WISL grown players making an impact in the MASL Pro league

Written by Merrick Parnell (Icon Productions Marketing)

The Western Indoor Soccer League (WISL) has provided a place for players to compete and develop at a high level inside the confines of the indoor soccer game since 2014. While the WISL offers an opportunity for some players to continue playing the game they love, the league has also acted as a proving ground for developing players hoping to take their game to the next level. Since the league's inception, several WISL athletes have earned a shot at playing professional arena soccer in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).

WISL grown players currently on the Tacoma Stars roster - Eddie Na, Kyle Rivers, Tyler John, Willie Spurr, Logan Jones, Gil De La Luz, Raph Cox, (lower row) Michael Herrera, Luis Biruetta, Juan Nani Mendoza, Adrian Correa

Photo courtesy of Photography By Lee https://photographybylee.smugmug.com/Soccer-/Tacoma-Stars

Sebastian Navarro came through the TSR ranks to the MASL.

Photo courtesy of Photography By Lee https://photographybylee.smugmug.com/Soccer-/Tacoma-Stars

"The WISL strives to entertain fans and offers the highest level of soccer it can to our players. Our greatest honor is to see our players move through the WISL to the next level," WISL Commissioner John Crouch said. "The amount of players that have gone onto the MASL during the span of the WISL gives all of us great pride and is fun to watch."

The MASL is an international arena soccer league that currently has 13 clubs that play along the West Coast, Midwest, and East Coast. The league also has two organizations in Mexico. Many WISL players have found a professional home playing for the Tacoma Stars in the Major Arena Soccer League.

"I truly believe the WISL has provided an amazing opportunity for young athletes to showcase their talents. The Stars have benefited from the WISL; look how many individuals from the league are currently playing in the MASL and making big impacts," said Adam Becker, a Coach with the Tacoma Stars.

Adam Becker is a passionate and deeply committed indoor soccer coach that has brought a lot of players to the next level. Photo courtesy of Photography By Lee https://photographybylee.smugmug.com/Soccer-/Tacoma-Stars

"Not only does it [the WISL] help develop athletes for the pro level, but it has also brought the level of all WISL teams up. The individuals that spend time with the Stars program then get to return their knowledge to their WISL teams and help grow their local programs," he expanded.

Willie Spurr back in his Olytown days.

Currently, 12 active players have jumped from the WISL to the pro ranks of the MASL. The WISL alum presently playing for the Tacoma Stars in the MASL are Kyle Rivers (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Eddie Na (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Sebastian Navarro (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Adrian Correa (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Willie Spurr (Oly Town), Gil De La Luz (Tacoma Stars Reserves) Juan (Nani) Mendoza (Tacoma Stars Reserves) Cale Spence (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Logan Jones (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Tyler John (Tacoma Stars Reserves) Luis Birrueta (Tacoma Stars Reserves) Michael Herrera (Everett FC).

The Tacoma Stars have also had some great former players who got their start in the WISL. Former Star Reserves and South Sound FC player Derek Johnson, a prolific scorer, multi-time player of the week, and WISL Champion, is one of the players who went from having an impact in the WISL to playing in the MASL.

Johnson first got a shot in the MASL playing with the Seattle Impact FC. Lane Smith ultimately purchased the team and hired Darren Sawatzky (Stars Reserve Coach) as head coach. Darren and Johnson had already spent a few seasons with the Sounders U23s, so it was a great transition to working indoors.

Since his days of playing in the MASL, Johnson has returned to the WISL to run the South Sound FC organization and player-coach. He sees the WISL play a crucial role in player development.

The first season for the Tacoma Stars in the WISL was coached by Darren Sawatzky and included many players locally raised in the WISL and PASL Premier league. Photo courtesy of Tacoma Stars

"Indoor soccer takes years to read and understand at a high level. The reactions and decision-making are so much different indoors vs. outdoors," said Johnson. "In indoor soccer, you have to react quickly. If you can't scan the game, the MASL will humble you," he continued.

Derek Johnson in his young years and first season in the MASL. Photo courtesy of the Tacoma Stars

Other MASL and WISL alums include Bellingham United's Nick Cashmere, whose offensive performance helped win titles for Bellingham. Other past WISL players who played in the MASL are Vince McCluskey (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Sam Zisette (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Mike Arguello (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Kevin Flavin (Bellingham United FC), Ismael DeLuna (Oly Pen Force), Brodi Steigerwald (Oly Pen Force), Grant Michaels (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Jeff Bader (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Danny Minniti (Tacoma Stars Reserves) Mark Lee (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Steve Mohn (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Nate Ford (Tacoma Stars Reserves), Fellipe Souza (Tacoma Stars Reserves) and Isidro Prado-Huerta (Tacoma Stars Reserves.

Nate Ford (on the ball) and Vincent McCluskey pictured here of TSR. Photo courtesy of the Tacoma Stars

"The WISL alumni have made a huge impact in the MASL. Their willingness to learn, grow, sacrifice, and compete at the highest level has taken the Stars to a new level. It has given our organization much more depth and tough decisions regarding making the roster. The competition amongst the group has kept the training environment very competitive, and you can see the results on the field," stated Becker.

Tacoma local Adrian Correa played many games as a Tacoma Stars Reserve before making his way to the MASL.

Photo courtesy of Photography By Lee https://photographybylee.smugmug.com/Soccer-/Tacoma-Stars

Becker also has ties to the WISL as he started as a coach in the indoor league. He uses that experience and past relationships to network with coaches and club personnel. Those relationships help promote WISL talent to the MASL.

In the summers, Becker coaches in local amateur leagues such as the Cascadia Premier League. and the Evergreen Premier League (EPLWA). He also scouts and invites players out of that league to pre-season camp.

Typically, 30-plus players from the WISL and amateur outdoor leagues are invited to camp. Becker enjoys helping players reach the next level.

Michael Herrera (Everett FC), Juan Nani Mendoza (TSR), Eddie Na (TSR) and WIllie Spurr (OLYTOWN) suiting up for MASL Tacoma Stars game. Photo courtesy of Photography By Lee https://photographybylee.smugmug.com/Soccer-/Tacoma-Stars

"I'm excited to continue this journey and provide an avenue for local talent to chase their dreams and reach the next level," Becker said.

Luis Biruetta from Yakima WA in the net for the Tacoma Stars got his start in the WISL with TSR. Photo courtesy of Photography By Lee https://photographybylee.smugmug.com/Soccer-/Tacoma-Stars

In addition to players and coaches, the WISL has also promoted referees and officials into the pro ranks of the WISL.

"We have also seen many of our referees go through to the MASL floors under the leadership of our VP of Competition and Referees, John Snyder," Crouch said. This also supports the idea that our league is doing its job, our games are more than entertaining, and our players and referees contribute to the highest level of indoor play. "

Photo courtesy of Photography By Lee https://photographybylee.smugmug.com/Soccer-/Tacoma-Stars

About the Tacoma Stars

The Tacoma Stars are a Major Arena Soccer League professional soccer club. The indoor club plays at ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington. Check out tacomastars.com for more info.

Nick Cashmere of the Bellingham United FC had a season with Tacoma Stars pro team.

About the WISL

The Western Indoor Soccer League (WISL) is a semi-professional indoor soccer league. It was founded in 2014 by a group of arena/team owners in the Pacific Northwest. The league started with five clubs and now features nine clubs from Bellingham to Vancouver, Washington; for more, visit http://www.wisl.soccershift.com/. I

cershift.com/.

WISL VP of Competition and Officials John Snyder pictured here has done many MASL pro games and helped many local officials to the pro floors via WISL experience. Photo courtesy of the Tacoma Stars.