Elk Grove stands in Fremd's way
for repeat MSL championship
By Mike Garofola
The Soccer Cup trophy befits a competition that is coveted and possesses a rich history. The Mid-Suburban League championship match has produced some utterly riveting and memorable contests in its previous 46 meetings.
When West Division champion Fremd (11-6-2, 9-2-0) steps onto the field at host Elk Grove (10-4-3, 8-2-1) for the 7 p.m. match Thursday night, it will mark a league-best 17th appearance. The Vikings aim to add to their collection of a league-leading nine titles.
The East Division champion Grenadiers will play in their second Soccer Cup. The first came in 2010 when they fell to Fremd 3-1 on a frigid October night.
For their second attempt at an MSL championship, Elk Grove is ready for the rematch.
"It's a real thrill for all of us to be in the final, and after losing to them the first time (2-1 in overtime). We're all really motivated to play them again," said Elk Grove senior co-captain Chris Gonzalez who plays the eight alongside teammate Kacper Kubala for manager Alex Stavropoulos.
Fremd expects another strong challenge and hopes to earn a season sweep.
"This is always one of our goals, and to advance to the championship after losing so many players from our state runnerup team says a lot about how far we've come," said Vikings keeper Robby Remian, who was named a 2021 Chicagoland Soccer all-stater after a sensational season.
Remian built an impressive resume with the Class 3A finalists. He continues to display sublime shot-blocking ability, fearlessness in point-blank challenges, distribution and ground-to-air quickness.
That both sides advanced this far may have been have looked at as an impossibility given the less-than-dazzling starts from both.
Fremd (3-5-2, 1-2-0) was dismal early on and suffered four losses in five games. Two came in Wisconsin to Midwest powers Marquette (Wis.) and Chaminade (Mo.), and two came locally to honorable mention team Hersey and no. 8 Naperville North.
Since then, manager Steve Keller’s club won its last eight league games, to finish three points clear of rival Conant to for the Soccer Cup berth. Now the Vikings are after their third league title in the past four seasons.
"We have found a way to get results," said Keller, who is in his 25th year at the Vikings’ helm. “We've been a resilient club that has battled in each game to find a way to get the result we've needed."
"Compared to last year’s team, this season it has taken us a little while longer to find our rhythm and for us to sort things out,” said Remian, who will likely forego collegiate soccer and focus on business studies at Ohio State, Illinois, Clemson or North Carolina.
“Coach has a history of getting his teams together and peaking at the right time. I feel we're at a good place."
The senior, who had an incredible backline in front of him a year ago, has been thrilled with the progress of his defenders this season.
"Ronan (Allord) has taken over as one of our center backs after an injury to Cam Wiehe. In a position he's never played, he's been amazing,” said Remian. “Together with Michael Leonczuk, they have formed a very strong central defender partnership.
"For just a sophomore, Kyle Grasse has been great as one of our outside backs. (Senior) Genki Wakayami has been strong on the other side."
The keeper credited seniors Joey Rodino, for his play at the six, and Will Mayer, whom he feels facilitates the attack and brings pace, energy and the type of work-rate needed to inspire others.
Mayer and Owen Winegar each have six goals on the season. Kosta Alex leads the team with eight. Leo Akashi has four goals and leads the club with seven assists.
"We've pulled ourselves together as a team, after a rough start,” said Remian. “We're finally playing for each other, and the way we all knew we were capable of."
Elk Grove is ready to battle their traditionally powerful foe.
"Winning the MSL East was a goal that we established at the start of the season," began Stavropoulos. “I have to admit after we got out to a slow start, we knew it would be an uphill battle to meet that goal.
"But that slow start really pushed our guys to remain humble and properly prepare for each and every game. After we beat state-ranked Conant, I could see that our boys truly believed in themselves."
That Grenadiers 3-1 victory acted as a springboard for the club, which went 8-1-1 after its 1-0 loss at Solorio in a BodyArmor bracket semifinal Sept. 17.
Elk Grove’s East Division triumph dashed the hopes of rivals Hersey and Rolling Meadows. The Grenadiers are ready for more success.
"Coach is a guy who focuses on the details," said Gonzalez, who plans to major in engineering in college with DePaul and Illinois his top choices. “What I really like about him is he lets us play our style of soccer we enjoy.”
Both Gonzalez and his manager agree that keeper Jhonathan Celis (.88 GAA) has been the key to the team’s championship run. Stavropoulos added that his captains, Gonzalez and Aaron Vasquez, set the standard for success as first class leaders both on and off the field.
"Fremd is a quality team, extremely well coached, and always loaded with plenty of talent,” said Stavropoulos. “We played them well the first time, so we're looking forward to having another opportunity.”
Editor’s note: Tonight marks the 28th-consecutive season that Mike Garofola has covered the MSL boys championship match.
for repeat MSL championship
By Mike Garofola
The Soccer Cup trophy befits a competition that is coveted and possesses a rich history. The Mid-Suburban League championship match has produced some utterly riveting and memorable contests in its previous 46 meetings.
When West Division champion Fremd (11-6-2, 9-2-0) steps onto the field at host Elk Grove (10-4-3, 8-2-1) for the 7 p.m. match Thursday night, it will mark a league-best 17th appearance. The Vikings aim to add to their collection of a league-leading nine titles.
The East Division champion Grenadiers will play in their second Soccer Cup. The first came in 2010 when they fell to Fremd 3-1 on a frigid October night.
For their second attempt at an MSL championship, Elk Grove is ready for the rematch.
"It's a real thrill for all of us to be in the final, and after losing to them the first time (2-1 in overtime). We're all really motivated to play them again," said Elk Grove senior co-captain Chris Gonzalez who plays the eight alongside teammate Kacper Kubala for manager Alex Stavropoulos.
Fremd expects another strong challenge and hopes to earn a season sweep.
"This is always one of our goals, and to advance to the championship after losing so many players from our state runnerup team says a lot about how far we've come," said Vikings keeper Robby Remian, who was named a 2021 Chicagoland Soccer all-stater after a sensational season.
Remian built an impressive resume with the Class 3A finalists. He continues to display sublime shot-blocking ability, fearlessness in point-blank challenges, distribution and ground-to-air quickness.
That both sides advanced this far may have been have looked at as an impossibility given the less-than-dazzling starts from both.
Fremd (3-5-2, 1-2-0) was dismal early on and suffered four losses in five games. Two came in Wisconsin to Midwest powers Marquette (Wis.) and Chaminade (Mo.), and two came locally to honorable mention team Hersey and no. 8 Naperville North.
Since then, manager Steve Keller’s club won its last eight league games, to finish three points clear of rival Conant to for the Soccer Cup berth. Now the Vikings are after their third league title in the past four seasons.
"We have found a way to get results," said Keller, who is in his 25th year at the Vikings’ helm. “We've been a resilient club that has battled in each game to find a way to get the result we've needed."
"Compared to last year’s team, this season it has taken us a little while longer to find our rhythm and for us to sort things out,” said Remian, who will likely forego collegiate soccer and focus on business studies at Ohio State, Illinois, Clemson or North Carolina.
“Coach has a history of getting his teams together and peaking at the right time. I feel we're at a good place."
The senior, who had an incredible backline in front of him a year ago, has been thrilled with the progress of his defenders this season.
"Ronan (Allord) has taken over as one of our center backs after an injury to Cam Wiehe. In a position he's never played, he's been amazing,” said Remian. “Together with Michael Leonczuk, they have formed a very strong central defender partnership.
"For just a sophomore, Kyle Grasse has been great as one of our outside backs. (Senior) Genki Wakayami has been strong on the other side."
The keeper credited seniors Joey Rodino, for his play at the six, and Will Mayer, whom he feels facilitates the attack and brings pace, energy and the type of work-rate needed to inspire others.
Mayer and Owen Winegar each have six goals on the season. Kosta Alex leads the team with eight. Leo Akashi has four goals and leads the club with seven assists.
"We've pulled ourselves together as a team, after a rough start,” said Remian. “We're finally playing for each other, and the way we all knew we were capable of."
Elk Grove is ready to battle their traditionally powerful foe.
"Winning the MSL East was a goal that we established at the start of the season," began Stavropoulos. “I have to admit after we got out to a slow start, we knew it would be an uphill battle to meet that goal.
"But that slow start really pushed our guys to remain humble and properly prepare for each and every game. After we beat state-ranked Conant, I could see that our boys truly believed in themselves."
That Grenadiers 3-1 victory acted as a springboard for the club, which went 8-1-1 after its 1-0 loss at Solorio in a BodyArmor bracket semifinal Sept. 17.
Elk Grove’s East Division triumph dashed the hopes of rivals Hersey and Rolling Meadows. The Grenadiers are ready for more success.
"Coach is a guy who focuses on the details," said Gonzalez, who plans to major in engineering in college with DePaul and Illinois his top choices. “What I really like about him is he lets us play our style of soccer we enjoy.”
Both Gonzalez and his manager agree that keeper Jhonathan Celis (.88 GAA) has been the key to the team’s championship run. Stavropoulos added that his captains, Gonzalez and Aaron Vasquez, set the standard for success as first class leaders both on and off the field.
"Fremd is a quality team, extremely well coached, and always loaded with plenty of talent,” said Stavropoulos. “We played them well the first time, so we're looking forward to having another opportunity.”
Editor’s note: Tonight marks the 28th-consecutive season that Mike Garofola has covered the MSL boys championship match.