Hotspur fall 3-1 to D.C. United U-23 Squad

Fredericksburg shows well against D.C. U23s

By Scott Wyant
For Fredericksburg Hotspur: www.fasahotspur.com


FREDERICKSBURG, Va.—In anything, a year can make quite a difference. For the Fredericksburg Hotspur that may just be an understatement.

On Wednesday night, the Hotspur matched up with Major League Soccer legend Jamie Moreno’s D.C. United Under-23 team, falling 3-1 at the University of Mary Washington’s Battleground soccer stadium. A year ago, Moreno’s team handled the Fredericksburg team 8-1, with the Hotspur scoring their only goal in the 88th minute.

This season, the Hotspur sit in second place of the Premier Development League’s South Atlantic Division. The improvement made in a year was evident very early in the game Wednesday evening.

In the sixth minute, midfielder Ryan Sappington lined up for a free kick with the idea of just getting it into the box.

“I just wanted to put it in space that could give the other guys a chance to put it in,” Sappington said. “We got Dale [Robins-Bailey], we got Grant [Silvester] and some big guys in there [to head it on goal].”

Fortunately for Gene Daniels, Sappington’s placement was a little off and his idea didn’t come to fruition. As the ball fell to his feet, the smaller forward was able to slam it home giving the home team the early 1-0 lead.

“It was just a little bit of luck actually; the ball came through two of their defenders and I didn’t really think I had a play on it,” said Daniels. “When you’re inside the 18 you always have to have the mindset that something could go wrong and the ball could come down to you. Lucky it came through two of their bigger guys and it came down to my feet and I put it away.”

For the most part, Daniels has played a reserve role for the Hotspur, but as the season progresses opportunities for him to perform are increasing.

“It’s a huge opportunity for me, regardless of the way it comes,” said Daniels. “I’ve been given an opportunity here and my mentally is just to make the most of it.”

Newly appointed Hotspur coach Jason Kilby has a great opportunity as well, taking over for a team that is 5-2-2 in PDL play on the year. Though Kilby believes taking over mid-season may be difficult.
“It’s not easy, but I enjoy the challenge,” Kilby said.

The rest of Kilby’s night was a challenge with D.C. United’s pace causing problems the entire night.

That speed would crack the Hotspur defensive line in the 40th minute as a breakdown in communication led to goal from Uwem Etuk.

“I was just staying out wide, Etuk said. “Jamie gives the freedom to go after the defender anytime I get the ball. So, I feel comfortable in that position, getting the ball and going at the defender every time.”

United would score once more before half, taking a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
The speed of D.C. United haunted the Hotspur a year ago when it scored five of its eight goals in the second half. This time, the defense of Fredericksburg was up to the task holding its opponents to just one goal after the intermission, and included a penalty kick save from second-half goalie Colin Newcity.

Now, the Hotspur will place all their focus on their match-up with the Real Maryland Monarchs on Friday.

“That game Friday is huge for us to try to get us back on a winning streak that we can try to carry in to the rest of the season,” Daniels said.

As Sappington put it, Friday is an opportunity to get things rolling again.

“It’s a chance to start the season fresh and build it from here. It’s a new season so we’re gonna see what happens.”

BOX SCORE
D.C. United U23:    2    -    1    -    3
Fredericksburg:        1    -    0    -    1

Scoring Summary:
FRED:  Gene Daniels (Ryan Sappington) 6
DCU:  Uwem Etuk (Rudy Tyler) 40
DCU: Franck Rayou 44
DCU: Mladen Lemez (Liam Collins) 79

Statistics:
Shots:  DCU: 12 (Schillo Tshuma, Franck Tayou, Chris Hegngi 2). FRED: 7 (Gene Daniels 3).
Saves:  DCU: Daniel Withrow (1), Jon Dawson (1). FRED: Ryan Taylor (4), Colin Newcite (3).
Corners:  DCU: 6. FRED: 2.
Fouls:  DCU: 11. FRED: 8.
Offsides:  DCU: 2. FRED: 3.

Hotspur Recap, Weekend matches vs Royals and Piranhas

Hotspur vs Royals

Fredericksburg drop pair of games over weekend

By Tom Leiss
For Fredericksburg Hotspur: www.fasahotspur.com


FREDERICKSBURG, Va.—The Fredericksburg Hotspur Premier Development League team got off to a quick start this season, going undefeated in the team’s first seven games.

Unfortunately, the side has hit a dry spell that resulted in the team’s first two loses of the season over the weekend. On Sunday, Fredericksburg fell 1-0 to the Northern Virginia Royals at the University of Mary Washington. That followed a 3-1 setback against the Virginia Beach Piranhas the day before at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.

The Hotspur (5-2-2) created an abundance of chances both days, but were unable to get the key goal when needed as they came away with their first two loses of the season.

“I think we are playing well; we have the chances, we just can’t finish now,” Fredericksburg captain Karel Manrau said after Sunday’s game. “So, I think it’s a matter of going back to practice and doing some finishing this week.

“I’m not worried in the sense of we are putting the effort into the game. You can have like 90 percent of the possession; you can have like 50 shots on goal; at the end, you just have to have one goal more than the opponent. So, there’s not a lot of mystery about why we don’t perform lately, we just need to score goals. I’m confident we can come back.”

Coach Keith Marine echoed Manrau’s thoughts and added that the rigors of the seasons may also have caught up with the team a bit. The team only had three field players available as substitutes for Sunday’s game due to injuries and players that were unable to be at the game due to prior commitments.

“We’re playing great soccer, we’re just not finishing,” Marine said. “Sometimes you go through a stretch like that where the goal seems like it’s a Pug goal—2-feet wide, 2-feet tall—and you try too hard and eventually it just comes. Then the goals come a little easier and then you don’t think about it so much, but now it’s on our minds.”

NORTHERN VIRGINIA AT FREDERICKSBURG
Sunday’s game against Fredericksburg’s northern Virginia rivals started out well for the Hotspur. The home side linked together some good passing plays offensively and the defense held firm, allowing only a couple long shots from the Royals.

Despite Fredericksburg controlling possession early, it was Northern Virginia (3-3-2) that would break through first.

In the 33rd minute, A.J. Sheta sent a pass through the right side of the defense to Seth Rudolph. The forward took a touch before slipping a shot past Hotspur goalie Colin Newcity to give the Royals a 1-0 advantage.

Northern Virginia would create the best chances the rest of the half, but the Hotspurs were up to the task. Manrau slide at the last second to block another opportunity in the 37th minute and Newcity came up with a huge point-blank save in added time to keep the Fredericksburg within one at the half.

The Royals’ best opportunity to double their lead after the intermission came only 90 seconds after the restart. Speedy forward Stan Kaweesi broke in free, but was once again denied by a last-second slide tackle from Manrau.

Later, Fredericksburg’s Tishan Hanley got off a 10-yard shot that was saved in the 51st minute and substitute Demar Stephenson continually created havoc for the Royals’ defense.

The Hotspur looked to have leveled the match in the 77th minute when fellow substitute Gene Daniels flicked a nifty pass to Todd Wharton. The midfielder put the ball past Northern Virginia goalie Joel Helmick and into the net, but it was all for naught as the play was waived off due to an offside call by the assistant referee.

Wharton had one last chance in the 80th minute, but tired legs after two hard-fought games in 24 hours took over and his 15-yard shot sailed over the crossbar and the Royals were able to hold on for the win.

Manrau said the losses are tough, but that he thinks the team will be able to recover.

“We’re trying not to panic, trying to come back at the beginning of the week working hard, practicing hard and it’s going to come back” the defender said. “We know we are good enough to be a top team in this division.

“I think if you never have to fight during a season, the first time you’re in trouble, you don’t really know how to react. So, I think it’s good to experience—also the fact that we have a lot of young players; it’s different to experience being in a more negative situation. We’re going to get better after that and going to trust our kids to play hard and win the next game.”

FREDERICKSBURG AT VIRGINIA BEACH
On Saturday, Fredericksburg’s possession game was running on all cylinders and the Hotspur looked dangerous the entire game.

However, outshooting and out-possessing a team doesn’t always earn you a win. The Piranhas (2-6-2) were outshot 16-5 by their guests, but took better advantage of their opportunities to get a victory on their home field.

In the 31st minute, Earl Floyd got around Manrau, who had slipped on the Sportsplex’s turf field. The forward then crossed a ball in front that Jerjer Gibson headed home before Hotspur goalie Ryan Taylor could corral it.

Fredericksburg was not deterred and continued to create chances, the best of which came in the 43rd minute when defender Nick Rich rang a 22-yard free kick off the left post.

The Piranhas doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time. Floyd cut across the top of the goal area from the left and slipped a pass to the right where Devin Pierce one-timed a shot past Taylor to make it 2-0 at the break.

Fredericksburg’s Ryan Sappington said if the missed opportunities had gone the other way; it could have gone a long toward changing how the game played out.

“It’s unfortunate, but it would have been a completely different game,” Sappington said. “ We’ve gotta jump on teams early and when we get the chances, we’ve got to put them away because once we get down we put ourselves in bad spots, we put ourselves in a hole that we have to dig out of.”

Fredericksburg came out pressing after the intermission, and putting more of its shots on target than in the opening 45 minutes. But Virginia Beach goalie Tyler Benham repeatedly came up with big saves to keep them off the scoreboard.

However, Sappington’s hustling play finally paid off for the Hotspur in the 68th minute.

The midfielder ripped a close-range shot from the left that Benham dived to block once again. But Sappington outworked everybody to get to the rebound first and put it away at the right post to bring Fredericksburg within 2-1.

Marine said the play was just a typical example of how Sappington has played all season.

“Ryan always plays with energy. He’s always a positive influence on the other players,” Marine said. “You always know what you’re going to get with Ryan Sappington; you don’t have to worry about that.”

Two minutes later, Hanley broke in free behind the Virginia Beach defense and was taken down in the penalty area by a late slide tackle from a Piranhas’ defender. But instead of awarding a penalty kick opportunity that could have tied the game, the referee showed the Hotspur forward a yellow card for diving.

Marine said the controversial call was a major factor in the final outcome of the game.

“I totally disagree with the yellow card on Tishan,” the coach said. “I think that was a big change in momentum of the game. If that’s a PK instead of a yellow card on a flop, it totally changes it because after that Tishan changed. His game was different.”

Minutes later, Virginia Beach retook its two-goal advantage. After a miscommunication between Taylor and one of his defenders, Gibson raced in and put the loose ball away giving the Piranhas a 3-1 lead with 14 minutes to play.

The Hotspur continued to press, but were continually unable to capitalize, often being denied by Benham (seven saves) as Virginia Beach held on for the win.

Marine said he thought his team outplayed the Piranhas, but that’s not always the deciding factor in a game.

“I just felt we played a really good game and the game can be cruel sometimes and unfortunately we were on one of those today,” he said. “We deserved that victory … we deserved those three points by the way we played.”

Sappington was thinking along the same lines and added: “We just had a few mental lapses that led the breakdowns and goals. I just think it wasn’t our night. We’ve been undefeated up till this, but every team has setbacks and it’s going to be important to see how we bounce back.”

Fredericksburg is back in action on Wednesday with an exhibition game against the D.C. United U-23 team, at 6 p.m., at UMW. The Hotspur return to PDL play on Friday when they host the Real Maryland Monarchs (4-3-2) in a key South Atlantic Division showdown at 6 p.m.

Hotspur Win Season Opener against Royals

Fredericksburg Hotspur hold on for season-opening win


By Tom Leiss


FAIRFAX, Va.—The Fredericksburg Hotspur opened their 2012 Premier Development League season with a 3-2 win against the Northern Virginia Royals on Sunday at Fairfax High School.

Fredericksburg (1-0) jumped on top early with a goal in the fourth minute and built its advantage to 3-0 by the 51st minute, before having to fight to hang on for the victory in the closing minutes.

Hotspur coach Grover Gibson said overall the result was good for the first game, but that there were many things—good and bad—from the match that the team can build on going forward.

“It took [us] about 10 or 15 minutes to get into the game and then I think we found our feet and did well,” Gibson said. “And then there was a time at about the 75th minute where we swam a little bit. But otherwise I’m pleased.

“I think if you take the positives that you need to make it a learning experience and they realize that we need to finish our chances and we need to play to zero … If they take those points and learn from them then it’ll be a perfect experience. … We won. We got three points. … And then take some of the negatives and build off of those and then it’ll be exactly what we needed.”

The Hotspur took a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute when defender Dale Robins-Bailey (James Madison University) redirected a corner kick from Don Smart into the Royals’ net from close range.

After the early goal, Fredericksburg countered Northern Virginia’s high pressure strategy with a possession game that eventually allowed them to slow the action down at times and look for openings in the Royals’ defense.

During that stretch, the Royals (0-1) looked to turn turnovers into counterattacks as they tried to level the score. However, they were continually thwarted by a Hotspur defense that was led by a strong performance from Grant Silvester (University of Virginia).

Fredericksburg was able to extend its advantage with five minutes left in the opening half on a quick counterattack of its own.

Tishan Hanley took the ball over in the midfield before feeding Smart on the left side of the box. Smart took a couple touches before calmly finishing past Royals’ goalie Joel Helmick, allowing the Hotspur to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission.

Smart caused trouble for the Royals’ all game with his darting runs through their defense and later nearly added another scored with a long-range blast that ricocheted off the crossbar.

“I think Don was virtually man of the match,” Gibson said. “He was always looking for the goal. He was always quick. He was fast. He was working behind the ball. He was a complete player for us.”

The guests quickly extended their advantage to 3-0 six minutes after the restart.

Josh West (College of William & Mary) tossed a quick throw in near midfield over the high-pressing Northern Virginia defense to and onrushing Hanley. The St. Kitts and Nevis international then buried a shot from the right side of the box into the left side panel of the Royals’ goal for the three-goal cushion.

Despite the Hotspur building what seemed like a comfortable lead, Northern Virginia did not let up on its high-pressing tactic and it eventually paid dividends.

Eight minutes after Hanley’s tally, Mitchell got behind the Fredericksburg defense and fired a shot that beat Hotspur goalie Colin Newcity (James Madison University), but caromed off the crossbar.

In the 66th minute, Northern Virginia was finally able to brake through the Hotspur defense. After earning a free kick from about 25 yards out, A.J. Sheta buried a shot into the upper right corner to cut the Fredericksburg advantage to 3-1.

The Royals then cut their deficit to one goal in the 81st minute when they were awarded a penalty kick. Despite Newcity getting a piece of the shot, Mo Hughes converted the spot kick to make the score 3-2.

From there, Fredericksburg battled to hold to onto its advantage and escaped with a 3-2 victory, giving Gibson a win in his head coaching debut.

Despite the scare in the closing minutes, Smart was pleased with the team’s performance.

“We had a three goal lead so we kind of laid back a bit, but we finally got the job done toward the end of the game,” he said. “We held out and everybody worked hard the same way.”

The Hotspur hope to carry the momentum built from the win into Saturday’s home opener. Fredericksburg will host the Virginia Beach Piranhas, at 5:30 p.m., at the University of Mary Washington, as the second part of a doubleheader. To open the day’s action, the W-League Fredericksburg Impact will take on the Northern Virginia Majestics at 2 p.m. Admission is free to both games.

Hotspur add Five from VCU to PDL Roster

Fredericksburg, Va.— The Fredericksburg Hotspur are pleased to announce the signing of five players from Virginia Commonwealth University to its Premier Development League roster.

Rams juniors Romena Bowie and Nate Shiffman, along with sophomores Mario Herrera Meraz and Assane Keita and freshman Dennis Castillo, are the first college players to officially join the Hotspur for the 2012 season.  Bowie, Shiffman, and Meraz will occupy midfield positions, while Castillo and Keita will play critical roles in defense.

The Hotspur have already added former professional players Evans Wise, a Trinidad and Tobago international, and Grover Gibson, who played 14 years in Germany and will also serve as an assistant coach.

“I’m extremely excited to have them here. I’ve been searching for quality players and I was very fortunate to run into the VCU program,” Gibson said.

 Shiffman said their experience together with VCU will help the Hotspur team mesh well together more quickly.

“It’s going to be easy for us to play together and bring that chemistry onto this team,” Shiffman said. "The level of play will be very high with the other really talented players we already have.”

“That's the biggest reason I came here... to get better and to win,” said Castillo.
Gibson added that their familiarity with each other and the environment that the Hotspur program will provide should give the team an advantage over some of the other teams they will face.

“I think that should be very clutch to our program,” he said.

Fredericksburg is set to open its season on Sunday, May 13, at 5 p.m., when it visits the Northern Virginia Royals at Fairfax High School. The Hotspur will open their home campaign on Saturday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m., against the Virginia Beach Piranhas at the University of Mary Washington.

Hotspur Announce Final Open Tryout Date

The Fredericksburg Hotspur have announced a final open tryout date for the club's USL PDL team for the 2012 season. The men's team will hold tryouts on Sunday, April 15th, from 12-2 p.m. at Patriot Park, located at:

5710 Smith Station Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407

There will be a $25 tryout fee per player. Registration and payment must be received by noon on the day of the tryout. Any player making the squad will be reimbursed their $25 fee. 

According to the United Soccer Leagues guidelines, USL rosters may consist of a maximum of 26 players, with 18 designated for each game. PDL teams are permitted a maximum of eight foreign players per roster.
All players trying out for the Hotspur squad must present a valid ID. Players are encouraged to bring water and be ready to take the field at the exact start time of tryouts.

For more information visit the web site at http://www.fasasoccer.org/

Hotspur sign former German Professional Gibson

(Fredericksburg, Va. March 26th, 2012) - The Fredericksburg Hotspur are pleased to announce the signing of Grover Gibson as a player and Assistant Coach for the 2012 season.  Gibson played professionally in Germany beginning in 1996 for VFB Stuttgart U-18 Bundesliga after leaving high school, then on to other well-known German clubs such as SC Preussen Muenster, FC Augsburg, SV Elversbrg, and FC Mainz.  Gibson's last club was Rot-Weiss Ahlen, in Bundesliga 2, from 2006-2009, where he made 30 appearance and scored 6 goals.  Gibson's professional career ended in 2009 due to a fractured eye socket.

In total, Gibson played in 225 professional matches, and scored 18 goals.

"I'm extremely pleased to have the opportunity to play right here in the town where I grew up," said Gibson.  "I strive and hope to help create a professional environment and atmosphere with the Hotspur."

Gibson is the second major player signing with the Hotspur in as many weeks, as he joins former Trinidad and Tobago international Evans Wise on the club's roster.


Grover Gibson, Fredericksburg Hotspur


"Grover is really going to help us in the 2012 season," said Hotspur Head Coach Carl Gray.  "He has played at the highest levels in Germany for more than 10 years, and his experience and skill are going to help us both on and off the field.  The younger guys on the squad are going to learn a lot from he and Evans Wise this year."

The club will officially introduce Gibson on Monday, March 26th, at 7 o'clock at the Hotspur offices in the Fredericksburg Field House.  All are welcome to attend.

The Hotspur kick off their season on May 13th at the Northern Virginina Royals.

The team's first home game will be Saturday, May 19th, at the University of Mary Washington, as part of a doubleheader with the W-League's Fredericksburg Impact.  

The top developmental men’s league in North America, the PDL features 73 teams within four conferences across the United States and Canada. The PDL season consists of 16 regular season matches for each team, eight home and eight away, and provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world.

World Cup and MLS Veteran Signed by Hotspur

Fredericksburg, Virginia - The Fredericksburg Hotspur have announced the signing of former Trinidad and Tobago international star Evans Wise to their 2012 Premier Development League (PDL) roster.  Wise played in the 2006 World Cup, appearing in games against England and Paraguay.  Wise is also a veteran of Major League Soccer (MLS), where he played for the Tampa Bay Mutiny and New England Revolution.  His most recent club was for Waldohf Mannheim in Germany.


Evans Wise, new Fredericksburg Hotspur player

 The Hotspur will hold a press conference to introduce Wise at the Fredericksburg Field House on Friday, March 16th, at 3 pm in the Hotspur offices.

Carl Gray returns to lead Fredericksburg Hotspur

The Fredericksburg Hotspur of the USL's PDL have announced that head coach Carl Gray will be returning to lead the Hotspur for another season.

In the inaugural season for the Hotspur the club finished in last place of the South Atlantic Division with only 9 points a result of their 2-11-3 record. The club also conceded the most goals in the division, allowing 23 goals against.

2012 Fredericksburg Hotspur PDL Schedule

USL Soccer Release: Gray Returns To Coach Hotspur

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - Fredericksburg Hotspur has announced that Carl Gray will be returning for a second season as the team's head coach for the 2012 PDL campaign.

"I am excited to be a part of the 2012 Hotspur PDL team," said Gray, a veteran coach who has also played an important role in Virginia's Olympic Development Program for years. "We are in the process of putting together a team we think will contend for the South Atlantic division title."