Yet another youth event in the Hamptons with South Fork United, this one was more of a series of friendlies as the last one feature many more teams from all over Hauppauge, etc. not just local. Many skilled players and great upbeat positive coaches was a sight to behold. At the end we gave out items from NYCFC, pens, stress balls, key chains, tatoos and more.
In a first ever meeting, Sin City took on the nation's capital in front of 7,158 in Vegas, a great turn out for a non league game in a new city. Getting his first goal, Yamil Asad has begun to pay dividends already, Paul Arriola a member of the USMNT chipped in 3 assists for a total of 4 this preseason. Darren Mattocks now has 3 goals to go with his assists over 4 pre season games as Ian Harkes got his first goal and Luciano Acosta his 4th. This preseason DC went 3-1-0 scoring first in all games. 6 cards were issued in a warm up game for their seasons?
This 3rd annual version of the tourney opens March 1 as the US faces Germany with England and France also facing off in the opener, of course our intrepid photog Allan West will be there. Jill Ellis announced this week the 23 players who will be eligible to partake in this the highest level world wide 4 team tourey. A total of 25 players were brought into camp to be whittled down to this final count over 4 days prior to going hear to head with #2 Germany, #3 England & #6 France, the USWNT is of course #1.
In excess of 2,000 ducats have been sold for this game at City Stadium on March 17, none reportedly to leprechauns. The 7PM game pits the NC Courage v Washington Spirit. Both coaches played pro in NY, Paul Riely and Jim Gabarra. With this game, the headline event for the high level Jefferson Cup Girls Weekend with over 5,000 athletes and 350 teams. This will be a pre season match for both NWSL teams that begins its year the next week. The younger tourney players will have the chance to witness the best womens league in the world with many USWNT players and other world wide stars.
In a setback for the team coached by Long Island Soccer legend, Paul Riley and a far bigger one for Makenzy, she is out for the season with a torn left ACL in the first day of training. The midfielder suffered the injury on the 19th, the subsequent MRI was done, she will now have her 2018 as a rehab year. Out of Chino Hills CA, she joined the NC team in 2017 after moving from Western NY and the rebranding of the team she had 1,124 minutes over 21 games in her inital NWSL season as they took the Shield.
The final of 2-1 is not so bad of a result for the lower division floridians even more so given it is pre season. DC United is starting to get more serioius as they started Odoi-Astem, Opare, Robinson, Durkin, Harkes & Mulins late of NYCFC and he got his first goal of the pre season. Paul Arrila also with the USMNT notched his first assist as Acosta netted his first goal. Chris Durkin got in a full game, his first ever with DC in this first game ever v the Armada to go with a 2-1-0 record this preseason.
From VfB Stuttgart to Yankee Stadium, not a bad relocation for the 22 year old out of Ghana who now has a one year deal on loan. He is happy to be with a big club such as NYCFC wanting to have a winning team and get as many victories as possible. Head coach Patrick Viera is excited as the player is dynamic, fast and aggressive while good with the ball. Describing him as a "competitor" ,enjoying winning with a good character he will push to play with his fellow midfielders.
Veteran of 255 MLS games, def/mid Evans has inked a 1 year deal with an option for 2019. Over his career he has netted 28 goals coupled with 31 assists since 2007, winning the MLS Cup the next year with the Crew then 9 years with Seattle getting 4 Lamar Hunt US Open Cups to go with his second MLS Cup in 2017..SKC coach Vermes is glad to have him for his presence and of course his on field successes. Evans is "thrilled" to be with SKC and help them reel in more hardware at Children's Mercy Park and is appreciative of the Sounders for their near decade of support.
The USWNT & U.S. Soccer determined the winner chosen from applicants aged 13-17, we listed the criteria earlier. The group of 7 ex USWNT members charged with finding the winner culled the field to 4 then social media did its magic. Hollis Belger took 44% of the vote based on the submitted videos. The icing on the cake of this win is a trip to SheBelieves at Red Bull Arena to see games with the USA taking on France March 4.
Net minder, 23 year old Erik DIck and defender, 22 year old Graham Smith have been locked in with 1 year deals and 3 year options. Peter Vermes the HC of SKC has seen them make good impressions during this preseason. Erik has the attributes in a GK they desire as Graham lends depth to the back line as he looks forward to working them into the team. The backstop is energized as he embarks on his pro career in KC linking up with Long Islander and starter Mellia and he hopes to reward the team for their faith in him.
