NATE MURPHY OPENS HIS ACCOUNT AS OM ROUTES UTAH MIX 3-0

The goals:     Nate Murphy, 42nd minute
                       Sergio Vasquez, 47th and 61st minutes

By Pierre D'estaing, Sports Writer


WEST JORDAN, UT (April 29) -. After waiting for more than 30 minutes for the assistant referees to finally show up to officiate the game, Olympique Montreux stuttered at the start before rediscovering its killer ways near the end of the first half and dominated the game in the second half.

Up until the 42nd minute when Nate Murphy found the net for the first goal, the Olympians showed that their focus and concentration were affected by the late start. The playmaker became hit man when a battling Mike Polich won the ball and perfectly laid it for him to pull the trigger.

--Slow Start.

In the early going, Utah Mix appeared the more motivated team, taking it to an OM defense missing star fullback Paul Williams who was serving his second game red card suspension. With the surprising nonappearance of fullback Mike Rogers, manager Bel-Ami assigned playmaker Todd Miller to marshal the defense.  The calm and cool veteran filled in admirably with the solid Jeremy Jones and John MacQuarrie patrolling the flanks, and Arthur van Wagenen operating in front of the back line.

--Utah Mix Galvanized

There were a few cold sweat moments when the Olympians conceded a few corners too many and the admirable Juan Carlos Chamale, Utah Mix playmaker, were sending them curling in as keeper Aaron Bruderer was facing the bright sun.  The defense held firm as the midfield kept losing possession of the ball.

Murphy's goal came just in time to relent the machismo of Utah Mix.

--The Chad Gilbert Show

OM took a firmer grip on the game after the break. As Utah Mix tried to respond, Chad Gilbert went a few gears higher, weaving and turning, running at the defense and timely making great passes. Each time he touched the ball and ran at The Mix defense, he threatened to score.

In the 55th minute Gilbert floated past two Utah Mix tacklers and sailed goal-ward, only to be taken down from behind in the penalty area. The central referee immediately pointed to the spot. Vasquez took the penalty and scored.

Two minutes later, Gilbert forced The Mix keeper to make a blocking save with a left-footed shot and then Ken Barton kicked the rebound too high after Utah Mix failed to clear a corner.

The third goal came in the 61st minute. Gilbert collected a flick from Barton with his back to goal and well outside The Mix area. He misled two markers and then left a third behind before passing the ball to Vasquez to shoot between The Mix goalkeeper and the near post.

--Air Bruderer in Full Flight

Utah Mix almost pulled a goal back when defender Kyle Copeland inadvertently headed against his own goal. His header looked sure to go in, but Bruderer went airborne and tipped the ball over the crossbar.

“Bruderer has been in the best shape I have seen him in. He maintains full concentration for 90 plus minutes as a keeper should, making decisive sorties and ensuring to make a play on the ball each time he is called to leave his line,” said Bel-Ami.  “He is acknowledging his leadership role.”

The game ended in typical Utah Mix fashion with several Mix players actually spitting on the Olympians. One of them was given a red card for the behavior.

KYLE COPELAND JOINS IN GOAL FESTIVAL AS OM CRUSHED Z.LC. 10-1

By Pierre d’Estaing, Sports Writer

West Salt Lake, UT. (April 26).--Olympique Montreux rolled out the big guns this evening at Riverside Park, and Z.L.C., once known as FC Stoker, was the unfortunate victim of its impressive display. Bel-Ami de Montreux's side did the job with such skills and style that the opponents were left baffled.

In an unforgettable evening, playmaker Kenny Barton opened the score just two minutes after kick off. Sergio Vasquez tallied a hot trick, with two goals in the first half and one in the second. Chad Gilbert added a new page to his goal scoring lore. The midfield totally controlled the game, denying Z.L.C. any opportunity to build three consecutive passes at Riverside Park at any time during the game.

Following its spectacular first half and already leading 6-0, surely nobody can begrudge OM's running up the score. The opportunities were naturally created as the team's strategy was working without a hitch.

Doing the Greek Thing

In the second half, it was an uncharacteristic OM performance, with Bel-Ami's men spending much of the game in their own half, to invite Z.L.C. to attack, and then hit hard on the counter attack. At the 2004 European Cup, Greece won the continental tournament basically playing counter attack football to amazing success. With OM's 6-0 lead in the first half, it was always going to be Z.L.C. who was going to have to do the hard work.

However, it just was not Z.L.C.'s day as OM's aggressive defenders and midfielders plus a tenacious Arthur van Wagenen had little trouble containing any semblance of pressure to perfection, while the attack easily blitzed through the opponents' defense.

With the usual Nate Murphy and Todd Miller trickery combined with Barton's amazing field vision and Tracy McGuire's blazing speed on the right wing, the second half produced even more generous opportunities for OM as Rick Johnson, Josh Kimball, and Kyle Copeland tallied quality goals. It was Joga Bonita, indeed!

In the waning minutes, Z.L.C. did manage to put a goal past keeper Chad Evans who came in for Aaron Bruderer in the second half. Final score, 10-1.

The Hour of Truth Cometh

It is this coming Saturday that the Olympians will be fully tested as the side will face Latin style and grace when it confronts mighty Utah Mix at the West Jordan Soccer Complex, Field # S. in a super classico. OM has traditionally struggled against Latin teams.

It is hoped the team will be buoyed by this evening's performance.

VETERAN STRIKER POLICH PUT FINAL NAIL IN ODYSSEY WEB COFFIN

The goals: Sergio Vasquez, 48th and 53rd minutes   
                    Mike Polich, 92nd minute

By Pierre d'Estaing, Sports Writer

West Salt Lake, Utah (April 21).-- In a win not as impressive as those before at Storm Mountain Park and at the West Jordan Soccer Complex last fall, Olympique Montreux produced a good enough second half display at Westpointe Park to beat Odyssey Web 3-0.

OM had already enjoyed several chances before Sergio Vasquez scored the first goal of the evening in the 48th minute. After a poor first half, inspired by Nate Murphy and Todd Miller, the Olympians seemed to find their rhythm in the second half.

Early Nerves and Little Control

From the start, Odyssey Web showed more aggressiveness on the ball while the Olympians' early nerves were exposed. It was The Web who took the initiative, not necessarily controlling the flow of the ball in midfield, but doing most of the attack on repeated turnovers, with the Olympians seriously showing impatience. Odyssey Web had two big chances in the space of seven minutes: in the 11th, a forward placed a good close range shot on goal only to see his shot sail over the post, and moments later, Aaron Bruderer, OM's super keeper, was called upon to block a dangerous header. OM, on the other hand, missed a plethora of chances to control its adversary. But things would change in the second half.

It's Getting Hot in Here

Minutes after the second half opened, Miller turned on the style, dribbled past a couple of defenders, took a shot that an Odyssey Web defender stopped with his hand inside the penalty area. Vasquez stepped up to take the penalty and open his Spring 2006 account. Barely two minutes later, with Chad Gilbert double covered all the times, Vasquez scored again, this time eluding his markers to find himself alone in front of the keeper. The marksman made sure to score with a powerful shot to the roof of the net.
Those two goals eased the tension, and from then on, the Olympians started serving up a true footballing treat. After a frankly dull first half, the goalscoring opportunities started flowing thick and fast, with Gilbert, Josh Kimball, Tracy McGuire, Rick Johnson and Murphy all coming close for OM.

Odyssey Web only made a couple of trips in OM territory, but veteran full back and captain Paul Williams and his crew easily canceled the opposition's rather speculative efforts. OM's domination was total. Bruderer who has been in brilliant form lately had a relatively easy time in registering his first official shut out of the season. Miller and Murphy started finding more freedom, while Arthur van Wagenen, Isaac James and Mike Rogers were winning most of the midfield battles. Jeremy Jones and John McQuarrie were as solid as ever in the back, and later on, young defender Kyle Copeland showed he had Olympian blood in his veins as well.

Half Time Thunder

At half time, OM manager Bel-Ami de Montreux presumably ordered his players to play with more confidence and to take the game to the opposition. Since the team played all winter, the machinery should be well oiled. From the restart, Odyssey Web pulled its defensive lines back a few yards to create more space for counter attacks, but that only served to give OM more room to play the ball around.

Murphy was the main playmaker in the middle of the park, and his teammates were often able to string together an amazing number of passes as The Web sat back and waited. The Web's players appeared comfortable playing that way, and often showed a desire to pack practically their whole team inside the penalty area, even while two goals down.

OM in Control

Olympique Montreux's morale was on a high, and there were moments when Odyssey Web seemed to have lost all control of what they were doing. It made wholesale changes in the hope of stirring the team back into a game that was looking more and more like a lost cause. Veteran striker Mike Polich, JT Cracroft and Kimball had further chances to add to Vasquez's brace. In the final minutes, Polich scored the third goal to pull the curtain down.

DAVID “EL TANQUE” CHEVEZ STARS AS OM OVERWHELMS UTAH FC 5-1

By  Ralph Hickey-Freeman

Sports Writer

RIVERSIDE PARK, UTAH (LNS) April 7, 2007——Teenage sensation Justin Braun scored two goals, David “El Tanque” Chevez also scored two and Nate Murphy added one more in Olympique Montreux’s rout of Utah FC Saturday afternoon in Utah Soccer Association’s “First Round” Premiership action.

The Olympians were back from a successful winter season in which they earned an eighth star by winning the Spence Eccles Cup at the University of Utah, and distinguishing themselves by reaching the quarterfinals and finishing third in a field of 43 teams at the Las Vegas National Silvermug Tournament.

A New Strike Force

The side began the season with a new front line because of the transfer of Chad Gilbert to Lazio, the loss of Rick Johnson to a season ending knee injury, the injury lay off of leading scorer Sergio Vasquez, not to forget the on-loan transfer of Mauricio Borba to Utah FC for at least the first half of the season.

New signee David “El Tanque” Chevez, a former striker for Alianza Lima of Peru’s first division, headed in the first goal in the 35th minute. Utah FC equalized seven minutes later. Nate Murphy made it 2-1 from a looping long shot in the 45th minute.

Machine Gun Justin Braun on Fire

Justin scored the third goal on a beautiful long pass from Josh Kimball just five minutes into the second half. The teenager took the ball near midfield, outpaced three Utah FC men to unleash a powerful shot that left the keeper frozen.  Justin doubled his tally ten minutes later on a solo effort. He came close again a couple of times.  As did Nate on a header that narrowly missed the mark.

El Tanque Chevez right-footed the Olympians’ fifth goal at the 85th minute on a pass from strike partner Jimmy Cuadros, also a new signee to the side.

Utah FC created some exciting moments in the second half as a lively Mauricio penetrated a few times into the penalty box.

Bel-Ami was pragmatic after his team’s performance. “We need to work harder to help the new guys settle so they can blend in. It was obvious at times that things did not flow with the usual efficacy.  It is a long season, we will get there.”

MAN OF THE MATCH
    Nate Murphy

LEADING SCORERS
    David Chavez, 2 goals
    Justin Braun, 2 goals
    Nate Murphy, 1 goal

STARTING LINE UP
Martin Martinez, Jeremy Jones, Chris Kirkpatrick, John McQuarrie, Jesse day, Nate Murphy, Matt Wooley, Judd Soderberg, Jimmy Cuadros, Todd Miller, David Chevez.

SUBSTITUTES
Aaron Bruderer, Josh Kimball, Justin Braun, Mike Rogers

OLYMPIAN NOTES
Retired Olympian Marcos Melendez, the team’s original Number 10, was in the stands with OM friend  Orlando "Pony" Matamura Vargas, a former Columbian international and current Diablos midfielder.

OLYMPIQUE MONTREUX SIGNS FOUR NEW PLAYERS FOR 2006

GK DEVIN ZIMMERMAN TO PLAY FOR USL PORTLAND TIMBERS

 

Pierre d’Estaing, Sports Reporter

Holladay (April 1),--Olympique Montreux announced this week that star goalkeeper and 2005 Daynes Cup Winner Devin Zimmerman signed a professional contract with the Portland Timbers. Portland plays in America’s second tier United States Soccer Leagues, directly below Major League Soccer (MLS).

“Although we will miss Devin, we are very happy for him. Every player dreams of playing professionally. His being good enough to go pro is evidence that any player on our roster can play at any high level, said Bel-Ami de Montreux, OM’s manager. “I predict Devin will soon graduate to MLS and Team USA.”

Zimmerman, 25, played at Fort Lewis College in 2000-2001, starting all 21 games in his last year. During that season, he recorded five shutouts and averaged only 1.37 goals allowed per game, helping Fort Lewis to a 14-7 record. He finished his college career ranked fourth all-time in both goals-against (1.31) and shutouts (6).

 Last season, while sharing goalkeeping duties with Star Keeper Aaron Bruderer for Olympique Montreux in Utah’s century-old Premier Division, he helped the team to an undefeated season and recorded a shutout in the Centennial Daynes Challenge Cup, Utah’s FA style challenge cup. He was also a regular on Utah’s Men Select Team.

The USL first division includes teams in Montreal, Vancouver, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta, Puerto Rico and Minnesota. Just this week the Associated Press announced that 40 year old Romario, Brazil’s 1994 World Cup winner and last year’s leading scorer in the Brazilian league, signed a contract with Miami FC of the USL.

Also this week, OM announced that it recently acquired Midfielder Todd Miller, Utah’s most successful homegrown soccer player. In addition, the team announced the signing of Forwards Rick Johnson and Matthew Smith, and Midfielder Ken Barton.

“These players’ skills will complement OM for many seasons,” declared Bel-Ami. “They will bring us not only experience, but make us stronger as a team. These signings are in keeping with the tradition that the best talents in the state should be in our colors unless they go pro.”

Even at his relatively young age, Miller is already a legend in Utah soccer folklore. He graduated from Alta High School in 1992, and was named the State’s most valuable player by the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News. He went on to star for Westminster College’s soccer team where he earned degrees simultaneously in mathematics and computer science.

Drafted by the Columbus Crew in the first college draft of the newly formed Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1996, Miller played professionally for four years for the Crew in 1996 and 1997, and had tenures with A-League teams Milwaukee Rampage and Charleston Battery.

After returning to Utah, he played several years for International FC. Miller has been married to his wife Calli for nine years. They have two daughters, Abbey and Emmy. He works as a computer programmer for IKANO Communications.

Rick Johnson started playing soccer with Kicks 76’ which was later renamed America 76’. He played ball with well-known Utah stars such as the legendary Ben Hoecherl, Jason Fulmer and OM’s own JT Cracroft. He has also competed against Arthur Van Wagenen and Matt Woolley, both OM midfielders.

Johnson played in the Far West Regionals twice with Cisco Soccer Club, the ultimate soccer power in Phoenix, Arizona. He has played on several Olympique Development Program teams for Utah and most recently was called up to the Men’s State Select team.

Ken Barton played youth soccer for the popular Sparta Club. He later played for the Skyline High School Varsity Soccer team for two years from 1994 to 1996. Barton played collegiate soccer for the University of Southern Colorado from 1996 to 2000 and captained the team for three years.

At Southern Colorado, he was selected various times to All-Mid West, All-Region, All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams. He became USC’s assistant soccer coach in 2001, the year he graduated.

While in Denver, Barton also played for local club Brewmen SC. After moving back to Utah in the fall of 2003, he joined Team Xcel before moving on to powerhouse International FC. He lives in Holladay with wife Jamie and their dog, Cash.

OM also acquired another familiar Utah player, Forward Matthew Smith. A three-time high school state finalist with Alta High, Smith won the state title twice, with OM current star left back Jeremy Jones, then with Skyline High School, at the short end of a huge 8-2 beating, in one of those title games.

State Cup-winner Smith played for Westminster College for four years. He played professionally for the Utah Freezz for one year, but made his name while harassing opposing defenses for some 10 years playing up front for International FC.

Smith is expected to provide on-field leadership to a team already known for its disciplined and exciting play. He is also an aggressive ball-winner who can transition from the middle to attack.

“I am married to Hot Babe Melissa,” Smith proudly told us, “and own a tax and accounting firm.”

OM also revealed that this year, Kyle Copeland will train with the squad before embarking on his college career with Bringham Young University.