US Players Involved in the Promotion/Relegation Race in Finland's Top 3 Tiers

So lets look at how Finland is shaping up for US Players in respect to Promotion/Relegation

Starting in Veikkausliiga (Top Tier)
We only have one team with an American - Brian Span at Mariehamn.
With 6 matches left - Mariehamn sit in 6th with 40 points. Lahti sit in 3rd the final Europa League spot on 42 points - so with 6 matches left it is certainly possible that Mariehamn can catch them. Their current record (last 5) is 3 wins, 1 draw 1 loss - I guess I would say they need to do their job and get a little luck to qualify for European play. #1 goes to Champions League, #2 & #3 to Europa League

There are no other teams with US Players, so no relegation battle here.

In Ykkonen  (2nd Tier)
There are 4 matches left in the season

Currently TPS lead the division by 3 points for Honka who have GK Tim Murray in 2nd. KPV are 5 points behind Honka. Its a pretty good bet that Honka will finish #1 or 2...#1 is automatic promotion, #2 is a play-off situation with Team 11 of Veikkausliiga (currently HIFK) Both TPS and Honka have won their last 3, while KPV are fading - I guess I would say that Honka gets promoted which ever way the top 2 ends

In the relegation fight GrIFK look doomed - they are 5 points astray at the bottom and the competition over the next few weeks includes Honka and #4 team Haka - Daniel Stevens looks to be playing in Kakkonen next season

Note: Felix De Bona leads the Golden Boot for Ykkonen with 11 goals and Christian Eissele is 3rd with 9 goals)

Kakkonen - 3 Groups (3rd Tier)
The group winners and the best second place team have a chance of winning one of two promotion places to Ykkönen after a four team playoff. The bottom three teams in each group 10, 11 and 12 will be relegated to Kolmonen

Group A
2 Matches left

#1 KTP and #2 PEPO are locked in a great battle for the 1 spot.
PEPO has GK Paul Blanchette in their corner they sit in #2, 1 point behind KTP on 41 points
PEPO may have an ever so slight advantage as both of their upcoming opponents are in the red zone (at least on points) while KTP play 2 teams that are mid-table. Both KTP and PEPO have the same record over the last 5 matches, so nobody has an advantage of  'on a roll' 
I am guessing - this is a pick'em! 

At the bottom Kultsu with GK Craig Hill are just above the drop zone - based on GD - its just so close to call teams 10 and 11, mathematically 7 teams could still be in relegation trouble

Note. Gerald Ben is in 7th Place in the Group Golden Boot  with 6 goals

Group B
2 Matches left

Our team to follow is BK-46 with Jacob Bushue and Mitchel Lopez. They currently sit in 4th place, but only 4 points separate 1st from 4th (only 1 point between 2nd and 4th) BK-46 are on a run winning all of their last 5, but the next 2 matches are complete opposites - playing #1 SalPa and last placed EsPa (in that order) I believe that if they beat SalPa they will get into that promotion group, if not they will have to wait and see if their the best of the 2nd place teams

No relegation problems in this division 

Group C
2 Matches left

This division looks to be all but settled. AC Kajaani are 5 points ahead of GBK with Chris Corcoran, Lawrence Smith, Jossimer Sanchez & Patrick Khouri. VIFK with Ian Garrett lost the past weekend and cannot catch GBK any longer (so its a 2 horse race). It's assumed that AC Kajaani will not slip up and win the division. GBK are on a run, winning their last 5 matches, and will have to do their job winning the next 2 and hope that their point total is enough for the spot given to the best #2 team. 

At the bottom, OTP with Timothy Wilson are in last place and relegated. Mathematically TP-47 and Jordan Rouse could disappear from Kakkonen but I don't think that will happen, they only need 1 point from 2 matches to be safe

Note Lawrence Smith is tied 4th in the Group C Golden Boot with 9 goals
 
Here are the current points, with max points possible in brackets, for the 3 Groups so you can see how close this all is with just 2 games remaining - again the winner of each group and the best 2nd team qualify for the 4 team play-offs, with the top 2 play-off teams promoted to Ykkonen.

Group A
KTP 42 (48)
PEPO 41 (47)
Klubi-04 38 (44)

Group B
SalPa 42 (48)
Vikiingit 39 (45)
BK-46 38 (44)
MuSa  38 (44)

Group C
AC Kajaani 47 (53)
GBK 42 (48)

That's it - 9 teams vying for 4 places in the play-off, with 2 teams to promoted

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DAILY WRAP: 5/23-24/2016 Quick Wrap-up of the Past 2 Days - Promotions a Goal and a shut-out

Yesterday and again today, we had good news for Americans in Germany.

Yesterday 5/23/2016), Tim Chandler and Frankfurt won their 2nd leg P/R play-off, against Nurnberg, and will remain in Bundesliga next season. Frankfurt won the play-off 1 - 2 on agg.  Tim did limp off in the 69th minute with an apparent muscle injury, it's unclear how serious Chandler's injury is. Maybe Jurgen Klinsmann will need to go back to his Copa America roster and pick another fullback.

Earlier yesterday George Fochive (90) and Viborg visited Europa League bound Brondby in the Danish Superliga and came away with a 0 - 1 win

In Finland's Ykkonen, GK Tim Murray had a shut-out as Ekenas beat Dan Stevens (90 + yellow card) and GrIFK 3 - 0

Today (5/24/2016) Royal Fennel, started and went 90, picking up a yellow card along the way, as Wurzburger beat Duisburg and gained Promotion to 2Bundesliga next season. Wurzburger took a 2 goal lead into today's game and scored 2 more - ending with a 1 - 4 agg win.

Earlier today, Jakeem Johnson Scored for PEPO 1 as they defeated Kultsu 2 - 1 in Finland's Kakkonen Group A - that's 3 goals in 4 games for Jakeem - for those who do not know Jakeem, he is a 25 year old Center Forward and New Jersey native. He played for the Brooklyn Italians SC before moving to Finland and spending a season with JIPPO where he scored 10 times in 22 games.

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TRANSFERS: Goalkeeper Craig Hill Moves to KuPS in Finland

Photo: svenskafans.com

Goalkeeper Craig Hill has left Kultsu FC and moved to KuPS in Finland. Craig who joined Kultsu in 2015 had a mixed time with the Kakkonen (third tier) side, being loaned out to KTP in Ykkonen (second tier) for 4 months before returning. The move to Veikkausliiga's KuPS (first tier) happened today, and would seem like a good move on his part.

Craig played at SMU before being drafted by FC Dallas in 2011, form there he spent a short time at River Plate in Puerto Rico and the San Antonio Scorpions (Craig's home town) before moving to Finland. Craig had 5 shut-outs in 18 games for Kultsu.

Good Luck to Craig at KuPS

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DAILY WRAP: 5/4/2016 - Features 3 Goals, Finland League Play & Norway Cup Shocks

More than enough going on today to warrant a 'Daily Wrap'. Finland who are in their very early season had a full card of games, while Norway's NM Cup is getting to 'nitty gritty' time. The news from Norway is grim for US players.
We had 3 goals, 1 in Bosnia, 1 Finland and 1 in Sweden.
Let just go to the list.....

Danijal Brkovic (dual US/Bos) started and went the whole 90 minutes and Scored Olimpic Sarajevo 2nd goal in a 0 - 3 win over Drina Zvornik in Bosnia's Premier League. With just a couple of games left Olimpic are 1 point from safety (relegation)

Jakeem Johnson started went 90 and Scored PEPO 1's 2nd Goal as they visited MPS in Finland's Kakkonen and came away with a big 1 - 4 win

Daniel Stevens came off the bench at minute 73 as GrIFK hosted Isaac Kannah (90) and KTP in Finland's Ykkonen, in a game that ended 1 - 1

Also in Ykkonen, GK Tim Murray had his work cut out for him as Ekenas hosted Jazz Pori and newly arrived Gabriel Witz in a game that ended with Ekenas holding on to a 3 - 2 win

Etchu Tabe went 90 minutes for Haka as they stumbled at home against Mike Banner (90) and KPV with a 0 - 3 loss (their first of the season) KPV are now top of the Ykkonen.

Josue Soto was in the 18 (DNP) as his team Jaro visited Oulu and came away with a 0 - 1 win

In Veikkausliiga, Christian Eissele (90) and Kemi visited KuPS and were defeated 0 - 2

Brian Span came off the bench at minute 56 for Mariehamn as they faced PK-35 at home in a game that ended goalless

Alex De John started went 90 as Start fell 3 - 1 at Sandnes in the NM Cup in Norway

Ethan Horvath was in 18 (DNP) as Molde was kicked out of the NM Cup 2 - 1 by 2nd division (3rd tier) Stjordals Blink in what must be considered a shock result for high flying Molde

Cole Grossman started and went 90 in Stabaek's 0 - 3 win at Baerum in the NM Cup

AJ Soares (90) and Viking joined in on a shocking day for the big clubs as Viking were booted from the NM Cup by 2nd Division Vidar.

Eddy Prugh Scored again (that's 3 in 2 games) for Bodens in their Sweden Division 2 match against Gaellivare Malmberget. Eddy's goal (the first of the game) was the eventual winner in a 2 - 0 scoreline.

Also in Sweden Division 2. Minding the home net GK Jeff Gal and Lidkopings FK came up short as visiting Karlstad  held the home team to 1 goal in a 1 - 3 win.

NOTE: Of the 5 Teams that have US Players in Norway's top flight only Stabaek (Cole Grossman) has survived today, loses today by Start, Molde and Viking. Bran lost in an earlier round.

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TRANSFER: Scott Angevine Signs with FC YPA in Finland

GK Scott Angevine has signed with FC YPA (full name: Jalkapalloseura FC YPA) who play in the Kakkonen Division - Group C (3rd tier)

FC YPA:n uusi sopimuspelaaja ja maalivahti on @scottangevine!https://t.co/G07Y5gCRWS@MiestenK #fcypa #ylivieska pic.twitter.com/LjJtDeSCsj

— FC YPA (@FCYPA) March 2, 2016

Scott Angevine, from Overland Park, Kansas, has played in both the USA and Finland and is the first American player in club history to sign with  FC YPA. 

Finland's Kakkonen season starts 1st week of May, so Scott will have time to get used to his new team

Good Luck Scott

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FINLAND 2016: American's Playing in Finland, League Changes (Detailed)

Over the past decade, Finland has been a place where young US players have chosen to get a taste of European football, opting out of their home leagues after they leave college. The number of US players has remained fairly constant until recently. The expansions of NASL and USL has provided an alternative route for college players and the numbers traveling to Finland, Sweden and other Scandinavian leagues is down this coming season. US players who have a year or two of experience in Scandinavia are also returning to the US to play.  It should also be noted that equally the numbers of young Fin's, Swede's playing in the lower leagues is up, and the development of young football players will increase because of this.

So lets look at the current crop of US players in Finland (which is the most popular Scandinavian country for young US soccer players) First the leagues;

Veikkausliiga is the premier division of Finnish football, comprising the top 12 clubs of the country.

Ykkonen is the second highest level of the Finnish football league system (after the Veikkausliiga), although it is the highest league managed by the Football Association of Finland.

For the 2016 season the format of the Kakkonen has been changed with the league divided into 3 groups of 12 teams. Each club plays the others in its group twice. The group winners and the best second place team have a chance of winning one of two promotion places to Ykkönen after a four team playoff. The bottom three teams in each group 10, 11 and 12 will be relegated to Kolmonen.

Now, lets see who is playing where (as of today) If you believe I have left anyone out, please let me know.........

Veikkausliiga (Season Starts April 2nd)

• Christian Eissele, is a forward, from Orlando Florida, who play's for Kemi Kings. (Nickname Kemi) After a very successful campaign with Kemi in 2013/14, Christian spent a year with  IK Brage in Sweden, before returning to Kemi last July.
• Tyler Back, is one of the goalkeeper's on the books for Rovaniemi (Nickname RoPs) Tyler joined RoPs from Oregon State early February this year, he has already made 2 appearances in pre-season competition, both of which were shutouts.
• Brian Span is a forward with Mariehamn. Brian, a New Yorker, played college at Virginia, went to Sweden first, then joined FC Dallas. Spent the 2014/15 season on loan to Orlando SC (pre-MLS) before moving to Mariehamn a year ago February.

Ykkönen (Season Starts April 24th)

• Scott Angevine is one of the goalkeepers on the books for Kokkolan Pallo-Veikot (Nickname KPV) Scott, who is from Kansas, has traveled a bit between the US and Finland, joined KPV in January of 2015.
• Mike Banner, a mid-fielder from Washington DC, joined KPV this January. Mike has also spent time moving back and forth between US club's (incl. Chicago) and Finland (FF Jaro)
• Kyle Curinga, a center back from Clearwater Florida, joined FF Jaro from Finland's GBK this February
• Josue Soto, a mid fielder from Ft Worth Texas also joined FF Jaro at the beginning of January this year. Josue had spent time with Chivas USA and Houston, ending up with San Antonio. Finland will be his first 'overseas' club
• Tim Murray from Massachusetts is a goalkeeper who played college at providence before joining the New England Revolution. Like a lot of young players Tim spent time on loan with several US clubs before joining Ekenas SC the junior team of his current club Ekenas IF in January this year.
• Daniel Stevens is a New Yorker, who is one of the senior players (31) playing in Finland. Daniel has been in Finland since 2011, (he has played for Kemi, BK46 & Viikingit) prior to that a few lower level US clubs. Daniel joined Grankulla IFK (Nickname GRIFK) at the beginning of February this year.
  
• Isaac Kannah is a dual national, USA/Liberia forward, who joined Koparit (Nickname KTP) in mid January this year. Prior to that he had been playing for Mikkelin Palloilijat (Nickname MP)

Kakkonen - New Groupings (Season Starts 1st week of May)

GROUP A:

• Craig Hill,  GK,  Kultsu
• Elias McCalip, Forward,  KaPa
• Nathan Stokie,  GK,  PEPO 1
• Jakeem Johnson,  Forward, PEPO 1
• Harrison Hanley, Forward, MP
• Walter Kromholtz,  Center Back, MP

GROUP B:

• Kevin Sawchak,  Defender, FC Honka
• Olutolani "Tolani" Ibikunle,  Defender, Ekenas SC
• James (JC) Mack,  Winger,  Ekenas SC

GROUP C:

• Kyle Knotek, Mid Fielder,  Kraft Narpes
• Lawrence Smith, Defender, GBK
• Chris Corcoran,  Center Back,  GBK
• Cameron Roget, Forward, VIFK

With a number of months still to go till opening day I expect that there will be additions and changes going on, which I will track here. 

Please note that the Kolmonen League has 104 teams in 9 Groups, way to much to add in this article. 

NEXT UP - SWEDEN

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TRANSFERS: Daniel Stevens joins GrIFK in Finland

GrIFK Grankulla have signed experienced midfielder Daniel Stevens. Stevens last represented Vikingit in Finland (prior to that PS Kemi and BK-46)  so he has a great knowledge of football in Finland. The Ykkönen (2nd tier) pre-season in Finland starts soon, so we will see if Daniel makes the senior squad. GrIFK are newly promoted to Ykkonen, after winning the Western Division of the Kakkonen

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