STEVE McMURDIE IS OLYMPIAN OF THE YEAR

STEVE IS 2008 MVP

JANTZEN ROMNEY-LUIS GARCIA-VICTHOR SOARES HONORED

By R. M. Danish

Sports Writer

 

SALT LAKE CITY, UT.  Dec. 10, 2008.--- Midfielder Steve McMurdie is Olympique Montreux Football Club’s Most Valuable Player for 2008. It is a fitting tribute to a player who was solid all year and led, not only the premiership team, but contributed valuable minutes to the first division team during an uneasy year at OM.

The team’s banquet and awards ceremony was held this year at Rodizzio Grill, a chic Brazilian Barbeque restaurant at upscale Trolley Square.

2001 MVP Jorge Conde honored

The event provided an opportunity to introduce to the players the man who collaborated with Bel-Ami to create the club back in 1999.

Indeed, former defensive stalwart Jorge Conde and his wife Elizabeth were present to be honored for Conde’s services to the club. He was awarded the MVP trophy for 2001.

Also, Ivan Marcos Olmedo Zarate received his 2002 MVP award, along with Josh Kimball who was the team’s MVP in spring 2005.

In those days the team did not award individual honors.

“We take this occasion to recognize Jorge Conde who worked hard to get this team started,” said Bel-Ami de Montreux, OM’s manager.

“In the beginning, we were just a new team with a strange French name. We needed players and the talented ones did not trust us. Conde worked hard to staff the team, brought on players like Marcos Melendrez and others, and we found success at the end. He was our first captain and a true OM legend.

“Ivan, in 2002, was the best player in all of Utah. Although he is still a great player, he was exceptional that year. He won the Liga LatinoAmericana best player award. He created my huge goal tally that year with his timely and creative assists.

“In spring 2005, Josh Kimball was leading scorer and all around best player for OM. We are thankful for his contribution to the side and wish him well in his new career at Rush ootball Club next season.”

At this year’s well attended banquet, more than 70 players and family applauded Steve McMurdie who received his Most Valuable Player award. Jantzen Romney took the Offensive Player of the Year award. Luis Garcia was named Defensive Player of the Year and Victhor Soares won the award for being this year’s Iron Man.

Steve’s work rate this season was outstanding. He was a consistent performer who earned the respect of the manager and his teammates. Steve who is also on Real Salt Lake’s short list when they need help for reserve games came to OM only last year from Park City New Park and he is already the MVP. He is also the head soccer coach for Lehi High School in Utah County.

Several times each week, Steve travels from Provo to Salt Lake for practices and games. He scores amazing goals and is a true leader. He is the prototype of players OM loves to have.

“Steve is an accomplished and mature soccer player and yet he is coachable and humble. What else can you ask for in a player,” said Bel-Ami. “We are lucky he wears an OM jersey.”

Steve is married to his wife Alexis who is a great youth girl coach in her own right. They are parents to three young boys.

Jantzen was fabulous this year. The left winger, a product of youth club Inter FC and Brighton High School, quickly settled into the historic club and made himself a ‘can’t do without’ selection in any formation the manager put on the field. He starred for the Premiership team and the first division and practiced hard. He has incredibly good work ethics.

Luis Garcia was always present in central defense and at midfield, doing a superb job at times when the Premiership team could not count on many of its regular starters. He saved us often, keeping us in game we could have lost.

Iron Man Victhor Soares was the indispensable player. The 22 year old can do it all. You need a defensive player, line him up. You need a midfielder or a forward, call on Victhor. But it is his ability to play in front of the defense that is amazing for a former forward.

In the Park City Tournament, Victhor basically cancelled out speedsters Chad Gilbert and Sergio Vasquez.

The organization also gave awards to Ben Staples, the coach of the Olympique Montreux U-15 girl’s team, and to manager, Robyn Millerberg. The U-15 girls team finished first last season in the U-14 division and is now ranked second in the state in its age bracket.

Olympique Montreux also honored Justin Braun, our former teammate who now plays professionally for MLS team Chivas USA where he is showing to the world on a big stage that there is good soccer in Utah and great players at Olympique Montreux.

Justin scored the goal against Diablos last year to win the side the premiership title.

Next year, OM hopes to have one or two of its players in MLS camps.

D1 team wins championship

While things were going smooth for the girls’ team, it was a rather turbulent year for the men. The Premiership team was a rollercoaster ride. Conversely, the D1 team maintained its character to finish at the top of a 16 teams-strong division, losing only three times.

Along the way, the young D1 Olympians scored a division best 71 goals, conceding 23.

“I never had a consistent starting team all year long in the premiership. Important players, including the team’s captain, did not play crucial games,” explained Bel-Ami.

“As a result, we dropped points to bad teams and tied teams we should have beaten.”

Still, the team won the prestigious Park City Tournament, but missed out on three league trophies that were shared between Diablos and Westminster. It failed to retain the championship title that had been its own for the past four seasons.

It is the first time since fall 2004 that OM’s top team did not win any league silverware. The side finished in second place in the standings, seven points behind champion Westminster FC.

“We are now in rebuilding mode. I think only one player remains from the team that last won the division. The others have left,” said Bel-Ami.

OM is the most prestigious amateur club in Utah. Teams are motivated to get a result when they face the side.

“We are indeed flattered by the attention. Ain't nothing wrong being the Barcelona or Real Madrid around here. We know we have to always be prepared to do battle. Even a friendly game against OM is a final for the opponent. That’s the difference between us and the rest,” said the manager.

U-14 girls team is a winner

If the men’s Premiership team struggled this year, the Olympique Montreux U-14 girls team maintained a high standard and did the organization very proud. The girls have grown into a potent force in Utah youth soccer, beating higher ranked teams and earning high honors.

Each time the girls take to the field, their opponents not only have to contend with their superb play, but they have to fight against the reputation of the club for its winning tradition.

Credits go to head coach Ben Staples for his leadership and knowledge of the game and to manager Robyn Millerberg for her devotion to the team. The girls also benefit from the services of Nate Murphy, one the best trainers in Utah.