Phantoms Host Crystal palace Baltimore on Saturday
July 18, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Hampshire Phantoms News Release
HAMPSTEAD, NH - (July 18, 2007) - The New Hampshire Phantoms are riding high after stealing points from the top two teams in the league recently knocking the number one Richmond Kickers from the ranks of the undefeated two weeks back, and most recently tying second place Cleveland, 1-1. Both matches were come-from-behind performances and it has stirred much interest from soccer fans around the Granite State.
Crystal Palace Baltimore arrives in town Saturday for a 7:30 PM match versus the Phantoms. The two teams enter the game with two-game unbeaten streaks. Baltimore defeated Bermuda at The National Stadium in Bermuda Monday night after drawing 1-1 against Harrisburg last Friday, 0-0. On that same Friday, the Phantoms conceded a goal to Cleveland just eight minutes into the game before Phantoms fourth year veteran Almir Barbosa scored the equalizer on a penalty kick at the 34-minute mark.
With a Phantoms win and a Wilmington loss (Wilmington travels to Charlotte Eagles for an 8 PM game Saturday), NH could vault over both Cincinnati Kings and Wilmington in the United Soccer Leagues Second Division standings. The Phantoms are 2-9-5 with 10 points and Cincinnati is 2-8-4, also with 10 points. Richmond is at Cincinnati on Friday.
A NH victory would also mean that the Phantoms would gain considerable ground on Baltimore (4-5-5, 17 points) and the two teams would only be separated by two points with the remaining schedule favoring the Phantoms as the Phantoms final three games are all at home and Baltimore's are all on the road. Crystal Palace will play NH less than 24 hours after it must contend with the Western Mass Pioneers at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, MA, and Baltimore is just three points behind the fifth place Pioneers.
The season is heating up as it nears the end. The Phantoms play Wilmington, Bermuda, and Cincinnati in its final three games at Chabot/McDonough Stadium at Manchester Memorial High School.
While the Phantoms are out of the playoff hunt, it can still finish as high as 6th overall in USL-2 play, and that would definitely send a message to the rest of the league that NH will be a team to be reckoned with next year. NH's 2007 record is not indicative of how well it has played as the Phantoms have lost five games by only one goal (two in added time) and have five draws. If NH could have managed to alter the outcome of any of those seven games, it ultimately could have been a playoff contender. Only the top four teams earn a trip to the post-season.
While it is too little, too late for the playoff picture, NH is peaking with some of its finest soccer of the season. Chris Loftus (Duke University) and Miguel Gonzalez (U.S. U-20 National Team) were recently loaned to the Phantoms by the New England Revolution, and both players have offered the home crowd some thrilling moments. NH's 2006 leading scorer Barbosa moved into a tie for points leaders with his PK conversion last game. He is tied for 6th overall with five goals on the season, and is third in shots on goal with 33.
"Ironman" James Greenslit (Wheaton College), playing his first full season with NH, continues to stymie the opposition from his defensive back position. Greenslit has played every minute of all 16 games for the Phantoms logging 1440 minutes in leading the league in games and minutes played. Greenslit and company held high-scoring Cleveland (27 goals, 3rd overall) scoreless for 82 minutes after its early score last Friday night. For his exceptional play, Greenslit was chosen by USL for the Second Division team of the Week. It was Greenslit's second time being honored by the league this season. His first was versus Western Mass in a 1-1 tie the second week of the season.
The Phantoms have only lost two of its six home games this season, and have proved that it will not be pushed around on its home turf. Foul Leaders Barbosa and teammate Val Teixeira are first and fourth, respectively, in the league and have been known to put their team on their backs with strong emotional play at at given point in a game.
Crystal Palace FC USA (Baltimore) brings a unique version of soccer to USL-2. Baltimore is a USL team that wears the same colors and uniforms as its parent team - Crystal Palace Football Club - which is located in London, England. Baltimore's purpose is to develop players for its English squad. A side-note to Saturday's game is the fact that CP Baltimore's head coach, Jim Cherneski, is a former NH Phantom player. Baltimore's leading scorer is Andongcho with nine points on the season.
Tickets will be available at the Memorial High School gate or can be reserved by calling the Phantoms ticket office at 603-329-4422.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 18, 2007
- Islanders Hold On to Defeat Kings 2-1 - Penn FC
- Cincinnati Kings Drop Close Contest at Harrisburg - Cincinnati Kings
- Phantoms Host Crystal palace Baltimore on Saturday - New Hampshire Phantoms
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.
