Seven Eclipse Select players wrap up exclusive id2 Camp in Indianapolis

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Over the years, Eclipse Select Soccer Club has featured a number of talented players who have earned the opportunity to participate in the id2 Training Camp Program. It is an opportunity for the country’s top youth soccer players to be in an environment where they are identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s national team programs.

Eclipse Select proudly featured seven players for a March 23-26 camp in suburban Indianapolis: midfielder Korbin Albert (Gurnee, Ill.), defender Kate Dobsch (Winnetka, Ill.), forward Devin Lynch (Naperville, Ill.), forward Dakota Lyons (Mettawa, Ill.), defender Emma Phillips (Munster, Ind.), midfielder Brielle Rochester (Libertyville, Ill.) and midfielder Jenna Stayart (Cary, Ill.).

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

I-4 Derby lives up to billing

By CHARLIE CORR
charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com

A hallmark of the USL’s growth and fan support has been the budding regional rivalries that have coalesced. Heading into the 2017 season, much anticipation surrounded Saturday’s opening match between newcomers the Tampa Bay Rowdies and second-year Orlando City B in this I-4 Derby.

The game and environment lived up to the hype as an Al Lang-record crowd of 7,710 was on hand during the Rowdies’ 1-0 victory.

“It was unbelievable,” said Georgi Hristov, who scored the game’s lone goal, a second-half penalty kick. “I think everyone understands in this organization with [Owner] Bill Edwards that we are trying to do something different here in Tampa Bay. It’s very important to us, and I really appreciate all the people coming tonight and that they’re going to keep coming and sell out the next game too.”

For more, visit USLSoccer.com.

Richmond Kickers' Conor Shanosky delivers in new role

By CHARLIE CORR
charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com

The Richmond Kickers have never been short of leadership among its roster, particularly being a club that qualifies for the USL Cup Playoffs every season.

For defender Conor Shanosky, his leadership role took on a new level as he wore the captain’s armband. In front of a City Stadium-record crowd of 8,021, Shanosky delivered the lone goal during a 1-0 victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday.

“Obviously it’s a big honor to wear the captain’s armband – first time in my career, so that was nice,” Shanosky said. “It’s always very special. But I think we’ve got a lot of leaders on the team. We’ve got a good group. It’s about building that and doing better as a group and keep pushing.”

For more, visit USLSoccer.com.