We all know him from previous NPSL seasons. Now a member of Cleveland SC, the legend of Vinny Bell continues to grow.
Few in Cleveland soccer history can claim the years of service and goals accumulated by Cleveland SC forward Vinny Bell, who is in the midst of his seventh season playing local NPSL soccer. In a league full of younger college talent, Bell has been a constant influence keeping Cleveland’s NPSL teams among the most competitive in the country.
Bell’s role in the founding of Cleveland SC added yet another layer to Bell’s contributions to Cleveland soccer, as he was a part of the group of players that initially conceived the idea of a Cleveland NPSL team to fill a gap in the market. That the club is doing so well at the start of the season given the short time period to build the club gives Bell even more reason to remain on the field in 2018 and beyond.
“The fact that this all started from a few text messages in a group chat between us players makes this such an organic, grass roots organization that I am proud to be a part of,” said Bell. “No way I could pass up another opportunity to represent Cleveland, team up with some of my best friends and play in front of one of the coolest SGs in the league.”
Once it came time to fill a roster, there was no question who would be one of the first names on the sheet.
“Vinny is special player. He creates on his own and doesn’t back down no matter how many defenders are in his way,” said Cleveland SC President Sam Seibert. “The thing about Vinny is no matter how successful he is, he’s one of the most humble guys out there. He’s never hesitant to credit his teammates, sign autographs or thank his fans. Cleveland is lucky to have him.”
Bell has been unlucky not to score yet during Cleveland SC’s first three matches, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been a presence opening room for his teammates to gain chances. Bell has fired a number of his own chances on goal that have required tremendous efforts from opposing goalkeepers and defenders. Evidence from the rest of Bell’s career shows this drought will be short-lived.
Seeing the standout forward and former Case Western Spartan on the field naturally invokes memories of Bell’s performance during the 2016 NPSL National Championship, when his brace earned him Man of the Match honors. To this day, that match and bringing a major trophy to his hometown club is still his greatest soccer memory.
Bell’s career prior to the NPSL certainly projected his later success, as he was Case Western’s only two-time NCSAA All-American and set school records with 43 goals and 101 points. That goal scoring prowess, including 18 career goals in NPSL, has tormented opponents attempting to keep Bell in check. If this seems familiar, Bell’s playing style is influenced by some of the world’s best players in the number 9 role.
“The real Ronaldo from Brazil, he is the man. Didn’t matter if he was fat, skinny, good haircut, bad haircut he flew up and down the pitch and got the job done. That is why I wear #9. Drogba is a close second, the guy stopped a civil war it doesn’t get more legendary than that,” said Bell.
Bell isn’t the only veteran on the team however, and his relationships with other NPSL vets on the Cleveland SC squad have helped the team hit the ground running in the early stages of the season. Some of those partnerships are so ingrained within this Cleveland SC team that it has helped establis the culture and expectations for newer arrivals.
“I played against Admir’s club all the time growing up. My team always won of course but was just as cheeky and elusive at 9 as he is now and I hated him. Definitely glad we wear the same jersey now, he is one of the best players and people in the league,” remarked Bell.
Bell also credits Head Coach Ryan Osborne for seamlessly bringing together the club’s moving parts in such a short amount of time.
“Ozzy has been great and is a big reason we are in good form early on in the season. From day one Ozzy set the right tone, was well organized and got everyone on the same page. I think it will only get better down the stretch and the fans can look forward to an exciting season.”
Bell is ready to face the rest of Cleveland SC’s challenges for its inaugural season and is keeping a positive mindset about what’s to come. Bell’s sense of humor remains well in tact as well. When asked what the biggest challenge of his soccer career has been, Bell responded, “Listening to Coletun’s pregame speeches for 4 years.”
Bell and the rest of his Cleveland SC teammates will begin their first two-match weekend Friday with a road match against Greater Binghamton FC, but will be back home Sunday, June 10 for the club’s first match against Fort Pitt Regiment. Tickets for Sunday’s match with a scheduled kickoff time of 2:00 p.m. are available at ClevelandSC.com.
Content provided by Cleveland SC.
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