DANDY DEBUT

To kick off its inaugural season in the Major Indoor Soccer League, the Syracuse Silver Knights hosted the Rochester Lancers in the first version of the Interstate 90 Exchange at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Nov. 4.

And you could tell from the electric atmosphere that these two teams are going to be battling for a long time to come. It took a late rally by Syracuse to come out with a 16-15 victory, a thrilling one that surely will keep fans coming back for more.

Opening night was, by many accounts, a smashing success for the Silver Knights, who had to delay the start of the game because a bevy of ticketless fans showed up at the box office right when the game was scheduled to start. In total, 3,670 fans—mainly young children with their parents in tow—came out to support the newest pro sports franchise in Syracuse.

The fan-friendliness the Silver Knights hope continues throughout the season began before the game even started. As the kickoff to what team management hopes will be a lasting relationship with local youth soccer, the Silver Knights had a handful of children from local leagues come onto the field and do a pregame run around the turf.

“We wanted to build a friendship with the local leagues,” Tommy Tanner, team president and head coach, said prior to the game. “If they like it enough, maybe they’ll aspire to be a Silver Knight one day.”

Then, the lights dimmed and it was time to introduce “your Silver Knights.” As each player from the starting lineup’s name was announced, said player sprinted out, giving high-fives to the youngsters while charging to the center of the field. The smiles on the children’s faces told the entire story: They were having the time of their lives.

“It was awesome,” said 6-year-old Jason Klein of Syracuse, who watched the ceremony from the stands. “I wish I could have been on the field doing that.” Asked if he wants to see more Silver Knights games, Klein responded: “I want to come see every one. {The players} are so good and fast and I can’t wait until the next game.”

It didn’t take very long for the team to give its fans something for which to cheer. Just 16 frenetic seconds in, Syracuse forward Andriy Budnyy scored from the right side, sending the crowd into a frenzy, while delivering a message to the MISL veteran Lancers: The Silver Knights are for real.

An indoor soccer field is set up like a stretched-out basketball court, complete with a 3-point line. At each end are the nets, set back from the field of play. Much like hockey, clear boards envelop the field; indeed, the style of indoor mashes the physicality and speed of hockey with the motion and athleticism of basketball.

If you picture a traditional outdoor soccer match, you think of its slow pace and tactical game plan. Indoor soccer couldn’t be any more different, with players substituting in and out in 30- to 60-second intervals. The hope is to outsprint, outhustle and outperform your opponent.

Forward Diego Serna, brought in by Knights brass because of his years of experience in Major League Soccer, seemed to bring the element of surprise. He rotated in when the Knights were on offense, hoping his quick strikes and one-touch passes would catch the Lancers offguard. It worked, as the veteran footed one in to bring the Silver Knights within one point late in the game. Moments later, Danny Hughes’ goal would cap the Knights’ late rally.

What made the game even more special, though, was the Lancers’ fan club to the right of the VIP section. The fans were waving flags, starting faint chants and making a lot of noise any time Rochester did anything special. Aside from a solid stretch from the Lancers in the second quarter, the fan club was drowned out by the Syracuse faithful’s incessant cheering. On the Syracuse side, fans clapped, jeered and jabbed. Rochester goalkeeper Leonardo Tillemont was on the receiving end of the home fans’ “Leeeoooo” taunts, which all seemed to be in good fun.

There is little doubt the Silver Knights’ opener left a lasting impression on all in attendance on an autumn Friday evening. And if the team can continue to play at the level displayed in the opener, the Silver Knights will provide yet another diversion from the long winter to come.

—Neil Benjamin Jr.