It was only a few weeks ago that Buffalo City FC (5-2-0) looked to have a hold on the Northeast Region/Keystone Conference championship. Undefeated in 5 matches, Buffalo were on top of the table, having allowed only 1 goal in the first 5 matches. Buffalo City FC played strong against all comers, but lost their keeper, Bobby Shuttleworth, to the New England Revolution last week.
Fast forward two weeks, and the Keystone Conference race has intensified as Buffalo City FC find themselves in second place, after consecutive losses to Erie Admirals SC (5-0-1).
Erie put the hurt on Buffalo City FC, with a 1-0 victory in Buffalo on June 13th. To prove the first victory was no fluke, Erie then came back with a 2-0 victory last Saturday to put themselves on top of the table with 16 points, and remain undefeated on the season.
Interesting fact, Afrim Latifi (Erie, PA/Gannon University) Erie’s second goal scorer on the night, tried out for Buffalo City FC this year before making the decision to play locally, and scored against his old side.
There is no room for second place in the Keystone, with the regular season champion advancing to a one game playoff against the Atlantic Conference winner. The victor moves on to represent the Northeast Region at the 2009 NPSL Final Four (July 31-August 1st, Madison, WI). But, there are plenty of games to decide the conference winner.
An outside shot for the playoffs are 2008 NPSL Champions Pennsylvania Stoners (3-2-1). The Stoners are currently sitting on 10 points and need plenty of help from the rest of the Keystone Conference to get through to the playoffs. The Stoners have their work cut out for them as they travel to face Erie and Buffalo in back to back games this weekend, along with fourth place Charm City FC.
Max Ferdinand shines for FC Reading Revolution
FC Reading Revolution (2-5-1) have two wins on the season, and have produced plenty of buzz for midfielder Max Ferdinand (Reading HS) a dazzling player who has the capability to play at the next level. The Revolution may also have the youngest player in the NPSL, in 10th grader Josh Pacella (Wilson HS), who played all 90 minutes against Erie Admirals at home, holding them to a 2-2 draw, Erie’s only blemish on an otherwise perfect season. At 16 years old, this kid has some major guts, and if his play this season is any indication, he has a successful career ahead of him.
Charm City FC (2-2-1) started the season with promise, winning their first two matches. Since then, they have dropped 4 out of their last 5 and have had some not so helpful road trip events which have cost them on the pitch.
The Region I US Open Cup finalists are still a very talented squad, and can easily play spoiler for either Buffalo or Erie as they play a double bill this weekend, starting in Buffalo, and ending in Erie on Sunday.
Pocono Snow (0-5-1) are still looking for their first win in 2009. The Snow drew against in-state rivals Penn Stoners, and lost a crazy 4-3 goalfest against FC Reading Revolution after clawing back from a 3 goal defecit in the first half.
As the season moves into the final stretch, the Admirals have a game in hand against Buffalo, and are also ahead of BCFC by one point in the standings. A tie in points between the two clubs come season’s end sees Erie go through, as Erie lead BCFC on head-to-head matchups this season.
With the season winding down, who is your pick to represent the Keystone Conference in the Region playoff?
