Brophy, Marcos set to replay 1990 Arizona state final

04/06/10

By: Sheldon Shealer at ESPN.com

It took 20 years, but Brian Wendel may have just scored his greatest goal for Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) soccer.

Wendel, a 36-year-old New York resident and brainchild behind a campaign to replay the Brophy vs. Marcos de Niza (Tempe, Ariz.) 1990 Arizona Class 5A state final that ended in a scoreless draw, confirmed that a Gatorade-sponsored replay will take place May 8 in Phoenix.

“This campaign is evidence that anything is possible, and for me, it’s been a big dream to replay the 1990 state championship,” said Wendel, who was a sophomore left defender on that 1990 Brophy squad.

The 1990 final is considered by many in the Arizona soccer community as the greatest collection of high school talent on the field at one time. The match featured 10 college-bound players, six of whom went on to professional soccer careers, including former U.S. national team defender Greg Vanney and former MLS keeper Scott Garlick.

All 36 players from those teams will gather May 8 at Brophy Sports Complex for a 7 p.m. replay of that final, which will be aired on Fox Sports-Arizona. The game serves as the first event in the recently constructed Brophy Sports Complex.

Wendel originally pitched the idea of a Marcos-Brophy reunion for the Gatorade Replay series in March 2009. In February 2010, Gatorade announced that Replay 2 was going to feature hockey teams from Detroit replaying a 1999 match. A week later, however, Gatorade officials contacted Wendel to let him know that a Brophy-Marcos rematch would be part of the Gatorade Replay League.

“As disappointing as it was not to be picked [for Replay 2], I was delighted a week later when Gatorade sent an e-mail,” Wendel said. “My life flipped 180 degrees.”

Wendel said prior to the Gatorade announcement of Replay 2, Marcos and Brophy players agreed to replay the contest, anyway. With Gatorade’s sponsorship, he added, it takes the event to a higher level. Both teams will wear vintage uniforms from 1990 made by Nike.

Many of the 36 players – 18 on each side – involved in that state final are now scattered around the country. Wendel said players will be traveling from as far away as Tampa, Fla., New York and Washington, D.C. Wendel added that he has not seen many of his 1990 high school teammates in nearly 20 years.

For the individuals still residing in Arizona, Brophy and Marcos is holding “boot camp” three days a week to get players in shape for the event.

Beat the Pro vs. Greg Vanney

Ball Control competition that took place at the 2009 DA Winter Showcase.

Vanney Back to His Alma Mater

East Valley Tribune (AZ)

November 3rd, 2009, 1:07 pm · by Mark Heller

Tempe Marcos de Niza ushered in a familiar face (and a blast from the past) this week when the Padres hired Greg Vanney as their boys soccer coach.

Vanney, 35, was an all-state player who led the Padres to state championships in 1990 (a tie with Phoenix Brophy), 1991 and 1992.

He went on to play at UCLA and was drafted in 1996 by the L.A. Galaxy of the Major League Soccer.

He played professionally in L.A., as well as Europe and was part of the U.S. National team from 1997-2005 in which he participated in two World Cups.

Vanney also founded the Arizona Futbol Club (AZFC), a youth soccer club program in the Valley.

Derick Brownell’s (Brophy ’92) Pro Profile

Would like to share with everyone Derick Brownell’s (Brophy ’92) professional profile … Derick and Greg Vanney played on the same club team, but squared up against one another in HS and college (Santa Clara and UCLA, respectively) … we’re all hoping for one more opportunity to get back on the field!

http://www.charlestonbattery.com/1999/Profiles/Brownell.htm

Greg Vanney’s (Marcos ’92) Last Pro Game

We are pleased to share with everyone a clip from Greg Vanney’s (’92 Marcos) last professional game.

Vanney has always been a class-act and he had a stellar professional career.

Most importantly, Greg was very receptive and open to this potential REPLAY game when we first discussed the concept of the Gatorade campaign.

Thanks Greg!

REPLAY: Our Submission to Gatorade

Dear Gatorade,

Over the past few weeks I have spoken with [XXXXX] re: the REPLAY campaign. I am writing today on behalf of the Brophy Broncos and Marcos de Niza Padres because both teams are beyond impressed with the REPLAY program, and we’d like to share our story for consideration.

Our teams played to a scoreless tie in the 1990 Arizona 5A State Soccer Final. At the time, a shootout wasn’t permitted and the teams were crowned “Co-Champions.” The rule has since been changed and “Co-Champions” is a thing of the past — thank goodness.

So, what does a potential REPLAY of the 5A State Soccer Final mean to Gatorade, you ask?

First, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the premiere soccer players from Metro Phoenix to truly settle an old score – once and for all. But more importantly, it is an opportunity for these men who have become today’s community leaders to give back to their families, schools, neighborhoods, youth soccer clubs and everyone else who helped to shape and mold them along the way as they have gone on to become successful men, fathers and community leaders.

Today, these players continue to serve as ambassadors for the game of soccer, their schools and the towns where they grew up and many still live. Some are doctors, lawyers, lobbyists, entrepreneurs, Wall St. traders and retired professional athletes; but there is one thing more than anything that both squads want to add to their list of accomplishments:

To become a Gatorade REPLAY campaign ambassador!

The ’90 State Soccer Final featured the two best schools, in Arizona. This was the match-up everyone was secretly hoping for and the day finally arrived on Saturday, February 10, 1990.  This rivalry features the best players in Arizona, and both teams were stacked top-to-bottom with the Gatorade Player-of-the-Year, All-America, All-State, All-Conference and standout club players on both rosters. The stakes were high – and the game was on!

Typically, when two trains are heading toward one another at breakneck speed you want to turn away and not look. For 80 minutes of regulation play, and 20 minutes of double-overtime, the crowd couldn’t take their eyes off the field for one second as the non-stop action swung back and forth all afternoon on the pitch.

It was an epic showdown, although if you ask Marcos they will tell you they scored a “controversial goal” that was called back. The linesmen ruled “no goal” and the second overtime ensued. At the conclusion of 100 minutes of consecutive play, the score remained “0-0 ” and rather than having a shootout (penalty kicks) to determine an undisputed winner the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) declared Brophy and Marcos “Co-Champions.”

To this day (some 19 years later), it is a sensitive and very sore topic for players, parents, families and classmates on both squads to discuss. The rivalry is as fierce today as it was in February 1990.

The score needs to be settled once and for all, and this time NO TIE is allowed!!

In response to the upcoming Easton vs. Phillipsburg REPLAY, both teams have chosen to re-assemble their ’90 squad and petition Gatorade to REPLAY the ’90 Arizona State Soccer Final. We have successfully re-assembled players from the original rosters (36 players in total) and we’re working together to make this happen.

The opportunity to square up against our fiercest opponent is a dream come true for both teams — please Gatorade, help our dream become a reality.

The potential opportunity to REPLAY our nemesis has been the greatest experience as players, classmates, school administrators and the community is abuzz about the mere “idea” of a potential re-match. Furthermore, local media is clamoring to write about this if/when Gatorade selects us for a REPLAY.

To show our unity, enthusiasm and support for the REPLAY campaign we have created a 1990 REPLAY Blog (https://1990replay.wordpress.com) and online petition to demonstrate our community support and unity.

• The players want this;
• The parents and families want this;
• The schools and classmates want this;
• And soccer fans across Arizona want to see this epic showdown occur one more time!

As you consider other RELAY matches, I urge you to play close attention to the Brophy-Marcos blog and petition. We are organized, motivated and have a groundswell of support at the local, regional and national level.

Most importantly, we can successfully deliver a REPLAY match that will garner tremendous community support and goodwill for all involved with the Gatorade campaign.

A Brophy vs. Marcos REPLAY represents thousands of new friends and fans Gatorade hasn’t met yet!!!!

I am anxiously awaiting your reply and look forward to speaking with you soon – let’s do this!

Yours in sport, competition and soccer,

Brian Wendel

Brophy ‘92

East Valley Tribune: ’90 soccer co-champs hoping for a Replay

By Mark Heller, Tribune

Let the controversy continue.

They’ve all seen the video, whether it was on a VHS tape player stuffed into the back of a closet, or on YouTube.

Goal. Or no goal.

Whether former Tempe Marcos de Niza’s Steve Service’s header crossed the line during the second overtime of the 1990 boys 5A soccer state championship depends on each player’s affiliation, but documented history says it didn’t. And since Arizona Interscholastic Association rules permitted a tie nearly 20 years ago, the result was a split championship between the Padres and Phoenix Brophy.

“I remember walking off the field saying, ‘OK who’s going to take the penalty kicks?’ Then it was over,” said Jimmy Deutsch, then a Brophy junior who currently coaches club soccer in the Valley. “I didn’t even know that was the rule. It was weird to be a co-champion, very anticlimatic.”

The official history books can’t be revised, but there could be a reenactment.

Brian Wendel was a sophomore at Brophy in 1990 who currently lives in New York. In February he caught wind that Gatorade was sponsoring a program in which past high school championships could be replayed after the fact.

Wendel went to work. He stayed in touch with a few former teammates and opponents through the years, and through e-mails, phone calls and Facebook, tracked down nearly everyone else.

Wendel started a Web site (https://1990replay.wordpress.com) and sent in a 200-word proposal to the Gatorade Replay program to be considered. Though the proposal is among a handful of national scenarios still in the running, a decision won’t be made by the Replay program for a couple more weeks.

If chosen, the match would likely take place in Arizona next fall, and each school would receive $10,000.

Wendel reconstructed the Brophy roster, while former MLS standout Greg Vanney and Morgan Lee helped organize the Marcos de Niza side. So far, 36 players between the two schools have verbally agreed to play.

“It’s pretty funny how it’s picking up steam,” former Padre Scott Hileman said. “(Wendel) came out of nowhere a few weeks ago, now I’m getting e-mails from guys back then I haven’t heard from.”

Some guys still live in the Valley. Others live 2,000 miles (or more) away. Some still play in recreational soccer leagues, a few are coaches. They are lawyers, real estate brokers, firefighters, partners in a steakhouse, doctors and the Scottsdale Saguaro baseball coach (Ryan Dyer).

The two teams had a combined 10 players who went on to Division I colleges and six played professionally, yet it was the only state title tie in Arizona high school soccer history.

“I was extremely irritated because we scored,” Vanney said. “I’ve seen video, all of it.

“We won (state titles) for the next two years, and there’s college, pro and MLS, but a lot of guys’ high school careers is what they remember most.”

Subplots go beyond the talent level and a strange championship ending. Brophy’s Scott Garlick lives 15 minutes away from Hileman in Tampa, Fla. Both work in commercial real estate and met their wives in Tampa.

Garlick and Vanney were roommates when they played together in the MLS with Dallas. Vanney and former Padres teammate Kenny Wright also have a stake in local club soccer and the Competitive Athletes Training Zone in Chandler.

Former Brophy assistant John Kelly later became an agent for players from both schools. If the Replay game happens, he will coach Brophy because former Broncos coach Paul Micheletti passed away in 1991.

There are at least a half-dozen more intra- and inter-team connections.

“I think it’d be hard-pressed to find another tie with the subplots we do,” Garlick said.

Brophy and Marcos played each other again for the 1991 state championship, which Marcos won 4-2 after spotting the Broncos a 2-0 lead at intermission.

Even that doesn’t inspire trash-talking and angst like the 1990 match.

With players now in their mid-to-late 30s, it won’t be as pretty to watch as the glory days. But most of these two rosters can still play, or believe they can rouse themselves into reasonable soccer shape in time.

This won’t end a debate, but it would make for a classic reunion of talent and friendship, and, for two hours, resurrect a once-bitter finale.

“You can’t change the result or history, but you can win the verbal battle,” Vanney joked. “Someone has to come out on top. We run into one another, so who has the upper hand in social discussions is what matters.”

ESPN.com: Brophy, Marcos out to replay 1990 final

By Sheldon Shealer
ESPNRISE.com

Steve Service’s header midway through the second overtime session hit the crossbar, ricocheted down toward the goal line, and this is where the controversy starts.

Service, then a senior at Marcos de Niza (Tempe, Ariz.), told reporters at the time “It was in, everybody saw it.” Robert Kaczmarczyk, the Brophy College Prep (Phoenix) keeper that day, stands by his statement, saying recently: “I had the best view; it wasn’t a goal.”

Nineteen years has elapsed and that play remains the center of conversation surrounding the 1990 Arizona Class 5A boys’ soccer state final that ended in a scoreless draw between Marcos de Niza and Brophy Prep. Observers consider the match to be the greatest collection of high school soccer talent on one field in Arizona history.

The starting lineups that day included no fewer than 10 college-bound players, including six who went on to professional soccer careers, most notably former U.S. national team defender Greg Vanney of Marcos and former MLS keeper Scott Garlick of Brophy.

Now Brian Wendel, then a sophomore on that Brophy squad, wants the teams to reconvene to replay the championship match that was never settled, and he’s not alone. As of Friday, 32 players from the squads — including Garlick and Vanney — have verbally committed to replaying that Feb. 10, 1990 match if selected for the Gatorade Replay, a program designed to have participants of past high school contests play the contest over years after the fact.

Once learning about the Gatorade Replay, Wendel used Facebook to reconnect with his former Brophy teammates to rally support. He then contacted Vanney, whom he competed against in high school and club soccer. Vanney turned to high school teammate Morgan Lee to gather the Marcos players. Meanwhile, Wendel built a Web site dedicated to the 1990 match and made a pitch to Gatorade to be considered for the next replay.

“It would mean a lot to put that high school jersey on one more time and to relive the greatest moment in our high school career,” said Wendel, who is now 35 and lives in New York. “It was a special time in our lives, and we could share it with our spouses and families and give back to our schools.”

The 1990 final pitted the senior-loaded Brophy squad against an up-and-coming Marcos program that went on to win state titles in 1991 and 1992. Brophy’s lineup that day, in addition to Garlick playing defensive center midfield, included Derick Brownell, who played in the MLS with San Jose, and Milo Iniguez, who played professionally in the World Indoor Soccer League. Scott Hileman, Marcos’ keeper that day, ultimately played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. His Marcos teammates included sophomores Vanney, who was playing forward, Kenny Wright, who later played at UCLA and with the Arizona Thunder indoor team, and Dorian Speed, who played soccer and baseball in college before turning pro in baseball and spending five years in the minor leagues.

“I probably played 1,000 games after that, but I still remember that game,” said the 34-year-old Vanney, who had a 13-year MLS career and spent 1997-2005 as a member of the U.S. national team. He was a sophomore in that 1990 final. “I remember it was an even game, a physical game. Aside from the opportunity we had, there were not a ton of opportunities.”

“A game of that impact doesn’t end in a tie,” said Kaczmarczyk, a 37-year-old Denver resident who still plays in adult leagues. “To play 90 minutes, play overtime, and for it to stay the way it was when the game started was tough to deal with. & [Replaying the match] is going to mean a lot to me. If we win, I’ll be able to sleep at night knowing 20 years later we came through.”

“A lot of people have it in the back of their minds that it didn’t finish the right way,” said Hileman, then Marcos’ senior keeper who is 36 and resides in Tampa, Fla. “I’d like to go play. I want to get out and settle the score.”

Hileman recalls returning to midfield after the second overtime session and being surprised to learn the match was over.

“I was expecting another coin toss, and for us to go to penalty kicks,” he said.

At the time, the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Association used penalty kicks for advancement during the state tournament, but let state finals end in ties. The Brophy-Marcos match marked the first large-school co-championship in Arizona.

The Mesa News, in its match recap, declared: “Both teams will get trophies. Both teams can call themselves state champs. But for both Marcos de Niza and Phoenix Brophy Prep there is an empty feeling.”

That empty feeling apparently lives on today.

John Kelly, who was in graduate school at nearby Arizona State, was Brophy’s assistant coach at the time and later served as an agent for the professional careers of Brownell, Garlick, Iniguez, Speed and Vanney. He has committed to returning to coach the Brophy squad despite his connections to both teams.

“I think for all concerned, there’s a bit of unfinished business,” he said.

marcos de niza padres – ’90 squad