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