A new season
for the KiXX

Kids Stuff
By William Feldman

Welcome to Kids Stuff. Today’s column includes an update on all the excitement and changes that have taken place with the Philadelphia KiXX. Plus, I have a cryptogram.
As everyone is aware, the Philadelphia KiXX was the only Philadelphia team that won a championship. Don D’Ambra, head coach, described the feeling of winning a Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) championship last year against the Detroit Ignition as "great."
"This is the ultimate goal as a coach," he said. "This is really the one thing I had not done yet in my career. I have won a MISL championship as a player, plus I have won individual accomplishments. It is really gratifying and humbling."
Regarding the play of the team this year so far, Don commented, "It is funny because when we started out I had a lot of concerns, but we keep getting better and better."
He said the team has greatly improved over the last month or even six weeks.
"Our younger guys are really learning and not making the mistakes. We are playing well as a team," he said.
If you attended the game on Jan. 12, you know that Baltimore is a good team, but the KiXX shut them out completely, no scoring.
"We are having a little bit of trouble putting a lot of points on the board," Don said. "We are capable of doing it, but we are not doing it consistently. However, we are defending as a team well. That is the first thing, that is what wins championships."
The positives right now are their young guys like Chris Williams, a defender, who grew up in Philadelphia and went to Philadelphia University. He is doing well. Also, there’s Nigel Marples, who was a draft pick out of Towson.
"I think the biggest surprise is how well and consistent our rookies are doing at this point in the season," Don said.
I was very curious about why the team traded star players Genoni Martinez and Dino Delevski this past off-season.
"It was kind of complex and a lot went into the decision," Don explained. "Genoni is from Mexico so there was a good chance he would not have even returned to Philadelphia, because he wanted to be back with his family in Mexico. So, there was a good chance he wasn’t even going to report. Rather than losing Genoni and not getting anything, we felt it was in the best interest of the club, because we received four draft picks out of it."
As for Dino, the coach said, "I think we were going to part ways with him regardless. So we were able to get a better trade deal by unloading him, and there were also contract issues with him as well."
Trades on any team can have a major impact. Let’s find out how it impacted the KiXX.
"We started out slowly, but the team is getting better. Aaron Susi has been with multiple teams and is finally getting comfortable with our system," Don said, adding, "Jonathan Steele has not been with us for a large part. He had a couple of injuries and he went with his outdoor team that he plays professionally with, so this was really only his fourth game with us. We are looking to great things out of him.
"Angel Rivillo has been the biggest surprise," Don continued. "He has been phenomenal for us. He is from Venezuela, is very good on the ball, scores goals and defends, is a very good playmaker in the middle of the field. So, he has been a very good addition. I feel our draft picks are working out well along with our rookies."
The growth of the Indoor Soccer League has been noticeable this past year. Last year there were six teams, and this year it has expanded to nine teams. There are talks of some more franchises coming into the league. They now have a television deal, national and international, with Fox Soccer Channel.
"The more cities that see our sport and our brand of soccer, it will increase the interest level to get more expansion teams," he remarked.
How does Don feel physically, and how long will he continue to play?
"I am hurting and it takes me a longer time to bounce back from each game," he said with a chuckle. "As long as I feel like I can continue to help this team. But, it takes a lot of treatment and trying to keep on top of my body, so I think another year or two — until the pain outweighs the enjoyment of playing this game."
Don will be a soccer die-hard to the end. He will always be involved with coaching, if not at the professional level then at the college level. I know for a fact Don is very involved in the youth community with soccer clubs.

KIXX events
• The KiXX will host the Milwaukee Wave at the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7:05 p.m. NBC-10 will present the first 2,500 fans in attendance with a KiXX hat.
• On Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 10:35 a.m., the KiXX will host the Chicago Storm in the club’s annual School Day Game. There is no better way to read and do math than with the KIXX. For more information, call 1-888-888-KIXX (5499).

CRYPTOGRAM
FAMX WYX MAPP MATM YZBC HIB VISB XCSTZWAID
Hints: M is K; Y is H; W is T; V is Y
Columnist William Feldman can be contacted by e-mail at wmkidscolumn@aol.com