Wednesday, April 18, 2007

TAMPA, FL -- The youngest always gets to go first. That being said, it is only fitting that United Soccer Leagues Second Division, embarking on season 12 this weekend, will open with Crystal Palace Baltimore traveling south to face Charlotte, a USL Second Division finalist in 2006. Meanwhile the Richmond Kickers begin defense of their league title against Cincinnati and Harrisburg hosts Wilmington.

The narrative of this match rests with Crystal Palace, the initial USL Second Division team stemming from an interest in American talent from abroad. The connection established between European soccer and USL is now a two way street: what young Football League Championship talent will be dispatched to Baltimore and what talent exclusive to the USL Second Division may become an export?

“The mission of the Crystal Palace USA project was to create an atmosphere of player movement in both directions,” said CP USA Sporting Director and Head Coach Jim Cherneski. “The ancillary benefits of bringing a team into United Soccer Leagues Second Division are that first team players from Europe, who otherwise might not get enough action, have a competitive place to gain some experience. Another advantage is that a player, who has preformed exceptionally well here, now has the opportunity to move up and prove themselves with the first team.”

The first prominent import from Crystal Palace, Lewwis Spence (pictured), is a sizeable addition.

“Lewwis comes in having just netted a game-winner over Leeds United in front of about 30,000 people in Football League Championship,” said Cherneski. “Guys like him will really bolster our midfield.”   

A second introduction comes in the form of striker Charlie Sheringham. Sheringham has enjoyed stints at Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town before making an impression at Crystal Palace.

“Spence and Sheringham are two young guys who need a little more experience to prosper,” said Cherneski. “They are perfect for the USL Second Division.

Read more on loan >>                Read more on   Spence >>    Sheringham >>

“We still have some fine tuning to do in terms of coming together as a team,” added Cherneski. “We have players from all over the world trying to get on the same page. The core of our team is based on assets already in place in America but as we mix in players from abroad we hope to bring together a team who plays a very well organized, European style of soccer.”

The match kicks off at 7:00 PM on Friday, April 20 from Charlotte’s Waddell Stadium.

Action continues the following day, Saturday April 21, when the defending USL Second Division Champions host the Cincinnati Kings at 7:00 PM in the University of Richmond Stadium.

“We actually lost this game to open last season,” said Richmond Kickers Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw. “It served as a bit of a wake-up call for us but we were able to take a step back having the next two weeks off after our season opener. This season we do not have that luxury. We have to prepare for New Hampshire on the 28th but we are also much more organized and prepared this time around. Hopefully, there will be no reason for excuses.”

A deterrent to excuses this season for Richmond will be the return of 2006 USL Second Division MVP Robert Ssejjemba and several other members of last season’s squad.

“Ssejjemba is definitely one piece of the puzzle,” said Cowlishaw. “We were lucky enough to have retained the majority of our guys and despite missing three players from last season’s team I believe we are stronger now. We also understand the league is getting more and more competitive. We are constantly looking for ways to improve because as the defending champs, teams will be looking to come after us this year.”

The number one contender last season was the Charlotte Eagles who finished a close second, a 2-1 season finale loss to the Kickers for the USL Second Division Championship.

“Charlotte is a friendly rivalry for us,” said Cowlishaw. “They are a very physical and competitive team. Last year we were lucky enough to go undefeated against them but that is going to be difficult to replicate again. They have high expectations going into this season, as do we. They will be looking to get back on top this season.”

USL-2 Opening Weekend

Friday, April 20:   Crystal Palace Baltimore @ Charlotte Eagles 7:00 pm ET

Saturday, April 21:   Cincinnati Kings @ Richmond Kickers 7:00 pm ET

Saturday, April 21:   Wilmington Hammerheads @ Harrisburg City Islanders 7:05 pm ET