Eagles take on Copa in their home opener

A gameshot of Clarkstown Eagles' game against New Jersey Copa FC on June 4th, 2016. Photo by Bill Linder

Clarkstown Eagles host New Jersey Copa FC in their home opener Wednesday at 7:30 p.m at Caven Point.

11 Eagles players and assistant coach Sacir Hot played for Copa last season. Hot expressed that the fact that he and some of his players are going against the team they competed for last season won't affect the game.

"We're not really focused on them, we're more focused on our guys' performances and how we play tactically," the 25-year-old said. "For me personally Copa is just another game so there's nothing more than that. I would say I have a small connection to them but it won't influence the game at all."

He later added: "We would be giving them too much credit if we thought of the game as a big one. We are just focused on getting three points and winning the conference."

Unlike the former New York Red Bulls player, striker Rodrigo "Lolo" Santiago takes the game against his previous team more to heart.

"It's always a special game when you face a club you used to play for," Santiago said.

The Eagles never lost to NJCF in three outings, defeating them twice and drawing to them once. They blanked Copa 2-0 in the 2016 Northeast Regional final and tied to them 1-1 during the regular season--both games were played on the Eagles' turf. Clarkstown also racked an away victory over Copa last year when they edged them 2-1 in their home opener.

Andres Berreil netted NJCF's two goals against the Eagles. Berreil is one of the 11 players who transferred to Clarkstown.

FC Motown downed New Jersey 2-1 in the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup earlier this season on May 10th. 16 Motown players also play for the Eagles and Hot is their head coach.

Clarkstown won their last three home openers and carried a 4-1-1 home record last season.

Santiago mentioned how vital winning a home opener is.

"It's always important to start off with a good performance at your home field. It's points we should not give away playing at home," he said.

Two key stats

• Clarkstown never lost against New Jersey Copa FC, holding a 2-1-0 record against them.
• The Eagles won their last three home openers, tallying nine goals and conceding one. 

Head to head record vs New Jersey Copa FC (2-1-0)

6-4-16: New Jersey Copa FC 2-1 Clarkstown Eagles (NPSL)
7-9-16: Clarkstown Eagles 1-1 New Jersey Copa FC (NPSL)
7-23-16: Clarkstown Eagles 2-0 New Jersey Copa FC (NPSL Northeast Regional final)

Season record

Clarkstown Eagles: [1-0-1, 2nd in NPSL]
New Jersey Copa FC: [1-1-1, 6th in NPSL]

Eagles start NPSL season with a 5-0 win over Binghamton

Clarkstown Eagles starting 11 versus Greater Binghamton FC Thunder. Picture by Sacir Hot

Game Report

Clarkstown Eagles cruised past Greater Binghamton FC Thunder 5-0 in their NPSL season opener at Visions Field on Saturday.

Head coach Oliver Papraniku alongside the CSL side's, Cedar Stars Academy, players were unable to make the trip because they had a CSL game that night. Eagles assistant coach and GSSL team FC Motown coach Sacir Hot replaced Papraniku on the sideline. Hot used eight Motown players in the game.

Jonathan Yazo opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a magnificent run from midfield before James Greco doubled the lead with a 39th-minute free-kick. Leutrim Saiti then netted two goals in the 70th and in the 74th minute. Maximiliano Garcia closed the scoring for Clarkstown four minutes later.

Hot was forced to make an early substitution when Kyle Goodwin picked up a knee injury in the seventh minute. Goodwin was replaced by Enderson Mhilli.

Despite the early injury, Motown took the lead six minutes before the half hour mark. Yazo skilled past three players down the left wing before a hitting a low shot past the opposing keeper from the box.

Eagles' striker Rodrigo Santiago was kneed in the back by a Thunder player in the 26th minute, which drew a second first half substitution from Hot. Leutrim Saiti entered the game for Santiago.

Clarkstown netted again after their second injury as James Greco looped a voluptuous free-kick over the wall and into the bottom right corner from about 25 yards out six minutes before the break.

The NPSL Keystone Conference champions extended their lead to three goals 25 minutes inside the second half. Klement Gjushi blazed a shot from outside the 18, which Binghamton keeper Tyler Elliott saved but failed to hold on to. Saiti tapped home the rebound.

Saiti bagged a brace in the 74th minute as he hit a smooth finish beyond keeper Elliott after exchanging an exquisite one-two with Yazo.

The Eagles completed their five-goal display in the 78th minute through Garcia' low shot in the box.

Clarkstown's next game is their home opener against New Jersey Copa FC on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Caven Point.

Goals summary

24' Binghampton 0-1 Clarkstown: Jonathan Yazo (unassisted)
39' Binghampton 0-2 Clarkstown: James Greco (free-kick)
70' Binghampton 0-3 Clarkstown: Leutrim Saiti (Klement Gjushi)
74' Binghampton 0-4 Clarkstown: Leutrim Saiti (Jonathan Yazo)
78' Binghampton 0-5 Clarkstown:  Maximilliano Garcia

Players' afterthoughts 

Jonathan Yazo (midfielder): 1 goal, 1 assist

Clarkstown midfielder Jonathan Yazo was thrilled that his side kicked off the NPSL season with a 5-0 win.

"Aw man, it feels amazing," Yazo said after the game. "It's not easy coming out here. We usually start the season out here. They're very tough opponents, very physical. It feels good. We controlled the game defensively and when we attacked, you know, we got five goals, which is always very, very encouraging going into the season."

Yazo netted the opening goal of the game as he dribbled three players on the left wing before unleashing a shot in the net. The midfielder was ecstatic about his goal.

"I can't lie, I feel great," Yazo said. "When we started the game I was feeling good. I wanted the ball, I kept calling for the ball and then when I got that one chance, one-on-one on the wing, you got to go for it. Whether I miss, make, lose the ball or whatever it is, I was going for it."

He later added: "Everybody expect you beat the first guy you're going to shoot. I was very selfish, I was like no, let's go for another one and let's go for another one and then a shot opened up."

When asked if that was his best goal in the NPSL, the 28-year-old said: "It's definitely up there, definitely, definitely up there."

Three key notes

A Hot start: Clarkstown assistant coach and former New York Red Bulls player Sacir Hot won his first game with the club. Hot took over for head coach Oliver Papraniku, who was absent, as head coach.

Welcome home Motown: Eight Motown players competed for the Eagles. Two out of the four scorers are Motown players: Jonathan Yazo and James Greco.

A shooting riot: the Eagles took 23 shots in the game, hitting 13 of them on target.

Statistics

Greater Binghampton FC Thunder 
Shots (on target): 9 (2)
Saves: 8
Fouls: 9
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 3
Corners: 1

Clarkstown Eagles
Shots (on target): 23 (13)
Saves: 2
Fouls: 4
Yellow cards: 2--Klement Gjushi, James Greco
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 5
Corners: 5

Clarkstown exits Open Cup with a 1-0 loss to Reading

Clarkstown Eagles and Reading United players alongside the referees before their Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup game. Photo by Bill Linder

Game Report 

Reading United edged Clarkstown Eagles 1-0 at Exeter Township Senior High School, eliminating them in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup.

Haiti international player Frantzdy Pierrot netted United’s goal as he headed the rebound of his own penalty in the net.

Reading advances to the second round of the Open Cup for the sixth consecutive year—an Open Cup record—in which they will face the New York Cosmos. Meanwhile this loss marks the Eagles’ second straight exit in the first round in their first two appearances.

Former League of Ireland player Stephen Roche had a glorious opportunity to put Clarkstown up top 15 minutes into the game. Reading’s back four left Roche alone in the box but the midfielder was unable to take full advantage of the opportunity as he blasted a shot over the net.

United dominated the match in the remaining of the second half. They tested Clarkstown keeper Roberto Pellegrini in the 39^th minute but he was up to the task. Hugo Delhommelle found Khori Bennett in the box, who steered a low-shot on frame but Pellegrini was well positioned to make the save.

Pellegrini prevented the PDL side from taking the lead again at the stroke of the first half when Paul Marie controlled a giveaway from Roche before charging in the Eagles’ defensive third to take a shot. Pellegrini kept his side in the game again with a block.

Reading was rewarded a penalty in the eighth minute of added time in the first half as Pellegrini fouled Pierrot in the box. Pellegrini saved Pierrot’s spot pick, diving on his left but spilled the ball. The Haitian headed his own rebound in the net.

Clarkstown came out better in the second half as they had more possession of the ball. And to their advantage, Reading player Aaron Molloy was issued a red card in the 76^th minute for picking up a second yellow.  

The Eagles hit a multitude of long balls in Reading’s defense in search of an equalizer but the home side’s back four stayed compact to prevent them from scoring.

Players' voice

Right back Ethan Evans was disheartened after his side lost through a penalty for the second consecutive time in the Open Cup.

“It’s rough because last year we lost 2-1—two penalties—to Jersey express,” Evans said. “We didn’t have a lot of our players cleared and I felt like this year we played much better but we also played a much stronger team on the road and that definitely came back to haunt us.”

“It’s terrible,” the defender later said about conceding three spot kicks in two games in the Open Cup. “But at the end of the day that’s part of the game. My highest highs and my lowest lows in my life have all come on a soccer field and sometimes that just what the game does to you.”

However Evans was thrilled that he competed in the Open Cup after battling injuries. “It hurts but at the same time for a player like myself, I’ve had four soccer related surgeries, to come back and get a chance to play in the Open Cup for the first time at age 26 is pretty awesome” he said. “Hopefully we can keep building on that for NPSL.”

Regardless of the loss Evans is overjoyed with the experience his team received from playing in the Open Cup.

“This is the kind of experience that you can only dream of to get ready to play for NPSL,” the former St. Thomas Aquinas College player said. 

“For example we had a 16-year-old, Esad Mackic, come on. He got experience, his first cap in the U.S Open Cup. That’s the kind of stuff that you only hear with players like Wayne Rooney coming on and playing for Everton. The experience that he’s going to build there and some of our newer players, who’s just getting used to us, is huge.”

Clarkstown added numerous players to their roster from last year, Evans noted that the team lacked chemistry.

“Obviously the chemistry wasn’t there but the talent is there,” the 26-year-old said. “We know there’s players with a lot of ability in our squad but we need to learn how to play together. That’s part of the reason why we had a little bit of trouble on counter attacks and keeping the ball but defensively I thought we looked alright. We all worked hard.”

Three key notes

1. Get’ em youngblood: 16-year-old Esad Mackic made his U.S Open Cup dayview as he subbed in the game in the 52^nd minute. Mackic is the third youngest player who played in the Open Cup since 1996 at 16 years old, 11 months and 10 days.

2. Out through PKs again: the Eagles also lost in first round last year through penalties as Jersey Express netted two spot kicks to defeat them 2-1. All the three goals Clarkstown conceded in the Open Cup have come from the spot.

3. Eagles finished the game without their captain: captain Andreas Chronis was subbed out in the 82^nd minute after pulling his hamstring.

Eagles look to outwork Reading in Open Cup opener

By Ralph Chery

May 9th, 2017

Clarkstown SC Eagles defensive midfielder Panayiotis Onisiforou. Clakstown SC Eagles Images

Clarkstown Eagles start their 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup with a trip to Pennsylvania to take on PDL side Reading United on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Exeter Township Senior High School.

Reading currently holds the record for the most consecutive Open Cup appearances as an amateur side, having qualified for the competition from 2009 to now; when this year is the Eagles’ second appearance in the tournament.

2016 All-NPSL defender Christopher Riordan understands how strong their opponents are and shares what it will take to defeat them.

“I’d imagine they are a good team, having qualified for the U.S open cup. So it will most likely be a challenging game,” Riordan said. “To win the game, we will have to play hard and outwork them tactically, stay attentive and not make any costly errors, finish the chances we get on goal, and also hopefully have a little bit of luck.”

Former professional Greek side AEK Athens signing, Andreas Chronis, finds delight in the opportunity the team has to compete against the prominent clubs the Open Cup has to offer.

“On a personal note, competing in the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup is an opportunity to face some of the toughest opponents I have faced in a long time,” Chronis said.

“I stopped playing professional soccer close to 6 years ago, and because I am still extremely competitive, getting a chance to play against the best players on a national level is something that I look forward to and welcome.”

He later added: “For many of us older players that have played professionally, this is a chance to reminisce; for many of our younger players, an opportunity to showcase their talent.”

Clarkstown qualified for the Open Cup by topping the Keystone Conference in the NPSL last season with a 10-1-1 record. 

Clarkstown Eagles defending in the NPSL last season. Clarkstown SC Eagles Images

They were eliminated in the first round last year as they fell to Jersey Express 2-1. Express netted two spot kicks in 22^nd and the 55^th minute before Clarkstown reduced their lead through Bljedi Bardic.

“Last year is all in the past and we’re not really dwelling on it,” Riordan said. “This is a new team and a new year and we hope to write a new chapter in our history. So hopefully this year we will advance past the first round and potentially well beyond that.”

Clarkstown enters this edition of the Open Cup with a revitalized roster made of F.C Motown, Cedar Stars Academy and NY Greek Americans players.

Head coach Oliver Papraniku noted that despite bringing players from different teams together it won’t be hard to build chemistry. Indeed the rejuvenated team won its last game against Long Island Rough Riders 3-2.

NY Greeks are fighting Cedar Stars in the CSL for the last playoff position. Chronis, who plays for CSA, expressed that the Cedar and the NY Greeks players teaming up together is not a troublesome matter.

“Playing with players from NYGA is not a problem because we have been teammates before, as we will be opponents again,” the midfielder said. “There is no awkwardness or tension during practice from anyone.

“Actually, signing players from NYGA while they fight for our playoff spot makes some interesting banter during practice, but all the players know that a good turnout in the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup is at the top of our agenda, along with winning the CSL.” 

Reading qualified for the Open Cup by winning the PDL Mid-Atlantic division with a 10-1-3 record.

They were knocked out of the tournament in the second round last year by NPSL team Chattanooga FC 4-1 in penalty kicks (0-0 FT). Reading’s best run the Open Cup was in 2013 when they lost to the New York Red Bulls 2-0 in the third round.

The Pennsylvanian club owns a 5-2 record at home in the Open Cup and hasn’t lost an opening game in five years.  

"We are playing a great organization [Reading United] at their home so it will be a tough game,” coach Papraniku said. “We will work hard to win and show that we belong in this prestigious cup." 

Players to watch

Clarkstown Eagles-- Stephen Roche (CM/ FWD): played professionally in Ireland with U.C.D from 2009 to 2010. Captained CSL side Lansdowne Bhoys when they made it to the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup last year.

Reading United-- Frantzdy Pierrot (FWD): member of the Haiti international team. Made the 2016 All-Sun Belt first team with Coastal University. Netted four goals and racked four assists in 13 games last year.

Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup all-time record

Clarkstown Eagles: 0-0-1

Reading United: 6-9-1