Internationals Soccer Club Welcomes the West Side Stars Soccer Club

Cleveland, Ohio                                                       

November 12, 2009

Northeast Ohio’s most successful and longest-standing soccer club, the Internationals, is pleased to announce the merger of the West Side Stars Soccer Club based in Westlake, Ohio. The two clubs will operate under one banner beginning with the Winter 2009 soccer season. The former West Side Stars Soccer Club will become the Internationals West Soccer Club. West Side Stars, Founder, Mike Besu will remain as the Director of Coaching of the Internationals West. They join an established network of teams with players based throughout North-East Ohio and beyond including the newly formed teams based in Canton - the Internationals South branch of the club.

Internationals President and Girls Director of Coaching, Zdravko Popovic stated, “We are thrilled to welcome the West Side Stars players, staff and families under our umbrella and we are excited to reach out to the communities of the West side of Cleveland. I have known Mike Besu for many years and I am excited to join forces with him. He has built a quality organization and this merger will allow all of us to work together even more effectively in order to provide each of our members the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Founded in 1976, the Internationals Soccer club has a history of developing successful teams and players that have excelled at the highest levels. The club has won over 100 state championships and 6 regional titles, has developed 12 National Team players, and has sent hundreds of players on to the collegiate ranks. The merger isn't just about the elite athlete. Players at every level, from developmental to premier, will benefit because of increased access to quality coaches, facilities, and better competition.

The West Side Stars was established in 1988, and throughout those years the program produced outstanding players that became high school All-Americans and collegiate athletes. Mike Besu commented, “I have known George & Louie Nanchoff, and Zdravko [Internationals Founders] for over 20 years, and in the past, we periodically joined forces to compete in various local and state competitions. I feel that this is the time to join forces on a permanent level, and I am extremely excited to join the Internationals family. I am looking forward to taking Internationals West to the next level through extended commitment, dedication, and resources, and to provide players additional opportunities to help them achieve their goals and aspirations.”

The Internationals West teams will remain intact and will continue to train at current facilities such as North Olmsted SportsPlex for indoor, and Lake Ridge Academy for outdoor. Players with the ability and desire to excel and take their game to the next level will now have the opportunity to do so under the Internationals development system. Internationals West players and teams will also have access to all resources and facilities utilized by the Internationals Soccer Club including, but not limited to, Pinnacle Sports (indoor/outdoor facility in Medina), the Multiplex (indoor facility in Warrensville) and Diamond Sports Complex (Plain Township).

“Our vision, is to provide a place for every child to play, regardless of age or ability”, says George Nanchoff, Internationals Boys Director of Coaching. “We will continue to train and produce players at the highest level who compete for state, regional and national titles and who are pursuing college scholarships. Joining forces with the West Side Stars allows us to do this on an even larger scale while also providing an environment for players at every level to develop to their full potential and to learn life-skills through this game that we all love.”

Every effort is being considered and put forth to reach out to and accommodate all interested players wishing to be the best possible he/she can be. The Internationals Soccer Staff has the knowledge, passion and love to share with you through the game of soccer. We have roster opening in all ages and are looking for quality individuals to join us and become proud members of the Internationals family.

For more information on how you can become a part of the Internationals family, please visit:

http://www.internationalssoccer.com/club/tryouts/tryouts.cfm