For the up to the minute Match Report click here.
It’s finally here.
The Smithtown Arsenal will finally kick off their National Championship quest today at 10:00 am Pacific time against the
Fullerton (CA) Rangers on Field 18 of the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, AZ.
Team trainer Tom Lips told LIJSoccer.com that the opening moments will be critical to the team’s success.
“The first 10 minutes of the first two round robin games will be crucial,” he explained. “If we come out sluggish and tentative, we could be in for a long tournament. We have to come out aggressive and play like we belong. If we can weather those first few minutes and overcome those initial jitters, I think we’ll be fine.”
Lips also told us that playing as a team will be important for the Arsenal. As he said, “We get forward as a team, we get home as a team.”
He also preached team defense.
“The defense is working hard,” said Lips. “Good team defense is the key for us, and playing the simple ball forward.”
With that being said, several players will have to continue to step up. Here are a few players we will have our eyes on this week:
Key Players
Steven Braccioforte: “Steven is an athletic forward who’s very powerful, but we have to play him on the back line,” Lips told us. “Because teams have fast kids everywhere, that creates some imbalances for us and we have to match up. He’ll move to the back on the outside, and he is extremely difficult to get behind because of his speed. If he gets beat, he’s on you within 5-10 yards. He’s that powerful and fast. We’ve had some injuries. We’re all starting to get healthy again, but he’s a key player right now.”
Harrison Weilbacher: “We play him all over the field, but he’s playing forward right now and he seems to be scoring a ton of goals. He’s small, agile, and quick, and is playing very well.”
TJ Butzke: “Center middie playing very well and scoring tons of goals.”
Matt Aprile: “Won the Golden Boot Award at Regionals. He’s on fire. He really is. I can’t say enough about him.”
Good luck to the Arsenal and their fans! Round Robin play continues at 10 am Thursday against the Chicago Magic, and wraps up on Friday at 10 against the Dallas Texans.