Tough weekend ahead for Flames
July 14, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Westchester Flames News Release
New Rochelle, NY - 07/14/2004 - The Westchester Flames head south to North Carolina this weekend as they visit the Wilmington Hammerheads and Charlotte Eagles on Friday and Saturday nights respectively. Coming off a costly 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last weekend, the Flames will be without the services of captain Laurence Piturro, who must serve a two game suspension on 7/16 and 7/24.
The Flames have their work cut out for them as Wilmington, 9-4-2, 29 points, is battling with Charlotte, 10-2-1, 31 points, for first place in the Southern Division of the Pro Soccer League. Charlotte, however, has two games in hand over Wilmington.
The Flames are now 6-5-2, 20 points, and solidly entrenched in second place in the Northern Division. However, they are not assured a playoff spot unless they finish with at least a .500 record.
This puts on a lot of pressure for this weekend. The Flames defeated the Hammerheads 2-0 on June 12th in the first of the two championship rematch games. The Hammerheads want this one badly; the Flames NEED this one badly.
In the second game, the Flames take on the Charlotte Eagles for the first time. Charlotte is the second of the former A-League teams the Flames must play in 2004. Pittsburgh was the first.
Returning to the lineup is Flames' leading scorer Evaud Thompson, who missed the Pittsburgh match with a one game suspension for a red card.
The Flames do not return home until Saturday, July 31st.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 14, 2004
- Tough weekend ahead for Flames - Westchester Flames
- Rough Riders Week Ahead - Long Island Rough Riders
- Munoz-Airey and Swinehart Earn PSL Team of the Week - Charlotte Eagles
- MetroStars Over Power Rough Riders 2-1 - Long Island Rough Riders
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.
