PREVIEW: ALBION SC PROS (HOME) VS. OSA FC (AWAY)

Game Details: Saturday, July 16, 7:00 pm at Mission Bay HS in San Diego

Ticket Details: $10 adult, $3 kids, can be purchased online at ProSoccerSanDiego.com, albionscpros.com, or at the gate
Albion SC Pros
Albion, the Southwest Conference champions, had an incredible regular season that included an undefeated record (8-0-4) in their first year in the NPSL.  To put this into perspective, only three NPSL teams – out of a total of 82- still have an undefeated record at the moment.

Albion defeated SoCal SC 3-1 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw to advance to this stage of the playoffs.  It was a wild game, one marked by exceptional goalkeeping play and tough defense from the home side.

Veteran striker Matt Clare is an offensive juggernaut, leading the team with 11 goals and seven assists.  He has played for the likes of FC Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Norfolk SharX, Syracuse Silver Knights, Wichita Wings, Wichita B-52s, and the San Diego Sockers.

Their defense is led by captain Luke Staats, defender Ricky McKenzie, and goalkeeper Jean Antoine.  Staats, who has spent time at both center back and left back, started all 11 games that he played in.  McKenzie was also a dependable and consistent presence, making 10 starts.  Antoine has seven clean sheets in league play, finishing with an impressive .416 GAA.

Albion may be unbeatable if Antoine is able to repeat the performance he put in versus SoCal.    That performance included save after save and some clutch play in the PK shootout, easily one of the top goalkeeping performances of the season.

OSA FC

OSA FC (5-3-2) is coming off their second conference championship and will face the second place team from the Golden Gate Conference.  OSA is coming off a 3-2 playoff win over CD Aguiluchos USA.

The OSA attack starts with forward Steven Wright, who tallied five goals and two assists in the regular season.

Center back Eli Seye played in all ten games, anchoring the OSA backline.  Goalkeeper Keegen Rodgers had two clean sheets and a .800 GAA.  It is easy to see that the OSA defense is in good hands.