Football checkmate

A wise football blogger once wrote "A team's top scorer is like its king in chess,"-- it was this blogger by the way. Well, checkmate to Marseille after selling Michy Batshuayi; checkmate to Napoli after selling Gonzalo Higuain and checkmate to Paris Saint-Germain after selling Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

That's all the kings who left their teams so far this summer. Stop thinking about that tall guy with the fancy hair. No, Paul Pogba is not Juventus' king. Not even with the 132 million U.S dollars Manchester United will pay for him.

Paulo Dybala is the Old Lady's king, the kid led Juventus in scoring  with 19 goals. It's a little hard for Pogba to call Dybala king:

While Pogba and Dybala work this thing out, let's take a look at how the teams who lost their kings will be affected this coming season and what they're doing to recover. We're going to start with Marseille.

Marseille

Batshuayi scored 17 goals for Les Phoceens last season in Ligue 1, that's 35% of Marseille's goals, including three goals that were essential in victories and three game-tying goals. That's 12 points right there, if Marseille finished twelve points lower last season they would've been relegated.

Marseille got 50 million dollars for the 22-year-old forward. They didn't use any of that money to get a new king, although they got Bafetimbi Gomis on a season-long loan deal. Gomis scored 13 goals in the past two premier league seasons out of 62 matches.

He scored less goals in two seasons in England than his last season in France with Lyon, netting 14 goals for the French side in 2013-14-- one goal shy of being his team's topscorer: almost king. If Gomis performs how he always performed in Ligue 1, Marseille isn't going to miss Batshuayi much.

But that's asking a 30-year-old to get back to the form he had three seasons ago, can you win the lottery again with the same number you played with three years ago? Keep an on eye on Gomis this season for the answer to that question.

Napoli

Okay, let's get this straight here, we're not going to try to sugar-code it, Napoli lost big. Big! They lost the king of kings. Higuain scored 36 league goals last season, the second top scorer, Dybala, tallied half of that. How ridiculous is that?

The worst part about Higuain leaving is not Higuain leaving but is the team he left Napoli for.  He went to the team that's been winning the league since 2011-12: Juventus. Higuain's 36 goals for Napoli was the best effort in trying to knock Juve to second place but it still was far away-- 10 points short to be exact. Now the best weapon to steal Massimiliano Allegri's side's throne is joining force with them. You can go ahead and cry at this if you're a Juventus hater:

Napoli will get Arkadiusz Milik and made a bid for Mauro Icardi in seek of a new king. These are two terrific young strikers, they both topped their teams in scoring last season but their goals put together is only one more goal than what Higuain scored. And without an Higuain-last-season like performance, it will be easier for Claudio Bravo to score as a keeper for Barcelona than for Nap to win the Scudetto over Juventus.

Not impossible, though:

 

Paris Saint-Germain

And for PSG, they lost big too. They lost one of the biggest kings, literally and physically, in the football world. But whatever, I've never been a big Zlatan fan so let's end this blogpost right here. 

Whoa! I'm just kidding, Zlatan, chill out.

PSG are in the market for Ligue 1's second topscorer, Alexandre Lacazette-- that's the best move you can do after losing the league's topscorer-- and Real Madrid product Jese Rodriguez. Even if they don't land either one of them, it's not unlikely for them to win the league again. Why? Because they got the third and the fourth topscorer from last season, Edinson Cavani and Hatem Ben Arfa respectively.  

So if the French champions do get Lacazette, they will have last season's second, third and fourth topscorer. Now that's how you get back up after you get checkmated. Give it up for PSG! No Zlatan, no problem for them, the only thing they will miss after Ibra's exit is the money from his jersey. Ibra's jersey is the sixth most sold jersey in the world for two reasons; 1) you pay for each letter of the player's name when you purchase a jersey.

And 2) he scores sandwich goals like this:

Campbell scores vital brace as Jamaica flies past Trinidad 3-0

#17, Goal Scorer, Miguel Ricketts (Jamaica)-- Caribbean Cup Soccer Images

Jamaica coach Arthur Mikes uses a "secret" tactic to guide his side to a well deserved victory against Trinidad and Tobago, thanks to a double by Romario Campbell and Miguel Ricketts' finish.

After a poor start of the New York Caribbean Cup Soccer 2016, Jamaica is looking more like last year's champions as they go on a two game winning streak after a comfortable 3-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday evening at Thomas Jefferson High School Field.

Former Jamaica international Romario Campbell netted the first two goals for Jamaica in the second half before Miguel Ricketts put himself in the score-sheet as well in the 82nd minute as the Reggae Boyz put on an exquisite passing display for the spectators.

This win sends the reigning Caribbean champions to second place in the Eastern Zone with seven points--only one point shy off first place Grenada-- meanwhile Trinidad remains fifth in the table with three points.

Jamaica coach Arthur Mikes is content that his team was able to overcome one of their worst start ever in the Caribbean Cup with this win-- they only bagged one point from their first two games, scoring one goal.

"I'm very pleased," Mikes said about the win over Trinidad, "because this is the first year Jamaica team ever got four points in the regular season [early in the season] so we needed this game to step up, now we got seven points, we're looking very good.

"We're looking very good to either win the division or come in second place."

After a scoreless first half, Mikes' side got their first goal of the game shortly before the hour mark. The Jamaicans were rewarded a free kick from midfield as Trinidad's Dwane James picked up the first and only yellow card of the encounter.

After a step of hesitation Makesi Lewis launched the setpiece towards Ricketts, who passed the ball to an open Campbell in the penalty area. Campbell took a couple of touches before firing the ball past T&T  keeper Marcus Maurice.

Romario Campbell @ goals for Team Jamaica-- Caribbean Cup Soccer Images

Campbell found himself open again and scored a second goal twelve minutes later. Andre Farlone hit a magnificent through ball to an unmarked Campbell. The 26-year-old was one-on-one with the opposing keeper, whom he dribbled around before rolling the ball in the net.

The midfielder spoke of his brace after the game. "I must say congratulations to the team, it's always a positive thing when you can get two goals in a game."

Campbell failed to score a hat trick but Jamaica did put a third one in the net. Andre Farlone found a free Ricketts in the six-yard box with a low cross. Ricketts scored one of the easiest goals he will ever score in his career as he faked the keeper and kept his shot on target from close range eight minutes from time.

Ricketts ended the game with one goal and one assist but doesn't think that was his best. "I'm pleased by my performance but it could've been better," the Jamaican said after the game.

All the three goals TNT conceded was because a defender failed to stay on his man. This is Trinidad's third consecutive loss this season after they had won their opener against  Dominica 5-3.

On the other end, Jamaica moves to a two game wining streak, outscoring their opponents 7-0. The 12th times champions' coach revealed the secret behind his latest win.

"Motivation." coach Mikes said. "You tell the guys on the bench to start warming up, so when the players on the field see guys on the bench start to warm up, they know that their games are in jeopardy. It's up to them to stay on for 90 minutes or go on the bench.

"That's the trick, motivate the players."

Coach Mikes will try this "motivation" tactic again as they face their next opponent Dominica on July 24th at 3:15 p.m. And for Trinidad they will look to turn their season around when they go against Antigua and Barbuda on July 31st at 1:30 p.m.

Statistics

Jamaica

Shots (on target): 18 (6)

Saves: 5

Fouls: 10

Offsides: 3

Yellow cards: 0

Red cards: 0

Corners: 5

Trinidad and Tobago

Shots: 12 (5)

Saves: 3

Fouls: 9

Offsides: 1

Yellow cards 1-- Dwane James

Red cards: 0

Corners: 1


Also available on caribbeancupsoccer.com. 

Nelson's penalty grants St. Kitts a 2-1 win over nine-men St. Lucia

St. Kitts and Nevis mounts on top of the Western Zone of the Caribbean Soccer Cup as Viceroy Nelson's penalty gives them a victory against St. Lucia in a fast tempo and physical game. 

Viceroy Nelson's 88th minute penalty was the decider as St. Kitts and Nevis edged a physical St. Lucia team, who had two men sent off, 2-1 Sunday evening at Thomas Jefferson High School Field.

St. Kitts' Nathaniel Brown and St. Lucia's Rashid Duncan exchanged goals in the first and second half respectively before Nelson converted the game winning penalty.

The 20-year-old is delighted about scoring a goal of this importance for his country, but had to overcome a bit of a nerve-wreck to send the St. Kitts fans happy.

"It's always a good feeling," Nelson said, "playing for your country and scoring the winning penalty in a game like this, it's a great feeling-- never felt better."

He later added: "For me, this is the first time I'm playing in this tournament so to look at the St. Kitts fans, it was a little nervous feeling but once I put the penalty in the net, it felt good."

The Kittians (2-0-1) top the Western Zone of the Caribbean Cup after this win with seven points, while St. Lucia (0-1-2) remains to fifth position with two points.

St. Kitts looked as if they were going to take an early lead when Lucia's Tariq Hippolyte was dispossessed by Nelson in the middle of the pitch. Nelson charged forward before cutting diagonally across the goal and curling a shot just outside the goal in only the seventh minute of play.

Coach Roy Charles' side did find the lead later in the 22nd minute. Kadeem Innis was well marked by a couple of St. Lucia defenders and was forced to pass the ball back to Brown in midfield. The forward whipped one from outside the 18 and saw his effort shake the bottom right corner of the net.

On the other hand, St. Lucia failed to put a shot on frame in the first period. They first tested opposing keeper Malik Liburd two minutes into the second half when Daran Fedee curved a beauty from the left side of the 18. Liburd performed an outstanding one-hand save to keep his team on top.

The game was interrupted by brutal fouls from time to time. Indeed, Kerwin Edwin clashed with Brown with a fierce standing tackle in the 26th minute, which granted him a yellow card. This resulted into a quarrel between the two sides, in which Edwin received a second yellow: an expulsion.

20-year-old Brown spoke of the physicality of the game. "The game was very physical," Brown said, "but I had an injured groin so that's why I looked a little weak on the field."

Although they were down one man, the Helen of the West Indies fought and fought until they found an equalizer four minutes left in the game. Delorn Theodule passed the ball across the top of the 18 to Duncan, who kept his shot hard and low and beyond keeper Liburd.

It wasn't all that was written in the game. Devonte Fahie hit a long ball to Alister Warner inside the box. As Fahie was about to fire a shot, John Joseph brought him. Joseph forced a penalty and was ejected as he received a second yellow.

The second youngest St. Kitts player on the field, Nelson, was called on to take the spot kick and made no mistake in doing so. The youngster sent the ball right as Chad Phillip dove left.

The two-island country's assistant coach Ivan Walters is content of his players' performance but still believes that his side can improve.

"I'm expecting us, St. Kitts, coach [Roy Charles], the team as they get more chances to play to together, I think we will see a better performance."

Next up for Lucia is Barbados on July 17th at 1:30 p.m., meanwhile St. Kitts takes on Panama July 24th at 1:30 p.m. as well-- a game that Walters is "confident" that his side will come out victorious.

Statistics

St. Kitts and Nevis
Shots (on target): 22 (12)
Saves: 3
Corners: 1
Offsides: 1
Fouls: 10
Yellow cards: 1-- V. Nelson
Red cards: 0

St. Lucia
Shots: 10 (3)
Saves: 12
Corners: 7
Offsides: 1
Fouls: 7
Yellow cards: 5-- L. Marcellin, G. Valcin, J. Joseph (2), K. Edwin
Red cards: 2-- K. Edwin, J. Joseph

Fun Stats

• St. Kitts committed more fouls than St. Lucia but received less cards.
• St. Lucia keeper Chad Phillip had 12 saves in a losing effort.
• St. Lucia had more cards than shots on target, seven bookings but only three shots on target.

Man of the Match

Viceroy Nelson: 1 goal (game winning penalty kick). 

'Relaxed' Greater Lowell looks to bag valuable three points against Cosmos B

First place versus third place, best offense versus best defense showdown in the National Premier Soccer League this Saturday as a "relaxed" Greater Lowell United FC takes on a driven New York Cosmos B in quest of a well needed three points. 

Greater Lowell United FC visits New York Cosmos B for one of the most thrilling match-up of the Atlantic Conference this season on Saturday at 4 p.m. at James M. Stuart Stadium. 

Cosmos B is the number one seed team in their conference at the moment and the reigning NPSL champions. However Greater Lowell is not intimidated by the New York's team.

Greater Lowell United FC midfielder Quincy Appah. Greater Lowell
United FC Images

"I am relaxed," GLUFC midfielder Quincy Appah said about the upcoming fixture, "and very excited as well.

"It is obvious they are one of the best teams in the league and it is going to be a tough game but that is all soccer is about, challenge. I have spoken to my teammates and I believe they are all relaxed and looking forward to having a good game."

Hayden Barbosa's men face Brooklyn Italians the day before they play Cosmos' second team, which makes their goal of defeating the champ even more challenging. But if you look at what those three points can do for them, playing a full 90 on sore legs is totally worth it.

Greater Lowell is seven points shy off second place, the last playoff position, with a game in hand. Coach Barbosa spread the idea that because his team is fighting for the last playoff spot, his side is the hungriest team in the league.

"We want those points more than anyone else," the GLUFC coach said.

Greater Lowell couldn't ask for a bumpier road to the playoffs than what they have now, after playing the league toppers they have two straight games against second placed Boston City FC-- the team they want to steal the last playoff spot from.

Greater Lowell United FC during their game against Kingston Stockdale
on May 8th. Greater Lowell United FC Images

Appah shared that his team's plan to approach this bumpy road is to stay tranquil and take it bump by bump. "We are excited to be in the position we are in now with a playoff spot up for grabs," the 26-year-old said.

"The team is calm and we will want to take it game after game. Beating the number one seed in the conference as well as last year's champions will be great and will definitely be a huge boost for us in our quest for a playoff spot."

Hard to stay "calm" when Cosmos B is the highest scoring team in all of the 13 conferences of the NPSL. Barbosa admits Cosmos B's tremendous scoring capability, but he's assured that they will not get pass his defense at ease.

"They're [Cosmos B] certainly a consistent team in the goal scoring department," the coach said. 

"However, given our record of conceding only 17 goals so far this season [the best in the league], also considering the fact that the last time we faced them they only scored one goal on us in the run of play, the other was a bogus hand ball call in the box. That said, I'm confident they will not score on us easily."

  New York Cosmos forward Ivan Berterame [in the middle]. Ivan Berterame
Twitter Images 

One of the men behind Cosmos B's goal machine is number nine Ivan Berterame. The forward tallied seven goals in nine games, including a goal against Greater Lowell the last time they met. He's well aware of GLUFC having the best defense in the conference hence he's arduously preparing for the match. 

"They play hard, also have a good defense, it's going to be a close match. I'm working hard to be 100% for the game, we'll see how it goes [if I will score or not] this Saturday."


Keep an Eye on Stats

• New York Cosmos B has conceded at least one goal in their last eight games but are still the best defensive team in the Atlantic Conference alongside Greater Lowell United FC, conceding 17 goals.
• Cosmos B outscored Greater Lowell 10-2 in their last three meetings. 
• Cosmos B scored at least three goals in their last three games.

New York Cosmos B vs Greater Lowell United FC Stats

New York Cosmos B

Record: 10-2-1

Goals scored: 39

Goals conceded: 17

Form: W W W L W

Greater Lowell United FC

Record: 5-3-4

Goals scored: 22

Goals conceded: 17

Form: W W T W L

Players to watch

Cosmos B

Ivan Berterama scored seven goals in nine games for his club.

Greater Lowell

Defender Patrick Hamilton played every single games for GLUFC so far this season.

Last Meeting

5-4-16: Greater Lowell United FC 1-2 New York Cosmos B

Additional Note: New York Cosmos B Coach Fernando Barboto quote.

"We will work as usual. We have scored a lot of goals this season and I think our work is paying off. We are confident in our hard work every training session. We are confident that it will pay dividends in the end." 

Brooklyn snaps a four-game winless streak with a 3-0 victory over NY Athletic

Brooklyn Italians got the best of NY Athletic Club with the help of Eddie Speed's header and Simen Hestnes and Rasmus Hansen's strikes to go back to winning ways. 

The last team Brooklyn Italians defeated in the National Premier Soccer League was NY Athletic Club on May 29th. The Italians ended their four-match winless run with the last team they conquered via a 3-0 win at LIU Brooklyn Athletic Complex Wednesday night.

Simen Hestnes kicked the scoring off for Brooklyn with a blazing low-drive shot from outside the 18. Eddie Speed doubled the scoring with a free header at the hour mark before Rasmus Hansen called it a night with a goal of his own in the 74th minute.

NY Athletic outshot their opponents 14-8 but hit fewer shots on target than them.

Mirsad Huseinovic's side jumps to fifth place in the Atlantic Conference after this win. Meanwhile NYAC remains in eighth position. 

NY Athletic dominated the Italians early in the game as they took three shots in the first five minutes, when Brooklyn hit none.

18 minutes into the game Joe Ruesgen's side took yet another shot when Robert Cabrera's cross found Kevin Davis' head. Davis' glancing header whistled inches away past the Italians' goalpost.

Shots after shots, NYAC looked as if they were going to be the first one to hit the net. Although, it was Brooklyn who opened the scoring, with only their second shot of the night.

Speed dispossessed Yannick Diese in the middle of the field before hitting a pinpoint pass to Hestnes in NY Athletic's open defense. Hestnes took advantage of the opportunity as he hit a low-shot past keeper Marco Luna to the bottom left corner of the net in the 27th minute.

Salvatore Barone came close to adding to Brooklyn's tally shortly after the restart. The Brooklyn native ended a Robben-like diagonal run with a screamer from midfield, but opposing keeper Marco Luna was well positioned to perform an easy save.

Briefly after that, Brooklyn scored what is arguably their best team goal so far this season.

Barone released Hansen with a one time pass down the right flank. Hansen whipped a cross to an unmarked Speed, who ducked to head the ball in the back of the net an hour into the game.

The Italians also showed individual brilliance in their last goal. Hansen sped diagonally past a couple of NYAC defenders on top of the eighteen before tucking an exquisite strike in the left corner of the net.

Brooklyn Italians will look to keep this momentum going Sunday as they travel to Kingston, NY, to take on Kingston Stockade FC, who's right behind them in the standings, at 4:00 p.m.

And for NY Athletic they're staying home at Travers Island this Saturday to host last placed Seacost United Phantoms at 4 p.m. 

Man of the match: Rasmus Hansen (Mid/Fwd)-- 1 goal, 1 assist.

Statistics

Brooklyn Italians

Shots (on target %): 8 (75 %)

Corners: 4

Saves: 2

Fouls: 9

Yellow: 1-- Ivane Kandelaki

Red: 0

Offsides: 10

NY Athletic Club

Shots (on target %): 14 (14%)

Corners: 5

Saves: 6

Fouls: 7

Yellow: 1-- Christopher Sutherland

Red: 0

Offsides: 0

First USASA Region I Amateur Cup title on the line

Two of the best amateur sides in the country meet in the USASA Region I Amateur Cup final, in search of their first ever Region I Amateur Cup silverware.

Hopefully Lansdowne Bhoys F.C. saved some champagne after winning their league, the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, last Sunday in case they triumph over Christos F.C. in the USASA Region I Amateur Cup this Sunday at the Ukrainian American Sports Center in Horsham, Philadelphia.

The Bhoys defeated Southie F.C. 4-1 in the semifinal at home on April 30th. To add to their Amateur Cup prowess, Austin Friel's went undefeated in the CSL this season and made it to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The Irish-based club's midfielder Ovan Oakley expresses that Lansdowne is reminiscing on their recent success to build confidence against Christos. 

Lansdowne Bhoys during the CSL final last Sunday. Lansdowne Bhoys Images

"We're definitely looking for the win [against Christos F.C.],"  Oakley said after the CSL championship game last Sunday, "the guys are buzzing right now, we had an extremely positive season so we're just going to build of that confidence going into that game." 

Although the CSL side is one of the most prolific amateur club in the country, they never won the Region I Amateur Cup. The furthest they've made it is the semifinal in 2013-14.

Christos F.C. might want to go double when they purchase the champagne, as they're scheduled for two finals on Sunday: the Werner Fricker Open Cup against FC Motown at 11 a.m. and the US Amateur Cup five hours later.

It's not the first time Christos manager Bryan Bugarin has two finals in one day. "Yes, two games is definitely tough," coach Bugarin admitted, "but I actually have a little experience with it from two years ago when I coached my Maryland Bays team in both finals as well. 

"We actually won the Werner Fricker Open Cup National title that year in Salt Lake City."

Some of the Maryland Bays players from then are current Christos players. Together with coach Bugarin, they competed in three national titles, winning one, the Werner Fricker Open Cup in 2014.

With such an experienced and familiar lineup, coach Bugarin is poised that his team will overcome the Irish giants, unless something goes wrong in the earlier final.

Christos F.C. after winning the Mayland Major Soccer League in the Fall.
Christos F.C. Images

"I think the key to success is just to get through our Open Cup final in the morning with as little fatigue factor as possible and hopefully with no injuries as well," the manager said.

As well as their opponents, this is Christos' first appearance in the final. 

Christos F.C. vs Lansdowne Bhoys stats:

• Christos FC hasn't played a game in 49 days, Lansdowne played seven games since then.

• Christos has a 24-0-1 overall record this season. Lansdowne has a 28-3-3 overall record this season.
•   The Bohys haven't conceded a goal in their last three games against amateur teams. Christos conceded five.
• Both teams won and went undefeated in their leagues.

Region I Amateur Cup stats:       

Christos F.C. (6 games)

Goals scored: 24        

Goals conceded: 10

Lansdowne Bhoys (5 games)

Goals scored: 13 

Goals conceded: 2      

Last five matches:

Christos FC (W,W,W,W,W)
3-23-16: Christos FC 2-0 ASA Charm City
4-3-16: Christos FC 2-1 Jersey Shore Boca
4-10-16: FC Yemen 0-3 Christos FC
4-17-16: Dulles Cannons 2-7 Christos FC
5-1-16: Phoenix Sport Club 2-3 Christos FC

Lansdowne Bhoys (W,W,L,W,W)
5-22-16: Everton FC Westchester Eagles 1-5 Lansdowne Bhoys
5-26-16: NY Pancyprian Freedoms 0-2 Lansdowne Bhoys
6-1-16: Rochester Rhinos 2-0 Lansdowne Bhoys
6-5-16: Lansdowne Bhoys 4-0 NY Athletic Club
6-12-16: Lansdowne Bhoys 3-0 Everton FC Westchester Eagles

Players to watch:

Lansdowne Bhoys
Ovan Oakley scored two goals in the CSL final last Sunday. Goalkeeper Danso Abdoukarim haven't conceded a goal in three games.

Christos FC
Forward Pete Caringi III played in the United Soccer League with the Oklahoma City Energy in 2014. Zach Bowman is a former Major Arena Soccer League player with the Detroit Waza Flow.



Sources: Maryland Major League Soccer Archive. 

Three titles in a row for Lansdowne, where will they be in three years?

Lansdowne Bhoys are in the midst of an unimaginable career in the amateur level, which makes us question what the club's future hold ahead.

New York Athletic Club won the Cosmopolitan Soccer League (5th division) not one, not two, but three years in a row from 1998-99 to 2000-01. They joined the higher division, the National Premier Soccer League (4th division), in 2008-- but still have a second team in the CSL.

Lansdowne Bhoys F.C. won the CSL not one, not two, but three years in row from 2013-14 to 2015-16. They will join the NPSL in...

Lansdowne Bhoys coach Austin Friel [on the right]  holding the CSL cup and showing three 
fingers to represent his team's three titles in a row.  Lansdowne Bhoys Images

The American soccer tier doesn't follow a promotion-relegation system. Some of the requirements to join the NPSL are a $12,500 one time membership fee, $5,000 annual league fee, a stadium with at least 500 seats.

That's the paper requirements, if you want the on-the-field requirements, take a look at these Bhoys.

Lansdowne only lost two league games in the past three seasons, outscoring their opponents 156 to 34. Furthermore, they didn't concede a single goal in the last three finals, but scored nine-- talking about unimaginable.

It's not like they're taking candies from babies, the CSL have a variety of players who played for some of the top college teams in the country or played professionally.

Players such as Chris Megaloudis (NY Pancyprian Freedoms), who's a retired Puerto Rican international; Micheal Palacio (NY Pancyprian Freedoms), who the New York Red Bulls signed in the 2008 MLS Draft, Lucas Befi (Everton Westchester Eagles), a former Belhaven University player and so on.

The Bhoys manager Austin Friel reflected on how challenging the CSL can be to overpower. "Three in a row is never easy," the manager said, "[if] you've watched some of the games, they're not easy. It's against some good teams, some good players. It's a tough league to win."

If a club wins a tough division for three straight years that's more than a sign that they should take it a notch higher. Well, guess what? Lansdowne went over and beyond that.

The Irish-based club made it to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, defeating the Long Island Rough Riders (4th division) 2-1 in extra time and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (United Soccer League: 3rd division) 2-0.

Such achievement is not even the caliber of a team that's in the next step ahead of Lansdowne: the NPSL. In fact, coach Friel himself noted that a lot of his players' skill sets are higher than the NPSL but rather on a professional level.

"We have talent on this squad and many of my guys can play in the USL on any team," the Irishman told Beyond F.C. You can't go against it, he has the results to prove it.

Friel was talking about players such as: captain Stephen Roche, who previously played professionally in Ireland with University College Dublin A.F.C., Sean Kelly, a former Arsenal U-18 captain and Irish U-19 national team player; Daryl Kavanagh, who played in Ireland's top division for ten years, winning the league once. The list goes on.

Daryl Kavanagh in his days with St Patrick's Athletic in 2013.
David Maher/ Sportsfile

Kavanagh playing for his current club, Lansdowne Bhoys.
Lisfl Images

Talent is definitely not what separates the CSL champions from any other USL team, but the time on the training pitch. As opposed to professional players, the Bhoys work full-time, limiting them to practice only three times a week, when a USL side practice about everyday.

"If we train everyday, we could manage the USL," forward Sikele Sylvester said, "[but] people got to work, I work, everybody on the team is a worker. We could play [in the USL] but we got to put a lot of work in training, these guys are not that fit, like me, I'm not that fit."

One of the first time, the club openly shared that they aim to reach the USL was in a Beyond F.C. article on May 24. "The aim of the club is eventually in the next three years going to the USL," Friel said.

No amateur team has ever made it to the USL. Well, no amateur team has ever reached Lansdowne's level of success, which makes their goal quite believable. If the Bhoys keep snatching titles and upsetting teams from the higher division in the U.S. Open Cup, it's not a question of if they will go pro but when will they go pro.

They aim to do it in three years, so you might want to check the USL's team list in 2019.

All in for the Written Hero

May 26, 2016 (original date)

City College soccer player Mostafa Haridi. Twitter Images

If you walked around the City College of New York before the CUNY soccer season started last fall it is a guarantee that none of the 13,299 students would’ve expected City to win the CUNYAC soccer championship.

In fact, when Mostafa Haridi scored the game-winning goal for CCNY he didn’t even know he scored. “After the ball touched the goal, I didn’t believe it went in,” Haridi said. “I couldn’t believe my eyes until my teammates started yelling goal.”

The Beavers played College of Staten Island in the CUNYAC championship. The game was tied one apiece after the regular 90, sending the two finalists to overtime. Two minutes into a second period of overtime, Haridi headed Aaron Schoenfelder’s corner kick in the back of the net. And City won CUNY.

Now if you have no idea what you would do if you led your school to the promise land, you probably would do something like this: The 23-year-old goalscorer grabbed his chest and started galloping to the fans with his arms wide opened, screaming so loud that the people in the parking lot could hear him.

Haridi tried to put a few words together to express what it feels like to be City College’s hero. “After scoring the game-winning goal, I was ecstatic. It was an unbelievable feeling,” the senior said.

City College had the most parties they ever had that night. That goal will for sure remain the best thing that will happen to CCNY this schoolyear—yes, it’s even better than Michelle Obama coming to the graduation.

And it’s all because of one man. Who? Mostafa Haridi.

If you look at Haridi, he was the perfect candidate to score the header that gave City the trophy. The midfielder is 6’3” and weighs about 190 pounds—you wouldn’t want to mark him. Furthermore, he had already scored similar goals throughout the season. End of conversation, Haridi was the chosen one.

Indeed, the Egyptian admits being CCNY’s Neo. “It was like the ball had my name written on it,” the hero said.

Although, he acknowledges that the goal was a team effort, in other words the whole team—or school—worked together to feed the ball to the only student at City College who was able to crown the school CUNYAC soccer champions.

“[On] being the person who scored the goal, I have to admit it was a team effort. Aaron [Schoenfelder] crossed a great ball and the ball hovered over my head.”

It wasn’t just Schoenfelder who worked in feeding Haridi the ball, it was all City College—all in for the written hero.

Lansdowne sweeps past Everton 3-0 for yet another CSL title

 

0   VS   3

   
         
Everton F.C. Westchester                                     Lansdowne Bhoys

Lansdowne Bhoys celebrate after defeating Everton F.C. Westchester in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League final Sunday night. Lansdowne Bhoys Images

Lansdowne takes the trophy home again as they cruise past Everton F.C. Westchester with a double from Ovan Oakley and a stunning long range strike by Pat McCann.

Yet again this season, the Cosmopolitan Soccer League first division trophy was bombarded by Irishmen fingerprints and kisses. 

Lansdowne Bhoys downed Everton F.C. Westchester 3-0 for a third straight CSL title Sunday night at Icahn Stadium. 

The two Irish Reggae Boyz, Sikele Sylvester and Ovan Oakley, connected brilliantly up top to score the Bhoys' first two goals, with Oakley being the finishing man on both occasions in the 15th and 62nd minute. 

Pat McCann put the icing on the cake with a beauty from outside the 18 about half an hour into the second half.  

"I'm extremely happy right now," Oakley said of his two championship goals. 

"[But] it's not even about me scoring the goals, it's just that we won, that's the most important thing. I'm extremely happy, I feel like everybody came out and did the job, you know, that's the most important thing, we got the win. Three in row, so that's good."

Lansdowne goalscorer Ovan Oakley.  David Harris/Facebook Imagaes 

Lansdowne opened the game with one of their most recognizable features, physicality, as right back Conor Hunter slid for a clashing tackle on Martin Dadaj to pick up the first yellow card in the fourth minute.

Jimmy Nealis picked up another foul for Austin Friel's side six minutes later as he brought the Eagles' number 10 down, Lucas Befi.

Although the Bhoys started the match like Men as always, they had a slow start as they allowed Everton to take four shots in the first 10 minutes.

The champions picked it up in the quarter hour mark when Oakley hit a clever through ball to Daryl Kavanagh. Kavanagh hesitated before shooting and found his shot blocked by an Everton defender.

Three minutes later, Sylvester found Oakley in the Eagles' open defense. Oakley's shot was parried away by Everton's keeper, but straight at Sylvester, who passed the ball back to Oakley. The Jamaican striker kept his shot away from the keeper this time to put Lansdowne ahead in the final.

The Eagles came close to equalizing early in the second half as Josue Ortiz tasted Danso Abdoukarim's glove with a glancing header.

But it was Lansdowne who scored the second goal of the game as Oakley curled Sylvester's pass on top of the net two minutes after the hour mark.

The two Jamaicans connected for the Bhoys first two goals. Sylvester told a reporter about how him and Oakley built such chemistry on the field after the game.

"When we practice, we always ask coach to put us together, so in the games we get better," Sylvester said.

He later added: "He's a good friend, we're both Jamaicans. Any Jamaicans who link up on the team, we're all going to get close."

McCann closed the scoring in grand fashion for Lansdowne. The 25-year-old whipped a low-drive shot to the bottom right corner of the net in the 78th minute of play.

Next up for the Bhoys is the USASA Regional Amateur Cup final against Christos F.C.

Statistics

Everton F.C. Westchester Eagles

Shots (on target): 13 (7)

Corners: 5

Offsides: 2

Fouls: 2

Yellow: 1-- Martin Dadaj

Red: 0

Saves: 7

Lansdowne Bhoys F.C.

Shots: 15 (10)

Corners: 3

Offsides: 7

Fouls: 12

Yellow: 3-- C. Hunter, S. Sylvester, S. Foster

Red: 0

Saves: 7

The Eagles overcome powerhouse NY Pancyprian to reach the final

Everton FC Westchester Eagles before the semifinal against NY Pancyprian Freedoms Tuesday night at St. John's Beslon Stadium. Everton FC Westchester Eagles Images

You thought it was going to be NY Pancyprian Freedoms and Lansdowne Bhoys in the CSL final again, didn't you? Well...

Everton FC Westchester Eagles reached the CSL final for the first time after muscling their way past six-times champions NY Pancyprian 2-1 in the semifinal on Tuesday.

Paul Nittoli scored both goals for the Eagles in the 60th and 75th minute, meanwhile the Freedoms scored of an own goal.

President and head coach, Oliver Papraniku, shared how excited the club is to be in the final yesterday.

"We are thrilled with the win," Papraniku said, "and can't wait for all of our players to experience the prestige and pressure that comes along with making the finals."

Everton were by no doubts the underdogs going into this fixture. The Freedoms are one of the most prolific teams the league has ever seen. They topped the league 10 times, going on to win the championship six times.

And more recently, they made it to the finals the last two seasons, losing to Lansdowne Bhoys. NY Pancyprian finished the season six points higher than Papraniku's side in second place.

On the other hand, the semifinal winners finished in third place. They only ended the regular season over the Freedoms once in the past 10 years in 2012-13.

Everton also defeated the Freedoms earlier in the season 1-0 at home. A win that is incomparable to a 2-1 victory in the semi away at St. John's Stadium. It's not always by chance when an underdog beats a powerhouse, Panpraniku told a reporter the secret behind this famous win.

"We were very proud of the boys," the manager said, "and that our high pressure 3-5-2 formation worked for us against a very strong and experienced team like the Pancyprians.

"We have been working on bringing up young players all season and feel that our investment in the future has had immediate payback."

Besides buying a trip to the final, Everton is showing another quality of a top amateur club as they launched the career of MLS players, RJ Allen, Brandon Allen, Ignacio Maganto and NASL player Bljedi Bardic, according to their president.

The Eagles will face either Lansdowne or NY Athletic Club in the final.

"We look forward to the finals and our team giving it our all," Papraniku said.

2016 US Open Cup Preview Round 3: The Bhoys are not afraid of Rhinos

                           

               VS                                                       

2016 US Open Cup Round 3

                June 1st, 2016 at 7 p.m. ET-- Sahlen's Stadium; Rochester, NY

 Lansdowne midfielder Craig Purcell charging at the ball to perform an interception
during the game against Southie F.C on May 2nd. Hess Boys Photography

Lansdowne Bhoys F.C can brag about being the best amateur club in the country, reaching the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup after upsetting semi-pro team Long Island Rough Riders and professional side Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Next up for the Bhoys in the third round of the U.S Open Cup is Rochester Rhinos, the reigning champions of the United Soccer League and a club who had already won the competition in 1999--Lansdowne was only two years in the running then.

The Irish based club coach Austin Freil acknowledges the USL champions' capability but is reassured that his players won't back down from them.

"They're a very strong team, they're obviously a professional team," Friel told a reporter after his side's 2-0 win against NY Pancyprian Thursday night.

The Irishman later added: "Even though Rochester is the current USL champions, as I said, we will respect them but we don't fear them."

Friel's side is two division below the Rhinos as they play in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League. However they have numerous players who can play in the higher professional leagues. In fact, the Lansdowne keeper Abdoukarim Danso praised his teammates after the clean sheet Thursday.

"They're really, really, really good," Danso said, "trust me, this team can play in any level--all of them-- even our subs, they are really, really good."

Their captain Stephen Roche played professionally in Ireland with UCD Dublin in 2009-10. Coach Friel played for several teams in the top division in Northern Ireland. Striker Kendon Anderson represented Jamaica in the U20 FIFA World Cup.

Furthermore Thomas Wharf played for a first division collegiate team, University of Connecticut, and so on.

Striker Sikele Sylvester shared how optimistic he is of their first-rate roster against the Rhinos too last Thursday.

"We just have to work hard and play our best and just take our chances. We're going to get chances in that game for sure, I guarantee you that," Sylvester said.

The amateur's club goal is to clinch the USL in the next three years. Their past five seasons is a perfect picture of what a promoted team looks like: they finished first in the league for the last five seasons--going undefeated in two of them-- and they defeated teams from higher divisions in the U.S. Open Cup.

Knocking the USL champions out of the U.S Open Cup would be their loudest scream yet to show U.S Soccer how much they deserve to compete in the USL.

Rochester will be protecting a 24 home game unbeaten run. They sit in sixth place in the Eastern Region of the USL.

The Rhinos got eliminated in the fourth round last year by MLS side Philadelphia Union in penalties.


Rochester vs Lansdowne Stats:

• Rochester won the U.S Open Cup in 1999. Lansdowne was two years old then.
• This is Lansdowne's first appearance in the U.S Open Cup. The Rhinos participated in every single U.S Open Cup since 1996.
• The Rhinos defeated Southie F.C 7-0 in their only game of the tournament so far. Lansdowne beat Souhtie F.C 4-1 in the National Amateur Cup this season.
• Rochester is on a 24 home game unbeaten run at Sahlen's Stadium. Lansdowne played their two previous games in the tournament away from home, outscoring their opponents 4-1.

                       
                            Rhinos (1 game)              U.S Open Cup               Bhoys (2 games)
Goals conceded:          0                                                                               1
Goals scored:               7                                                                               4

Last five matches


Rochester Rhinos (D, L, W, D, W) 
5-28-16: Bethlehem Steel FC vs Rochester Rhinos 2-2
5-22-16: Rochester Rhinos vs Orlando City B 1-2 (@ Titan Soccer Complex)
5-18-16: Rochester Rhinos vs Southie FC 7-0
5-14-16: Charlotte Independence  vs Rochester Rhinos 0-0
5-6-16:   Charleston Battery vs Rochester Rhinos 2-3

Lansdowne Bhoys FC (W, W, W, W, W)
5-26-16: NY Pancyprian Freedom vs Lansdowne Bhoys 0-2
5-22-16: Everton FC Westchester Eagles vs Lansdowne Bhoys 1-5
5-18-16: Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs Lansdowne Bhoys 0-2
5-11-16: Long Island Rough Riders vs Lansdowne Bhoys 1-2
5-7-16:   Lansdowne Bhoys vs Manhattan Celtic 3-0

Lansdowne ends regular-season perfect, blanks NY Pancyprian 2-0

              

       0 ---vs ---2  

       

          

Lansdowne finish their season undefeated and at the summit of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League as they outplay NY Pancyprian in a brutal match through Daryl Kavanagh and Pat McCann's goals.

Lansdowne Bhoys are the regular-season champions for the third year in a row, defeating NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2-0 in a game that nearly turned into a brawl on several occasions Thursday night at St. John's Belson Stadium. 

Daryl Kavanagh's free header in the first half put the visiting side on top before Pat McCann sealed things off for them by burying his own rebound.

Lansdowne only conceded 10 goals the entire season, snatching eight clean sheets out of 16 games, which is their best defensive season in the past three years. Keeper Aboukarim Danso was over delighted by his teammates' capability.

 "They're really, really good," the Gambian said. "Trust me, this team can play at any level, all of them-- even our subs they're really, really good, They help me a lot."

The flow of the match was constantly interrupted by reckless challenges, which formed a crowd of angry and menacing players on the pitch from time to time.  

"Well, it's a top of the table clash, it's going to be physical, see what I mean," Lansdowne manager Austin Friel said after the game. "When you want to win your division, it's going to be physical so I'm very happy. That's just the way these game always are, they're always physical."

NY Pancyprian were close to score the first goal of the game on a couple of occasions shortly after 10 minutes of playing time as Tzoi Tsarkani fired a shot just over the bar after being set by Yannick Reyering. 

Chris Megaloudis whipped one from midfield two minutes later. Danso spilled the ball but the Pancyprian players failed to make the most of this glorious opportunity, firing a second-shot straight at Danso.

Coach Friel's side first tested the keeper in the 21st minute. Sean Kelly headed Sikele Sylvester's cross, forcing Nicholas Tarkany Jr. to stretch in order to keep the ball out of the net.

Just over ten minute later, Kelly was the one who struck the first blow of the ferocious game. The defender clipped Tsarkani after getting beat, forming a torrent roar by the Greek supporters around the stadium and the players on the pitch.

Five minutes before halftime, Sylvester quieted the erupted Pancyprian fans with a moment of brilliance. The Jamaican intercepted a Freedoms defender's pass in the attacking third before dribbling the ball down the wing, juking the defender twice then sending a pinpoint cross to Kavanagh.

A wide open Kavanagh headed Sylvester's cross in the bottom left corner of the net, giving the opposite keeper no chance to get a hand on it. 

"I like playing against them, it's a challenge," the assistman said about NY Pancyprian. Sylvester also spoke about his assist. "I intercepted the ball from the defender, then I took him on, then I beat him again, then I squared the ball, he [Kavanagh] just headed the ball. It was a great square and a brilliant header too."

The tension between the two sides did not cool off after the restart. A Pancyprian midfielder brought Conor Hunter down with a two-footed slide tackle at the hour mark, which was not acknowledged as a foul by the referee. As a result, Craig Purcell received a yellow card for arguing the non-call. 

In the midst of more vicious fouls from both teams, the Bhoys managed to put second one in the net in the 84th minute. Jimmy Nealis hit a voluptuous cross to a wide open McCan, who's first effort was denied by Tarkany Jr. 

The keeper failed to hold to the ball, sending it right back to McCann who made sure he hit the target that time.

Next up for the Irish based team is United Soccer League champions, Rochester Rhinos, in the U.S Open Cup Wednesday in Rochester.

"We're going to get chances in that game for sure," Sylvester said about the upcoming match-up. "I guarantee you that."

On the other hand, the Freedoms host Everton FC Westchester Eagles in the first round of the playoffs (date and time TBA).

Statistics

NY Pancyprian

Shots (on target): 12 (5)  

Fouls committed: 6

Corners: 4

Yellow Cards: 1

Red Cards: 0

Offsides: 1

Saves: 9

Lansdowne Bhoys

Shots (on target): 16 (10)  

Fouls committed: 12

Corners: 4

Yellow Cards: 3

Red Cards: 0

Offsides: 0

Saves: 9

Southie FC takes on the Irish 'challenge'

                                                           

             VS

LANSDOWNE BHOYS                                                                       SOUTHIE FC

                                                

                               USASA NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP SEMIFINAL

                             April 30, 2016 -- 7:00 PM -- Tibbet Brook Park, New York

Roy Sandeman acknowledges that Southie FC need to bring their A game in order to defeat an 'experienced and organized' Lansdowne team, who are in the midst of an undefeated season. 

Young amateur club Southie FC is set to take on their biggest challenge yet, a USASA National Amateur Cup semifinal against Cosmopolitan champions Lansdowne Bhoys Saturday night at Tibbet Brook Park.

Southie FC play in the Massachusetts State Soccer League and in the Bay State Soccer League second division. The club is one of the youngest amateur team in Massachusetts, founded in 2012 by current player-coach Sean Bakhtiari.  

The Boston club is only four years in the running, although they can brag about beating some of the best team in the state such as GPS Omens and Boston Olympiakos, reaching the semifinal of the National Amateur Cup and qualifying for the U.S. Lamar Hunt Open Cup.  

One of the club's latest wonder is a thrilling 6-5 penalty kicks winner over Trenton Rebels in the quarterfinals on April 17. The Southies had to come back from two goals down twice, including a late equalizer.

"The game against Trenton in the last round was tough," Roy Sandeman told a Read The Game reporter. "We were obviously a touch fortunate grabbing a last minute equalizer, but it's a statement to our never say die attitude that we advanced, which was the ultimate goal." 

Sandeman approves that the road ahead of this famous victory will require much more tenacity. 

"We don't know too much about Landsdowne, apart from that they will be experienced, organized and with players that can hurt you," the center midfielder said.  "We are focused on our own game, however, and know that we will need to be on our A-game from start to finish in order to win out."

To add to the Southies' load, the game will take place on Lansdowne's turf. The Irish team haven't conceded more than a goal at home in the league and in the National Amateur Cup. 

Bakhtiari looks at the location of the game as a contest rather than a stumbling block.

"Away games are a major disadvantage, especially in amateur soccer, but we look at it more as a challenge" the 28 year-old said. He later added: "We like challenges, our team is deep and we are excited about our trip to Yonkers."

Photo Credit: Southie F.C.

Meanwhile, Lansdowne play in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League first division in New York. The Irish based club reached the semi after Manzonilla forfeited the quarterfinal and beating Newtown Pride 3-0 in the first round prior that. 

Lansdowne Bhoys huddle up before a game. First Touch Online Images

The furthest the club ever reached in the National Amateur Cup is the regional semifinal in 2013-14.




Key Read The Game stats:


-Southie FC was founded 15 years after Lansdowne.
-Both sides are undefeated in their leagues, Lansdowne (12 games), Southie (five games).
-Southie FC haven't conceded a goal yet in the BSSL.
-The Bhoys haven't conceded a goal yet in the Regional USASA National Amateur Cup.
-Lansdowne never conceded more than a goal at home this season.
-Southie played 330 minutes of football in the past two weeks.
-Southie FC has played in four extra time games since November 8, 2015.

LAST FIVE MATCHES

Lansdowne Bhoys(W,W,--,W,W):
4/23/16 Lansdowne Bhoys 2-1 Shamrock SC
4/16/16 Lansdowne Bhoys 4-1 United FC
4/10/16 NY Pancyprian Freedoms vs Lansdowne Bhoys
3/20/16 United FC 1-4 Lansdowne Bhoys
12/17/16 NY Pancyprian Freedoms 1-2 Lansdowne Bhoys

Southie FC(W,W,W,W,W):
4/24/16 Lowell United 1-9 SFC
4/23/16 SFC 1-1 (4-2 PKs) La Garra
4/17/16 Trenton Rebels 4-4 (5-6 PKs) SFC 
4/16/16 Kendall Wanderers B 0-6 Southie SFC
4/10/16 SFC 6-0 Mill City