The Floodplain Footy (FPF) was started by myself, Steve Rusnack, and Nik Cameron.   We initially didn’t have a complete direction, and looking back we realize where things can be improved.  Over our first year, we started to get a better idea of who we were and where we are going.  Now as the site enters it’s 2nd year of existence, things are changing and hopefully for the better.

The first major change is in administration.  Nik and I were both editor-in-chief, but I will now take over as top dog. With Nik having his hand in other projects; attending school, and most importantly, a new baby, he has decided to take a backseat.  I am happy to report that he will still contribute from time to time.

My first major decision to improve the FPF is to move it to a domain that will be easier to remember and access. Starting now, the Floodplain Footy has moved to www.fpfooty.com .  Though the new website is still a work in progress, it will provide all the news, stories, and interviews that were available on the old site, including archives and links.  With the help of Mitch Morice, fellow St.Louligan and FPF Contributor & Technical Administrator, and Brad DeMundbrun, also fellow St.Louligan and Technical Advisor, when the website is complete it will not only look great but be a great source for all your St.Louis soccer news.  

Regarding direction, as you may have noticed in the past, the FPF was all over the place covering everything from St.Louis soccer to the EPL.  I’m happy to announce that from this point on the Floodplain Footy will only cover St.Louis area soccer.  This of course will include the St.Louis Lions, Illinois Piasa, SLU & SIUE and any other teams that may come into existence or that our audience demands. We will continue to have interviews with pro players and players on the rise and post team schedules and press releases.

 And I would like to stress that, with the help of our contributor Kyle Scarborough and correspondence with Lions GM James Shipley, FPF will be your #1 source for all the St.Louis Lions news and updates.

I am also very excited to announce that our friend, St.Louis native, former Lions team member and newly signed forward for the Columbus Crew, Tommy Heinemann will be submitting his own post on the Floodplain Footy. His post will be a journal of his experience with the Crew in the MLS, everything from training to gameday and in between.  

And finally, we recognize the importance of Supporters Groups in the soccer world and so every now and then we will be teaming up and helping out with these groups, namely the St.Louligans.

I’m confident in this new chapter of the FPF and it’s my goal to simply help the St.Louis soccer community become more informed of what’s going on around us. I’m very open to comments and suggestions as I feel that the key to success is communication and cooperation. I hope what you find is useful and informative. Cheers!

Steve Rusnack, Editor in Chief

Tryouts for both the men’s Premier Development League (PDL) and reserve squads will be held together from 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Feb 19 & 20. Anyone who wishes to try out for the teams can, but must pre-register through the St. Louis Lions office by calling  (636) 939-5151 and by sending an e-mail to  stllions@sbcglobal.net  with “Tryout” in the subject line. There is a fee of $75 to register and tryout location and remaining details will be given at that time.

The St. Louis Lions are entering their sixth season in the PDL. In the previous seasons The Lions have provided an opportunity for players to be exposed to professional scouts throughout the United States and Internationally. Currently the Lions have assisted in placing ten player’s into the professional ranks in the US and Internationally.

 The St. Louis Lions are a member of the United Soccer League’s (USL) Premier Development League, where players have the ability to compete in the PDL throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is the proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest-levels of the game, while providing affordable family entertainment within their city.

 The St. Louis Lions season will begin in early May and run thru August. For more information about the Lions and the USL visit www.stllions.com or www.uslsoccer.com.

Have you been to a Piasa game this year? If you haven’t, you have really missed out on some quality professional indoor soccer. But even if you have, you may not be that aware of just how good our Illinois Piasa team is.  Below we’ve provided some statistics of this season’s team as well as some other information. I encourage you to read it and to get out to see a Piasa game soon. Cheers!

First off, if you aren’t familiar with the PASL, it’s an indoor league that spans the continent, consisting of 14 teams at the league’s highest level (Pro) and doesn’t use scoring gimmicks like other leagues. One goal equals one goal, no matter where you score it from.

The PASL Pro is divided into 4 Divisions. The Piasa reside in the Frontier Division along with Springfield Demize (Springfield, MO), Wenatchee Fire (WA) and Kitsap Pumas (also from WA). Currently the Piasa sit at the top of their division with a half game  lead over Kitsap and are 5th overall in the entire league. The Piasa have played 8 games and have 3 league games remaining, 2 of them at home. The team has scored 72 goals, an average of 9 per game, while allowing 41 goals, just a little over 5 per game.

The Piasa have 2 players in the league’s top 10 scoring leaders, and 1 right on the cusp of making that list as well. Roger Gemoules is 6th in the league in goals scored with 17 and is 2nd in the league in assists with 15, putting him tied for 3rd in the league with 32 pts. Jon Fridal’s 12 goals put him tied for 10th in the league as does his 9 assists, making his 21 pts at 10th place on that list. Meanwhile Mike Utley, who has played in 1 less game then the other two players, has 11 goals and 5 assists, his 11 goals putting him just outside that top 10 honor.

Piasa goalkeeper Greg Crook is also enjoying a great season. Greg has started all 8 games and has won 6 of those. He has a 75% Save Percentage and his 5.13 GAA  puts him 2nd in the league. He is also 3rd in the league in total saves with 128, even though he has played 3 less games then the leader and 2 less then the man in front of him.

Out of the 14 teams, the Piasa sit right in the middle at 7th in attendance. Even with the St.Louligan presence, the attendance averages at 325 per game, just 34 per game behind Detroit.

With two games left, we need to make sure we finish ahead of Detroit. They should only be able to beat us at crime rates and hockey. The Piasa play at home Saturday night @8pm vs Louisville and their final home game will be on Saturday, Feb 26 @ 8:30pm vs Ohio Vortex. So come out and support the Piasa, cheer along with the St. Louligans and have a great time.

For more information:

http://www.arenaleague.com/

http://www.saintlouligans.com/

http://www.soccerforfun.org/  – Where they play

After months of uncertainty and speculation, AC St.Louis has been forced to bring their young life to an end. It was an inaugural season filled with highs and lows. It was a team filled with young talent and even a few local players, some who turned out to be heroes and fan favorites. For the fans themselves, it was a long awaited taste of professional soccer in St.Louis. For many of those same fans it became a second home where friendships were created, great times were had and many ever lasting memories were formed. Despite all the problems that seemed to curse the team from the beginning, overall the AC St.Louis experience was one that was worth the trouble and heartache. We’ll miss you Saints, but with death comes life and we see great things on the horizon. Thanks for the memories, though short they were deep.

It seems like we’ve dealt with unbalanced schedules in the past now doesn’t it…back when we used to go to a different kind of game… Well, none of that matters now. This past weekend the Ohio Vortex came in looking for a victory over our boys, and thankfully the were sent home without one.  The St. Louligans brought it…loudly..and incessantly once again.  Again, we became fast friends with the opposing goalie as well…

Getting it going.

Pregaming at the tables and helping with some folding.

Boom.

Big Boom. We bring it.

General Liz and Mr. Kowz.

Aside from the usual suspects, we had some original members of Laclede’s Army in the house with us.

Table-gating.

Yeah…I know it’s a commercial thing…but when it’s cold as Glasgow summer..we head inside.

The enemy.

What wears orange and has no idea what it’s in for?
The Ohio Vortex and goalkeeper Eric Sebor. One thing we have noticed is that the opposing teams think we’re funny for about five minutes…after an hour of our yelling…they seem to like us less….

The master of ceremonies.

Greg has been starting our chants the past couple weeks…what he says, we chant.

Setting up shop.

Let’s get it all ready for the night.  We need to make sure the Vortex can hear us and know who we are.

The stands.

Here you can see the normies.

Vuvuzelas.

They may be the most annoying sounding things in the whole world…but damn are they loud!

Congregate.

We’re starting to fill up the corner.

Louligans as far as the eye can see.

The mighty Chickenhead has made it out to the game.

See the new guys?

We even made new Louligans again.

Irish and the Bones.

Hmm?

More of Irish and Bones.

Throw the Bones.

‘Nuff said.

Initiation.

What happens in Section 20 goes on the internet…just so ya know.

Nobody's home.

Mr. Brown made it out to the game.

Halftime.

Corner.

It’s really cool that we attracted some new blood.

Chickenhead and Matt Williams.

This is pretty cool. It’s so nice to be wanted.

Corner again.

Meeting of the minds.

Yup.

Tho’em’up!

How we do it...

Oh yeah…we party.

Oh yeah.

Pix because it happened.

Metal...I guess...

And so it goes…

No matter what I'm putting here, you're not reading it.

See?

Guess who's drunk.

Yeah, we like to have a beer…or fifty.

Stand up and be counted.

And the video….

A word to the opposing teams.  No matter how many people there are in the stands…no matter what the score…no matter anything…you’ll be hearing from us.

For the entire game.

Duke midfielder, and St.Louis University High School Alum, Cole Grossman was picked by the Columbus Crew today, in the 2nd round of the MLS Superdraft. Cole had 10 goals and 8 assists for Duke this season and impressed many as an invitee to the 2010 MLS Combine that took place earlier this week. Cole becomes yet another player from St.Louis to join the growing MLS ranks.  All the best to you Cole, we’ll be pulling  for you.

Later that day  in the 3rd Round, and #50 overall, DC United picked Goalkeeper Joe Willis from the University of Denver. Joe went to Chaminade High School and was a product of Scott Gallagher Soccer Club. Joe also played for the Real Colorado Foxes in the PDL. Out of the 54 total picks in the draft, only 3 of the picks taken were keepers. To be one of the three keepers says a lot about Joe’s abilities. Congratulations Joe!