Getting to Know Your MASL Opponents - Syracuse Silver Knights

Founded: 2010

League Championships: None 

Arena: Oncenter War Memorial Arena

History:

   
The Syracuse Silver Knights are a relatively new franchise in the world of indoor soccer, having began at the dawn of the last incarnation of the MISL in 2010. Syracuse immediately made a splash by signing former MLS star forward Diego Serna and later perennial star Jamar Beasley, but it was the spine of  their team; defender Nelson Santana, midfielder Marcos Chantal, and forward Elmo Neto (now with Cedar Rapids) that made the Silver Knights relevant in the soccer hotbed of central New York state. Having missed the playoffs their first two years as an organization, the last two years have seen SSK (as they're abbreviated) make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, nearly reaching the finals two seasons ago.



Today:

The Silver Knights are staple in the city of Syracuse, averaging over 3,000 fans regularly and seeing crowds occasionally hit the 4,000 mark. More importantly, the excellent Silver Knight Foundation has helped hundreds of under priveliged children near their home in urban Syracuse.

Notable Players/Coaches:

Machel Millwood -This lanky Jamaican goal scorer got his start in outdoor professionally with the second division Syracuse Salty Dogs and later the Atlanta Silverbacks. However, it was with indoor powerhouse Baltimore Blast where Millwood made his name, most notably scoring the Championship winning overtime goal against St. Louis in 2006. 

Slavisa Ubiparapovic - Former Red Bull forward, and fancy footwork specialist, Ubi is adept at creating goals as well as scoring, and won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2012.

Corey Elenio - A former Columbus Crew forward in his rookie year, Elenio looks to replace dynamic Elmo Neto at forward. 

Owner/Coach Tommy Tanner has guided the Silver Knights in the right direction each year he has been in charge, in large part due to steady netminder Bryan O'Quinn.

Getting to Know Your MASL Opponents - Harrisburg Heat

Orignally Founded:1991

League Championships: None (Runner-up in 1995 NPSL Finals, Regular season winners in 2001)

Arena: Farm Show Complex

History:

      Harrisburg Heat were introduced as a National Professional Soccer League expansion team in 1991 with Jim Pollihan as Harrisburg Heat’s first coach. Pollihan was named NPSL coach of the year after leading Heat to a 24-16 record and a second-place finish in the American Division. Franklin McIntosh was second-team all-league, scoring 130 points. By 1992 the Heat were drawing over 7,000 fans to games, led by Goalkeeper Brett Phillips who would be named NPSL rookie of the year. By 1995, the Heat were drawing well over 8,000(!) raucous fans at the unique and now legendary Farm Show Arena (built for the very events it sounds like) and only lost the final to a now famous St. Louis Ambush rally in the NPSL Finals. Consistently among the league's best, the 2001 Heat won the regular season with a 24-16 record. The Heat went on hiatus with the demise of the NPSL, but re-emerged in the PASL, before moving up to the MASL post-merger.



Today:

      The Heat have had dwindling fortunes on the field while at the same time growing at the gate. The 2012 team advanced to the Cup Quarterfinals and had a respectable 6-10 . Though crowds had grown enough to necessitate a move to the larger arena at Farm Show, the Heat's win total has steadily dwindled for a franchise with a proud history.

Notable Players/Coaches:

Adauto Neto - Not to be confused with Cedar Rapids' Elmo Neto, the OTHER Neto has been a scoring force with Baltimore Blast among other franchises. His scoring and assisting threat make the Heat dangerous despite a recent poor record. The Heat narrowly lost to the undefeated Blast as evidence.

Tyler Witmer - A solid two-way player, Witmer can get hot on both ends of the field. Recorded a 6 goal game last year in win vs. St. Louis.

Val Texeira - A former Crystal Palace and Baltimore defender, Texeira captains a defense that will be among the stingiest Cedar Rapids will face all season.

Cedar Rapids Rampage SC Images of 2015: Scores, saves, and spectators. (Courtesy Photographer Jaimee Warbasse)