12th against the Chicago Mustangs.
Sagu was in good spirits post game when asking about being back in Dallas after 8 years in Baltimore.
‘Even now at 39 years of age I always wanted to play in Dallas. Great fans, great city, a great coach. It’s no secret that once upon a time Tatu gave me a chance to play and show what I am capable of. We have a great mix of talent here. This is a family and I look forward to perhaps what we can do’.
Jamie Lovegrove added 2 goals to his team leading 34 on this night.
‘The Flash gave us a good battle this night. We needed a game like this to show ourselves we can win a close game in addition to the blowouts we have been involved with of late’.
Lovegrove was also quick to compliment Sagu’s leadership.
‘Sagu is a born leader. You see how hard he battles around the goal and despite his age you can’t help but want to work that much harder with him as a teammate. Truly an inspiration to this mix of young and old players.’
2013 has just begun. Over 5,000 strong made for a loud fun time at the Allen Events Center. Ten years removed from the last visit to indoor soccer so glad there was a return of the Kicks.
Even Tony Dorsett was in attendance for the 1st kick pregame. Need I say more about tradition and fan popularity?
GO KICKS! And thanks to you Vince Ferrara. You were right about this indoor game.
Over and out in Big D.
Mr. Will
Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 9:47PM
Reader Comments (1)
nick stavrou not ron stavrou...