Boston Victory News Release -- www.bostonvictorysc.com
Thursday, June 21, 2012
BOSTON -- The Boston Victory's four-game homestand ends on Saturday night when Boston (2-6-1) takes on the third-placed GPS Portland Phoenix (5-3-1) back at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy at 7 p.m.
Last week the Victory were the guests of Oliver Ames High School in Easton, Mass., where the team holds its midweek training sessions, and went down 1-0 to Northeast Division leader the Ottawa Fury at Muscato Stadium, conceding an agonizing goal during second-half stoppage time.
"Last weekend's game ended as cruelly as any sporting encounter can end," said Victory coach Sergio Taborda. "With the game tied and no goals scored despite both teams creating a number of chances, we conceded a goal during stoppage time. It was rough justice on the team who had matched the best team in the PDL Northeast Division and we might even have come away with the win in the final minute, but Andrew Sousa's shot hit the post and it was not to be.
"The Fury coach complemented us afterwards on the professionally run organization and the way in which we played. He thought we were much better than our overall record suggests and with that observation coming from someone outside the Victory organization, it tells us we are doing things right and that the wins will come. "
The Victory have not won since a 1-0 home win over Vermont Voltage in Quincy on June 9, but are playing attractive soccer and creating chances with the desired end product hopefully in sight against Portland.
The visiting Phoenix were unbeaten in their first four games, lost three times and then won their past two games.
The Victory hit the road in midweek with a Wednesday night visit to Vermont Voltage at South Burlington High School in Burlington, Vt., at 7 p.m. and play at home for a fifth consecutive Saturday when Western Mass Pioneers are the visitors to Quincy at 7 p.m.
THE SERIES - Victory vs. Phoenix
The Victory meet a new team for the last time this season as all future games will be against prior opponents Western Mass, Seacoast and Worcester. The two clubs will also meet again to close out the regular season at 6 p.m. at Scarborough High School in Maine on Saturday, July 14.
The Phoenix hold the honor of being the first-ever club from Maine to take part in the prestigious U.S. Open Cup and were eliminated in the first round of this year's competition 3-2 by the Brooklyn Italians.
While the Victory is a team new to the PDL in 2012, the Phoenix won the 2011 PDL Northeast Division with an 8-5-3 record, but lost in the first round of the playoffs.
NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER
Ottawa Fury head coach Stephen O'Kane was full of praise for the Victory last Saturday as he commented after his team's last ditch 1-0 win in Easton that he felt the Victory are in a false position in that Boston's won two, lost six, tied one record does not reflect their positive play. The Victory might have come away from Muscato Stadium with a win of their own, but after Andrew Sousa's shot cannoned off the post, the Fury countered and score the game winning goal on the break.
SHARING SOME SIMILARITIES
Boston and Portland have both beaten CFC Azul and the Vermont Voltage.
Boston and Portland both lost 2-0 at home to Worcester Hydra.
Boston and Portland both lost 1-0 at home to Ottawa Fury.
Boston and Portland both lost by the odd goal away to Western Mass Pioneers.
TWO TO WATCH
Portland midfielder Jason Massie and defender Brian Fekete were named to the 2011 Eastern Conference All-PDL team last season. This campaign, Englishman Massie has played a team-high 720 minutes and has a goal and two assists to his credit.
TAKING TIME OUT WITH DEFENDER MATT KEYS
He might have only been a member of the Victory defense for the past four games, but the impressive performances of King Philip Regional High School (Wrentham, Mass.) product Matt Keys have led to him being an ever present since making his debut away to Ottawa on June 2. The youngest player on the Victory roster, Keys has been a tower of strength at the back with composed performances since joining the club. So what are the Australian native's thoughts about soccer and a few other things away from the field?
Who is the greatest soccer player ever? - Probably Lionel Messi
What was the first soccer game you attended? - I went to a New England Revolution game when I was eight. I don't remember much about that, but I go to watch them whenever I can.
Apps you are using: Twitter, Pandora, Words with Friends, Chess With Friends, MLS Matchday, Tiny Wings
TV you are watching: Sportscenter, American Pickers, Storage Wars, Bachelorette, Modern Family
What is the best movie you have seen this year? - Hunger Games
Songs you are listening to right now: 'Dirty Talk' by Winter Gordon, 'Soundtrack 2 My Life' by Kid Cudi, 'Loud' by Mac Miller, 'Only One' by Sam Adams, 'So Good' by B.o.B.
COACH TABORDA
Sergio Taborda currently posts a 2-6-1 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.