USL News Release

Thursday, May 26, 2011

TAMPA, Fla. –United Soccer Leagues today announced the USL Premier Development League Team of the Week for Week 4 of the season, honoring Reading United AC forward Will Bates as Player of the Week after he scored four goals in two games to help United remain perfect to start the season and earn a berth in the 2011 U.S. Open Cup.

Bates scored a pair of goals in Reading’s 4-1 victory against Westchester on May 18, and then repeated the feat two days later as his side defeated Ocean City by the same score.

Chivas El Paso Patriots goalkeeper Jorge Muniz was also named to the team after playing a pivotal role in his side earning a 1-0 victory against the Baton Rouge Capitals. Muniz made six saves in the shutout, including stopping a penalty kick from which the Patriots were able to counter and score the only goal of the game. The victory also secured Chivas El Paso a berth in the U.S. Open Cup with a perfect 4-0-0 record in qualifying.

Real Colorado also qualified for the U.S. Open Cup, and Foxes defender Julian Donaldson was selected to the team after he scored twice in a 2-1 victory on the road against St. Louis. Another pair of standout performances came from midfielder John Sosa of the Des Moines Menace and Troy Green of the Kansas City Brass, who each had four assists in their teams’ victories during the weekend. Green was joined by teammate Ricardo Yeverino, who had a hat trick in the Brass’ 5-2 victory against Springfield.

Frederickburg Hotspur earned its first victory as a PDL franchise last weekend with a 2-1 win against the Northern Virginia Royals, and defender Nik Conklin is rewarded for his performance not only on defense but also as Fredericksburg rallied late behind his assist on the game-tying goal, which was shortly followed by Conklin’s game-winning goal.

USL Premier Development League Team of the Week

Honorable Mention: Akron – Brad Stuver; BYU – Garrett Losee; Carolina – Freddy Gomez, Cristian Negau; Central Florida – Keneil Baker; Central Jersey – Brayan Martinez; FC London – Haris Cecik; Fresno – Milton, Blanco, Gustavo Silva; Kitsap – Nik Besagno; LA Blues 23 – Leon Abravanel; Laredo – Esteban Bayona; Long Island – Dom Sarle; Mississippi – Mike Azira, David Palmer; MPS Portland – Tom Reilly; Nashville – Jordan Werner; New Orleans – Jordan Lower; Ocean City – Jack Bailey, Sal Pistone; Portland – Jason Dodson; Reading – Stephen Okai, Shane Malcolm; Real Colorado – Taylor Kemp; Ventura County – Daniel Barrera, Mark Magee; West Texas United – Leif Craddock, Ulisses Guillen; Vermont – Eishun Yoshinda; Western Mass – Kyle Clancy, Taylor Gorman; West Virginia – Robert Vincent.

Mississippi Brilla FC News Release -- www.brillasoccer.org

Thursday, May 26, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mississippi Brilla FC continued its strong start to the USL Premier Development League season as Moses Aduny had a hat trick to lead his side to a 5-0 victory against the Nashville Metros on Thursday night. The win also gave the Brilla an important victory as they push towards qualifying for the U.S. Open Cup.

For Mississippi (3-0-1), it was a third straight road match, having previously earned a 1-1 draw with Central Florida on Saturday and a 5-0 win over the FC Jax Destroyers a week ago. It was also the first of two in a row against the Metros (1-2-1), who will now travel to Mississippi for a Memorial Day match.

Brilla opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Jamie Bladen found a streaking Aduny with a perfectly-weighted pass. Aduny easily slipped the ball past the Metros goalkeeper. Brilla would gain both a man-advantage and double their lead in the 19th minute after Metros midfielder Ebrima Njie was sent off for violent conduct. Mississippi was awarded a penalty kick, which Aduny converted to take the score to 2-0.

Nashville conceded another goal in the 36th minute when Mat Luak found Joey De Mare at the far post, and De Mare knocked it in to put Brilla up by three. Mississippi added a fourth in the 43rd minute when Bladen turned provider again and set De Mare up for his second of the night.

Aduny then completed his hat trick just after the break as Robbie Benson found him behind the Nashville defense. Aduny curled his shot in the far corner of the net in the 49th minute to cap the scoring.

Mississippi Head Coach Dave Dixon was pleased with the result.

"Anytime you can get three points on the road in an Open Cup and league game is great,” Dixon said. “I thought we were dangerous all night long and hope we can keep this form all season."

Brilla's next match will be on Monday as they host the Metros for a 5 p.m. kickoff at Harper Davis Field at Millsaps College.

Pali Blues News Release -- www.bluessoccerclub.com

Thursday, May 26, 2011

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – The Pali Blues remained undefeated, but were unable to find the back of the net as they drew 0-0 with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat on Thursday evening at Stadium-by-the-Sea on the campus of Pali High. The draw also kept the Blue Heat undefeated.

“It was a really tough game. It was like a light bulb, on at times, off at times,” Pali Blues Head Coach Jacob Tudela said on the match. “Our players were sloppy. The small stuff wasn’t being done right- the simple passes and simple receiving. In the second half, they got it together; they transitioned well, and played with heart.”

Santa Clarita started the game on the attack, holding the Blues inside their own half. In the seventh minute, Pali goalkeeper Anna Picarelli was called on to make a save from a Hannah Beard shot on the left side of the box. It was headed towards the goal, but Picarelli dove and deflected the ball out for a corner kick.

In the 15th minute, a ball was played into the Blues’ penalty area by the Blue Heat and took an unpredicted bounce on the turf field. Picarelli was forced to punch the ball over the crossbar.

The Blues finally gained some positive momentum shortly after and got their first chance of the game in the 18th minute when Courtney Joyner took shot from outside the box, but it sailed just wide. The momentum started going the Blues’ way and in the 24th minute Anisa Guajardo received a ball from Jamia Fields, turned and shot it, but it went high and wide of the goal.

The next chance for the Blues came three minutes later as Guajardo placed a corner kick low and short to Tiffany McCarty who dummied it. The ball got to Ashley Bowyer who played it to captain Christie Shaner, but her shot was saved by Blue Heat goalkeeper Cynthia Jacobo.

Santa Clarita had its next opportunity in the 35th minute when Anne Marie Tangorra went one-on-one with Picarelli, but she miss-hit the ball and her shot went wide right.

After the halftime break, the Blues came out on the right side of the ball and dominated the first 10 minutes of the second half.

“I would say that first of all we needed to clean it up. A lot of the chances they had in the first half were ones we were creating for them,” Shaner said. “We weren’t connecting passes; we weren’t putting them to feet. We just told everyone ‘it’s a new half, new game, it’s our home field, let’s pick it up. Let’s find the energy for 45 minutes and dig deep.’ ”

And it seemed to work as five minutes into the second half, Jamia Fields took a shot from top of the box, but Jacobo was there to save it. Jacobo once again came up big for Blue Heat in the 55th minute when McCarty took a shot and she tipped it over the bar.

The Blue Heat had their first chance of the second half in the 62nd minute. Holly Hein took a shot from outside the box that was deflected by a Pali player. Picarelli was able to quickly change direction and made a diving save to keep the ball from going into the net, while also managing to subsequently grab the rebound.

Momentum shifted again as the Blues came up with a series of opportunities in the middle of the second half. In the 65th minute, Shaner headed a corner kick on goal but it fell right into Jacobo’s hands. A minute later, Bowyer headed a long ball from Joyner, but it went just wide of the back post. Then two minutes later, McCarty was doubled-teamed but managed to play a square ball to Guajardo whose shot went wide right.

Santa Clarita’s Elizabeth Franco released on a breakaway in the 67th minute, but Pali defender Sasha Andrews proved why she was named to the W-League Team of the Week when she was able to recover and close down Franco, while Picarelli cut down her angle forcing her to shoot wide right into the side netting.

In the 77th minute, Andrews was at the end of a great throw-in by Jessica Price. Her header was on frame, but it was saved at the line by a defender.

As the ball was played up the field in the counter-attack, Franco took a shot on Picarelli, who was caught slightly out of position, but she made another great save and grabbed the ball in mid-air.

As the game was winding down, both teams pushed for a game-winner. In the 80th minute, Price brought a lobbed ball down nicely, and turned to face the goal, but her shot went wide. The next minute, Fernandez had a dangerous shot from outside the box following throw-in. Picarelli just got to the ball and avoided the left post to keep the game scoreless.

The final minutes of the game wound down with a battle in the midfield.

“We had a lot of unforced errors. We need to clean that up, but it’s early in the season and I think it’ll get much better,” said Andrews.

Defensive midfielder Ashley Bowyer echoed the sentiments of Coach Tudela.

“We came out a little slow in the first half. We weren’t playing our game and keeping the ball. But in the second half we came out hard, we had a lot of opportunities that we just couldn’t put away. There were three or four on the line, so it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t finish,” Bower said.

The Blues will square up against the also undefeated Vancouver Whitecap women next Wednesday, June 1st, 7pm at Pali High.
 

Chicago Fire Premier Feature -- www.chicagofirepremier.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

EVANSTON, Ill. – Winning streaks, clean sheets, playing on a team of college stars; David Meves has been there and done that.

This summer he’s doing it again.

Meves, an Arlington Heights native, is coming off a 2010 college campaign in which he starred in goal for the NCAA College Cup champion Akron Zips. While many of his college teammates have moved on to Major League Soccer – five Zips were selected in the top eight picks of last winter’s draft –Meves still has two years of eligibility remaining.

But the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder is hardly putting his feet up for the summer. Instead, he’s the starting keeper for Chicago Fire Premier, a team of current college standouts competing in the Premier Development League (PDL).

At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Evanston’s Lazier Field, Meves is expected to be in net as Fire Premier (2-0-0, 6 points) hosts Louisville-based River City Rovers (0-0-2, 2 points) in a Great Lakes Division match-up. With a victory, Fire Premier would not only stay in first-place, but also lock up qualification for the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

With Meves between the sticks, Fire Premier has opened the season with consecutive 2-0 shutouts. Like at Akron, Meves has not faced a barrage of shots. But he’s made timely saves, shown command inside the 18-yard box and inspired confidence among his teammates.

“He’s an agile guy and pretty reactive,” Fire Premier head coach coach Mark Spooner said. “In terms of going forward, he commands his box fairly well. Every coach and player has confidence when they have a (keeper) they can trust. (Just two weeks into the season), he’s building that trust. He’s stepped up and been great for us so far.”

Meves is coming off a sophomore season in which he started all 25 games for Akron (22-1-2), was credited with 11 shutouts and surrendered just 16 goals. He was named third-team All-America by TopDrawerSoccer.com and was a second-team ESPN Academic All-America after earning a 3.84 GPA in corporate financial management.

Meves also wore the No.1 shirt as a freshman when the Zips went 23-1-1 and lost to Virginia on penalty kicks in the College Cup Final.

Still, in his two seasons, Meves has been overshadowed on a college team that featured attackers like Teal Bunbury (Kansas City Wizards), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Anthony Ampaipitakwong (San Jose Earthquakes) and Michael Nanchoff (Vancouver Whitecaps), defensive midfielder Perry Kitchen (D.C. United) and defenders Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo) and Zarek Valentin (Chivas USA).

But in a Cleveland Plain Dealer article just before the 2010 NCAA Tournament, Akron head coach Caleb Porter said Meves did not receive enough credit for the Zips’ success.

“Just because he doesn’t have a lot of saves to make doesn’t mean he isn’t a tremendous goalkeeper,” Porter told the paper.

Meves proved his value throughout the tournament. In the final in Santa Barbara, Meves’ last-minute, point blank stop of a shot by Louisville’s Buck Tufty helped preserve the Ohio team’s 1-0 victory.

“It can be a challenge (for a goalkeeper) when your team dominates play,” Meves said. “But you have to stay focused and know that maybe you’re not going to get a lot, but that one save could be the difference between winning and losing.”

Meves remains close to his former teammates, especially Sarkodie, and aspires to join them in the professional ranks one day. He’s hoping scouts will be drawn to his agility and overlook his height, a few inches shorter than ideal for a top-class keeper.

The 2011 college season will be a pivotal one for the netminder, who will have a chance to prove his success was not simply the result of being on Akron’s Dream Team.

Though Porter has brought in a top recruiting class, all signs point to the Zips’ keeper being called into action more often in 2012. Meves relishes the challenge.

“If you are going to move to the next level, you have to show that you can survive in any type of situation,” said Meves, who spent a year training with U17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., before finishing up his high school career at the tiny Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights. “I’ll still go into every game with the same mentality as before. There will probably be more chances, more things to do (next year), and I look forward to showing coaches I can do that.”

Meves also expects to be one of the leaders of the Akron team in the fall. As a Fire Premier veteran, in his second season with the club, he has been able to hone those leadership skills this summer.

That’s just one of many benefits to playing on the team. Fire Premier, which features college standouts like Harrison Petts (Indiana) and Tyler Polak (Creighton), trains daily in a professional environment at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

Also, Meves recently was asked to participate in training with the MLS club when starting keeper Sean Johnson was injured. Meves said he got some constructive criticism from Fire veteran keepers and the team’s coaching staff.

Fire coaches and administrators have reason to keep an eye on Meves, who has Homegrown Player status. Recent rule developments in MLS allow clubs to register certain local players as “homegrown” before they enter college. Later, teams have an opportunity to sign their homegrown talent without the players having to go through the SuperDraft.

Of course, those are decisions that will be made down the road. In the meantime, Meves won’t have trouble finding confidants who can tell him about life at the next level.

“I keep in touch with most of my former teammates (now in MLS). Kofi and I talk a lot,” Meves said. “I know those guys enjoy playing soccer for a career. But it’s a lot of hard work. You have to keep working hard and can’t take any days off.”

Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com

Friday, May 26, 2011

Charleston, S.C. - The Charleston Battery welcome the Harrisburg City Islanders to Blackbaud Stadium Saturday night for a USL PRO match; gates open at 6 p.m. and kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The Battery enter the game on the back of a 2-1 victory against the Richmond Kickers.

After conceding one of the quickest goals in Charleston Battery history (timed at just over 25 seconds) the players responded well and leveled the score through a Dane Kelly breakaway goal in the 26th minute.

The game-winner was scored by Jon Gruenewald in the 76th minute, who came off the bench to earn Charleston all three points. Both Kelly and Gruenewald’s goals were their first for the Battery.

The result lifts the Battery (4-4-2) into fourth position in the American Division, four points behind Antigua Barracuda FC.

Charleston  head coach Mike Anhaeuser should have close to a complete squad available for Saturday’s fixture as forward Levi Coleman returns to full fitness. Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra (foot), defender Graham Dugoni (back) and midfielder Cole Peverley (ankle) are the only players unavailable for selection.

Battery captain John Wilson served a one-game suspension on Tuesday but will be available on Saturday.

The Harrisburg City Islanders (1-2-2) enter the match in fourth position in the National Division. Harrisburg is looking to bounce back from a 3-1 home loss to Orlando City in a game played last Saturday night.

The City Islanders' lone win in 2011 came at home in a game played on May 10 against the Rochester Rhinos.

In 2010 Charleston and Harrisburg met four times in the regular season with the Battery winning twice, losing once and one game finishing tied.

Harrisburg is led by head coach Bill Becher who has coached the City Islanders since their inception in 2005. Becher earned USL-2 coach of the year honors in 2005 and led Harrisburg to its only championship in 2007.

Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers (6-2-1, 19 points) return to City Stadium this Saturday to host F.C. New York (1-4-2, 5 points) and the second annual MARTIN’S Food Drive at 7 p.m. The Kickers face the expansion National Division side for the first time in history as New York recently kicked off their inaugural USL PRO campaign. Bring non-perishable food items to benefit the Central Virginia Food Bank and receive a coupon for $5 off admission at the gate. Plus, earn raffle tickets for each pound of food, for prizes and drawings throughout the game.

Residing in second place in the American Division standings, the Kickers look to bounce back from a pair of losses picked up on a grueling midweek road trip to Charleston and Orlando.

USL leading scorer Matthew Delicâte gave the visitors an early lead in Charleston on a gift goal within 30 seconds of kickoff, but the Kickers could not rally back after the Battery equalized before the break. The match ended in heartbreak as Charleston midfielder Jon Gruenewald stole all three points on a last-gasp tally, to hand the Kickers their first loss of the young season.

The Kickers return to Richmond empty-handed after continuing south to Orlando the next day and conceding their second loss in as many days. Leapfrogging the Kickers into first place in the American Division standings, Orlando pinched a pair of tallies inside the first 15 minutes. Despite several dangerous second-half scoring opportunities, the Kickers could not reverse the early deficit.

Meanwhile, New York are searching for their second win of the season after dropping a 2-0 decision to division rivals the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last weekend. New York shocked USL PRO powerhouse Charleston one week earlier when Graciano Brito made the underdogs the victors, handing the Battery their first loss at Blackbaud Stadium in two seasons.

Earlier this week, New York announced the resignation of head coach Matt Weston, appointing assistant coach and player Paul Shaw as the interim head coach.

Players to Watch

Kickers: Forward Matthew Delicâte continues to lead the team and the league with 15 points on six goals and three assists in nine appearances. The prolific goal-scorer added his sixth goal of the season with a record-setting tally inside the first 30 seconds against Charleston earlier this week. Japanese international Nozomi Hiroyama brings a wealth of experience to the Kickers front line having played on four continents during his career and earning a pair of caps with the full Japanese National Team. The veteran midfielder has earned three starts in seven appearances with the Kickers this season. Defender Dave Hertel recently returned to the starting lineup after starting all but two matches in 2010, earning USL Second Division All-League Second Team honors. Contributing on both sides of the ball, the native of Holland, Michigan assisted on the game-winning goal against Charleston last month.

New York: Irish national team player Owen Morrison signed with New York prior to the 2011 season after an extensive career in England and Ireland. The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder tallied New York’s first goal in history in a 2-1 loss to Orlando in April. Midfielder Graciano Brito surprised the Charleston Battery with an early tally that would lead his side to their first win of the season earlier this month. The 2008 Northeast Conference Player of the Year out of Quinnipiac University leads New York in scoring with two goals on the season. Salvadorian-American goalkeeper Derby Carrillo protects the nets for New York after a collegiate career at St. John’s University and Cal State Dominguez Hills. The menacing 6-foot-4 netminder signed his first professional contract with the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer in 2010.

MARTIN’S Food Drive

Help us help others! The Richmond Kickers and MARTIN’S Food Markets are teaming up with the Central Virginia Food Bank to sponsor a food drive during the month of May. The food drive will culminate at the Kickers pro soccer game this Saturday.

When school ends in June, many low-income children in the community will be without the nutritious breakfast and lunch meals they received at school each weekday. The Central Virginia Food Bank fights hunger by providing food and grocery products to an extensive network of partner agencies who serve our most vulnerable neighbors. The Food Bank also prepares and delivers hot, healthy meals to at-risk children in summer/after school programs and backpacks filled with weekend meal items for school children in need.

As a grocery store chain, MARTIN’S has a charitable mission to fight hunger. They participate in many programs to donate food and funds to regional food banks including the Central Virginia Food Bank.

Tickets

General admission tickets for regular season home games are $12/adults and $7/youth ages 3-17 for the fifth consecutive season. Avoid lines at the gate and click and print your tickets in advance via RichmondKickers.com. Alleviate the hassle of individual tickets and enjoy all of the Kickers Pro regular season home games for the best possible pricing with a 2011 Family Pass ($119), All-Access Pass ($90) or Adult Pro Pass ($55).

Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release -- www.riverhounds.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2-4-2) square off with the Wilmington Hammerheads (4-1-0) on Saturday night at Chartiers Valley Stadium. The game will wrap up the Riverhounds’ three-game home stand, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

First Meeting

The Riverhounds traveled to Wilmington in late April for a game against the Hammerheads at Legion Stadium. The early season meeting between the two clubs was an intense battle in the middle third of the field. The Hammerheads broke the score open in the 56th minute of play off a goal from Andriy Budnyy, but conceded the equalizer to Jeremy Deighton in the 77th minute. Wilmington’s Paul Nicholson would convert the game-winner in the 83rd minute and Alex Grendi added an insurance goal in stoppage time to give the Hammerheads a 3-1 win.

Game Preview

The Riverhounds have played four games at Chartiers Valley Stadium this season and have recorded three shutouts in those games. The defensive prowess from the home team is common in the USL PRO and should be no different this weekend.

The Riverhounds will catch the Hammerheads on the back end of a two-game road trip. Understanding that the Hammerheads may have tired legs after a game against the Rochester Rhinos on Friday night, the Riverhounds will look to pressure the visiting side all over the field from the opening whistle.

Tickets for the game can be purchased by calling in to the Riverhounds Office at 412.539.1191 or at the ticket gates on game day. Youth General Admission costs $6, while Adult General Admission is $9.

Dayton Dutch Lions Press Release -- www.dutchlionsfc.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

Dayton, Ohio - The Dayton Dutch Lions FC men’s team is set to enter its sixth consecutive home match on Saturday. The doubleheader against Charlotte at Miami Valley South Stadium will feature the Dutch Lions women’s W-League team at 5:30 p.m. and men’s USL PRO team at 8 p.m.

Coming off a tough 1-1 draw last Friday against L.A., the Dutch Lions are still looking to secure their first win of the USL PRO season. Substantial rainfall in the Miami Valley forced the Dutch Lions to relocate the matches from Fifth Third Field to Miami Valley South Stadium due to safety concerns. Both games will be broadcast live at www.USLlive.com.

The Lions secured their first point last Friday against Los Angeles, after Dutch Lions forward Kolby Lacrone equalized the match in the 60th minute. The Dutch Lions look to build on this momentum against Charlotte and understand it will be a tough game.

“In the training sessions I can see we have more confidence after last Friday. But we can’t underestimate anyone. I really would like to have three points and that will be the goal for Saturday,” Dutch Lions head coach Ivar van Dinteren said.

The Charlotte Eagles are looking to extend their winning streak and subdue the Dutch Lions from points at home. On Friday night, Diego Martin’s cross found Darren Toby in the 17th minute to open the scoring. Allan Sanchez doubled the lead from distance in the 67th minute, solidifying the victory for the Eagles. 

The Dutch Lions women are looking to secure their second win of the W-League season in their home opener against the Charlotte Lady Eagles. Dayton, playing in it’s inaugural season in the W-League, will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Both teams are 1-1-0 and tied for second in the Atlantic Division.

Flying in are four special guests of the Dutch Lions. Partner club FC Twente President Joop Munsterman, Technical Director Cees Lok, United Soccer League Owner/President Alec Papadakis and former FC Twente player Blaise N’Kufo will be attending the matches. FC Twente won the KNVB Dutch Cup and finished second in the Eredivisie, losing 3-1 at Ajax Amsterdam in the final game of the season. The Dutch Lions are incredibly appreciative of the commitment and support from FC Twente and United Soccer Leagues and look forward to recognizing each individual Saturday night.
 

USL News Release

Friday, May 27, 2011

TAMPA, Fla. – The hottest action on sand returns next month when USL’s Major Beach Soccer kicks off its 2011 summer tournament series June 17-19 at Daytona Beach. Presented by Orlando City Soccer Club, MBS Daytona Beach will feature more than 800 beach soccer players enjoying the party on Daytona Beach while competing with their teams for a spot at the MBS National Championships.

Major Beach Soccer/Soccer on the Beach is in its 21st year of bringing the top tournament action to Florida’s beaches. Teams participating in the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions at Daytona Beach will compete for a spot at the Major Beach Soccer National Championships at Clearwater, Fla. on December 17-18, 2011. Registration for MBS Daytona Beach is available at www.majorbeachsoccer.com through June 10.

The expansive white sands of Daytona Beach offers the perfect venue for beach soccer, with teams competing five-on-five in 30-minute games with prizes for champions and runners-up in all age groups. Flicks and acrobatic bicycle kicks are the norm in beach soccer, where the fields and goals are small but the action is nonstop. Remember, no shoes allowed!

Situated behind the famous Mayan Inn, MBS Daytona will take over the beach with eight fields of beach soccer action, a live DJ and a weekend full of parties and entertainment for the kids. USL PRO’s Orlando City will also be on hand to promote Central Florida’s professional team. Both the Mayan Inn and the nearby Plaza Ocean Club are serving as host hotels for the event.

“We have greatly enhanced our Daytona Beach event this year thanks to the support of the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Orlando City Soccer Club and the local community,” USL Director of Beach Soccer Eddie Loewen said. “We’re excited to be back for our 15th year in Daytona Beach for what will undoubtedly be our best event ever.”

MBS Daytona Beach is supported by Umbro, ChillZone LLC of Daytona, TGI Signage Systems, Farpost Soccer Company, the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and Volusia County.

Thanks to a recent partnership between MBS/Soccer on the Beach and Soccer in the Sand, there will be eight qualifying tournaments for the MBS National Championships throughout the months of June, July and August. Major Beach Soccer/Soccer on the Beach will host two other events in Florida, at Clearwater (July 15-17) and Fort Myers Beach (August 5-7). Soccer in the Sand will host events in Seaside, Ore. (June 18-19), Grand Haven, Mich. (June 25-26), Cleveland, Ohio (July 16-17) and Boston, Mass. (August 20-21).

MBS National Championship Qualifiers 2011

Daytona Beach, Fla.; June 17-19 www.majorbeachsoccer.com
Seaside, Ore; June 18-19 www.soccerinthesand.com
Grand Haven, Mich.; June 25-26 www.soccerinthesand.com
Clearwater, Fla.; July 15-17 www.majorbeachsoccer.com
Cleveland, Ohio; July 16-17 www.soccerinthesand.com
Fort Myers Beach, Fla.; August 5-7 www.majorbeachsoccer.com
Boston Mass.; August 20-21 www.soccerinthesand.com

MBS National Championship – Clearwater, Fla. December 17-18, 2011
 

Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Rhinos and Wilmington Hammerheads played to a 1-1 draw at Sahlen’s Stadium on Friday night as a torrential downpour made for difficult playing conditions and saw the USL PRO game be called in the 79th minute.

The Hammerheads first opportunity came in the 11th minute when Alex Grendi dribbled around a charging Neal Kitson to put a shot on a wide open net only to see Rochester’s Troy Roberts clear the ball off the line keeping the match scoreless.

Neither team managed to generate many scoring opportunities during the remainder of the first half as the teams went the break scoreless. Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley had to juggle his lineup as injuries began to mount. Starters Roberts, Connor Tobin, and Mike Tanke all went down in the first 35 minutes forcing three first-half substitutions for Rochester.

Eight minutes into the second half Wilmington’s Luke Mulholland let a shot go from 20 yards that rose just over the crossbar. Minutes later the visitors went down a man when Gareth Evans was sent off after he took down Alfonso Motagalvan.

But despite being down to 10 men, the Hammerheads jumped out in front in the 60th minute when Chris Spendlove’s corner kick was headed home by Ivan Becerra, snapping Kitson’s scoreless streak at 332 minutes. The lead didn’t last long, however, as a long ball sent by Rich Costanzo was corralled and finished off by Motagalvan to tie the score.

With the rain continuing to pour, the Sahlen's Stadium field began to develop standing water in a number of area, and with more rain expected and conditions worsening, referee Steve Montanino ruled conditions unplayable, pulling both teams off the field in the 79th minute. Soon after, the decision was made to call the game with each side taking a point.

Wilmington moves on to face Pittsburgh on Saturday night at Chartiers Valley Stadium, while the Rhinos will face F.C. New York on Monday afternoon at Belson Stadium in Queens, N.Y. to start a three-game road trip that concludes in Antigua next weekend. Rochester's next home game is on Saturday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Rhinos take on the Harrisburg City Islanders in the first USL PRO game to be televised by Fox Soccer Channel this season.

Kitsap Pumas News Release -- www.kitsapsoccerclub.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

TACOMA, Wash. — There’s a reason Kitsap Pumas midfielder Matt Friesen spends so much time after practice working on his free kicks.

He showed the league why Friday against Tacoma.

Friesen scored on not one, but two free kicks in the first half as the Pumas routed the Tide 6-1 in a Premier Development League Northwest Division game at Stadium Bowl.

"It’s a good performance definitely," Friesen said. "I’m proud of our guys. We are a deep team and it’s starting to really come together."

With the victory, Kitsap (4-0-1 overall) improved to 2-0-1 in US Open Cup qualifying play. The Pumas and Portland both have the same record after three qualifying games, but Kitsap currently holds a one-goal advantage in goal differential.

Kitsap can clinch the division’s lone Open Cup berth if it beats North Sound on the road Sunday by a three-goal margin. Anything less and Portland — which plays Tacoma on Sunday — could take the coveted berth from Kitsap.

Scoring seven goals in their first four games, Kitsap erupted on Friday.

After Robby Christner gave Kitsap a 1-0 lead with a goal in the fifth minute, Friesen doubled Kitsap’s advantage with a 35-yard strike in the 13th minute. The veteran put home another free kick in the 20th-minute — a minute after Chase Tangney scored for Tacoma — to put Kitsap ahead 3-1.

"It was pretty close to the same spot," said Friesen, who now leads the team with four goals.

With Kitsap coach Peter Fewing making liberal use of his deep bench he substituted freely in the second half as the Pumas continued their relentless pressure on Tacoma’s net.

The side finished the match with four rookies on the pitch - GK Bryan Meredith; central defender Sam Roca, Winger Chris Andre and forward Bryan Burke. Burke arrived in Kitsap just over 48 hours prior to kickoff, upon completing graduation at the University of San Francisco and had put only one training session under his belt with his new team before tonight’s impressive effort.

Meredith now holds an other-worldly 0.40 goals-against-average including a league-leading three shutouts on the young season. He and the stellar Puma defense have allowed only one goal from the run of play this season and a total of only two in five matches.

David Gray got in the books in the 52nd-minute off an assist from Warlen Silva, then Silva made it 5-1 in the 78th minute after stealing the ball from a Tacoma defender and dribbling around goalkeeper Jordan Jennings for an empty-net finish. Minutes later the fleet-footed Brazlian nearly duplicated the feat, missing by inches.

Andre finished off the scoring in the 80th minute with a great left-footed finish off an assist from fellow substitute Greg Miley.

Fewing thought Gray’s goal was the one that put Tacoma away for good.

"We broke their will," he said. "Simple as that."

Laredo Heat News Release -- www.laredoheatsc.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Laredo Heat (4-1-0, 12 points) were able to score early in the first half and with a late goal in the second half, they were able to seal a 3-1 victory over the New Orleans Jesters (1-2=0, 3 points).

Esteban Bayona got the Heat on the board in the fifth minute of the contest when he received a nicely placed ball from Max Gunderson just inside and right of the penalty area. Bayona took the Gunderson serving and blasted it pass the outstretched arms of Jester goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell.

Forward Felix Garcia then added to Laredo’s lead in the 26th minute as he made his way around several Jester defenders and took a shot from 15 yards out that struck the nylon on the upper top right corner of the goal.

The Heat were able to maintain their 2-0 lead into halftime, although at times during the the first half the home team was able to pressure Laredo and a few of the shots that they took came very close to finding the back of the net.

In the second half, New Orleans made the game very interesting when forward Reece Wilson nailed a shot from 18 yards out in the 69th minute that got pass Heat goalkeeper Maros Valko.

The scored remained 2-1 as the game went into stoppage time, when Laredo got an insurance goal from 78th-minute substitute Albert Escovar, his first goal of the season.

Laredo outshot New Orleans 17-9 during the contest and several of those shots came close to opening up the game for the Gateway City team. Both Bayona and Escovar missed two golden opportunities when they missed at close range.

Starting Heat goalkeeper Rodrigo Avila was injured late in the first half when his head hit the Pan American Field turf floor after a crash with a Jester Forward. Avila was taken to Tulane Medical Center as a precaution and he has since rejoined his teammates at the team hotel. Avila was diagnosed with a mild concussion and will be out for a minimum of ten days in order to recuperate.

The Heat will travel to Baton Rouge on Saturday for their Sunday match-up in the capital of Louisiana after spending Friday night in New Orleans.

For game updates from Louisiana, fans can follow the Heat on both Twitter (@LaredoHeatSC) and Facebook (Laredo Heat Sc).

Western Mass Pioneers News Release -- www.wmpioneers.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

LUDLOW, Mass. – The Western Mass Pioneers qualified for the U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 win over the MPS Portland Phoenix on Friday in front of 1,108 fans at Lusitano Stadium.

Halftime substitute Chris Roswess scored the game’s only goal in the 71st minute when he hammered the ball into the net on a half-volley from 18 yards out. Roswess, a West Springfield native, delivered the biggest win of the young season for the Pioneers (3-0-1, 10 pts.).

“In the first half Portland controlled the majority of play and dictated the tempo of play,” Pioneers Head Coach Joe Calabrese said. “But in the second half we made a couple of substitutions and we thought those two changes had a positive impact on the game.”

Roswess was one of those substitutions along with DJ Pereira. Both helped change the match against the previously undefeated Portland. With the win, the Pioneers qualify for the U.S. Open Cup, the oldest knockout tournament of its kind in the United States. Amateur and professional teams – including Major League Soccer – from across the country compete for the U.S. Open Cup.

“For some of our collegiate players this is a dream come true,” Calabrese said. “Many of our college players will never aspire to be professional players. This is once in a lifetime for many of them. You don’t know when your career is going to end so it’s spectacular to have them get this experience.”

The first round of the U.S. Open Cup takes place on June 14. The Pioneers return to Lusitano Stadium on Wednesday, June 1, at 7 p.m. to take on the Vermont Voltage in another critical PDL Northeast Division showdown. 

Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release -- www.riverhounds.com

Saturday, May 28, 2011

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Neither the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2-4-3) or the Wilmington Hammerheads (4-1-2) could find the back of the net as Saturday night’s game at Chartiers Valley Stadium finished in a 0-0 draw. Neither Club could produce quality opportunities to find the game winner in the run of play.

The Riverhounds would receive their best opportunity in the first five minutes of play off a left-to-right diagonal ball. Midfielder Sammy Appiah switched the point of attack to find Tommy Gray down the right flank. Gray outpaced his marker and served a dangerous cross towards the penalty spot, which found Jeremy Deighton who headed down to Chad Severs cutting to the near post. Severs redirected the bouncing ball on goal, but Hammerheads goalkeeper Brock Duckworth was in good position to parry the ball out for a corner.

The Hammerheads nearly found the game winner in the 85th minute on a counter-attack. Paul Nicholson cleaned up a loose ball at midfield and played Chris Banks in behind the Riverhounds’ defense. Banks struck a low right-footed shot on frame, but it deflected off the post and landed at the feet of Jyler Noviello. Taking a first time shot, Noviello’s left-footed shot struck the same post and away.

The Riverhounds will travel Monday for a meeting with intra-state rival the Harrisburg City Islanders (1-2-2) on Tuesday at Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg. The Keystone Derby is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

The Hammerheads return to North Carolina next Saturday to host Orlando City (7-1-2) at Legion Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com

Saturday, May 28, 2011

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery came from behind to defeat the Harrisburg City Islanders 2-1 on Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 3,715 fans. Both teams finished the match short-handed as three players received red-cards in a ill-tempered match, but the Battery prevailed with goals from Stephen Armstrong and Nicki Patterson.

With the win Charleston (5-4-2) remains in fourth position in USL PRO’s American Division, moving one point behind Antigua Barracuda FC.

Harrisburg broke the deadlock in the sixth minute with a well-worked goal down the right side. David Schofield curled a deep cross to the back post and forward Jose Angulo headed past Charleston goalkeeper Keith Wiggans and into the goal.

Battery midfielder Evan Taylor came close to equalizing minutes later with a pair of long-range efforts. The first shot was tipped over the crossbar by Harrisburg goalkeeper Chase Harrison and the second attempt whizzed wide of the far post.

The game changed in dramatic fashion in the 60th minute after both teams had a player ejected. Charleston forward Dane Kelly chased down a ball in the box and collided with Harrison who had come off his line quickly to smother the attempt.

In the ensuing melee the referee awarded the Battery a penalty kick, showed a red card to Harrisburg’s Stephen Basso and a second red card to Kelly. After the protests died down Stephen Armstrong coolly converted the spot-kick to draw the Battery level.

The game-winner came in the 86th minute after substitute forward Seedy Bah picked out Nicki Patterson with a driven pass at the top of the penalty area. Patterson controlled the ball with a neat touch before blasting past Harrison into the far corner.

Harrisburg were forced to finish the game with nine players as Jason Pelletier was sent off for a second bookable offense in stoppage time at the end of the match.

Charleston heads to New York next Friday night for a match versus F.C. New York and then will take on Harrisburg on Saturday night; both games can be heard live on 1340 AM. 

Dayton Dutch Lions News Release -- www.dutchlionsfc.com

Saturday, May 28, 2011

DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dutch Lions earned another point at home against the Charlotte Eagles in a 1-1 draw on Saturday night in the Lions' sixth consecutive home match this USL PRO season.

The Eagles took the lead early in the first half after a free kick in the 10th minute from 30 yards out connected with forward Sallieu Bundu.Each side took their turn to try and find the back of the net, but the Dutch Lions found their equalizer in the 64th minute as Joel Delass got tripped up in the box by Charlotte Eagles defender for a penalty kick that was converted by Julius Willie.

“It was a disappointing tie tonight,” said Dutch Lions coach Ivar van Dinteren. “I think the first half we dominated, we didn’t have great chances, but we should have earned a goal. Both sides had high and low points and the game continued to fluctuate for each team. I really wanted the three points tonight; I always say a tie is a loss. In this game the win would have gone to the luckiest team.” 

Early into the match Charlotte earned a free kick from 30 yards out that was converted for a goal by Bundu. The Charlotte forward used his length to his advantage on a high free kick to bring the ball down and send into the back of the Dutch Lions net. Both teams had their share of possession  in the first half and both created scoring opportunities.

A scramble in Charlotte’s penalty area in the 24th minute sent the crowd into a roar as the Dutch Lions worked hard to find an equalizer. The Dutch Lions went close when Marvin van der Pluijm, after receiving a pass from Willie, created a chance for George Davis IV, who was denied.

But the Dutch Lions wouldn't be denied in the 64th minute as Delass we clipped and taken down in the left side of the penalty area. Willie stepped up to take the penalty kick and fired past Charlotte goalkeeper Eric Reed to tie the game.

“Chances were fair from both sides,” said Assistant Coach Jack Hermans. “It feels like a loss tonight, but the result could have gone either way.” 

Both teams had chances to grab victory late on, with Charlotte forward Chris Salvaggione firing a shot in the 89th minute that was headed towards the top-left corner of the net, only to see his effort flicked wide by Dutch Lions goalkeeper Jesper Leerdam.

The Dutch Lions will continue to look for their first win of the USL PRO season at Miami Valley South Stadium next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Visit the Dutch Lions website at www.dutchlionsfc.com for more information and follow the action on Twitter @Daytondutchlion.

Chicago Fire Premier News Release -- www.chicagofirepremier.com

Saturday, May 28, 2011

EVANSTON, Ill. – A dramatic late winner by Chris Estridge preserved Chicago Fire Premier’s unblemished record and ensured the team would be in the hat for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup draw.

Estridge scored on a chip a minute into second-half stoppage time, giving the Fire (3-0-0, 9 points) a 1-0 victory over Louisville-based River City Rovers (0-1-2, 2 points) in Premier Development League action on Saturday at Evanston’s Lazier Field. 

The three points mean the Fire clinch the Great Lakes Division’s spot in the cup with a game to spare. The first four PDL contests of this season doubled as U.S. Open Cup-qualifiers.

Now, the Fire can look forward to Tuesday’s cup draw and a game next month against a team from elsewhere in the U.S. soccer pyramid.

As Saturday night’s contest hit stoppage time at 0-0, Fire Premier seemed destined to go into Monday’s game at Michigan Bucks needing a result to achieve their cup dream.

Just then, Fire midfielder Kenney Walker won a ball in the defensive third and fed creator Harrison Shipp near midfield. Shipp sent long through-ball in Estridge’s direction. The midfielder ran onto the pass, took a touch and sent a left-footed chip over the head of Rovers keeper Kees Heemskerk and into the net.

Estridge, who now has scored in all three Fire games, had been struggling in front of goal up to that point. He slid a ball just wide of an open goal in the first half and had a breakaway saved in the second half.

“I would have felt bad if it ended 0-0. I had two chances I probably should have put away,” Estridge said. “I kept it a little late. But it was good to put it in. It was a nice through-ball. I got a little underneath (the shot). It was a little bit lucky.”

Perhaps the Fire were due a bit of luck after narrowly missing a number of good chances and having a potential Estridge breakaway nullified by a disputed offside call. 

“It’s a relief, but I think we deserved the win,” Fire Premier head coach Mark Spooner said.  “We created good opportunities and didn’t put the ball away. We finally did. It’s a 90-minute game. It doesn’t matter if it comes in the first or the 89th minute, you have to get one.”

It was appropriate Walker played a role in the game-winning sequence because the combative midfielder had a fine evening for the Fire. After playing through a minor leg injury last week against Cincinnati, Walker once again looked the player he had been in the season-opener at Akron. He won balls in the midfield, tracked back to help the defense, showed good vision with his passing and twice troubled the keeper with powerful free kicks. Walker appears to have formed a solid defensive-midfield partnership with Goffin Boyoko.

“Kenney was fantastic today. That’s the Kenny I know,” Spooner said. “He covers so much ground, wins tackles and can play passes. He’s got a real future in the game. He’s a 90-minute player from the first to the last. He’s a real grafter.”

Walker was playing against a River City team that included Louisville teammate Ryan Smith and others Walker knew growing up in Ohio. In fact, Walker said he and a few Louisville teammates had contemplated remaining in Kentucky for the summer and playing for the Rovers. But he said it was impossible to turn down the chance to play for Fire Premier.

“The environment (at Fire Premier) is great,” said Walker, who was on the team last season. “They bring in a bunch of top college players and it’s pretty much like a professional environment. They treat us like a professional team. It’s like practice for the next level.”

The Fire still have yet to concede a goal this season. River City’s best spell came 15 minutes into the second half. Fire keeper David Meves saved a shot from foraging right back Albert Edward. Two minutes later, River City’s Smith directed a cross just wide of the Fire net. Chicago has started the same back four, five if you include Meves, in each contest this season. The central defensive pairing of Kevin Cope and Jonathan Raj was called into action on several occasions as the Rovers tried to play long balls to South African target man Gonya “Ace” Lwandiso.

“I think Raj and Kev dealt with it fantastically because that center forward was a real handful, a real handful,” Spooner said. “(The central defenders) proved their worth again. Three games and three clean sheets, a lot of it is to do with those two guys. The whole back four (also including fullbacks Harrison Petts and Tyler Polak) has been fantastic again.”

Saturday also marked the season debut of Fire Premier’s Ian Christianson, a Chicago Fire Homegrown Player from Georgetown University. Christianson started and played 68 minutes atop the Fire’s 4-2-3-1 formation before giving way to Andy Craven.

“He can play striker,” Spooner said about Christianson. “Maybe he doesn’t play (in college) as a lone striker, but he can definitely play it. He’s on our Homegrown List and we’ve known about him for years. It was his first game in awhile. I thought he looked pretty sharp in moments, but there is definitely some work to do. But we’ll get back on the training ground with him.”

Fire Premier visit Michigan Bucks at 6:30 p.m. Central on Monday before returning home to Evanston at 6:30 p.m. Friday to face the Hamilton FC Rage.

Michigan Bucks News Release -- www.buckssoccer.com

Saturday, May 28, 2011

CANTON, Mich. -- After tallying two goals in the Michigan Bucks 4-0 win over the Indiana Invaders on Saturday, forward Kenny Uzoigwe now stands as the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League’s all-time scorer. Uzoigwe’s goals were No. 77 and 78 of his career, the most in PDL history surpassing Des Moines Menace legend Tomas Boltnar.

"Setting the record is a great achievement, not just for myself but for the organization," Uzoigwe said. His first goal, which set the record, put the Bucks on the board in the 14th minute. Defender Stew Givens hurled the ball into the Indiana box, where Uzoigwe headed it past a diving Invaders goalkeeper Avery Steinlage.

"One of the things that we wanted to accomplish in the first 15 minutes was to get a good start: get a goal, and then we would build on that.... I thought that’s what we did. But it wasn’t just my goals; we had a team effort," Uzoigwe said.

In the 36th minute, Uzoigwe struck again after Steinlage blocked but failed to corral an incoming shot from defender Tony Walls. Uzoigwe tucked the rebound back into the net for his second of the game.

The goal gave the Bucks a 2-0 lead they would carry into halftime. Michigan outshot Indiana six to three in the first half and had four to zero advantage in corner kicks.

"I thought we played sloppy in moments, but overall, it was crisp, clean and we finished our chances," Givens said. "Finishing our chances just makes the game a lot easier."

In the 66th minute, on another powerful Stew Givens throw-in, man of the match Walls headed home the ball to extend the Bucks’ lead to three.

The Bucks (1-1-1) will host the Chicago Fire Premier on Monday night in what is expected to be a thriller. Tickets for the Memorial Day match at Ultimate Soccer Arenas (7:30 kick off) are $10 Adults and $7 Youth at the door but can be purchased for only $5 by visiting the Bucks web site at www.buckssoccer.com and clicking on the TICKET link.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release - www.whitecapsfc.com

Saturday, May 28, 2011

CHILLIWACK, B.C. - Vancouver Whitecaps FC women recorded their third consecutive shutout win Friday night as they downed the previously undefeated Colorado Rush of Denver, 3-0, in Chilliwack. An exuberant crowd at Exhibition Stadium was treated to a fine display by the 'Caps as Tiffany Weimer scored twice, while newcomer Alysha Bonnick also found the net on her debut.

Coach Hubert Busby Jr. made several adjustments to his starting lineup. Left fullback Erica Campanelli made her Whitecaps FC debut, while in midfield, Tina Romagnuolo got her first start after having come off the substitutes bench the past two games. Up front, veteran Canadian Amy Vermeulen got her first start of the season.

The home side started brightly. Just eight minutes in, a low 25-yard blast from Weimer was stopped by Colorado goalkeeper Krissy Tribbett. The rebound was claimed by speedy Jen Stoltenberg, but cutout by the Rush defence.

Back the other way, Stoltenberg turned well in the box on the right and her square ball found Weimer. Her first-time shot, though, was too close to Tribbett, who got down well to make the stop.

However, Weimer wasn't to be denied. With five minutes left in the half, she got on the end of a great through pass from Krista Kruse who had pushed forward, and from an angle to the right calmly rolled the ball past the onrushing keeper and inside the far post to put Whitecaps FC up 1-0 at the interval.

Early in the second half, Stoltenberg burst in on a partial breakaway, but Rush defender Kellyn Farrell did well to get a foot on the shot, deflecting it just enough to send it wide of the near post.

On 64 minutes, Vancouver doubled the lead. Stoltenberg made a nice move in the box on the right, then played it in front for Bonnick to fire in from five yards.

The home side put the match well out of reach with twenty minutes remaining. Weimer, twisting and turning in the box, was taken down by Ameera Abdullah, and referee Karine Busse pointed to the spot. Weimer took the penalty kick herself, and while Tribbett got a hand to the ball, she couldn't stop it from crossing the line as the ‘Caps put the game out of reach. It was Weimer's team-leading fourth goal, in just her third game.

After the match, coach Busby praised his talented midfield star, saying "Tiffany has the ability to unlock a pass in the final third and get into good scoring opportunities. She created opportunities and obviously she scores them, and that's one of the reasons we brought her in."

Vancouver improve to 3-0-0, while the Rush fall to 2-1-0.

Whitecaps FC would like to thank the fine work of Chilliwack FC who hosted the match.

The 'Caps now head off on a California road trip for three games in the Los Angeles area, starting Wednesday June 1, against Pali Blues. Their next home match is Friday, June 10 against expansion side LA Strikers. That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Surrey's Newton Athletic Park. The match is part of the Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series presented by Kia - in partnership with the Girls Metro Soccer League, and is being hosted by Surrey FC Pegasus. Tickets for all home games are available online at www.whitecapsfc.com/wtickets.

Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com

Saturday, May 28, 2011

RICHMOND, Va. – Despite leading on two occasions, the Richmond Kickers were unable to seal a victory over visitors F.C. New York, who claimed a point thanks to a second-half brace by striker Graciano Brito that saw the game end in a 2-2 draw.

Richmond looked lively in possession in the opening minutes of the first half, forcing numerous saves from New York goalkeeper Steven Diaz. Brito earned New York their first corner in the 12th minute, and Tadeu Terra’s resulting cross was headed off the crossbar by defender Kyle Hoffer. Richmond was able to clear the ball to safety, however, and regained their early momentum.

The Kickers had a penalty claim denied in the 35th minute when Ryan Heins fought for possession after a mix-up between Diaz and his defenders. Heins was taken down inside the box, but no foul was given.

Richmond continued to press for the opening goal, and the Kickers were rewarded two minutes later when Stanley Nyazamba picked out Sascha Görres on the left wing. Görres opted not to swing a cross into the box, and instead found an unmarked Heins waiting 15 yards from goal, and the midfielder fired his shot beyond Diaz and into the top corner.

Richmond carried their 1-0 lead into the halftime break, but would start to show signs of travel weariness in the second half. Returning from two difficult road losses earlier in the week, the Kickers were unable to keep pace with New York after the restart.

New York tied the game in the 52nd minute as Terra collected a ball in midfield and played a through-ball towards Brito. Richmond defender Henry Kalungi attempted to clear the ball, but couldn’t reach it and Brito was through for a one-on-one with Ronnie Pascale. Brito rounded the Kickers ‘keeper and slotted his shot into the side netting from a tight angle to level the score.

Richmond regained their lead almost immediately thanks to a skillful run from Edson Elcock, who dribbled around three defenders before playing a short ball to Stanley Nyazamba inside the six-yard box. The midfielder got just enough of a touch on the ball to direct it past Diaz and into the net to restore the Kickers’ lead.

Richmond Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw then looked to freshen things up after the goal, and the introduction of midfielders David Bulow & David Hertel in the 56th minute nearly proved immediately successful. Bulow set up Hertel for a shot from the top of the penalty area, but Diaz was able to make the save. The two substitutes created a host of other chances for each other throughout the second half, but were unable to get the better of Diaz, who recorded nine saves on the evening.

That became crucial with 11 minutes to go when another defensive error cost Richmond their lead when Yomby William’s attempted clearance bounced off Brito and set him up for another one-on-one scoring opportunity. Brito placed his shot low to Pascale’s left for his second goal of the game. The Kickers pressed for another goal, but were unable to break down the defensive F.C. New York side who dug in to earn a point.

“It was a good result for us,” New York player/coach Paul Shaw said. “We worked extremely hard. We’ve still got an awful lot of improving to do, but it was a point and we’re pleased with that.”

The Kickers will look to return to winning ways Sunday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m., as they travel to take on F.C. New York in the return fixture. For more information, visit www.richmondkickers.com.