GO Indoor

allas Sidekicks' legend, Tatu, has announced that the 2002-03 Major Indoor Soccer League season will 23% Cleveland Force be his last as a player. Dallas Sidekicks This will be his 21st season as a profes15% Milwaukee Wave sional indoor soccer player, his 18th with the Sidekicks. 15% Philadelphia KiXX "Tatu's importance to the game of 11% Baltimore Blast soccer goes beyond his numbers," says 9% San Diego Sockers Sidekicks' general manager Jim Tolbert. "His charisma and enthusiasm helped 8% Kansas City Comets keep the Dallas Sidekicks and indoor 1 Harrisburg Heat soccer going after the collapse of the Seems not everyone is as convincedoriginal MISL. He is known for throwing as his our colleague in Kansas City, who shirt into the stands after scoring a goal, but he may be best known for the More from Our Online Fans: he deals with fans and children that way admire him. He always takes time for an Jeff: like Cleveland to win the MISL I crown, but Milwaukee, Philadelphia and autograph or a kind word." San Diego are looking very strong. All Tatu's importance to the past and three teams were in the league- champi present of indoor soccer is well docuonships last season. David:I think the WISL teams may mented, but he is also looking to the future of struggle early on but will come around. the sport. I think Cleveland will be good this "I thought it was going to be a hard year but not good enough. I?m betting on decision for me, but it wasn't," Tatu said. Philly and Milwaukee again. Maybe KC, "I did my part for indoor soccer like every too. veteran has done their part. Now, it's Russel: know Cleveland will be good I time for me this year. Baltimore, Kansas City & Phillyto pass the torch on to a better not be too cocky. That will come player. They have to pick up younger back to hurt them in the long run. where I leave off." Goooo Force!!! When the Sidekicks opened the seaRisa: The KiXX will repeat as champions. home against the Philadelphia son at USIndoor.com WebPoll D (continued from page 5) around the field. The East will be hard fought, as the Harr is burg He at has completely retooled for the season, changing everything from the head coach to the receptionist. The Cle v el and Force continued with the change theme – beginning by changing their name from the Cr unc h to the Force. Good move, now they don't sound like a candy bar. Philly should still be very strong, playing their possession style game and dropping long balls over the defenders and counter-attacking. I go with them in the finals against the Comets. The finals are simple, the Comets with pure domination. I have been around this game for a long time (which means I may be slow,,but . . .) I haven't seen a team put together quite like this one. They won't lose more than 10 games, they won't tire, and they will be led by a coach whose style of play fits these players perfectly. This leads me to other predictions. Again, take these to Vegas and wager: M ost Valua ble Pl ay e r: Dino Delevski (backto-back is tough, but has clearly more talent by himself than some entire teams. Scor ing Champi on: Duh? Dino Delevski (see above for reason why) M I S L Ch a m pi on : Kansas City Comets (Strong, young, fast, explosive, I could on but 2002-03 SEASON WILL BE TATU'S KiXX, Tatu became the only player to have played in all six modern indoor leagues: North American Soccer League, National Professional Soccer League, original MISL, Continental Indoor Soccer League, World Indoor Soccer League, and the new MISL. Tatu enters the season near the top of the career list in several categories. He is ninth with 600 games played, second for goals with 837 (Hector Marinaro - 1187), second in assists with 699 (Zoran Karic - 821), third in points with 1536 (Marinaro - 1855, Karic - 1573), third in game-winning goals with 75 (Marinaro - 97, Steve Zungul - 77), and first with 109 power play goals. He has been part of all four Sidekicks' championship teams, winning titles in 1987, 1993, 1998, and 2001. Tatu is a six-time MVP, 11-time scoring champion, 10time all-star, and three-time championship series MVP. He also holds Sidekicks franchise records for games - 524, goals - 716, assists - 643, points - 1359, shots - 4044, power play goals - 94, game-winning goals - 64, and overtime goals - 7. Tatu's last regular season home game will be Sunday, March 23, 2003, against the Baltimore Blast. Tickets can be purchased at the American Airlines Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster. They are also available through www.DallasSidekicks.com. For group or season tickets call the Sidekicks at 214-653-0297. you get the point.) Coac h of the Year: Keith Tozar (Should be Savic with the team he put together, but with that much talent I could win. Tozar is a great coach.) Rook ie of t he Year : This one is impossible to predict because of the turnover in the MISL, so ask me later. Hotte st Che er lea der s: San Diego (They live by the beach!!) M os t Thr il li ng M oment f or Fa ns: The last time they see TATU. (Indoor's greatest of all time is retiring and his last stop in each city should be special for true fans.) W ho Wi ll B e t he Ne x t Tat u: Dino Delevski (I know you all are surprised by this one, but lets be real. He has incredible talent, incredible fan appeal, and he know have to work it. So I think it would be great for him to take over the reigns form one of soccer's greats.) That's it! Now that you know what will happen you can just go to the games and relax instead of worrying about the outcome…. I will. 555 [DISCL A I M ER: A ll opi nions ex pre sse d her ein ar e t he sol e pr oper t y of t he wri ter, who res er v es t he r ight t o c hange t hem a t any moment .] KC Comets' Alex Zontin- G O A L In d o o r • Oct.-Nov. 2002 • 11

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