Goalkeepers Phil Webb and Ezequiel Sanchez took their turns kicking and defending the goal. They pai
d no mind to the cold weather hovering just above freezing. It could be their passion and dedication to the game of soccer, but it can a
lso be the fact that they were practicing indoors as part of Las Vegas’ inaugural semipro indoor soccer team.Called the Las Vegas Knights, the team plans to make a statement in the Southwest Division of the Premier Arena Soccer League. As part of the nation’s largest indoor soccer league, the Knights are confident in taking the division and the city by storm.
"My goal is to have a couple of good seasons and create a good relationship with the community to go to the next level," team president Meir Cohen said. "We want to create a good fan base for indoor soccer."
Cohen, owner of Las Vegas Indoor Soccer Summerlin, founded and funds the team, while providing the practice facility at his establishment. A soccer player himself, Cohen, came to Las Vegas with the idea of introducing arena soccer to the valley.
"The demand for indoor soccer is here," he said. "We have so many great players in town, but once they finish high school or college, how will they continue to play? That’s why we give them the opportunity to keep playing."
The opportunity ha
s interested players from many different backgrounds that now call Las Vegas home and represent the team. In addition to the United States; players from Bulgaria, Mexico, Argentina, and Ethiopia make up the team. Even Cohen, himself, brings another foreign element to the team as he was born in Israel. The players also come from all walks of life: from coaching future soccer stars to attending dental school to working at a mortuary. Yet on
e thing remains the same: they all want to win and they want this team to progress in this league and beyond."We’ve got some really good players on our team," defender and, Palo Verde alum, BJ Freeman said. "I can’t imagine anything but a good season."
"Everytime I step on the field, I want to win," Lamb said. "I know this is going to be a trial run, but I think we have the best shot to succeed." Although the Knights h
ave the confidence to win in the competitive 6-on-6 league, they know that having the community behind them is key.
"If we get all the support we need from people in Las Vegas and if everyone works hard, we’ll do fine," goalkeeper and Argentinean Ezequiel Sanchez said. "We just want to start by winning the first game and get off on the right foot."
Taking charge of the team is head coach John Kennedy, born in Scotland, who’s experience includes serving as a referee in numerous collegiate games such as the 1984
NCAA final between UCLA and America University, still the longest game in NCAA history. He has also moved up the ranks as a coach, serving as an assistant for the 1994 world champion soccer team the Las Vegas Dustdevils. His assistant coach will be Joe Mendoza, a former San Jose State University soccer player who also coached the Spartans after he graduated.
The Knights play their first game against the Phoenix Inferno on December 9th. Come out and support your new team as they embark on an inaugural journey where the walls are in play, the pace is fast, and the action is nonstop.
ave the confidence to win in the competitive 6-on-6 league, they know that having the community behind them is key."If we get all the support we need from people in Las Vegas and if everyone works hard, we’ll do fine," goalkeeper and Argentinean Ezequiel Sanchez said. "We just want to start by winning the first game and get off on the right foot."
Taking charge of the team is head coach John Kennedy, born in Scotland, who’s experience includes serving as a referee in numerous collegiate games such as the 1984
NCAA final between UCLA and America University, still the longest game in NCAA history. He has also moved up the ranks as a coach, serving as an assistant for the 1994 world champion soccer team the Las Vegas Dustdevils. His assistant coach will be Joe Mendoza, a former San Jose State University soccer player who also coached the Spartans after he graduated.The Knights play their first game against the Phoenix Inferno on December 9th. Come out and support your new team as they embark on an inaugural journey where the walls are in play, the pace is fast, and the action is nonstop.
