Western Mass Kicks Off Season With Visit Rhode Island Oceaneers
Western Mass Pro Soccer Club kicks off the 2014-2015 spring season this Saturday, April 11 when they visit the Rhode Island Oceaneers. Rhode Island will be playing this game at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Massachusetts.
“Rhode Island is a tough team with good players” commented Western Mass Pro Soccer head coach Federico Molinari. “They have a dynamic midfield that features players with MLS experience.” Oceaneers players Andrew Sousa played for the New England Revolution, and Ryan Maduro used to suit up for the New York Red Bulls.
In the fall season Western Mass swept Rhode Island, beating them both times with a 2-0 score. Rhode Island might also be starting ex Western Mass backup goal keeper Donato Piroscafo, who was a winter transfer going to the Oceaneers.
Western Mass plays one more game after this on the road, and will have their home opener Saturday May 2, 7:30 PM versus Mass United at Lusitano Stadium. Mass United and Western Mass tied both games they played in the fall part of the season.
Western Mass was founded in 1997 and started playing in 1998. In 1999, the second year of the franchise, they won the USL D-3 Pro League championship. In 2005 they reigned as the regular season champions, were USL Second Division finalists, and hosted the National Championship match. In 2010 they joined the PDL, to focus on developing future professional soccer players. In 2014, the system added a professional franchise, the Western Mass Professional Soccer Club, to the American Soccer League (ASL) competing in Region 1. The Western Mass Professional Soccer Club also operates numerous youth camps throughout western Massachusetts.
Photo Credit: David Henry/sweetdogphotos.com
