Let's give FC Buffalo some love on the board, too. If you haven't heard, the Blitzers have moved on up from the semi-pro NPSL outdoor league to USL League 2(which is also semi-pro, but has a bit higher pedigree to it). The teams they're facing in their division: Cleveland Force SC(if you're of a certain age, you might recall that name from the days when Cleveland fielded a team by that name in the Major Indoor Soccer League), Dayton Dutch Lions, Fort Wayne FC, Kings Hammer SC(based in Cincinnati)and Toledo Villa FC. They also had to find a new home field: they no longer play at Robert E. Rich All High Stadium in Buffalo(because the Buffalo Public Schools got new turf installed there. Luckily, they got a new field: Williamsville South High School-a few miles down Route 5. It'll be in action for their home opener this Saturday afternoon at 3pm against Fort Wayne. But first, they had their season debut last Saturday at Cleveland.
It was a tale of two halves; Cleveland was in full control of the first 45(getting the first goal off a scramble in front of the Buffalo net and capitalizing on a mistake to notch a second). THEN head coach Casey Derkach made a few changes and they paid off: Ander Castillo converted a penalty kick(and would later add another goal)while Calum Newsom notched the other FCB goal. However, they conceded an 89th minute equalizer by the Force to end it in a 3-3 tie.
Personally, I think 'Dogs owner Michael Andlauer will have the team back in Hamilton once renos are done. The way things are going, Niagara might get in there first; the majority owner is from Brantford. And, FTR, you thought Terry Pegula was horrid as Sabres owner a few years ago? Trust me, Niagara's owner is proving to be MILES worse.
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