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Rebekah Splaine (9) and Boston Aztec got off to a winning start to its WPSL campaign Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Boston Aztec) |
The game - scheduled for 7 p.m. at Amesbury Sports Park - pits the second-place team in WPS against one of its affiliate teams in the region (the Breakers take on another of those teams, SoccerPlus CT Reds, Monday in Connecticut).
The relationship between the two teams allows the squads to share players, both for training and games. The Breakers� four developmental players - forward Abby Crumpton, midfielder Maggie Tomecka, defender Ariel Harris and keeper Ashley Phillips - all played for Aztec in its 4-0 season-opening win over New York Athletic Club Saturday. Harris scored one of the goals.
Aztec player/coach Rebekah Splaine, who played for the Breakers in WUSA, said Tuesday her players are geared up for tonight�s match in hopes of impressing Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco and his staff.
�The focus has really been on Thursday�s game, even since Saturday�s game ended,� said Splaine, who won�t be able to play due to a scheduling conflict. �We�re up for it. I think [the Breakers] are going to be surprised at how hard they come out.�
Also scoring for Aztec against New York striker Sophia Mundy and midfielder (and former Breaker) Mary-Frances Monroe. Both players have trained regularly with the Breakers this season and, theoretically, could be asked to join the team should injuries or other personnel shortcomings arise.
�I think the general mentality (for tonight�s game) is to have a good showing,� Mundy said Tuesday. �Tony DiCicco will be there and all the girls want to play well�It will be a great test for us.�
Mundy is no stranger to high-level soccer. After a standout college career at Portland State and the University of Houston, the Katy, Texas native played professionally in Iceland the last two years. Playing for Reykjavik-based Valur FC in 2008, Mundy competed in the UEFA Women�s Cup, the women�s version of the Champions League. In that tournament, Valur went up against Swedish giant Umea IK, who were led by three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta.
Back in the States, Mundy�s goal is to play in WPS. With the Breakers generally practicing every morning Tuesday through Saturday and Aztec training Monday and Wednesday nights, playing for both can lead to a hectic, draining schedule.
�It�s worth it when you get to have this opportunity,� Mundy said. �I have no problem doing it.�
Going up against the likes of Kelly Smith and Kristine Lilly on a daily basis has only made her game better, Mundy says.
�My whole goal is to vie for a spot on the team; that�s what I�ve been working toward in training with them,� Mundy said. �It�s just quality soccer all the time, and you have to bring you�re �A� game everyday. You read the game better and you become a better soccer player for it.�
From the Aztec perspective, Splaine said it has been a challenge to incorporate the Breaker players into her team�s game plan when they have not been training regularly with the squad.
�It�s hard to tactically compose our team, that�s really the only difficulty,� she said. �But they�re good enough players that they learn exceptionally quickly.�
Splaine believes the relationship between the two teams is having a positive impact off the field, as well. Having that affiliation directly exposes the Breakers to a loyal Aztec fan base, she said, as well as giving Aztec�s youth players another group of role models to look up to.
�They can�t go wrong doing that, associating themselves with successful, well-known local teams,� Splaine said. �I think it�s phenomenal� It makes [WPS] more accessible. You get immediate support.�
Mark Goodman can be reached at newsdesk@soccernewengland.com.
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