Phantoms Prepare for 2007 Soccer Opener
April 3, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Hampshire Phantoms News Release
HAMPSTEAD, NH - (Monday, April 2, 2007) - The New Hampshire Phantoms Men's Professional Soccer Team is busily preparing for its 2007 season opening match on April 28 at the University of Richmond when it takes on the Richmond Kickers. The Phantoms will play one more road match versus Western Mass Pioneers at Lusitano Stadium on Saturday, May 5, before returning for its home opener on Friday, May 11, in Manchester versus Harrisburg City Islanders.
The Phantoms, the Granite State's longest active professional franchise, hopes that its new home venue at Manchester Memorial High School's Clem Lemire Athletic Complex on the new turf field, will bring back the large fan base that once followed the Phantoms at the former Singer Family Park which is now home to the NH Fisher Cats.
The 2007 Phantoms cast will feature the return of numerous players from the 2006 roster including All-League First Team Defender Marc Hubbard, a native of Durham and a graduate of Colgate University. Last year's leading scorer for the Phantoms, Almir Barbosa (9 goals) from Brockton, MA and East Stroudsburg University, hopes to push the granite staters into the '07 playoffs. NH narrowly missed a 2006 post-season berth with a 9-10-1 record and a 5th place finish. The Phantoms finished second in the division in wins behind Richmond which posted 10 victories.
The Phantoms only General Manager since its inception in 1995, James DeDeus, is exited about his team's chances. "It will be a big test for us since the league has improved dramatically and due to the fact that we will have a very young team," Dedeus said. "It will be a big challenge to make the playoffs, but our team will be trademarked by its youth and its blue-collar work rate."
Head Coach Sean Carey begins his second year at the helm. The former Phantom star midfielder from 2000-05 hopes to improve on last year's .500 mark. "Even though we may be young, we have the talent and the mentality to improve and build on last year's performance," Carey stated.
So far, the Phantoms have posted an undefeated record after four pre-season matches versus various local area colleges. NH is busily finalizing the roster with new signings and hope to make several announcements in the very near future. Three more exhibition matches have been added to the schedule including July 18, July 25, and August 1 at Keene State College. The Phantoms take on Vermont Voltage, a Premier Development League (PDL) Team of the USL on August 1.
The Phantoms are a member of the United Soccer League Second Division which features 10 teams including the Charlotte Eagles and Richmond Kickers, both of who recently moved into the division from the USL First Division. Bermuda's entry will visit the Granite State on August 4 with many of its current roster also on its National Team. The Phantoms biggest rival, Western Mass, invades Manchester on June 9 and June 20.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 3, 2007
- Phantoms Prepare for 2007 Soccer Opener - New Hampshire Phantoms
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