Sat July 30, 2016 League 1 Ontario--Preview of Men's 2016 L1 Cup Final (from League 1 Ontario website)

Men's 2016 L1 Cup Final - Vaughan vs Woodbridge - Preview
07/30/2016, 1:15pm EDT
By League1 Ontario staff

The L1 Cup double-header final between longstanding rivals Woodbridge Strikers 
and Vaughan Azzurri goes down on Saturday July 30 at the Ontario Soccer Centre, 
with the women kicking off first at 3:30 p.m. before the men take the pitch 
at 7 p.m.

Let's take a closer look at the men's match...

Both Vaughan and Woodbridge have claimed the L1 Cup in the past, with 
Vaughan claiming the inaugural trophy in 2014 after defeating Sigma, 
and Woodbridge in 2015 after also defeating Sigma. 

Both teams also sit first and second at the top of the east division 
currently, with Woodbridge on 31 points from 14 games, and Vaughan 
on 30 points from 13 games. 

Essentially, this L1 Cup final pits two of the top teams in the league, 
two local derby rivals, and the only two existing L1 Cup holders against 
one another in one "winner-take-all" Cup match. 

Woodbridge head coach Peter Pinizzotto downplayed the pressure 
of defending the Cup against their local rivals. 

"It's not pressure exactly," he said. "You want to win anything 
that is available to win."

"We have to understand that the other team wants to win too," he added. 
"Vaughan won two years ago, and am sure they want to win it again. 
It's Vaughan v Woodbridge and everytime we play it's a real derby. 
We'd like to win it, but we're not going to put any pressure on. 
We just want to play well, try not to make any stupid mistakes, 
and just play a smart game."

Woodbridge is known for playing a smart game, ensuring that their 
defensive shape is in place before proceeding to the attacking 
end of the game, and the strategy has paid off. 

The Strikers are top of the league for the third year running 
in the goals against department, conceding just 11 goals 
from 14 league matches. 

The rock at the centre of the Strikers defense is 2015 Goalkeeper 
of the Year, Matt George, who will line out on Saturday with 
stalwarts Gabriel Sosa, Cameron Brooks and Steven Lamela 
in his defensive core. 2015 All-Star Darian Bygrave has also 
been getting minutes of late, and his speed plus defensive 
ability in wide areas can often provide the energy needed 
to undo opponents. Finally, 20 year old Francesco Sinopoli has 
been deputized into defense for the Strikers in recent matches 
due to injury to Andrew Derayeh, and has fit in seamlessly. 

At the helm for Vaughan is 2015 Coach of the Year, Carmine Isacco, 
and with a deep roster of senior and U21 talent, Vaughan has 
a talent pool that is the biggest in the entire league. 

As such, it is difficult to pick the Azzurri's starting lineup, 
but expect to see central back Kamal Miller, who plies his 
trade at Syracuse University during the academic season, 
partner with Oakland University's Nyal Higgins ahead 
of keeper Dayne St. Clair of University of Maryland. 
Supporters may also see the return of experienced fullback 
Joseph Amato for the final.

Midfield is where there is some real gold on both teams, 
with Woodbridge fielding the likes of former Dundee United 
midfielder Dylan Carrierro, and former Toronto FC signing 
Oscar Cordon. Meanwhile, Vaughan will position 2014 L1 Cup 
MVP Joseph Di Chiarra in this zone, whose size, industry, 
possessive sense and goal threat is an often lethal 
combination for the Azzurri. Vaughan can also call 
on York University's Dena Iezady, whose versatility and goal 
scoring ability was illuminated again in matchweek twelve 
with his fantastic finish against FC London.

Vaughan will feel the loss of Jonathan Lao (injured), 
but have steady replacements that have been playing important 
matches for the Azzurri. York University's Kyle Crichton 
is one name to keep a close eye on. 

Both teams have goals in them, with exciting attackers 
on both sides. Woodbridge's Emmanuel Issac has been 
instrumental in his team's progress through the Cup, 
scoring the lone markers against Kingston and North Toronto 
in previous rounds, and keeping defenders honest with 
his hard pressing and pace. 

With the recent addition of Tristan Watson, the Strikers 
have looked increasingly dangerous without sacrificing 
their signature defensive structure, and if the Strikers 
can get exciting young player Ignazio Muccilli in the 
lineup for the final they will have significant threat.  

Last but not least, Christian Cavallini is an extremely 
dangerous attacking mid/ forward player for the Strikers, 
and can capably pull the strings on attacking moves 
or finish them off himself.

Vaughan has a variety of talented players spearheading 
the front line, all of which are capable of doing damage. 
The Azzurri is tied with FC London in the west division 
for most goals for (37), and it's down to the likes 
of York University's Jarek Whiteman, the sibling trio 
of Jason, Jahsua and Brandon Mills, and the team's 
offensive midfielders for that output. Forward 
Mario Kovacevic is always good for a few goals as well, 
but will be out of the lineup for this final.

Look for Vaughan to keep the ball on the deck and bank 
on their patience in possession to open up the Strikers, 
moving ball quickly to try and stretch the Woodbridge 
defensive block out of position.

Woodbridge, on the other hand, will likely sit off Vaughan, 
conceding possession perhaps with the intention of luring 
Vaughan players forward and then hitting them with 
pacey counters.   

With both Vaughan and Woodbridge neck in neck in the 
league standings, there is the added danger of conceding 
momentum to the victor in the league as well through 
the confidence of a win. The two sides are set to meet 
in late August to decide one representative of the east 
division to enter playoffs against the best of the west. 

Pinizzotto was clear that his side will need 
to concentrate on the game, not the occasion. 

"When you reach the final, you know it's two teams that 
are the best and it's one game where anything can happen," 
said Pinizzotto. 

"It's not easy to get there in a final, and for us to get 
there two years in a row was not easy." 

"But you have to take one game at a time, we can't look 
at sending messages or anything," he added. "Who knows 
by Aug 21 when we play them again in the league what 
position everyone is in, it's a tough league now with 
a lot of teams that can beat you. There are no more 
easy games."

"This final is one game, and then we worry about the 
next game. If we start thinking about a game weeks away, 
we may not be in the position we want." 

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