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Azul Face Key Clash With Pioneers

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CFC Azul News Release -- www.cfcazul.com

Friday, July 6, 2012

HAMDEN, Conn. -- Six teams in the Northeast Division still have a chance at making the playoffs and four or those teams head into their final three games this weekend. The Azul are one of those four teams with three games remaining, all of which are on the road, as they currently sit in a tie for third place in the division.

The other team tied with the Azul at 20 points is Western Mass. The two teams will play each other in an extremely important game on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass. The GPS Portland Phoenix and the Ottawa Fury hold the top two spots, which stamp a playoff ticket to the owner after 16 games. The Phoenix have 25 points while the Fury have 23, but both teams have only played 12 games compared to 13 for the remaining eight teams in the division, which gives them an even bigger advantage as we get closer to the playoffs.

The Pioneers and Azul had their first meeting on June 16th and played to a 0-0 tie in Farmington. That game was filled with sloppy play as neither team could create any opportunities. The Azul were also called for a season-high four yellow cards in the game as seven total cautions were handed out.

Since that game, the Azul have gone 3-1-2 while the Pioneers have gone 4-1-2, finding their offensive touch late in the season. 11 of the teams 14 goals have come during the seven-game span, including six last weekend. Warren Gross starts between the posts for the Pioneers and has registered a league-leading eight shutouts this season as well as a .500 goals against average, which is tied for first in the PDL. His six goals allowed on the season are tied for second in the league. Azul goalkeeper Matt Sangeloty is tied for fourth in goals allowed this season with seven. Sangeloty has five shutouts this season which ties him for fifth in the league as well as a superb .661 GAA.

On the offensive side of the field, DJ Pereira leads the team with eight points from three goals and two assists. The scoring however has been equally spread out as Jordan Branco has seven points off three goals and one assist and Ryan Malone has six points. Branco made last week's PDL Team of the Week by providing the Pioneers with two goals in a 2-0 win over the Boston Victory to keep the Pioneers in the playoff hunt.

For the Azul, the offense is still built around forward Ryan Kinne who ended his scoring drought last weekend with a goal in the fourth minute against Seacoast United. He now has 16 points on the season (seven goals, two assists). Sonny Narro and Mario DiMiceli have each chipped in eight points each to help power the second-best offense in the division.

Following this week's match against the Pioneers, the Azul will look to sweep the Fury in what could be the biggest match in the history of the Azul when they travel to Ottawa. They will then stop in Vermont on the way home to Connecticut to finish their season against the last-place Voltage.

Defense First

This week's matchup features the two best defenses in the division in regards to goals allowed with the Azul allowing nine and the Pioneers allowing eight. It also showcases the two best goalies in the division who have combined for 13 shutouts this season.

Coming Out Party

Before last weekend's games, the Pioneers' Jordan Branco had yet to score this season. He now enters Friday's match with three goals.

Road Rage

Although the Azul have yet to be defeated on the road, they have four ties in five matches. Their final three games on the regular season will all come on the road.


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