July 14, 2011 CSL--preview of weekend games (from CSL website)
SHOOTERS vs. CAPITAL CITY MOST INTRIGUING GAME OF CSL WEEKEND Full slate of games in both divisions The two teams with an elongated 9- game unbeaten streak going back to the beginning of the season, Montreal Impact Academy and Capital City FC, both travel to southwestern Ontario this weekend in an attempt to solidify their strong positions at the top of the CSL standings. Each play back-to-back games and perhaps the most intriguing game this will take place just north of Toronto at the St. Joan of Arc ground in Maple where York Region Shooters host Capital City FC on Sunday afternoon. York Region Shooters are second to Montreal Impact Academy in the standings while Capital City FC are third, but the Ottawa team has three games in hand over the Shooters and two in hand over Montreal. As Eric Balnar, Capital City’s media man puts in on the team’s website, Capital City FC and the York Region Shooters both walked away from their last meeting with a bitter sweet taste in their mouth. While both teams feel taking one point from the match was somewhat of a success, a 0-0 draw in Ottawa on June 26 did not settle well with either team. "I feel we played better the entire match," said Capital City FC head coach Shaun Harris after the the game. "We just didn't convert on our scoring opportunities." The City Boys certainly outchanced an experienced York Region squad in a game between two top of the table teams. But a York Region defense broke up several opportunities and Capital City was stymied on multiple occasions. The York Region Shooters, the defending CSL regular season champions, were not happy with a weekend road trip that brought them to Montreal and Ottawa. "We were not prepared for the road swing," says York Region president Tony De Thomasis. "We only came back with one point out of a possible six - not good enough if we want to repeat and challenge for the top spot in 2011" The two teams will get a second and final shot at each other this season - and there's a lot on the line. Heading into the weekend, Capital City is in third place with 23 points. The Shooters are in second with 25. If Capital City beats Windsor the night before, they will be on a ten game unbeaten streak. Meanwhile, York has only lost once in their last twelve. De Thomasis says the Shooters are excited for the rematch against Ottawa and there may be more of a rivalry between the two teams. "The players have seen the high quality players that Ottawa has. It is a personal challenge for them to do much better second time round," he says. The Shooters will have to contend with the best defense in the Canadian Soccer League. In their nine game streak, Capital City has only allowed five goals. This is, in part, thanks to keeper Clint Irwin. The team captain has been magnificant and has made game-saving stops, including a spectacular diving save on a penalty kick last weekend. The defenders have also been consistantly dominant. Coach Harris credits the way his team has been able to control possession each time out. "You either have the ball or you don't," he says. "If we don't have it we'll work hard to get it back." Meanwhile, the Shooters have only scored 18 goals in 13 games - the lowest goals-per-game average of a team near the top of the standings. Their defense has been tremendous, and they have been able to shut down some of the league's best. But that does not mean their offensive talent should be overlooked. York has benefitted from timely late goals throughout the season to sink their opponents and phenomenal play from striker Kadian Lecky. De Thomasis has high praise for the CSL's co-leading goal scorer. "He is an extreme hard worker - he is not your typical finesse striker but more of the Drogba striker that wears you down," he says. Lecky is not the only talent York Region boasts. Their defense is anchored by Rick Titus, their midfield runs through 2008 CSL MVP Desmond Humphrey and their goalkeeper Camilo Benzi has helped steal a few games for the Shooters this season. Additionally, De Thomasis says York has worked hard at improving their fitness to win back some of the points they lost on their last road trip. If this is the case, the match could end up being a physical test for both teams. Capital City players have repeatedly said they believe they are the fittest team in the league and can run with anybody. But at the end of the day, soccer is an eleven vs. eleven sport. The club that plays the best as a team will come away with the victory. Capital City has two players of their own on the CSL leading scorers (Silva and Beauge) and have recieved timely goals from a variety of different players from all positions on the pitch. "It's not about one player. We have to focus on what we do best and if we achieve that we'll come away with three points," says Harris. The full schedule of weekend games in the CSL is: FIRST DIVISION Fri, Jul 15 Centennial Stadium 8:00 PM Serbian White Eagles vs St. Catharines Wolves Fri, Jul 15 Lamport Stadium 8:00 PM TFC Academy vs North York Astros Fri, Jul 15 Cove Road 8:38 PM London City vs Montreal Impact Academy Sat, Jul 16 Victoria Park 4:00 PM Brampton City Utd vs Montreal Impact Academy Sat, Jul 16 Windsor Stadium 7:00 PM Windsor Stars vs Capital City FC Sun, Jul 17 Centennial Stadium 5:00 PM Toronto Croatia vs TFC Academy Sun, Jul 17 St. Joan of Arc 5:00 PM York Region Shooters vs Capital City FC Sun, Jul 17 Lions Park 6:00 PM Brantford Galaxy vs St. Catharines Wolves SECOND DIVISION Sat, Jul 16 St. Joan of Arc 2:00 PM TFC Academy II vs Serbian White Eagles B Sat, Jul 16 St. Joan of Arc 4:00 PM York Region Shooters B vs North York Astros B Sat, Jul 16 Norval Park 6:00 PM Toronto Croatia B vs Brampton City Utd B Sat, Jul 16 Kalar 7:00 PM Niagara United vs SC Toronto B Sun, Jul 17 Club Roma 2:00 PM St. Catharines Wolves B vs Mississauga Eagles FC B Sun, Jul 17 Cove Road 4:00 PM London City B vs KW United FC
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