Week 22: Does It Matter or Too Little Too Late?

With Gateway two points up and playing the freebie in Ohio this week, this likely doesn't matter for anything more than pride and potentially Majors Cup seeding. Missing the lineup last week was a boneheaded move (brought on by a busy schedule) but the way it turned out it would have been worth one point and still not enough. The games that really sunk any shot at the Playoffs this year were weeks seven and eight. Who would have guessed at the time? Still, this team has had a remarkable comeback and that's something to celebrate. Di Vaio's the captain for one last run.

Starters

Giles Barnes

DaMarcus Beasley

Aurelien Collin

Marco Di Vaio (C)

Diego Fagundez

Jordan Harvey

Drew Moor

Lamar Neagle

Jaime Penedo (GK)

Maxi Urruti

Rodney Wallace 

Subs

Jeff Larentowicz

Jair Benítez

Eric Alexander

Reserves

Peguy Luyindula

Week Twenty: Freebies?

Last week didn't go as planned. The Flyers triumphant return to the post-season will have to wait at least another week or two thanks to a Landon Donovan hattrick and some poor luck versus Gateway United. That said, the week wasn't all bad. The team is still very much in contention for a spot in the Majors Cup (2nd place currently), maintained their place on the league table (5th, though the breathing room is all but gone), and picked up DaMarcus Beasley who, while he might contribute before the season's out, really bodes well for next season more than anything.

This week Burud Town comes to play, maybe. They haven't posted a lineup in almost a month and honestly, the Flyers will take it since the only two games remaining after than are versus the Battle and Zodiac.

Starters
Eric Alexander
Giles Barnes
Aurelien Collin
Marco Di Vaio
Diego Fagundez (C)
Jordan Harvey
Jeff Larentowicz
Peguy Luyindula
Drew Moor
Lamar Neagle
Jaime Penedo (GK)
Maxi Urruti

Subs
Rodney Wallace
DaMarcus Beasley
Peguy Luyindula

Reserve
Jair Benítez

Week Nineteen Lineup

The long slog to the finish line starts now and the Flyers could use a few more points, especially before those tough final two weeks. The schedule for MLS is a bit strange this week so there are some notable faces that won't take the field including Barnes and Alexander but you play with who you've got.

A win this week coupled with a loss by the CD Gunners clinches a place in the Majors Cup. Cross your fingers!

Starters
Aurelien Collin
Marco Di Vaio
Diego Fagundez
Ned Grabavoy
Jordan Harvey
Jeff Larentowicz
Drew Moor
Lamar Neagle
Jaime Penedo (GK)
Maxi Urruti (C)
Rodney Wallace

Subs
Jair Benítez
Eric Alexander
Giles Barnes

Reserve
Peguy Luyindula

Flyers Push Majors Cup Advantage

Rose City 5 - 3 Gold Coast

The Flyers took another major step toward some sort of post season appearance this week with another win. This time, they defeated Gold Coast and, in the process, put themselves four points clear of their nearest playoff rival and took first place in Majors Cup Qualifying. This was also the Flyers 30th win all time and tenth this season.

"We're in our third year in the league and we're averaging ten wins a season at the moment. That's pretty good if you ask me," the Flyers general manager said when asked. "We've still got four weeks to go too. There's a lot of room to add to the team's reputation as a top club in the league."

Next week, Rose City faces Gateway United who sit exactly four points back in the Honors Trophy table. Winning there could go a long way toward earning the Boys in Red their first simultaneous appearance in both post-season tournaments.

Week Eighteen: Back on the Horse

Okay. So last week wasn't so good. Usually in this league, scoring eight points is as close to a lock for a win as exists (aside from playing Ohio I guess) but it wasn't enough. On the bright side, the team's clearly capable, and they've gotten stronger in the last couple weeks with the pickup of Luyindula and Benítez. So it's all going on the line now. The team still sits (precariously) on playoff position and their MCQ standings look good. A few more wins and some things will start solidifying. For now, this week is Gold Coast who sit at 6-10-1 and 19pts on the season. Ten of those however, have come since Majors Cup Qualifying started so underestimating them could be dangerous.

Starters
Eric Alexander
Giles Barnes
Jair Benítez
Aurelien Collin
Marco Di Vaio
Diego Fagundez
Jordan Harvey
Jeff Larentowicz
Drew Moor
Jaime Penedo (GK)
Maxi Urruti

Subs
Rodney Wallace
Peguy Luyindula
Ned Grabavoy


Reserve
Lamar Neagle

Week Seventeen: Stringing them Together

Here's where things get really interesting folks. The Flyers play the CD Gunners this week and, though the Gunners haven't had the strongest season, they're not slouches either. Playoff positions are tight and points are needed to make up for the start of the season if the boys are to stay where they are in that race.

MCQ standings are a different story. The Flyers share the top spot with Orange County and are seven points up on their closest competitors. That hasn't clinched a spot just yet, with six weeks left in the season, but it does provide some breathing room and a good hope that the Boys in Red will see some sort of postseason action. Stay tuned for this one.

Starters
Eric Alexander
Giles Barnes
Aurelien Collin
Marco Di Vaio
Diego Fagundez (C)
Jordan Harvey
Jeff Larentowicz
Peguy Luyindula
Drew Moor
Lamar Neagle
Jaime Penedo (GK)

Subs
Rodney Wallace
Ned Grabavoy
Maxi Urruti

Reserve
Raul Fernandez

Just Keep Rolling

Rose City 2 - 0 Pennsylvania

Count the Flyers lucky on this one. Scoring only two goals is a quick way to lose games in the BSL but Giles Barnes and Eric Alexander got it done this week. That puts the Flyers riding a seven game winning streak back into relevance headed into a big match against the CD Gunners with just six weeks left in the season. Expecting the streak to end sooner, rather than later is a good idea but a loss next week could drop the Boys in Red back out of the playoff race. A few more wins will be required to really lock things up this season.

MCQ standings are a bit more solid. The Rose City continues to share the honor of only remaining club undefeated in qualifying with the OC Zodiac and the next two teams trail by seven points each. That's not an iron-clad grip yet, but with the weeks winding away quickly it could turn into one without much notice. Expect the next few weeks to really resolve things for a lot of teams in both sets of standings.