USL Feature – www.uslsoccer.com
Thursday, April 21, 2011
This Saturday a Garden State rivalry will be renewed as Ironbound SC and the New Jersey Stallions meet in a U16 boys Super Y-League clash. These two teams are hardly unfamiliar foes, having seen each other in U15 competition last season.
“It’s important for the kids in their in their development to play good teams,” Stallions Coach Kobie Johnson said. “Ironbound is always a tough team.”
Ironbound sees an equally dangerous opponent in the Stallions.
“Games with the NJ Stallions are always very competitive and hopefully we can walk away with a positive result,” said John Soares, Ironbound’s Director of Operations.
Ironbound is hoping for a better start to 2011. Ironbound met Stallions at the beginning of 2010 and New Jersey took the early spoils, cruising to a 3-0 victory in their initial meeting. The two sides met once more, a 2-2 draw.
The clubs remained close in the standings all season as New Jersey took second in Group A and Ironbound third. Both finishes were good enough to punch tickets to Tampa, site of the 2010 Super Y-League North American Finals.
At the finals, Ironbound experienced the frustration of going undefeated in its group, earning a 2-0-2 record, but falling a win short of advancing. The Stallions failed to advance from their group as well.
Both sides are hoping to build on their 2010 performances and take the next step in 2011.
"We have a group of talented boys returning, with everyone having Super Y experience, and know what to expect in the competition,” Soares said. “We expect the boys to have to have a good season."
Ironbound is also returning standout defender Jason DaSilva, who made the Super Y-League North American Finals U15 boys All-Tournament Team in 2010.
The season is just beginning for these two clubs, but the goal remains the same: get to Tampa.
“We think we can do well in the Super Y-League and get back to Florida,” Johnson said.
That sentiment is echoed by Ironbound.
"It is important that we get off to a good start to the 2011 season,” Soares added. “We would like to return to Tampa for the nationals for the fourth time.”