SIDEKICKS 8-0,Best start ever!

The Sidekicks will return home to the Allen Event Center to face the Chicago Mustangs on Saturday, January 12th.

Individual and season tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.

DALLAS SIDEKICKS ROLL TO 8-0 WITH 11-4 WIN OVER ROCKFORD, BEST START IN FRANCHISE HISTORY

Loves Park, Illinois—The Dallas Sidekicks defeated the Rockford Rampage 11-4 on the road Saturday night, bringing the team to 8-0 so far this season. This winning start is the best in franchise history. 

Rockford was the first to put themselves on the board, Amir Ljeljak scoring at 7:10 in the first quarter. This was the first time the Sidekicks have found themselves trailing an opponent this season, but Rockford’s lead lasted less than two minutes. At 8:26, Ricardinho tied up the match with his sixth goal of the season. At the end of the quarter, Carlos Videla took advantage of a late powerplay and gave the Sidekicks a 2-1 lead.

The Sidekicks found themselves killing a powerplay just 45 seconds into the second quarter, but Franck Mbemba managed to gain the advantage and score shorthanded at 2:01. This was Mbemba’s second shorthanded goal of the season, putting him at the top of the PASL standings in that category. 

Rockford’s Elvir Kafedzic struck back a minute later, but the Sidekicks quickly answered back, Nick Stavrou scoring at 3:42 with an assist from Ricardinho. Two more Sidekicks goals came soon after, Renato Pereira cashing in at 5:48 and Ricardinho notching his second of the night at 8:05. Semir Mesanovic scored an unassisted goal for Rockford at 10:16, cutting the Sidekick’s lead to 6-3 going into halftime.

The third quarter remained scoreless well into its halfway point, but once it began it was all Sidekicks. Defender Kiley Couch scored his first goal of the season at 11:39, and Stavrou got his second—a shorthand goal—at 12:48. The Sidekicks’ two shorthanded goals in the match tie an all-time team record set in 2002, and the team now leads the PASL in shorthanded goals with three so far this season.

Jamie Lovegrove wasted no time getting started in the fourth quarter, getting his tenth goal of the season only 24 seconds in. A few minutes later Rockford’s Peter Kolasinski got one past goaltender Sagu at 2:38, but it didn’t take the Sidekicks long to strike back with RJ Luevano scoring at 5:25. Lovegrove got his second of the night at 13:17,  cementing the team’s eighth straight win.

The Sidekicks will remain on the road for their next match, taking on the Chicago Mustangs Sunday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. The team’s next home game is Saturday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Allen Event Center.

Individual and season tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.

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About the Dallas Sidekicks
The Dallas Sidekicks are a professional indoor soccer team competing in the Professional Arena Soccer League. The team plays their home games at the Allen Event Center. The original Sidekicks were founded in 1984 and won four indoor championships in their tenure. Led by indoor soccer legend and Head Coach and Tatu, the Sidekicks are bringing indoor soccer back to Dallas.

Contact

Melissa Smith

Dallas Sidekicks

Director of PR & Communications

melissa@dallassidekicks.net

214-924-7969

Remaining Home Games

Saturday, January 12 vs. Chicago Mustangs at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 27 vs. San Diego Sockers at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 9 vs. Rockford Rampage at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 23 vs. Texas Strikers at 7:00 p.m.

BOX SCORE

FINAL

Victory Sports Complex    Sat, Jan 05, 2013 at 8:05 pm CST

Dallas 11

Rockford 4

GAME DETAILS SCORING TEAM STATS 1 2 3 4 TOTAL Dallas 2 4 2 3 11 Rockford 1 2 0 1 4 SOG SBLK T POWERPLAYS Dallas 24 2 26 1 for 3 Rockford 14 7 21 1 for 4

SCORING SUMMARY 1st Quarter Rockford - Admir Ljeljak (Adnan Ejupovic) 7:10 Dallas - Ricardinho (Jamie Lovegrove) 8:26 Dallas - Carlos Videla (powerplay) (Nick Stavrou) 14:47 2nd Quarter Dallas - Frank Mbemba (shorthanded) (Shaun David) 2:01 Rockford - Elvir Kafedzic (Semir Mesanovic) 3:00 Dallas - Nick Stavrou (Ricardinho) 3:42 Dallas - Renato Pereira (Kiley Couch) 5:48 Dallas - Ricardinho (Renato Pereira) 8:05 Rockford - Semir Mesanovic (powerplay) (unassisted) 10:16 3rd Quarter Dallas - Kiley Couch (Shaun David) 11:39 Dallas - Nick Stavrou (shorthanded) (Shaun David) 12:48 4th Quarter Dallas - Jamie Lovegrove (Frank Mbemba) 0:24 Rockford - Peter Kolasinski (Admir Ljeljak) 2:38 Dallas - Robert Luevano (Carlos Videla) 5:25 Dallas - Jamie Lovegrove (unassisted) 13:17

Head Coach: , Tatu Assistant Coach: Cervin, Caesar Head Coach: Kraft, Jeff Assistant Coach: Sanchez, Armando

About the Dallas Sidekicks
The Dallas Sidekicks are a professional indoor soccer team competing in the Professional Arena Soccer League. The team plays their home games at the Allen Event Center. The original Sidekicks were founded in 1984 and won four indoor championships in their tenure. Led by indoor soccer legend and Head Coach and Tatu, the Sidekicks are bringing indoor soccer back to Dallas.

J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962

21 GOALS! ONE GAME! Sidekicks are 5-0

Dallas Sidekicks score a franchise record 21 goals and are 5-0 with a win over Texas Strikers

Allen, TX—15 December 2012—The Dallas Sidekicks made franchise history Saturday night, scoring an all-time high 21 goals when they defeated the Texas Strikers 21-1. The undefeated Sidekicks broke a myriad of additional team records, including four separate hat tricks and the team’s fastest powerplay goal, scored just one second in. 

 

  The Sidekicks scored seven goals during the fourth quarter, tying the franchise record.  Franck Mbemba put the team up 15-1 at 1:47. Renato Pereira got his second of the night at 2:30, and soon after Mbemba completed his second hat trick in two games. The next goal came on a powerplay at 5:24, Michael Uremovich also securing a hat trick. Uremovich found himself celebrating once more just a few minutes later, scoring another powerplay goal at 8:30. The third and fourth hat tricks of the night were completed in the last few minutes of the game by Shaun David and Robert Luevano, putting the Sidekicks up 21-1 and beating the team’s all-time scoring record by three goals.

  Uremovich was the first to strike in the third quarter at 2:31, assisted by Ricardinho. Shortly after, Mbemba scored his first of the night at 3:09, followed closely by an unassisted goal from Deering at 4:10. Texas’ Jose Olabarrieta denied the Sidekicks a shutout at 14:12, but less than a minute later Ricardinho put the Sidekicks up 14-0, breaking the team record for most goals scored through three quarters.

Gordon and Norm

 During halftime the Sidekicks honored one of their own, retiring the number 11 jersey of former player David Doyle.  Doyle is the second leading Sidekicks point scorer (665) behind Head Coach Tatu. A five-time All-Star, Doyle logged 383 goals and scored 35 hat tricks in his tenure with the team from 1991 to 1994.

  


  Scoring was rampant in the second quarter, Luevano scoring his second of the game assisted by Renato at 1:26. Just moments later, Deering used the wall to create his own rebound and put it in at 2:11. A succession of goals scored by David, Cody Ellis and Renato put the Sidekicks up 8-0.  Sean Bellomy struck next at 12:31, followed by an unassisted goal from Uremovich at 14:07.

  Jamie Lovegrove kicked off scoring in the first quarter, putting a Renato rebound past Texas goaltender Cory Speed at 2:21. David struck next at 12:24 assisted by Ricardinho. Luevano put the Sidekicks up 3-0 at the end of the period, taking a shot off of Speed and putting it into an empty net at 13:39.

The Sidekicks will head back to Beaumont to face the Strikers again at Ford Arena on December 29 at 7:05 p.m.

The team’s next home game is January 3 at the Allen Event Center, where they will be taking on the Rio Grande Valley Flash.

Bring something to autograph!

Individual and season tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster or the team website. For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.

About the Dallas Sidekicks
The Dallas Sidekicks are a professional indoor soccer team competing in the Professional Arena Soccer League. The Sidekicks play their home matches at the Allen Event Center. The original Sidekicks were founded in 1984 and won four indoor championships in its tenure. Led by Head Coach and indoor soccer legend Tatu, the Sidekicks have brought indoor soccer back to Dallas.

CONTACT

Melissa Smith

Dallas Sidekicks

melissa@dallassidekicks.net

Michael Uremovich

BOX SCORE

FINAL

Allen Event Center    Sat, Dec 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm CST

Texas 1

Dallas 21

GAME DETAILS SCORING TEAM STATS 1 2 3 4 TOTAL Texas 0 0 1 0 1 Dallas 3 7 4 7 21 SOG SBLK T POWERPLAYS Texas 8 2 10 0 for 1 Dallas 36 5 41 2 for 3

SCORING SUMMARY 1st Quarter Dallas - Jamie Lovegrove (Renato Pereira) 2:21 Dallas - Shaun David (Ricardinho) 12:24 Dallas - Robert Luevano (unassisted) 13:39 2nd Quarter Dallas - Robert Luevano (Renato Pereira) 1:26 Dallas - Chad Deering (unassisted) 2:11 Dallas - Shaun David (Chad Deering) 5:38 Dallas - Cody Ellis (Jamie Lovegrove) 6:07 Dallas - Renato Pereira (Michael Uremovich) 6:26 Dallas - Sean Bellomy (Renato Pereira) 12:31 Dallas - Michael Uremovich (unassisted) 14:07 3rd Quarter Dallas - Michael Uremovich (Ricardinho) 2:31 Dallas - Frank Mbemba (Sean Bellomy) 3:09 Dallas - Chad Deering (unassisted) 4:10 Texas - Jose Olabarrieta (Chris Meyer) 14:12 Dallas - Ricardinho (Shaun David) 14:54 4th Quarter Dallas - Frank Mbemba (Robert Luevano) 1:47 Dallas - Renato Pereira (Sean Bellomy) 2:30 Dallas - Frank Mbemba (Shaun David) 3:06 Dallas - Michael Uremovich (powerplay) (Frank Mbemba) 5:24 Dallas - Michael Uremovich (powerplay) (Frank Mbemba) 8:30 Dallas - Shaun David (Michael Uremovich) 13:19 Dallas - Robert Luevano (Frank Mbemba) 14:40

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962.

PERFECT! The SIDEKICKS season begins.

Perfect 
by JB Blocker

  The return of the Sidekicks felt like coming home at the new Allen Event Center. I stood inside the edge of the field with the camera men and wondered how many of the old Sidekicks would be remembered.    

  The near capacity crowd of around 6000 had come by the teams, the families, the companies, and area community leagues. When I crossed the parking lot to enter I passed a senior enthusiast in a wheel chair and was passed by a set of teens with one boy halfway running with use of his crutches. They came in so many colors it was like a UN assembly of joyful children. They came in Purple!

  They came with old Sidekicks t-shirts and jerseys. They lined up in crowds around the new Sidekicks accessories. Kids running around in packs of pink and blue jerseys. My own grandchildren delighted by the giveaway soccer backpacks. It was a place for families to be. I watched as the crowds gathered and then settled in as the loud speakers introduced the team!

  Stavro, Sagu, Shamu, Couch, David, Ricardinho, they knew those names! The crowd remembered! 

After eight years, my 15 year old went to their games in elementary school. Tatu coaches at her High School. She remembered Doyle, and Renato, and Powers.

  When the spot light directed to the giant purple air blown tunnel opening and the last name was announced, TATU, the crowd exploded with what you could call nothing less than love. Love for his being a part of the community. For giving us 20+ years of exciting soccer. And for teaching hundreds of local children and their families the game of soccer.

  Tatu came bounding out with the same wide eyed exuberance he displayed years ago when he famously ripped off his shirt after goals.

  This time, elegant with time and grace, the man in a sports suit still ran out into to arena as if he were ready to play.

  I was, at that moment, proud for the area to once again have the Sidekicks active in the North Dallas communities. They will be great ambassadors for area schools and soccer clubs. You can count on this ownership for their vast experience and connection to this community.

  As the returning players gathered around the center of the arena and were joined by the 2012 Edition, I eased out a side panel and slapped the plexglass. The clap was nothing compared to what 6000 people were about to witness!

Game On

  I’ve been to the games at Reunion and at the American Airlines Center. When the team generated full houses, it was more like being part of a spectacle. My nice choice press box seats were a mile away and the players moves were too quick and too far away to appreciate.

  As soon as play began in Allen’s cozy 6000 seat arena the slamming of bodies against the wall began. Booming, jarring, in your face collisions with man and ball and plexiglass. From that point on, the raw action of quick passes, brilliant footwork, and explosive kicks came from every part of the field.

  Sagu was tested early with a barrage of shots on goal. He was a prized goalie 8 years ago and has only gotten better during that time winning awards and championships. Dallas is lucky to have him back and for those who fell for the Team USA Soccer goalies and their determined athletisism, you can witness a world class goalie up close as he returns to defend for the Sidekicks.

    These were knowledgeable fans. These were soccer families not only from around the Metroplex, but from all over the world. Many fans returned who like me spent young adulthood cheering for Tatu and the teams heroics. And for this crowd, they were getting a full display of power, speed, and skill from both teams. As the dynamic collisions with glass continued, even the press box seats gave you a great look of the intricacies of footwork on display. This crowd recognized skill and gave back their appreciation throughout the game.

  I predict that each home game will sell out the rest of the way and if you and your family participate in soccer, you are in for a treat!

Perfect

  The night was perfect! Dallas won 6 to 2 over the Harrisburg Heat led by former local favorite Richard Chinapoo.

  The size in the arena is going to prove to be too small for the fans, but it will be perfectly sold out every game and professional skills soccer is going to entertain and inspire a new generation in soccer rich Collin County.

  Tatu is gifted as a soccer talent but his joy for the game and the people it puts him near is his real value to not only his team, but our community. He’s the perfect coach for the Kicks.

  I watched with pride as the great Norm Hitzges and coach Gordon Jago prepared in the press box as the on air voices for the old Sidekicks. These are two respected powerhouses who love the Sidekicks and what they gave Dallas in the 80’s and 90’s. This is a community driven team who will feed off the energy of their fans and give it back in spades.

  It was a little late when I left the arena. I gave my regards to my old friend Jim Tolbert, one of the new owners and left with one of my favorite couples to hang out with, Mayor Steve Terrell and wife Sally. As I reached the exit doors, there was Tatu. He was still surrounded by children and he was smiling from ear to ear as he posed for photos and signed the soccer backpacks. The night was perfect.

 

 

 

 

to watch the introduction of the team to the community you can follow this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWZtNljFp8Y

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas.

Allen Wranglers Last Home Game 7pm Saturday June 16th

Allen Wranglers Football for First Timers

by J.B. Blocker 

Wranglers Team Chiropractor Dr. Lee Ligon turns friends into family.

The 16^th of June is Faith and Family Night at the Allen Event Center. Great prices, exciting close up action, and more fun after the game!

One last chance for Collin County families to give a special collection of management and athletes a great show of community support for the final home game of the season.

Taking the first step

  I’ve been invited to arena football games on several occasions.  My old friend from the Cowboys days, Coach Joe Avezzano couldn’t get me to attend a game even when he was coaching the Desperados. It wasn’t that I was afraid of him breaking out in song. He always sang for his own entertainment and he is now singing with a heavenly choir for a much more forgiving audience.

  My impression was that arena football was going to be a poor excuse for scaled down semi-pro football. I love football and am a homer who always backs his local teams in any sport no matter what their record, but would there be room for arena football in my heart?

  I almost went to a game against Phoenix because I’m a friend of their coach Danny White who honorably filled the shoes of the great Roger Staubach while we waited for Troy’s arrival.  Danny was a winner and a Cowboy to boot. I was going to go out of respect but I never made it!

  Finally, I was invited by someone I couldn’t refuse. After working with Jim Tolbert on the Olympic Trials, the Breeders Cup, and the Sidekicks, I figured that if Jim was working with an arena football team, I should at least give the sport a good look. I got to know the Indoor Soccer League because of Jim. The experience was not what I expected, and I was soon reporting for the Dallas Sidekicks and became a fan of the sport. The Sidekicks games were filled with entertainment from start to finish and I am proud to report that they will make their new home the Allen Event Center starting this fall.

Love the Intimacy!

  As I think back to my days of team and event reporting, I learned two important things about myself. First of all, I would rather attend an event in a more intimate setting than in all the mega stadiums and arenas. I would rather watch those events from my couch or with a few good friends.

  I can go to pretty much any big local event with my press card, camera, and pen just by making a well placed phone call. I have done this many times for many years! I just don’t enjoy it anymore.

  And it’s not just because I passed the 50 yard line of life where loud noises, long lines, and pushy crowds annoy me, although they do. It’s probably more because I really enjoy the intimacy of smaller venues where there are no bad seats and there are more families present. I love to see families enjoying themselves instead of huddling together for protection.

  Secondly,