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What's wrong with Tottenham?
by Paul O'Donnell
What the heck is wrong at White Hart Lane? That question is on the minds of many fans of the EPL and frequently answered by hazy, truly wondrous and frankly bizarre musings by the pundits.
Actually I've heard and read much about this but for me, much of it seems to be out in the mindless ether of never-never-land psychobabble. It almost seems as if many of the pundits look for something that isn't there and what is even more silly actually believe they've found it. In doing so they look right past the core problem. It really isn't as fuzzy and far out as some of these guys seem to think it is. 
Ryan Finley moves up ladder to PDL team
Former U-17 national teamer becomes youngest to score for Barons' PDL squad
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| Finley competed on the international stage with the U.S. U-17 National Team |
At the Premier Development League (PDL) level, high school soccer players rarely find the field. Rosters are usually made up of top college players, veterans and even a few former professionals, making it difficult for a player of that age to crack the starting lineup. But Ryan Finley (Rancocas Valley HS / Lumberton, NJ) isn’t your typical high school player.
Finley is returning to Rancocas Valley High School (RVHS) this fall after spending 18 months at the U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program located at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where he had the opportunity to train at the United States’ premier soccer school. After gaining a tremendous amount of international experience, the Lumberton, N.J. native returned home and joined the Ocean City Barons PDL side for the 2008 season.
U-17 Barons draw 1-1 with Inter Milan
Inter's C.O.O. in attendance as Ryan Finley scores the lone goal for the Barons
 The South Jersey Barons Under-17 team finished in a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan on Thursday night in an exhibition game in Clark, NJ.
Ryan Finley (Lumberton, NJ / Rancocas Valley HS), who became the youngest player to ever score a goal for the Ocean City Barons PDL team this past season, opened the scoring thirty minutes into the match. Kevin Curran (Upper Township, NJ / Ocean City HS) sent a pass down the right wing for Finley, who dribbled in and scored from a tight angle to put the hosts up 1-0.
2008 PDL season: A tale of two halves
Barons miss the playoffs after impressive first half
The 12th season for the Ocean City Barons franchise began with a tremendous amount of optimism. Many within the organization believed that the 2008 edition of the Premier Development League team was among the most talented roster the club had ever assembled. Even after the season finished without a berth in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup or the PDL playoffs, that may still be true, but the results didn’t back that up as the team finished with a 6-5-5 record, the lowest point total -- 23 -- in the club’s six-year PDL history. The Barons finished in a tie for fourth place in the Northeast Division, seven points short of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.
One of the highlights of the 2008 campaign was a series of individual accomplishments by one of the club’s greatest players. Byron Carmichael (Marshall ’03 / Lumberton, NJ), playing in his fifth season with the Barons, became the club’s all-time leader in goals and reached the 100-point mark of his career while breaking the career record in that category.
Barons announce 2008 award winners
Adam Sternberger named Ocean City's MVP
The Ocean City Barons have announced their award winners for the 2008 season. Adam Sternberger was selected as the most valuable player, Byron Carmichael was the team’s offensive player of the year, and Joe Ilett was named as the top defensive player. The honors were determined by the Barons coaching staff.
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2008 Ocean City Barons
Team Awards
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Most Valuable Player
Adam Sternberger
(Rutgers ’08 / Mays Landing, NJ)
Offensive Player of the Year
Byron Carmichael
(Marshall ’03 / Lumberton, NJ)
Defensive Player of the Year
Joe Ilett
(Eckert College / Maldon, England)
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Sternberger did not begin his fourth season with the club until the third game at the Long Island. From that time, the recent Rutgers University graduate played in 13 games, totaling 1,091 minutes and scored his lone goal of the season --a penalty kick-- on June 29 at home against the Westchester Flames. He worked tirelessly in the midfield game in and game out, helping to link between the backline and the forwards and creating scoring chances for Ocean City. He finishes the season ranked seventh in Barons history in goals (9), points (20) and minutes played (3,088).
Barons end 2008 season with a win
Byron Carmichael earns 100th career point to help OC sweep New Jersey with 2-0 victory
 The Ocean City Barons (6-5-5, 23 pts.) wrapped up the 2008 season on a positive note with a 2-0 win over the expansion New Jersey Rangers (2-12-2, 8 pts.). It was the third win over the Rangers in their inaugural season in the PDL. The Barons finish the season in 4th place in the Northeast Division, seven points short of the wild card spot.
In addition to the team picking up a win in their season finale at Carey Stadium, fans were treated to a milestone. Byron Carmichael assisted on Ocean City’s second goal, giving him 100 points for his Barons career as he completed his fifth season for the Men In Red.
Tunde Ogunbiyi featured in Phila. Inquirer
Barons GK and his brother Jide are trying to make the Nigerian Olympic team
In Sunday’s edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer, fans can find a great piece by Mike Jensen about the Ogunbiyi brothers, Tunde and Jide.  Tunde played five games as a goalkeeper for the Ocean City Barons this season before leaving for training camp with the Nigerian Olympic team, while his brother is a senior forward at Santa Clara University. The two are currently at a training camp in South Korea trying to make the final cut for the Nigerian team which is scheduled to face off with Japan, the Netherlands and the United States in group play in Beijing. Click here to read the full story on Philly.com.
Barons GK aiming for Olympic gold in Beijing
Tunde Ogunbiyi hopes to represent Nigeria as they face Japan, Holland and the USA in Group B
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| Ogunbiyi poses for a picture after being named "Man of the Match" in his Barons home debut. |
Shortly after finishing one of his best performances in his brief time as an Ocean City Baron, goalkeeper Tunde Ogunbiyi (pronounced Tun-day O-gun-bee) got on a plane bound for Portugal. When he arrived there, he joined his teammates on the Nigerian Olympic Men’s soccer team as they began preparations for the Olympic Games in Beijing.
The Under-23 Eagles, who are billed as the "Dream Team" by some members of the African press, have a tough road ahead of them as they are joined by Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States in Group B. Nigeria are hoping to return to their glory years, having won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.
Mama Mia's spices up Barons home games
One of New Jersey's finest restaurants will serve food at Carey Stadium for all Barons home games in 2008
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| Chef Joe Massaglia, an avid soccer fan, is bringing Mama Mia’s to all Barons home games. Visit the restaurant’s website at www.capemayspices.com |
Starting with this Friday night’s home against the Richmond Kickers, Chef Joe Massaglia of Mama Mia’s Restaurant will be setting up at Carey Stadium and will be providing an assortment of delicious Italian cuisine. Located on South Shore Road in Seaville, NJ, Mama Mia’s has established itself as one of the premier Italian Restaurants in New Jersey.
Reading FC partners with Barons
English side features two U.S. internationals, including Philadelphia native Bobby Convey
 In a landmark agreement, the South Jersey Barons organization, fronted by their Premier Development League (PDL) club, the Ocean City Barons, have formed a partnership with Reading Football Club of the English Premier League (EPL). As part of the agreement, which was organized through Reading’s "Football in the Community Trust" program, the "Royals" will send some of their coaches to lend their expertise and help run the Barons’ youth academy camp in August. Also, Reading FC will continue to host the Barons’ youth teams during Easter weekend, as they expose the young players to some of the top facilities at one of the elite youth development clubs in the EPL.
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