Albion SC PROS Return to the Pitch
San Diego’s NPSL club is preparing for its return to the pitch with the 2017 kickoff just around the corner. Albion SC PROS will compete in its second campaign in the NPSL as the team welcomes back its core players from season that led the club during a deep playoff run.
NPSL Soccer News: Albion SC PROS will be returning to the pitch as its preseason schedule was released in the past week.
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) club returns with its core group of players that went undefeated and took the club to the NPSL West Region Finals during the 2016 campaign.
Albion will open up its first match of its 2017 preseason schedule versus East Bay Stompers (NPSL) on Saturday, February 11th. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PT.
The PROS will follow up against Phoenix Rising FC of the United Soccer League on Saturday, February 25th at 7:30 p.m. PT.
The club’s opening match of the 2017 regular season will be held on Saturday, March 11th versus Oxnard Guerreros FC who are preparing for its first season in the NPSL. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PT.
All listed matches will be played at Mission Bay Stadium.
SoccerToday’s Diane Scavuzzo spoke briefly with head coach Ziggy Korytoski on the upcoming season and the perks of coaching at the NPSL level.
Diane Scavuzzo: As you enter the second season, are you doing anything differently?
Ziggy Korytoski: Nothing different. The way that we create our culture and base it around Accountability, Preparation, Execution and Consistency will never change. But I believe the foundation and quality of the player pool we are starting with this season is much greater. We have high expectations for the season and are looking to make a statement in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. It’s an exciting time to be an Albion PRO Supporter!
Diane Scavuzzo: How would you describe your style of play?
Ziggy Korytoski: I would say that we are a possession oriented team that looks to entertain. What I like about our group this year is that I believe that we are more dynamic in our attacking positions and more athletic in our defensive core of players.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who do you see as your biggest competition in our area – and on a national level?
Ziggy Korytoski: Competitively speaking, we are always looking to compete against the Albion Standard. We have a brand, a style and an expectation that we look to achieve every time out, regardless of the opponent.
While some matchups are more difficult than others, we feel that there is a target on our back and that every time we take the field we expect our opponents A-Game. Right now, we know that we are the team to beat.
Diane Scavuzzo: Last year you had a very comprehensive training program. Are you doing something similar this year with your players? Can you tell us a little bit about their regiment?
Ziggy Korytoski: The training program is very similar to what we did last year… we are training 4-5 days a week with a game on the weekend.
Trainings are in the mornings and players are adjusting their personal commitments to be a part of the Albion PROS. We incorporate video and also have a relationship with UFC Gym that works out the players 2-3 days per week in the early afternoon.
We have put together a reserve team this year, the Albion PROS 2 (AP2), and they will be playing a number of games while training 2-3 days per week.
This past season we had had a number of players succeed and were offered contracts in leagues such as LaLiga, the NASL and USL. We are all about player development and opportunity. Players are coming to us because they know they will improve, succeed and be given opportunity at the next level.
Diane Scavuzzo: What do you like about coaching a NPSL team?
Ziggy Korytoski: I enjoy the people that I am with. Noah Gins, my staff, the front office, the players, the youth program and the community.
I couldn’t be more proud of the people that make the Albion Pros environment what it is.
The NPSL is a good level of play, but at Albion, the level of commitment and execution is why I am both happy and successful.
Regardless of the league one competes, professionalism can only be achieved based on a vision of excellence.
We have it. We strive to get better everyday.
And, because of our vision, our preparation and our execution — I would put our organization in the top echelon of clubs in the US – at any level.
Next Up: The PROS take on the USL’s Phoenix Rising FC this Saturday, February 25th at 7:30 p.m. PT. at Mission Bay High School in San Diego, CA.
