Big night awaits Leyden, Addison Trail
By Dave Owen
Friday Night Lights will shine bright on Addison Trail soccer’s past and present when the Blazers host Leyden in a West Suburban Conference Gold Division showdown at 6:30 p.m.
Two teams playing probably their best soccer of the season will be the main focus, although the host school has plenty of other attractions for its rare Friday evening appearance.
“This is our third try at doing a Friday night game at Addison Trail,” Blazers coach Ryan Dini said. The previous attempts were rained out the past two years. “We expect a huge crowd with our school doing a Staff Appreciation Night as well as an Addison Trail Alumni Soccer Night.”
The festivities will include honoring all previous Addison Trail soccer players in attendance with halftime introductions.
And the game vs. Leyden features a unique tie to the past: Dini, Blazers assistant coach Angel Vega and Leyden head coach Mark Valintis are all alumni of the Addison Trail soccer program.
“The stage is set for an exciting night of soccer,” Dini said. “Two conference rivals -- can't ask for anything better than this.
“This is usually a great game to come see every year. Our last four years of games vs. Leyden have been decided by one goal.”
Based on recent events, more of the same can be expected.
“This should be a classic,” Dini said. “This is a big conference game for both sides, as whoever wins this game will be in the top two or three spots in the conference.”
Leyden (4-5-3, 1-0-x) comes into the game on a six-game unbeaten streak after starting the year 0-5-1. And the teams that topped or tied the Eagles are no slouches.
Leyden’s 3-3 tie with Stevenson on Aug. 25 has grown in significance since the Patriots (10-0-1) have risen to no. 8 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. The Eagles fell in a shootout to defending Class A state champion Wheaton Academy and tied no. 22 Lockport (9-2-1). Other early losses came to Taft and West Chicago, which are listed in the Top 25 honorable mention section.
“We have played some really good teams so far,” Valintis said, “and although early on the results were not there, it sped up our development of team chemistry and helped us to define our roles and style of play much quicker.
“It forced our players to play at a high level for a full 80 minutes, and that has given us the belief that we can compete with any team.”
That belief is showing in the standings now, and a number of Eagles players have keyed the current streak.
“Our entire roster has shown improvement over the last three weeks,” Valintis said. “Stefano Andrino has scored four goals in the last two weeks for us. Oliver Salgado is starting to heat up with three (goals) in the last two games, and Ariel Diaz, Brandon Delgado and Rafa Nozka all are creative forces in the attack.”
Then there’s a Leyden defense that has allowed just four goals in the last seven games with four shutouts.
“Will Rivera at center back is as solid as they come,” Valintis said, “while Yadi De La Cruz, Fabian Rodriguez and Avi Flores continue to be the solid foundation to the back line.”
Addison Trail enters the night on its own nice roll.
A 5-1 win (called after one half due to the weather) at Proviso East on Tuesday extended the Blazers’ winning streak to three games, and the run includes a 2-1 victory over seven-win squad Shepard.
“Our senior leadership and team chemistry has really improved over the past two weeks,” Dini said. “The energy and effort we are playing with has been impressive, and our team has been locked in from the start of warm-ups.
“This has made a huge difference in the way we are playing.
“We have had many players step up as of late, which has resulted in excellent soccer for us. Sophomores Daniel Herrera and Cristian Teran have been outstanding, and their growth this year on the field and off has been exciting to see.
“Our forwards Christopher Ortega and Matias Aguilar have improved their chemistry playing together over the past three games,” Dini added. “We are sharing the ball at the right time and shooting earlier to get shots at the keeper, which has resulted in rebound goals and putting maximum pressure on the opponent’s backline.
“And Luca Fischer, Jason Valdez and Emilio Macias have done a great job defending when we do not have the ball and are able to regain possession with winning 50/50 balls for our team.”
Leyden hopes to be more opportunistic offensively against a hot Blazers team.
“I think for us, the key to the game will be can we finish the chances we create,” Valintis said. “In every game, especially early in the season, we have created a lot of excellent chances, many within 10 yards of goal, but have not been consistently finding the back of the net.
“We just seem to tighten up or lose focus in that moment and take a bad touch, one too many touches, or use poor technique and waste chances.
“As far as Addison Trail goes,” Valintis added, “they are always a tough challenge, especially at their place. They are a well-coached group that play fast and aggressive and compete for the full 80 minutes.
“On top of that, this being a Friday night game that we expect to have a big crowd to deal with, along with it being Alumni Night as well. So, it should be a fantastic and memorable atmosphere.”
Addison Trail (5-4-1, 1-1-x) would like to make its big night more memorable with a win. But it won’t be easy.
“Leyden is usually really quick with the ball and are dangerous on the offensive side of the ball,” Dini said. “Our keys to the game will be to play really well on the defensive side of the ball and shift as a unit in our defensive end. We have to contain and limit Leyden's set piece opportunities.
“Mark (Valintis) does an excellent job having his team prepared, so we expect a great effort from Leyden.
“It’s a big conference rivalry between the two schools,” Dini added, “and some very entertaining soccer.”
By Dave Owen
Friday Night Lights will shine bright on Addison Trail soccer’s past and present when the Blazers host Leyden in a West Suburban Conference Gold Division showdown at 6:30 p.m.
Two teams playing probably their best soccer of the season will be the main focus, although the host school has plenty of other attractions for its rare Friday evening appearance.
“This is our third try at doing a Friday night game at Addison Trail,” Blazers coach Ryan Dini said. The previous attempts were rained out the past two years. “We expect a huge crowd with our school doing a Staff Appreciation Night as well as an Addison Trail Alumni Soccer Night.”
The festivities will include honoring all previous Addison Trail soccer players in attendance with halftime introductions.
And the game vs. Leyden features a unique tie to the past: Dini, Blazers assistant coach Angel Vega and Leyden head coach Mark Valintis are all alumni of the Addison Trail soccer program.
“The stage is set for an exciting night of soccer,” Dini said. “Two conference rivals -- can't ask for anything better than this.
“This is usually a great game to come see every year. Our last four years of games vs. Leyden have been decided by one goal.”
Based on recent events, more of the same can be expected.
“This should be a classic,” Dini said. “This is a big conference game for both sides, as whoever wins this game will be in the top two or three spots in the conference.”
Leyden (4-5-3, 1-0-x) comes into the game on a six-game unbeaten streak after starting the year 0-5-1. And the teams that topped or tied the Eagles are no slouches.
Leyden’s 3-3 tie with Stevenson on Aug. 25 has grown in significance since the Patriots (10-0-1) have risen to no. 8 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. The Eagles fell in a shootout to defending Class A state champion Wheaton Academy and tied no. 22 Lockport (9-2-1). Other early losses came to Taft and West Chicago, which are listed in the Top 25 honorable mention section.
“We have played some really good teams so far,” Valintis said, “and although early on the results were not there, it sped up our development of team chemistry and helped us to define our roles and style of play much quicker.
“It forced our players to play at a high level for a full 80 minutes, and that has given us the belief that we can compete with any team.”
That belief is showing in the standings now, and a number of Eagles players have keyed the current streak.
“Our entire roster has shown improvement over the last three weeks,” Valintis said. “Stefano Andrino has scored four goals in the last two weeks for us. Oliver Salgado is starting to heat up with three (goals) in the last two games, and Ariel Diaz, Brandon Delgado and Rafa Nozka all are creative forces in the attack.”
Then there’s a Leyden defense that has allowed just four goals in the last seven games with four shutouts.
“Will Rivera at center back is as solid as they come,” Valintis said, “while Yadi De La Cruz, Fabian Rodriguez and Avi Flores continue to be the solid foundation to the back line.”
Addison Trail enters the night on its own nice roll.
A 5-1 win (called after one half due to the weather) at Proviso East on Tuesday extended the Blazers’ winning streak to three games, and the run includes a 2-1 victory over seven-win squad Shepard.
“Our senior leadership and team chemistry has really improved over the past two weeks,” Dini said. “The energy and effort we are playing with has been impressive, and our team has been locked in from the start of warm-ups.
“This has made a huge difference in the way we are playing.
“We have had many players step up as of late, which has resulted in excellent soccer for us. Sophomores Daniel Herrera and Cristian Teran have been outstanding, and their growth this year on the field and off has been exciting to see.
“Our forwards Christopher Ortega and Matias Aguilar have improved their chemistry playing together over the past three games,” Dini added. “We are sharing the ball at the right time and shooting earlier to get shots at the keeper, which has resulted in rebound goals and putting maximum pressure on the opponent’s backline.
“And Luca Fischer, Jason Valdez and Emilio Macias have done a great job defending when we do not have the ball and are able to regain possession with winning 50/50 balls for our team.”
Leyden hopes to be more opportunistic offensively against a hot Blazers team.
“I think for us, the key to the game will be can we finish the chances we create,” Valintis said. “In every game, especially early in the season, we have created a lot of excellent chances, many within 10 yards of goal, but have not been consistently finding the back of the net.
“We just seem to tighten up or lose focus in that moment and take a bad touch, one too many touches, or use poor technique and waste chances.
“As far as Addison Trail goes,” Valintis added, “they are always a tough challenge, especially at their place. They are a well-coached group that play fast and aggressive and compete for the full 80 minutes.
“On top of that, this being a Friday night game that we expect to have a big crowd to deal with, along with it being Alumni Night as well. So, it should be a fantastic and memorable atmosphere.”
Addison Trail (5-4-1, 1-1-x) would like to make its big night more memorable with a win. But it won’t be easy.
“Leyden is usually really quick with the ball and are dangerous on the offensive side of the ball,” Dini said. “Our keys to the game will be to play really well on the defensive side of the ball and shift as a unit in our defensive end. We have to contain and limit Leyden's set piece opportunities.
“Mark (Valintis) does an excellent job having his team prepared, so we expect a great effort from Leyden.
“It’s a big conference rivalry between the two schools,” Dini added, “and some very entertaining soccer.”