MLS Updates

LEAGUE ANNOUNCEMENT: 

News out of Hampton today as CLUBWAKA MLS finalized it's 10-team league in preparation for its launch on April 8th, 2018.  With the team announcement came an official league crest summing up the shape and priorities of these weekend warriors.  Should any team want to iron it on their jersey, please email the Community Coordinator, Brad Kirby, for a high-res file. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

We're really excited about having a nice even 10 team league to kick off the inaugural season.  Certainly exceeded what I thought were already lofty expectations.  Special shout out to all you team captains out there that are willing to step up and get your teams organized.  Couldn't have done it without you!

Final Team Line-up (descriptions as of 3/22/18)

• Hangover 86 FC - Carolina Blue - Helmed by Andres Moreno, this team is inspired by the German squad Hannover 96 with a nod to the post-game brews they'll be hydrating with.
• Hot and Messi - Heliconia Pink - A rarity in the world of soccer... this team will try out a co-management scenario with Kearsten Lewis and Kim Merritt leading the team into battle.  They are definitely going to leave other teams' shorts messi.  
• Kick in a Box - Gold - Ryan O'Donnell was on a recruiting hot streak, but came up short with the ladies.  Marriage does that to a man.  The question is... were these kickballers soccer players or kickballers first?  We shall see on 4/8. 
• Look Ma, No Hands - Lime Green - As profiled in an earlier Player Spotlight, former VCU Club Soccer Player, Jamie Gallagher has put together a strong squad to challenge any mediocre soccer club that stands in their way.  Word on the street is that their goalie will also not be using his/her hands to stay true to their motto.
• The Moat Monsters - Purple - Another talented team with a lot of soccer experience on paper.  Meaghan and Mike Dorsey have done a great job recruiting.  Will it gel like the Galacticos or will it end up being like last year's LA Galaxy?
• Netkicks and Chill - Navy - Claudia Ng is still looking to finalize her last female transfer to complete her roster.  I saw an event posted on Facebook for their pre-season Netkicks watch party.  Looks like they're going to screen Victory followed by Ladybugs as a motivational technique.
• Oozlekicks - Royal - Was out at Kiln Creek on Sunday and Oozlekicks was doing some heavy training.  Jay Coble had them running wind sprints with medicine balls and punching big slabs of meat.  He also had them run in sweatsuits while he biked next to them.  Going to be tough to beat like Tyson.  

via GIPHY

• OTPHJ - Charcoal - Prepare yourselves for a season of confusing acronyms, folks.  I'll be avoiding a whole lot of explanation regarding the names, but let's just say it's something you'd be fine with as a teen, but are probably a little less enthusiastic about as an adult.  Scott Tinsley was the head scout,k but left to manage another team.  He's been replaced by Gary Johnson.  GREAT hire.
• UTTOTPHJ - Ice Grey - Another squad put together in a weekend with a lot of letters in their name that I won't remember.  Scott Tinsley was the GM for this team as well and he appointed himself as manager.  Is he just a great scout or is he also a tactician?  If he can put the pieces together, he just may earn himself a UTTOTPHJ from the GM.
• Ronaldo McDonaldo - Red - The most active team thus far... Ronaldo McDonaldo has already released their team crest AND their new McDonaldo Team Kit.   The name makes a lot of sense since they are being led by a clown. 
  
  
 

SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT: 

 The schedule is officially posted on the CLUBWAKA MLS Website located here.  We'll be doing an in-depth schedule analysis as we approach the season kick-off.  Stay tuned!

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT #2 

AIMAN ALTAMEEMI - UTTOTPHJ

CLUBWAKA Newbie! Aiman has not played any other CLUBWAKA sports.  We'll change that.

Soccer History:  Aiman started playing soccer at 6.   Growing up in Iraq they were limited to soccer, tennis, basketball and volleyball and soccer was the sport he liked most. They played every day after school and on weekends.

Favorite players: David De Gea and Marcus Rashford

Favorite Club: Manchester United 

What are you most looking forward to on Sundays with CLUBWAKA MLS?  Kicking the soccer ball around, having fun, and making friends who share a love for soccer.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT #3

KIM MERRITT - HOT AND MESSI

Soccer History: I’ve been playing on and off since 5th grade. My parents moved back to the states from Germany right before I was born so I suppose that’s how I got into it and just missed out being a shoe-in for a call up from Klinsmann. 

Position: I played back mostly as a kid but moved into keeper, mid and depending on the roster striker as an adult. 

Leagues Played In: I’ve played in the VB Over 30s mens league, co-ed 7s in SEVWSA, men’s over 30s indoor at the VB field house and bunch of years of the Sand Soccer Championships. 

Fandom: Along with another guy I started the VB American Outlaws chapter and have traveled to see the USMNT 3 times (but no more since they didn’t win any of those games). I’m a huge Manchester United fan for about 20 years due to a friend when I was living in California being from Manchester and her being a City fan. Yes, I starred supporting a team just to piss someone off. I have yet to go to one of their matches but I did go see Ajax play in Amsterdam a few years ago.

What he's most looking forward to in CLUBWAKA MLS:  Getting cancer has obviously put a bit of a crimp in my playing but I’m looking forward to giving it a try and see how it works out. 

A Grizzled CLUBWAKA Veteran!  The only other WAKA sport I’ve done is kickball and as near as I can tell I’ve got about 30 seasons under my belt. Back when leagues were run by volunteers I ran the Atlantic, Recess and Shore divisions intermittently.