FC Sonic Players Looking Forward to the Upcoming Season

         The NPSL soccer season is fast approaching and your FC Sonic squad couldn’t be more pumped up about it. Try-outs were held at the beginning of March, where players from all around the area competed for a spot on this year’s team. At the end of the try-outs, there were fifteen returning players as well has twenty new players accepted for training with the Sonic for the 2011 NPSL campaign.

            “After several practices, the team is looking solid this year,” said James Graf, a veteran central defender for FC Sonic. “It looks as though we have attracted a diverse group of players from a broader geographic area. I would credit the success we had last year (NPSL Semifinals) for the large numbers coming out for tryouts and preseason,” explained Graf.

“I feel like the newcomers have really taken to our philosophy and our determination to be the best team in the league. The veterans as well as the coaching staff really have set lofty expectations. Credit the new guys who have done very well to match those expectations so far,” stated Charlie Sales, goalkeeper for the Sonic.

            After winning the NPSL Northeast Region title, and making it to the national semis last year, the FC Sonic players have high hopes for the upcoming season. “Our goal is simple, win a national championship, “stated Ryan Hess, a Sonic midfielder and last season’s team captain. Hess went on to say, “We understand that we cannot just expect championships to happen, and in order to win in this league, we need to challenge each other and compete at every training session to prepare for the season.” 

      

Get psyched, along with the team, for the season opener on May 16 against the New York Red Bulls, last year’s playoff opponent!  The friendly will be held at Lehigh University’s Ulrich Sports Complex at 7PM.  Be there, and watch out for a Sonic “Blast” !!!

For further information, go to www.fcsonic.org

FC Sonic Update

FC Sonic head coach Dave Weitzman is feeling very confident about the 2011 season. The Northeast Conference Champions, who open the season at home on May 16th against the always tough New York Red Bulls, had their first preseason training session and already looked sharp.

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“The boys worked very hard during the two-hour session,” he said. “They had a lot of energy and pushed each other to work hard throughout practice. Our expectation is to win the Keystone Division, the Northeast Conference and, finally, capture the NPSL Championship.  But, our players know that the immediate challenges are to bond as quickly as possible as a group that shares common goals, work hard in training and games, and take one game at a time.”

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For many of them, the bonding began last year when they finished at 11-2-1. The team has 15 returning players, including Charlie and Joe Sales, Jordie Ciuffetelli, Dan Odenwelder, James Graf, Ryan Hess, Carlington Lamont, Leslie Fraser, Ryan Wetherhold, and AJ Barnold are all players who made significant contributions last season.

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This season, there are also 20 newcomers, including Ali Famili, Tucker Sandercock, Chris Roell and Sean Baker. Other players whom Coach Weitzman will evaluate are Todd Ervin, Brett Crompton, Joe Puleo, and Mark Whitmeyer.

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The secret to the team’s success boils down to four requirements, explained Coach Weitzman. “1. Come into pre-season fit. Soccer is an aerobic activity and to play at this level we need to have players that understand the importance of taking care of their bodies so they can perform at a high level for an entire match and an entire season;  2. Come in with a positive attitude willing to learn and willing to compete every day;  3. Respect all staff members of FC Sonic, our terrific fans, and our opponents;  4. Take one game at a time, but have our teams’ goals always at the core — win the division, win the conference and win the NPSL Championship!”

Team Photos of 2010 Season