Fremd, Palatine fired up for Kinsella Cup
By Mike Garofola
Fremd and Palatine will renew their longtime crosstown rivalry and compete for the Kinsella Cup at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Chic Anderson Stadium on the Palatine High School campus.
The 23rd meeting between these two Village of Palatine and Mid-Suburban League soccer kings has seen fiercely fought contests over the years including the last three.
In 2014, Fremd won 3-2 in overtime. The Pirates responded by taking the Kinsella Cup back with a 1-0 victory, but Fremd refused any idea of a repeat with its own 1-0 final.
"We'll be good friends and buddies before the game when we're all warming up, but once the game starts, things will be different. It's intense," said Pirates senior Conor McGarvey, talking about the competition between sides that both feature players from the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club, which created the Kinsella Cup.
"It's never real pretty; (it) usually comes down to a scrappy goal. But winning the Kinsella Cup and to have bragging rights over your friends is a big deal."
"It's a war out there," added Fremd senior Dalton Rogers, who with teammate Ben Cuthbert wear the captain armbands for manager Steve Keller. Their counterparts on Palatine, McGarvey and Kevin Filian, are among the 19-combined players from both sides who are or have been affiliated with the Celtic club.
"These games, as long as I remember, are the most physical games we play all season. And for Ben, myself, Conor and Kevin, it's our senior year, and what better way to end your career than to win ... and hold the Kinsella Cup for the entire year."
The roots of the story of the travelling trophy trace back to when the late Jimmy Kinsella and his friend Bill Hughes founded Celtic in 1968. Since then the club has provided thousands and thousands of hours of soccer instruction to boys and girls of all ages. The club hosts a mega-tournaments every Labor Day weekend that features games through Palatine.
"My best memories of the Kinsella Cup games have always revolved around Jimmy and his genuine passion for the Celtic players and the sport of 'football,'" recounted Willie Filian, the longtime manager of the Pirates.
"It was always a great honor to accept the trophy from him following one of our victories. And my hope is this generation of Celtic players value and understand all of the outstanding things Mr. Kinsella has done for the club, high schools, the community, and the sport of soccer in general."
"For me, it's the same thing -- seeing Jimmy Kinsella come out to present the trophy," said Fremd manager, Steve Keller, who like his counterpart (Filian) always got a thrill out of the pomp and circumstance surrounding this night, and all of the history that goes along with this long-running event.
Kevin Filian, the youngest son of Willie Filian, will miss playing in his last Kinsella Cup after suffering an ACL injury last week which will require surgery at the end of this month.
"It will be hard to watch, but what I remember most is being a ballboy when my older brother played, and all of my sisters, back when I was a little guy (then) finally having my chance to play in a Fremd-Palatine game."
The night is a magical one, complete with a big crowd on hand. Most in the stands will be seen in the colors of their favorite club. Among them will be a throng of young players, many of whom will enjoy playing in short-sided games on the pitch during the intermission.
"I began playing for Celtic at U-8, and the Kinsella Cup was a big deal back then, and it still is," began Cuthbert.
"First, there's a trophy involved, so that something we all go after.
"Second, to win the game, and lift the trophy in front of so many fans, and earn the bragging rights over the team from the other side of town is amazing."
Should Fremd (4-7-0, 2-3-0) win Tuesday night, it would be their 14th in the series. For Rogers it would be his most memorable.
"We've gone to as many as I can remember, and this one would be really special to win. And with the way things are beginning to come together for the team, we should have a good chance tonight."
Rogers points to what was a stagnant attack leading before the Vikings' last two victorious fixtures in the MSL -- 5-0 and 4-3 victories over Elk Grove and Conant respectively.
"The early part of our schedule was top heavy with us playing four-of-the-top-five teams in the MSL, so we should be ready to go for the rest of the way," suggested Rogers, who recently was moved by Keller into the role of a holding midfieler just in front of the back four -- the position he plays for Celtic.
Said Keller: We're starting to find our identity. I've been pleased with the effort of late. (We've) been in every game, but we have found a way to lose instead of win.
"The fight and effort is there, but the boys need to understand that the little things are what are the differences between winning and losing.
"Focus, sharpness, discipline and preparation are key for us to compete, and be on the right side of the outcome."
In the Vikings attack, Matt Austin, Max Clark and sophomore, Jake Schoffstall lead the club with 13 goals between them.
The Pirates (7-2-0, 4-1-0) came alive after a 5-0 setback in their season opener to state power Glenbrook North. Palatine has eight-straight shutouts in regulation, all recorded by keeper Ethan Bank.
McGarvey was moved from the midfield into the back to help hold things together. Chris Munoz, one of four captains, has solidified the holding midfield position -- a key in the Pirates system for years.
Filian says Miguel Barrera has been outstanding shutting down some of the best forwards from his outside back position. Defensive teammates Connor Nix and Jakub Szafraniec have helped make the Pirates air-tight in front of Bank.
"The defense has really improved after that tough start at Glenbrook North, and Ethan has been terrific all season long (keeping) us in games with his great work as our keeper," said McGarvey.
By Mike Garofola
Fremd and Palatine will renew their longtime crosstown rivalry and compete for the Kinsella Cup at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Chic Anderson Stadium on the Palatine High School campus.
The 23rd meeting between these two Village of Palatine and Mid-Suburban League soccer kings has seen fiercely fought contests over the years including the last three.
In 2014, Fremd won 3-2 in overtime. The Pirates responded by taking the Kinsella Cup back with a 1-0 victory, but Fremd refused any idea of a repeat with its own 1-0 final.
"We'll be good friends and buddies before the game when we're all warming up, but once the game starts, things will be different. It's intense," said Pirates senior Conor McGarvey, talking about the competition between sides that both feature players from the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club, which created the Kinsella Cup.
"It's never real pretty; (it) usually comes down to a scrappy goal. But winning the Kinsella Cup and to have bragging rights over your friends is a big deal."
"It's a war out there," added Fremd senior Dalton Rogers, who with teammate Ben Cuthbert wear the captain armbands for manager Steve Keller. Their counterparts on Palatine, McGarvey and Kevin Filian, are among the 19-combined players from both sides who are or have been affiliated with the Celtic club.
"These games, as long as I remember, are the most physical games we play all season. And for Ben, myself, Conor and Kevin, it's our senior year, and what better way to end your career than to win ... and hold the Kinsella Cup for the entire year."
The roots of the story of the travelling trophy trace back to when the late Jimmy Kinsella and his friend Bill Hughes founded Celtic in 1968. Since then the club has provided thousands and thousands of hours of soccer instruction to boys and girls of all ages. The club hosts a mega-tournaments every Labor Day weekend that features games through Palatine.
"My best memories of the Kinsella Cup games have always revolved around Jimmy and his genuine passion for the Celtic players and the sport of 'football,'" recounted Willie Filian, the longtime manager of the Pirates.
"It was always a great honor to accept the trophy from him following one of our victories. And my hope is this generation of Celtic players value and understand all of the outstanding things Mr. Kinsella has done for the club, high schools, the community, and the sport of soccer in general."
"For me, it's the same thing -- seeing Jimmy Kinsella come out to present the trophy," said Fremd manager, Steve Keller, who like his counterpart (Filian) always got a thrill out of the pomp and circumstance surrounding this night, and all of the history that goes along with this long-running event.
Kevin Filian, the youngest son of Willie Filian, will miss playing in his last Kinsella Cup after suffering an ACL injury last week which will require surgery at the end of this month.
"It will be hard to watch, but what I remember most is being a ballboy when my older brother played, and all of my sisters, back when I was a little guy (then) finally having my chance to play in a Fremd-Palatine game."
The night is a magical one, complete with a big crowd on hand. Most in the stands will be seen in the colors of their favorite club. Among them will be a throng of young players, many of whom will enjoy playing in short-sided games on the pitch during the intermission.
"I began playing for Celtic at U-8, and the Kinsella Cup was a big deal back then, and it still is," began Cuthbert.
"First, there's a trophy involved, so that something we all go after.
"Second, to win the game, and lift the trophy in front of so many fans, and earn the bragging rights over the team from the other side of town is amazing."
Should Fremd (4-7-0, 2-3-0) win Tuesday night, it would be their 14th in the series. For Rogers it would be his most memorable.
"We've gone to as many as I can remember, and this one would be really special to win. And with the way things are beginning to come together for the team, we should have a good chance tonight."
Rogers points to what was a stagnant attack leading before the Vikings' last two victorious fixtures in the MSL -- 5-0 and 4-3 victories over Elk Grove and Conant respectively.
"The early part of our schedule was top heavy with us playing four-of-the-top-five teams in the MSL, so we should be ready to go for the rest of the way," suggested Rogers, who recently was moved by Keller into the role of a holding midfieler just in front of the back four -- the position he plays for Celtic.
Said Keller: We're starting to find our identity. I've been pleased with the effort of late. (We've) been in every game, but we have found a way to lose instead of win.
"The fight and effort is there, but the boys need to understand that the little things are what are the differences between winning and losing.
"Focus, sharpness, discipline and preparation are key for us to compete, and be on the right side of the outcome."
In the Vikings attack, Matt Austin, Max Clark and sophomore, Jake Schoffstall lead the club with 13 goals between them.
The Pirates (7-2-0, 4-1-0) came alive after a 5-0 setback in their season opener to state power Glenbrook North. Palatine has eight-straight shutouts in regulation, all recorded by keeper Ethan Bank.
McGarvey was moved from the midfield into the back to help hold things together. Chris Munoz, one of four captains, has solidified the holding midfield position -- a key in the Pirates system for years.
Filian says Miguel Barrera has been outstanding shutting down some of the best forwards from his outside back position. Defensive teammates Connor Nix and Jakub Szafraniec have helped make the Pirates air-tight in front of Bank.
"The defense has really improved after that tough start at Glenbrook North, and Ethan has been terrific all season long (keeping) us in games with his great work as our keeper," said McGarvey.