Los Angeles Blues News Release -- www.labluesprosoccer.com
Monday, May 21, 2012
FULLERTON, Calif. – Coming off consecutive road wins, the Los Angeles Blues are looking ahead to a true test of their depth, as they take on PDL outfit the Ventura County Fusion in the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, followed by back-to-back away games against two of the top USL PRO teams in Orlando City and Charleston. Barring an upset in Tuesday’s meeting with Ventura County, the Blues would then face MLS side Chivas USA in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on May 22 to complete a stretch of four matches in eight days.
For now, the immediate emphasis is on advancing past the Fusion, traditionally one of the top sides in the PDL.
“The one thing you always know about Ventura is that they’re an extremely well-run organization,” Blues Head Coach Charlie Naimo said. “That tends to be reflected on the field, meaning we should expect a highly disciplined team that won’t be making a lot of mistakes. We’re going into the game with loads of respect for them, and no one is taking the task lightly. Hopefully our athleticism and fitness will be a huge factor in the contest.”
Naimo has first-hand experience going up against the 2009 PDL champions, as the Blues faced the Fusion in the second round of the 2011 edition of the U.S. Open Cup, Israel Sesay scoring the game-winner in a hard-earned 1-0 road win.
“While there are usually a number of personnel changes in the PDL from one season to the next, our match against them last year still serves as a good indicator of their quality,” Charlie Naimo said. “They had a very strong team then and I don’t expect that to be any different this time. We’re preparing to face a side that is as close to professional as you’ll see in the PDL.”
One who knows how to defeat the Fusion is Blues defender Bryan Burke. The rookie notched the only goal of the PDL Western Conference semifinal between his Kitsap Pumas and Ventura County in 2011.
“They’re known for having some of the best young players from the best schools in the region,” the 23-year-old said. “I expect them to be extremely hungry against us and eager to prove that they have what it takes to beat a pro team. I also think they’ll be very fit, so we need to make sure we move the ball around and get a rhythm going early on. It’s important that we put pressure on them right away. If the game stays at 0-0 for a while, they’ll only be getting more confident.”
The Fusion earned the head-to-head with Orange County’s only professional team by defeating the Blues’ crosstown neighbors, the Fullerton Rangers, 6-2 in overtime of the two sides’ first-round clash.
“We scouted Ventura against the Rangers and took note of their strengths and their special players,” Charlie Naimo revealed. “That said, we’re primarily focused on our own game and on continuing to move in the right direction. This is the first time we’ve won two straight on the road in about a year, which means we must be doing something right.”
Regardless of the Blues’ form, the upcoming stretch will be a tough one, as Naimo’s men turn around immediately following Tuesday’s contest to travel to Orlando for Thursday’s clash with the defending USL PRO champions and current league-leaders. On Saturday, the team then faces off with hosts Charleston Battery, who sit in third place in the standings, just ahead of the Blues.
Orlando is currently riding a three-game win streak behind the attacking heroics of Trinidad and Tobago international Kevin Molino, team top scorer Dennis Chin and former New York Red Bull John Rooney. The Lions' roster also includes such experienced former MLS players as defender Kyle Davies, veteran forward Ian Fuller and midfielder Jamie Watson, as well as 2011 USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year Miguel Gallardo and proven goal-scorer Maxwell Griffin.
The Battery’s first six matches of 2012 have included a 3-0 win at Charlotte and a 4-0 rout of Antigua Barracuda FC. Veteran Nicki Paterson and rookie José Cuevas are points leaders for the side, which also features the likes of on-loan D.C. United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra, former Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders man Amadou Sanyang, former D.C. United defender John Wilson and Sierra Leone international striker Sallieu Bundu.
More star power will await the Blues only three days after their match in Charleston, provided they defeat Ventura County on Tuesday to move on to the U.S. Open Cup third round meeting with Chivas USA.
“A huge emphasis will have to be on getting our players enough rest by using everyone on the roster,” Charlie Naimo said of the road ahead. “After all, if we advance in the Open Cup, we will have four huge games in eight days, including one against an MLS team and a couple on the road against two of the top teams in USL PRO. A stretch like that really tests the depth of a squad.”