OK, it’s true. I’m the new TV play-by-play voice for Cleveland City Stars soccer on SportsTime Ohio. So how did a fine, upstanding, red-blooded American baseball fan get to this point? Well…
1. Mark Geissbauer is the GM of the City Stars. He came to Cleveland by way of Stuttgart (and Brazil, another good story for another day…). When I first interviewed him about his USL-2 expansion franchise 2 years ago, I asked him what his goal was. He said, “to make the playoffs.” They were an expansion team, but I thought, “OK…”…and then they made the playoffs. Year 2…”Mark, what is your goal?” “To win the USL-2 championship. Uh-huh. And of course…they did. I’m almost afraid to ask him his goals for this year, especially now that “City” has moved up to USL-1…a step below MLS.
2. I like their makeup. The team is run by Ambassadors in Sport, and has a distinctive “character” component. The City Stars spend regular time in the city of Clevleand, bringing soccer to kids who otherwise would never be able to play the game. About 50% of the players are Christians…and although that fact isn’t shouted from the housetops, it shows up in the way they handle themselves, on and off the pitch. The team tagline “Serving the City, and Changing the World” is an important part of the team’s identity.
3. I like the game. Never thought I’d ever say that…but…being from Cleveland, the most I knew about “the beautiful game” came from the Force and Crunch. Needless to say, the outdoor game makes the indoor game look like…what it is…human pinball. I went to the City Stars’ opener in 2007. I saw the speed, endurance, agility, athleticism, and guts it takes to play the game…and I’ve kept coming back ever since.
Mark interviews Musa Otieno after the City Stars won the 2008 USL-2 Championship Match vs. Charlotte
4. I like Musa Otieno. Musa is from Kenya, and is the Captain of the Kenyan National Team for their World Cup Qualifiers. He runs a ministry for street kids in Nairobi, and brings Kenyan children from different tribes together – diffusing potential inter-tribal warfare with futbol. He plays defense, he’s 6’4”, has a smile a mile-wide, and I can’t wait to take him to Ohio City to meet the African immigrants who worship at Trinity.
5. I like the price. “City” has priced the tickets so that families can get out and enjoy an evening together. Plus, they’ve created a kid-friendly atmosphere that includes getting the players lined up under a tent for a post-game autograph session after every match. The players keep signing until everyone is happy…great PR.
6. I like the “Green Army.” Having come out of “Section A” at the BGSU Ice Arena, I’m always attracted by fans who kick it up a notch. When you come to a match, sit by the “Army”…it’s loud, and it’s a lot of fun. One thing I don’t quite understand, though…if all these guys are from Ohio, how come they chant, cheer, and sing with British accents? Michael Card once told me that he was amazed at the “power a dare has over a weak mind.” This all basically came about because I “dared myself” to do it. I did baseball and hockey play-by-play at BGSU, worked with Joe Tait & Bruce Drennan as the AD for Tribe games in the early ‘80’s at Channel 43, and some football sideline reporting/high school hockey PBP with Viacom in the mid-‘80’s. (I’ve been away from it for a while…go ahead…do the math).
So…I dared myself to try out. And now they’re stuck with me. I am not a soccer expert, but I am a fast learner…and I have a good partner (and former player) in Glen Duerr. The season begins, on the road, in just a couple of weeks. The home opener is May 1st (Fox Soccer Channel). First match on STO will be Saturday, May 9th…they will generally be tape-delayed, and follow the Tribe games. (make sure you have some caffeine!)
So remember:
It’s a “match”, not a game.
It’s a “pitch” not a field.
You don’t guard your man, you “mark” him.
He’s not a goalie, he’s a “keeper.”
I think I’ve got a handle on this.
Let’s PLAY BALL! (no…wait…ohhh, man…)
