HOW SWEET IT IS!!!! CRUNCH BRING IT HOME!!

~Wichita, Kansas~


After a fifteen year hiatus, the Cleveland Crunch returned to the professional soccer world. Not only did they return, they returned in a big way. Making the city of Cleveland title town once again. Joining the Major Indoor Soccer League's M2 division for the shortened 2021 season, the Crunch had one goal in mind. That goal, to win championships! Now I get it, It's indoor soccer who cares right? Well, the answer to that is Cleveland soccer fans do! The Crunch have been a staple in Cleveland sports for over 30 years. from Zoran Karic, to Hector Marinaro. The Crunch were as close to rock stars as you could get here in Cleveland.


This season was nothing short of spectacular. Expectations were high for the new look crunch, and they exceeded every expectation thrown at them. If you've been watching the Crunch all season, you saw what this team could be and has shown throughout the season. Beginning with the shed beating of Brew City back in February, the Crunch were on fire and never looked back. The Crunch went showed that they could face adversity head on and keep moving forward. When the Crunch were playing it was exciting, displaying defense, high-scoring offense , and having fun while doing it. 

This season, the Crunch were highest scoring team in the M2 league. Averaging 12 goals a game including several 10+ goal games. In the playoffs they were even more aggressive with both the semi-final and championship games being won six goals. 

Defense has been the key for the Crunch all season and the championship game was no different as the top goal keeper in the league Marijo Musa had nineteen saves on the night. Goals by Suljevic(4), Derezic(2), Pepper, Mutemwa, Jordan, Beck, and Blackwood would provide the Crunch with the 11 goals they needed to end the night with an 11-6 win and the M2 championship trophy. This is also the Crunch's fourth championship, and the first for the Crunch since 1999. This was also a revenge win as the Crunch had lost to the Wings 4-3 back in June. I caught up with Crunch head coach Lou Kastelic for his feelings on the win and here's what he had to say.

"Over seven months ago we set out to accomplish a goal. It was a grind, but we love our city, and we love this team. We did our best to honor the city of Cleveland and the history of the Cleveland Crunch and the players before us who set the bar. Thank you to all the fans, the support staff, management, ownership, and ALL of our families and friends who played pivotal roles in allowing us to do what we love and to bring a championship back home to Cleveland!!"

This win in many ways paid homage to the original Crunch teams who won Championships in 1994,1996, and 1999. As the team celebrates, believe me when I tell you that there will be a party to be had in Cleveland when the team finally returns home. At the start of the season I picked the Crunch to win it all, and there was no doubt in my mind that they would. Now that my prediction has come to fruition, we as a city can celebrate with the Crunch as they add a fourth trophy to the case!!


~IT'S CRUNCH TIME!!!~

(all photos courtesy of the Cleveland Crunch, and M2soccer.com)

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