Soccer

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Alliance FC takes a new kick at success

They'll try again to win fans in city

By: Ashley Prest

Posted: 11/20/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

The Winnipeg Alliance FC is going back to its roots to ensure it has a future in Winnipeg's soccer community.

The Alliance has set its team and schedule for the 2010 season, in which it will return to the city's soccer scene for the first time in more than two years. The team now has local ownership, will play in a community centre and will be competing with players who will retain their amateur status and will not be paid to play this season.

"The rewards (to the players) are playing here at a high level, being role models to the young kids and helping to establish something special in our soccer community," club president Keith Gibson said, adding that all player expenses and equipment will be covered by the team.

"We (soccer players in Manitoba) love to play the game with the guys we grew up playing with, and that's what we've got here. These guys are guys you've seen around the park who are playing at a higher level with the Alliance. They're doing it for the love of the game. It doesn't get much better than that."

Midfielder Tom Foderaro, an original member of Alliance, which began in 2007, said not being paid this season doesn't feel like a sacrifice.

"In all reality, sure, making some money would be a bonus, but we all believe in this team and we all know that we're doing something good for the city and for soccer," said Foderaro, 22, also a member of Hellas, which won the 2009 Canadian Soccer Association national senior men's championship. "To be able to be part of something like this and help it get started is a really great feeling. We need to start off little and see if the city and country is interested, and then make it count."

Gibson said the ownership group's plan is the players will be paid in the near future.

"That's what we're trying to build towards -- to resume as a semi-professional team -- and it may even come next season if everyone does well this year," Gibson said. "But we will still have local players. Fans support local players."

The Alliance is a member of the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League (CMISL), which is affiliated with the U.S.-based Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL). They will play four of five home games in the 500-seat Seven Oaks Soccer Complex in the Garden City Community Centre, 725 Kingsbury Ave.

The final home game of the season on Feb. 27 will be played at the MTS Centre, where Gibson hopes attendance will rival the 7,727 fans who came to the April 1, 2007 showcase game.

"I've always thought that's the way this soccer should be -- you start smaller and build it up," Gibson said, noting the Seven Oaks Soccer Complex holds only 500 people. He said the other CMISL teams in Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatoon are following Winnipeg's lead and also moving to smaller venues.

"We hope that we can attract a group of fans that will follow us, and then we'll have a big show (at the end of the regular season). We want this team to be something that people who love soccer can cheer for around here."

The team's short history began with the 2007 one-shot showcase game at the MTS Centre. It was intended to introduce indoor professional soccer to local fans and build on it in 2008. Poor planning by the former ownership group led to no MTS Centre dates available in 2008 and the team played all 10 of its games on the road in relative obscurity.

The team, then owned by former Manitoban Bill Stewart, suspended operations for 2009 before the local group of seven headed by Gibson purchased the team.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca

See roster and schedule on C8

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 20, 2009 C4

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