Wilmington Hammerheads News Release -- www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com
Friday, July 1, 2011
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Wilmington Hammerheads welcome their west coast rival the Los Angeles Blues to Legion Stadium on Saturday night for their first match-up of the 2011 USL PRO season. To kick off the July 4th weekend, there will be a patriotic fireworks show immediately following the conclusion of the match.
The Hammerheads enter Saturday night’s game at home off of a U.S. Open Cup loss against Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake and also a loss at home against Charleston last Friday night during the USL PRO Game of the Week on FOX Soccer. Wilmington currently sits last in the American Division with a record of 5-4-3, but has eleven games left in their USL PRO season to jump in the standings.
When discussing the upcoming match against LA, Hammerhead head coach David Irving expressed the importance of earning all three points on Saturday night.
“With only five home games left in our regular season, now more than ever it is crucial for us to win," Irving said. "As long as we can capitalize and gain points in our next few matches, we can take a leap in the standings. It is important for us to pick ourselves up after two back-to-back losses and regain composure on our home turf.”
The Blues also enter Saturday night’s game coming off of an Open Cup loss against the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 and a USL PRO loss against the Harrisburg City Islanders.
This is the first match up between the two teams who are tied in points at 18. Wilmington and Los Angeles have surprising similar records; both teams have five wins and three ties. The Blues have a leg up on the Hammerheads with only three losses while the Hammerheads have four. If Saturday night’s goes in favor of Wilmington, they could pull withing a point of Antigua Barracuda FC, which holds the fourth and final playoff place in USL PRO's American Division entering the weekend's action.
Hammerheads defender Gareth Evans will be marking his former teammates on Saturday night - in early April, Evans transferred to join the Wilmington squad after spending preseason with the Blues.
Saturday night is Military Appreciation Night at Legion Stadium; all Military personnel, with a valid military ID, will receive half off a single ticket price at the gate.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children 4-12. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Hammerheads office, through the Hammerhead ticket line at 910-777-2111 ext. 10, and at www.wilmingtontickets.com.