FGSL rewards fans with new tournament Supporters Cup

A game picture of the FGSL Supporters Cup Big Four inaugural game between Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


The Football Goals Soccer League added a new tournament to their arsenal: the FGSL Supporters Cup Big Four.

The FGSL started the Supporters Cup because there aren't any soccer competition in Brooklyn after Labor Day when soccer fans yearn for more games.

The new competition features the countries with the most fans throughout the International FGSL Championship, granting the supporters more opportunities to cheer for their nations and the players another shot at a prize money.

The first participants are: Int'l FGSL champions Grenada, finalists Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia.

The tournament started on Sept. 3rd with a 1-1 draw between Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent.

Each teams will play each other and the top two countries will battle for the title on Oct. 1st.

The most anticipated game of the new competition is the Int'l FGSL final's rematch between Grenada and Guyana on Sept. 24th.


FGSL Supporters Cup Big Four Schedule

September 3rd:  Saint Lucia 1-1 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

September 10th: Guyana vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 2:45 p.m.
                             Grenada vs Saint Lucia at 4:45 p.m.

September 17th: Grenada vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (time TBA)
                             Saint Lucia vs Guyana (time TBA)

September 24th: Grenada vs Guyana (time TBA)

October 1st: Final--1st place vs 2nd place (time TBA)


*All games will be played at Old Boys and Girls high school. 

Grenada wins the Int'l FGSL through Frederick's lone goal over Guyana

Denron Frederick posing with his jersey in his hand in front of his Grenada teammates and fans. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report

Grenada international striker Denron Frederick's 46th minute goal ushered his country to a third International FGSL title as they edged Guyana 1-0 on Sunday night in a nearly soldout Old Boys and Girls high school stadium in Brooklyn.

Grenada's goal started with a long ball from captain Etienne Richardson, which Clive Murray smoothly controlled before laying it to Frederick on top of the box. The striker one-timed a shot that was deflected off a Guyanese defender and made its way to the far right corner of the net. 

The Spice Boys now holds the record for the most Int'l FGSL titles, passing by Haiti who owns two.

Guyana had the first scoring opportunity of the final in the third minute when Trayon Bobb sent Clarence Huggins on goal with a neat through pass from the left wing. But fortunately for the Grenadians, their keeper, Josh Charles came off his line to snatch the ball from Huggins.

The Guyanese troubled Grenada's defense again two minutes later as Bobb hit a low shot on frame from Marlon "Billy" Benjamin's though ball. Keeper Charles was well positioned to make a routine save. 

Grenada bounced back with their first close scoring opportunity in the 19th minute when Murray paced to Ariel Jacob's through pass to hit a low shot. Guyana's keeper Jonathan Copland repeated his opposing keeper's heroism as he came off his line to make a crucial save.

The Grenadians knocked on The Golden Jaguars' door again three minutes later. Richardson faked Bobb down the right wing before bolting away from him to whip a sizzling shot across the goal. 

Frederick gave Grenada the lead five minutes inside the second half with a sweet deflected blast away from keeper Copland.

Bobb nearly equalized the game when he erupted down the right wing before beaming a strike that banged the cross bar three minutes after the hour mark. 

The Spice Boys almost made two in the 69th minute when Frederick controlled a long ball before hitting a low shot in a keeperless net as Copland was off his line. Guyana's center back Garry Gills sprinted back to the goal and was able to control the ball before it found its way in the net. 

Guyana's last major attempt to level the game was a magnificent semi bicycle kick by Huggins. Keeper Charles was once again well positioned to easily save Huggins' effort. 

Grenada's coach Carlyle Fraser clapping after the game. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images 

  

Player's voice: Denron Frederick (1 goal)

Grenada forward Denron Frederick, who came back from two ankle injuries in the semifinal, expressed that the 2017 International FGSL title was his most significant one in the U.S.

"In America, yeah this is my most memorable one. I'm going to really hold on to this one," Frederick said after the game. 

He previously states: "To be honest this is not my first championship but I feel really good because we had a lot of struggle in the camp with the team, players not coming to training and all of that. I was injured for most of the season. 

"But I did a lot therapy work with my ankles, I came back in the semifinal and now I just came and did it in the final. I'm very happy for the win."

The striker was pleased with his game-winning goal in the final.

"It's always a wonderful feeling to score, especially in a final," Frederick said with a big smile on his face. "I'm very proud of myself. My family really helped in terms of me getting back from my injury. I'm really, really happy to be honest." 

Four key notes

1. Int'l FGSL Kings Grenada: The Spice Boys own the most Int'l FGSL titles, winning the competition three times. They won the inaugural season in 2012, later in 2014 and the last campaign in 2017. 

2. Richardson vs Bobb: Former Grenada international midfielder Etienne Richardson and ex-Lithunian first division winger Trayon Bobb were going at it all night long. Richardson beat Bobb off the dribble once in the first half and tackled him on a couple of occasions.

Grenada captain Etienne Richardson next to Trayon Bobb. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


However Bobb finished the game with six shots and made two key crosses that were almost headed in the net.

3. Warrior James: Grenada defensive midfielder Jason James was a valuable component in his side's victory. James had a multitude of defensive headers and was a constant threat to the Guyanese attackers with his tackles. James was subbed out late in the game after picking up a injury.

Grenada defensive midfielder Jason James. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


4. The Golden Jaguars wanted that equalizer: Guyana recorded the most shots in a single game in the playoffs, shooting the ball 20 times.


Statistics

Grenada
Shots (on target): 13 (4)
Saves: 7
Fouls: 6
Yellow cards: Shane Rennie
Red cards: 0
Offside: 3
Corners: 1


Guyana
Shots (on target): 20 (9)
Saves: 2
Fouls: 11
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: Allon Alley
Offsides: 0
Corners: 5

Grenada and Guyana take their speed to each other in the Int'l FGSL final

Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Grenada star striker Clive Murray: "I guess the faster team wins."

The International FGSL will feature the most anticipated final in their seven years of existence on Sunday as Grenada clashes with Guyana at 7:30 p.m. at Old Boys and Girls high school.

This match will be the first ever final of a major amateur Brooklyn soccer tournament to be played under flood lights.

Another thrilling characteristic of the upcoming championship game is that it will display a battle between the two fastest teams of the tournament.

The Spice Boys has two forwards with uncontainable velocity: Grenada international forwards Clive Murray and Denron Frederick, who recently netted for Grenada's national team on April 29th against Trinidad and Tobago.

"We have two fast strikers," Murray said (talking about himself and Frederick), "as long as you get the ball to them, that's our game plan: counter attack."

The 26-year-old scored two magnificent goals of fast counter attacks in the semifinal against Jamaica.

"Yeah, they play a little bit rough," he said of the Jamaican's defense. "But you know, as you said, the speed, they can't control the speed."

Grenada forward Clive Murray on the ball against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


When asked about his side going against Guyana's speed on Sunday, the Grenadian said, laughing: "I guess the faster team wins."

The Golden Jaguars' swiftness, on the opposite end, consists of ex-Lithuanian first division player Trayon Bobb on the left wing and Dominique Babb on the right.

Bobb leads his country in scoring with nine goals and racked two assists in the playoffs using his dazzling speed and tremendous soccer IQ.

Guyana left winger Trayon Bobb. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Sunday's championship game will be Guyana's first ever appearance in the International FGSL final as opposed to Grenada who won the inaugural season in 2012 and later in 2014.

Guyana striker Clarence Huggins expressed how overjoyed he will be if his country bag their first Int'l FGSL title on Sunday.

"Really happy, really happy, in terms of creating history for our country," Huggins said. "We're bringing this home, we need to draw more supporters for next year, I believe in us."

Huggins and his two wingers, Bobb and Babb, will be going against an experienced Grenadian backline. The most notable member of the 2014 Int'l FGSL champions' back four is Damionne "Solo" Cyrus. Solo is a quick, intelligent center back who never loses his calm under pressure. 

Grenada center back Damionne "Solo" Cyrus in action against Jamaica. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images 


In front of Solo is ex-Grenada international midfielder, Etienne Richardson. Richardson is a hardworking captain with the remarkable faith that his country will down Guyana. 

"We can go all the way," Richardson said after his side's 2-1 win over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the quarterfinals. "Yeah, we can go all the way. We just need to be a little more focused and a be little more together as a team. There's nothing impossible to do."

The 37-year-old will be going against Guyana's captain in the midfield, Marlon "Billy" Benjamin. Billy is coming off a stellar performance in the semifinal against Guinea, in which he scored a goal, provided an assist and led his side in shooting with five strikes. 

Shane Rennie is another player to keep an eye on in the final. Rennie leads Grenada in scoring with six goals.

Grenada squeezes past Jamaica 2-1 in the semis

Grenada striker Clive Murray attempting to run past Nico. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report 

Clive Murray's brace guided Grenada to a 2-1 win over Jamaica in the International FGSL's semifinal on Sunday evening at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Kendan Anderson pulled one back for The Reggae Boys at the half hour mark. Jamaica pushed for an equalizer late in the game but Grenada's defense was impenetrable.

Guyana eased past Guinea 4-1 in the previous semifinal to set up a date with Grenada in the final on Sunday at Old Boys and Girls (time TBA).

Grenada took the lead in the sixth minute as Murray controlled Shane Rennie's inch perfect ball over the top before pacing his way through Jamaica's defense to roll a low shot past Rashawn Best.

Jamaica's captain Mark Alves attempted to equalize the game four minutes later as he hit a low-shot to the side-netting after cutting a Grenadian defender.

Mark Alves took Jamaica's first shot of the game. Brooklynn Soccer Life images


Murray broke free from Jamaica's defense again with his speed but keeper Best came to the rescue as he paced off his line to dispossess the forward.

The Spice Boys went up by two in the 36th minute with a speedy counter attack. Denron Frederick sprinted down the left wing then hit a through ball to Ariel Jacob. Jacob directed a square pass in the box to a running Murray, who capped off the play with a smooth finish beyond Best's reach.

Jamaica took advantage of a defensive mistake from Grenada to cut the lead in half. Damionne "Solo" Cyrus rushed up to Anderson but missed the tackle. Anderson swifted around keeper Josh Charles to hit the ball in an empty net.

Jamaica striker Kendan Anderson scored his side lone goal. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


The Spice Boys sat back for the remainder of the game. Jamaica still managed to direct a mass shooting at them (Jamaica took 16 shots in the game) but were unable to score.

As the Jamaicans were on attacking mode, Grenada created a couple of close opportunities on the counter.

One with 10 minutes to go when Murray blocked shot fell to Frederick, who rushed a strike on frame from the six-yard box. Best was quick on his hand to perform an unbelievable save. And another one the following minute when Frederick hit another shot from the six-yard box that Best made an outstanding save out of again.


Players' voice: Clive Murray (2 goals)

Grenada striker Clive Murray scored Grenada's two goals.

"That's nothing new to me, I've been scoring goals," Murray said about his double after the game. Murray also netted in the semifinal against Saint-Vincent and Grenadines.

The striker was content that his side reached the final.

"I'm happy that we went out there and finished the job," he said.


Two key notes

1. Grenada's strikers came to shoot: Murray took six shots for his country and his striking partner, Denron Frederick, took three-- all of Frederick's shots were on target.

2. Leaving with a handful: Jamaica's keeper Rashwan Best put up another breathtaking performance between the stick, performing six saves, which was the playoffs' best tally, and coming off his line on a couple of occasions to dispossess the Grenadian attackers.

Jamaica's keeper Rashwan Best. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Statistics

Jamaica
Shots (on target): 16 (6)
Saves: 6
Fouls: 7
Yellow cards: 1
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 2


Grenada
Shots (on target): 11 (9)
Saves: 5
Fouls: 9
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 4

Guyana sees off Guinea 4-1 to clinch the final

Guyana players celebrating a goal. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report


Guyana overpowered Guinea 4-1 in the International FGSL's semifinal on Sunday afternoon at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Aboubacar put Guinea ahead of the game early in the second minute. But his goal was canceled out 24 minutes later by Guyana's winger Trayon Bobb. Marlon Benjamin, Dominique Babb and Clarence Huggins completed The Golden Jaguars' four-goal summary in the second half.

Guyana will play Grenada in the final on Sunday afternoon at Old Boys and Girls high school (time TBA). The Grenadian edged Jamaica 2-1 in the other semifinal.

The semifinal was only two minutes old when Aboubacar opened the scoring for The National Elephants as he controlled Mohamed's low-cross before hitting a shot past opposing keeper Jonathan Copeland from the heart of the 18-yard box.

Guinea players celebrating the opener. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Guyana looked for an equalizer three minutes later as Bobb delivered an exquisite cross in a dangerous area but Guinea's center back, Papi Sy, was well positioned to clear the ball.

The Caribbean side did put themselves on level terms with Guinea in the 26th minute when Bobb blasted Jamal Pedro's short pass to the bottom right corner of the net from outside the box.

Guyana winger Trayon Bobb chasing the ball. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Guyana took the lead seven minutes into the second half as Benjamin transformed Kesler Jacobs' pass into a marvelous low-strike toward the right corner from the top of the 18. Guinea's keeper Diao did save the shot but after the ball had already cross the line.

Rawle Hensford's men netted a third goal in the 72nd minute when Benjamin headed the ball down toward Babb, who didn't fail to complete his simple task of hitting the ball in an empty net--keeper Diao had come off his line to challenge Benjamin's header.

Dominique Babb scored Guyana's third goal. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Guyana sealed things up with one of their familiar swift counter attack in the last minute of the game. Bobb sent Huggins on goal with a pinpoint through ball. The forward paced to the ball before steering a shot past Diao, who was once again off his line.


Players' voice: Clarence Huggins (1 goal)

Guyana forward Clarence Huggins was assured that his side would walk off the pitch victorious even after conceding an early goal.

"It was early in the game after they scored," Huggins said after the game, "we believed, we had the confidence that we were going to come back and win the game."

He previously stated: "We stayed composed, stick to our game plan and did what we do best, as you noticed, throughout the tournament most of our goals came in the second half so we weren't panicking."

Huggins views his 80th minute goal as a "reward" for his work ethic.

"I was working hard, after working hard, you know I would get the reward for how well I was playing," the striker said smiling. "I was playing off the defense, laying off the ball, you know eventually the goal would come."


Three key notes

1. The Golden Jaguars were biting in the first half, The National Elephants fought back in the second period: Guyana committed eight fouls in the first half. Guinea returned the favor with seven fouls after the restart. Both sides finished the game with 11 fouls.

2. Both finalists savored a comeback win in the playoffs: The other finalists, Grenada, had to overcome conceding a second-minute goal in the playoffs also when they rallied back for a 2-1 win over Saint-Vincent and Grenadines in the quarterfinals.

3. Stellar Ben: Guyana captain Marlon Benjamin netted the leveler, assisted the third goal and led his side in shooting with five strikes.

Guyana skipper Marlon Benjamin. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Statistics

Guyana
Shots (on target): 13 (8)
Saves: 6
Fouls: 11
Yellow cards: 2
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 4


Guinea
Shots (on target): 10 (7)
Saves: 4
Fouls: 11
Yellow cards: 4
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 0

Jamaica reaches the semis with a 3-1 win over Lucia

Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report

Jamaica muscled past Saint Lucia 3-1 in the International FGSL's last quarter-final game on Sunday evening at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Kendan Anderson netted the opener for The Reggae Boys just nine minutes into the game. Kimal Malcome doubled Jamaica's lead 20 minutes later. Lucia's forward Daran Fedee pulled one back for his country in the 31st minute. But Jamaica re-established their two-goal lead three minutes inside the second half with Mark Alves' penalty kick.

St. Lucia took the first shot of the game in the eighth minute but it was the Jamaican side that netted the match's first goal the following minute.

Anderson bolted down an empty Lucia's defense on a counter. Keeper Chad Philip came off his line but the Jamaican forward paced past him before steering a low shot that clipped the bottom of the left post then went in the vacant net.

Former Jamaica U-20 international forward, Kendan Anderson, netted the opener for The Reggae Boys. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


The Reggae Boys made it two from another counter attack as Malcome finished Anderson's pass just one minute before the half hour mark.

The Helen of the West cut Jamaica's lead in half two minutes later when Fedee one-timed a loose ball in the net from the box past keeper Rashawn Best.

The Jamaican secured their two-goal lead back three minutes after the restart. They were rewarded a penalty kick for a handball in the box on their opponents.

Captain Alves stepped up to the spot to take the penalty for his country. The attacker converted the spot kick, picking the middle right corner of the net.

Jamaica's skipper Mark Alves converted a penalty in the 49th minute. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Two key notes 

1. Lucia's shooting riot: The Helen of the West fought to catch up to Jamaica's three goal to remain in the tournament as they took 18 shots (seven more than Jamaica). But sadly only one of their shots found the net.

2 Teenage keeper Best stood tall in front Lucia's shots: Rashawn Best racked four crucial saves for Jamaica.

Jamaica's keeper Rashawn Best. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


 Statistics

Jamaica
Shots (on target): 12 (4)
Saves: 4
Fouls: 5
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 3

Saint Lucia
Shots (on target): 18 (6)
Saves: 2
Fouls: 6
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 5

Guyana powers past Nigeria 4-1 to move to the semis

Guyana players celebrating. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Game report

Guyana conquered Nigeria 4-1 in the International FGSL's quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Delon Lanferman starred for the Guyanese side, scoring two goals. Deshawn Joseph and Clearance Huggins completed the winning side's side scoring summary with a goal each. Yussuf Olajide netted Nigeria's solitary goal.

Guyana embarked their scoring display with an exquisite series of passes. Dominique McKennon found an unmarked Trayon Bobb in the box, who knocked a short pass to Lanferman. The Guyana U-23 player one-timed Bobb's pass with a low shot past Nigeria's keeper Kosi Agbevor.

Guyana international winger Trayon Bobb assisted his side's first goal. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Nigeria evened up the game two minutes inside the second period when Olajide controlled Victor Ogumwode's through ball before pacing in the middle of Guyana's defense to unleash an initial shot that was blocked by Kevin Sullavon. The former St. Francis College player collected the rebound off Sullavon and hit a smooth low shot to the left corner of the net beyond opposite keeper Jonathan Copland.

Lanferman handed The Golden Jaguars the lead again in the 54th minute. Huggins started it with a cross that was spilled by keeper Agbevor. The ball fell right at Lanferman, who took full advantage of the opportunity by whipping the ball in the net from the top of the six-yard box.

Joseph made it three for Guyana by directing a free-kick to the bottom left corner of the net with 15 minutes to go from about 25 yards out.

Huggins was the last one who signed the Caribbean side's goalsheet as he cannoned a voluptuous shot from the heart of the 18-yard box. 

Players' voice: Delon Lanferman (2 goals)

Guyana U-23 player, Delon Lanferman, was glad his side moved to the next round of the playoffs.

"I'm happy we reached the semifinals and played good football," he said after the game. "We trained hard and focused in the game. Guyana never won nothing so we're hoping to keep playing good football and win the tournament."

Lanferman netted a double. 

"I feel good scoring two goals but I was supposed to score more than that," he said. "I was supposed to score a hat trick."

Four key notes

1. Swift and smooth Guyana: The Golden Jaguars put up a breathtaking performance as they constantly penetrated down Nigeria's midfield with speedy counter attacks. Lanferman credited his coach, Rawle Hensford, for their style of play. 

2. A yellow win: Guyana tallied four yellow cards. Their two center backs were on a yellow card in the 33rd minute.

3. Nigeria left no shots behind: The Super Eagles smothered Guyana's back four as they took 11 shots, which is just one less than Guyana's tally. But unfortunately only two of their shots were hit on frame

4. No goal for Benjamin: Marlon Benjamin led Guyana in shots, striking the ball four times (two of his shots were on target). However the midfielder ended the game without a goal.

Statistics

Guyana

Shots (on target): 12 (7)

Saves: 1

Fouls: 13

Yellow cards: 4

Red cards: 0

Offsides: 2

Corners: 2

Nigeria

Shots (on target): 11 (2)

Saves: 4

Fouls: 12

Yellow cards: 2

Red cards: 0

Offsides: 4

Corners: 2

Grenada overcomes Saint-Vincent's early goal to beat them 2-1 in the quarters

    Grenada's team in a huddle. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Game report

Grenada rallied back for a 2-1 win over Saint-Vincent and Grenadines in the quarter-finals of the International FGSL on Sunday evening at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Saint-Vincent's captain Daren Francis netted the opener early in the second minute of play. Francis' goal was cancelled by Grenada's number 10 Shane Rennie's penalty kick at the quarter hour mark. Clive Murray scored the winning goal for The Spice Boys thirty minutes inside the second half.

Guinea stunned defending champions Haiti 7-1 earlier on Sunday in the first quarter-final. It looked as if another upset was in the making when sixth placed SVG took the lead over third placed Grenada just two minutes into the game.

It was Francis who gave Saint-Vincent the speedy lead as he beamed Delroy Samuel's short pass past opposing keeper Josh Charles from the top corner of the 18-yard box.

    Saint-Vincent goalscorer Daren Francis. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Grenada was rewarded a penalty kick in the fourteenth minute for a foul committed by the Vincentian right back Ryan Creese.

Grenada almost took the lead two minutes inside the second half when Richardson Etienne rolled a through ball to Marcus Julien. But unfortunately for the Island of Spice, the Vincentian keeper Marcus Williams came off his line and dove at Julien to dispossess him from the ball.

SVG went down to 10 men six minutes after the hour mark. Center back Cristino Myers was red-carded for a hard tackle on Etienne.

Despite playing down a man, Vincent came close to re-taking the lead when Ronsil Badnock sliced a shot with the outside of his boot from the top of the box to the top right corner of the net. Keeper Charles flew on his left to make a breathtaking one-handed save.

The Spice Boys scored the decisive goal half an hour in the second half as Clyve Murray brought down an exquisite ball over the top before dribbling past a couple of Vincentian defenders to roll the ball to the bottom left corner of the net.

    Clive Murray netted the game winning goal for Grenada. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Three key notes

1. All Grenada's shots on target were goals: Grenada's two shots on target both resulted in goals. Saint-Vincent took more shots on target than The Spice Boys, outnumbering them 5-2. Grenada didn't record a shot on goal in the first half.

2. Saint-Vincent played most of the game with only one coach: SVG assistant coach was ejected in the 21st minute for screaming at the referee after he failed to blow his whistle for a hand ball in the  middle of the pitch on Grenada.

3. Grenadian keeper Josh Charles was a valuable asset in his side's win: Charles racked four saves to keep his side in the game before their winning goal in the 63rd minute.

    Grenada's keeper Josh Charles. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Players' voice: Richardson Etienne

Former Grenada international, Richardson Etienne, was overjoyed by the playoff win and praised the Grenadian supporters for their vibrant spirit.

"I'm very happy," Etienne said. "For my first year playing here for a long time, come back and play with the national team is [great]. The crowd is amazing. They always there every game. We looking forward to the next game."

    Grenada midfielder Richardson Etienne. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


When asked if he still believed his side had a chance to win when they went down a goal in the second minute, Etienne said: "Yeah, sure. With the quality players we have."

He later added: "We was one goal down, we decided to keep going at it, keep pushing forward and put some pressure on them."

Grenada lost to Haiti in the final last season, the midfielder is assured that his country will go on to win the league this year.

"We can go all the way," he said. "Yeah, we can go all the way. We just need to be a little more focused and a little more together as a team. There's nothing impossible to do."

Statistics 

Grenada
Shots (on target): 11 (2)
Saves: 4
Fouls: 11
Corners: 4
Offsides: 2
Yellow cards:1
Red cards: 0

Saint-Vincent and Grenadines 
Shots (on target): 7 (5)
Saves: 0
Fouls: 8
Corners: 1
Offsides: 0
Yellow cards: 2 (Ronsil Badnock, Ryan Creese)
Red cards: Cristino Myers

Clarkstown Eagles' Topscorers

Name	Goals scored	Games played
1. Christopher Katona	3	2
1. Kodai Iida	3	4
1. Martin Lukaschik	3	4
4. Leutrim Saiti	2	2
4. Dritan Sela	2	2
4. Maximiliano Garcia	2	3
7. Philip Costa	1	1
7. Franklin Castellanos	1	2
7. Emerson Lawrence	1	3
7. Marcus Hackett	1	3
7. Andres Berriel	1	4
7. Jonathan Yazo	1	4
7. Samuel Gehman	1	4

Escudero talks about the Eagles' drive to make the playoffs

Clarkstown Eagles left back Joaquin Escudero. Photo by Bobbie Deuel

With four games left in the regular season, Clarkstown Eagles sit one spot below the last playoff position in third place with a game in hand. Although Clarkstown has been having an up and down season, fullback Joaquin Escudero is assured that his side will push up to the last playoff position.

"I'm confident of making the playoffs," Escudero said. "The team has more chemistry, we have been playing with each other longer now and we know each other more, that should be enough for us to make the playoffs.

"If we match our opponents' intensity, we will be good enough to win these last four games of the regular season and we'll start from zero again in the playoffs. We have to be hungry every game, there's no space for any mistakes. We have to be focused every minute we're on the field and trust our teammates and the result will come."

"Our goal shouldn't be to make the playoffs, it should be to face Chattanooga in the final in a good intense game where we can hopefully win this championship."

The lowest point of the playoff contenders' season so far is a two-game winless run-- a 2-1 loss to Buxmont Torch and a 2-2 draw to Electric City Shock--in which they missed several goal scoring opportunities.

"We are one of the most talented teams in the NPSL but we have been unlucky of missing our chances and letting goals in when our opponents have two or three chances a game," Escudero said.

"Losing against Buxmont was hard and we expected to get a win against Electric City in Scranton but two unlucky calls from the refs and us not finishing our chances made us not get those six important points."

Clarkstown bounced back from the winless run with a 10-0 win over Greater Binghamton FC Thunder in their last game. Escuerdo noted that the victory over Binghamton boosted the club's inner strength.

"Binghamton's game was a big win that helped us get confident again and believe in ourselves," the 20-year-old said.

Joaquin Escudero on the ball against New Jersey Copa FC. Photo by Bobbie Deuel

The New Jersey club became the best scoring team in the Northeast Region after their 10-0 victory over GBFC, tallying 23 goals.

Kodai Ida, Martin Lukashik and Christopher Katona are the team's topscorer with three goals each. Katona has only been playing with the Eagles in their last two games and already lead the team in goals as he scored twice against Electric City and once against Binghamton.

Escudero expressed that the former Richard Stockton University star striker's goal scoring ability will be essential in Clarkstown's run to the playoffs.

"Katona is a great player and a great guy, playing with him makes things easier, his movements are really good and he's a great goalscorer," the Spaniard said. "He's the number nine we needed."

He later added: "Katona is going to help us by scoring goals and the rest of us are going to help by assisting him. I'm confident we're going to make the playoffs."

The defender also mentioned Dritan Sela, who scored two goals against Binghamton.

The Eagles' last four games are against New Jersey Copa FC, who sits in second place, Electric City (sixth), Hershey FC (seventh), and West Chester United Soccer Club (first).

Onisiforou is confident the Eagles will 'bounce back' from Torch's loss against Shock

Clarkstown Eagles will look to recover from their loss to Buxmont Torch in a road game against Electric City Shock on Friday at 7:00 p.m at Scranton University .

Although the Eagles outshot Buxmont 14-4, they lost to them 2-1 on Saturday. Clarkstown center back and former Cyprus pro player, Panayiotis Onisiforou, emphasized how important it is for his side to get a win against Shock to cover up Saturday's loss.

Clarkstown Eagles center back Panayiotis Onisiforou. Picture by Bill Linder

"We have to get on the right track against Electric City in order to kick on the season and have a strong run," Onisiforou said.

Prior to that he said: "It's always good to bounce back with a positive result after a defeat, we remain calm in our camp, we know what we need to do.

"The defeat to Torch was not a deserved one regarding the soccer that was played. We should've been up by four, five goals by the 20th minute mark but we failed to convert our chances. Credit to Torch, they kept playing and didn't give up. They found half a chance and a mistake from us to take the three points."

Despite missing four close goal scoring opportunities, the Eagles were the best scoring team in the Northeast Region before the game against Buxmont as they netted 3.33 goals per game,

Onisiforou is assured that Clarkstown will regain its scoring prowess.

"It's only a matter of time before we get back to our top form," he said. "I have all the faith in the boys and their abilities. We are human so we have our off days. What's important is we need to keep playing the way we are but just finish the chances we get."

"If we keep playing the way we are, create the amount of chances we've been getting and work hard the team will get back on track."

Onisiforou alongside his defenders have the second best defense in the Keystone Conference, conceding 1.25 goals per game.

"As far as the stats go, we are a team, we defend as a team and score as a team," the 31-year-old said. "We all contribute to the game where it might be an assist for a right back or a center back scoring from a corner. Stats don't really concern me, they are more of a distraction."

Clarkstown sits in fifth place with a 2-2-0 record. Electric City sits one spot above them in fourth with a 2-1-1 record. Shock's only loss was a 4-0 deficit to first placed West Chester United Soccer Club.

Three key stats

• Clarkstown Eagles defeated Electric City Shock five times in their last six matches. 
• Shock's only loss so far this season was against first placed West Chester United Soccer Club. They drew to second placed New Jersey Copa FC 1-1, whom the Eagles lost to 1-0.
• The Eagles haven't lost two straight NPSL games since July 5th, 2014.

Players to watch

Clarkstown Eagles: Midfielder Kodai Iida-- Iida was the Eagles' man of the match in their last game against Torch, netting one goal.

Electric City Shock: Jarrod Smalley-- Smalley leads the team in scoring with two goals in four games. He scored the opener against second placed New Jersey Copa in a game that ended 1-1.

Position and record

Clarkstown Eagles: 5th, (2-2-0)
Electric City: 4th, (2-1-1)

Clarkstown suffers a controversial 2-1 loss to Torch

Game Report

Clarkstown Eagles fell to Buxmont Torch 2-1 through a controversial offside goal scored by Pedro Sousa in the 88th minute Saturday night at Pennridge High School.

The referees marked the Eagles offside 13 times in the game.

It started in the second minute when Anthony Ferrer's goal was ruled out after the assistant referee waived his flag for an offside.

Clarkstown missed a crucial scoring opportunity in the 13th minute. Andres Berriel was one-on-one with opposing keeper Matt Palmer after receiving a neat through ball from Kodai Iida. Palmer came off his line and blocked Berriel's shot.

The Eagles had another close look at goal when Martin Lukaschik was left alone in the box after exchanging a one-two with Jonathan Okafor. Lukaschik failed the control Okafor's pass properly as the ball was behind him and as a result hit a shot off target in the 27th minute.

Clarkstown netted the opener at last in the 33rd minute as Iida dragged a low shot from a tight angle on the left corner of the box past keeper Palmer after controlling an intelligent through ball from Ferrer.

Buxmont almost equalized the game with their first shot of the night seven minutes before halftime. Keeper Andrew Tartara was off his line. Will Woodfin steered a low shot in the keeperless net but fortunately for Clarkstown Joaquin Aldabe was there to clear the ball.

Torch did draw themselves leveled with their opponents 26 minutes inside the second half as Cody Gangaware finished Josh Coupar's free-kick to the bottom left corner of the net.

The visitors had another goal ruled offside when Okafor squared the ball to Iida, who tapped the ball in the net in the 84th minute. Iida's celebration was cut short after the assistant referee waived his flag.

Torch scored the winner four minutes later. Christopher Riordan and keeper Tartara both expected each other to intercept a long pass but the ball went past them to Sousa, who was in an offside position. Sousa dribbled down an empty defense before shooting the ball in an empty net.

Players' afterthoughts: Martin Lukaschik

Midfielder Martin Lukaschik was heartbroken by the loss. "I'm very disappointed, as disappointed as it gets," he said. "I played a lot of games but this is probably one of the worst games--the worst outcome of a game-- I've ever seen. We were so dominant and then losing this game is ridiculous."

"I don't even want to get into it," Lukaschik said when asked about the referees' decisions. "We scored about three offside goals that were disallowed and then the last one for them was 10 yards offside, there was no doubt about that. I'm very disappointed."

The midfielder is assured that Clarkstown will recover from this loss. "We're going to come back stronger," Lukaschik said. "We're going to work harder, we see that in the NPSL anything can happen apparently so we just got to be focused next week and whoever comes, I don't even care, I don't know who I'm playing, we're going to win for sure."

Three key notes

Not finishing came back to hunt the Eagles: Clarkstown missed four glorious scoring opportunities before Buxmont's winner in the 88th minute.

Still looking for a winning streak: the Eagles haven't had a winning streak in all competitions this season after five games.

First time scoring in a loss: the loss to Torch was Clarkstown's first loss this season in a game in which they scored.

Statistics

Clarkstown Eagles
Shots: 14 (8)
Saves: 1
Fouls: 5
Corners: 8
Yellow cards: 2 (E. Lawrence, D. Correia)
Red card: 0
Offsides: 13


Buxmont Torch
Shots: 4 (2)
Saves: 7
Fouls: 13
Corners: 1
Yellow cards: 1 (M. Robinson)
Red card: 0
Offsides: 3

Position and record after the game

Clarkstown Eagles: 5th place (2-2-0)

Buxmont Torch: 3rd place (3-1-1)

Eagles aim for two straight wins against Torch

Clarkstown Eagles midfielder Josue Ortiz on the ball against Buxmont Torch on July 29th, 2016. Picture by Bill Linder

Defending Keystone Conference champions Clarkstown Eagles travel to Pennsylvania on Saturday to face Buxmont Torch at Pennridge High School at 6:00 p.m.

Buxmont sits in fourth place in the Keystone Conference on a 2-1-1 record. The Eagles are one spot above them in third place with a game in hand, owning a 2-0-1 record. 

Clarkstown is the best scoring team in the Northeast Conference, netting 3.33 goals per game. They scored five goals in a game twice this season, against Greater Binghamton FC Thunder and in their last game against Junior Lone Star FC.

The Eagles' head coach Oliver Papraniku is assured that if his players play up to their potential against Buxmont they will continue their scoring prowess.

"Our team looks to play the best possible soccer and if we do that the goals will come," Papraniku said.

A win on Saturday will grant Clarkstown their first win streak of the season as they defeated Junior Lone 5-2 in their last game.

Coach Papraniku is eager to get a second consecutive win.

"We take every game seriously and are totally focused on playing our game against a strong Buxmont squad," the Albanian said. 

Clarkstown entered the season with a rejuvenated roster--the "One Super Team"-- mixed of CSL sides' Cedar Stars Academy, NY Greek Americans and Lansdowne Bhoys’ players and GSSL team FC Motown’s players. 

Coach Papraniku noted that The One Super Team is still in the beginning process of their journey.

"We have only played three NPSL games and are just getting our squad together," he said. "So I look forward to the players continuing their progress as a cohesive unit."

Key stats

• Buxmont lost to Junior Lone 4-1 in their season opener when the Eagles downed Junior Lone 5-2 in their last game.
• Clarkstown defeated Torch three times in their last five NPSL meetings.
• Buxmont is on a two-game unbeaten run when the Eagles will be going after their first unbeaten run of the season.
• Buxmont had the same three scorers in their two wins this season: David Shafer, Philip Shafer and Pedro Sousa.

Players to watch

Clarkstown Eagles:

Midfielder Jonathan Yazo: Yazo leads the team in assists with two in three games and is the second topscorer with a goal.

Buxmont Torch:

Forward Philip Shafer: 6' 4'' striker Shafer netted Buxmont's opener in their two victories this season against Hersey FC and Greater Binghamton FC Thunder and leads the team in scoring with two goals.

Record and position

Clarkstown Eagles: 2-1-0, third in the Keystone Conference.
Buxmont Torch: 2-1-1, fourth in the Keystone Conference.

Last meeting

7-29-16: Clarkstown Eagles 3-0 Buxmont Torch at Ramapo College