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]