This week I had the chance to talk to Charlotte Eagles General Manager Tom Engstrom.
A: Your mission is clearly a very different one than other teams in the league. The move to the A-League was presumably to help bolster that mission. How has the move to the A-League helped in that regard, and how do you perceive your mission as a whole to be doing?
TE: It has helped in our International Travel. We have been able to play higher level teams than if we were a third division team.
A: In your international travels, have you run across other teams who have the same religious framework as the underlying drive behind them?
TE: No.
A: Your team recently returned from an off-season trip overseas. Other than soccer what were the goals of your mission, and how successful was it?
TE: One of our goals is for each player to go on an international trip at some point. The trips always are great experiences. One thing we like to do is build partnerships and relationships with the people we come in contact with. The trip was a good one.
A: While your religious framework around which the team is built is a draw for certain players, have you found it difficult drawing other players, or are they open-minded in how you run the organization?
TE: I always enjoy the recruiting process. Part of that is to help players find a good fit for them. We just share what we do and see who wants to be here. If the Eagles are a good fit for them they are interested, if the Eagles are not a good fit for them then they are not interested.
A: For players that do come on board, what other responsibilities besides playing do they have?
TE: A lot. Almost all the players work at our camps. Almost all the players coach youth clubs or high schools in the community. All the players are involved in local programs. All the players participate in a weekly Bible Study where we study how to apply Biblical principles to our lives as people and soccer players.
A: Why do you think your club attracts the quality of players that it does?
TE: Money. Just kidding, I think we have the lowest payroll in the league. I think the real reason is God leads the players here but you probably won't buy that so I will say the players like to be a part of the whole ministry experience including the international trips, etc. and, of course, soccer players like to play soccer so the chance to play in the A-League is part of it.
A: What do you believe are the most important values your players must bring to the Eagles?
TE: Basically it comes down to wanting to follow Jesus Christ and grow in their relationship to Christ. Besides that things like wanting to be involved in kids lives, hard work, integrity and wanting to have unity within the team. It is not to say that we all don't struggle with pride and selfishness because we do, but we do value unity.
A: How inspirational is it to see guys like Dustin Swinehart who have been with the club for so long garnering so much recognition?
TE: We are very happy for Dustin to get the recognition that he does. Dustin lives life with passion and joy. One of his favorite Bible verses is John 10:10, Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." During the past off-season he went to Haiti on a missions trip and also served as a volunteer assistant at a local high school. When a player gives himself to others you can be all the happier for him when recognition comes his way. Even though Dustin is always one of the leading scorers in the league he is even more valuable to us off the field.
A: How excited are you about young players such as Lee Paul and Hayden Woodworth?
TE: We are excited about all our new players. Every year we have about 14-15 returning players and about 8-9 new players. The new players always bring some excitement. Lee Paul is the all-time leading scorer at Judson College so we are counting on some goals out of him. Hayden was the Player of the Year in NCAA Div. III and a two time National Champion at Messiah College. We expect to get a good contribution out of him this year.
A: How involved is the Charlotte club with the other MAI organizations?
TE: Not enough, the goalkeeper from the Seahorses (PDL) signed with
Cincinnati this year and just shut us out last week. Actually we are quite involved sharing ideas and encouraging each other. All are the families from all the offices got together a couple of years ago for a retreat.
A: How involved are the Eagles with the local community?
TE: Extremely. It really is who we are. We want to be engaged with the community.
A: How much involvement is there between the Eagles and Lady Eagles?
TE: A lot, our captain Kevin O'Brien just married a Lady Eagle. Seriously there is a good camaraderie. Last year when the Lady Eagles played and the Eagles were off the players came to the game with drums and did soccer chants the whole game. They support each other well.
A: What made you guys decide to move to Providence High and Waddell High instead of working with UNCC again?
TE: UNCC needed to redo their field because of some damage down during the conference and NCAA tournament. They have a great facility so it is unfortunate for us. Thankfully both Providence and Waddell have been good to work with.
A: Do you think the Eagles will ever find just one venue to call home?
TE: Yes. Don't ask me how, but yes. To be honest it is the key to financial stability and the key for us to be able to remain in the A-League.
A: What are your major goals for the club this season?
TE: Make our budget. Accomplish the ministry that we want to do. Have a team that competes for the playoffs.
A: What are you looking forward to the most this season?
TE: Making our budget. I am a soccer guy so I always love the games and competition. Going back to Minnesota. Spending time with my wonderful wife and six month old son.
A: Where do you think the team will finish at the end of this season?
TE: I never answer these types of questions. We will work hard and compete and see where it takes us.
A: What are your thoughts about the Southern Derby?
TE: It is great to have fan interest and to establish rivalries.
A: What was your reaction to the season opening loss to Cincinnati?
TE: I was out of town at a wedding. When I heard the news I was of course disappointed, but I dwelled on it for about a minute and then moved on.
A: What would you like to say to all the fans?
TE: Without the fans there would not be a league. Thank you. Thanks especially to all the loyal Eagles fans. And to every fan in the league, "Bring your closest 1,000 friends to a game this year!"
Short Passes
Well, I've finally reached the frontlines for the clubs in the A-League: the forwards. I had to change things up a little bit and even mention folks I know you've heard about but I am sure that these folks will be impact players. The other thing you'll notice is that I did mention a couple of tandems. Well, they deserve the dual mention and will be very interesting to watch. So anyway, here's my latest list of five:
1. Fadi Afash & Mckinley Tennyson (Portland Timbers) - these guys are good individually and even better in tandem that's why they merit being listed together. They aren't new names to anyone who paid attention last season but they will have a huge impact on how the Timbers do this year and may dictate who contends out of the Pacific.
2. Thiago Martins - Martins seemed to be coming around a little bit at the end of last year for the Riverhounds. This season he'll have a stronger supporting cast and should be doing well from the start especially judging by his fast start against Charlotte already this year.
3. Dante Washington & Roy Lassiter (Virginia Beach Mariners) - this duo gets named because they'll likely need good performances and motivation from one another to keep knocking them in for the Mariners this season. It's going to be very interesting to see how these guys mentally take on the task of A-League soccer. For the fans around the league I hope (and think) that as the professionals they are they'll be able to exhibit the skills that made them stalwarts in MLS for so long.
4. Kevin Jeffrey (Richmond Kickers) - Jeffrey's been a bit overshadowed in the past by some of his teammates but this could be his chance to break out. If he and Simmonds combine well it could be "KJ"'s turn to shine and the Kickers might not miss Josh Henderson so much. Speaking of which…
5. Josh Henderson (Charleston Battery) - last season he and his Kickers teammates knocked the Battery out of the playoffs. This season he's hoping to knockout the Blackbaud faithful with several goals to help the Battery get past the second round of the playoffs. If he and Paul Conway get going early in the season it could be a very long year for the opposition. Besides, if nothing else it's going to be quite interesting to watch the Battery-Kickers rivalry thanks to Henderson's move to Charleston.
That's the way things look from here this week but before I go I want to see as many of you as possible out at the A-League parks this weekend and especially on June 8th when the U.S. Men's National Team takes on New Zealand as part of a doubleheader with the Kickers in Richmond, VA.
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