Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Wednesday, July 16, 2008) – The Pali Blues Soccer Club (11-0-0) will attempt to do what no other Western Conference side in league history has ever done this Friday, and that is win the W-League regular season title. Standing in the way of that accomplishment is their regular season finale on the road against the Los Angeles Legends (0-8-2), slated for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff.
"Everyone knows what is at stake Friday night, and mark my words, we will put forth our most intense performance of the year,” Blues head coach Charlie Naimo commented. “We are playing to be the first Western Conference team in W-League history to win the regular season trophy, and more importantly, to get a bye to the Final Four in Virginia Beach. We want to avoid a Western Conference playoff at all costs. Anything can happen in a soccer game, and our players respect that. I am confident we will not waste the chance for the bye."
This Friday, the expansion Blues will attempt to become the seventh club in league history to be perfect through the regular season. Naimo, who has amassed a 64-3 regular season record over the past five seasons, is responsible for the last two perfect teams, the 2004 and 2006 New Jersey Wildcats. The Wildcats also won the W-League championship in 2005 and were named the USL Franchise of the Year. He was named the 2006 FieldTurf Coach of the Year with the Wildcats, marking the second time he received those accolades from the W-League (New Jersey Splash- 1999).
With such success in New Jersey, Naimo admits that he is somewhat surprised to be coaching on the west coast but is very happy to be doing so.
“It has been a special year,” he stated. “I never thought I would leave New Jersey until I met (Blues vice president) Ali Mansouri. Ali and (president) Maryam Mansouri’s commitment to excellence is the reason why the Pali Blues are in this position."
As far as the opposition on Friday, the expansion Legends are led by head coach Jason Surrell. Surrell has served as the head coach of the Azusa Pacific women’s soccer team for the past eight years, leading the Cougars to eight NAIA Tournaments and three national title game appearances. He has been honored six times as the Golden State Athletic Coach of the Year. On the field, the midfield attack is led by former NAIA All-American Randie Massro, and forward Jessica Gordon leads the offense with a pair of goals.
This match marks the second time the two sides have faced each other this season. The Blues defeated Los Angeles in their home opener at the Stadium by the Sea, 4-0. Four different players tallied scores in the contest, and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley took the shutout in net.
The W-League playoffs will begin almost immediately following the conclusion of the regular season with a midweek divisional playoff round starting next week. The three Conference Championship Tournaments will be held from July 25-27, and the regular season W-League champion will automatically receive a berth in the W-League Semifinals. The W-League Championship Tournament will be held July 31 and August 2 in Virginia Beach, hosted by the Hampton Roads Piranhas.
GAME NOTE: New game location- Esperanza High School Stadium, 1830 N. Kellogg Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807. This game was originally scheduled for 7:00 p.m. but has been moved up an hour to 6:00 p.m.
Stay tuned to the team website at www.bluessoccerclub.com for all playoff updates and other news regarding the Blues.
