Just noticed that "The Southeast Soccer Report is an official media partner of the NPSL." Does this mean the NPSL sponsors this blog, or gives its reporters media credentials (so free tickets and on-field access)?
There's a funny thing about the outcome of the Southeast Conference Championship. If Hickory FC wins, they'll be the 1 seed in the South Region Playoffs with a bye and hosting the Regional Championship. If App FC win, they'll be the 3 seed heading to west Texas, specifically either Lubbock or Midland.
It would be hilarious, if App FC advances and then has to play Lubbock, as both teams are owned by Michael Hitchcock! IIRC, Lubbock is managed by his daughter. The daddy vs daughter dynamics would be fascinating, if aired on social media!
App FC faced Charlottetowne Hops in the Conference Semifinals, they're both part of the Hitchcock Cinematic Universe. Also, I believe it's Columbus United that Hitchcock's daughter is the GM for.
Hitch owns Lubbock --see the link below! Yes, Eleni "graduated" from managing Lubbock and got her own CU club, so I stand corrected. Anyways, any proper league would have a rule against a single owner owning multiple clubs in the same league, but NPSL is not a "proper league" lol. Clearly it would be too easy for the owner to put his thumb on the scale in favor of one or the other club.
I knew that Hitch owns Lubbock. Just adding that App has already faced another Hitchcock team. I'm not necessarily agianst one guy owning multiple teams, mainly because Hitchcock also usually brings in a TON of other local owners. But I would agree that he should only be allowed to have ownership in a single team per division.
I kinda hope they don't end up like 2023 Apotheos. Trips to Naples, Hattiesburg, West Chester, and Tulsa. I know those aren't too far in the grand scheme of things. Especially if App has to go to west Texas, then down Florida, then up to Pennsylvania or New Jersey, then probably over to San Francisco.
....but Hitch (who owns App FC and a dozen other clubs) can easily afford the travel costs. Also, see my comment above about Lubbock ("The Hitch Family Derby")
I wouldn't think of it like that. Hitch owns parts of all of these teams, and may even have the largest ownership share in most of them. But even with that network, it's tough to be taking multiple trips across the country. Columbus got bounced all over the place last year in the playoffs. It's the money, and it's hard on the players
Pretty sure Hitch is the majority owner for most of them; the entire back offices of these clubs are run from his HQ in McKinney, TX. That is also where his Pro/Rel bricks and mortar shop also sells merch of many of his clubs!
Just noticed that "The Southeast Soccer Report is an official media partner of the NPSL." Does this mean the NPSL sponsors this blog, or gives its reporters media credentials (so free tickets and on-field access)?
There's a funny thing about the outcome of the Southeast Conference Championship. If Hickory FC wins, they'll be the 1 seed in the South Region Playoffs with a bye and hosting the Regional Championship. If App FC win, they'll be the 3 seed heading to west Texas, specifically either Lubbock or Midland.
It would be hilarious, if App FC advances and then has to play Lubbock, as both teams are owned by Michael Hitchcock! IIRC, Lubbock is managed by his daughter. The daddy vs daughter dynamics would be fascinating, if aired on social media!
App FC faced Charlottetowne Hops in the Conference Semifinals, they're both part of the Hitchcock Cinematic Universe. Also, I believe it's Columbus United that Hitchcock's daughter is the GM for.
Hitch owns Lubbock --see the link below! Yes, Eleni "graduated" from managing Lubbock and got her own CU club, so I stand corrected. Anyways, any proper league would have a rule against a single owner owning multiple clubs in the same league, but NPSL is not a "proper league" lol. Clearly it would be too easy for the owner to put his thumb on the scale in favor of one or the other club.
https://www.npsl.com/19566
I knew that Hitch owns Lubbock. Just adding that App has already faced another Hitchcock team. I'm not necessarily agianst one guy owning multiple teams, mainly because Hitchcock also usually brings in a TON of other local owners. But I would agree that he should only be allowed to have ownership in a single team per division.
That's pretty crazy. That's a long way to go for App FC.
I kinda hope they don't end up like 2023 Apotheos. Trips to Naples, Hattiesburg, West Chester, and Tulsa. I know those aren't too far in the grand scheme of things. Especially if App has to go to west Texas, then down Florida, then up to Pennsylvania or New Jersey, then probably over to San Francisco.
....but Hitch (who owns App FC and a dozen other clubs) can easily afford the travel costs. Also, see my comment above about Lubbock ("The Hitch Family Derby")
I wouldn't think of it like that. Hitch owns parts of all of these teams, and may even have the largest ownership share in most of them. But even with that network, it's tough to be taking multiple trips across the country. Columbus got bounced all over the place last year in the playoffs. It's the money, and it's hard on the players
Pretty sure Hitch is the majority owner for most of them; the entire back offices of these clubs are run from his HQ in McKinney, TX. That is also where his Pro/Rel bricks and mortar shop also sells merch of many of his clubs!