Phoenix FC to Host Wilmington Hammerheads this Sunday
April 24, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix FC News Release
PHOENIX, AZ (April 24, 2013) - Phoenix FC returns home to Tempe this Sunday night to host the Wilmington Hammerheads for a 7:30pm match at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. The Wolves earned a point this week, playing to a scoreless tie against Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake Reserves at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, UT, on Monday night. The match was highlighted by a brawl in first half stoppage play that drew red cards for starting goalkeeper Andrew Weber and defenseman Renan Felipe Boufleur, both of whom will be ineligible this week because of the penalties.
Phoenix FC is 1-3-1 after Monday night's match. Backup goalkeeper Sheldon Parkinson played a standout game in Utah, coming in for the ejected Weber and holding Real Salt Lake scoreless. Parkinson withstood a second half attack from Real Salt Lake's offense, which had a one-player advantage following the first half melee. The experience and playing time was invaluable for Parkinson, who gave up three goals to the Los Angeles Blues in his only prior appearance of the season on April 14, and the momentum of his breakthrough performance looks to carry over for the Wilmington matchup.
Phoenix FC's all-purpose player, Netinho, was carried off the field in the second half Monday night with an injury to his right lower leg. Netinho's status for Sunday's match has not yet been determined. Netinho, Diego Faria and Scott Morrison have the three goals for Phoenix FC in its five matches this season. Also injured and questionable for this week's match are forwards Peabo Doue and Aaron King, both with hamstring injuries.
Wilmington returns a number of players from last year's squad, which made it to the USL PRO Championship game before losing to Charleston Battery by a score of 1-0. The Hammerheads are anchored by a pair of experienced midfielders in William Heaney and Aaron Patrick, with former Seattle Sounders defenseman Daniel Steres holding down the defense.
Wilmington is coming off its first game and first win of the season, a 2-0 home victory against the Antigua Barracudas. Forward Kyle Greig scored the first goal in his professional debut for the Hammerheads, while midfielder Paul Nicholson added a second to put the game away. After one game, Greig leads the team with five shots and one goal. Goalkeeper Philip Tuttle, who last year played with USL PRO's Harrisburg City Islanders, posted his first shutout of the season.
Phoenix FC and the Wilmington Hammerheads will meet for the return match when the Wolves travel to North Carolina on June 1 at Legion Stadium.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 24, 2013
- Dutch Lions Prepared for Trip to Florida - Dayton Dutch Lions
- Battery Set for Riverhounds - Charleston Battery
- Phoenix FC to Host Wilmington Hammerheads this Sunday - Phoenix FC
- Eagles Set to Host Pittsburgh - Charlotte Eagles
- Orlando City Faces Dayton at Home Saturday Night at 7:30 p.m. - Orlando City SC
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