Soccer tournament brings teams and all-stars to Madison

Madison City will be the host of the 2011 National Premier Soccer League National Championships this weekend at the Madison City Schools Stadium.

League Technical Director Matt Driver has also finalized his picks for the 2011 NPSL’s All-Star Team.

The Southeast Region is well represented, with 7 players making the 21-man roster, bettered only by the Northeast Region, which between the Atlantic and Keystone Conferences boasts eight picks.

Among those players chosen from the Southeast Region is Rocket City’s own Joseph Omondi’s, picked to the All-Star defense.  He’s joined by Andy Stewart of Chattanooga FC and Marcos Mendez of the Georgia Revolution.

Madison soccer fans can see the All-Stars in action July 29th against their own Rocket City United at 8 PM.  The All-Stars will then travel to Raleigh, North Carolina to face the Railhawks U20s on July 31st and Atlanta, Georgia for a game against the Atlanta Silverbacks on August 2nd.

“Our league is very player-centric,” Driver said. “I don’t think any of the owners in our league have the ego where they’re going to restrict the movement of players to move up to the next level.”

“So the All-Star game at the end of the season is a chance for us to thank those players, put them in the shop window,” Driver continues. “Give them an opportunity to be seen playing outside of their own market and if they’re good enough to move on to the MLS or the NASL, we can get them off and moving.”

2011 NPSL All-Star Team:

Goalkeepers:

Zach Abdel – Rattlers FC (West)

Thomas Hunter – Chattanooga FC (Southeast)

Defenders:

Peassio Denev – EC Aris FC (Midwest)

Andy Stewart – Chattanooga FC (Southeast)

Joseph Omondi – Rocket City United (Southeast)

Marcos Mendez – Georgia Revolution (Southeast)

Cory Phillips – FC Buffalo (Northeast KC)

Adrian Kawuba – Mass United FC (Northeast AC)

Dan Sauerhoff – Morris County Colonials (Northeast AC)

Midfields:

Billy Sweatra – AC Crusaders (Northeast KC)

Anthony Santaga – Madison 56ers (Midwest)

Carlington Lamont – FC Reading Revolution (Northeast KC)

Carlos McCrary – Madison 56ers (Midwest)

Tyler Williams – Jacksonville United (Southeast)

Cody Antonini – FC Sonic Lehigh Valley (Northeast KC)

Kingsley Morgan – ATL Silverbacks Reserves (Southeast)

Forwards:

Jumol Harewood – Georgia Revolution (Southeast)

Jose Miranda – Hollywood United (West)

Afrim Latifi – Erie Admirals (Northeast KC)

Chris Tsonis – Seacoast United (Northeast AC)

Justin Picou – San Diego Boca FC (West)

The NPSL Championships will be held July 28-30 at the Madison City Schools Stadium.

For more information on tickets or the tournament, visit Rocketcityunited.com.