A bit of optimism

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006 | 12:30 p.m.

Liverpool native and former English professional Danny Stone doesn't know exactly what he's getting into with the Las Vegas Toros of the new indoor National Alliance Soccer League. But he's optimistic.

"Anytime you play, you never know who will be watching," Stone said. "After a lot of years playing in England, I've learned that you never know who's out there. Things happen when you don't expect them to."

Which explains his landing in Las Vegas, helped by a two-year stint in high school in Tempe, Ariz., before Stone launched his pro career at the Blackburn Rovers' youth academy in England in 1999.

While Stone attended Cor-ona Del Sol High in Arizona, his magician father, Paul, assisted Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton during his Las Vegas act.

Danny Stone learned about the Toros while visiting his father.

"For me, it's something completely different," Stone said of the indoor game. "I've never done it before, so it'll be a new challenge."

The Toros begin play Feb. 12, against the New York Arrows at 3 p.m. It will be the second game of an NASL doubleheader at the Orleans Arena, which will offer Stone a far different atmosphere than Anfield, the venerable home of the Liverpool team.

Stone went to his first Liverpool game, with his grandfather Alexander, when he was 7. He figures he has been inside the famous stadium more than 300 times.

He was there for a 1-0 defeat to Norwich City on April 30, 1994, when the legendary Kop end of Anfield was standing room only for the last time. Seats were installed for safety reasons.

"I've stood on the Kop a few times," Stone said. "Anfield is one of those places you go that sends chills down your spine."

He'll never walk alone

After an indoor practice at a Summerlin park this week, Stone, a 6-foot, 175-pound defender, proudly slipped on a red Liverpool training top that commemorated the Reds' stunning comeback victory over A.C. Milan in the 2005 Champions League finale in Istanbul, Turkey.

"European champions. See that!" Stone said, pointing to the crest on the left side of his chest.

The walls and ceiling of his room at the family home in Liverpool are still adorned with posters and photographs of assorted Reds players and a flag bearing the team motto "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain who spurned lucrative off-season offers to remain a Red, lives just around the corner from the Stone family.

While at the Blackburn academy, an ankle injury prevented Stone from playing against Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg of the F.A. Youth Cup semifinals.

"That is a big thing for me, to be able to play at Anfield one day," Stone said.

Two years into his three-year contract in Blackburn's youth program, Stone was sold to Notts County. For two seasons, he played at Meadow Lane for the Magpies' first team in League One, two divisions below the Premiership.

When Notts County went into administration because of financial difficulties, Stone, nursing torn ankle ligaments, was one of 10 players whose contracts weren't honored. Southport, near Liverpool, added him for part of 2003.

Paul Stone's extensive travels to watch his son play around England have been the subject of newspaper articles.

"My biggest fan," Danny Stone said of his father, "and my best supporter.''

The library

Just a game? Anyone who believes that about the "beautiful game" must read "Dynamo: Triumph and Tragedy in Nazi-occupied Kiev," by Andrew Dougan (The Lyons Press).

When the Germans overran and encircled Kiev in World War II, they allowed Start FC - which mostly consisted of players from the Dynamo Kiev club who had reunited to work at Bakery No. 3 in Kiev - to practice and play games.

The results were stunning, culminating in two incredible matches against stocked Luftwaffe squads.

Any further details and we'd spoil the drama. It's a must for the shelf.

Soccer soul

Pick up the CD "Samba Soul 70!" and be the envy of all your soccer-playing friends.

Wilson Simonal's "Nao Vem Que Nao Tem," the catchy samba swing tune that served as the background music for Ronaldinho's popular Nike commercial, is on "Samba Soul," which can be obtained at Amazon.com.

Simonal has been a celebrity in his native Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for 40 years. "Samba Soul 70!" is the best CD for the Ronaldinho song, because it's the traditional hip rendition and not the more available disco version.

Corner kicks

Match of the week

African Cup of Nations finale at Cairo, Friday:

Three of the continent's five World Cup entrants did not endure through this tournament's group stages. The semifinals take place Tuesday, and the championship game will be held in Cairo International Stadium.

Look for Cameroon and Samuel Eto'o to affect the proceedings.

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at miech@lasvegassun.com