TRADITION, LEGACY, CHAMPIONSHIP!
On April 12th, 2024 the Cleveland Crunch began their playoff run with the ambition to do two things. First, avenge a 2023 playoff loss to MLIS rival Omaha, and second, add a fifth star to their team crest. On April 14th, 2024 the Crunch did just that. They first dismantled rival Rapid City in the semi-finals 11-5 and punched their ticket to the MLIS finals. Then once they learned their Opponent was another MLIS rival in the Omaha Kings. The Crunch went to work and handled business by beating the Kings 9-4 and won their second league championship in four years and their fifth in team history.
The best part about this championship is that the Crunch were playing with something to prove all season. The Crunch also were playing for something deeper in the title game as they lost two key players in the title game. Admir Suljevic and Kevin "All Good" Blackwood to in-game injuries. With those two going down the Crunch were playing with fire in their eyes and determination in their hearts, But this team was playing with that same fire and determination all year. After all, they had the best record in the league. Multiple players with league awards, And the Coach of the year. To say this team continued the legacy of the Crunch doesn't quite do them justice. Speaking of the legacy of the Crunch, let's take a look at that said topic.
For those that are not in the know or have been living in a remote cave in a distant land. The Cleveland Crunch were the team of the 90's here in Cleveland. They won three league championships in 1994, 1996, and 1999. Those teams were led by Crunch legends Zoran Karic, Otto Orf, and Hector Marinaro. The team took a Hiatus for 20+ years before returning in 2021 under new ownership. One of said owners Luciano Ruscitto made it a point and his life's mission to bring the Crunch back and continue the Legacy that was started in the late 80's and into the 90's.
In 2021 the Crunch returned to the pitch(soccer field for those not on the lingo) and had the goal of bringing a league championship back to cleveland for the first time since 2016. The Crunch returned to play in the Major Arena Soccer League 2 for 2021. Led by "The Captain" Dave Jordan, the "Assassin" Mike Derezic, Kevin "All Good" Blackwood, "Sweet foot" Sammy Mutemwa, and the "Quiet Storm" Ryan Minick just to name a few, The team went 7-3 and destroyed teams in the playoffs en-route to winning the MASL 2 2021 league title. The Fourth title in team history. In 2022 the Crunch would have their first undefeated regular season in team history(12-0), be undefeated at home(6-0) and return to the MASL 2 League title game. They would fall to the San Diego Sockers in that game, but if you ask Crunch fans the game and some reporters the Sockers needed ringers to beat that Crunch team.
In 2023 the Crunch would leave the Masl and joined the newly form Major League Indoor Soccer. They would once again make the playoffs but fall to rival Omaha. This Year with new head coach Antonio Manfut. The culture of the team went back to basics and back to a winning form. Defense, attacking, big plays, and physicality were all apparent in this 2024 team. Of-course, this formula would lead to fifth league championship. Since their return in 2021, the crunch have successfully fielded arguably the best teams in all of Professional indoor soccer with 4 playoff appearances, 3 league title appearances, and 2 league titles. Not only do the season records and playoff appearances show this, but look at the league awards. The Crunch have at least 3 players earn season awards since 2021.
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It was mentioned that the Crunch have a legacy, well to be fair. That's an understatement. When it comes to a team legacy, the Crunch have the best team legacy in all of Cleveland sports. How can we say this? How do we know this? Simple, outside of the Cleveland Browns with 8 championships, the Cleveland Crunch are the only other professional sports team in the city with 3 or more league championships(5 league titles). Followed by the Cleveland Indians(now Guardians) with 2 titles, and then the Cleveland Cavs with 1.
Not only do the Crunch have a great legacy in the title department. They also have a great legacy on the roster as Bobby Tsirambidis and Parker Csiszar are both former (Bobby '23') and current (Parker '23-current) members of this iteration of the Crunch, with both Parker and Bobby being the sons of former Crunch player Tim Tsirambidis and Tony Csiszar respectively. Not only does that add to the Family aspect of the team culture, but having vets like Derezic, Blackwood, Mutemwa, Minick, Jordan and Tom Beck only ad to the Stigma of the Crunch as these men are becoming legends in their own right!
What make the Crunch the best team in all of Cleveland sports is the family aspect they bring on and off the field. The Ruscitto family are always there at games not only as owners but they are there welcoming fans hugs, high fives and smiles. Along with the Ruscitto family is the other owner Ryan Ruiz who is behind the scenes with Luciano as the 2 hardest working owners in all of sports. These two men have always had the team and the fans best interest at heart and it shows! If you don't believe it, just look at the sold out games, public team appearances, soccer camps etc.
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We could go on and on about the Crunch, but the fact is that they are becoming if not already the gold standard for Cleveland sports. It's a crying shame that they do not get the recognition and support that they deserve, but from us here at the 216 Sports Network here's our message to the Crunch and Crunch fans... WE GOT YOUR BACK!! We will make sure you guys get the support and recognition you rightfully deserve!
~IT'S CRUNCH TIME!!~
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