OPPONENT: Connecticut Wolves
RECORD: 0-3-1, 1 pts
VENUE: Douglas Stadium, Mesa College
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 13, 7:35 p.m. PT
FORECAST: Cloudy and 63 degrees
HEAD COACH: Daniel Gaspar
HISTORY: 1st ever meeting
KEY PLAYERS: G- David Winner, M- Pedro-Paulo Oliveira, F-Dan Rudolph
SAN DIEGO (Friday, May 12, 2000 - MP5) - The Back-to-Back Pacific Division champion San Diego Flash meets the Eastern Conference's Connecticut Wolves Saturday, 7:35 p.m. at San Diego Mesa College's Douglas Stadium. San Diego is looking to rebound after last week's 3-2 loss to the defending League champion Minnesota Thunder.
The Flash (3-2-0, 13), who are in second place in the Pacific Division behind Orange County (4-4-0, 17), has scored nine goals in its five matches, but the concern is with the defense. The backline unit has allowed seven goals and has recorded only one shutout this season. In 1999, San Diego blanked opponents eight times. Goalkeeper Tom Tate, who is expected to start, earned a shutout in his last performance against Orange County.
In last week's loss to Minnesota, forward Mark Baena scored two goals and now leads the team and league in scoring with nine points. Carlos Farias also earned his first assist of the season. This season, the Flash has had tremendous opportunity for a strong start with the first 7 out of 8 games played at home. Coach Colin Clarke remarked, "We need to take full advantage of playing the next three matches at home." So far the Flash is 3-2-0, with both of the losses occurring at home.
The Connecticut Wolves, who begin the season with a 6-game road trip, are 0-3-1, but possess the talent to give San Diego its first ever three-game home-losing streak. Both Pedro-Paulo Oliveira and Dan Rudolph have tallied one goal each this season and lead the team in goals. Forward Kevin Wilson has also played solidly with one assist and 13 shots on goal in four games. And watch out for M-Fernando Fernandes who has tallied 17 fouls so far this season. Former Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper David Winner comes to the match with a 1.18 GAA.
-Lauren Fimbres
Tickets are available through Sportix.net at 858/499-0123 or the Flash Soccer House.
-www.sdflash.com-
