March 7, 2006
The Steel City Table Soccer League (SCTSL) will have a representative attending the 2006 Maryland Open on Sunday, March 26. Most of the top ranked players in the country will be attending the event in Ellicott City, MD.
Jim Desmond will be making his second appearance at the tournament. Jim only has one other experience in tournaments having attended the 2004 US International Open and Grand Prix. He recorded a 1-3-0 (W-L-D) record in the US International Open and a 0-2-0 in the US Grand Prix. He did manage a runner-up finish in the Mary Jane Final, falling to Mike Ewer 4-1. This will be the first event for the Pittsburgh Slide. At the 2004 US IO/GP, Jim fielded a Liverpool "reserves" side.
"I am excited to get to see some old friends and meet some new ones. Paul Eyes (the host of the tournament) has thrown his heart and soul into helping the sport grow in the US. I am impressed with his efforts. He has not only grown his league from two players to nine but he has also grown the youth table soccer league at the school he teaches at. When I attended the other tournament there were about ten kids in it. Now there are almost forty. So many that they have been split into two leagues," said Jim. "Hopefully someday we can attain a similar level here in Pittsburgh."
When asked of his thoughts as to how he will do in the event, Jim stated "To be honest, I am expecting a repeat of the 2004 event for me. It has been quite a while since I last got to flick the boys around the pitch. As with most things in my life though, I am going to the tournament for fun...not the silverware.
"The hardest part for me will be getting back into some sort of game form. I know the touch-up flicks will be falling short in the beginning. My goal kicks are always an adventure, either too short or way too long. I will have to remember to use my spare keeper very little also. I do not want to get him stuck on the pitch and lose possession of the ball."
The Pittsburgh Slide will be playing on either Stefan Corda Raptor G2 or Image 2 bases, that will be a game time decision. Team kits are modeled after the defunct Pittsburgh Spirit of the MISL. Home colors will be gold body of jersey with black sleeves. Road uniform will be black body of jersey and gold sleeves.
UPDATE March 22, 2006
Mike Benkart, FISTF World ranking 56, will be attending the 2006 Maryland Open as well as Jim. Look for a full report on the SCTSL's performance in the News section soon.