SoccerToday NPSL Spotlight Series
Soccer News: The soccer scene has been exploding and the sport’s popularity increasing substantially. The National Premier Soccer League – NPSL for short – is the country’s largest amateur soccer league with 80 teams competing in 2016. SoccerToday’s special coverage on the this 4th Division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid, gives soccer fans a glimpse into the life of the teams.
And did you know, NPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Soccer Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and some NPSL teams have performed very well. NPSL is affiliated with both the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).
Based in Buffalo, New York, learn more about FC Buffalo from General Manager Nicholas Mendola.
Diane Scavuzzo: When did you become involved with the team? Why join the NPSL?
Nicholas Mendola: I helped found FC Buffalo in late 2009, and I am currently the General Manager. We chose the NPSL because of the significant opportunities it presents young soccer clubs.
Diane Scavuzzo: When did you become in involved in soccer?
Nicholas Mendola: I picked up soccer in high school as a means of staying in shape for hockey, and fell in love with the sport thanks to Kenmore East High School’s varsity program under Coach Dick White.
Diane Scavuzzo: How would you describe FC Buffalo’s style of play?
Nicholas Mendola: Gritty. We try to outwork the other team, never stay down on the pitch, and showcase our talents without taking away from the team.
We want to be a source of pride for our supporters, and for our city.
Diane Scavuzzo: FC Buffalo is considered a great pipeline to the pros. How have you achieved this?
Nicholas Mendola: It’s about the type of players we go after. We want players who breathe the game, and those are generally the type who make the sacrifices necessary to thrive at every level. I like to think we’ve nurtured our connections at higher levels, and also we’re very focused on promoting our players and coaches in the media, and I believe that helps their names get around, too. We endeavor to be honest and industrious, and I hope that makes people know they aren’t taking risks with players who wear our jersey.
Diane Scavuzzo: How many players are on your roster? Where are they from?
Nicholas Mendola: We’ll end up carrying a bit over 30 players, but that’s because of school restrictions. Some players may not get to Buffalo until late May, while others may have to be back at school in mid-July. We carry as many players as possible from the Buffalo area and the best local schools like the University at Buffalo and the Big 4, but we also search widely to find good college coaches who recruit the sort of players who will thrive in our system and go back to school as better players.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who is your head coach and why did you select him?
Nicholas Mendola: FC Buffalo’s head coach is Brendan Murphy and this is his fourth year with our club. We selected Murph because he was incredibly hungry, and showed a clear brilliance in understanding the game. He’s also a very loyal person, a terrific father and husband, and we want good people around us. He’s one of the best. He believes in attacking hard and defending relentlessly, and wants to make life miserable for the other team.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who do you believe is your biggest rival?
Nicholas Mendola: Our rival is definitely Erie Commodores SC. Even if we loved them, our supporters carry enough dislike for them, us and a second helping for all.
Diane Scavuzzo: What NPSL team do you believe does the best at promoting the game of soccer?
Nicholas Mendola: That’s a good question. Our friends in Detroit are very good at nurturing their fan base, but obviously it’s hard not to salute Chattanooga FC as well. I’m really proud to see what groups like Tulsa Athletics do. There’s some real ingenuity in their front office.
Diane Scavuzzo: Do you feel that NPSL is doing a good job with the challenges of amateur / pro men’s soccer?
Nicholas Mendola: I think the NPSL does do a good job. I’m really pleased with the mettle and smarts of Jef Thiffault, who I believe has the NPSL pointed in the right direction.
Diane Scavuzzo: NPSL has teams in over 80 markets across the country – is your area in need of more competition or are you concerned about future expansion?
Nicholas Mendola: Smart expansion will do us well. Shorter travel distances are wonderful, but there’s something special about being able to play big markets — or at least clubs that know how to market themselves and bring in terrific crowds.
There was a recent quote from NASL commissioner Bill Peterson where he said, “The right people running the team are just as important as where the team lives. It’s more than money, it’s about growth. One-and-done’s are counterproductive.“
Diane Scavuzzo: As the 4th Division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid, the NPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup. Do you plan on participating in 2016?
Nicholas Mendola: We want to make the Open Cup very badly, but right now the only way we can qualify is by winning our conference and we plan to do that.
Diane Scavuzzo: Would you like to see European style promotion and relegation exist in the USA?
Nicholas Mendola: I’d love to see a responsible promotion and relegation in the United States. We have some sincere geographic concerns here that other nations don’t have to deal with. A team going from one level to the other without TV revenue or league help to survive … are major obstacles that would need to be overcome.
Diane Scavuzzo: What does it take to make an NPSL team successful?
Nicholas Mendola: It takes sacrifice, treating people the way you want to be treated, investor relations and relentless recruiting. Knocking on doors that others won’t. Not being “above” any single relationship.
For a team to be successful, you have to wanting success for American soccer.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is the greatest challenge managing an NPSL team?
Nicholas Mendola: The length of the season. It feels like it is gone in a breath.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is the one moment you would like to turn back the clock and change?
Nicholas Mendola: I don’t think I would change anything because the wisdom we’ve gained from our errors and successes is priceless. That said, I wish we would’ve been as relentless in our recruiting in the past as we are now.
Diane Scavuzzo: If you could pick any super power, what would it be and why?
Nicholas Mendola: I would love to just be Wolverine.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who is your favorite soccer team or player? Who do you root for behind closed doors?
Nicholas Mendola: U.S. Soccer is my favorite team, and Carlos Bocanegra was my favorite player. My favorite player now is a boring choice: Lionel Messi, who is unquestionably the greatest player of his generation. I get sad when I think about the day we won’t be able to watch him play.
