Swerve hosts men’s arena soccer alumni game

On February 26 at 6:30pm, the Cincinnati Swerve will host the men’s arena soccer alumni game. Players will represent 20 years of Cincinnati soccer from teams like the Cincinnati Silverbacks, Cincinnati Kings, Cincinnati Saints, 1790 Cincinnati, Cincinnati Excite and of course, the Cincinnati Swerve.

*Players interested in participating in the alumni game should email [email protected]. Please include shirt size and a brief bio of your arena history.*

In addition to the alumni game, a special induction ceremony will take place that will honor longtime arena soccer icon Keith Tozer, as well as players Shawn Rockey and Matt Breines. The trio was originally slated to be honored during a 2020 PASL match-up, but the event had to be canceled due to the pandemic.

Also on the schedule for the evening:
• Cincinnati Sirens PASL vs Chicago Mustangs 5:00pm
• Cincinnati Swerve M2 vs Chicago Mustangs 8:00pm
• Cincinnati Indoor Hall of Fame Induction

Tickets are available at the door for $8/adult and $6/youth. Ticket prices include access to all three games and the induction ceremony.

 

Swerve hosts men’s arena soccer alumni game2022-02-22T16:30:43+00:00

Cincinnati partners with Brew City for M2

M2 soccer will return to Cincinnati, Ohio with the newly rebranded and structured Swerve organization set to kickoff this season. The formally known Cincinnati Swerve played in the league during its first season in 2017-18. The Swerve were an impressive 9-3 that year, advancing to the M2 championship round where they defeated the Colorado Blizzard before falling to the eventual champion Chicago Mustangs.

The Swerve recently announced a partnership and new co-branded logo with Brew City Legends of the PASL to develop players on the field with this M2 and PASL team. The Swerve will be the name for both teams, with the team out of Cincinnati playing in the M2, and new logo displayed on both.

“The Swerve have a great history, and a commitment to soccer at virtually every possible level,” Commissioner Chris Economides said. “They will be very competitive right out of the gate, and provide a strong challenge to rivals like Chicago, Muskegon and now of course the champion Cleveland Crunch which will be an immediate and great intrastate rivalry.

With its winning history in M2 and the Premier Arena Soccer League, the Swerve organization are no strangers to indoor fans, especially in the competitive midwest.

Longtime indoor soccer player Craig Rhodis will act as the teams technical director, with the Swerve playing its home games in the Game Time Training Center in Fairfield, Ohio. Rhodis played professionally for 16 seasons – starting with the Cincinnati Silverbacks of the National Professional Soccer League with stops with the Portland Pythons, Utah Freeze, 1790 Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Kings – and has earned several coaching licenses and his scouting certificate. In 129 career indoor games, the defender scored 32 goals and added 36 assists.

Rhodis said under this new partnership and organization structure with Brew City, it was a good time for the Swerve to move back up to the M2 level.

“As we’ve grown, it’s about finding the highest level of competition our players deserve,” Rhodis said. “We’re trying to find the best level of play, so that makes M2 right for us. It’s a good fit. We’ve already developed quite a rivalry with the Mustangs. That’s really become a matchup to look forward to every year.”

“I’m excited about the league, where it is at, and it’s ability to grow,” Rhodis also noted said. “Truthfully, from someone who’s been around it for a while, it wouldn’t surprise me to see this league grow to 24, 25 teams in the next couple of years.”

The team will likely be coached by former Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper and former Wave and St. Louis Ambush assistant coach Mark Litton, following the partnership and restructure of the Swerve and Brew City Legends.

“Essentially it’s a chance for the best players from Brew City and the best players from the Swerve to combine into an M2 team,” Rhodis said. “And eventually we’ll have an affiliation with a MASL team. Once we get that affiliation, we’ll have within our organization that true through line from the PASL to the MASL. That’s the goal. Our main focus here is to provide an opportunity”

The Swerve hope to field additional indoor teams this winter.

“The plan is to have our M2 team return, and have at least one PASL team, and maybe two,” Rhodis added.

Major Arena Soccer League 2 will kick off its 2021-22 season this winter, with each team playing a 12-game regular season schedule. For more information, visit m2soccer.com.

Story by Brian Ackley, M2

Cincinnati partners with Brew City for M22021-09-20T14:39:47+00:00

Cincinnati Swerve and Brew City Legends merge

The Cincinnati Swerve are happy to announce a merger with Brew City Legends. This brings a great opportunity for all the players within each organization. Combining organizations means that there will now be a Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL) team, as well as an MASL 2 team; giving players from both organizations the opportunity to play in both leagues. The merger will give players more exposure and more opportunity to excel in their soccer career. The PASL team will play an 8-game schedule and playoffs,  while the M2 team will play a 12-game schedule and playoffs. Both organizations are very excited about this merger and think it will only help to benefit the indoor soccer game.

Cincinnati Swerve and Brew City Legends merge2021-09-20T14:40:36+00:00

Swerve adds Rudy Argueta to Coaching Staff

The Cincinnati Swerve is proud to welcome Rudy Argueta as the new Head Coach of the men’s OVPL outdoor team and Director of the new Swerve Academy program. Coach Argueta brings not only his coaching philosophies to our academy, but also his extensive knowledge as a player – having been a member of the U12 Guatemala Youth National Team, being nominated to his High School Hall of Fame, as well as many collegiate accolades. Coach Argueta is a graduate of NAIA Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky, where he was a four year starter. While at Union, he was the first player in school history to score 40 goals and have 40 assists. Argueta led Union to being ranked as high as 3rd  in the nation his senior year. He was a First Team All- Conference selection from 1999-2001, a two-time team captain, team MVP in 2000, and honored with All-Region and All-American Awards in 1999. In addition, he was the 1998 Rookie of the Year and the 2001 Mid-South Conference Player of the Year. Argueta also has played semi-professionally with a few teams and had a slight playing experience with the Columbus Crew. As a coach, Argueta has been the Men’s head soccer coach at Mount St. Joseph University for the past 12 years and it’s currently coaching at this time. He has also coached club for 23 years and has won two United States Youth Futsal National Championships.

Swerve Technical Director Craig Rhodis is excited about adding Argueta to the coaching staff, “As we continue to build our Swerve and Sirens programs, we realized very quickly that we needed to surround ourselves with a quality staff that aligns with our mission and allows us continued growth. Rudy is one of the best coaches in our region and an even better person. We cannot wait to see what he is able to do with our outdoor team and Swerve Academy. We truly feel that our men’s program is in excellent hands with Rudy and our men’s indoor head coach, Manny Adjei.”

Coach Argueta’s first order of business will be the new Swerve Academy program, which will serve boys soccer players ages U13-U18 and launches January 18. Like the current Cincinnati Sirens Academy, youth players will participate in 6-week program that includes weekly training sessions and an 8-game league against other regional academy teams. All sessions will be trained and coached by Argueta and other Swerve players and staff.

“I want our Swerve Academy to be a place where our kids have a chance to grow and become as successful as possible in all aspects of soccer. As the Director of the program, I bring love, passion, knowledge, and a high work ethic for our sport. I want our players, parents and coaching staff to of
course enjoy and love the game, but even more, I want us all to become a family,” says Argueta.

Youth players interested in the Cincinnati Swerve Academy can learn more at cincinnatiswerve.com.

Swerve adds Rudy Argueta to Coaching Staff2021-01-16T01:02:46+00:00

Swerve announces new PASL Head Coach

The Cincinnati Swerve men’s soccer team is proud to announce Manny Adjei as the new Head Coach for the 2020-2021 PASL season. This will be his 6th season with the Cincinnati Swerve organization, after playing with the team for the last five seasons. Throughout his playing career with the Swerve, Adjei has earned All-Star accolades, was named First Team All-MASL 2 and was most recently part of the 2019 PASL National Championship team. In addition to success with the Swerve, he has three caps with the United States National Arena Soccer Team against Brazil, Canada and Mexico and was part of the player pool to be selected for the World Cup held in Australia in 2019.

Adjei is also a former athlete and graduate of Tiffin University and is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Special Education at GCU. At Tiffin University, he played in 71 games, drawing the start as a defender in 69 games. The Tiffin defense gave up less than a goal per game in three of the four seasons he played and Adjei also contributed on offense, scoring four goals. During his collegiate career, his team won the GLIAC Conference twice, the GLIAC tournament and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. Individually, he earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week twice, All-GLIAC Honorable Mention, All-GLIAC Second Team, Daktronics All-Region Second Team & OCSA 2014 NCAA Div. II Men’s All-Ohio Team.

The coaching position with the Swerve will not be his first as Adjei is currently on staff with Cincinnati United Soccer Club and was the Head Coach at Winton Woods High School from 2015-2018.

Thrilled about taking this new step with the Swerve organization, Adjei credits his mentors with fueling his passion for the game. “Throughout my time as a player with the Swerve, I’ve had the privilege of playing for coaches and veterans who were highly influential in the way that I learn and play. I feel that my talent, dedication and character have meshed well with what I have learned these last several years, allowing me to thrive in arena soccer. As I take on this new role, my goal is to replicate these same principles and continue to be a part of something great here in Cincinnati. I’d like to thank the organization for having the belief in me to continue the Swerve legacy.”

Adjei will take the reins from current Head Coach, Craig Rhodis, who will remain an integral part of the organization. “Manny has played for me for many years and has always been one of the players trying to consistently improve his game by asking questions. He is a fabulous player, one the team really respects. He certainly deserves this opportunity and will have a great support system in place to succeed. The decision to hand over the team to Manny allows me to focus on our organization as a whole, continuing to help us grow. I am confident we have made the right decision with our next coach and look forward to working with him in this role.”

The Cincinnati Swerve will officially complete their 2019-2020 season during the PASL National Championships at GameTime Training Center October 9-11, where they will defend their national title. The 2020-2021 season is set to begin in December.

Swerve announces new PASL Head Coach2021-01-16T01:00:02+00:00

Swerve launches new Soccer Academy

The Cincinnati Swerve has launched a brand new Soccer Academy. The six week session will focus on player development and give youth players U13-U18 the opportunity to train with Swerve staff. Players will also compete in a local league at GameTime Training Center, with a chance to also compete against other academy teams when possible. Interested players can register here. Questions can be sent to [email protected].

Cincinnati Swerve Academy:

  • Begins January 26
  • Open to Boys U13-U18
  • Speed & Agility and Skills Training sessions Tuesday – Thursday
  • 8-game local league, with additional games against other academy teams possible
  • Players receive training gear and game kits
  • All training sessions and games are coached by Swerve staff
  • $249/player
Swerve launches new Soccer Academy2021-01-16T00:56:52+00:00

Cincinnati Swerve joins OVPL in 2020

The Cincinnati Swerve organization is proud to announce that we will be adding an outdoor competitive team into the newly formed Ohio Valley Premier League (OVPL) this Summer. The league will complement the organization’s existing structure as we are completing our fourth season in the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL).

Cincinnati Swerve Head Coach Craig Rhodis is excited about what joining another competitive league means for the men. “Adding the Swerve men’s outdoor team was one of our goals coming into this year. Our organization has worked very hard to provide opportunities for the players, and as we have become a model franchise in the PASL indoor league, adding an outdoor team was a very easy transition. We are very happy to now offer year-round opportunities for both men and women in conjunction with our women’s affiliate, Cincinnati Sirens FC. The Sirens have built a very successful team based upon a mix of current college players, veteran players with professional experience, as well as a few younger players. We hope to follow the same path with our men’s outdoor team.”

The Ohio Valley Premier League (OVPL) has received sanctioning from US Club Soccer for men’s and women’s divisions and is set to begin play in Summer 2020. The OVPL will provide opportunities for players to continue their competitive playing careers with at least twelve men’s teams and five women’s teams in their inaugural season.

Supplemental tryouts for the Cincinnati Swerve OVPL team will be held April 4-5 from 5pm-7pm at GameTime Training Center in Fairfield, Ohio. New players interested in joining the Cincinnati Swerve organization for the 2020 season should register online ahead of tryouts.

Cincinnati Swerve joins OVPL in 20202020-09-04T15:50:00+00:00

Cincinnati arena standouts return to national stage

Cincinnati will be well represented in an upcoming exhibition match between the United States National Arena Soccer Team (USNAST) and Mexico. Cincinnati Swerve Head Coach Craig Rhodis is on the USNAST coaching staff and will be joined by Cincinnati Swerve defender Emmanuel Adjei and Queen City Sonics forward Marc Hansson. Both players have experience on the national stage and will be looking to make the final USNAST roster for the WMF World Cup in Perth, Australia this October.

Craig Rhodis, who is no stranger to the national stage, is thrilled to see Adjei and Hannson being given another opportunity to compete at this level. “I am happy that Manny and Marc will be joining me this weekend in New Mexico. This is why I am involved with the Cincinnati Swerve and Cincinnati Sirens (women’s) soccer teams – to challenge our players and to provide an opportunity to play at a higher level. In this case, it’s a chance to be a part of the player pool for the US National 6-a-side team that will play in the World Cup in Australia. We only have a couple of games left to identify players and prepare our team, so these games are very important for everyone involved. This is a real chance for Manny and Marc to show the national team coaching staff what they can do at this level. I’m looking forward to coaching them and the rest of the players against a strong Mexico team this weekend.”

The August 24 exhibition game between USA and Mexico will kick off at 7pm at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. For more information about the US National Team and upcoming events, visit soccer567.rsportz.com.

Cincinnati arena standouts return to national stage2020-09-04T15:51:35+00:00

Swerve Players Reflect On USA 6 National Game

The USA 6 National Team competed in their first match of the year at the Corn Palace in South Dakota on Sunday, April 14, 2019. Included on the team were four Cincinnati Swerve standouts; Corey Whisenhunt, Manny Adjei, Matt Kinkopf and Marc Hansson (currently with Queen City Sonics) and Cincinnati Swerve Head Coach, Craig Rhodis.

The USA 6 National Team struggled to find their footing in the first 15 minutes of the game, playing against a very experienced Brazilian National Team and finding themselves down 4-0. With late first half and halftime adjustments from the coaching staff, the team found a groove and worked themselves back in the game. Marc Hansson earned his first national team goal (and briefly celebrated with fans in the stands) and the team had a handful of chances at the end of the game to pull within one goal. Ultimately, Brazil found the back of the net two more times as USA pressed to score and at the buzzer, Brazil celebrated the 6-2 victory.

Head Coach Craig Rhodis had nothing but great things to say about the experience for his players, the game’s atmosphere and their opponents. He’ll use this experience to build upon Team USA’s strategy going into the next event coming this Spring/Summer.

All of the players echoed Rhodis’ sentiments about the experience. Matt Kinkopf said “Despite not getting the result we wanted, it was a great learning experience. It was an honor to be selected to play with such talented guys under two great coaches.” Corey Whisenhunt beamed with pride after leading the huddle yelling “USA!” prior to taking the field against Brazil. He said he “could not have dreamed of anything cooler than that.” Manny Adjei didn’t know what to expect and watched videos of the World Cup last year in Guatemala to gain a good perspective. He felt “the group of guys we had did a great job following the game plan after some initial adjustments. It was a great experience, I enjoyed my time with the team and look forward to learning from and making future teams.” Marc Hansson adds “Playing against a team like Brazil is a dream come true. The atmosphere at the Corn Palace was unbelievable, with 1300 people there and excited to watch indoor soccer. Personally, scoring my first goal for the USA was also a very special moment for me and my family. Brazil was a very organized and experienced team, which made it difficult at times, but we did a great job with adjustments from our coaching staff. This was definitely a night to remember!”

Congratulations again to Corey, Matt, Manny, Marc and Craig for representing Cincinnati on the USA 6 National Team!

Swerve Players Reflect On USA 6 National Game2020-09-04T15:52:07+00:00

Swerve standouts called up to USA 6 National Team

On the heels of their PASL team recently being named National Champions, the Cincinnati Swerve organization continues to celebrate as multiple players from their MASL squad have been called up to the USA 6 National Team. Manny Adjei, Matt Kinkopf and Corey Whisenhunt will travel to South Dakota to take on Brazil’s National Team on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 2:00pm. The trio will also be included in a player pool considered for the USA 6 World Cup taking place in Australia this October. Another notable Cincinnati player being called up is former Swerve forward, Marc Hansson, who played for PASL’s Queen City Sonics this season.

With the Swerve since its inception in 2015, Manny Adjei was a dominant force in the backfield this season. Adjei also played at Tiffin University and the Dayton Dynamo, and earned his first CAP with the US National Arena Soccer Team last year. He currently coaches at Cincinnati United Soccer Club (CU/CUP) and is very excited about the opportunity to represent the US this Spring. Manny also believes that “the measure of intelligence is the ability to change” and he’ll certainly have to adapt from the traditional arena play to the no walls format for this first USA 6 National Team game.

Also a 4-year veteran of the Cincinnati Swerve, goalkeeper Corey Whisenhunt is “very honored to be selected for the US 6 National Team. I can’t thank my teammates and coaches enough for their role in my soccer career and I’m thrilled to take this next step.” Whisenhunt is currently the General Manager of the Dayton Dutch Lions and played collegiately at Wright State University before playing with a multitude of indoor and outdoor men’s teams throughout his career.

Matt Kinkopf, finishing his second year with the Swerve, helped lead the team offensively this season with 7 goals in 9 appearances. Kinkopf feels that “it is an absolute honor to have been selected to play for the USA 6 National Team. I’m so excited to play alongside so many talented individuals and I look forward to representing the US this April.” Kinkopf was a two-time All American at Ohio Northern University and currently coaches at Fairfield Optimist Soccer Club (FOSC).

Former Swerve player Marc Hansson also earned his first CAP with the US National Arena Soccer Team last year alongside Adjei. Prior to playing with the Sonics this season, Hansson played with the Swerve for four years and has played internationally in Germany, Sweden, Belgium and the Czech Republic. “Being selected for the USA 6 National Team is a huge accomplishment and to play with the best players from around the country is such a great experience.”

Rounding out the roster of 12 for the South Dakota match-up will be players from Kansas City, Chicago, California and Colorado. Other events are also scheduled throughout the Spring and Summer to assist the coaches in selecting the final roster for the World Cup in Australia.

Taking the helm for the USA 6 National Team is Cincinnati Swerve’s head coach, Craig Rhodis. He will be assisted by Chicago Mustangs’ head coach Armando Gamboa and Detroit Waza Flo’s Dominic and Mario Scicluna.

About the USA 6 National Team
The USA 6 National Team is governed by The American Association of Soccer 567 (5,6 and 7 a side soccer) and is comprised of amateur soccer players playing an indoor, no walls format. The AAS567 is governed by and is an official member of World Mini Football Federation (WMF).

About Cincinnati Swerve
The Cincinnati Swerve was formed in 2015 as an amateur men’s arena soccer team and is run by C925, a non-profit organization that also runs the WPSL outdoor women’s team, the Cincinnati Sirens. The Cincinnati Swerve plays their games at GameTime Training Center in Fairfield, Ohio and currently has teams playing in both the MASL 2 and PASL soccer organizations.

Swerve standouts called up to USA 6 National Team2020-09-04T15:53:28+00:00
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