Phantoms Kick Off Saturday

New Hampshire Opens PDL Against Long Island

May 2, 2008

The New Hampshire Phantoms kick off their 13th season in United Soccer Leagues (USL) and first in the Premier Development Division (PDL) this Saturday when they take on the Long Island Rough Riders at 7:30 p.m. at Manchester Memorial High School.

The locals realigned to the PDL this offseason after a franchise-worst 3-12-5 record last season. The new alignment also allows the club the opportunity to tap into more local talent from the area colleges, as well as their own youth players.

Some of the local talent includes former high school All-American AJ DuBois from UNH. Dubois is the third high school All-American and Gatorade player of the year from The Granite State to play for the Phantoms (others were Tom Wicker and James DeDeus both from Londonderry HS).

“This league allows us to blend youth and experience together with local players and others to provide a high energy type game,” said new GM Jim DeDeus. “Our soccer should be fast and attacking and goals and skill will be a plenty."

Other local players include Patrick White Amherst, Enilson Moncao Nashua, Nick Todesca Salem, Brendon Joseph Bedford and Zack Simmons Durham. There will be players from Southern New Hampshire, UNH, Dartmouth as well as other colleges in the area. The roster will include numerous players who have played through the Phantoms youth system and as many as 11 such players could be involved on Saturday night.

Matt Delaney (Liverpool; England), Kevin Woods (Aberdeen; Scotland), Marc Djessouho (Benin; Africa) and Richard Kentish (Jamaica) will add a foreign flavor while experience will be provided by national team players, Phantoms veteran Romelle Burgess/Barbados and newcomer Henry Braunner/Phillipines.

“This league allows us to blend youth and experience together with local players and others to provide a high energy type game,” said new GM Jim DeDeus. “Our soccer should be fast and attacking and goals and skill will be a plenty."

DeDeus along with the familiar names of Suleyman Doenmez and Manny Brito make up the coaching staff.

The Rough Riders, the Phantoms’ opponent in the season opener, realigned to this division last season and will also be playing their first game of this year.

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