It's official, I'll be at the MISL 40th Anniversary Reunion celebration in July!
I reserved my hotel spot, along with my ticket for the invite-only events and plane ticket so I'm all set to be there for everything.
I haven't heard any official list of former players who will be there yet, aside from Greg Suttie mentioning that he's gotten Juli Veee, Zoltan Toth, George Katakalidis, and Cha Cha Namdar likely to be there. Alan Mayer has also said he will be there along with Norman Piper, league co-founders Doug Verb and Ed Tepper and the family of legendary coach Ron Newman.
Several historians of the game will be there as well-- I'm seeing the likes of the aforementioned Greg Suttie of the Suttie on Soccer podcast and Sydney Nusinov of the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame.
A few have said they won't be able to attend, including Otto Orf, Branko Segota, Marco Rizi, Paul Dougherty, and Marty Templin.
And it looks like there's at least interest in attending from players Chico Borja, Doc Lawson, Kia Zolgharnain, Dave MacKenzie, Keith Tozer, Hayden Knight, Freddy Garcia, Dave MacWilliams, and Gerry Gray; coaches Joe Machnik, Len Bilous, and Roy Turner; exec Paul Garofolo; and broadcaster Randy Hahn. Hopefully we'll see more added to that list!
Either way, I plan to carry every unsigned card I have with me, especially those I need for my sets. And I may even take the signed collection with me to show off and possibly doubles to trade if there are other collectors in attendance. I know a few have expressed interest.
Doing a little housekeeping on here, I added the 1992-93 NPSL set officially to the project and took down the Soccer Shots set-- a little bit of a tradeoff, making one available as deal bait while adding the other officially to the canon.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Thursday, April 4, 2019
An edit to the earlier...
Bad news, the Las Vegas reunion had to change its date.
Good news though, they believe it will be able to attract more former players!
Per an email from Doug Verb, the Reunion will now be held in Vegas on July 2-4.
Further details will be posted as they are made public.
Good news though, they believe it will be able to attract more former players!
Per an email from Doug Verb, the Reunion will now be held in Vegas on July 2-4.
Further details will be posted as they are made public.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Another Anniversary Event!
I'll have to miss this one, but if you can get to the Cleveland area, check it out!
Monday, March 4, 2019
"Be there. Aloha."
Not sure if I'll be able to make it, but my fingers are crossed...
If I can't, I may need some assistance on getting some cards signed.
Friday, February 15, 2019
Farewell to a legend
Throughout the existence of this project, I haven't had the opportunity to meet many of the players who have signed their cards. I'd guess that somewhere around 90% were acquired via mail, trades, or the rare purchase. It's great getting to correspond with these guys via mail, especially receiving letters back from them, but actually getting to meet them is even better, especially when you know you're talking to one of the game's greats in a sport that is almost criminally under-recognized.
Back on March 18, 2017 was one of those moments. After having met a number of former Sidekicks at their alumni events, Fernando Clavijo was the first non-Sidekick I had met since the 2001-02 All-Star Game. I was warned ahead of time that Fernando will talk and sign and do almost anything for the fans for hours if you let him. The four of us who were waiting after the game certainly didn't leave disappointed, as Fernando regaled us with stories of playing along other greats like Steve Zungul, Juli Veee, Branko Segota, and Preki, while signing every card we had with us.
A defender and midfielder, Clavijo wasn't one to put up boatloads of points (120-139-259 in 466 career indoor games) but was a solid, speedy, tenacious defender both indoors and outdoors. When you talk about players doing big things that don't appear on stat sheets, Clavijo fit that to a T. In addition to his MISL play, he spent time in the NASL and after becoming a U.S. citizen in 1987, joined the U.S. Men's National Team and U.S. National Futsal Team. He played in the 1994 World Cup, helped lead the USMNT to the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and a second place finish at the 1992 FIFA Futsal World Championships.
When you look at the greats of any game, once in a while you find that one guy who played with seemingly all of them and helped push them to that greatness. Clavijo's teammates and coaches in the MISL included Indoor Hall of Famer members Kevin Crow, Slobo Ilijevski, Victor Nogueira, Brian Quinn, Zoltan Toth, the aforementioned group of Zungul, Vee, Preki, and Segota, plus Ron Newman and Don Popovic. He also spent a year playing alongside future all-time indoor scoring leader Hector Marinaro as he made the transition from defender to forward in Los Angeles,
In 2005, he was inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame followed by the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014. He joins Preki, Dale Mitchell, and Branko Segota as the only players in both the Indoor Hall, and either the U.S. or Canadian Hall.
His coaching and front office work were Hall of Fame caliber as well. He was a player-coach in his final MISL season, won the Coach of the Year and a Championship in the CISL, assisted with the 1998 Nigerian Men's National Team, took the New England Revolution to a 2000 playoff berth and 2001 U.S. Open Cup Final appearance, coached the Haitian Men's National Team, and spent four seasons coaching the Colorado Rapids with a pair of playoff appearances. With FC Dallas, he held the role of Technical Director for seven seasons, helping to assemble a team that won the 2016 U.S. Open Cup, one other regular season first place finish, and three other playoff appearances.
Fernando was in good spirits that day. He had beaten multiple myeloma months before, still battling a few health issues, but seemed to be positive and was looking forward to some trips to scout potential players. He even appeared to be doing well at the NASL 50th Anniversary event in October 2018, not long after he announced a leave of absence his FC Dallas position to focus on his health after a return of the cancer. So to say it was surprising to hear he died earlier this week is an understatement.
Fernando Clavijo was 63 years old. He leaves behind a wife, two sons, two grandchildren, and legions of soccer fans who were grateful for the chances to meet him and see him play.
Back on March 18, 2017 was one of those moments. After having met a number of former Sidekicks at their alumni events, Fernando Clavijo was the first non-Sidekick I had met since the 2001-02 All-Star Game. I was warned ahead of time that Fernando will talk and sign and do almost anything for the fans for hours if you let him. The four of us who were waiting after the game certainly didn't leave disappointed, as Fernando regaled us with stories of playing along other greats like Steve Zungul, Juli Veee, Branko Segota, and Preki, while signing every card we had with us.
A defender and midfielder, Clavijo wasn't one to put up boatloads of points (120-139-259 in 466 career indoor games) but was a solid, speedy, tenacious defender both indoors and outdoors. When you talk about players doing big things that don't appear on stat sheets, Clavijo fit that to a T. In addition to his MISL play, he spent time in the NASL and after becoming a U.S. citizen in 1987, joined the U.S. Men's National Team and U.S. National Futsal Team. He played in the 1994 World Cup, helped lead the USMNT to the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and a second place finish at the 1992 FIFA Futsal World Championships.
When you look at the greats of any game, once in a while you find that one guy who played with seemingly all of them and helped push them to that greatness. Clavijo's teammates and coaches in the MISL included Indoor Hall of Famer members Kevin Crow, Slobo Ilijevski, Victor Nogueira, Brian Quinn, Zoltan Toth, the aforementioned group of Zungul, Vee, Preki, and Segota, plus Ron Newman and Don Popovic. He also spent a year playing alongside future all-time indoor scoring leader Hector Marinaro as he made the transition from defender to forward in Los Angeles,
In 2005, he was inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame followed by the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014. He joins Preki, Dale Mitchell, and Branko Segota as the only players in both the Indoor Hall, and either the U.S. or Canadian Hall.
His coaching and front office work were Hall of Fame caliber as well. He was a player-coach in his final MISL season, won the Coach of the Year and a Championship in the CISL, assisted with the 1998 Nigerian Men's National Team, took the New England Revolution to a 2000 playoff berth and 2001 U.S. Open Cup Final appearance, coached the Haitian Men's National Team, and spent four seasons coaching the Colorado Rapids with a pair of playoff appearances. With FC Dallas, he held the role of Technical Director for seven seasons, helping to assemble a team that won the 2016 U.S. Open Cup, one other regular season first place finish, and three other playoff appearances.
Fernando was in good spirits that day. He had beaten multiple myeloma months before, still battling a few health issues, but seemed to be positive and was looking forward to some trips to scout potential players. He even appeared to be doing well at the NASL 50th Anniversary event in October 2018, not long after he announced a leave of absence his FC Dallas position to focus on his health after a return of the cancer. So to say it was surprising to hear he died earlier this week is an understatement.
Fernando Clavijo was 63 years old. He leaves behind a wife, two sons, two grandchildren, and legions of soccer fans who were grateful for the chances to meet him and see him play.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
End of year sigh of relief
On the last day of the year, the Scott Manning cards I mentioned in my last entry found their way into my mailbox-- 4 months, and finishes a dual and adds to another multi-player card.
2018 was a lighter year for soccer mailing, but my targeted attempts were successful-- six mailings, five successes with one RTS from Heinz Wirtz. Plus I pulled in a long wait from Brian Quinn, and added several needs in-person at the NASL 50th Anniversary event in Dallas. I also found my 2002 MISL All-Star Game pennant, purchased a large lot of sigs I needed, and though I haven't gotten to a game yet, the Sidekicks are back.
Monday, December 10, 2018
Got one!
I'm a little concerned that my Scott Manning request has been out for three months now with no return. I've seen returns of six weeks and ten days from another collector, and I sent one myself in 2016 that took six weeks. I'm really hoping it didn't get lost, as it was the 1991-92 Blast All-Stars signed by Kenny Cooper, and the 1989-90 Scoop Stanisic error...
Positive note though: I did get Nenad Zigante back after three months! I had mailed him originally in 2015 with no answer to a team he coached (Wake FC). I tried again through a home address in September and got these back. It was postmarked from Las Vegas, which surprised me. It seems he has worked in the past with the Las Vegas Surf club for some camps and clinics, so perhaps he was out there for one.
Still no news on the potential Las Vegas MISL 40th reunion. I'm keeping my ears open, though...
Positive note though: I did get Nenad Zigante back after three months! I had mailed him originally in 2015 with no answer to a team he coached (Wake FC). I tried again through a home address in September and got these back. It was postmarked from Las Vegas, which surprised me. It seems he has worked in the past with the Las Vegas Surf club for some camps and clinics, so perhaps he was out there for one.
Still no news on the potential Las Vegas MISL 40th reunion. I'm keeping my ears open, though...
Thursday, October 25, 2018
NASL 50th and a TTM success
Man... What a weekend! I came away with a good 40-some cards and photos signed over two days. And I probably could have gotten even more.
A couple weeks ahead, Ray sent me some cards from Baltimore to get signed for him, along with a ticket stub and program from the 2002 MISL All-Star Game, which I attended in Cleveland. He said the program and stub are mine for getting stuff signed for him, and if I get a lot sone, there would be more headed my way.
So on Saturday, I made the drive across to Frisco for the players' practice, scheduled for 9:30. I had no idea where to go, and every parking lot had a ridiculous $20 price tag, so I drove out to the practice fields and found a lot that was free, open, and already had a car parked in it. Perfect.
I got out and was getting ready to walk toward the stadium when the guy in the car called out to me, asking if I was there for the NASL practice. He said he was too and we got to talking for a while, said his name was Leroy, and he was playing in it. We just chatted for a good 30 minutes or so about soccer as other cars began to arrive. I realized quickly this was Leroy Spann, former San Jose Earthquakes forward. Charlie Kadupski, a former Cleveland Cobra, came over and joined in our conversation, followed soon after by three others-- Freddie Garcia (former Cleveland Force), Zequinha (former Detroit Lightning), and Rudy Pena (former Milwaukee Wave), joined by their wives who came to watch. All signed their cards for me while we chatted and I got to listen in on their recollections of playing in the NASL, MISL, AISA, and NCAA.
As I stood outside the fences watching once practice started, a guy walked by and told me to come on in-- Steve Parker a longtime trainer who was around for the weekend's festivities. So I got to watch the practice from pretty much right on the sidelines.
I also ran into Brian from Kansas City, another collector that I've known a while and had dinner with on my summer baseball roadtrip. Of course several other local collectors were around in Brian, Dave, and Mark. Soccer fortunately doesn't draw out too many crazies the way the big four sports do.
From there, it was all a blur. I know that at points during that first day between the practice and going over to the team hotel, I got autographs from Jan Book, Buzz Demling, Dave D'Errico, Peter Chandler, Doc Lawson, Art and Asher Welch, Roger Verdi, Jorge Siega, Charlie Mitchell, Alan Merrick, Freddie Lewis, Billy Phillips, Victor Moreland, Perry Van der Beck, and Kai Haaskivi.
I also got to chat a while with Greg Suttie, who runs the MASL Off The Wall group on Facebook, and also has become kind of THE national media maven for the sport with a podcast and website on all things indoor soccer. One random journalist took a picture of me holding my Kai Haaskivi cards while at practice, and took note of my project and my name as we talked about the sport, this event, and even the sports collectibles hobby in general. I don't know what agency he was writing for, but I'll keep an eye out for it.
Sunday, I did practice again in the morning, followed by the game later in the day. Arron joined me as well for it. At practice, Kyle Rote and I ended up chatting for a bit beforehand and he signed a card I had from Ray. I also got Mike Sweeney on some set needs, plus Bobby Moffatt, Lincoln Phillips, and Arnie Mausser for Ray.
Postgame, I was able to get right down on the field for a bit, where Kevin Eagan and Tom King signed. Up on the concourse, I got Tatu, Ossie Vasquez, Jim Leeker, Mark Demling, and Alan Willey.
Talking to a few guys, Dave D'Errico told me he's archiving as much as he can on American soccer-- programs, photos, articles, anything. I have his number to contact him about it. Also, Billy Phillips told me to email him about some old Sidekicks items he has-- many leftover programs and such.
Overall, this was a great event. There were a few hiccups in planning here and there-- for example stadium security didn't know about the autograph signing, but they were more than happy to let us stay extra, leaving a gate open for us to exit. The players and their families were great to the fans and really enjoyed getting out on the field again and seeing their former teammates and competitors. Spann was telling me he still plays for a traveling senior tournament team and it showed-- he had himself a hat trick in the game.
Here's to hoping the MISL 40th anniversary event can happen as well as this one did!
Several players wives wanted to see the cards I had (including Zequinha's wife who had never seen the photos on the cards I had before, and took a picture of them) and some took pictures of them signing for me.
Oh yeah, the TTM-- I got Preki back in about a month, signing all five cards I sent, including finishing off the 1991-92 St. Louis All-Stars card.
A couple weeks ahead, Ray sent me some cards from Baltimore to get signed for him, along with a ticket stub and program from the 2002 MISL All-Star Game, which I attended in Cleveland. He said the program and stub are mine for getting stuff signed for him, and if I get a lot sone, there would be more headed my way.
So on Saturday, I made the drive across to Frisco for the players' practice, scheduled for 9:30. I had no idea where to go, and every parking lot had a ridiculous $20 price tag, so I drove out to the practice fields and found a lot that was free, open, and already had a car parked in it. Perfect.
I got out and was getting ready to walk toward the stadium when the guy in the car called out to me, asking if I was there for the NASL practice. He said he was too and we got to talking for a while, said his name was Leroy, and he was playing in it. We just chatted for a good 30 minutes or so about soccer as other cars began to arrive. I realized quickly this was Leroy Spann, former San Jose Earthquakes forward. Charlie Kadupski, a former Cleveland Cobra, came over and joined in our conversation, followed soon after by three others-- Freddie Garcia (former Cleveland Force), Zequinha (former Detroit Lightning), and Rudy Pena (former Milwaukee Wave), joined by their wives who came to watch. All signed their cards for me while we chatted and I got to listen in on their recollections of playing in the NASL, MISL, AISA, and NCAA.
As I stood outside the fences watching once practice started, a guy walked by and told me to come on in-- Steve Parker a longtime trainer who was around for the weekend's festivities. So I got to watch the practice from pretty much right on the sidelines.
I also ran into Brian from Kansas City, another collector that I've known a while and had dinner with on my summer baseball roadtrip. Of course several other local collectors were around in Brian, Dave, and Mark. Soccer fortunately doesn't draw out too many crazies the way the big four sports do.
From there, it was all a blur. I know that at points during that first day between the practice and going over to the team hotel, I got autographs from Jan Book, Buzz Demling, Dave D'Errico, Peter Chandler, Doc Lawson, Art and Asher Welch, Roger Verdi, Jorge Siega, Charlie Mitchell, Alan Merrick, Freddie Lewis, Billy Phillips, Victor Moreland, Perry Van der Beck, and Kai Haaskivi.
 |
| As Ray said when I sent him this picture, "That's one fine pic of Kai. Too bad he had to stand with some collector dude to get his pic taken." Also, its rare to get two Finns smiling at the same time. |
Sunday, I did practice again in the morning, followed by the game later in the day. Arron joined me as well for it. At practice, Kyle Rote and I ended up chatting for a bit beforehand and he signed a card I had from Ray. I also got Mike Sweeney on some set needs, plus Bobby Moffatt, Lincoln Phillips, and Arnie Mausser for Ray.
Postgame, I was able to get right down on the field for a bit, where Kevin Eagan and Tom King signed. Up on the concourse, I got Tatu, Ossie Vasquez, Jim Leeker, Mark Demling, and Alan Willey.
Talking to a few guys, Dave D'Errico told me he's archiving as much as he can on American soccer-- programs, photos, articles, anything. I have his number to contact him about it. Also, Billy Phillips told me to email him about some old Sidekicks items he has-- many leftover programs and such.
Overall, this was a great event. There were a few hiccups in planning here and there-- for example stadium security didn't know about the autograph signing, but they were more than happy to let us stay extra, leaving a gate open for us to exit. The players and their families were great to the fans and really enjoyed getting out on the field again and seeing their former teammates and competitors. Spann was telling me he still plays for a traveling senior tournament team and it showed-- he had himself a hat trick in the game.
Here's to hoping the MISL 40th anniversary event can happen as well as this one did!
Several players wives wanted to see the cards I had (including Zequinha's wife who had never seen the photos on the cards I had before, and took a picture of them) and some took pictures of them signing for me.
Oh yeah, the TTM-- I got Preki back in about a month, signing all five cards I sent, including finishing off the 1991-92 St. Louis All-Stars card.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
A big score
Every day I receive emails with any auction searches that I'm watching. Most of them are for the sets I'm working on in various sports (Topps Total, Fleer Throwbacks, and Upper Deck Rookie Class in hockey; 1982-1991 Donruss Diamond Kings and 2003-2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites in baseball; 2004 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites in football; and of course the Pacific MISL sets). Typically the MISL sets get the fewest hits, and often it's a lot of repetition-- I remember seeing the same Mike Powers and Daryl Doran autographs come up every month for a good six months at $15 each, plus shipping... be realistic, people! I can name Hall of Famers in several sports who sign for $5 or less. There is no need for that high a price tag on these guys.
But once in a while a gem comes through and last week one came in with ten signed cards for $11 including shipping. Among those ten were three I needed for the 1987/88 set-- Michael Brady, Mike Reynolds, and Stan Stamenkovic.
Brady I had tried TTM with no luck. Reynolds died in 1991, and Stamenkovic died in 1996. I had seen both of the deceased's cards signed before: Reynolds in the collection of Ray from Baltimore (who also emailed me about this auction to make sure I knew about it-- arriving in my inbox just as I was hitting the Buy It Now button) and a Stamenkovic for sale a year ago with a $50 price tag. Glad I held off on that one.
I also got a Slobo Ilijevski in there that I already had (d. 2008), but makes for a potential tradable item. The remaining six were Redmond Lane, Drago, Dave MacKenzie, Tim Wittman, Richard Chinapoo, and Bruce Savage.
USPS Informed Delivery also tells me I have an envelope coming back to me from Seattle today. I haven't mailed many up that way in any sport lately except for one-- Preki. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it might be him...
With this, I'm down to only 12 left on that 1987/88 set.
But once in a while a gem comes through and last week one came in with ten signed cards for $11 including shipping. Among those ten were three I needed for the 1987/88 set-- Michael Brady, Mike Reynolds, and Stan Stamenkovic.
Brady I had tried TTM with no luck. Reynolds died in 1991, and Stamenkovic died in 1996. I had seen both of the deceased's cards signed before: Reynolds in the collection of Ray from Baltimore (who also emailed me about this auction to make sure I knew about it-- arriving in my inbox just as I was hitting the Buy It Now button) and a Stamenkovic for sale a year ago with a $50 price tag. Glad I held off on that one.
I also got a Slobo Ilijevski in there that I already had (d. 2008), but makes for a potential tradable item. The remaining six were Redmond Lane, Drago, Dave MacKenzie, Tim Wittman, Richard Chinapoo, and Bruce Savage.
USPS Informed Delivery also tells me I have an envelope coming back to me from Seattle today. I haven't mailed many up that way in any sport lately except for one-- Preki. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it might be him...
With this, I'm down to only 12 left on that 1987/88 set.
If you have these, I am certainly interested in trading! I'm hoping also that some of these guys might show up at the NASL 50th anniversary celebration this weekend.
Monday, October 1, 2018
A success, a failure, and some waits
Starting again with the good, former Dallas Sidekick Beto signed for me in a two-week wait, and also wrote a short note back asking where I got the cards of him from. Unfortunately I've gotten then from so many places over the years I don't really have a single source. So if anyone out there has a bunch of unsigned cards of him, please let me know, as it seems he might like some copies of them.
On the bad side, Heinz Wirtz got RTS'ed. I have a couple other addresses on him to try so if anyone has any intel on which to use, please let me know.
I have a few others still out: Scott Manning, Nenad Zigante, and Preki. Manning at least I'm reasonably sure will come back. Preki I'm at least hopeful on. Zigante, I have no idea.
Looking back through history, requests I never got back...
JANUARY 2013
Tatu - I later got everything signed by him so all is good!
SEPTEMBER 2015
Beto - Again, I later got everything from him (see above, haha) so all is good
David Hoggan - No luck via TyneCastle FC
Steve Zungul - Later got all but one (1987-88) signed by him
Erik Rasmussen - One of my few international failures
Mark Frederickson - No answer via a business address, but got him later at home
Steve Kinsey - Still haven't had luck with him
OCTOBER 2015
Dennis Mepham - No luck via a home address
Scoop Stanisic - No luck via Columbus Crew, but got everything later via trades
Nenad Zigante - No answer through Wake FC
MARCH 2016
Kai Haaskivi - Despite being a fellow Finn, I got nothing back
Preki - Just missed him as I had seen a success less than a week before I mailed
Paul Wright - I had an old address for Speed To Burn and never even got a RTS sticker
Jim Gabarra - Missed him with Sky Blue Soccer; but I got him later, we're cool
Kevin Hundelt - Got him in trades later; now I just need to track down Chris...
Pasquale Deluca - Another rare international failure
MAY 2016
Greg Ion - I cannot track this guy down! Two RTS, then this one unreturned...
Iain Fraser - No answer at San Juan Soccer Club
SEPTEMBER 2016
Desmond Armstrong - Nothing through Sporting Nashville
George Fernandez - Nothing via his home address after success a year before
Waad Hirmez - Southwest Soccer Club? No luck...
Victor Nogueira - West Coast FC? No luck...
Joe Papaleo - Syracuse Development Academy? Nothing...
Gregg Willin - Nothing from a home address...
Wes Wade - No answer from the Tucson Soccer Academy...
Ted Krafft - No luck from a home address, but later got him via trades
Mike Brady - No answer via Duke
NOVEMBER 2016
Poli Garcia - Tried a home address without luck
MAY 2017
Marcelo Carrera - No answer from IMG
Bobby Joe Esposito - No answer from BCSA
Dennis Mepham - No answer from a second home address
Hugo Perez - No answer from the LA United Futbol Academy
Gyula Visneyi - Nothing from a home address
Steve Zungul - No answer in my attempt for the 1987-88 card
Ed Anibal - No answer through home
John Klein - No luck, but later got in trades
Arturo Velazco - Nothing via home
Keder - Maybe I just need to avoid mailing to West Coast FC; No Keder, no Victor Nogueira.
Frank Klopas - Nothing via home, but got him in trades later
Greg Muhr - Nothing via home
Angelo Panzetta - Nothing via Allegheny
Chris Simon - Nothing via home
AUGUST 2017
Danny Pena - Nothing from the Beach Futbol Club
At a little over three years into the project my percentage is great overall: successful with 176, RTS/unsigned on 34, and 46 unreturned. Of all the sports I collect, only baseball has a higher success percentage for me-- but soccer involves a lot more rolling the dice and trying addresses that no one else ever has tested before, while with baseball I can research and know who signs and who doesn't.
On the bad side, Heinz Wirtz got RTS'ed. I have a couple other addresses on him to try so if anyone has any intel on which to use, please let me know.
I have a few others still out: Scott Manning, Nenad Zigante, and Preki. Manning at least I'm reasonably sure will come back. Preki I'm at least hopeful on. Zigante, I have no idea.
Looking back through history, requests I never got back...
JANUARY 2013
Tatu - I later got everything signed by him so all is good!
SEPTEMBER 2015
Beto - Again, I later got everything from him (see above, haha) so all is good
David Hoggan - No luck via TyneCastle FC
Steve Zungul - Later got all but one (1987-88) signed by him
Erik Rasmussen - One of my few international failures
Mark Frederickson - No answer via a business address, but got him later at home
Steve Kinsey - Still haven't had luck with him
OCTOBER 2015
Dennis Mepham - No luck via a home address
Scoop Stanisic - No luck via Columbus Crew, but got everything later via trades
Nenad Zigante - No answer through Wake FC
MARCH 2016
Kai Haaskivi - Despite being a fellow Finn, I got nothing back
Preki - Just missed him as I had seen a success less than a week before I mailed
Paul Wright - I had an old address for Speed To Burn and never even got a RTS sticker
Jim Gabarra - Missed him with Sky Blue Soccer; but I got him later, we're cool
Kevin Hundelt - Got him in trades later; now I just need to track down Chris...
Pasquale Deluca - Another rare international failure
MAY 2016
Greg Ion - I cannot track this guy down! Two RTS, then this one unreturned...
Iain Fraser - No answer at San Juan Soccer Club
SEPTEMBER 2016
Desmond Armstrong - Nothing through Sporting Nashville
George Fernandez - Nothing via his home address after success a year before
Waad Hirmez - Southwest Soccer Club? No luck...
Victor Nogueira - West Coast FC? No luck...
Joe Papaleo - Syracuse Development Academy? Nothing...
Gregg Willin - Nothing from a home address...
Wes Wade - No answer from the Tucson Soccer Academy...
Ted Krafft - No luck from a home address, but later got him via trades
Mike Brady - No answer via Duke
NOVEMBER 2016
Poli Garcia - Tried a home address without luck
MAY 2017
Marcelo Carrera - No answer from IMG
Bobby Joe Esposito - No answer from BCSA
Dennis Mepham - No answer from a second home address
Hugo Perez - No answer from the LA United Futbol Academy
Gyula Visneyi - Nothing from a home address
Steve Zungul - No answer in my attempt for the 1987-88 card
Ed Anibal - No answer through home
John Klein - No luck, but later got in trades
Arturo Velazco - Nothing via home
Keder - Maybe I just need to avoid mailing to West Coast FC; No Keder, no Victor Nogueira.
Frank Klopas - Nothing via home, but got him in trades later
Greg Muhr - Nothing via home
Angelo Panzetta - Nothing via Allegheny
Chris Simon - Nothing via home
AUGUST 2017
Danny Pena - Nothing from the Beach Futbol Club
At a little over three years into the project my percentage is great overall: successful with 176, RTS/unsigned on 34, and 46 unreturned. Of all the sports I collect, only baseball has a higher success percentage for me-- but soccer involves a lot more rolling the dice and trying addresses that no one else ever has tested before, while with baseball I can research and know who signs and who doesn't.
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