Shane Kelly seemed to know everyone.

He had contacts everywhere in the Philadelphia soccer scene. He knew the people who ran those fields in the northeast just as he knew the guys in the southwest. Shane had a foot in so many sports teams and leagues in Philadelphia that I sometimes wondered how he had enough feet left to play soccer in the Casa Soccer League, where he was commissioner of the league’s top division. If you needed something done, he knew who to go to. He was like a walking, talking Rolodex of names, and every one of them seemed to like him.

The fact that Shane is dead today seems so utterly wrong.

We’ve been quiet here on the Philly Soccer Page about Shane since he was killed on Nov. 13 in Fishtown. Some guys were still absorbing it. Some didn’t want to think about it. Some just didn’t know.

The reality is it’s much easier to write about a murder when the victim wasn’t a friend.

A key figure in the Philly soccer scene

I met Shane in early 2010 when his soccer team, AOH 61, joined Casa, the biggest adult amateur league in the Delaware Valley. The first meeting was pretty simple, a straightforward reply to my March 2010 email asking new team captains what division they thought their team belonged in. (I was commissioner of Casa’s two lower divisions at the time.) Shane said they should start in the lowest division because, despite having a lot of “talented players”, most were “out of shape.” I chuckle looking back on that, considering they’ve won promotion every season since then and now play in the Casa’s top division.

A month later, we put an ad up looking for my replacement, because I was becoming league vice president after then-president Eric Wirth moved to Virginia and Ryan Pine moved up from VP to replace him. Shane responded. We met in person soon after at the Pennypack Park fields, and it became pretty clear right away Shane was exactly the type of guy we wanted. Straight shooter, good sense of humor, understood the game, understood people. I vouched for him to Casa’s board, everyone liked him, and we snatched him up. He’d just joined the league, but we saw right away he was someone you wanted on your team. A season later, he rose to become the Primera division commissioner, which he ran until he died.

He turned out to be integral to making significant changes in the league, as 2010 proved to be a year of flux. Casa expanded to 46 teams, revamped its playoff model, expanded its division sizes, launched a winter league, and found new fields. As we talked about how to pull these ideas off, Shane was a key voice explaining what our options were in terms of fields and pointing to people he knew who could help. He tapped his connections at the Ancient Order of Hibernians to get us meeting space for our league board meetings and captains’ meetings. (He even said he could get us a keg at our captains’ meetings, but when we thought about how some of our captains got along, the idea of getting them drunk didn’t seem so smart — but it was funny as hell.) And he floated some really good ideas that haven’t yet become realized but might some day. Bottom line, he was key.

For me personally, he was a sounding board, much as I was for him. We spent a surprising amount of time bouncing ideas off each other — surprising because we hadn’t known each other long, and he initiated it — but it was easy enough because each of us shot from the hip, with the words passing from our brains to our mouths before they got the benefit of a filter. I liked that about Shane. He was real. And he was a leader.

What might have been

Had Shane lived, he likely would have been a core part of the Philly soccer scene for years to come. He might have become Casa’s president. He probably would’ve continued to connect disparate people who knew and loved the sport, finding new ways to advance the game in a city where, despite Philadelphia Union’s presence down I-95, government has not adequately supported the game with decent fields. He’d have done plenty more worthwhile things that had nothing to do with soccer.

And he probably would’ve had a pint of Guinness with you and chuckled as he told some funny story from the fields at Pennypack.

I’m sitting here looking at my cell phone, tempted to dial Shane’s number, just because it’s there in my contact list. I still have text messages and emails from him that I never bothered to delete. Maybe I could reply. But he won’t answer, so what’s the point? It’s too late. You meet all sorts of people in life, and as the days and years pass, the faces and voices become fleeting images in the whirlwind of time. As you get older, you realize you lose touch with people you wish you’d kept up with, or you have friends you never fully appreciated until they were gone.

Casa is renaming its league championship the “Kelly Cup” after Shane, and teams remembered him with a moment of silence before games this past weekend. His teammates on AOH 61 played and won 2-1, some with Shane’s name written on their cleats. Class acts, on all sides.

But honestly, we’d all just rather have Shane back. He was only 27 years old.

Coming up this Sunday will be the 1st round of the Men’s Amateur Cup, and the Women‘s Cup Championship Match.  The real meat of the schedule starts in November, with four Open Cup matches slated for Nov. 4, and 8 Amateur Cup matches on Nov. 13.  In New Jersey, all of the Cups are starting Nov. 30, but there is only one match in the Philly area this week.

State Cups Schedule  – 30 Oct 2011

Pennsylvania Women’s Cup Final  (2:00pm)

VE / UGH Fury – at Vereinigung Erzegebirge, 130 Davisville Road, Warminster PA 18974

NJ Womens State Cup – 1st Round  (2:30pm)

Phila Flames SC / Jersey Shore Boca – at Whomsley Field, American Legion & River Drs, Riverside NJ

Pennsylvania Men’s Amateur Cup 1st Round  (2:00pm)

Salone FC / Mayfair Ultra – at 74th & Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia

Real Hamburg / Plymouth Ultra – at NSC Airport, Hamburg PA

United Soccer League Schedule – 30 Oct 2011

Womens Major  (12:00pm)

Phoenix United / UGH Dragons – at Phoenix Sport Club, 341 W Bristol Road, Feasterville PA

Mens Major  (2:30pm)

Ukrainian Nationals / West Chester United – at Ukrainian Club, County Line & Lower State Rds, Horsham

UGH Ultra / VE Majors – at UGH Club, 4666 E Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053

Danubia / FC Sports – at Danubia Club, Southampton Road & Kovats St, Philadelphia PA

Phoenix SC / UGH Majors – at Phoenix Sport Club, 341 W Bristol Road, Feasterville PA

State Cups Results – 23 Oct 2011

Pennsylvania Women’s Cup

UGH Fury   2 – 0   Senza Nome

Pennsylvania Men’s Open Cup 1st Round

Ukrainian Nationals   2 – 0   Quakertown FC

West Chester o-30    1 – 0   Junior Lone Star

UGH Majors   3 – 1   VE Majors

United Soccer League Results – 23 Oct 2011

Men’s Major Division    (Standings)

West Chester United   6 – 3    Philadelphia Portuguese Club

Phoenix SC   7 – 0    Danubia

FC Sports    4   –   0    UGH Ultra

Women’s Major Division (Standings)

UGH Dragons   2 – 2   Ukrainian Nationals

Phoenix United   2 – 0   VE

USL of PA & State Cups Schedule – 30 October 2011 (Home Team listed First)

Women’s Majors  (12:00pm)

UGH Dragons / Ukrainian Nationals – at UGH Club, 4666 E Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053

VE / Phoenix United – at Vereinigung Erzegebirge, 130 Davisville Road, Warminster PA 18974

Men’s Majors  (2:30pm)

Phoenix SC / Danubia – at Phoenix Sport Club, 341 W Bristol Road, Feasterville PA

FC Sports / UGH Ultra – at Robert Urban Memorial Fields, 701 Harvey Road, Wallingford PA 19086

Pennsylvania Women’s Cup  (3:00pm)

Senza Nome / UGH Fury – at Coopertown Elementary School, 800 Coopertown Road, Bryn Mawr PA

Pennsylvania Men’s Open Cup  (2:00pm)

Ukrainian Nationals / Quakertown SC – at Ukrainian Club, County Line & Lower State Rds, Horsham PA

West Chester O-30 / Jr Lone Star – Field T.B.A.

UGH Majors / VE Majors – at UGH Club, 4666 E Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053

USL of PA RESULTS – 16 October 2011

Men’s Major Division    (Standings)

UGH Majors   2   –   0   UGH Ultra

VE Majors  5 – 0  Danubia

West Chester United  4 – 3  FC Sports

WCU – Dom Popolizio (2), Chris King, Pete Pittaoulis, gk-Travis Chulick

Women’s Major Division (Standings)

UGH Fury  3 – 0  Ukrainian Nationals

UGH Dragons  3  -  1  VE

Phoenix United   1 – 0   Philadelphia Flames SC

Men’s Major Division    (Standings)

UGH Majors   1   –   1   Ukrainian Nationals

Phoenix Sport Club  6 – 0  Philadelphia Portuguese Club

UGH Ultra  1 – 0  Danubia

West Chester United  0 – 0  VE Majors

WCU – Travis Chulick  (gk)

Women’s Major Division (Standings)

UGH Fury  5 – 0  VE

UGH Dragons  3 – 1  Phoenix United

Philadelphia Flames SC   4 – 1   Ukrainian Nationals

Flames – Liz Arnold (2), Amie Canning, Jamie Gatti, gk – Renata Dukat

Upcoming Matches

Sunday, October 2, 2011, 12:00pm

Ukrainian Nationals / VE – at Ukrainian Club, County Line Rd at Lower State Rd, Horsham PA

UGH Fury / Phoenix United – at UGH Club, 4666 E Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053

UGH Dragons / Phila Flames SC – at UGH Club, 4666 E Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053

Sunday, October 2, 2011, 2:30pm

Danubia / Ukrainian Nationals – at Danubia Club, Southampton Rd & Kovats St, Philadelphia, PA

West Chester United / Phoenix Sport Club -at DeLacy Soccer Complex, 500 S Creek Rd, West Chester PA

UGH Majors / FC Sports – at UGH Club, 4666 E Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053

Phila Portuguese / VE Majors – at Pennypack on the Delaware, 7800 State Road, Philadelphia PA

Men’s Major Division    (Standings)

Ukrainian Nationals  3 – 0  Spirit United

Women’s Major Division    (Standings)

UGH Dragons  3 – 2  Phoenix United

VE Women   2 – 1  Philadelphia Flames SC

Flames – Sarah Schaffer, gk – Renata Dukat

Phoenix United  1 – 0  UGH Fury

Upcoming Matches

Tuesday, May 24,  8:00pm kickoff

VE Majors / Danubia White Storks – at VE Club, 150 Davisville Road, Warminster PA 18974

UGH Ultra / Spirit United – at UGH Club, 4666 E Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053

A second half Adaie Amankwaah strike led Philly United over West Philly FC. The win leaves Philly United 2 points out of first. Franklin FC had a much easier time with an undermanned Philly Soccer Firm. Marek Dudziak put in a pair during a 7-0 win. John Kirchenbauer had the winner and was Man of the Match for Stoney as they dropped a three spot on Drinker’s Pub. Nittany United got strikes from five different players in the only non-shutout match in Primera. Real Optimus played with ten after a red card and only mustered a lone goal. Division leaders Cracovia had no trouble with NewPhillyUnited, putting four past the relegation threatened squad in a card-filled showdown.

Segunda

AC Milan piled on a struggling Cannons side with a 3-1 win. John Kightlinger was the two-goal hero for Mt. Laurel as they dropped Philadelphia Athletic back into the loss column in 4-2 fashion. Man of the Match Dan Foley led FC Bucks past Bayern Makefield in a tight 3-2 affair. It took a brace from Mike Rio to lift Quaker City past Wayne Iverson and Lot Lizards. It wasn’t as close when AOH61 dropped Grey Lodge 4-2. John Gallagher logged a double for the winners.

Tercera

Gart Buck knocked a couple in but it wasn’t enough to push It’s Always Sunny FC beyond the offensive clutches of Spruce Goose. The 3-3 score suggests a wide open affair. Revolution 76 scored three as well but FC Spartans could not match them for output and a 3-0 game. Erjon Kosta marked his return to the scoresheet with a brace to lead United Nations over Tacony 4-1. A much tighter affair between Sons of Ben Zolo and Loose Cannons was only settled by a Sean Reichart goal for LC.

Abierto

Joe Decree was the most furious of all the Balls of Fury, and his brace earned them a big win over FC Kilbanes, 4-2. Short three players, Sons of Ben Independence put up a good fight despite being down three men. Tir Na Nog pulled through, however, and left with a 3-1 win. Justin Bartolucci had a goal and a card for PPR in a shutout over Casa United.

Primera

Nittany United were aiming to take down defending champs Cracovia. It would be a daunting task on any day, but with Eryk Tylek in fine form it is nary impossible. Tylek had the lone goal (and a yellow card) as Cracovia held off the challengers. Ted Colberg put the finishing touches on a 3-0 Franklin FC victory over NewPhillyUnited. Real Optimus dropped Philly Soccer Firm by the same scoreline, with Firm’s captain picking up a red card for presumptively jolly dissent. Geoffrey Long was man of the match for Philly United in a 5-1 trouncing of Drinker’s United and West Philly easily handled an undermanned Stoney side.

Segunda

Offensive fireworks for Lot Lizards as five different players scored in a shutout rout over Bayern Makefield. In an ugly match featuring two ejections, Philadelphia Athletic slid past Quaker City 2-0. Jon Cohan and Joe McConnell scored for Bluestars but Paul Carman and Dan Damico evened things up for Grey Lodge. Copabanana needed a brace from Matthew Wienclawski to sneak by AC Milan. Mike Nielsen also had two for FC Bucks, and it was just enough to push them beyond Cannons FC. It wasn’t as close when AOH61 met Mt. Laurel. Led by Mike Donahue, AOH put five past the newly promoted side.

Tercera

Seamus Scanlan’s man of the match performance (along with a pair of goals) guided Loose Cannons on the road to victory over Tacony Soccer Club. United Nations got all three points thanks to Koco Papa’s game winner over United FC. The win kept UN tied with league leaders Park Towne United. Speaking of PTU, they cruised to their fourth win of the season and remained perfect defensively. Revolving United didn’t need much defense to roll over FC Spartans. Six goals usually does the trick. Defenses were stingier when SoB Zolo and Revolution 76 met, the 1-1 tie doing justice to both teams. Youngmin Yoon had the winner for It’s Always Sunny. The win was a big one as it pulled Always Sunny out of the drop zone.

Abierto

Sons of Ben Independence weren’t as strong as Zolo. Or maybe Celtic was just on their game. No matter the reason, the Irish walked away with three points. Tim McGonigle was the star man for Philly PD FC. His brace was just enough to keep FC Kilbanes down. Brian Toll rounded out a five star performance for The Incredibles. For Tir Na Nog, the loss leaves them hovering just above the drop zone.

There is a forty percent chance of rain this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed that the weather holds so the run of good games can continue!

Primera

West Philly and Nittany United were first on the Parkwood pitch. After a tight, tense 80 minutes, West Philly broke through on a diving header by Jorge Montoy. Mike D’Antonio closed it out moments later, finishing a good run and dish from Yusef Morant. Brian Staub and Russ Kalbach provided the offense for Real Optimus as they shut out Philly United. Cracovia was having none of this two-goal nonsense. Eryk Tylek and company put five past Drinker’s in a virtuoso display. Brian Keenan, Jeremy Kolpak and Doug Paul also got in on the goalscoring action.

Segunda

Mike Donahue had the only tally for AOH61 as they snuck by Cannons. The win puts AOH even on the year at 1-1-1. Cannons drops to 1-0-2. Both teams are even for goal differential so far. Four cautions couldn’t separate Mt. Laurel and Grey Lodge as both teams walked away with a point. Paul Carman drilled one home for Grey Lodge but Ben Werbos of the clan Werbos evened the tie. A Remy Gebleux hat trick gave Copabanana an easy win over Quaker City. Jeff Prigge was able to pull one back for QC but it wasn’t enough to earn points. The win keeps the Purple Bananas on top of the table. It was Wayne’s World at Pennypack when Lot Lizards took on AC Milan. Wayne Iverson scored the winner for the Lizards and Jeremy Samet provided an insurance goal. AC Milan is still looking for a goal after three weeks of throwing up eggs. And finally, Tom Nevinger used every trick in his bag to carry Bayern Makefield past Bluestars FC. Chris Fariss’s goal was in vain as Bluestars suffered their first loss. Makefield will look to build on this win this Saturday against AOH at 1:10pm.

Tercera

The #8s exchanged goals before #18 Sushaan Modi stole the points for It’s Always Sunny FC. Dan Gajdamowicz’s strike couldn’t was for naught as Rev76 lost their second game of the year. It wasn’t as close when United Nations took on Revolving United. Sean Griffin earned a ballcap salute and Revolving’s offense never got out of neutral in a 5-0 thrashing. A ten-man Spruce Goose scraped together a victory over Tri-County United. Andrew Cole had the winner for the Geese. The rout was on for Park Towne United as they took advantage of a red card against Loose Cannons to stay undefeated on the year.

The weather looks threatening this weekend. With no Union on the schedule, Casa could be the only game in town if Mother Nature will cooperate. We have to get a full week of games in soon, right? Right!?

Note: Several matches were postponed Sunday due to unplayable fields caused by the overnight rain.

Men’s Major Division    (Standings)

Danubia Gunners   1   –   1   Ukrainian Nationals

Phoenix Sport Club  2 – 0  Danubia White Storks

Phoenix – Frebole Kamara, Danny Murtagh

Women’s Major Division (Standings)

Philadelphia Flames SC   3 – 0   UGH Fury

Flames – Renata Dukat, Kia Bowles, Katlyn Pagaduan, gk – Lauren Perkins

Upcoming Matches

Tuesday, April 19,  8:00pm kickoff

Danubia Gunners / UGH Ultra – at Lighthouse Fields, 2682 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA, 19116

UGH Majors / VE Majors – at UGH Club, 4666 E Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053

Thursday, April 21, 8:00pm kickoff

Danubia White Storks / FC Sports – at Lighthouse Fields, 2682 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA, 19116

Phoenix Sports Club / Ukrainian Nationals – at Phoenix SC, 341 W Bristol Road, Feasterville, PA 19053

Sunday, April 24

No matches scheduled

Wednesday, April 27, 7:30pm kickoff

UGH Fury / Phila Flames SC – at UGH Club, 4666 E Bristol Road, Oakford PA 19053