Bernier comes through for Rose City

Rose City 4 - 3 Second City

The Flyers' new signing, Patrice Bernier came through for the club just in time in week three. The Boys in Red are now 3-0-0 all time versus Second City and lead scoring 11-6.  There was quite the scrum mid-week as Bernier became available in a bidding war originally triggered by the league arrival of Seattle's new DP Obafemi Martins. While the bidding for Martins was too rich the Flyers, Bernier seemed just right.

This week's hero.

"He's a great, strong player with a good group behind him," the Flyers' coach said after the game. "There was some concern that he'd take a while to find his place in the squad, but he just showed up, put on his kit, and got to work. We're very glad to have him."

For Bernier's part, he had this to say, "The bidding during the middle of the week isn't something I like to think about. I just want a club that's going to back me all the way so that I can get to work and that's who the Flyers are. I was worried that such a rainy climate would throw me off my game, but it doesn't seem to be an issue." The new player was all smiles after the game.

You really can't discount what Bernier has already done for the club. The defending champions started the season with two losses. Without Bernier's help, week three would have been a tie with Second City (released Jack McInerney scored one goal while on wavers).

At this point, the club is also getting a better feel for the whole roster. Several draftees who were expected to get regular club minutes actually aren't. Hector Jimenez of LA has been replaced on the roster for next week with Portland super-sub Rodney Wallace. The club would also like to announce at this time that, pending league approval they'll be releasing Rafael de Sousa of DC to pick up Kansas City's Aurelien Collin. Finally, with Bernier's arrival and DP Marco Di Vaio, the club is feeling especially Montreal influenced. Any reasonable offer for the services of Sanna Nyassi or any of the club's injured players (Alan Gordon, Martin Rivero, Marvin Chavez) will be considered.

Week Three Lineup and Chat

UPDATE: Rose City put in the winning bid on Patrice Bernier of Montreal who will be suiting up for the Boys in Red this week! Having fresh, healthy bodies is important and Bernier put up 17 points last BSL season. Unfortunately, this means Jack McInerney will be leaving the Rose City almost as soon as he arrived. We thank McInerney for his effort and wish him all the best.

Rose City fell again last week to a team they would normally have been able to punish. The 2-1 scoreline versus the Spartans was painful. Anytime you get a line like that, getting a point is possible, but as it is, too many guys are injured right now. Mauro Rosales didn't play last week because Seattle had CCL commitments and that hurt too. I found myself almost wishing that Donovan Ricketts hadn't had such a spectacular save versus Di Vaio in the Portland/Montreal game. In any case, we're continuing to move forward. Guys are getting closer to game fitness, and in the mean time, the team is doing things to address the thin roster. In addition, Rosales plays this week in a fiery game versus Portland. On the Portland side of the equation, Frederic Piquionne has arrived and may get some late game minutes.

The Boys in Red host Second City this week who are sitting on 6 points. It'll be a tough match but not one that's out of reach. They scored just two last week after a Mike Magee hattrick vaulted them to a
5-1 win over the Union in week one. Every Rose City fan knows just how clutch Magee can be, but don't expect that sort of performance from him again this season.

The posted roster is not final until game time. Several discussions are happening, including the bidding war for Patrice Bernier. Keep your eyes open and watch this space.

Starters
Patrice Bernier (MTL)
Marco Di Vaio (MTL)
Michael Harrington (POR)
Hector Jimenez (LA)
YP Lee (VAN)
Zach McMath (PHI)
Sanna Nyassi (MTL)
Frederic Piquionne (POR)
Mauro Rosales *(SEA)
Raphael De Sousa (DC)
Chris Tierney (NE)

Subs
Kwame Watson-Siriboe (RSL)
Marvin Chavez (SJ)
Alan Gordon (SJ)

Reserve
Martin Rivero (COL)

Mauro Returns!

Rose City 4 - 3 Alamo City

The Flyers did what some considered impossible in the Game of the Week this week, taking down a strong Alamo City side 4-3. Without the red-hot foot of Thierry Henry, the Battle were unable to put quite as many points up and Rose City took advantage. A strong performance from the whole club was required including three points from the field and the Save Point from Kennedy in the net. The big story however, was the return of Mauro Rosales. Averaging one point on the week from two separate games, there can be little doubt that the club did the right thing waiting for the big man to get healthy and return to the lineup.

"Yeah, there was some chatter both online and around the league that we should drop him to try and up our APG," the Flyers coach admitted. "Some even speculated that he wouldn't really return to form after he got back on the pitch. We've been really happy though, with his effort in the recovery and his work rate from the beginning. We were content to wait this one out knowing that he'd contribute big time when he came back."

And boy did he. Without Mauro this is a tie game and Rose City doesn't end up where it is in the tables.

"We're in a great place looking at heading into Majors Cup Qualifying," the coach said. "I'm really very happy with how the team is shaking out. They're gelling on the field and making great plays. If anything, I think we could be putting a few more in the back of the net." With Rosales back and gaining full strength, it's expected that that's just what the Flyers will be doing.

To add to the feeling of moving forward and making more strikes at goal, it appears that Rose City has won the bidding war for Marco Di Vaio, adding another dangerous pair of legs to the pitch. Di Vaio is the leading scorer for Serie A club Bologna and should quickly make his presence known in MLS and the BSL.

With this win Rose City moves to 6-3-0 and 2nd in the league tables. No other team has as many wins. Time will tell how this win effect the club's place in the BSL Power Rankings.

Marco Di Vaio - Bidding War

Marco Di Vaio, currently with Bologna in Serie A is coming to MLS with the Montreal Impact and that means, Rose City is bidding on this prolific scorer. With discovery rights turned in, the club has found itself in a bidding war with Burud Town and CD Gunners.

"This is a bidding war I think we can win," the head of Rose City's front office said. "We're a young club putting up points and it's an opportunity for Marco to come in and be the key man of the franchise. It's something a lot of players of his calibre dream of but it's much harder to achieve in Europe. He can do that here and we want it to be as a Flyer."


Bill Hamid, who hasn't seen a start since the first week of the season, is currently on offer for the  bidding war. Bidding ends a 5pm PST on Sunday, the Sixth to find out where this keepers' menace will land. Look for it to be with Rose City.