Tuesday, May 15, 2012

FLEETWOOD, Pa. – The dark rain clouds that circled Fleetwood’s Ray Buss Stadium on Tuesday night were generally associated with the dark and ominous, something the United had gotten used to in their previous U.S. Open Cup experiences. Losing a lead late against Harrisburg last year, losing in double overtime to Real Maryland FC, such has been the recent track record of the United in the Cup.

Five years, five losses. But Ryan Finley’s goal and assist, paired with a game-saving stop in stoppage time by goalkeeper Emmanuel Martin, kept history from repeating itself in Reading’s 2-1 victory against the New York Greek American Atlas on Tuesday night.

United struck first in the 37th minute, as Ryan Finley sent a laser across the goal line which bounced off Greek American and United players alike, finally finding the sliding leg of Pedro Ribeiro for a 1-0 lead.

Finley would strike again ten minutes after the halftime break, following a free kick from Steven Neumann. After former Philadelphia Union defender Christian Arrieta was booked for a yellow, Neumann’s deftly placed reset found the Notre Dame product’s foot in the middle of the box for a 2-0 lead.

New York would strike back in the 64th minute, as Stephen Roche slotted home a Paul Shaw pass just under the crossbar. Then the game succumbed to the dark clouds during an hour and fifteen minute lightning delay.

This game had all the makings of the United’s previous trips to the tournament: grab an early lead, let it slip away late in the game, wait until next season. The frantic pace after the delay was eerily reminiscent of those games, as New York nearly broke through in stoppage time. A header near the back post was put on frame after a cross from the near side was whipped in with pace. The crowd drew a collective breath.

Martin’s diving stop to his right, punching away the last gasp effort by the Greek Americans allowed everyone to exhale. And, in turn, it also advanced the United to the second round of the tournament for the first time in team history.

They will face USL PRO’s Charleston Battery next Tuesday evening in Charleston, S.C. in the next round, with the victor facing an MLS team yet to be determined. Reading will get a chance to hone their attack this coming Saturday against the Long Island Roughriders, who coincidentally also won on Tuesday night in the U.S. Open Cup. They will face Reading’s opponent in two of the previous three U.S. Open Cup appearances, the Harrisburg City Islanders.

2012 Reading United Game Day Tickets and Season Tickets are now available at readingunitedac.com. Also available: Game Day Youth Packages, Group Discount Packages, Birthday Parties and Fundraising Ticket Packages. Contact Denise Strohmayr at denise@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

EL PASO, Texas -- Naoyas Aizawa sandwiched an assist between two goals, and while it wasn't quite a feast for the El Paso Patriots, a 3-1 win against the North Texas Rayados was satisfying enough to whet their appetite for more in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. 

They'll get all they can handle next Tuesday, May 22nd, when the Charlotte Eagles of USL PRO come calling. Until then, Patriots' fans can feel satisfied after watching Aizawa and fellow forwards David Salas and Michael Griego take bite after bite of the North Texas defense.

If there was disappointment, it was in squandered opportunities for more offense. Consistent in possession and dominant in midfield, El Paso found itself on the Rayados' doorstep time-after-time, only to be turned away by the solid goalkeeping of Raul Herrera or by its own errant shots.

Griego has only been able to practice with the team twice, once again donning his hometown side's jersey after completing the season as coach of his own young club team. The rust showed at times, but so did his solid positioning and passing.

Perhaps it was head coach Hugo Samano's decision to go at North Texas with a 3-4-3 lineup, but it always seems El Paso's offensive anemia is cured by the transfusion Griego brings. A team that scored only twice in its first two Premier Development League games suddenly scores three times. 

It has been the same the last few years. Aizawa had a lot to do with the end result as well, but Griego's presence as a holding forward provides a fulcrum on which the rest of El Paso's offense swings. It was that solid build-up and some hard work on the wings by Aizawa's fellow former CF Indios teammate, Sergio Villasenor, that put El Paso on the board in the 26th minute.

From Griego to Villasenor to the nimble feet of Salas to Aizawa, the Patriots danced into the Rayados area; Aizawa taking the final few steps that got him past his marker and got Herrera diving for the shot the forward didn't take until the goalie was in the dirt.

As pretty as the first goal was, the second may have been the ugliest Griego has scored in his Patriots career. Stretching North Texas on the counter, Aizawa lasered a beautiful cross from the right wing. Griego only clipped the ball. Perhaps Herrera was surprised the ball actually kept moving, but it did, all the way into the net in the 61st minute.

Halftime substitute Raul Rodriguez got Rayados on the board in the 78th minute, blasting a 22-yard direct kick bomb past the Patriots' wall and goalie Victor Rodriguez. But as North Texas pushed for the equalizer, El Paso's counter-attack finished the game. No dancing from Aizawa this time, only a 20-yard blast from the top of the box that beat Herrera in the 84th minute.

The Patriots will hit the road this weekend for a pair of PDL away games against arch-rival Laredo Friday and Austin on Saturday before returning home next Tuesday for the Open Cup's second round against Charlotte.

After that much road food, the Patriots can only hope the home cooking is just as good next week.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire PDL team advanced past the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the second straight year on Tuesday night, surviving a late onslaught to squeak out a 1-0 victory over Milwaukee-based Croatian Eagles (USASA) on the Toyota Park Practice Field. With the win, the team moves on to host USL PRO’s Dayton Dutch Lions next Tuesday, May 22 at Toyota Park.

“It was a tough win,” said Fire PDL head coach Mark Spooner post-game. “I don’t think we played particularly well but pros find ways to win games and that’s what we did.”

Things looked like they could get out of hand early in the fifth minute when left wing Mark Blades sauntered up the flank and beat his mark to cut inside before laying off a pass for Isaac Kannah, pictured, who tapped his effort past onrushing Eagles ‘keeper Bryce Boyd to give the go-ahead goal.

From there, the team would see a number of chances thwarted by Boyd, who would make eight saves on the night.

In the 18th minute Fire midfielder Harrison Shipp (Notre Dame) placed a header towards the right post that the outstretched Boyd sprawled out to save. The ball pinged around the box before falling to Shipp again who saw his shot put out for a corner by an onrushing Boyd.

Sixteen minutes later Shipp traversed up the left before laying off to Brady Wahl at the top of the box. The Ohio State midfielder hit a well-placed shot to the bottom left corner but saw Boyd take away his chance to keep things level going into the half.

FULL STORY

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

GLENDALE, Wisc. – The Des Moines Menace’s long-awaited return to the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup came at the end of a delay-filled Tuesday night that concluded with a 3-1 win over the Milwaukee Bavarians. For the first time since 2006, the Menace advances past the national tournament’s opening round. Des Moines hosts the Minnesota Stars FC next Tuesday, May 22 at Valley Stadium – the site of back-to-back 1-0 losses in the first round of the 2010 and 2011 Open Cup. The winner moves on to a third-round match with a Major League Soccer team on May 29.

Tuesday night’s final whistle sounded soon after 11 p.m. CT, ending a first-round match whose first and second halves were delayed by lightning and whose overtime period started 15 minutes late, following an unlikely sprinkler delay caused by the Bavarian Soccer Park irrigation system’s watering schedule.

“It was a tough night, and hard to get our guys to refocus and refocus again, with all the delays in the action,” Menace head coach Laurie Calloway said. “I think it says a lot about our players, to be able to stick it out and get the win.”

With Husref Jupic and Lebogang Moloto leading the attack, the Menace (1-2-1 Premier Development League) overcame a first-half deficit and improved to 8-6 all-time in the Open Cup.

Jupic, who scored three goals in the Menace’s 4-1 win against PDL Heartland Division rival St. Louis last Saturday, was a hero again on this night. The Des Moines Hoover grad scored the equalizer in the 70th minute. Luis Piffer assisted Jupic’s left-footed laser, soon after the Menace received a two-man advantage.

Moloto scored in the 102nd and 108th minutes – delivering a goal in each of the two 15-minute overtime periods. The game-winner was assisted by Brent Kallman, who cleared the ball from deep in Des Moines’ side of the field. Moloto, who assisted three goals on Saturday, controlled the bouncing pass with his chest and scored a breakaway goal.

Logan McDaniel assisted the match’s final goal, returning the favor after Moloto set up McDaniel’s goal that opened the scoring in last Saturday’s win.

The Menace controlled much of the match but struggled to find its footing and the finishing touch on the Bavarians’ slippery field. Des Moines’ Javi Lopez twice hit the crossbar off headers set up by corner kicks. McDaniel hit the post on a penalty kick in the 60th minute.

“I think we obviously were making a lot of chances, and we missed several golden opportunities,” Calloway said. “It was only a matter of time for the goals to come.”

Des Moines played with more players than the Bavarians for the final 75 minutes, and with a two-man advantage for more than 20 minutes in the second half. The Bavarians’ David Caban was sent off upon receiving his second yellow card, in the 68th minute. Andrew Stone received a red card in the closing minutes of the first half.

The overtime was played with only 19 players on the field, after the Menace’s Jubril Lawal was issued a red card for dangerous play, in the 90th minute.

MR. B MAN of the MATCH: Lebogang Moloto, who scored two overtime goals to send the Menace into the Cup’s second round. Moloto, a native of South Africa who is in his third season with the Menace, is an all-American who has guided Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) to two NAIA titles in three seasons.

UP NEXT: The Menace is back at Valley Stadium on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. hosting the Kansas City Brass. The games are presented by Jack Links. Des Moines hosts Minnesota Stars FC on Tuesday, May 22 in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. The winner advances to a May 29 third-round matchup with a to-be-determined Major League Soccer team.

“We need to win Saturday to get back in the league fight,” Calloway said. “Then we can prepare for Tuesday’s Open Cup match.”

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. – A brace by forward Davis Paul guided the PSA Elite to a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers U-23s in a first-round match of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night, before 1,524 fans at JELD-WEN Field. 

PSA Elite, from the U.S. Adult Soccer Association, took a 2-0 lead into halftime on the opening goal by Paul and a strike by forward Christian Ramirez. The Timbers U-23s pulled one back in the early stages of the second half on a goal by midfielder Eric Miller in his team debut to cut the deficit 2-1. Despite heavy offensive pressure by the Timbers U-23s in the second half, taking 17 second-half shots, PSA Elite sealed the 3-1 victory on Paul’s second strike of the night in the 89th minute.

With the win, PSA Elite advances to the second round of the 2012 U.S. Open Cup and will face the Carolina RailHawks on Tuesday, May 22. The Timbers U-23s’ debut run in the U.S. Open Cup, a knockout tournament, comes to an end with the loss.

Ramirez finished the night with a goal and an assist, defender Joseph Sophia and midfielder Jonathan Prieto each logged assists and goalkeeper Trevor Widdon notched fives saves to lead PSA Elite. Forward Mark Sherrod and midfielder Steven Evans combined for 12 shots and goalkeeper Spencer Richey made three saves in the loss for the Timbers U-23s.

Paul opened the scoring in the 24th minute off a long throw in from the right touchline by Sophia. Unmarked in front of the goal, Paul was able to connect on the throw near the edge of the goal box and converted his header for a 1-0 PSA Elite lead.

PSA Elite doubled its lead in the 39th minute. Prieto collected the ball near the edge of the box and played a centering pass to Ramirez at the top of the area. Ramirez settled the pass and fired a hard shot past Richey for a 2-0 advantage.

The Timbers U-23s found the back of the net 11 minutes into the second half to pull one back at 2-1. Portland defender Marc Tonkel attempted a hard shot from near the top of the box that ricocheted out to Miller, who then calmly slotted a shot past Whiddon from inside the box in the 56th minute.

As the match drew to a close, Paul capped his brace in the final minute of regulation. Ramirez, out on the right flank, connected with Paul, who then curled a shot up and over the outstretched arms of Richey completing PSA Elite’s 3-1 win.

The Timbers U-23s attempted 26 shots against PSA Elite, creating several scoring chances throughout the match. Evans forced Whiddon into an early save in the second minute, taking a half volley from just outside the box that the PSA Elite goalkeeper had to palm over the crossbar. In the 27th minute, Sherrod nearly found an equalizer, but his header from inside 10 yards struck the woodwork. Midfielder Roberto Farfan turned and fired a shot from inside the box just high and wide of the mark early in the match.

Portland continued its offensive push in the second half, out-shooting PSA Elite 17-7 in the period, as it continued to push for a goal. In the 75th minute, Sherrod collected a long pass up field by forward Clark Phillips, but Sherrod’s effort at the near post was saved and knocked out for a corner kick. A minute later, the Timbers U-23s produced a flurry of activity in front of the PSA Elite goal and had a pair of shots blocked before the ball fell to Evans near the penalty spot. Evan’s shot was pushed wide left of the mark by Whiddon.

In the 88th minute, just before PSA Elite’s third goal of the night, Timbers U-23s midfielder Cam Vickers had a shot saved off the goal line by PSA Elite defender Edwin Miranda and the follow-up attempt off the rebound by Tonkel was blocked in the box. Down by two goals deep in stoppage time, the Timbers U-23s continued to press and Evans produced the team’s final shot, working through three PSA Elite defenders to get a shot off on frame; it was saved by Whiddon.

The Timbers U-23s return to Premier Development League play Saturday as the play host to the Victoria Highlanders at Alder Creek Middle School in Milwaukie, Ore.; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate.

Monday, May 14, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Desmond Armstrong distinguished himself as a player with his air-tight man-marking of Italian strikers Salvatore Schillachi and Gianluca Vialli in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Hassled by Armstrong throughout, neither found the back of the net in the United States’ narrow 1-0 Group A defeat.

In an 11-year professional career, Armstrong also held his own against other international legends such as Roberto Baggio, Bebeto and Junior. Today, he still owns a jersey from Marco Van Basten after swapping uniforms with the former A.C. Milan offensive wizard.

But 10 days before the start of the Nashville Metros’ 2012 season, Armstrong wanted to focus more on his achievements after his playing career ended. In the 16 years since his retirement, Armstrong’s extensive resume includes a stint as a commentator for the World Cup, a spot on the Board of Directors for U.S. Soccer, a brief foray into sports management, a wide range of coaching and scouting responsibilities at the nation’s top youth soccer academies and even a position as director of marketing for a Women’s professional team in North Carolina.

The diverse experiences provide Armstrong with a unique skill-set as he encounters his next challenge: new general manager of the Metros.

“Over the years I’ve been able to do the patchwork,” Armstrong said. “You do the camps, the small programs, the private lessons, the teams, the clubs. You are wearing several different hats, you figure out what you can do and what you can’t do.”

Armstrong is now spearheading the revitalization of the longest running franchise in the USL Premier Development League – one that hasn’t qualified for the playoffs since 2004. The Metros have a new logo, a new home field (E.S. Rose Park) and a new coach in 1987 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Brent Goulet. Armstrong is confident the changes will help instill a new attitude.

“I’m not interested in what happened prior to us arriving. It has no relevance,” Armstrong said. “The reason it has no relevance is because things change every year. We want to get some stability first and foremost and with that create an environment by which we can bring in talented players and nurture them.”

* * *

Less than an hour after being one of the final cuts from the 1994 U.S. World Cup team, Armstrong displayed stunning resilience. Instead of remaining down from the shocking news, the veteran defender called several tournament sponsors to inquire in commercial opportunities for former national team members. He quickly received a call back from ABC/ESPN. Within a week, Armstrong was in New York to audition for a position as a studio analyst for the event.

During the month-long tournament, Armstrong shined. Despite having no prior broadcasting experience, Armstrong provided strong analysis and established instant chemistry with Award winning broadcaster Jim McKay. At tournament’s end, Armstrong received decent reviews from the Baltimore Sun – his hometown newspaper. Jack O’Hara, a former Executive Producer for ABC Sports, gave Armstrong stellar marks and described him as having a natural flair for the camera.

Armstrong stayed with ABC/ESPN for three years before focusing on helping develop youth soccer throughout the country. With his legacy as a player already cemented, Armstrong shifted his focus on giving back to his community. In the early 1990s, Armstrong founded Soccer Beats – an urban soccer ministry in the Baltimore-area – to provide kids with the potential of attaining the same experiences he had as a player. The club later morphed into Heroes FC, a talented youth team which captured a youth soccer national title in 2004. In 2000, Armstrong was named national coaching director for Soccer in the Streets, an organization dedicated to teaching kids to make positive life choices through the sport.

Over the past two decades, the Washington D.C. native has become heavily involved in scouting. From 2006-2008, Armstrong served as the head scout for Brad Friedel’s Premier Soccer Academies – the first full-time residential soccer academy in the nation. Armstrong has also spent considerable time mentoring the top youth players in the country at the Adidas Elite Soccer Program and the U.S. Club Soccer select id2 camp. Armstrong’s time with D.C. United’s Youth Academy could yield immediate benefits this season. Iyassu Bekele, a former striker from the academy, could be one of the Metros’ top scoring threats.

There may not be a general manager in the league with the wealth of contacts or the ability to acquire young talent as effectively as Armstrong. The relationships Armstrong has forged with some of the top youth coaches in the country could provide the Metros with the most talent the team has had since winning the A-League’s Central Division in 1998.

“He knows how to get things done administratively, but more importantly for us right now he knows how to find players from being on the ground so long,” Goulet said. “If he brings quality players, I’ll coach them and we’ll be successful. It’s a great combination.”

Armstrong’s list of contacts extends far beyond the United States.

“I have contacts in South Africa, South America, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Zambia, Gabon, Cameroon, not to mention England, Germany, France and Belgium,” Armstrong said. “We can find players, I can find players.”

Armstrong will be aided by Goulet and Eddie Davidson, the Metros’ marketing director. Goulet remains in contact with a number of professional teams in Germany after spending close to two decades in the country as a player and coach. Davidson is a former scout and business consultant for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Hannover 96 in the German Bundesliga.

Several weeks into the season, Armstrong will be honored for his lifelong contributions to the sport with his induction into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame. In a twist of irony, the ceremony will take place before a Brazil-U.S exhibition on May 30 at FedEx Field in Maryland. In 1991, Armstrong became the first player in United States’ history to sign a contract with a professional team in Brazil when he agreed to terms with Santos, Pele’s former club.

“It’s going to be USA-Brazil, in my hometown,” Armstrong said. “There’s nothing better than that.”

“He had a terrific career as a player, it’s great he’s being inducted in the Hall of Fame,” said Sunil Gulati, the head of the United States Soccer Federation. “He should be very proud of his accomplishment.”

By then, Armstrong will be five games into his latest project and well on his way to accomplishing his next goal.

“The biggest goal for this year is where the team will be 10 years from now,” Armstrong said. “The issue is to bring stability with credibility. We want to come in and do it professionally.”

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Two sides on opposite ends of the country, GPS Portland Phoenix and the Portland Timbers U-23s, are the only two PDL sides experiencing the thrill of America’s oldest soccer competition for the first time.

The Phoenix will look to assert themselves on the national stage and write a new chapter in their history. Before they came under the Global Premier Soccer umbrella two years ago, they were two-time PDL champions as the Cape Cod Crusaders and produced multiple players who went on to bigger things. While the titles were nice, it was the development of players that pleased Head Coach and General Manager Paul Baber most.

“Because of the success we’ve had, [with] the Cape Cod Crusader PDL team, we really look after them like trainee-professionals, so we’re a fantastic stepping stone,” Baber said this week. “We don’t see our job as just playing our players at the PDL level. Our job, especially if they’ve been with us a number of years, is to not only develop them on the field, but really it’s to help them, assist them, to inspire them to reach their goals.”

Some of the recent players that have made the step up after playing with the Phoenix include Aaron Schoenfield and Bryan Gaul, who recently signed MLS contracts with the Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy.

But the winning isn’t bad either, and the Phoenix got off to a nice start on Saturday with a 2-1 win against the Vermont Voltage in the PDL’s Northeast Division, which pleased Baber.

“The score line may not necessarily dictate how the game went,” he said. “We were very pleased with our performance. I think it makes a great building block for [today]’s game.”

Today’s game is an encounter at home with two-time Open Cup champions the Brooklyn Italians (8 p.m. ET, Memorial Field). While it has a cup feel for Baber, his approach with three attacking midfielders in a 4-4-2 will not change, though he does acknowledge “it will be close”.

Off the field, as the GM, Baber is aware of the buzz being created by being the first team from Maine to qualify for the Open Cup, and he is pleased with the response by the fans.

“We’re ecstatic. We came to Maine three years ago [and] we think we’ve really impacted the soccer in Maine,” Baber said. “So we’re very proud of the fact to be the first club from Maine. We thank the community for the support we’re getting.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the PDL season, Baber says his team will not be one with a couple of superstars, but rather a team full of solid, versatile players he feels can perform at the next level.

A dominant performance today would certainly begin to prove that.

This is the 99th edition of the US Open Cup, and it kicks off with an expanded format. A major beneficiary of this change has been the PDL’s clubs, with 16 spots now granted to the league. No-one is happier about this than the Portland Timbers U-23s.

Last year, before 5,000 fans at JELD-WEN Field, the Timbers fell 3-2 to the Kitsap Pumas and did not qualify for the Open Cup as a result. That loss accentuated a poor season, just one year after going a perfect 20-0-0 to win the program’s first PDL championship. Head coach Jim Rilatt, who was named PDL Coach of the Year as a result of that remarkable campaign in 2010, is ready to return to winning ways

“It’s not acceptable to have another year like that no matter what the reasons are, and that’s the way it should be,” Rilatt said. “We have to win. If any of these players are fortunate enough to become a Portland Timber MLS player next year, that’s the fans’ standard and they’ll be ready for it.”

The community has shown their support for the team in many ways, and it is made easier through the local talent. Eight players in the squad come from the state of Oregon, and with an academy system coming next season Rilatt promises to add as much local flavor as possible.

Some of that local talent has already stood out, such as midfielder Steve Evans, who impressed in the season-opening 3-0 win against the Fraser Valley Mariners this past Friday. Despite outshooting their opponents 27-7, Rilatt suggested his team caught its opponent “at their preparation stages, more than anything.”

As for today’s game against PSA Elite (7:10 p.m. PT, JELD-WEN Field), he says he is “completely in the dark” about the opponent. “What we do is make sure we focus on us, because we’re still trying to get to know us.”

Other than Cameron Dunn, a former Timbers player who Rilatt enjoyed coaching, scouting the opposition is not possible.

“I’ll shake his hand before the game and wish him all the best, but that’s about it for us. Then we got to go do our thing.”

Their thing usually involves winning, something he says the organization takes extremely seriously. Still, Rilatt says today’s Open Cup encounter is only about one thing.

“It’s great to have our chance at it, we’ve been that close so often,” Rilatt said. “This is really an event for the players. It’s the sacrifice that they make to come here. The PDL season is a grind, the travel schedule, the game schedule, we have to train at 7:30 in the morning so I can get to first team practice and they can go work camp. If you’re a kid with aspirations to play professional soccer, it’s a great opportunity. And I’m excited for them.”

Players such as Jake Gleeson, Ryan Kawulok, and Brent Richards – all graduates from the U-23 program and current MLS Timbers – know all about the opportunity the club offers. Rilatt acknowledges the support he gets from owner Merritt Paulson, and gives it straight back to his players, hoping they take it and run with it.

“I’d like to think these players, they talk to people like Jake, and heard it’s a good situation for them,” he said. “They get a fair shake, and if they do their job, there’s a good set of eyes on them.”

Today’s Open Cup match at JELD-WEN will certainly have more than a few eyes, looking for the talent of tomorrow.

Monday, May 14, 2012

PORTLAND, Maine -- GPS Portland Phoenix will take the first step toward earning a chance to play a Major League Soccer team later this spring as they face the Brooklyn Italians in the Lamar Hunt Open Cup at Memorial Field on Tuesday night at 8 pm. As 2011 PDL Northeast Division Champions, the Phoenix will enter the first round proper of the 64-team U.S. Open Cup tournament.

The Phoenix are among 32 amateur teams from leagues throughout the United States entered in the knockout tournament. For the first time, all 32 U.S.-based Division I, II and III professional clubs also are participating in the event. The tournament’s first round is made up entirely of amateur teams.

The 16 first-round winners will play Division II or III professional teams in the second round.  The winner of the game between the Phoenix and Italians will face USL PRO's Rochester Rhinos in the second round, with the winner of that contest, to be played on Tuesday, May 22, guaranteed a game against one of the 16 MLS teams in the third round.

"We obviously have to get through our first round," Phoenix coach Paul Baber said. "We’re playing at home, which gives us a little bit of advantage."

The Phoenix have never played the Brooklyn-based team, which plays in the National Premier Soccer League.

"The Brooklyn Italians are in a different division than us, and we’ve never seen them play," Baber said. "We don’t think this is going to be an easy game by any stretch. We feel this is going to be a very solid game."

The Brooklyn soccer club was founded in 1949 by Italians who emigrated to the New York borough following World War II.

"Historically, they’re a good team," Baber said. "They played for the Open Cup many years ago. It is one of the longest-standing soccer clubs in North America."

Looking to build upon the solid start to the PDL season with an opening 2-1 win over the Vermont Voltage on Saturday, the Phoenix are focused on the task at hand.

"We can’t prepare for them because we don’t know a lot about that team," Baber said. "We can’t depend on their roster from last year because at our level you lose 50 percent of your team every year. We can only worry really about what we do. We can’t prepare to play them. We can prepare to play the best as we can."

Monday, May 14, 2012

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Fuego will play a busy schedule this week as they take on the Turlock Express on Tuesday night to start their bid to win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and then square off against the O.C. Blue Star on Friday at Chukchansi Park for a 7 p.m. PT match.

The Fuego will play in the 99th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 2012. This year’s appearance will be the Fuego’s first since 2003 when Fresno lost to the L.A. Galaxy in the Round of 16 at the Home Depot Center. The U.S. Open Cup is one of the oldest soccer competitions in the world, and the Fuego qualified for this year’s tournament based on last year’s regular season standings.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup features teams from all levels of soccer in the United States. Amateur and semi-professional clubs along with the top three pro divisions in the country, MLS, NASL and USL PRO, compete in the six month-long tournament.

The event expanded in 2012 from 40 teams to 64 teams, including all 16 MLS teams from the United States that enter in the third round of the bracket. Along with the Fuego, there are 16 teams from the Premier Development League (PDL), and the Turlock Express is the only team representing US Club Soccer in the tournament.

If the Fuego defeat the Express at Turlock on Tuesday, they will move on to face the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in Florida on Tuesday, May 22nd.

The Fuego enter Tuesday’s game coming off a 1-1 tie against the Blue Star this past Friday in league play. Paul Islas scored the lone Fuego goal in the match. The tie keeps the Fuego undefeated at 3-0-1 in PDL competition.

After Tuesday’s game in Turlock, the Fuego return home to Chukchansi Park for another match against the Blue Star on Friday, May 18th. The first 1,000 fans to Friday’s game will receive a vuvuzela, courtesy of Freeway Insurance, the Auto Insurance Experts.

All Fuego home games feature free admission for fans, provided by Univision Radio. Free admission vouchers can be printed from the Fresno Fuego’s Facebook Fan Page (www.facebook.com/FresnoFuego) or by visiting Univision Radio on Palm and Herndon in Fresno.

Monday, May 14, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers U-23s will make their first appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday when they play host to PSA Elite of the U.S Adult Soccer Association (USASA) in a first-round matchup at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets are $7 and are available for purchase through the JELD-WEN Field box office or online through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. Prior to Tuesday’s match, the Major League Soccer match between the Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo at 5:30 p.m. PT will be shown live on the video wall at JELD-WEN Field; gates open at 5:15 p.m.

The winner of the first-round match between the Timbers U-23s and PSA Elite will travel to face the Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in the second round on Tuesday, May 22, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.; kickoff is set for 4:07 p.m. PT.

One of 16 teams from United Soccer Leagues’ Premier Development League (PDL), the Timbers U-23s qualified for the 2012 U.S. Open Cup based upon their finish in the PDL’s Northwest Division standings in 2011. It is the first time the Timbers U-23s have qualified for the nation’s oldest soccer tournament.

The Timbers U-23s opened their PDL season with a 3-0 win against Fraser Valley Mariners FC this past Friday at JELD-WEN Field. A first-half brace by forward Mark Sherrod, scoring either side of a goal by striker Emery Welshman, lifted the team to its season-opening victory.

Based in Irvine, Calif., PSA Elite earned a berth in the U.S. Open Cup after winning the USASA Region IV championship on May 6. Former second-division Timbers defender Cameron Dunn anchored the team’s backline during the Region IV championship match and helped the team clinch a spot in the USASA National Cup Final Four. PSA Elite is one of just nine USASA clubs to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Open Cup.

The 2012 U.S. Open Cup, the 99th edition of the tournament, includes a 64-team field, which represents the largest in the modern era (1995 to present). The first round includes 32 amateur sides, which have been paired geographically, with the restriction that teams from the same qualifying pool cannot be paired. First-round winners will face Division II or Division III clubs in the second round. In the third round, second-round winners will be geographically paired with Division I clubs.

The Timbers U-23s return to PDL play on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT when they take on the Victoria Highlanders at Alder Creek Middle School in Milwaukie, Ore. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Monday, May 14, 2012

PONTIAC, Mich. -- The Michigan Bucks open their 17th Premier Development League (PDL) season with a twist. For the first time in team history, the Bucks will open with a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game, which will be played on Tuesday night at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac (7:30 p.m. kickoff). In the first round of the nation's oldest sporting tournament, the Bucks will take on the New Jersey Boca (USUSA) with the winner heading to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, May 22 to play the USL PRO Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the second round.

The Bucks berth in this year's prestigious tournament comes compliments of its 2011 Great Lakes Division title and their ninth appearance in the Open Cup adds to their lengthy list of PDL records.

Following Tuesday night's huge match, the Bucks will turn around and host the expansion Chicago Inferno on Saturday night (Ultimate Soccer Arenas, 7:30 p.m. kickoff) for their opening match of the 2012 PDL season. The first of 16 PDL matches this term will have the Bucks facing off home and home with the other Great Lakes Division rivals FC London, River City Rovers ( Louisville), Toronto Lynx, and the Hamilton FC Rage. The Bucks will have three matches this season against the Cincinnati Kings and perennial powerhouse Chicago Fire Premier.

As most seasons, the Bucks will have a fair amount of player turnover, having five players taken in January's MLS draft. The good news for Bucks fans this season is that there will be several familiar faces to lead the organization with the most wins in PDL history, starting with current PDL Coach of the Year, Gary Parsons (4th season). On the field, reigning PDL Defender of the Year Stewart Givens is back along side the legend and all time leading scorer in PDL history, Kenny Uzoigwe. Joining these veterans are other players with professional experience including Sebby Harris (England) and Simon Omekanda ( Belgium). The key to the Bucks success over the years has been the mix of experience at the highest level to play along side some of the top college players in the country. This year will be no different.

Returning for their third season at Ultimate Soccer Arenas for the summer are two of the top college prospects in the country and current MLS homegrown players. Chad Barson (Akron/ Columbus Crew academy)) and Scott Caldwell (Akron/ New England Revolution academy) return to lead the Bucks this summer before heading back to Akron to lead the Zips this fall before both start their MLS careers in January. Other standouts that Bucks fans will recognize are Tom Catalano, Adam Grinwas (Michigan), Justin Sass (Butler), Stefan St. Louis, Ryan Keener (MSU) and Kofi Opare (Michigan).

Rejoining this year's team will also be a couple of familiar faces that were away from the Bucks but have come back to join the team in a quest for a deep US Open Cup run and a chance to earn a second PDL championship in August. Kevin Cope (MSU) returns to anchor the back line after a year in Chicago and Bim Ogunyemi returns home after two seasons with the Portland Timbers, where he helped the Timbers U23 to the PDL title in 2010.

Following the Bucks first two games this week at Ultimate Soccer are two home games in local communities, where the Bucks will travel to Canton to be a part of the prestigious Canton Cup on Saturday, May 26 (noon kick off) and then to Novi where the Catholic Central Shamrocks will host the Bucks when they take on the Chicago Fire Premier in the first of three matches that will feature some of the country's top players. There were 16 players drafted by MLS last January from previous Bucks/ Fire matches and this year could produce even more.

Tickets for all Bucks home games are $10 Adults and $7 Youth (16 and under). Kids 5 and under are always free to Bucks games. The Canton Cup game is free to the public, compliments of the Canton Cup tournament organizers. Tickets for all other Bucks home games, including the game at CC can be purchased online for a discounted rate of only $6 per ticket. Please visit www.buckssoccer.com and click on the TICKET link to purchase your presale tickets today.

For more information about the Michigan Bucks and the United Soccer Leagues, please visit the league web site at www.uslsoccer.com for scores, standings and schedules for all 73 teams in the 2012 PDL season.

Monday, May 14, 2012

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando City U23s face the defending National Premier Soccer League Champions Jacksonville United this Tuesday night at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla. Tuesday’s match marks the start of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States. Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m.

Jacksonville United is a member of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), which was formed in 2002. Last season, United won the NPSL championship match by defeating Hollywood United 3-2. JUFC captain Tommy Krizanovic scored a hat trick in the 3-2 victory, earning himself the Championship MVP.

“Jacksonville [United] is a solid team that will be ready to play,” said Orlando City U23s Head Coach Joe Avallone. “We need to be at our best on Tuesday. They’re one of those teams that could take you by surprise if you don’t thoroughly prepare for them.”

In their last regular season match held Friday, the U23s swept past Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy in a 6-0 win at the Seminole Soccer Complex. A week beforehand, the two clubs ended in a scoreless draw at the same venue. The result shows the U23s are constantly learning and growing as they gain more valuable training time on the practice pitch.

If the U23s are successful, they will host the Tampa Bay Rowdies – an unspoken rival of the pro team due to location of the two clubs. No Orlando City team has ever faced the Rowdies. The match would be held at the Seminole Soccer Complex.

Tickets for all Orlando City U23s matches start at $5 for kids 16 and below, with admission for adults 17 and up just $10. Tickets are available at the gate before every home match. For more information on the U23s match and more, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com

Player to Watch- Jonathan Mendoza

Captain Jonathan Mendoza joined the U23s for the 6-0 win over Fort Lauderdale after finishing the Spring semester at Stetson, showing why he wears the armband in the dominating victory. Mendoza immediately provided a spark, scoring the first goal in the fifth minute after recovering his own deflection off of the Schulz Academy goalkeeper. Look for Mendoza to continue his strong play on Tuesday against JUFC.

Available Roster

Moses Aduny, Johan Bergfeld, Ricardo Campbell, Oumar Diakhite, David Graydon, Will Frandsen, Ryan Griffin, Ezequiel Pedraza, Joseph Toby, Steven Williams, Sean Reynolds, Chip Saunders, Anthony Arico, Keneil Baker, Jonathan Mendoza, Louis Ojeco, Nicolas Russo. 

Monday, May 14, 2012

REDMOND, Wash. -- University of Washington men’s soccer is excited to again this year have the opportunity to send five players to participate on the Washington Crossfire's PDL team. The PDL is the top developmental men’s league in North America.

“The great majority of our players have professional ambitions,” said Huskies coach, Jamie Clark. “The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world.”

“We are excited that Andy Thoma, Charlie Ranahan, Ben Fisk, Alex Klein and Nathan Sackeyfio will be part of our program this summer,” said Washington Crossfire’s Head Coach, Adam Nowland. “I had the opportunity to see them all play with UW this past month. I expect each of them to be big contributors and leaders on the field. They have all come off of a very productive spring season with the Huskies. That environment should serve them well in our league.”

“The Crossfire PDL and youth programs have been a great contributor to Husky soccer over the years. We have eight players on our current Husky squad that were part of the Crossfire youth program and a ninth, David Gebert, will be joining us next fall. All three of my captains last year have been involved with Crossfire teams as well as my two captains for the coming fall. Three Husky alums in the MLS, George John, Ellis McLoughlin and Brent Richards were part of Crossfire in their youth careers. Bernie James and Adam do a wonderful job in training and preparing their player for college and the pros.”

Washington Crossfire is the only King County team involved in the PDL. Each summer they attract top level college players from all over the country. Besides the current Huskies former UW stars Nick James, Matt Fisher and Eli Allen will also be donning the Washington Crossfire jersey.

“Though our team colors are red and black it is clear that we have a core of our team that bleeds purple. That is a good thing,” said Nowland. “If we were not limited to only be allowed to take five current Washington players by the NCAA I would be thrilled to have a whole team of them.”

Washington Crossfire trains and plays their matches at Redmond High School. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions.

“It is great to have such a strong program right in our own backyard where our players have a first class situation to train in the summer,” commented Clark. “We have some big ambitions for our team this fall. Knowing that we have five of our players are involved in a program of Crossfire’s quality gives us great confidence that they will come back to us well prepared to help us reach our goals.”

Monday, May 14, 2012

HAMILTON, Ont. – Hamilton FC is pleased to announce today that it has entered into an affiliation arrangement with the Guelph Royals Soccer Club. The purpose of this arrangement is to help promote player and coaching development within Guelph SC. and to provide exposure for Hamilton FC.

Hamilton FC includes both a men’s and a women’s top level amateur team. The men’s team plays in the Premier Development League (PDL) and the women in the W-league; both represent the highest level of amateur soccer in North America. These teams provide elite collegiate and amateur players with an opportunity to continue to play at a higher level of competitive soccer after they’ve completed their youth soccer experience.

The benefits to Guelph SC include:

• A pathway for their elite youth athletes to reach the next level of competitive soccer after completing their youth programs.
• Access to Hamilton FC players for mentoring programs and support to their Technical staff to the benefit of both players and coaches.
• Game-day experiences for their youth players (ball boys and girls, half-time mini-games)
• Demonstration practice sessions to support their coaching development.
• Collaboration and participation between the club’s technical staff.
• Fundraising opportunities through ticket sales.
• Seasons tickets to Hamilton FC games for Guelph their coaches.

Hamilton FC gains:
• An affiliation with a strong and aspiring youth club.
• Opportunities for our players to participate in the youth development programs offered by Guelph SC technical staff.

Ruben Flores, Technical Director of Guelph SC, is excited by the opportunities afforded their members through this relationship with HFC.

“This affiliation completes our pyramid of play at the club," Flores said, "injects more technical skill and experience into our player and coach development programs, and provides a great focus to further develop our soccer community in the city.”

Hamilton FC Director of Football, Brett Mosen expressed his enthusiasm for the relationship.

“This is a great opportunity for both our clubs," he said. "It gives HFC terrific additional exposure in the Guelph community and enables us to supplement each other’s programs. In the end, players and coaches from organizations will benefit.”

GREENWOOD, S.C. -- On a beautiful opening night supported by the home fans, the newly formed Palmetto FC Bantams took all three points from the Virginia Beach Piranhas in a clean, hard-fought 2-1 win. With a crowd of more than 1000 in attendance, Gustavo Cunha assisted on both goals finished by Ryan Freiburger and Luke Perry, with the Piranhas rallying through a goal from Jerjer Gibson.

After a back and forth opening 10 minutes, the match settled in as the Piranhas took hold of possession and had the early chances, most notably in the 23rd minute from a corner. But as the game progressed the Bantams exerted more control over the match and were rewarded with a free kick from Gustavo Cunha, drawn by Mike Mangotic. A neat cross from Cunha saw Piranhas' goalkeeper Tyler Benham punch the ball into the air, leading to the first goal in Bantams history, headed home by Freiburger in the 32nd minute.

The Bantams did not stop there, in the 38th minute Cunha dribbled past three defenders down the right flank, cutting inside to find Perry who slotted home from 15 yards into the bottom left corner. The Piranhas fought their way back into the game and were rewarded for their efforts. In the 45th minute a lofted ball over the top lead to a miscued back pass by the Bantams, resulting in an unassisted goal from Gibson, cutting the Bantams lead to 2-1 at the break.

The second half was loaded with chances for the Bantams, but none translated on the score sheet. In the 50th minute, a high lofted corner to the top of the box set up Cunha for a volley that was palmed away with a great save by Benham. In the 79th minute, Bantams’ defender Jack Kimber dribbled forward for a 30-yard blast into the top right corner, but Benham was there once again. The Bantams’ Lee Squires also failed to convert a one-on-one breakaway and had a header called back for offside. As the game crept to a close, and the Piranhas pressed to try and find a late equalizer, the Bantams’ defense was up to the task and comfortably closed out their first win in franchise history.

The Bantams have next weekend off before they host their next fixture on Friday, May 25th at 7 p.m. against Real Maryland FC at Stone Stadium in Columbia, S.C. The Piranhas will remain on the road next weekend as they meet in-state rivals the Fredericksburg Impact on Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. before facing the Northern Virginia Royals on Sunday evening at 5 p.m.

QUINCY, Mass. -- Two pieces of clinical finishing from Brazilian striker Junior Alencar in the second half saw the Worcester Hydra take a 2-0 win against the Boston Victory in the Quincy-based club’s opening home game in the PDL. A crowd of 546 at Veterans Memorial Stadium saw a physical first half followed by Alencar’s 70th-minute header and second strike seven minutes later as the Hydra took all three points in the Northeast Division.

The deadlock was broken with 20 minutes to play as Michael Soboff delivered a perfect cross into the penalty area and Alencar rose unopposed to head home with the home goal exposed. With Boston still reeling, Brett Uttley split the defense and Alencar picked his spot past Jordan Bar for his second goal.

"It’s a hard loss to take in our own stadium," said Victory coach Sergio Taborda. "The first half was very even but in the second we lost the battles in the midfield and we didn’t receiver when we needed to. We made mistakes that led to the two goals and that is very upsetting. We can not let that happen."

Lucas Pessanha, who scored the winning goal away to CFC Azul last week, had enjoyed the best of the early chances for the Victory, driving just wide of the right post and then mustered a shot from a tight space, but saw the ball blocked.

Boston skipper Andrew Sousa endured some rough treatment as the Victory looked to the former New England Revolution midfielder to create chances through the middle. Then Hydra striker Alencar, who had a hopeful appeal for a penalty waved away, fired a shot across the face of goal in the 26th minute.

The visitors tested Bar with speculative efforts from Alencar and Bruno Bonicontro that barely troubled the home keeper. In reply, Sousa delivered a free kick into the area, which Oliver Brum gathered at the second attempt under pressure from Wagner Silva.

With each team having committed seven fouls with only half-an-hour on the clock, referee Matt Mercier spoke to both captains to calm what was threatening to become a heated clash and Silva was the recipient of the game’s first yellow card as he committed the next infringement. Sousa and Matheus Assaf also found their way into the referee’s notebook.

Eight minutes before the break, Soboff found himself in space on the left hand side of the Victory penalty area and his shot was helped into side netting for a corner by Bar. With a minute to play until the interval, Soboff looped a free kick over the wall from almost 25 yards, but Bar made an easy grab.

As the Hydra enjoyed the better of the closing stages of the half, Russell Guidici got on the end of a deep cross but his diving header fell wide.

Victory coach Sergio Taborda will rally his side for a double-header of games next week, traveling to Western Mass Pioneers on Friday night before taking on Seacoast United in Quincy on Saturday, May 19 at 7 p.m.

READING, Pa. – Reading United’s one-goal lead from the first minute of play couldn’t hold up over the remainder of the game, as a late New Jersey Ranger equalizer sent both teams home with a point in the standings.

Rangers midfielder Dritan Sela’s pass from the left side of the box in the 83rd minute had eyes between United defenders towards the far post as Michael Dietze finished with a blast past Reading keeper Emmanuel Martin to knot the game at 1-1. The play followed one of numerous missed opportunities for United in the offensive third, as New Jersey keeper Paul Killian spurred the counter-attack following a weakly driven shot. Reading was left scurrying on the counter, and was a step behind the entire length of the field.

Reading’s Paul Wyatt had gotten things started for the United before most fans got settled into their seats. His blast from just outside the penalty area on the right side stunned Ranger keeper Paul Killian just 45 seconds into the match for a 1-0 Reading lead.

“They simply outhustled us the entire game,” said United head coach Brendan Burke. “We are lucky to come away with a point after the effort we put out. We need to refocus for our [U.S. Open Cup] match on Tuesday.”

Both teams had chances late in the game for a second goal. Reading’s best chance came right before allowing the tying goal, as some nifty passing inside the box between led to a point blank shot by Julian Cardona that was snuffed out by Killian in the 81st minute. Jersey nearly stole three points on the road after Sela found Alex Brito by the far post in stoppage time, but Martin made a critical stop to keep the score tied.

The late goal ruined what was otherwise a perfect night for soccer for United fans, as Reading returned to Albright College’s Gene Shirk Stadium for the first time since 2004. Reading will make another “homecoming” of sorts, as Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup match against the USASA’s New York Greek American Atlas will be held at Fleetwood High School for the first time since 2003.

Reading’s U.S. Open Cup appearance on Tuesday evening will be their fourth straight in the tournament, which ties an amateur record. Game time is 7 p.m. at Fleetwood High School’s historic Ray Buss Field, and tickets can be purchased online at readingunitedac.com or at the gate.

2012 Reading United Game Day Tickets and Season Tickets now available at readingunitedac.com. Also available: Game Day Youth Packages, Group Discount Packages, Birthday Parties and Fundraising Ticket Packages. Contact Denise Strohmayr at denise@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.

JACKSON, Miss. -- On a raining Saturday night, expansion side the Ocala Stampede proved they are ready to compete in the Southeast Division of the Premier Development League. They walked into Mississippi Brilla’s home field, where Brilla has only lost once in their previous five years of existence, and took home the three points with a 1-0 victory.

After a fairly uneventful first half, Ocala’s Carlos De Araujo, in a brilliant individual effort, tied the Brilla’s defense in knots and then smashed a shot into the roof of the net in the 54th minute. Having secured a goal, Ocala was content to let Brilla bring the game to them and cleared every Brilla attempt to take all three points.

“Obviously, we didn’t get off to the start we wanted,” said Brilla coach Dave Dixon. “The first game is always tricky because the players are trying to figure each other out after only a few days of training. Ocala had already played and won a game, and it showed in the way they played tonight. They deserved the win. They outplayed us.”

The win puts Ocala on top of the standings in the Southeast Division, having already secured a 4-2 victory against the VSI Tampa Flames last weekend.

The Brilla will hope to bounce back when they go to South Florida next week to take on the VSI Tampa Flames and IMG Bradenton Academics. Before those two league matches, however, Mississippi must travel to Conyers, GA for a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup first round match to face the Georgia Revolution of the NPSL on Tuesday, May 15. 

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The goals finally came for the Des Moines Menace, and when they did, they came in heaps. With an outburst of four quick goals, the Menace shook off a slow start to the PDL season to take a 4-1 victory against the St. Louis Lions on Saturday night at Valley Stadium.

Husref Jupic scored three goals, Lebogang Moloto assisted three and Logan McDaniel delivered a goal and an assist. They did it all in the first 17 minutes of the second half, emphatically ending the Menace’s 310-minute scoring drought.

“It’s great to get those goals and to get the first win. Great performances all around,” said Menace head coach Laurie Calloway after seeing his team improve to 1-2-1. “Lebo was unbelievable. He was the extra spark tonight.”

Moloto joined the team yesterday, and made a big entrance into his third season in Des Moines. He assisted McDaniel in the first minute after halftime, and set up Jupic in the 51st and 60th minutes.

“It feels good to be back. I missed the fans, missed the coaches, missed the players and staff,” Moloto said. “I think the team’s coming along. It’s about time we get some wins.”

“The first goal really made the difference. It really opened up the game,” Jupic said of McDaniel’s goal. “Now we know what we can do. We know we can score goals. We’ll keep finding the back of the net, and more wins will come.”

Jupic finished with two goals in 21 matches with the Menace in the last two seasons. He eclipsed his PDL career total in a span of 12 minutes, capped by a clean chip set up by McDaniel. Jupic’s hat trick came exactly five years after the Menace’s most recent three-goal performance – by franchise player Tomas Boltnar on May 12, 2007 in a 5-0 win over Sioux Falls.

St. Louis, which received a late goal from Chris Mathews, dropped its season-opener. The Menace visit the Lions on May 26.

MR. B MAN of the MATCH: Jupic, who was coached by Boltnar as a member of the Des Moines Menace Academy.

“Having your name put up next to Tomas in any category is an honor – something to be proud of,” Jupic said.

The Des Moines Hoover grad was the 2009 Iowa High School Player of the Year. He prepares for his senior season at Western Illinois University.

UP NEXT: Next week brings a quick turnaround for the Menace, which plays the Milwaukee Bavarians at Bavarian Soccer Park on Tuesday (May 15) in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, starting at 7 p.m. A win would result in Des Moines hosting the Minnesota Stars FC on Tuesday, May 22 in the second round.

The Menace are back at Valley Stadium next Saturday, as they host the Kansas City Brass at 7:30 p.m. The game is presented by Jack Links.

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- On a sunny Friday night at Swangard Stadium, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 began a "junior" edition of the Cascadia Cup with their first ever match against Sounders FC U-23 in the USL PDL. Despite attacking for much of the match, the ’Caps ultimately fell 2-1 to their newfound Pacific Northwest rivals.

The ‘Caps came into this match a week after a decisive 3-0 home victory over defending PDL champions Kitsap Pumas at Swangard. Vancouver fielded a similar squad to its prior match, with MLS roster players Caleb Clarke, Russell Teibert, and returning captain Michael Boxall all offering their services. Head coach Craig Dalrymple opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Fisk, Clarke, and Teibert bringing the firepower up front, compared to last week’s 4-4-1-1 lineup.

Things got to a flying start with drumming and chanting Southsiders competing with a handful of Sounders supporters, chanting back and forth. Vancouver had the first clear chance of the match when Teibert was given too much space up the middle before his strike was deflected barely wide of the net in the eighth minute. Teibert again was menacing on 12 minutes when he was left free in the 18-yard box for a solid strike that Sounders goalkeeper Doug Herrick parried from danger.

In the 23rd minute, the Sounders’ Deandre Yedlin made a scintillating run up the right wing from his defence position and sent Darwin Jones through forcing a challenge and a save from Callum Irving before Boxall cleared the ball. One minute later the breakthrough came when Troy Peterson’s chip over the defense found Jones on the breakaway, as he calmly sidestepped a rushing Irving and slotted home to give the Sounders U23’s the 1-0 lead on 24 minutes.

Clarke then combined give-and-go passes at the top with Gagan Dosanjh at the 35th minute mark and released a shot through the middle only to see it fly wide of the mark. The ’Caps were given one last first-half chance in the 41st minute courtesy of confident ball control from Clarke in the opposing third, however Herrick comfortably saved his low shot to the corner.

The Whitecaps looked to ignite their comeback at the opening of the second half when Teibert was again given space to run at the goal for a shot that went over the bar. However, it was the visitors who bounced back right away in the 51st with a deflected goal from Fernando Monge inside the box after Luis Esteves provided a dangerous ball into the box from the left wing.

Just when the ‘Caps looked to be on their heels, Clarke was able to bring the game back within one goal as his strong stature over the ball gave him enough space for a beautifully curled left-footed shot off the post and into the far left of the goal in the 53rd minute. With the momentum in their favour, the Blue and White created another great opportunity when Dosanjh deflected Fisk’s shot at goal, but Herrick was quick to react and saved the possible equalizer.

Vancouver was able to keep a firm grip on possession in the latter stages of the second half and open up the Sounders defense with multiple passes coming from the back to an eventual low driven strike by Teibert that was straight to the hands of Herrick.

The ’Caps luck seemed to run dry in the end, as Boxall’s 89th minute chance from a cross into the box was lightly shot through a crowd of legs and out of play.

Despite the setback, Dalrymple was left satisfied with the performance of his side but disappointed that it was left without reward.

“We were great with possession tonight," he said. "I feel that both our conceded goals were avoidable, we had maybe 60-70% possession but Seattle defended well - to their credit. Kitsap wanted to come out and press us higher, but Seattle did well with their plan to sit in, block it up, and counter, so we’ll have to work on those counter attacks for next game."

Next up for Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 is a Mother’s Day clash at 5 p.m. with “Juan De Fuca Plate” bragging rights at stake against Victoria Highlanders FC, who will be opening their PDL campaign.

PORTLAND, Ore. – A first-half brace by forward Mark Sherrod and a goal by striker Emery Welshman guided the Portland Timbers U-23s to a 3-0 win over Fraser Valley Mariners FC in their Premier Development League season opener at JELD-WEN Field before 1,257 fans on Friday night.

Sherrod and Welshman each scored in the opening 16 minutes of the match to put the Timbers U-23s on top 2-0 early. Sherrod then found the back of the net for a second time in the first half, driving home a header in the 40th minute to seal the 3-0 victory. Portland put Fraser Valley under pressure throughout the match, generating 27 shots. The Timbers U-23s had a chance to add to their lead late in the match, but Mariners FC goalkeeper Mark Village made a stop on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute.

Sherrod and Welshman scored their first PDL goals and midfielder Cam Vickers and defender Reed Matte each recorded assists to help the Timbers U-23s (1-0-0, 3pts) to their season-opening win. Goalkeepers Spencer Richey and Justin Baarts each made a save to contribute to the team’s first shutout of 2012.

Village finished with seven saves and forward Adrian Kekec took a team high three shots for Mariners FC (0-1-0, 0pts) in the first of a two-game road trip to open the 2012 campaign.

The Timbers U-23s staked an early 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. Matte worked the ball down the right flank and crossed the ball into the penalty area. Sherrod was unmarked at the top of the box and leapt up to head the ball on frame. His shot got by Village, who left his line to challenge the play, and Sherrod’s shot landed in the back of an open net.

Welshman lifted the Timbers U-23s to a 2-0 advantage in the 16th minute. Midfielder Roberto Farfan played the ball down the left side to Welshman on the attack. At the top left corner of the box, Welshman worked past his defender and unloaded a shot on frame. Village was in position to get his hands to the low shot on the near post, but the ball deflected off and bounced over the line.

Sherrod notched his second goal of the first half in the 40th minute, capping a run of pressure by the Timbers U-23s. Vickers drove a sharply hit cross from deep in the right corner into the box, where Sherrod was slashing through. Sherrod knocked home a shot from inside 10 yards, giving Portland a 3-0 lead at halftime.

The Timbers U-23s dictated the run of play in the first half, out-shooting Fraser Valley 17-3. Portland’s first scoring chance came in the eighth minute, with Sherrod heading a cross from Matte just wide of the mark. Mariners FC defender Daniel Molendijk cleared a close range shot by Portland’s Farfan off the line with a sliding effort in the 18th minute.

Late in the first half, Village was called upon to make a pair of quick saves. Timbers U-23s midfielder Andrew Ribiero put a shot on frame from the top of the box, which Village saved, but the ball deflected back into the box. Sherrod was there for the follow-up effort, but Village was able to make another quick save from the ground.

Portland continued to pressure throughout the second half. Midfielder Steven Evans set up Sherrod for a scoring chance in the 62nd minute with a back-heeled a pass at the top of the box that played Sherrod in on goal. Sherrod hammered a shot that Village knocked up over the goal. Seven minutes later, Sherrod had a pair of shots from close range; the first was saved by Village and the follow-up was cleared off the line by Mariners FC defender Jason Cordiero.

Matte found the woodwork in the 81st minute, drilling the top left corner of the goal from 20 yards out after working his way forward down the left side.

Timbers U-23s sub Clark Phillips was fouled inside the box in the 83rd minute to set up a penalty-kick attempt. Evans stepped up to take the kick and hit it down the right side, but Village turned the effort away with a diving stop.

The Timbers U-23s return to action on Tuesday, May 15, when they play host to PSA Elite of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association in the first round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 and are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office or online at through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. Gates open at 5:15 p.m. and the Major League Soccer match between the Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo will be shown live on the JELD-WEN Field video wall.

LUDLOW, Mass. -- The Seacoast United Phantoms rallied to take a 2-1 victory against the Western Mass. Pioneers on Friday night at Lusitano Stadium, as 70 minutes of strong soccer by the Pioneers was undone by a 20-minute lapse that spoiled their season opener. Seacoast got a pair of goals by James Goodwin and Steve Palumbo five minutes apart to overcome a dominant first-half performance by the Pioneers.

"We were asleep in the first 20 minutes of the second half and that was it,'' Pioneers defender and captain Jay Willis said. "You can keep the ball all you want, but if you don't scorer you're not going to win.''

The loss spoiled the coaching debut of Federico Molinari, but the former Pioneers player took it in stride and talked about it as a learning experience for some of his young players.

"They have to understand that this is not college,'' Molinari said. "You make a mistake and you pay for it.''

The first mistake came in the 62nd minute off a corner kick by Brad Hilton that was chipped in by Goodwin inside the near post to tie the game 1-1. Minutes later Palumbo scored after a series of miscues by the Pioneers' defense seemed to keep the ball in Palumbo's possession, allowing him a first shot that was blocked, only to get the ball right back and beat goalie Anthony Occhianlini inside the near post.

"It was two unlucky goals, but in soccer that happens,'' Willis said. "If you don't put away your chances you almost always get burned.''

There were a couple of hairy moments for the Pioneers' defense in the first half, especially in the closing minutes, but the majority of the first 45 minutes saw the Pioneers in firm control of the match. The chances were many, but it wasn't until the 43rd minute that the Pioneers were finally able to slip one behind Hampden's Colin O'Donnell, who played for Western Mass. last year. 

Alex Dos Santos got the scoring play started, making a nice move into space to advance the ball, then slipping a pass through the defense for Ryan Malone to run on. Malone used one touch then ripped a tight-angle shot from the right side that O'Donnell made a diving save on but gave up the rebound. Alpha Dioubate was on hand to slide the ball into the open net and give the Pioneers the lead at the break.

O'Donnell made a strong save on a Dioubate shot in the 15th minute, but was fortunate in the 19th minute when Kevin Zapata's wide shot was there for Malone to re-direct from point-blank range, but the Chicopee native missed it. Malone nearly made up for the miss a minute later, curling a fine ball into the penalty area for Dos Santos, but his header sailed high.

After losing the lead, the Pioneers regained control of the match. Molinari subbed in Chris Rosswess and Thiago Andrade and the two midfielders ignited some energy back into the Pioneers. Seacoast fell back defensively, with only one player across midfield, and that space allowed the Pioneers to create chances to equalizer. Malone had the best chance to tie the game, turning on the ball and hitting a solid left-footed shot to the upper corner, only to see it slide just wide left.

Despite their efforts, the Pioneers could not break the Seacoast defense in the final minutes.

"We have some good things and we have to work on some things,'' Molinari said. "It's a loss and when you lose you don't feel well, especially when you play like we did in the first half.''

For more information about this release please visit www.wmpioneers.com.

SANFORD, Fla. – The Orlando City U23s used four first-half goals and two second half scores to secure their first win of the 2012 PDL regular season over Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla. on Friday night. The Lions looked dominant throughout the match they moved to 1-0-1 on the season.

“It was a great first win for the U23s,” said Orlando U23s coach Joe Avallone. “We played exceptional in every phase of the match and I’m proud of what our boys did tonight.”

Jonathan Mendoza opened up the scoring for the U23s in the fifth minute. Mendoza, who won the Atlantic-Sun Player of the Year after scoring a league-high 11 goals for Stetson, caught his own deflection off Schulz Academy Goalkeeper Eric Perilla and rocketed in the first goal of the match.

The Altamonte Springs-native and captain of the U23s was one of three players to join the Lions this last week of training. Louis Oceja, a teammate of Mendoza’s at Stetson, and Nicolas Russo, who trained with the Boca Juniors, were the two additions gained during the last week.

Just three minutes later, Oumar Diakhite converted a Nick Sowers throw-in, earning the defender his first goal of the season. Sowers found Diakhite in the middle of a scrum in front of the Fort Lauderdale goal, with the Longwood native heading home to double the Lions' advantage.

The U23s added two more goals, scored by Drew Helm and Ryan Griffin, in the closing minutes of the first half to go up 4-0. Russo, who was brought on as a substitute in the 58th minute for Adama Mbengue, scored Orlando’s fifth and sixth goals in the 63rd and 69th minutes to wrap up the impressive victory.

The Orlando City U23s open U.S. Open Cup competition this Tuesday, May 15, against Jacksonville United. The match will be held at the Seminole Soccer Complex with kickoff set for 7 p.m. For more information leading up to Tuesday’s match, visit orlandocitysoccer.com. 

Friday, May 11, 2012

BOSTON -- Having written a new chapter in New England soccer by winning the first game in club history away to fellow Premier Development League team CFC Azul, the Boston Victory now kicks off its season home stand. The Victory will play a series of eight regular season home games at Veteran's Memorial Stadium in Quincy beginning this Saturday night when the Worcester Hydra are the visitors, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

While the Victory won 2-1 away in Connecticut last week to take a very early lead in the PDL Northeast Division standings, the Hydra suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Seacoast United.

THE SERIES

The Victory-Hydra series has the potential to develop into a local rivalry seen in many regions around the soccer world. El Clasico, the Merseyside derby, maybe even a Yankees-Red Sox theme could emerge here? Separated by only 50 miles, the two Massachusetts clubs played their first PDL game on the same day last weekend and now meet for the first time at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The players will have plenty of opportunities to become acquainted as they are scheduled to clash again on July 7 in Worcester and again only four days later in the Victory's final home game on July 11.

THE STORY SO FAR

Defender Pat Hamilton wrote his name in the Victory's record books with the club's first competitive goal, which tied a CFC Azul strike with only two minutes remaining at East Haven High School. Then Brazilian striker Lucas Pessanha pounced in stoppage time and Boston returned home with a dramatic 2-1 win.

The Hydra completely dominated play in their opening match at home to Seacoast United as they outshot the Phantoms by a staggering 13-2 margin. Worcester forward Junior Alencar had several good looks at the goal but could not manage to find the back of the net in eight shot attempts.

WELCOME HOME BOYS

The game will serve as somewhat of a homecoming for several Hydra players with ties to the Boston area. Chris Ager, Colin Murphy and Nick Corliss play for Boston College and Anthony Ciccone, Derek McCaffrey, and Taylor Washington play for Boston University. Ciccone and McCaffrey are also former members of the Boston Blazers club. Hydra goalkeeper Oliver Blum played at Northeastern University and Russell Guidici has played for the Boston Olympiakos club.

COACHES HEAD-TO-HEAD

Sergio Taborda currently posts a 1-0-0 record as head coach of the Boston Victory. A native of Portugal, he began his professional playing career there with Vitoria Clube de Lisboa in 1985 in the Portuguese third division. He joined Clube Oriental de Lisboa in the second division in 1990 and then Club de Futebol 'Estrela da Amadora' in the first division in 1992.

Following a spell at Uniao Desportiva Torreense, he joined F.C. Bocholt in Germany in 1995 before returning to Portugal in 1997 with Desportivo Lagoa and his playing career was cut short by a knee injury in 2000. As a coach he became head coach of Miami Lakes F.C. from 2004 to 2006 and then in 2011 achieved his National Coaching License from the USSF with a maximum grade.

Elvis Comrie has enjoyed a successful career as both a collegiate coach and professional player. He spent 18 years as head men's soccer coach at the College of the Holy Cross where he led the Crusaders to five regular season Patriot League championships and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002. Comrie was named Patriot League Coach of the Year four times (1995, 1999, 2001, 2007) and his 125 career wins are the most ever in the history of the men's soccer program.

As a player, Comrie was a four-year starter at the University of Connecticut where he helped lead the Huskies to a Division I NCAA national championship in 1981. He earned All-America, All-New England and All-Yankee Conference honors and was named Collegiate Player of the Year by Soccer America in 1981. Comrie ranks as the second all-time leading scorer in program history with 145 points (55 goals, 35 assists). He was inducted into the Connecticut Hall of Fame in 2005. Comrie played professionally in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the Major Indoor Soccer League and the American Indoor Soccer Association.

Friday, May 11, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Carolina Dynamo have announced their roster for the club’s 20th Anniversary season. The Dynamo is loaded with both depth and talent. The team features a group of versatile players, many with prior PDL experience, including 18 players returning from last year’s South Atlantic Division Champions. The team also has a local flavor with eight players having grown up and played in Greensboro.

Leading the team are returning standouts Hakan Ilhan, who was an All-Eastern Conference selection a season ago, and the University of North Carolina's Robbie Lovejoy, who had 11 points in 13 games in 2011, and goalkeeper Scott Goodwin, who had five shutouts in 11 appearances last summer, finishing with a 0.876 goals-against average.

Duke's Sebastian Ibeagha and North Carolina's Boyd Okwuono are expected to lead the Dynamo's defense, with both bringing extensive experience from the college game and as U.S. Men's Youth internationals. The club also welcomes former North Carolina standout Dustin McCarty, who played for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer a season ago.

2012 CAROLINA DYNAMO ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Peyton Ford (UNC G), Scott Goodwin (UNC CH), Chris Robinson

Defenders: Jonathan Campbell (UNC CH), Austin Dunker (Elon), Sebastian Ibeagha (Duke), Jonathan Leonard (UNC G), Mark Linnville (Princeton), Christian Morfaw, Shane Malcolm (High Point), Fejiro Okiomah (High Point), Boyd Okwuonu (UNC CH), Aaron Reifschneider (UNC G), Clement Simonin (Lander), Kevin Stam (South Carolina)

Midfielders: Luciano Delbono (Wake Forest), Jordan Gafa (UNC CH), Freddy Gomez (Guilford), Robbie Lovejoy (UNC CH), Daniel Lovitz (Elon), Dustin McCarty (LA Galaxy), Tom McCready (Limestone) Chipper Root (South Carolina), Shaun Sloan (High Point), Donnie Smith (UNC Charlotte), Chris Tweed-Kent (Duke), Vernari Valimaa (George Mason)

Forwards: Hakan Ilhan (UNC G), Andy Lubahn (Wake Forest), Mamadee Nyepon (High Point), Karo Okiomah (High Point), Jordan Smith (Elon). 

The Dynamo open their 20th Anniversary on Saturday night as they host Real Maryland FC at Macpherson Stadium at 6 p.m., before travelling to face the Aegean Hawks on Tuesday night in the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup. 

Friday, May 11, 2012

LAREDO, Texas -- After what can only be called a challenging preseason, the Laredo Heat Soccer Club is ready to tackle the start of the 2012 Premier Development League (PDL) Regular Season as it opens up away from home when they travel to the Houston area to take on expansion side the Texas Dutch Lions in The Woodlands, Texas. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Woodforest Stadium in Shenandoah, Texas on Saturday night.

The Texas Dutch Lions are the PDL affiliate of the Dayton Dutch Lions, which plays in USL PRO. As the defending Mid South Division and Southern Conference Champions, the Heat are very well aware of what lies ahead for them in the 2012 PDL Season in this challenging division and conference.

“As we do every season, we set our expectations very high by challenging our players and coaching staff to accomplish some very lofty goals, first to win our division, then make noise in the playoffs and finally, bringing another PDL title to Laredo,” said Heat General Manager J.J. Vela.

“But first things first, this weekend when we travel to Houston we need to be focused and make sure to come back home with three important road points. Coach Hernandez and his staff and players know that no team in the Mid South is to be taken lightly and the last thing we need is to be surprised early in the season with a loss or a tie.

“The coaching staff is comfortable with the pre-season progress, with what was accomplished during the last two months and the way the new members of the team have adapted to our system of play. In addition, the chemistry and bond between new and former and young and veteran players has been a plus.”

Upcoming Games

After returning to Laredo, the Heat have a very busy week ahead of them with two homes games scheduled for Tuesday, May 15th and Friday, May 18th.

On Tuesday, May 15th, Laredo will open the First Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament against the ASC New Stars from Houston, Texas. The ASC New Stars are a member of the United States Adult Soccer Association.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament is a United States Soccer Federation event similar to the F.A. Cup in England and the Copa del Rey in Spain where all federation member teams, from amateur to professional teams can qualify to participate. If the Heat are able to get a win against the New Stars they will move on to the second round of the tournament where they will face the San Antonio Scorpions on Tuesday, May 22nd in San Antonio.

On Friday, May 18th, Laredo will host their first Premier Development League (PDL) regular season home game as they face long-time rivals the El Paso Patriots. El Paso and Laredo are coming off strong 2011 PDL campaigns as both represented the Mid South Division at the PDL Southern Conference Playoffs in Jackson, Miss. and this upcoming season should be no different for the Rio Grande rivals.

Both games will be played at the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex, home to the Laredo Heat Soccer Club for the past three seasons. Kick-off is set for 8 p.m. for both matches.

Ticket Pricing

General Admission Tickets for adults will remain at $5 and all children 12 years and under only will need to pay $1 for a General Admission Ticket.

Limited VIP Tickets are also available for all Heat home games for $20 for both adults and children.

Friday, May 11, 2012

BECKLEY, W.V. -- The Southern West Virginia King's Warriors will begin their inaugural season in the Premier Development League of the United Soccer Leagues on Friday night when they host the Nashville Metros at 7 p.m. at the YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Youth Sports Complex in Beckley.

King's Warriors Head Coach / Technical Director Scott Reitnour will put his best 18 players on the pitch tonight against a good Nashville side in this Premier Development League South Atlantic Division match-up. Former U.S. National Team Captain Desmond Armstrong is the new General Manager of Nashville and will be in Beckley for the match.

Southern West Virginia coach Scott Reitnour talked about how he feels the King's Warriors have prepared leading up to tonight's season and home opener.

"I think we are as well prepared as we can be given the short amount of time that we have had to get ready," he said. "We've paid attention to all the details we need to pay attention to. The guys have come together nicely, and I think we'll be competitive coming out of the gate. I know the Nashville Metros will be a formidable side."

Yesterday the King's Warriors added a key piece to their team by signing Clemson Tigers goalkeeper Erik Mozzo. The 6-foot-3, 225 pound Mozzo will be starting in goal for the King's Warriors against the Metros.

"Erik Mozzo has all the physical attributes that a quality goalkeeper needs," said Reitnour. "He has good size, excellent athleticism, he's a really good shot stopper, outstanding communicator and organizer from the back, and his distribution is fantastic. He has everything he needs to make it at this level.

"He's a great leader off of the field too. He's really growing by leaps and bounds over the last couple of weeks. I am really been proud of who he's turning into to both on and off the field, and I'm excited to see Erik get the start for us tonight."

J.P. Garcia is the other King's Warriors goalkeeper who comes to Southern West Virginia from John Brown University in Arkansas. Garcia has four caps with the Mexico U-17 National Team.

Offensively King's Warriors players to watch include attacking midfielder Jason Keever, a graduate of Campbell University, and midfielders / forwards Jorge Martinez from Lubbock Christian College (Texas), Ricky Angelicola and Benny Bardales from Bryon College (Tenn.).

The back will be anchored by Stephen Millage from Florida Gulf Coast University, Carter Robbins from Messiah College (Pa.), Bryon Martinez from Lubbock Christian College (Texas) and Costa Rica, and South African Jonathan Swale.

Tickets for tonight's Southern West Virginia King's Warriors Home Opener at 7 p.m. will be available at the gate. Adult ticket prices as $8, youth 18 and under $6, and Senior Citizens 60 and over, $6. For further information call the King's Warriors office at (304) 466-9080 or e-mail at wvkingswarriors@yahoo.com.

Season tickets, individual-game tickets, group tickets and sponsorship packages for the King's Warriors' 2012 inaugural season are now available. Volunteer opportunities are also available. For more information on the Southern West Virginia Kings Warriors Soccer Club, go to www.wvkingswarriors.org, call (304) 466-9080, or email: wvkingswarriors@yahoo.com.