The Dallas Sidekicks are excited to announce the formation of the Sidekicks Premier, a team featuring several young Sidekicks players that will compete in the PASL Premier’s Summer 2013 league.

Home games will be played at Inwood Soccer Center (14801 Inwood Rd, Addison, TX 75001) with an entrance fee of $5. Sidekicks Premier will play an eight-game schedule, beginning on Sunday, June 2, when they take on the Texas Xtreme at 2:00 p.m. at Inwood Soccer Center.

Featured Sidekicks players will include Jamie Lovegrove, Sean Bellomy, Cody Ellis, Dejan “Milo” Milosevic and more.

For the entire Sidekicks Premier summer schedule, click here.

For more information about the PASL Premier, visit their website (http://www.arenaleague.com/teams/60550584/47275330-60550669/TEAM.html).

The following article appears in this month’s issue of The Pitch, the official newsletter of the North Texas State Soccer Association.

While the Dallas Sidekicks are known for indoor soccer greats such as Tatu and Sagu, one of the team’s standout players in this year’s comeback season was a new face, rookie Jamie Lovegrove. The forward led the Sidekicks with 23 goals and 79 shots. His flair on the field, accompanied by his signature mohawk, made Lovegrove a quick fan favorite. Get to know No. 32 as he answers questions about his career and what he likes to do off the pitch …

Q: As a native of England (Lovegrove was born in Crawley), has soccer always been a big part of your life?

A: Definitely. I played youth football from a young age, then moved to professional when I was around 16. I played for Crawley Town FC from 2006 to 2008, then Doncaster Rovers FC from 2008 to 2009, and then came to the US when I was 19 and played for Richland Junior College for two years before coming to the Sidekicks.

Q: What was it like coming to the United States by yourself at such a young age?

A: It was exciting for me because I was ready for a fresh start. My older brother played at Midwestern State and convinced me that I could do well here. It has been great so far.

Q: What do you think of Texas?

A: It’s too hot! Luckily I have gotten used to it. I actually really like it here — Texas is where I’m going to stay, hopefully.

Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?

A: I am quite fast and would say that I am pretty good with both feet. I really like to score goals.

Q: How was your first season with the Sidekicks?

A: It was a lot of fun. All of the fans are amazing, and it is so nice to have all of that support during the games and off the field as well. I am really excited to come back, get the stadium packed and go at it again.

Q: What was your favorite moment on the pitch last season?

A: Without a doubt, it was scoring four goals against San Diego. That personal achievement, and then as a team breaking their winning streak, was an amazing feeling.

Q: How are you spending your offseason?

A: I coach for the Texas Tigers FC as well as Youth Elite Soccer. I’m also still going to school, and just spending a lot of time with my friends.

Q: What advice would you give to young soccer players?

A: Never give up. If you have a dream, as long as you always keep trying and working hard, you can achieve it.

Season tickets are currently on sale for the upcoming Dallas Sidekicks 2013-2014 season. For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.

The Dallas Sidekicks will hold a series of open tryouts this May at the Inwood Soccer Center in Addison, led by Head Coach Tatu. Participants will have the opportunity to train in front of Sidekicks coaches, learn from the staff and ultimately try to earn a place on the 2013-2014 Dallas Sidekicks.

30 spots are available on a first come, first serve basis for each of the following sessions:

Session 1: May 20th 10am-12noon, 2-4pm
May 21st 10am-12noon

Session 2: May 27th 10am-12noon, 2-4pm
May 28th 10am-12noon

Session 3: May 30th 10am-12noon, 2-4pm
May 31st 10am-12noon

There is a participation fee of $50, which includes a Dallas Sidekicks t-shirt.

To reserve your spot, visit the Player Tryout Information page on our website and complete the survey. A Sidekicks staff member will contact you with information about payments and waivers.

The Inwood Soccer Center is located at 14801 Inwood Road, Addison, TX 75001.

Sidekicks fans, we need your help!

The Dallas Sidekicks are thrilled to announce that D Magazine has named the team as a finalist in their Best of Big D: Reader’s Choice Poll. Winners will be listed in the magazine’s August issue.

Fans have the opportunity to vote once a day at dmagazine.com from April 29 to March 12.

Go Kicks!

The Dallas Sidekicks are excited to offer instructional camps this summer to further ignite a passion for soccer in DFW and advance both the indoor and outdoor game.

The camp program will be directed by Sidekicks defenseman Nick Stavrou and former Sidekicks star Kevin Smith, Additional coaching will be performed by many of your favorite Sidekicks players, both past and present.

The Camp curriculum is designed for ages 5-12 years and is centered around the fun—damentals of passing, controlling, dribbling, shooting, heading and defending. (specialized goalkeeper camps run by Sidekicks All-Star goalkeeper Sagu are geared towards ages 10 years and up). All skills are then emphasized in small-sized scrimmages. Autograph sessions are performed at the end of each day as the Sidekicks players rotate from camp to camp. Pit your skills up against the Sidekicks themselves as you scrimmage against them on the last day of camp.

The price of this great and unique experience is only $150 (which includes a camp soccer ball, camp t-shirt, 15 hours of quality coaching (10 hours for goalkeeper camp) and a $19 ticket to a 2013/14 regular season home game).

Camps this summer will be held in Addison, Allen, Euless, Keller, McKinney, Mesquite, Prosper, Richardson, Rockwall, and The Colony. Camps will run from June 10 to August 23. Spaces are limited, so book your spot today!

For questions or more information, please contact Nick at 214-682-4255 or e-mail nick@dallassidekicks.net.

To sign up for a Dallas Sidekicks Camp, CLICK HERE.

This week former Dallas Sidekicks coach Gordon Jago was named to the 2013 class to be inducted into the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame.

Jago coached the Dallas Sidekicks for 12 seasons, and in 1987 led the team to a championship against the Tacoma Stars in the most memorable seven-game series in indoor soccer history. He coached the Sidekicks to a CISL championship in 1993, finishing with a 259-223 overall regular season record. Jago’s legacy includes discovering Tatu in Brazil and eventually bringing him to Dallas where he became an indoor soccer legend. He was named Coach of the Year with the Sidekicks in 1986 and 1993. At various times in his Sidekicks career, Jago doubled as General Manger, General Partner and Team President of the club in addition to his coaching duties. Jago retired as Head Coach after the 1997 season and became President of the World Indoor Soccer League in 1998. Currently Jago serves as Ambassador and Special Consultant to the Dallas Cup international youth soccer tournament, and is also a member of the Sidekicks broadcast team.

“I am very honored to receive the award for I have nothing but good memories of my years with the Sidekicks in the indoor soccer leagues,” Jago said. “It is a reward not only for me, but also to all of the assistant coaches, staff and players whose efforts made it possible for me to be selected.”

Jago is nominated along with five notable players, all who played in the era from 1978 to 1992 when the original MISL and NASL Indoor dominated the indoor scene.

“All of my fellow inductees are outstanding players whose performances over many years took the indoor soccer game here in the USA to a new level of play and entertainment,” Jago said. “I have so many great memories of their performances even though they were against the Sidekicks.”

Season tickets are on sale for the Dallas Sidekicks 2013-2014 season . For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.

The Dallas Sidekicks’ comeback season came to an end Thursday night with an 8-5 loss to the Rio Grande Valley Flash. Despite rallying in the third quarter to tie the match 4-4, the Sidekicks playoff run came to an end in front of 3,274 fans at the Allen Event Center.

Rio Grande Valley was the only team to score in the first half, starting with Edgar Flores receiving a pass across the arc and beating Sidekicks goaltender Sagu on the ground at 4:10. Next to strike was Alejandro Morales, shooting from a distance and scoring at 6:07. Flores scored his second of the night at 9:07 in the second period, a shorthanded goal that was followed a few minutes later with a goal from Erick Flores at 12:16 to put Rio Grande Valley up 4-1 going into halftime.

The Sidekicks came out strong in the third quarter, Paulo da Silva putting the team on the board at 2:12, shooting from a distance and past an outstretched Juan Gamboa. A powerplay opportunity resulted in the next Sidekicks goal, Chad Deering passing across the arc to Franck Mbemba, who tipped it in 5:31. Cody Ellis cut Rio Grande Valley’s lead to one at 9:38, capitalizing on a Mbemba rebound. The the Allen Event Center went crazy just a few minutes later at 11:42 when Mbemba scored his second of the night to tie the game 4-4. Rio Grande Valley followed the Sidekicks onslaught with a surge of their own, scoring three goals in under three minutes to take back the lead, the score 7-4 going into the final 15 minutes of the game. Near the end of fourth quarter the Sidekicks found success when putting in an extra attacker, Jamie Lovegrove scoring with an assist from Nick Stavrou at 12:55. Rio Grande Valley’s Edgar Flores got the final goal of the night at 14:09, putting his team up 8-5 and insuring that his team would be the one to move on to the Ron Newman Cup semi-finals in San Diego.

Season tickets for the Sidekicks 2013-2014 season are now on sale. For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.

The Dallas Sidekicks will host the Rio Grande Valley Flash in Game Two, Leg One of the PASL playoffs this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Allen Event Center. The Flash took a 1-0 series lead Sunday evening with a 5-4 overtime victory, so the match is a must-win for the Sidekicks to advance to the semifinals.

If the Sidekicks even out the series with a win Thursday night, the series will be decided with a 30-minute mini-game that would take place 15 minutes after the conclusion of Game Two.  A tie in the mini-game would force an immediate shootout. The winner of the series will advance to the Ron Newman Cup semifinals on March 10 in San Diego.

The Sidekicks went 3-1 against Rio Grande Valley in the regular season, coming out on top twice at home and once on the road. The Sidekicks will be looking to remain undefeated at the Allen Event Center, finishing 8-0 at home during the regular season. The Flash, coached by Mariano Bollella, finished with a 12-4 regular season record, winning eight straight headed into the playoffs.

Standouts in Sunday’s Game One included Sidekicks midfielder Ricardinho, who scored a hat trick that featured two shootout goals. Goaltending was key for both teams, the Sidekicks’ Sagu and Rio Grande Valley goaltender Juan Gamboa with strong showings. Both teams will bring their A-game in the hopes of advancing to the next round in San Diego.

Thursday night’s match will be streamed live PPV at www.americaonesports.com. A Spanish broadcast will be available on KZFW 87.7 FM.

Individual and season tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. For more information, visitwww.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.

Despite a hat trick and standout performance from Dallas Sidekicks midfielder Ricardinho, Hector Vallejo’s game-winning goal with 1:29 remaining in overtime gave the Rio Grande Valley Flash a 5-4 victory over the Sidekicks Sunday evening.  With the win, Rio Grande Valley takes the advantage in Leg One of the PASL divisional playoff series. The series will conclude this Thursday at the Allen Event Center at 7:30 p.m.

The very first shot of the match resulted in an early Sidekicks lead, Renato Pereira striking just 1:06 into the game on a pass from Jamie Lovegrove. The lead did not last long however, a miscommunication from the Sidekicks defense resulting in an own-goal from Sean Bellomy to even out the score at one goal apiece at 3:34. The remainder of the quarter saw a few close calls on both sides, but the teams remained even on the board.

Another early goal saw Rio Grande Valley taking the lead for the first time in the match, Edgar Flores stealing the ball mid-field and scoring on Sidekicks goaltender Sagu at 1:23. Soon after the Sidekicks were awarded a shootout due to a tripping call, which Ricardinho capitalized on to tie the game 2-2 at 1:52. A few minutes later Rio Grande Valley was awarded a shootout of their own, Jorge Quiroz getting it past Sagu and taking back the lead. Just 25 seconds later, the third shootout opportunity of the match was given to the Sidekicks, Rio Grande Valley defender Jose Malacara also penalized with a red card and ejection for foul language. Once again Ricardinho took the shot for the Sidekicks and tied the game, the 3-3 result carrying on into the third quarter.

The third quarter was quiet until the midway point when Rio Grande Valley was given a 5-on-3 powerplay opportunity, Erick Flores capitalizing at 9:11. The Flash increased pressure on the Sidekicks throughout the remainder of the quarter, but the Sidekicks defensive unit held strong and the score remained 4-3 Rio Grande Valley headed into the final 15 minutes.

The majority of the fourth quarter was spent in Rio Grande Valley’s half of the pitch. The relentless pressure eventually resulted in Ricardinho tying the match for the third time, scoring at 7:51 on a pass from Cody Ellis. Despite a few great chances on both sides, neither goaltender relented and the match was forced into overtime.

The back and forth overtime period included several close calls, the Sidekicks successfully killing off a powerplay chance for Rio Grande Valley. With just 1:29 remaining in overtime, Flash forward Hector Vallejo shot low and made it through a diving Sagu to win it for his team and give Rio Grande Valley the advantage going into Game Two.

The second leg of the series will be back home at the Allen Event Center on Thursday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. If the Sidekicks come out on top, the victory would result in a 30-minute mini-game which would be played 15 minutes after the conclusion of Game Two to decide the series. The winner of the series will advance to the Ron Newman Cup semifinals on March 10 in San Diego. The match will be streamed live PPV at www. americaonesports.com.

Individual and season tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.

About the Dallas Sidekicks
The Dallas Sidekicks are a professional indoor soccer team competing in the Professional Arena Soccer League. The team plays their home games at the Allen Event Center. The original Sidekicks were founded in 1984 and won four indoor championships in their tenure. Led by indoor soccer legend and Head Coach and Tatu, the Sidekicks are bringing indoor soccer back to Dallas.

The Dallas Sidekicks closed out their regular season with a 10-4 victory over the Texas Strikers Saturday night, Bruno Guarda scoring three powerplay goals and Mark Withers a hat trick of his own. The Sidekicks (13-3) went 8-0 at the Allen Event Center this season. The team faces their first playoff game tomorrow, a two-leg divisional round against Rio Grande Valley that begins on the road.

RJ Luevano give the Sidekicks an early lead, scoring at 2:16 on a restart after being knocked down mid-charge by Texas goaltender Cory Speed. Possession remained fairly even throughout the period, Omar Mena putting the Strikers on the board at 10:52 by shooting high on Sidekicks goaltender Dejan Milosevic.

The Sidekicks took the lead in the second quarter, Withers taking a pass from Guarda at the top of the arc and putting it directly on goal. A few minutes later, Guarda struck on the powerplay, scoring on an angle at 8:27. Mike Uremovich continued the Sidekicks assault at 8:54 with help from Chad Deering, and soon after at 11:56 Guarda scored his second powerplay goal of the night. The Strikers had the last word in the quarter when Rico Keeling scored at 14:29, but halftime saw the Sidekicks with a 5-2 lead.

The third period was a quiet affair until the last few minutes, Guarda netting his third powerplay goal of the night at 12:58, completing a hat trick and putting the Sidekicks up 6-2. The Strikers struck back a few minutes later, Edgar Palacios scoring with just six seconds to go.

Withers got the Sidekicks off to an early start in the fourth quarter, weaving his way through the Strikers defense and scoring just 18 seconds in. He struck again at 4:15 to complete his first hat trick of the season. The team’s lead was extended to 9-3 at 6:49 with a goal from Marcos Rodriguez. Luevano got his second of the match at 8:47, darting around the opposing goaltender and striking into the corner. The Strikers were the last to go on the board, Jose Olabarrieta scoring at 9:04, but it was not enough to overcome a final Sidekicks victory of 10-4.

Tomorrow afternoon the Sidekicks will play Game One of their first playoff series at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, TX at 3:00 p.m. The second leg of the divisional round will be back home at the Allen Event Center on Thursday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. In the case of a split in the two matches, a 30-minute mini-game will immediately follow Game Two to determine who moves on. The Ron Newman Cup semi-finals and championship game will be held at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego on March 10 and 11.

Individual and season tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.