By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Sal Galvano will return as head coach of the Rochester Lady Lancers, who could very well be playing indoor soccer in the not too distant future.
Both bits of news were revealed on Kick This!, the Saturday morning soccer show on Fox Sports Radion 1280 in Rochester, N.Y.
Lancers patriarch and Kick This! founder Soccer Sam Fantauzzo announced Saturday morning that Galvano would return to guide the United Women’s Soccer team.
The Lady Lancers also could wind up playing with a roof over their head if things fall into place.
Kevin Milliken, MASL vice president of business development whose responsibilities include M2, said that he had spoken with Galvano about the possibility of Rochester joining a new league in the future, perhaps as early as next winter.
“I would love to have a Rochester team in the league,” Milliken said on the program.
Milliken said that an Eastern Division already had been formed, which includes franchises in Detroit, Youngstown, Ohio and Cincinnati. He added that “several other teams in the area,” wanted to play” before mentioning Columbus, Ohio and St. Louis.
“We’ve got a lot of teams interested,” he said. “I think we’ll have a full-blown women’s league next year. It’s going to be very exciting.”
The Lancers’ men’s team competes in the Major Arena Soccer League 2 and has reached the semifinals after defeating the host Chicago Mustangs in the Eastern Division final Thursday night, 4-3.
They call the Dome Arena in suburban Henrietta, N.Y. home as they hosted six games there during the 2018-19 regular season, playing on back-to-back weekend nights.
“I hope that Jeff Calkins isn’t listening from the Dome Arena!” Fantauzzo said. “He’s like, ‘What are you guys doing there? We don’t have any dates!’ ”
Calkins is the general manager of the facility.
Milliken wasn’t finished with bringing some women’s indoor soccer news, announcing that a U.S. national women’s indoor side could be performing in Rochester soon. He said that a national team combine was being held this week.
“We’re hoping to announce a game soon in Rochester after next weekend for the women,” Milliken said.
To which Fantauzzo responded: “Dude, I just got the chills. So, you’re talking about a women’s national team indoor-style in a possible game in Rochester, New York?”
Milliken said he had reached out to “our friends across the border” Friday to see if that team wanted to play a game. He did not stipulate which border, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it was Canada, given the closeness of that country and the cities he had just mentioned.
“Man, I can’t wait if we make that happen,” Fantauzzo said.
