Palmer’s Plan Takes Shape

Berto Palmer begins building chemistry for a championship run

ONTARIO, Calif. — As the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) approaches its grueling winter grind, Empire Strykers head coach Berto Palmer is leaning on an old lesson from a United States women’s national soccer team mastermind to prepare his squad for the upcoming season.

Palmer, tracing his coaching philosophy back to his early indoor soccer days under former U.S. Women’s National Team and Kansas City Comets head coach Vlatko Andonovski, has officially launched the Strykers’ late-summer “kick-arounds.” What began as a twice-a-week informal tuning session in August has expanded into a three-day-a-week schedule on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for September.

The goal? Dust off the offseason rust, find hidden local gems and ease players back into the high-octane 5v5 indoor mindset.

From Chaos to Chemistry

For indoor soccer players, the offseason is a massive gap that stretches from April to November. While many players stay fit by coaching youth clubs or competing in local cash tournaments, nothing replicates the specific demands of the arena game.

“It’s just for me, being back, I want us to get together as a team,” Palmer explained. “The kick-arounds are generally just getting these players, starting to integrate them into playing 5v5, knowing the rules, knowing the players, and just building a little chemistry.”

Unlike rigid tactical sessions, these late-summer kick-arounds are intentionally casual. Palmer drops in subtle, isolated focal points—such as mastering the art of the on-the-fly line change—while allowing players to organically figure out the arena’s unique geometry, including the three-line rule and goalkeeper passing restrictions.

“The kick-around is just more calm, it’s just informal training,” Palmer said. “Not a lot of coaching. They start learning when to go, when to keep it, when to transition, and when to dribble.”

Scouting for Local “Gems”

The informal setting serves a dual purpose. Beyond conditioning the veteran Strykers roster, it doubles as an open-door audition for uncovering untapped Southern California talent.

Palmer is actively looking to replicate the exact invitation Andonovski gave him years ago—a chance for a local underdog to prove they belong on the big stage.

“My whole thing was to try to integrate these young, upcoming talents around the area, try to find that gem of a player,” Palmer said. “I think every team within the area has these gems. We can get a player or two that’s going to be on the team this upcoming season.”

The Three-Phase Ramp-Up

The Strykers are utilizing a strict three-month chronological pipeline to prepare for the season opener, gradually increasing the intensity and tactical demands each month:

• September (Informal): Free-flowing 5v5 kick-arounds three times a week to establish baseline fitness, build camaraderie and teach basic arena rules to newcomers.

• October (Semi-Formal): The roster narrows as roughly 70% of the final team assembles. Standouts selected from the open kick-arounds will be invited back to see if their decision-making holds up within a tactical framework.

• November (Formal): Full-time training camp begins with complete tactical structures, set pieces and intensive game planning.

“In October, now they have to play within a little structured way, just to see how they think and process everything—because indoor is chaos,” Palmer noted. “Now it’s not just playing freely like the kick-around was.”

With the foundations being laid on the turf this month, the Strykers aim to turn summer chaos into championship order by winter.

If you are looking for things to do in San Bernardino County, San Bernardino County attractions, things to do in San Bernardino County this weekend, or especially family activities in San Bernardino County, look to the Empire Strykers of the Major Arena Soccer League. It is one of the best sports events in San Bernardino County that you will ever attend.

You can find season tickets for the Empire Strykers, individual game tickets for the Empire Strykers, and Empire Strykers fan gear at www.theempirestrykers.com.