ASL: Lusitanos, O’s Set for Spring Opener
- Updated: April 10, 2015
A pair of regional rivals will help kickstart the 2015 spring ASL season as Western Mass Pro Soccer and the Rhode Island Oceaneers are set to square off on Saturday at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Mass. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm.
The Lusitanos, who went unbeaten (6-0-4, 22 points) during the fall 2014 season, enter the match hoping to continue that success during the spring. But in order to do, they’ll face a revamped Oceaneers (2-3-3, 9 points) side that added former MLS players Ryan Maduro and Andrew Sousa during the offseason.
“Rhode Island is a tough team with good players,” said Western Mass Pro Soccer head coach Federico Molinari in a club release on Thursday. “They have a dynamic midfield that features players with MLS experience.”
To get on the board, the Lusitanos may have to get past a familiar face. Former Western Mass goalkeeper Donato Piroscafo joined the Oceaneers on a transfer during the offseason.
For the Oceaneers, there’s little doubt that Maduro and Sousa will be counted to steer the attack. The duo brings much-needed experience and savvy to a squad that was short on both during the fall season.
The last time the squads faced off, Western Mass grabbed a 2-0 win on Sept. 27, 2014 at Lusitano Stadium on the back of a Maxi Vieira brace.
Saturday’s contest will be the first of two games between the Lusitanos and O’s this spring. They’ll meet again on May 31 at Lusitano Stadium.
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