Tacoma Stars to Face Kitsap, Tijuana This Weekend

Published on January 19, 2011 under Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Tacoma Stars News Release


After earning a weekend split with the California Cougars last weekend, the Stars (6-3) trained Tuesday night to get prepared for back-to-back games this weekend in Kitsap on Friday and then home Saturday for a key Western Division match-up with Tijuana Revolution (5-3).

With the playoffs a little more than a month away Tacoma is in a great position coming down the stretch with five of their seven games at home with one game vs. Tijuana and two vs. the league leading San Diego Sockers (8-2).

Tacoma currently sits in 2nd place in the Western Division 1.5 games behind San Diego and .5 game ahead of Tijuana.

Tacoma Stars head coach Greg Howes had this to say, "With seven games remaining and Tijuana and San Diego coming to town we have the opportunity to hold serve at home and position ourselves for the PASL-Pro playoffs. As a team we can't overlook our other opponents, but it's exciting to have so many meaningful games late in the season."

San Diego and Tijuana handed the Stars back-to-back loses early in the season, but Tacoma is getting healthy at the right time with Leighton O'Brien (hamstring) scheduled to return soon. Daniel Grey and Brian Iblings are itching to get back into the line-up as well after not making the California Trip.

"First order of business is our Friday night game vs. our local rival Kitsap Pumas, we will worry about Tijuana at about 10:00 Friday night."

Tacoma Stars vs Kitsap Pumas 1/21/11 @ 7:00 Olympic Soccer & Sports Center

The Tacoma Stars vs. Kitsap Pumas rivalry has become a reality quickly. Both games played so far ended 8-6 with the Stars winning both. Stars and Pumas games have proven to be a 60 minute battle with many players knowing each other from years of playing with and against each other growing up in the area.

With both team battling for playoff positions it is sure to be another hard fought contest.

Tacoma will have to keep their eyes on forward Greg Miley and defender Taylor Hyde. The quick skillful midfielder Miley is always a threat when on the field. Limiting his touches and impact on the game will be a focus of the Stars team.

Taylor Hyde is a big strong defender who has the ablility to keep forwards honest with his attacking tendencies. The anchor in the back allows Pumas forwards to take chances knowing they have defender of Taylor's abilities.

The Stars will need to maintain possession, dictate tempo and finish the chances if they want to come away from Kitsap with a victory.

"After coming away with a big road and US Open win in California we will have to avoid a 'trap' game with Kitsap where we are feeling good from last week and looking forward to Tijuana," Howes said.

Tacoma Stars vs Tijuana Revolucion 1/22/11 @ 7:30 Tacoma Soccer Center

Saturday night's game could be a preview of two teams that will be battling for a playoff spot come March. In their first meeting, Tijuana handed the Stars their worst defeat in three years, 13-6 in Mexico. Unable to adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings in Mexico, the Stars have gone 5-1 since the loss. Tacoma will have to keep the high scoring visitors at bay, if they want to avenge the early season loss.

Tijuana averages over 10 goals a game and are led by forward Eduardo Velez, along with a team filled with players that can light up the scoreboard. Stars coach stated: "If we think we are going to outscore Tijuana and make it a score fest, then we could find ourselves in trouble. Defending properly along with maintaining a rhythm and tempo through their possession will be keys to Stars success, and with any soccer game finishing scoring opportunities and good goalkeeping puts you in a position to be successful"

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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from January 19, 2011


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