MLS's 12 Teams Headlines When He Signed a Seven-Figure, Five-Year Slide-Tackled Me in a Scrimmage." He Will Play For
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER / GUS KARTES Teen star is glad to be back in USA Lured by big BY BILL WARD grown up with in the area. But as much team concept often gives way to the "every man in Tampa sense as it makes for the league to place for himself." him with the Mutiny — and as much as "I didn't know the rules, what you do and don't money, Florida Coach Alfonso Mondelo wants him — do, what you say and what you don't say," Kartes fter three years of living away there's a good chance this talented 19- said. "I thought everyone was my friend at product Gus from his family and friends in year-old could wind up on the other side Olympiakos. I thought, 'I don't want to hurt him' Tarpon Springs, Fla., Gus of the country. or I want to get him the ball.' But the guy I thought Kartes left for Kartes is on the verge of play¬ But let's back up. was my best friend fractured my ankle three Aing his soccer in the United States. Problem is, months into the season when he [purposefully] LIFE IN THE FAST LANE. At 15, Kartes made Greece at age he's not exactly sure which of MLS's 12 teams headlines when he signed a seven-figure, five-year slide-tackled me in a scrimmage." he will play for. contract with Olympiakos, the top team in his Last summer, Kartes said he grew weary of 15. Three years Of course, the Tampa Bay Mutiny is his pref¬ family's native Greece. He trained three years with promises of playing time from what seemed to erence. If he winds up in Tampa, Kartes is quite the perennial First Division power, matching his be a revolving door of Olympiakos coaches. He later, he's back sure he could help the Mutiny sell a few dozen strength and speed with men in their 20s and 30s. said his father. Bob Kartes, bought out the remain¬ and ready to season tickets to all But for all his natural ability and athleticism der of his Olympiakos contract — for approxi¬ the people he's (he was a U.S. Junior Olympic track finalist in the mately $400,000 — to allow him to return home play in MLS. long jump), Kartes never broke into Olympiakos' to Tarpon Springs. starting squad. Instead, he found himself fighting Upon his return, Kartes began training with for recognition with the club's reserve team, occa¬ the Mutiny under then-coach Tim Hankinson and sionally suiting up for Greek cup matches but never quickly made an impression with the club. suiting up for a regular-season game. When Hankinson was let go by Tampa Bay Meanwhile, he was learning about life in the and wound up coaching the Colorado Rapids, he fast lane. was considering taking Kartes in MLS' recent Originally enrolled in an American school SuperDraft. But because Kartes could not receive in Athens, Kartes said his Olympiakos coach his clearance from the Greek soccer federation, threatened to fine him if he arrived late for two- he could not enter the draft pool. a-day training sessions because of classes. So, SCORING FOR MUTINY. So Kartes continued totally immersed in the world of professional training with the Mutiny. He even traveled with sports in a city of more than three million the team on its trip to Colombia, where he scored people, Kartes grew up in a hurry. a goal in Tampa Bay's 2-2 draw with Millonarios. "It was an unusual experience," Kartes Kartes would like to continue playing his soc¬ said. "Maybe if I had gone from living, say, cer closer to home by earning a spot on the in England to Greece, it wouldn't be such a Mutiny's roster this spring. And so would big change. But going from a relatively small Mondelo, who calls Kartes "one of the most pleas¬ city in Florida to Athens, Greece, even though ant surprises of the preseason." I speak fluent Greek, the lifestyle was just so "He's worked really hard and has made a good different." showing for himself these last few weeks," And so was the soccer. Kartes was accustomed Mondelo said. "He can play striker, the withdrawn to a starring role for some of the Tampa Bay area's forward and even wide on the flank, We've played top club teams — the Palm Harbor Nighthawks, him a number of places and has been able to give Clearwater Chargers and Countryside Lightning. us some type of new dimension in each place." As an 8-year-old in the West Pasco County Youth But according to Nelson Rodriguez, MLS's Association, he reportedly scored 58 goals in 10 assistant to the commissioner, Kartes still needs games. And as an 11-year-old with the Night- official clearance from the Greek federation be¬ hawks, he had a 110-goal season. fore he can even begin negotiating a contract to Just before signing with Olympiakos, he play in MLS. That clearance is being requested played one season as a freshman at Tarpon Springs by the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the process, High. Kartes also played for the United States at says Rodriguez, has been a slow one on the the 1997 U-17 World Cup in Egypt. Greek end. BILL WARD WITH FRIENDS LIKE THAT... Once a pro And when Kartes is cleared to play, Rodriguez player in Greece, Kartes soon learned the said Kartes would enter into a "weighted lottery" similar to the NBA's. MLS teams that request to be in the lottery for Kartes would be weighted by last year's regu¬ "It was an unusual experience. lar-season record, and a com¬ puter would pick the winner. ... Going from a relatively small Kartes, meanwhile, does city in Florida to Athens, Greece, what he has done since he was even though I speak fluent a kid: play soccer and let his family handle the details. Greek, the lifestyle was just so "It's great to be here play¬ different." ing in America after being — Gus Kartes away so long," Kartes said. (Bill Ward covers the Mu¬ tiny for the Tampa Tribune) www.socceramerica.com Soccer America 14 April 2, 2001 Because You're FANATIC! .