Hamilton Spectator - Hamilton Thunder impress in the first game
Thunder impress in first game
May. 13, 2002. 01:06 AM
By
Theresa Macinnis
Special to The Hamilton Spectator
He doesn't have as
far to drive west on the Queen Elizabeth Way this season, but Danny Gallagher
has other reasons to play for the Hamilton Thunder.
Gallagher chose to
play in Hamilton instead of St. Catharines, because he sees promise in the first
professional soccer team to call Hamilton home in 11 years.
"I chose this
team for the potential, we have a talented team. The coaching staff and owner
have a great vision and that's what I want to be a part of," said Gallagher who
resides in Burlington.
The Hamilton Thunder lost their first exhibition
game here 1-0 to the visiting Toronto Lynx Saturday. The game was decided when
Brian Ashton of the Lynx successfully netted a penalty kick with just over five
minutes remaining in the game.
"It was a great game today, very exciting
in the second half," said Gallagher. "If we don't finish our chances we won't
win games. It's sad to see a game decided on a penalty shot, but that's the game
and we'll learn from it."
This was Hamilton's first home game as a team.
"I think we jelled pretty well. We've still got a bit to do, but I think the
talent is there and we will come together."
Gallagher and a few other
players were with St. Catharines, also of the 14-team Canadian Professional
Soccer League, before making the move to the Thunder this year.
"We saw
the potential here for a great club and a great future and we are very excited
about this team."
"It's definitely exciting to see something in Hamilton
again. The city has a good past for soccer, it's just unfortunate that it's
never worked out."
Roberto Ferrari is playing in his inaugural season
with the CPSL. After playing youth soccer in Ontario, the Woodbridge native went
on to play international calibre soccer in countries such as Chile and
Croatia.
"We've been practising for almost a year now, getting ready for
this and we are really thankful to the fans. They really showed their support
for the first game."
He said it was unfortunate they got a bad call late
in the game, but they are really impressed with the way the team is playing and
its going to be a successful season.
"This team has something special the
other teams don't have. We have excellent coaching, and it's like a big
family."
He said Canadian Soccer has been lacking support and the right
structure and there are few teams like this one that are showing the European
and South American style.
Coach Marko Maschke said Saturday's game
against Toronto was a very good test for his young team because the Lynx are the
number one team in Ontario.
"We were a little bit nervous in the first
half. In the second half we controlled the game and had some nice scoring
chances.
"Unfortunately, we missed them, but it's more important that
both teams have an exhibition test game before the big game."
Maschke
coached for three years in the professional league in China, and is happy to be
coaching in Hamilton.
It's a fantastic soccer city, with a lot of history
with the Steelers and the White Eagles. "It's time that a new soccer team is
coming to the city and I think we bring a quality product to the
field."
He said the Thunder is talented, but also very young. "We have an
average age of less than 22 years and they have to learn a little bit." But he
thinks they will play a major role in the league and Saturday was a very good
audition.
The home opener is scheduled for May 23 at 8:30 p.m. against
the Vaughn Sun Devils at Brian Timmis Stadium. A crowd of approximately 2,000
attended this exhibition match.
Despite pre-season loss, young soccer
club shows promise
.
.