Flash regroups for road trip to Boston for a sold out match v. Breakers
Published on May 24, 2012 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Western New York Flash News Release
The Western New York Flash didn't suffer defeat until its ninth game in 2011, so an early season loss is a bit of an unfamiliar situation for the Flash franchise. Last Saturday, the Flash fell to the New York Fury 1-0 at Sahlen's Stadium, an opponent that looked eerily similar to the Philadelphia Independence of now-defunct Women's Professional Soccer.
Four days following the loss, Flash head coach Aaran Lines remained upbeat: "We're a good young team with a lot to learn," he said. "You don't get anything from playing very well and losing, though." Western New York doesn't have to wait long for a chance at redemption, as the team heads to Boston Friday in preparation for Saturday's match.
The match: Western New York Flash at Boston Breakers
The venue: Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, MA
The time: 6 p.m. Saturday
Last match: Western York lost to NY Fury 1-0; Boston nipped NY Fury 2-1 mid-week.
In each installment of the weekly "ËFlashcards' throughout the season, we'll examine any roster moves for Western New York, take a gander at the weekend's opponent and absorb insight from Lines or a player.
FLASHcards for this weekend's match:
1) Magical McCall: New York head coach Paul Riley, a two-time WPS Coach of the Year winner, was effusive in his praise for Flash maestro McCall Zerboni. Here's his full quote following the New York match: "Zerboni was everywhere tonight. I think she was the best player on the field. She was good on the ball; she lives and breathes the game, you can tell. She's fit as a fiddle. There's a player who should probably be given a chance on the national team, [one] that gets overlooked because she's young and they haven't really seen her qualities. There's a player they might miss in the midfield, one that can really run and cover and play - she scores a lot of goals coming into the box late, too." "I'd love to see McCall considered for the national team," added Lines, who's been particularly instrumental in her development. "She's a good example for [our new players] this year, as last year she had to fight and claw her way into the lineup." "She's really simplified her game," the head coach continued. "I joked with her last season that we need one ball for everyone out on the field and then one ball for McCall. A lot of her improvement comes from staying around Sahlen's Sports Park in the off-season, training during the day and playing in men's leagues at night. She's come a long way, and I wish nothing more than for her to have the opportunity [to represent the U.S.]."
2) Return of the U-23s: The Flash will benefit from the return of Tori Huster and Colleen Boyd from United States U-23 Women's National Team training, and the expected signing of Toni Pressley, a second round pick in last year's WPS Draft, will further solidify the defensive corps. A college teammate of Huster's at Florida State, Pressley's availability for Saturday's tilt is uncertain. Unfortunately for the Flash, starting goalkeeper Brittany Cameron will miss Saturday's contest with the fractured jaw she suffered against New York. Showing her toughness, Cameron remained in the match despite a rapidly swelling eye and a broken jaw. Expect Boyd or Lipsher to make her Flash debut in Boston.
Stephanie Ochs will miss the match because she's finishing up her academics at the University of San Diego, while Lori Lindsey and Meghan Klingenberg continue to train with the U.S. Women's National Team before the Americans' match against China on Sunday.
3) Breaking down the Breakers: Boston only returns four players from its WPS side last year, but a 3-0 start and a +7 goal differential in Women's Premier Soccer League Elite has the Massachusetts squad in sole possession of first place. The Breakers dismantled ASA Chesapeake 3-0, squashed FC Indiana 4-1, then bounced the Fury 2-1. "[Boston] is an established club. They've started the season well and are playing with confidence," Lines explained. "They have a few dangerous Australians on the roster, and Veronica Napoli is a nice little player. Boston also has experience in Cat Whitehill and captain Leslie Osborne." Lisa Cole's club will finally receive the services of former Notre Dame striker Melissa Henderson, the second overall pick in the WPS Draft, but will still miss Heather O'Reilly due to international duty. Katie Shoepfer (3), Kyah Simon (2) and Tameka Butt (2) all have multiple goals on the season. How will Lines' young team respond in its first road contest of the season?
Don't forget to sign up for Western New York Flash Camp!
Women's Professional Soccer Stories from May 24, 2012
- Flash regroups for road trip to Boston for a sold out match v. Breakers - Western New York Flash
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
