Championship Match Revisited, Round One New Rochelle, NY - The Westchester Flames take on defending champion, Wilmington Hammerheads, on Saturday, June 12, 2004, 5:30 p.m., City Park Stadium, New Rochelle, NY. This is the first of two games this season between the opponents, and the first time Wilmington has visited Westchester. Coach Gus Skoufis says, "This is a big game for us, one we're hoping to win to feel better after the last one." The Flames lost to the Hammerheads in double overtime August 23, 2003, in Wilmington, NC, in the Pro Select League National Championship. Forward Evaud Thompson scored the lone goal for the Flames, while the Hammerheads were the fortunate recipients of an own goal in the 76th minute to tie the game. Hammerhead Jo Johnson scored the winning goal in the first minute of the second overtime period. Westchester, 3-2-2, 11 points, second in the Northern Division, comes into the game with several key injuries. Two players from last year's championship game are out. Defender Mersim Beskovic is preparing for knee surgery; forward Costea Decu is still nursing a hamstring injury. The Hammerheads, 3-2-1, 10 points, second in the Southern Division, have had injury problems as well, with midfielder Johnnie Keen having just had knee surgery of his own. However, Wilmington sees the return of Junior Zarate this weekend. Zarate had 6 goals in 2003. Practice has been spirited this week in preparation for Wilmington. According to team captain, Laurence Piturro, "Everyone is excited for the opportunity to redeem ourselves from last year's final. This is the biggest game of our regular season. We're hoping for a great crowd to cheer us on." All fans attending this game will receive thunder stix to help cheer on the Flames. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m., with tickets going on sale at that time. Prices are $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for kids under 16. Children under 5 get in free. Refreshments and snacks are available at the field. In other news, USL announced that our own Evaud Thompson was named as the Player of the Week in Pro Soccer League action for Week 8. Thompson received the same honor in 2003 Week Two. He has already been named to the Team of the Week twice this season.
We won! 2-0..... Here's the story: Sweet Revenge as Flames Down Hammerheads New Rochelle, NY - 06/12/2004 Oh, how sweet it is. The Westchester Flames had to wait ten months to redeem themselves, but after 90 full minutes of play this afternoon, the scoreboard read - Westchester 2, Wilmington 0. This was, indeed, a sweet, sweet victory for the Flames. The long awaited matchup between the two national championship teams from 2003 proved to be a hard fought battle as Wilmington was out to prove their win wasn't a fluke, while the Flames were out to prove that they actually did belong in that final game. The Flames got on the scoreboard in the 44th minute when forward Costea Decu took a clean feed from midfielder Alex Tobon-Villa and put it past Hammerheads goalkeeper Billy Platz. Two minutes prior, the Hammerheads had a goal disallowed for offside. There was little protest on the call. Team leading scorer, forward Evaud Thompson sealed the deal in the 62nd minute when forward Kwame Richardson sneaked a ball to the foot of Thompson who buried it once again. Thompson is now tied for the lead with Jacob Coggins, of the Charlotte Eagles, for goals scored in the Pro Soccer League. Flames goalkeeper Guillermo Valencia got his first clean sheet of the season, having to come up with 5 saves in the process. Luck was on his side in the 87th minute when the Hammerheads were awarded a direct free kick outside the box. Midfielder Kenny Bundy took the shot. It hit the near post and bounced harmlessly out of play. The Flames defense held firm as the team is adjusting to the absence of Mersim Beskovic, scheduled for knee surgery on June 28th. Defenders Danny Parkin and Julian Kapaj played a full 90 minutes for the first time this season. Unsung hero, Alex Tobon Villa, is quickly working his way up the assist leader standings for PSL. His assist is his 4th on the season, putting him in a tie for 2nd place in the league. The Flames take to the road next week as they look to extend their winning streak while visiting the New Jersey Stallions. They return home on Saturday, June 26th, playing host to the Harrisburg City Islanders. MATCH REPORT: Westchester 2 :: Wilmington 0 Scoring Summary WFL: Decu (Tobon-Villa)44th WFL: Thompson (K. Richardson) Lineups: Westchester: Guillermo Valencia, Julian Kapaj, Laurence Piturro, Danny Parkin, Frank Gizzo, Fredy Nava (Juan Carlos Gomez 82), Alex Tobon-Villa, Roberto Esquivel, Kwame Richardson (Mario Gallo 74), Evaud Thompson, Costea Decu Wilmington: Billy Platz, Brady Bryant, Tim Karalexis, Marc Hubbard, Paul Chase (Glenn Murray 75), Daniel Cappecci, Neil McNab (Ryan Miller 61), Kenny Bundy, Joe McNab (Iovo Stefanov 61), Buddy Forward (Ben Hill 45), Warren Ukah Stats (WFL::WIL): Shots 14::10, Saves 5::4, Corner Kicks 0::3, Fouls 8::9, Offsides 5::7 Attendance: 218 Officials: Referee: Lee Suckle AR 1: Samir Souidi AR 2: Lahoussein Kharmaj 4th: Brendan Mullarkey
I actually attended the game. A few comments. It is a shame the Flames do not get better support. They really play an attractive game and they have a few talented players that are fun to watch. I had a quick meal in a restaurant in New Rochelle before the game and no one there had ever heard of the Flames. The place was 5 minutes from the field. It must be very frustrating. But don't feel like the lone ranger, same thing happened before the Long Island game. One thing that kept going through my mind as I watched the game, the Flames reminded me so much of the early Carolina Dynamo teams. Whether the team is the greatest or not, whether the players are the best or not, they are all on the same page. There is spirit to their play. Not "charlie hustle" running around. You can tell the players understand the game and are just itching to create opportunities. It creates a flow to the play and makes the game enjoyable. It also makes for an interesting match against the Hammers as our style is more direct old style English. So, you had your day and prevailed, and a bit to easily for my taste, today. Looking forward to the rematch though, the Hammers will not roll over and die. Wish I had the answer for attendance. Just keep at it. You have a club that should catch on if true football fans ever get out to the game.
Hey GPF - I was wondering if you were around - I remember earlier saying that you would be coming up. Thanks for the kind words on the play. The coach definitely goes after the exact type of player you described. One of the biggest problems with the attendance here is that there is actually TOO much soccer - and because people are so accustomed to their home country's style, it's difficult for them to come out and watch. In addition, families are doing soccer all day long with their kids, so the last thing they want to do is to come out and watch another soccer game. When we do get a facility like what you have in Wilmington, we'll be better able to market the team....because as you saw, we have little to offer anyone. Looking forward to the rematch, round two. It should be fun!