Outdoor season is coming and expectations are high for the defending champions. THE OTHER TEAMS ARE BUSY GETTING BETTER. It is rumored that Real Salt Lake is putting a team in the league composed of its former players and others. Everybody's objective is to beat O.M. whether it is the Premiership or the D1. Our teams struggled last year and Las Vegas was a total failure. We have to get better !!!
Because of increased interest and demand from good players who want to be on the team, we will be holding a 2-day tryout. ALL PLAYERS ARE REQUIRED TO TRYOUT! Whether you’ve played for years with O.M. or it’s just your first time. This is necessary to make our two teams more competitive. O.M. gets a lot of attention and we need to keep cultivating the competitive nature that we hold as a soccer club. There are a few changes to how we will be doing things this year so please read carefully:
1 – ALL PLAYERS MUST BRING O.M. SHORTS TO TRYOUTS! This year we will be washing the jerseys and shorts together and only giving them to the players before games and collecting them afterwards. Players will not be allowed to take the shorts or jerseys home with them. The uniforms (Jerseys and Shorts) will remain in our care before and after every game. No exceptions! We cannot afford to lose any more jerseys and shorts. It is very costly. However if you already have the O.M. warmups, jackets, practice jerseys…etc. those are to remain with you. Players can wear their warmups to the game then change at the field. ****NOTE: If a player does not bring all O.M. Shorts (Red, White, Black…..) and Jerseys, then he will not be eligible to tryout!
2 – BE READY! We will be trying to narrow the squad down to 20 players for Premiership and 18 for Division 1. We have to control the expenses of running the team in this difficult economy.
3 – TRYOUT DETAILS: We will be holding 2 days of tryouts. After that the squad will be posted. Dates and Times are:
Tuesday March 23rd @ 6:00 p.m. 1300 East 4300 South (subject to change)
&
Thursday March 25th @ 6:00 p.m. West Jordan Soccer Complex Field O (SouthWest Field)
Players must come to both sessions! And remember we will be checking in shorts before the tryout. If you don’t bring them then you don’t tryout. Sorry, no exceptions.
We appreciate your understanding and we look forward to seeing you and preparing for another successful season as Utah’s Premier Soccer Club.
Las Vegas, Nevada - Olympique Montreux arrived in Las Vegas with high hopes of a very successful weekend but were soon let down with sloppy play and mistakes that would cost them advancing out of pool play..
The annual Silver Mug Soccer Invitational “Bud Cup” attracts only the best soccer clubs from around the nation to compete at a very high level. Currently it is the #3 tournament in the nation. O.M. took down both a women men squad to compete at this prestigious tournament. The men were in a very tough group scheduled to play teams from TX, CA, NM, and NV.
It was early Saturday morning and at the Kellogg-Zaher Soccer Complex and the competition looked very good.
The mens’ 1st opponent was SD Pumitas out of California. The rain began to come down and along with the rain the Olympians began to struggle. Off of a close offsides call SD Pumitas took an early lead on a 1 on 1 break away against experienced goal keeper Andre Domingos. Despite a red card in the second half SD Pumitas eventually held off the attack and finished the game with a 1 – 0 victory over O.M.
“That was a crushing loss. We really needed to win that first game and get 1 under our belt early” said coach Bel-Ami de Montreux. The pressure was on and wouldn’t get any lighter.
The OM men faced Stroke City a few hours later that afternoon. The rain began to let up a bit but the Olympians still couldn’t find a way spark the offense. Stroke City took an early lead off of an unfortunate defensive turnover and scored an easy goal against goalkeeper Jeff Rogers. “That was a stupid mistake” uttered coach Bel Ami referring to the turnover, “Each mistake can be severely detrimental.” Stroke City scored again and OM found themselves down at the half by a score of 2 – 0. In the second half various substitutions were made and OM tried to rally but still couldn’t put a single shot on goal. Loss number 2 was up on the charts and with those 2 early losses, things were looking pretty grim.
Playing now back to back OM rushed over to field 1 to face Escuela FC. Early in the game the Olympians had a great opportunity to score when a shot ricocheted off the post but failed to enter the net. It was half now and OM was still gridlocked at 0 – 0 with Escuela. Goal keeper Andre Domingos was coming up with some huge saves throughout the game including blocking a PK in the 2nd half. Escuela eventually capitalized and scored to make it 1 – 0. Then off of a missed call on a clear offside they put one in again to go on and win the game 2 – 0. They couldn’t believe it. Loss number 3!
It was a very disappointing start to a much anticipated Saturday. The Olympians failed to score a single goal throughout their first 3 games of the tournament and were now sitting on the outside looking in. At various scoring opportunities inside the area, experienced players like David Chevez preferred to try to nutmeg defenders or dive for penalties instead of shooting the ball.
“On Saturday evening, after a totally disappointing performance, I saw Hector Kalucha Rendon packing a 24-pack beer on his shoulders in the hotel lobby. That fellow called Cholo who came highly recommended by Joe Menino basically sat in the hotel room that I provided and drank himself to a coma along with other key players.,” said Bel-Ami.
“Basically, I took a number of drunks to an important tournament. We even had players arrested for various criminal conduct. Wasn’t right! Just plain deceiving.”
With a good chunk of the team under the influences of drugs and alcohol, OM had to find a way to regroup after that horrible showing on Saturday. There was no chance of advancing on to the playoffs but the team still had their pride to play for. Their next opponent was El Alamo Crew Select.
Early in the first half the defense was caught off guard when backing up for a free kick, the ball was played before the whistle and El Alamo scored the first goal of the game. This controversial call helped fuel the Olympians to not have a repeat of Saturday’s performance. OM controlled the ball very well and was making good attempts on goal. Just before the half midfielder Antonio ripped in a goal from distance, top shelf over the El Alamo keeper to tie the score at1-1.
Bel Ami de Montreux prepared the troops for the second half and you could see the effect immediately. Steve McMurdie played exceptionally well and quickly put in a goal just minutes into the second half. Forward Philip Menezes was put in and was immediately awarded a yellow card. Seconds later off of a breakaway he was pushed from behind into the red rocks and given a red card ejecting him from the game. This was probably due to mouthing off to the referee before he even got onto the field. Various substitutions occurred and the Olympians extended their lead as Garcia put in a great goal 1 v 1 against the El Alamo goal keeper. OM went on to win by a score of 3 – 1. Finally the OM players had played like they should have!
The final game for the men was against a team from El Paso, TX. OM began to move the ball really well controlling the midfield but couldn’t get a single shot to go in when attacking. Just before half forward Tim Ballantyne went up for a header and landed a nasty cut just above the left eye. It was quite a war wound. That’s Tim for ya though. In the second half OM kept putting shots on goal and attacking the El Paso defense but despite the OM attack the game ended in a 0 – 0 tie.
The men finished with a record of 1 – 3 – 1 for a total of 12 points. Nowhere close to where they needed to be in order to advance out of pool play to the playoffs.
The women didn’t do too well either. They managed to win 1 out of their 5 games as well but what can you expect with not much practice going into the tournament. “Many girls bailed out at the last minute and the team had to be thrown together in order to make it work”, said team captain Alexis McMurdie.
It was a very disappointing ending to a very disappointing weekend in Las Vegas for both OM squads. “I felt there wasn’t a single team we played that we couldn’t have beaten” said forward Steve McMurdie. It was a very humbling experience after such a dominating year for OM.
“I need to gather myself and rethink the personnel on the team” said Bel Ami. “Every year the lure of the Las Vegas tournament makes us want to come down here. When we had our last big game it was October of 2009 and it is awfully hard to compete with teams who are match fit and in the prime of their soccer season right now.”
“This was not a complete sporting collapse of Utah’s champions though. Other factors interfered. It definitely did not help that players like Kalucha and Cholo were so drunk that they could not stay on their feet and continuously made bad passes to the opponents. Those two did not even show up to play on Sunday along with those that were in jail in some Vegas police precinct. Go figure.
“Make me miss the days of Nate Murphy, Aaron Bruderer, Mike Rogers and Sergio Vasquez,” said a disgusted Bel-Ami.
Salt Lake City, Utah.— Olympique Montreux trains at the University of Utah field house for upcoming trip to the prestigious Las Vegas Tournament "Bud Cup".
Olympique Montreux will be heading to Las Vegas to participate in the prestigious Silver Mug Soccer Invitational Tournament. Often referred to as the "Bud Cup". The 2009 Tournament will be played on February 7 - 9, 2009 at the Kellogg-Zaher Soccer Complex in Las Vegas.
This is one of the top three National Tournaments in the United States and recognized for its highest level of Competition. Often referred to as the "Unofficial Open National Cup Event". To win this event, a team must play nine (9) games in a three-day period. Started in 1978 this is a national affiliated soccer event for both adult men's and women's teams from all over the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
This is an Invitational Tournament. Teams are invited based upon one or more of the following: National Champion, Regional Champion, State Champion, or League Champion. Evidence is required to be submitted at the time of application for verification.
Competition is of the highest level. Teams are generally "professional" level and higher. Past teams include those from the Major Soccer League (MSL), Women's Professional Soccer League (WPSL); Men's Professional Soccer League (MPSL); Professional Indoor teams etc. Many USA National Team players have participated in this prestigious event.
Olympique Montreux will be taking both a men's and women's squad. In order to get match fit they have been practicing periodically the past couple weeks at the Field House of the University of Utah. We are very excited to participate in this event.
You can participate with us too. Whether you're in Las Vegas or at home. You can download a copy of our scheduled group play here: OMFC Las Vegas Group Play Schedule Right Click and "Save As". Also you can Follow us on Twitter for up to the minute news including: Game Info, Scores, Highlights, etc. We will be posting articles up on the blog and site after each day of play. Here we go now. Viva Las Vegas baby!
Westminster College, Utah.—Tim Ballantyne scored five minutes after coming on as a substitute to lead Olympique Montreux to a 1-0 victory over Westminster FC in the State first Super Cup.
It was an intense game featuring the state’s two best teams.
Westminster recently defeated Pan World FC to win the league’s Champions League tournament (Daynes Cup), and claimed the Utah Open Cup trophy by crushing First Division runner up FC Gunners.
This year, the Red Warriors of Olympique Montreux recaptured the Premiership title they had lost last year. The club’s First Division team repeated as champion.
Playing at home under the direction of its long time coach, Chris Dorich, Westminster took a conservative approach, compacting players in its defensive third and relied on a counterattack strategy featuring former OM great Chad Gilbert.
Chad scored almost 50 goals in all competitions in two seasons as an Olympian, and formed a legendary and lethal partnership with Sergio Vasquez who himself tallied over 30 goals during his time with Olympique Montreux.
With Mike Smith, Nathan Braun, Clayton Alexander and Hector “Kalu18” Rendon manning the defense, Chad never had a good look at goal throughout the match. Keeper Andre Dominguez skillfully handled the few Westminster shots that made it past the league’s best defense.
Midfielders Marcos “Tiva” Zarate and Jimmy “El Toro” Cuadros combined well with forwards Luis Garcia and Eduardo “Lalo” Romero who had the Red Warriors’ best chance in the 17th minute, but the team’s leading marksman was denied by Westminster’s elite goalkeeper Travis Rogers who stuck a leg out to push the ball out for a corner.
In the 22nd minute, Jimmy fired over the top after bulldozing his way past two Westminster’s defenders.
The Red Warriors continued to attack Westminster, firing shots after shots at the excellent Travis Rogers who basically kept Westminster in the game.
In the 34th minute, Travis Rogers stopped Luis Garcia’s shot that seemed to be heading for the back of the net.
In the 40th minute, Fernando Fox rattled Westminster’s left post.
OM’s domination continued but the Red Warriors could not find the target.
In the 80th minute, Tim Ballantyne replaced Fox. The left-footed winger’s pace soon turned into a nightmare for the backpedaling Westminster midfielders and defenders who appeared tired.
In the 85th minute, Tim ran into a well-served pass by midfielder Steve McMurdie, and first-timed a perfect shot beneath an onrushing Travis Rogers for the game’s winner.
With time running out, The Olympians made sure to swat away all Westminster attempts to lob the ball to a well-guarded Chad.
With this goal, Tim leaped into Olympique Montreux lore along side current manager Bel-Ami de Montreux, Alex Pogman and Justin Braun as players who have scored clutch goals in finals to earn the team important trophies.
It was on October 21, 2001 that, losing 2-1 to Aguas Calientes in the Spanish league, that Bel-Ami scored on a diving header to tie the game and send it into overtime. Three minutes into extra time, the late Alex Pogman scored the golden goal to win Olympique Montreux its first trophy.
On November 4, 2007, Justin Braun who now plays professionally for Chivas USA, rose high in the air to score the sole goal in the Championship game against Diablos FC.
“Tim is now an OM legend. I sent him into the game at the right time, knowing he had the skills to overtake Westminster’s defense. He distinguished himself,” said an elated Bel-Ami.
“The hard work paid off this year. I had coachable and devoted players who executed well. It makes a big difference when players are coachable and humble. The guys made sacrifices to get us here. We came out this year with the promise to work hard and play with respect. We did just that and won things along the way.”
OTHER NEWS…
***FIRST DIVISION DID THE DANCE.
As expected, the First Division completed its championship season and won the trophy for the second consecutive time. The only blemish came when the side allowed Bosnia USA to win 4-2 in the last game of the season in a game that did not count for much since the side had already clinched the title with two games to go.
That meaningless loss, however, did not deter the Red Warriors from chanting their now famous “My Players” fight song.
***OLYMPIQUE MONTREUX CRUSHED UTAH UNITED 10-1
October 24, 2009, at the Brad Pino Stadium, the Olympians welcomed the enterprising Carlos Nieto and his Utah United semipro team for a friendly end of season game. Soon after the starting bell, the Red Warriors milled Utah United by beating the semipro team 10-1, despite the presence in goal of former OM keeper Martin Martinez and former Mexican pro player Roberto Islas.
With this destruction of Utah United, it is becoming clearer that “The Brad Pino” grounds at Cottonwood High School are a daunting place for visitors to come play soccer against Bel-Ami’s protégés.
***OLYMPIQUE MONTREUX BEAT AFRICAN RED STARS
On October 31, 2009, the Red Warriors hosted the African Lone Stars at The Brad Pino. With several players missing the game, Bel-Ami was forced to feature in the starting eleven. Defender Colton Spencer played in goal because regular goalkeeper Andre Dominguez was observing a Muslim Holiday.
The Lone starts drew first blood when they opened the score. The Lone stars continued to dominate the Olympians until Marcos “Tiva” Zarate entered the game to take over midfield.
In the 34th minute, Tiva opened the Lone Stars defense, found Bel-Ami who outraced his markers, rubbed off another defender before sending the keeper diving in the wrong direction to tie the score.
Forward Alan Ruelas looked surprised at the way the manager made it look easy to score.
Bel-Ami limped off the field at the half.
Jimmy “El Toro” Cuadros scored the winner in the 82nd minute.
“Bel-Ami should take cortisone shots in his knees and everywhere else and play in the games, said Tiva.
OM THUMPS PARK CITY TO COMPLETE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
OM web news services
Brad Pino Stadium.- Cottonwood, Utah (Oct. 17, 2009).--Bosnian midfielder Admir Softic delivered a spectacular goal in the 85th minute to close the scoring as Olympique Montreux clinically defeated Park City Newpark to set the tone for the championship dance that took place after the game.
Admiradona, as Admir is called nowadays for his dribbling and passing skills, was only making his comeback to the Premiership team after weeks out with a calf injury.
Right corner back Kalu18 (12th), midfielder Jimmy Cuadros (29th), full back Luis Garcia (49th), and forward David Chevez (PK, 67th) also scored goals.
“All of the pieces are working just as planned,” said manager Bel-Ami. “We are riding on a wave of success the past few weeks.”
With Jimmy delivering yet another strong performance, and captain Ivan “Tiva” Morales on top of his game, it was only a matter of time before the Olympians took total control of the game despite the workmanlike effort of the men from Summit County.
The only blemish for OM came when Park City scored in the 54th minute as OM keeper Joe Mennino failed to parry a stoppable shot from the right side of the field. The ball sailed over the keeper into the net.
Central defender Michael Smith and Luis Garcia did a good job containing Park City’s early enthusiasm. Park City’s talisman player Antonio Salcedo rarely threatened Bel-Ami’s well-organized men, except for one well-placed pass to a winger. However, OM right back Parker Haycock stepped in and defused the play.
“When a team plays like this, it’s nearly impossible to stop,” said Park City manager Dennis Hogglin. “We’ve got to learn from this, roll up our sleeves and prepare for next season.”
The victory today effectively seals the Premiership title that eluded Olympique Montreux’s Red Devils last year after the side won the trophy the previous three years. The Premiership team finished the season four points ahead of second place Westminster College.
“The difference this year is that most of my players are coachable and follow game plans. The players trust in me and in my abilities. The results speak for themselves,” said Bel-Ami. “Both OM teams are champions in their respective division. I am happy with our achievements.”
Brad Pino Soccer Field ---Cottonwood, UTAH.---Midfielder Jimmy Cuadros scored at the seventh minute to give Olympique Montreux a good start over Westminster College FC in a classico that could potentially decide the league’s Premiership title.
The powerfully built Jimmy scored on a header from a corner kick taken by captain Tiva Olmedo.
Against a side as explosive as Westminster featuring former OM forward Chad “Goal-bert” Gilbert, it was important to start strong.
In the 15th minute, to the home fans’ dismay, forward Luis Orozco drew a red card for elbowing an opponent who was marking him closely. It is rumored that Orozco spat at the player.
“I felt a cold chill as I saw Orozco being ejected,” said OM manager Bel-Ami.
“Westminster is too physical a team to face short-handed. Orozco needs therapy to control his anger issues.”
With Eduardo “Lalo” Romero remaining the sole striker, OM switched to a 4-4-1 formation with Tiva acting as both attacking midfielder and supporting forward for Lalo. Jimmy received instructions to strictly do the holding job in the middle.
In the 25th, Westminster’s long ball strategy paid off as Gilbert latched onto one and leveled the score with a sharp angle shot from seven yards out.
Undaunted, OM maintained its composure, playing its trademark quick one touch soccer and dominating possession. Frustrated, several Westminster players started to play rough.
In the 35th minute, Tiva collected a short pass from midfielder Steve McMurdie from the right side of midfield, drove past a charging Westminster midfielder, and pushed trough the middle. From about 35 yards out, he unleashed an unstoppable left foot shot that found the upper left corner of the net despite the keeper’s desperate dive.
The score remained 2-1 at the break.
If the first half produced some good soccer, the second was full of drama.
As play became rougher and Westminster’s golden boy spewing unsanctioned-in-your-face obscenities at the central referee, the officiating crew appeared to be losing control.
In the 66th minute, OM winger Juan Carlos Chamale was graphically hit from behind while inside the area. The ref had no choice but to point to the penalty spot.
Lalo converted the spot kick. OM, 3 --- Westminster, 1.
In the 70th minute, the referee showed winger Jantzen Romney a second yellow card when a Westminster player took an obvious dive upon contact with the speedy Jantzen.
With eight minutes left in regulation time, the referee ejected OM defender Jacob after a Westminster player was grossly retaliated against the defender by following a tackle. Jacob’s straight red car was unexplainable.
Reduced to eight men total, and Westminster players seeking to draw foul to disqualify OM in a game that they were clearly beaten, the Olympians kept their composure and defended well until the final whistle.
With this win, Olympique Montreux has clinched the 2009 Premiership title, leading Westminster by four points in the standings one game left to play for each team.
Next Saturday, Park City Newpark visits the daunting “Brad Pino” Soccer Field at Cottonwood for the last game of the season. OM will not take its feet of the pedal. .
“:we weren’t supposed to contend for anything this year. We lost many players last season. But we worked hard every week. Teams come at us with all they have. It has been a hard season with ups and downs. OM might bend sometimes. But we never break,” said proud captain Tiva,
“Bel-Ami always says failure is not an option in this jersey.”
Brad Pino Soccer Field (Cottonwood, UTAH).--- Led by the defensive prowess of Colton Spencer, Antonio Casillas and Adam Harris, Olympique Montreux D1 team sped past St.- Patrick’s FC with goals from Cubano, Joe Mannino and Peter Frost.
The Olympians dominated play, denying the ball to their opponents who grew more and more frustrated as Haroldo Darelli and Peter Frost piloted the ship to victory.
Juventino "Cubano" Silva, the team’s leading scorer with 11 goals coming into the match scores in typical predatory fashion in the 12th minute.
Joe Mannino, normally an excellent second goalkeeper for the Premiership, came off the bench to score a spectacular goal with a diving header in the 39th minute on a "Cubano" cross.
The third goal was signed by playmaker Peter Frost on a solo effort that saw him motor past the entire St.-Patrick’s defense.
St.-Patrick’s scored a consolation goal in the waning minutes.
The D1 team is in first place with two games left and can clinch the title with a victory at Westminster-Lazio next Saturday.
“I want this bloody trophy,” screamed an usually clean-mouthed captain Adam Harris, while looking over his shoulder to make sure his bishop did not hear the bloody expletive.
Until the July break this year, the Premiership and the first division team of Olympique Montreux Football Club were on top of their respective table and cruising. The organization had just won the Park City Tournament for the third time in a row (2007, 2008 and 2009).
For the Premiership, it was an unexpected dream start for a squad that was rebuilding after many veteran players opted to leave the organization throughout last season.
Right after winning the prestigious Park City Tournament, however, things began to sour. A rash of injuries in the Premiership followed by a dip in form to some key players set up a poor skid in the standings and in all competitions.
Within weeks, OM lost the chance to contend for all the cups it aspired to win. Even the usually dependable D1 team failed to defend the Utah Challenge Cup it won last season.
The Premiership was eliminated from the Utah Champions League (Daynes Cup), and also from the Utah Open Cup in rapid succession. All thoughts of the Premiership equaling the organization’s 2002 and 2006 successes quickly vanished.
The 2002 and 2006 teams remain Olympique Montreux’s best ever.
In 2002, led by center forward Bel-Ami de Montreux with his predatory goal scoring skills (43 goals in all competitions) and the playmaking talents of the late Alex Pogman, OM went undefeated in all competitions in the Liga LatinoAmericana, winning the Preseason Copa de Utah, the Primera Division Cup and the Interleague Playoffs Cup.
The 2006 side, under the direction of playmaker Nate Murphy and talented forward Sergio Vasquez and Chad Gilbert, won not only the state’s Premiership title, but also the Utah Open Cup and the Daynes Cup at its centennial commemoration.
The spring success of the team this year may have been misleading as to where OM was in the rebuilding process. After all, the side was rebuilding following yet another exodus of the remaining 2006 heroes. John MacQuarrie, Mike Rogers, Chris Kirkpatrick, Josh Kimball and Nate Murphy transferred to Rush Elite at season’s end. The departure of fleet-footed winger Garrett Losee to an LDSChurch mission, and the “announced” LDS mission of young defender Kip also affected the manager’s plans.
A dip in form of last year’s MVP Steve McMurdie and influential midfielder Jantzen Romney, last season’s undisputed star forward and reigning Golden Boot, did not help the team’s position.
Also, concededly, the team’s early successes negatively affected the simple game and the humility the manager was promoting since season’s start. Somehow, young players began to feel invincible and started to play selfish soccer.
While Steve and Jantzen worked hard to rediscover their best form, several important players repeatedly failed to show up for important fixtures despite being on game day sheets. A few more also have failed to maintain their fitness and thus have been unable to contribute.
The bitter mid-season return of a former forward from a poor PDL experience contributed to spoil the script.
The manager sometimes had to improvise starting line ups seconds before games. Often, D1 players had to fill in for absent Premiership stars.
With the situation nearly uncontrollable, the team was forced to sign new players to make it to season’s end.
In July and August, the side went on to drop important points to unlikely opponents, Bosnia USA and UtahValleyUniversity, and experienced a shameful loss to Rush Elite where, as luck would have it, Kip is serving his mission. Funny indeed!
The team experienced a new low at the Telemundo Cup in August in Ogden, Utah. After finishing top seed in pool play and winning the playoff game 5-0 against Idaho United, the following morning, several star players simply did not show up for the semifinal game. OM was beaten 4-0 by WeberState. The team left the tournament in disgrace with its reputation severely dented.
Despite all the adversities and injuries making it difficult for fullbacks Nathan Braun, Clayton Alexander and keeper André Dominguez to play back to back games, the Premiership fought back and clinched the State Premiership Title with one game to play.
The D1 team is in first place by two points with two games left and can clinch the title with a victory at Westminster-Lazio next Saturday.
When analyzing the league’s overall performance, it is quickly evident that this year, as before, other Premiership teams continue to see Olympique Montreux as the team to get ready for.
We definitely welcome that respect and the competition. We are Olympians!
However, when a distinguished soccer organization like Park City Newpark managed to field only 8 or 9 players at home against Westminster just to be pounded 8-0, and a week later brought in a full plate against OM and fight for 90 plus minutes, eyebrows are raised. Same for Rush Elite that lined up a weak team and no goalkeeper against the same Westminster (score: 0-4). Same for Diablos FC for completely failing to show up to face Westminster (forfeit).
It is expected that Bosnia USA will offer inadequate resistance on October 17 when they face Westminster in their season’s finale.
The failure of OM’s opponents to be consistent ruins the competition. Teams cannot call a tied game or a hard fought win against Olympique Montreux the crown achievement of their season. Showing up to play with seven, eight or nine players, showing up drunk or already tired or not showing up at all is very poor sportsmanship.
“Some teams gave the unethical impression that they were losing to Westminster on purpose just to keep Olympique Montreux from winning the title,” opines Bel-Ami.
POSITION: MIDFIELDER FOR OLYMPIQUE MONTREUX 2001, 2002, 2003
JERSEY NUMBER 18
PREMIERSHIP CHAMPION: 2001 (Scored winning goal in 3-2 win in championship game, Oct. 20, 2001)
PREMIERSHIP CHAMPION: 2002 (Scored in 3-1 championship game against Alemania, Oct. 21, 2002
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 IronMan.
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 RealSaltLake’s short list when they need help for reserve games came to OM only last year from ParkCityNewPark and he is already the MVP. He is also the head soccer coach for LehiHigh School in UtahCounty.
Several times each week, Steve travels from Provo to SaltLake 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 BrightonHigh 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.
