Munch Musings from E. 53rd and Hamm Avenue in Slavic Village

Welcome to a powerful new week. Some big things are brewing concerning the sports scene in #TheLAND.

Of course the Cleveland Cavaliers are 60-15 and with 7 games left in the regular season are 4 1/2 games ahead of the Celtics for the top spot in the East. Boston has won 8 in a row and yes the reigning NBA champs will be relentless down the stretch. When the Cavs box out and get defensive rebounds simply put, they are tough to beat.

The Cleveland Guardians season is underway and it started with a HUGE series in KC in which the Guards came away with a 2-1 series win against a divisional rival. The one game they lost was due to the mainstay of the team last year, the bullpen and a quick note to the A.L. Manager of the Year last year (LOL can you imagine the gall of me giving the Skipper advice!?) but Skip…you gotta know when to pull a pitcher!

Now, what else is going in Cleveland sports? It must be the 11-1 (regular season record) Cleveland Crunch! Indoor soccer has always had a passionate fan base in Cleveland going back to the sold-out crowds in the Coliseum for the Force. Those teams featured Haaskivi, James, Allen, Furphy, Johns, Sweeney and so many more and were truly the talk of the town. In the 90’s I was honored and humbled to call TWO championships with the Crunch as they rocked their home base in downtown Cleveland the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University. I was behind the mic when the team won it all in ’94 and ’96 plus they tacked on a ’99 trophy! The names from the squads I covered are still legendary. The names and memories of their play still give me goosebumps! The Dynamic Duo of Hector (The Great One) Marinaro and Zoran (The Prime Minister of Indoor Soccer) Karic along with the “Little Buffalo” Tommy Tanner, Captain Andy Schmetzer, Turtle Thomas, Tyma, George Fernandez, Cowboy Oscar Dragecavic, the Dr. of Defense Scott Schweitzer, Henry Guttierrez, Dougie Miller and of course the only Cleveland athlete to wear his initials (0 0) as his number, the King Otto Orf! Now these last three titles were in the NPSL. As a play-by-play announcer there is something so special about calling any game let alone a championship game. I treasure it to this day. Add in a ’21 crown (MASL) and ’24 title (MLIS) and this team is headed to their 6th championship! PxP man Kevan Arnold is special and I know, HE CARES and loves the game plus is knowledgeable and that means so much. His passion for the Crunch is undeniable!

Let’s look at this upcoming title chase with excitement and a little back story. The Crunch now play their home games at the Soccer Sportsplex in North Olmsted which is packed for every game with an energy of crowds 10x the size of attendance at that arena. This team is a GREAT team, with superb players, “as good as it gets” coaching with the motivational and “man with a plan” HC Antonio Manfut (who can still lace them up and get turnt up!) and a local ownership group that cares. Yes, they are thankful for their venue and have tried fastidiously to have the legendary Cleveland Public Hall or again the Wolstein Center as their home. One of the biggest complaints I hear and read is not about the team, but the venue and guess what friend? The Cleveland Crunch are returning to the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University for the MLIS playoffs April 11th through the 13th!! That is less than 2 weeks away, Gonna call you out on this as there is no excuse for those who have been moaning “I wish the Crunch were back at the Wolstein Center” to NOT pack the place! Games will take place Friday (4/11) at 5p and 7p (the Crunch) play at 7p along with the women’s final (WMLIS) at 6p Saturday (4/12) and the MLIS final is 5p Sunday (4/13). Crunch fans will remember DANCIN’ DAN from the halcyon days of the Crunch! Well, he has his tickets near the same location as in the past and I can guarantee you that Dan Cullen is ready to turn it loose with his patented “GOOOOAAAAALLLL” dance behind the net! Get your tickets NOW at www.ticketmaster.com or hit up the Box Office at the venue.

I noted the players from previous teams that gave us chills and thrills on the indoor pitch. This team has a roster that is filled with talent and all-around great guys. The Crunch are led by the 21st Century Dynamic Duo (Terrific Twosome?) in Admir Suljevic and Mikey Derezic. Friend, if you have seen them play and if not GO see them, they have special talents. Toss in Captain Dave Jordan, tough as nails Aiden Bozak and Chris Cvecko, along with Flyin’ Ryan Minick, the electrifying Macain J. Spragling “The Train” (His back flip off the boards alone is worth the price of admission!) plus contributions from Omar Najjar, Wolanski, Samuel Skìllz Mutemwa, Pewu, Parker Csiszar plus so many more make this squad so special. No way will I forget the goalie play with Super Marijo Musa (Able to stop shots with a single leap!) and his backups give the team confidence and the fans a sense of relief when they are between the posts! I must say I am not a fan of the sports saying “Next man up” as in so many cases there is a good reason why the “next man is not the man” however in the case of the Cleveland Crunch these NEXT MEN are special and ready to heed the call.

Again, this is not a scolding but factual…if YOU have not seen this team due to tickets always being sold out or you miss the venue THAT VENUE IS BACK! Support the Cleveland Crunch and Indoor Soccer. It’s as simple as that. Get tickets at the Box Office or at www.ticketmaster.com and I’ll see you at the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University April 11th through the 13th,

No doubt it’s still #CrunchTimeInCleveland!!

Read more of my thoughts and musings on NEO Sports Insiders. Munch on Sports is powered by the Ken Ganley Automotive Group & Ganley Chevy Of Aurora.

Please take care of each other and it’s your world, pay attention. Indeed, enjoy every sandwich and for now ADIOS AMIGO, long may you run.