Dynamic Duo Honored at Crunch Anniversary Event

Hector Marinaro and Zoran Karic, indoor soccer’s Dynamic Duo, were the first players from the 2019 Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame Class to receive their trophies when they were honored at halftime of the Cleveland Crunch 25th Anniversary Championship Reunion Game on April 26 at Rubber City Sports in Akron, Ohio.

Flanked by former Crunch coaches Bruce Miller and Gary Hindley, Marinaro and Karic didn’t know what they were getting into when Crunch Media Director Chuck Murr told fans to get out their phones for an “Android moment”.

Murr recounted some of the Duo’s exploits and then made the exclusive announcement of their induction. The entire list of 10 new Hall of Fame members was announced the next morning on Soccer Sam Fantauzzo’s Kick This radio show.

After receiving their trophies, Marinaro and Karic high-fived each other as former contemporaries and teammates lined up to exchange hugs, handshakes, and congratulations.

The reunion commemorated the first Crunch championship, which was the first pro sports title for the city of Cleveland since the Browns last won in 1964. The double overtime series clincher is considered one of the greatest games in indoor history.

The event, organized in part by former Crunch star goalkeeper Otto Orf, wasn’t all misty-eyed nostalgia, however, as $35,000 was raised for the Max Cure Foundation, which funds research for the development of pediatric cancer therapies.