New fun for indoors

Rob Miech

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006 | 12:32 p.m.

The start of the National Alliance Soccer League on Sunday at the Orleans Arena won't exactly offer fans an opportunity to watch the best players in the country participate in a new indoor national league.

But it will expose fans to the fast pace of the indoor game. And it will give young players a chance to show their skills and maybe catch the eye of a professional scout or two, or even a college coach.

Tom Ficara, executive producer of the TVS Television Network and the key figure in the development of the NASL, said Thursday he was in a "panic, heart-attack, wonderful" state as kickoff neared.

The teams will wear Diadora uniforms that Ficara called "stunning" and the games will played on a powder-blue turf produced by Seamco.

"It will be great for fans and television, out of sight," Ficara said.

Frequently asked questions about the NASL:

Late last summer, Major Indoor Soccer League commissioner Steve Ryan visited Ficara in Las Vegas to try to sell the MISL's Cleveland Force to Ficara for $50,000. Ficara responded with an offer of $1 million to buy the television rights to the league. Ryan balked. So Ficara developed his own league.

How many teams will compete?

12.

Will they be divided into conferences or divisions?

It won't be a typical league in that sense. In fact, there won't even be standings this year. This will be a showcase, or exhibition season.

So no playoffs or title game?

Right.

Why was the NASL set up that way?

To be a vehicle for Margate Entertainment Co. Inc., which owns TVS. Margate sells DVDs featuring the games of Pele, Johan Cruyff and other legends from the former North American Soccer League as well as soccer jerseys.

It's not all about Margate's bank account, though. All Orleans Arena profits will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, Lied Animal Shelter and Safe Nest.

What about next year?

Ficara will try to organize the National Alliance Soccer League as a sanctioned league, with teams representing other cities actually playing selected games in those cities. But most games still will be played in Las Vegas.

What about a most valuable player?

Yes, someone will earn the Ken Johann MVP Award. Johann has been an influential soccer figure in the area for decades. UNLV's pitch is named for Ken's late son, Peter.

Who will win that award?

Our early favorite is former UNLV star Victor "Boomer" Arbaelez, who will play for the Las Vegas Toros.

Who will coach the Toros?

Former UNLV assistant Frank D'Amelio, who played for Philadelphia in the North American Soccer League.

When will the games be played?

At 1 and 3 p.m. on seven Sundays over the next two months. The Toros will play in every 3 p.m. game.

What about tickets?

Doubleheader tickets will cost $25, $15 and $10. A ticket-purchasing adult can bring a soccer uniform-wearing child, 12 or under, for free.

Danny Stone, the Toros' British defender who has played professionally in England, believes his native land's national team will play through recent drama involving its coach.

Sven-Goran Eriksson was set up in an embarrassing "fakek sheikh" sting last month in Dubai. A "News of the World" undercover reporter coaxed Eriksson into making controversial statements, and Eriksson will be released after the World Cup.

"It's a real shame that a paper like that wanted to do something like that," Stone said. "At the same time, I think Sven was a bit naive to say the things he did. It's not good for English soccer on the whole.

"But I think he has the backing of the players. They're comfortable with him, as professional athletes. I don't think it will have any great effect on their chances. They're top professionals and they know how to handle that."

In the 75th minute, a kid noticed him and was granted an autograph. Minutes later, fans sitting in the area began to chant his name.

Scarpa, 32, hails from Sassari, Sardinia. Cagliari (5-12-7) plays at the other end of the island and is fighting relegation at the bottom of the top-flight Serie A.

"I still love them," Scarpa said of the Rossoblu. "I can't stand losing, though."

Cucuta at Deportivo Cali, Sunday

Two of Colombia's best teams play at Estadio Pascual Guerrero. The edge goes to Deportivo, which won its previous game, 3-0, away from home. The eight-time national champion gets a new stadium this summer, too.

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