13 ‘Lucky’ Games this weekend in the NPSL this weekend with all four regions in action, including the first Midwest Region matchups of the 2009 NPSL season
(Home teams are listed on the right. Please check individual club websites to verify game times and locations)
NPSL GAME OF THE WEEK
Pennsylvania Stoners (1-0-0) v Pocono Snow (0-2-0)
Sunday May 31, 7:00pm, Eiler-Martin Stadium
Coming off a 4-1 victory against FC Reading Revolution, the Penn Stoners will settle for nothing short of a 2009 NPSL Championship. The Pocono Snow had a rough opening weekend, dropping both of their games against Erie and Buffalo City FC. No doubt that the Snow will rebound this weekend. Many of the Snow’s players, including last year’s league MVP Tommy Ehrlich once played for the Stoners, making this game a certain classic.
Friday May 29th
NORTHEAST REGION
Keystone Conference
Charm City FC (1-0-0) v Pocono Snow (0-2-0)
7:00pm, Eiler Martin Stadium
Before hosting the defending NPSL National Champions, the Snow have a equally tough match against Charm City FC. Charm City, fresh off a 4-0 win against FC Reading Revolution, aim to continue their goal-scoring feats this weekend, led by Lou Brunetti, who netted a brace against the Revs. Pocono’s lone bright spot last weekend was Mike Kane’s 58th minute strike which was the first goal in Pocono Snow history. However, the Snow must improve defensively if they wish to reverse the -6 goal differential they picked up last weekend.
SATURDAY MAY 30TH
NORTHEAST REGION
Keystone Conference
FC Reading Revolution (0-3-0) v Buffalo City FC (2-0-0)
The men from Reading, PA travel up north to take on an extremely tough Buffalo City FC club. These two teams faced off in Matchweek 2, with Buffalo City FC taking a 3-0 victory in the inaugural home match for the Revs. After a 5-1 defeat against the Pocono Snow, City coach Mike Share was not complacent, and vowed to work on the team’s tempo during training. FC Reading Revolution have struggled in the back thus far, and hold the leagues worst goal differential at -10. Last game against the Stoners, the Revs were level at 1 into the 60th minute, when they gave up three unanswered goals and lost 4-1. Max Ferdinand is a bright spot up front for the Revolution, and can make a difference in this match.Atlantic Conference
Boston Aztec (1-0-0) at Long Island Academy FC (0-0-0)
7:00pm at Adelphi University’s Competition Field.
Boston’s 4-1 win against Maine Sting seems a entire season ago and now must get ready to face Long Island AFC, who impressed with an 8-1-2 record in 2008. Captain Danny Leon leads the charge for Long Island this weekend. Boston Aztec are led by Ali Kaba, who scored a brace in his first game against Maine Sting two weeks ago.
SOUTHEAST REGION
Chattanooga FC (0-1-0) v Rocket City United (1-1-0)
7:00pm at John Hunt Soccer Stadium
Chattanooga FC certainly pounded the pavement long before their first home match, displaying a sizable fan base of 1,500 plus for a 3-1 home defeat to US Open Cup Qualifier Atlanta FC. Chattanooga travel to Rocket City United who are coming off of a long weekend of Region III qualifying which saw them narrowly miss out on a spot in the Open Cup at the last minute. Undeterred, Rocket City brings it’s A game this weekend with a solid cast of players eying their second win, and a chance to make the NPSL Final Four this season. Chattanooga will not roll over easily, and want to continue the trend of first year NPSL clubs winning the championship (Penn Stoners in 2008).
Saturn FC (2-1-0) v Pumas FC (1-1-0)
7:00pm at UAB Soccer Field
Matchweek 2 was the scene for the only loss by Saturn FC this season,at the hands of Pumas FC. Paolo ‘Pollo’ Vasquez was a one man show, netting a hat-trick and single handedly dismantling Saturn FC at home. Saturn FC had a disappointing weekend at the US National Amateur Cup as they failed to qualify for the national tournament, even with a 9-1 victory in one of the matches. A win for Pumas will dethrone Saturn FC at the top of the table and create a very interesting Southeast Region for this season.
MIDWEST REGION
Madison 56ers (0-0-0) v St. Paul Twin Stars (0-0-0)
7:30pm at Macalester University
With word that Twin Stars’ head coach Yousef Darbaki may be tapped as the next coach for the Liberian National Team, Darbaki and the Twin Stars must remain focused as they open their campaign against the 2009 NPSL Final Four hosts, Madison 56ers. The opening match of the Midwest will be a barometer to the level of play in the region this season.
WESTERN REGION
Sonoma County Sol (2-0-1) v Southern Oregon Fuego (1-3-0)
7:00pm at US Celluar Community Park
It has been a busy week for the Sonoma County Sol, having been drawn against the Orange County Blue Star of the PDL in the US Open Cup First Round, and also having Ross Middlemiss signed to a professional contract in Germany. The club must put all of that aside if they still dream of making it into the Final Four this season. A revitalized Southern Oregon Fuego look to make it two wins in a row after a 1-0 win against Real San Jose last weekend. The Oregon newcomers to the NPSL could catapault into 4th place with a win in Matchweek 5.
SUNDAY MAY 31ST
NORTHEAST REGION
Keystone Conference
FC Reading Revolution (0-3-0) v Erie Admirals SC (1-0-0)
3:00pm at Family First Sports Park
FC Reading Revolution have another large test in front of them as they head down I-90 after their clash with Buffalo City FC to take on Erie Admirals SC. The Admirals won their first match, 2-0 against Pocono Snow, with a brace from Jeremy Deighton and aim to finish sunday with 6 points. The Revolution must improve their defense and need to attack against a untested Erie Admirals backline.
Atlantic Conference
Boston Aztec (1-0-0) v Morris County Colonials (0-0-0)
6:30pm at Dr Keith A. Neigel Stadium at Millburn High School
Morris County Colonials kickoff this weekend, poised to improve on their record from last season, and have a 1-1 draw against Pocono Snow under their belts thus far this season. The Colonials are led by several key returning players, Matt Gnal (GK) and Marco Gaspar (Defense) with Billy Collins and Jonathan Yazo as well. The Colonials hope to have a full house at Dr. Keith A Neigel stadium for their home opener this weekend. Boston will be coming off a game Saturday night against Long Island AFC and need to recoup quick after Saturday’s match.
MIDWEST REGION
Madison 56ers (0-0-0) v Eau Claire Aris FC (0-0-0)
1:00pm at Dorais Field
When Greg Saliaras, founder of Eau Claire Aris FC, wanted to name his newly founded NPSL team, he went for Aris FC representing his Greek heritage, and naming the club after the ancient Greek god of war. The Aris roster includes several recent standouts from Eau Claire North and Eau Claire Memorial and, much like every other NPSL club, wish to give their players a chance to go progress onto professional soccer. Madison 56ers will be coming off the aformentioned match against St. Paul Twin Stars the night before.
Salinas Valley Samba (1-1-2) v NorCal LaMorinda United (2-2-0)
3:20pm at
NorCal LaMorinda United are flying high after a second win over top of the table Bay Area Ambassadors during Memorial Day Weekend thanks to a fourth minute strike from Ricky Dorrego. A win against Salinas Valley Samba and some help from other teams in the region could potentially place United at the top of the table come Sunday night. The Samba drew last with US Open Cup Qualifiers Sonoma County Sol, and also drew with Real San Jose prior. A win could see Samba sitting in second place after this weekend.Bay Area Ambassadors (3-2-0) v Sonoma County Sol (2-0-1)
3:00pm at Ernie Nevers Stadium
Bay Area Ambassadors, coming off their second loss to NorCal LaMorinda United, are top of the table, and need a win to stay that way against Sonoma County Sol. As mentioned, the Sol have had a very busy week, and with a Saturday night tie with Southern Oregon Fuego, fitness may play a factor in this very important Western Region match. The Ambassadors offense needs to turn it up against the Sol who have only conceded 2 goals this season, the fewest in the Western Region this season
