Ohio Valley Ironmen Announce Tryouts | News, Sports, Vacancies

WHEELING — Want to become a professional football player?

The Ohio Valley Ironmen, a new member of the International Soccer Alliance, announced their first tryout. It will be held on Sunday, November 24th at Shadyside High School’s Fleming Field from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Gates will open at noon. The cost is $100 for pre-registered leads and $125 (cash only) for leads.

The Ironmen will begin play on June 7, 2025 in Baltimore under general manager and head coach Manny Matsakis. The first home game will be on Saturday, June 14th when San Antonio visits.

Matsakis is a 1984 graduate of Capital University, where he was a three-time first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection. In 1987, he was a member of the Indianapolis Colts. He was most recently the head coach at Defiance College in Ohio and also played at Kansas State (assistant coach); Texas Tech (special teams); Emporia State (head coach) and CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers (running backs).

Other tests are planned in December in New Jersey, Georgia and Florida.

“We caught them everywhere. Our goal is to have good players on the team.”

However, there are a few shortcomings that the former Shadyside player noticed.

“We were recently accepted into the league” – Matsakis said. “There’s still a lot going on.”

He compared the franchise to the Washington Wild Things baseball team.

“It’s like the minor leagues of professional football. We’re kind of like a AAA baseball team. You have the NFL, the CFL and the IFA.”

The Ironmen became the seventh team to join the league. Other teams include the Dallas Pioneros; San Antonio Caballeros; Baltimore Lightning; uprising in Chihuahua (Mexico); “Tampa Tornado”; and the Alabama Beavers (Huntsville).

The league will begin in 2025 and is an 11-player outdoor soccer league.

“We are still in the process of acquiring the training ground, which will also be our home ground and stadium. We should like it and meet our needs.” – Matsakis emphasized. “I have contacted several schools in the area that have turf fields.”

He said they are looking at about five locations in the region.

“The last thing I want is for us to have to go to the Youngstown or Pittsburgh areas to find a place to play.” he added. “We’re going to attract a lot of business. It’s a win-win for the region.”

He explained that there is a time frame.

“The first IFA will take place March 21-22, 2025 at the Westin Hotel in Huntsville, Alabama.

The draft will last eight rounds in total, with rounds 1-3 focusing exclusively on foreign nationals and dual citizens. Rounds 4–8 will focus on US citizens born in the US.

Rounds 1–3 will take place on March 21, rounds 4–8 on March 22.

Each team will select from a pool of players compiled by the IFA’s player personnel department. The draft pool will include recent college graduates and professional players who have accepted an invitation to the draft pool, as well as those with experience in other professional soccer leagues.

Each team must have five international players.

“I’ve had guys call me who played in the NFL and want to try to get back there.” – Matsakis said. “There is a pool of over 500 players who have entered the IFA draft pool. We will find players.”

Matsakis said the best choice would likely be a defenseman, but that wasn’t a requirement.

“Obviously you want a quarterback who can throw. Our offense will be more of a run and gun style of play. It will be wide open.” he described. “We’ll sign two defensemen, maybe a veteran and a young guy who wants to step up. If we could find a local guy, that would be great.”

As for the coaching staff, the game will be determined by the aggressive Matsakis.

“Some of these league teams will have 10 coaches on their staff.” – he said. “Take Dallas, their head coach is Art Briles (formerly at Baylor) and their defensive coordinator is Todd Graham, who was the head coach at Pitt.

“In fact, coaches will be the last position I hire.” Matsakis added.

The IFA’s mission is clear.

“We are closing the gap in international professional soccer by bringing the highest level of American soccer to strategic locations in Mexico and the United States. We are implementing standard playing rules based on the NFL and creating a true international alliance.” The league reports this on its website. “Together with our team owners, teams, players and fans, we will work to create a unified and strong soccer ecosystem to grow American soccer in a league without borders.

IFA games on the pitch will be fast-paced, entertaining and fan-friendly. To do this, we attract professional coaches who have coached professional football at a high level. NFL, CFL, XFL and USFL,– the message says. “(Now UFL) Legendary coaches who lead, mentor and provide the professional environment and environment that fans and players deserve.”

“I compare what we’re trying to do to the Green Bay Packers.” Matsakis continued. “Small market with a passionate fan base. That’s the idea.”

He said the team has four home games scheduled, with three on Saturday night and the other on Sunday as the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Game is this Saturday.

Matsakis was also pleased to announce a meeting on Monday, November 18th at Generations in Wheeling. It will start at 7pm and IFA President Jason Adams will be in attendance.

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