River City Rovers News Release -- www.roverssoccer.com
Thursday, May 30, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The River City Rovers return to PDL Great Lakes Division play against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, looking to claim first place in the standings with the club's second win of the season. The Rovers (1-1-1) currently sit in second place, two points behind league leaders Forest City London. The Fire are one point behind the Rovers, having only played one game (1-0-0).
The Rovers will rely on its defensive tandem of goalkeeper Taylor Hafling and reigning Rover of the Week defender Peter May. Hafling and May combined well to anchor the defense last week in the Rovers’ 2-1 triumph over the Bucks and 0-0 draw with K-W United. May and Hafling have been supported by defenders Luis Ramirez and Robbe Tarver, creating the Rovers most consistent line. The defense will also be bolstered by the addition of veteran Rover Hezekiah Weiss. In the first appearance of his third season with the Rovers, Weiss contributed 75 quality minutes of hard work against the Bucks.
On the offensive end, the Rovers will look to forward John Manga and midfielder Dylan Terry, who continue to be the Rovers’ most dangerous attacking options. Manga has done well all season as a holding forward, routinely keeping the ball up top allowing his teammates to get forward. He’s also one of three Rovers goal scorers, finding the net in the Rovers’ 3-1 loss to FC London. Terry has impressed well in limited minutes. He was kept to 45 minutes against KW-United due to injury after threatening the goal on multiple occasions. Terry played an integral role off the bench against the Bucks, providing the game-tying assist in the 87th minute after entering and changing the game in the 59th.
The Fire are coming off of a 1-0 defeat of league newcomer K-W United. They are led by forward and lone goal scorer Tyler Engel of Southern Methodist University. All-Big 10 goalkeeper Tyler Miller of Northwestern University holds down the Fire defense, but has yet to face a shot in the young season. The Rovers will hope to use their match experience to their advantage in facing the relatively untested Chicagoans.
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Shelby County Athletics Complex, 1270 Burks Branch Road. Tickets are available at the gate for $7. Fans can also follow the action live on Twitter @ROVERSSOCCER.