Mutiny, Reds Ready to Meet Again

Two of WPSL's Best Square Off Tonight

May 22, 2009

When the New England Mutiny and SoccerPlus CT Reds take the field in New Britain, Conn. tonight, their rosters will be significantly different than the last time they met in July.

Nine players from the Mutiny and Reds were claimed by the professional ranks in the off-season. The players may be different, but the rivalry stays the same. In 2008, the Reds bested the Mutiny in both regular season matches, but the third time was the charm for New England as it defeated SoccerPlus CT, 1-0, in the East playoffs for rite of passage to the WPSL National Final Four.

Two key components of that victory, Erin Clark and Jenny Maurer, return for the Mutiny. Maurer dominated the midfield that day as she did in the first match of the 2009 season last Saturday night, earning Defensive Player of the Game from her midfield position and assisting on a goal for the offense.

The lone goal in the East Championship match was registered by Clark and she has picked up right where she left off with a hat trick in Saturday's win.

English Premier League veteran Chris Bart-Williams takes over the reigns at SoccerPlus CT from World Cup champion head coach Tony DiCicco. DiCicco, along with Reds assistant Lisa Cole, are now coaching the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer.

After tonight - Connecticut�s season-opener - the Reds will host the Breakers Monday in a friendly.

The Mutiny is coming off an opening night victory over the Maine Tide 4-0 in front of a packed house at Northampton High School. A younger and more dynamic group, the Mutiny clicked on all cylinders in its first test. The Tide, predicted to finish near the bottom of the conference table this season, posed little threat to the Mutiny. The next three opponents for New England (SoccerPlus, Long Island Fury and Lancaster Inferno) were all playoff teams a year ago and that will prove a better barometer of what to expect from the rebuilt champions.

Kickoff tonight is at 6:30 at Willow Brook Park in New Britain, Conn.

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