didn't see the Cougars thread (I probably missed it), but just received from the MISL. Tony Ronnie Ekelund Named to MISL All-Star Team Photo Credit: Fritz Chin Photography, Inc. WESTPORT, CONN.—The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) has announced the names of the 16 players selected to represent the MISL at the 2006 MISL All-Star Game at Milwaukee’s U.S. Cellular Arena on Saturday, February 11, 2006. For the first time, the League’s signature mid-season event will feature a collection of MISL All-Stars competing against the Mexican Federation’s National Futbol Rapido team. Players included on this year’s MISL team were selected exclusively through a voting process that concluded Monday night and polled MISL team officials and members of the media, with ballots equally representing each MISL club. California Cougars’ Team Captain, Ronnie Ekelund, was named to the All-Star team, marking the inaugural debut of the Cougars on an MISL All-Star Team: Ronnie Ekelund Birthdate: 8/21/72 Position: Forward Height/Weight: 5’11”, 180 Hometown: Glostrup, Denmark MISL Experience: 1 year Other: •Former San Jose Earthquakes teammate of Head Coach Troy Dayak •Played in the top soccer leagues in the world •Represented Denmark,1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona, Spain Beginning Sunday, January 22, MISL fans will assume control when the MISL All-Star team’s starting line-up will be selected by visitors to www.MISL.net, where online voting will determine the starting six. Results of the online voting, which will conclude on Sunday, February 5, at 11:59 p.m. (EST), will be revealed at the Fiesta Garibaldi Commissioner’s Dinner on Friday, February 10, when Cousins Subs 2006 MISL All-Star Weekend, presented by Time Warner Cable, kicks off in Milwaukee, the home of the defending MISL Champion Wave. The following players will represent the MISL at the All-Star Game. The panel of voters was asked to select two goalkeepers, six defenders, and eight forwards/midfielders. All active MISL clubs are represented on the roster. There were no unanimous selections. However, Milwaukee forward Greg Howes and Baltimore forward Adauto Neto were selected on more than 90 percent of the ballots. GOALKEEPERS (2): Brett Phillips, St. Louis Steamers Nick Vorberg, Milwaukee Wave DEFENDERS (6): Lazo Alavanja, Chicago Storm Troy Dusosky, Milwaukee Wave Danny Kelly, Baltimore Blast Pat Morris, Philadelphia KIXX Matt Schmidt, Milwaukee Wave P.J. Wakefield, Baltimore Blast FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS (8): James Beasley, St. Louis Steamers Guilaino Celenza, Baltimore Blast Shaun David, St. Louis Steamers Todd Dusosky, Milwaukee Wave Ronnie Ekelund, California Cougars Greg Howe, Milwaukee Wave Novica Marojevic, Chicago Storm Adauto Neto, Baltimore Blast In addition, prior to the voting, St. Louis Steamers defender Genoni Martinez, and Chicago Storm forwards Byron Alvarez and Jorge Valle—all Mexico City natives—were selected by, and will compete for the Mexican Federation’s National Futbol Rapido Team. A complete team roster has not yet been released. Visit www.MISL.net for updates and to vote for the MISL All-Star starters beginning on Sunday, January 22, 2006. The MISL coaching staff will be announced on Thursday, January 19.
Yes mon! Same guy--former Revs prospect--older brother of DaMarcus. ---- Still a big honor for Dane to be named to the squad, and hopefull he gets a chance to be part MISL All Star starting lineup. Impressive for a first year player in that sport, compared to a few of those names who have been part of that circuit. Vote early, vote often, and vote for Ekelund!
So, in all those 'Quakes games when his name was announced, Spartacus always said he was from Copenhagen... Was Glostrup too tough to pronounce?
København is not a big drugs capital like Amsterdam or even Edinburgh or London. By and large, the Danes are far more fond of their lager than any other recreational substances. It was once the world capital of porn, because of the Danish government's pioneering of liberalisation policies towards pornography during the '60s and early '70s, but other cities (e.g., Budapest, Los Angeles, etc.) and countries have long since overtaken it in that regard.
I'm thinking that Ronnie Ekelund would make an excellent first signing for the 2007 (or 2008) San Jose Earthquakes franchise.
Ronnie would be 35 or 36 by then -- however, I would not be opposed to having him as an assistant coach, he'd be quite adept at that role, most certainly.
Yeah and depending on if Dom Kinnear does well and stays in Houston then the head man for the 2006/07 expansion SJ Quakes would most likely be John Doyle. If Dom does poorly in Houston and gets fired, he'll be back probably along with John.
I think Ronnie would be included as an assistant nonetheless, with or without Dom. Based on what Ronnie did in San Jose alone, he has a lot of influence to lend to young players.
Was it Dom or Alexi who didn't want Ronnie back last year? I could have sworn it was Dom then again it may have been for salary cap reasons, Either way as it turned out they didn't need him. Maybe they could have used him against LA in the playoffs because the team seemed flat. Either way , its all history now. You know I can't help but feel cheated that we can't redeem ourselves next year. I remember in 1983 when the refs called a pass interference on Ronnie Lott and the Niners against the Skins. They used that bad call as a motivation factor go on and win virtually every match except one the very next year. Then they won the Super Bowl at Stanford. I almost feel like the Quakes could have done the same in SJ next year! What a JIP!
And based on his track record with his U16 Premier youth team, the influence pays off. They placed 2nd in the Cal North State Premier League in the Fall of '05 season. I've heard he's got a very unique coaching/teaching style that talented youth latch onto. They love em. http://www.deanzaforce.org/profiles/profile89b.html http://www.cysanorth.org/State Premier League/SPLstandings2005.pdf
I was already aware of that. Depending on how fit he keeps himself, he could still be a useful player even at that advanced age for a sportsman. The French international midfielder Franck Sauzee had a few great years in his mid-to-late 30's with Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League, having been transformed into a libero for the latter part of his career. That's a position that older, more experienced players can make a serious impact in. The great Italian player Franco Baresi was another who was very successful in the latter part of his career playing that position. Of course, it all depends on what system the team plays, but the best teams play to their players' strengths and I would guess that the next incarnation of the Quakes is going to start off with a mix of youngsters and castoffs like most teams starting from scratch do. In that context, I think Ronnie could potentially do a good job for us even at 35, 36 or even 37 years of age, provided he keeps himself in good condition between now and then. Playing indoors for the Cougars right now can't hurt his chances in that regard.
Or it could. Indoor soccer is pretty darn tough on the body especially for someone like Ronnie who is prone to re-injury. And the injury thing is why I find it a little odd that he's an MISL Allstar. I mean, hasn't he been out with a bad hamstring for quite some time? How does one become an allstar if they don't play? Is it just his status as a player in general? Anyway, good for him that he did make the allstar team. I like Ronnie.
My friend at work has a son that plays for Ronnie. From what I hear he REALLY pushes the kids, but in a good way. Looks like it's paying off.
But the point is, playing indoor soccer is better for his chances of making an eventual comeback with a resurrected Quakes team than, say, not playing any football at all for the next year or two and just coaching kids and/or hanging around minding his shop in Los Gatos or wherever it is. That would do nothing to keep him in professional playing shape.
I don't know how accurate this is but I found this on an Italian web site and couldn't post the link becuase you must be a memeber. So I listed this in the Frogs thread but I figure it deserves a mention here also. Its Ronnie Ekelund's playing history in Europe. I think he played the 2004 season w/ the Quakes but its not listed here. 1 2002-03 (1) S.J. Earthquakes A 22 1 2 2001-02 (1) S.J. Earthquakes A 27 6 3 2000-01 (1) S.J. Earthquakes A 16 0 4 2000-01 Walsall C 9 1 5 1999-00 Tolosa B 17 0 6 1998-99 Ob Odense B - - 7 1997-98 Ob Odense A 26 3 8 1996-97 Ob Odense A 18 1 9 1995-96 (3) Coventry A 0 0 10 1995-96 (12) Manchester City A 4 0 11 1994-95 Southampton A 17 5 12 1993-94 Barcellona A 21 3 13 1992-93 Barcellona B C - - 14 1991-92 Broendby A 28 5 15 1990-91 Broendby A 4 1 16 1989-90 Broendby A 13 1
