Cincinnati creates new indoor soccer pipeline with 4 new PASL affiliates
The Cincinnati Swerve of Major League Indoor Soccer today announced an ambitious new player development program fueled by the inception of four new Premier Arena Soccer League affiliates. The Northern Kentucky Nitro led by Sean Eubanks, Valhalla FC led by Anders Michelson, Cincy SC led by Kevin Forbes, and Atletico Cincinnati led by Manny Adjei will all play home games out of GameTime Training Center for the upcoming season, with the top players having a chance to earn a call-up to the Swerve.
“It's really an idea from Craig Rhodis, where we can ask some of the best players in the local men's indoor leagues to join one of the PASL teams, then between the coaches and Craig, we can select the players who are standing out in the PASL to play with the MLIS Cincinnati Swerve," said Eubanks. "For the players, they love the opportunity to play in a competitive environment against each other, then work together to build the MLIS team.”
“I had the opportunity to play for Craig in the PASL and M2, and now is my chance to give back what he provided for me to the current players," said Adjei, who is also the Swerve Head Coach. "We get the chance to build a team through our in-house PASL teams. It's great for the players.”
While several MLIS teams will field PASL affiliates this season, the Swerve's indoor soccer player development program, which includes both men's and women's teams, may be the most sophisticated to date.
“Our group here in Cincinnati is committed to providing the best opportunities we can for our players," said Swerve Technical Director Craig Rhodis. "On the women's side we have the Cincinnati Sirens that has won three of the last four PASL championships, we have an Academy team that will also play in the PASL, and over 80 additional players in our Sirens Academy. This is just another opportunity to grow the opportunities we have on the men's side. I am looking forward to watching former players build their own rosters, find a playing style, then sitting on a Saturday or Sunday watching men's PASL games with the best players in Cincinnati, along with doubleheaders with our women's teams. It's going to be a very cool environment.”