Preview: Detroit Waza Flo Pro vs. 1790 Cincinnati
February 19, 2009 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Waza Flo News Release
The Detroit Waza Flo Pro (4-9) squares off against 1790 Cincinnati (11-2) for the fifth and final time this season when the teams take the turf at Compuware Arena on Friday at 4:15 P.M.
Despite its record, Waza is playing its best soccer of the season as evidenced by their 6-1 win over 1790 on January 25th and the heart breaking 7-6 overtime loss to Western Division leaders, the Stockton Cougars on February 8th.
"In both games we played some exhilarating soccer," Co-head coach John Roumayah said after training today. "Our goal is to continue on that path to show that our record does not reflect Waza's true ability as one of the premier teams in this league."
1790 Cincinnati clinched the Eastern Division Championship with a convincing 13-7 victory over St. Louis on Valentine's Day, but there is still a lot to play for as victory over Waza would crown them regular season champions of the United States Division of the PASL- Pro League and give 1790 the top seed in the playoffs.
In addition, this is the last match in what has already become a fierce rivalry in the inaugural season of the PASL- Pro league. The first four games have had it all.
The first game for both teams was an exciting encounter in which Waza trailed by only one goal in the third quarter before 1790 pulled out a 9-4 Victory.
The next match, five days before Thanksgiving was the best of the bunch with 1790 puling out a 9-8 victory in the final minutes of the battle.
The team's traded blowouts in the last two meetings. 1790 Cincinnati started 2009 by hammering Waza 9-1 and set a PASL- Pro record for lowest goals allowed. When the team's met for the first time in Detroit a little under a month ago, Waza returned the favor, dominating the game en route to a 6-1 triumph, handing 1790 its first loss of the season.
Waza defender Ryan Mallord confirmed that a rivalry has truly been established. When asked if he was tired of facing a team he had already played four times this season, Mallord responded, "I'm not tired of playing them. I just hate them. I hate these guys more than any team in the PASL-Pro."
Obviously, there is no love lost between these two teams and a Waza victory will serve as confirmation that the boys from Detroit can not only hang with, but beat the best in the league.
Good tickets are still available by calling Dave Valenti at 1-888-436-4625 and mentioning the code "Waza" or by going to www.ticketmaster.com and typing in the code "Waza" when making your purchase.
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from February 19, 2009
- Cougars Can Clinch West - California Cougars
- Preview: Detroit Waza Flo Pro vs. 1790 Cincinnati - Waza Flo
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