FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

The Official Newsletter of the Philadelphia Freedom Professional Soccer Team

Box 469 Gladwyne, PA 19035 Phone / Fax: 610-896-9683 E-Mail: lmsc@netreach.net http://www.netreach.net/~lmsc/freedom.htm

Issue 97-5 July 18, 1997

GREAVES NETS WINNER VS. DELAWARE

The Freedom took on their local rivals, the Delaware Wizards in a home and home series in early July with the teams each winning their home game. Down in Delaware, Doug Nevins, on loan from the indoor Philadelphia Kixx, netted a goal in the first half. The Wizards tied it up with 15 minutes left and then got the game winner with only 23 seconds left to play in regulation.

Two days later, the Freedom got revenge when Allan Greaves, playing in his first game for the Freedom, scored on a spectacular header off of a crossed ball from Nevins. A native of Barbados, Greaves had been ineligible to play the first 10 games of the season while the Freedom waited for paperwork to arrive from Barbados allowing Greaves to play. Greaves is also the Director of the Philadelphia Freedom Professional Soccer School camps.

In another nail biter, the Freedom defeated the Baltimore Bays in an away game played on the Bays Astroturf field. The only goal of the game came from the foot of defender Brannon Seaman who took a nice pass from Brian Chandler and buried the ball in the far corner of the net.

Goalie Dave Urbach continues to be among the top goalies in the USISL Pro League. His 0.91 goals against average puts him fourth in the 35 team l eague. In the 15 games this season, Urbach has recorded 7 shutouts.

MILES MOVES UP TO THE A-LEAGUE

One of the highlights the Freedom season has been the play of high scoring Matt Miles. A recent graduate of Rider University, Matt was the 10th leading scorer in the NCAA Division One last year.

In a recent game against the Cape Cod Crusaders, Miles netted a hat trick to give the Freedom a 4-3 win. The Crusaders are affiliated with the A-League (Division Two) Worcester Wildfire. After watching Miles take apart the Crusaders, the Wildfire promptly purchased Miles' contract from the Freedom. Matt is now playing in the A-League (one level of play higher than the Freedom's Division Three Pro League The Wildfire also have two other local stars on their roster. One is Justin Ceccarelli, a former star for St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia and a former player for the Freedom. Justin's father Bruno is a Board Member for the Freedom.

Also on the Wildfire roster is Brendan Sullivan, a former star at the University of Penn and a member of the Freedom last year. Brendan's dad is the head coach at Villanova University and a head coach in the EPYSA State Select Program.

One of the primary purposes of the Freedom is to develop players for higher levels of play. Hopefully one or more of the Freedom players will someday sign on with an M.L.S. team (Division One).

FREEDOM TRAVELING NORTH

The Freedom will soon begin a three game road trip as they face the North Jersey Imperials (based in Teaneck, NJ), the New Hampshire Phantoms and the Cape Cod Crusaders. These games will be very important as they get ready for the drive for a playoff spot. All three opponents play in the Northeast Division of the USISL (the Freedom are in the Mid-Atlantic Division).

FREEDOM STRENGTHEN ROSTER

In an effort to strengthen the roster, the Freedom added several new players just before the signing deadline of July 21st.

The most notable acquisition is Mike Payne, younger brother of Freedom player Greg Payne. Mike was a standout at national powerhouse Columbia University.

Also joining the team are Anu Baiyeroju of Nigeria and Andrea Golerui from Albania. Previously, the Freedom signed Doug Nevins of the Philadelphia Kixx indoor team. Nevins was a former standout at Villanova University and was the Big East Player of the Year in 1994.

FREEDOM UNIFORMS SUPPLIED BY ISIS

The Philadelphia Freedom, Philadelphia Frenzy and the Freedom Reserve Team are all wearing ISIS uniforms. Replica Freedom jerseys are available at home games. They may also be purchased through the Freedom office (610-896-9683). ISIS uniforms are distributed by Footers, Inc. in Allentown. If your club or team would like to be outfitted in ISIS uniforms, call them at 800-542-5482.

HOME AND HOME SERIES WITH ARCH RIVAL READING RAGE TO END THE REGULAR SEASON

In the current standings, the Freedom are three points behind arch rival Reading Rage. The two teams have been competing for the top spot of the Mid-Atlantic Division all year long. In their first meeting, the Rage recorded a come from behind win on opening day. The Freedom got revenge however, winning 2-1 in Reading in a game that qualified the Freedom for the highly prestigious U.S. Open Cup.

The Freedom will again play at Reading on Saturday, August 9th. The two teams will then travel back to Marple Newtown for a 6:00 PM kickoff on Sunday, August 10th. The game could very well see the division regular season championship on the line.

Hopefully, we'll get a great crowd to cheer on the Freedom. August 10th will also be Fan Appreciation Night at Marple Newtown Stadium. Many fun prizes will be given away to fans in attendance. Enclosed with this newsletter is a certificate for all people on our mailing list to get tickets at half price for any of our three remaining home games (the certificate may be used for more than one game).

Sunday	July 27	5:00	Rhode Island Stingrays
Sunday	Aug. 3 	5:00	New Hampshire Phantoms
Sunday	Aug. 10	6:00	Reading Rage

RESERVE TEAM STILL UNDEFEATED

Another bright spot this season has been the excellent play of the Freedom Reserve Team. The team is comprised of many of the best college age players in the area. The team plays against other USISL team's Reserve Teams. Since the league is an amateur league (the players do not get paid), the players do not lose college eligibility. Hopefully, many of these players will move up to the Freedom when they finish their college careers.

Playing standout soccer for the team has been Ryan O'Neill of Wallingford. A star player for the University of South Carolina, O'Neill was the High School Player of the year in Pennsylvania in 1995. He led his school, Strath Haven to the 1995 State Title.

Starring in goal has been Mike O'Connor, a former player for Episcopal Academy and the current starting goalie for the University of Penn. Last year, Mike was voted the Ivy League Freshman of the Year.

Another star player for the Reserve Team has been Mike Nevin who played his high school ball for perennial powerhouse Conestoga and now stars for Bucknell University.

College age players who would like to play on the Reserve Team next year should call the Freedom office in the spring to find out about tryouts.

FREEDOM OFFERING TO DO CLINICS FOR LOCAL AREA YOUTH TEAMS

In an effort to build more awareness of the team, as well as to help develop future players, the Freedom will be making players and staff available to do clinics during the fall, winter and spring.

If you are with a local youth club and would like to have the Freedom come out and do a clinic for your players (or your coaches), please call the Freedom office. This offer is not valid until after the season comes to a conclusion.

CAN WE MAKE IT TO NEW MEXICO?

This year's Division Three Pro League Championship semifinals and finals will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 5-7. Four of the six teams in the Mid-Atlantic Division will qualify for the playoffs. These four teams will playoff on August 16-18. The surviving team will then take on the winner of the Northeast Division. The winner of that game will advance to the semifinals of the D3 Pro League, along with three other teams in the league.