 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
West Michigan Edged Out of U.S. Open Cup
Edge Lose to Chicago 0-1
Wednesday May 23, 2007
The West Michigan Edge are out of qualifying contention for the U.S. Open Cup, but still have a whole season to play and much to play for.
After a nail-biting 1-0 loss Wednesday to the Chicago Fire Reserves, the 2006 champions of the Professional Development League Great Lakes Division, the Edge now stand 1-2-1 on the season. After the Edge fired more than a dozen shots on goal, first-year Head Coach Mark Bell feels it was apparent that his team needs to work on finishing scoring opportunities.“We really don’t have a true ‘go-to’ forward,” Bell said. “That is an area we are working on. A couple kids are coming in and I think that will make a difference.”
The game with Chicago served as a qualifier for the U.S. Open Cup, a tournament featuring professional and semi-professional teams from every level of competition, including teams from Major League Soccer. Though the Edge did not qualify for the U.S. Open Cup, Bell is not discouraged. “The expectation is we have got to use these games to learn and work together a little more,” Bell said. Working together is a challenge according to Bell, who also coaches Cornerstone’s men’s team, since he is working with a team that only returns six players from last year’s squad, which finished fifth in the PDL Great Lakes Division. “The first few games have helped us get an idea of what we want to do with the line-up,” Bell said. “The biggest challenge is getting everybody to know what their role is and what is expected of them. I think sometimes guys have been trying to take too much responsibility on. We just need to keep it simple.”
The Edge play their next three games on the road before returning home June 10 to play the Fort Wayne Fever, 5:00 at Pat Patterson Athletic Field in Kentwood behind Crestwood Middle School.
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
