PDL Northeast Division Preview
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The PDL’s Northeast Division welcomes a new trio of teams for the upcoming season, with CFC Azul, the Worcester Hydra and the Boston Victory all aiming to contend for the playoffs in their first seasons. With the return of division champion the GPS Portland Phoenix, Western Mass Pioneers and Seacoast United Phantoms, the division should be even more competitive than in previous seasons.
BOSTON VICTORY – The Victory have gone with a blend of local talent and international players to build their squad, with a notable addition in former New England Revolution player Andrew Sousa. Franklin Pierce standout Paul Latif, who was signed after impressing at open tryouts, could be another player to watch.
CFC AZUL – Former Monmouth standout Ryan Kinne is the big name for the Azul, who are set to be led by Southern Connecticut assistant Dave Kelly. Kinne saw selected by the New England Revolution in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, and has PDL experience having played for the Central Jersey Spartans previously. Also set to line up for the Azul are Hofstra’s Greg Cumpstone and American University’s Conor Doyle.
GPS PORTLAND PHOENIX – The Phoenix return a number of players from their division-winning side of 2011, including All-Eastern Conference selections Jason Massie and Brian Fekete. Joe Thiessen also returns, as does Boston University’s Ben Havey, while Clemson’s John Murphy will also look to make an impact.
OTTAWA FURY – The Fury have Stephen O’Kane back at the coaching helm, and will be aiming to replicate his former success at the PDL level. Among their players are former Toronto FC Academy player Chad Bush, while Drew Beckie from Denver University was an all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation First Team selection last fall and should provide strength in the Fury’s defense.
SEACOAST UNITED PHANTOMS – The Phantoms reached the playoffs a season ago, and this year Ryan Dunn arrives ahead of his junior year at Boston College aiming to build on a successful fall with the Eagles. The Phantoms will also aim to draw on the experience of former New Hampshire standout Eric Masi and Brad Hilton, who had two goals and six assists for the Wildcats this past fall in his senior season.
WESTERN MASS PIONEERS – The Pioneers just missed out on the playoffs a season ago, but the club has what appears to be a strong squad returning. Chris Roswess returns for his third season after recording three goals last year, while the club has also added solid goalkeeper Warren Gross, who attended this January’s USL PRO Combine.
WORCESTER HYDRA – The Hydra have tried to stay local in building their squad, with UMass-Lowell standout Bruno Bonicontro arriving after recording three goals and a team-high six assists last fall. Rutgers’ Michael Soboff could also be one to watch as he works his way back from an injury that forced him to redshirt last fall for the Scarlet Knights.