Tacoma Stars Weekend Preview

Published on January 20, 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 a back to back this weekend in Kitsap on Friday and then home Saturday for a key Western division match up with Tijuana Revolution (5-3). With playoffs a little more than 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 second place in the Western division one and a half games behind San Diego and a half game ahead of Tijuana. Tacoma Stars head coach Greg Howes had this to say:

"With 7 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 playoff. As a team we can't overlook our other opponents, as we look forward to the rematches with Tijuana and San Diego. Its 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. Tacoma also 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 @ 7:00pm Olympic Soccer & Sports Center

The Tacoma Stars vs Kitsap Pumas rivalry has quickly become a reality. Both games played ended 8-6 with the Stars winning both. Stars and Pumas games have proven to be a sixty minute battle with many players knowing each other. With both teams battling for playoff positions this 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, limiting his touches and impact on the game will be a focus of the Stars. Taylor Hyde is a big strong defender who has the ability 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 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 open cup win in California the Stars will have to avoid a "trap" game, with Kitsap where they are feeling good from last week and looking forward to Tijuana" Howes said.

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

Saturday night game could be a preview of two teams that will be battling out for a playoff spot come February. In their first meeting, Tijuana handed the Stars their worst defeat in three years, 13-6 in Mexico. The Stars have gone 5-1 since the loss. Tacoma will have to keep the high scoring visitors at bay, if they look to avenge the early season loss. Tijuana averages over 10 goals a game and are led my forward Eduardo Velez, along with a team filled with players that can light up the scoreboard. Stars coach Greg Howes 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 maintain a rhythm and tempo though 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"

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from January 20, 2011


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.

OurSports Central