Indy Eleven v.s Fort Lauderdale
Indy Eleven interim head coach Tim Regan earlier this week referencing the removal of two of our coaches and his own advancement, somewhat poignant but accurate. As supporters we have been with Juergen Sommer from the start and I know a lot of us were happy at the arrival of Paul Telfer, a player coach with a wealth of experience and I am sure he helped tighten up our defense. I am very grateful to both for being a part of this club, both have been very accessible and approachable guys who never shy away from talking to the supporters and giving their opinions and also socializing with us.
It’s not really for us to know what goes on behind the scenes but things obviously were not good, it was showing in the frustration of the players and in the performances, the body language, and in the results. Losing to Louisville was probably the final straw, I doubt very much it was the performance against Tampa but as much a I enjoyed the game, we lost another two points at home. Change was inevitable, I actually thought it may happen before Spring season, and was surprised it happened before the end. But happened it has, and I am sorry to see both go, but the team, the new coach and the supporters need to move on. Whichever path Juergen and Paul choose from here I wish them both the very best.
Over the coming months I am sure there will be a lot of speculation about who we could hire as a coach, but for now Tim Regan is our coach and we need to get behind him and the team. Tim has the respect of the players and we should allow him his opportunity to show what he can do with the team. I also think it is a good move to give Kleberson an assistant position, it is unlikely that we may ever see him play for Indy Eleven again, so what better way for him to be involved than to work alongside Tim to help get us back on our feet again.
Indy on the road to Fort Lauderdale….
This could be a good week for us in Florida, we have new coach who will have a new set of ideas and I am sure the the news this week will affect the players more positively than negatively, so I doubt any research the Strikers have done on us will do them any good. Strikers are not having much more success than we are right now, currently DLLD in their last four games compared to Indy’s LLLD. The Strikers were a much more consistent team last year under Günter Kronsteiner, but they seem to be very up and down this season under new business management and new coach Marcelo Neveleff, so it is a good chance for us, also a win would put us 2 points ahead of them. I think it’s achievable, and I also think Indy need to try and hit that ten point mark before spring season is over, if we want to have a chance at making a playoff run we need all we can get right now. It would be the first time if we do win, Indy have played the Strikers three times previously losing 3-2 and 2-1 in Florida and drawing 0-0 in Indy last fall. Ft Lauderdale have only won one of their four home games this season. If Indy can show the same hunger as they did last week against Tampa, they can definitely come away without losing. I remember a long time ago reading a study that referenced betting on soccer in Europe and the statistics are high that a team playing their first game under a new manager do not lose. As I said last week Indy have nothing to lose and all to gain, we are on the bottom, go out there firing on all cylinders and go for it!
Who is going to be in Timmy’s team? ….
I probably don’t need to keep mentioning that Kleberson will not be playing but as new assistant coach he will most likely travel with the team, and also it is unlikely that Judson McKinney will either he is listed as questionable, even if ready it will be too early for him to take a place away from someone else. Sergio Pena will remain out through injury but expect Brad Ring who was probable and played in the last game to be ready to start. The news on Daniel Keller is he is listed as injured for this week and recovering from concussion sustained against Tampa. This leaves coach Tim Regan with nineteen players to choose his 18 man roster for the game. Most likely one of our three keepers will not suit up and everyone else will be in. We will just have to wait and see how our new coach will start his lineup, not going to make any guesses on that.
LET’S GET A WIN!!
San Antonio Scorpions v.s Atlanta Silverbacks
By: Kevin Collins
This season.
The 2015 spring season has not panned out as the Scorpions had expected. The team sits in 10th place, right behind this weekend’s opponent, the Silverbacks. San Antonio comes into this game after an exciting draw at home against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in the 2014 Soccer Bowl rematch. San Antonio had plenty of second-half opportunities to win the game, but none were taken advantage of.
Atlanta is coming off their bye-week and sit just above the Scorpions with an equal, eight points. The Silverbacks have been competitive in all but two of their games while tying five of them. Their last game was a rare U.S. Open Cup victory for the NASL this season; they squeaked by Chattanooga FC by sending the game into extra time with a stoppage time penalty. Only Atlanta and the Cosmos moved forward in the competition last Wednesday night. They will play the New York Red Bulls of MLS in the Fourth Round. Their last NASL game was a 4-2 loss when they visited the Eddies in Edmonton, Alberta.
Last season & Outlook.
The Scorpions own a 6-2-3 (WDL) all-time record against the Silverbacks. The Alamo City boys swept the season series in 2014, securing two away wins in the process. This away game will be a tougher task for the visitors this time around. While the Scorpions have been able to finally start scoring, their defense has been sub-par all season, including a league worst goal differential. On the other side of the ball, Atlanta has been playing good defense, holding most of their opponents to a single goal or less. While they haven’t been able to reliably score, they have a good defense which will give the Scorpions’ attackers problems.
Both teams have been eliminated from the spring title contention and will be focusing on improving their combined table standings.
Players to watch.
Omar Cummings, tied as the league’s leading scorer, will be relied upon to score for the visitors. He has been the Scorpions’ most consistent scorer, netting four goals in eight games. He will have to play well against the defense of Atlanta – especially in their own back yard. I don’t think many goals will be scored in this game, but if San Antonio can muster one, my bet is it comes off the boot of Cummings.
From Atlanta, Hans Denissen will be the player to watch. The former Scorpion and New York Cosmos man will look to take advantage of a San Antonio defense that has been porous this spring. Denissen, a NASL Best XI in 2013, has one goal to his name in 2015 and has contributed in all but one of Atlanta’s games this spring. While this isn’t the first game San Antonio will see Hans in the opponent’s kits, he will always have a special place in the hearts of Scorpions fans.
Prediction.
Both teams have a lot to gain from winning this match. With three points, the winner will have the opportunity to move up the table and gain ground in the combined standings. I don’t think many goals will be scored in this game and I see a draw of either 0-0 or 1-1 being the outcome.
Gametime is 6:30pm CST this Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia at Silverbacks Park. #ATLvSAS
Carolina Railhawks vs Minnesota United FC
The Railhawks return home to face Minnesota United. Minnesota was home last week and dominated the entire match against the Cosmos ; a late goal from Raul and both teams walked away with a point. Tonight Minnesota is going to look to have the same style of play as last week , dominate for 90 minutes , never stop defending.
Minnesota United tonight is going to play at WakeMed Soccer park , one of the most difficult stadiums to play in. One scenario that shows that the stadium is hard to play in is when the Cosmos were in Cary and scored 2 late goals but Carolina dominated the whole match. So the lesson for both teams tonight is dominate the whole match and don’t give up in stoppage time , anything can happen.
Tampa Bay Rowdies v.s FC Edmonton
Edmonton hits the road to take on the Rowdies Saturday night. Edmonton has been in Tampa Bay the whole week adjusting to the different climate , and preparing for tonights tough clash. Will the week in Tampa pay off for the Eddies? Maybe not the week in Tampa but probably because the Rowdies will be without some of their star players Stefan Antonijevic, Georgi Hristov and Maicon Santos , who are suspended because red cards they received last week against Indy Eleven.
If the Rowdies , lose or draw they will be eliminated from contention for a Spring Championship . A win will keep them alive.
Jacksonville Armada v.s Ottawa Fury FC
The Fury hit the road to Jacksonville to take on the Armada. The Armada as of late have been playing great defense. In the last Fury’s last 4 matches they just gave up one goal. If the Fury could keep up there great performance on defense , then they have a great chance of beating the Armada. Fury head coach Marc Dos Santos , had this to say about their upcoming match:
” Our last three matches were positive and we wish to continue with the same attitude against the Armada on Sunday,” said Head Coach Marc Dos Santos. “We know Jacksonville is a very difficult place to play and we are all aware of what it will take from us to succeed there.” The Armada are winless in there last three matches”.
They will be looking to get back into form on Sunday. It will be a difficult match because the Fury defense has been playing great as of late.
