The Ocean City Nor’easters will play two games in three days on Friday June 8 against Reading United and then the return game against Baltimore Bohemians on Sunday June 10. Both games kick off at 7pm at Carey Stadium (6th & Boardwalk).
The next two games are very important for Ocean City as they look to push on and continue their good form before a run of 4 road games to finish out the month of June. The Nor’easters staff would love as many fans as possible to come out and cheer on the team. Friday June 8 is officially "Schools Night" and the Ocean City FC coaches and some Nor’easters players have been visiting schools recently trying to drum up enthusiasm for soccer by taking over gym classes and attending school "FUN DAYS" (READ MORE)
Coach Tim Oswald sat down with us and gave us a little preview of the weekend ahead. "Even though we are just a few games in the season, this match has huge implications for both teams. We have been playing much better of late in the DEF, MID, and ATT 3rd and I have been very happy with how we have handled transitional phases and situations of the game. The players are finally getting a bit more comfortable with each other as they train and compete more together on a daily basis, which at the PDL level, is a concern all teams face when you blend so many kids from so many different collegiate programs. We had hoped and expected to be in the top half of the table 5 games in and we are happy with where we stand in the division at the moment, but we also know that the league is a grind and every match is critical to continued success. We expect Reading to come in flying as they have been one of the top PDL teams in the country over the past few years and we have to be on point throughout the match, but I also expect as to be riding a high as well. Surely, our players are confident right now based on the results we have gotten so far and they need to carry the momentum and swagger we have generated into a home game at Carey that will dictate who the possible current #1 seed in the Mid Atlantic Division will be after 90 min. The players at this level chose to play PDL to perform in matches much like this one. I know our players are pumped and excited about the opportunity to play in front of our crowd in such a big match and I would expect a playoff atmosphere from the onset."
With only one day of rest in between games and with the possible confidence flowing high after a win or disappointment following a loss to Reading United the Nor’easters need to set up and prepare for the Baltimore game on Sunday just like any other.
Coach Oswald explains his thoughts on the tough test "Baltimore, although a new franchise in the league, has earned the respect of all of our teams in the division. They have a quality coaching staff and very high end players that have competed in some of the top DI programs in the country. There record is a bit deceptive in that I believe they are a strong side and their results don’t show that...but a tie on the road to Jersey Express and Long Island gives them instant credibility. Regardless of our result down there on Opening Night with 10 men after an early red card, they will be a better team then what we faced before and we have to be prepared for that difference. They will be searching for their 1st W and we have to anticipate a high paced, high energy, and intense game."
It is going to be a tough weekend in the USL PDL’s tough schedule but with some great performances and a little bit of luck the Nor’easters could be sitting pretty come their trip to Bermuda and the 4 road games in June.
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