Addison Trail hosts Leyden
in big West Suburban Gold clash
By Mike Garofola
Coming off a stunning 1-0 victory over Lyons on March 27 that knocked the Lions from the top spot of the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, 17th-ranked Addison Trail (4-2-1) welcomes West Suburban Conference Gold Division rival and no. 18 Leyden to its home park at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Leyden (5-1-0) has started the season with a perfect 3-0-0 record in the division, while the Blazers' lone blemish in four league games came last week to perennial Class 3A state powerhouse Morton.
"Against Morton, it was 0-0 at the half. They scored two early goals in the second half. It forced us to push up our best defender (Angel Gomez) which left us scrambling at times in our end. The game got out of hand with a 4-1 final," said Blazers manager Ryan Dini.
"After we scored in the 12th minute against Lyons, we put most of our best players back and focused on limiting their opportunities," continued Dini, now in his ninth year in charge of the program.
"Lyon’s backline is big, strong and talented, so we thought it was best to play great team defense and to just secure our backline."
Dini felt the tactical approach decision he and his staff made to defend, limit chances on frame and manage the lead against the now second-ranked Lyons side was the best approach to secure victory.
Dini named David Peters, Alex Sandoval and the Gomez as players who have surprised the most in this abbreviated season.
"(Angel) Gomez is a senior who has been everywhere for us. He will do whatever it takes to help our team win. And as one of our captains, his leadership has been very impressive.
"He's been great at getting our junior class on board in a positive manner."
Sandoval, a junior, plays the no. 8 in the Blazers formation. The second-year varsity performer has become a key figure for Dini's club.
"Alex is a workhorse, who can play physical, is strong on the ball and has the ability to get the ball to our playmakers."
Peters, another junior, lines up as the Blazers center back. He uses his size and strength to win 50-50 chances while adding his long throw-ins as another weapon in the Addison Trail arsenal.
"David is so reliable, and vocal, and just a great first team guy."
Dini admits his lads struggled a bit in the early going. That’s to be expected with 12 new faces on the roster.
Dini expects Leyden to be fast and highly skilled on the ball. The description sounds a lot like his own club.
"Many of our players know (their) players, so this is definitely a big rivalry game for both programs,” he said. “We have the utmost respect for them and always look forward to this game on the calendar."
Leyden manager Mark Valintis echoes the statements from his counterpart when speaking of the Blazers.
"(They) will be talented, fast and play hard for the entire 80 minutes. They have a few guys who can really change the match in both their attack and defense," said Valintis.
“Ryan and his staff have really turned their program into a Top 20 team year in and year out. So, we expect an entertaining, exciting game."
Valintis' men, after a 4-0 loss to Lyons, have reeled off three-consecutive victories and outscored their opponents 13-0 in the run.
"The strength of our team thus far has been our backline of Matt Espinoza, Krystian Martinez, Edgar Orozco and Jesus Recendez,” Valintis said. “ (They've) helped us earn four shutouts and have conceded only once when together on the field."
Valintis feels junior Alan Jacinto is playing at an all-state level, while senior Pablo Mancha (six goals) has come into his own as an offensive threat.
"Alan is our center mid, just a complete two-way player with tremendous touch, great vision, and a player who is at higher level than anyone else,” he said. “Pablo does so much for us when were in possession. Guys are always looking for him when we attack."
In addition, Valintis has been thrilled with both Javier Solis, a sophomore, and senior Alan Vazquez. Each has stepped up to surprise in the first half of the season.
"Alan missed a couple of games due to injury, but he has lived up to his ‘Fox in the Box' nickname by scoring in all five games he's played in," said Valintis.
“Solis is extremely talented as a young forward. He came out and scored and assisted in his first game on the varsity against OPRF, and he's great at finding space for himself. He has the skills and the smarts to create chances in many ways."
in big West Suburban Gold clash
By Mike Garofola
Coming off a stunning 1-0 victory over Lyons on March 27 that knocked the Lions from the top spot of the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, 17th-ranked Addison Trail (4-2-1) welcomes West Suburban Conference Gold Division rival and no. 18 Leyden to its home park at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Leyden (5-1-0) has started the season with a perfect 3-0-0 record in the division, while the Blazers' lone blemish in four league games came last week to perennial Class 3A state powerhouse Morton.
"Against Morton, it was 0-0 at the half. They scored two early goals in the second half. It forced us to push up our best defender (Angel Gomez) which left us scrambling at times in our end. The game got out of hand with a 4-1 final," said Blazers manager Ryan Dini.
"After we scored in the 12th minute against Lyons, we put most of our best players back and focused on limiting their opportunities," continued Dini, now in his ninth year in charge of the program.
"Lyon’s backline is big, strong and talented, so we thought it was best to play great team defense and to just secure our backline."
Dini felt the tactical approach decision he and his staff made to defend, limit chances on frame and manage the lead against the now second-ranked Lyons side was the best approach to secure victory.
Dini named David Peters, Alex Sandoval and the Gomez as players who have surprised the most in this abbreviated season.
"(Angel) Gomez is a senior who has been everywhere for us. He will do whatever it takes to help our team win. And as one of our captains, his leadership has been very impressive.
"He's been great at getting our junior class on board in a positive manner."
Sandoval, a junior, plays the no. 8 in the Blazers formation. The second-year varsity performer has become a key figure for Dini's club.
"Alex is a workhorse, who can play physical, is strong on the ball and has the ability to get the ball to our playmakers."
Peters, another junior, lines up as the Blazers center back. He uses his size and strength to win 50-50 chances while adding his long throw-ins as another weapon in the Addison Trail arsenal.
"David is so reliable, and vocal, and just a great first team guy."
Dini admits his lads struggled a bit in the early going. That’s to be expected with 12 new faces on the roster.
Dini expects Leyden to be fast and highly skilled on the ball. The description sounds a lot like his own club.
"Many of our players know (their) players, so this is definitely a big rivalry game for both programs,” he said. “We have the utmost respect for them and always look forward to this game on the calendar."
Leyden manager Mark Valintis echoes the statements from his counterpart when speaking of the Blazers.
"(They) will be talented, fast and play hard for the entire 80 minutes. They have a few guys who can really change the match in both their attack and defense," said Valintis.
“Ryan and his staff have really turned their program into a Top 20 team year in and year out. So, we expect an entertaining, exciting game."
Valintis' men, after a 4-0 loss to Lyons, have reeled off three-consecutive victories and outscored their opponents 13-0 in the run.
"The strength of our team thus far has been our backline of Matt Espinoza, Krystian Martinez, Edgar Orozco and Jesus Recendez,” Valintis said. “ (They've) helped us earn four shutouts and have conceded only once when together on the field."
Valintis feels junior Alan Jacinto is playing at an all-state level, while senior Pablo Mancha (six goals) has come into his own as an offensive threat.
"Alan is our center mid, just a complete two-way player with tremendous touch, great vision, and a player who is at higher level than anyone else,” he said. “Pablo does so much for us when were in possession. Guys are always looking for him when we attack."
In addition, Valintis has been thrilled with both Javier Solis, a sophomore, and senior Alan Vazquez. Each has stepped up to surprise in the first half of the season.
"Alan missed a couple of games due to injury, but he has lived up to his ‘Fox in the Box' nickname by scoring in all five games he's played in," said Valintis.
“Solis is extremely talented as a young forward. He came out and scored and assisted in his first game on the varsity against OPRF, and he's great at finding space for himself. He has the skills and the smarts to create chances in many ways."