Posted: Aug 31, 2011
Men's Soccer Gears Up for Fall Season
Blue Bell, Pa. - Under the direction of first year Head Coach Matt Giordano, the Montgomery County Community College Men’s Soccer Team is preparing for a very tough season in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 19.
A familiar face that served one season an assistant and is also an adjunct faculty in the Exercise Science and Wellness department, Giordano is set to put his own mark on the program. He inherits a hungry mix of veteran players and an infusion of youthful talent in a freshman recruiting class.
"The program is shifting gears," Giordano said. "Our coaching staff is going to be different, our tactics are going to be different and our energy is going to be different. I am very excited about the direction of our program."
Undoubtedly, rising to the top of the ultra-tough Region 19 will be a challenging process; but, that will remain the goal of the program that deserves to be at the top. The coaching staff plans on revamping the overall style of play, showcasing more attacking skills and creativity up front, while relying on tenacious play on defense.
Among the primary goals that will not show up on any tactical plans is the desire to draw out the enjoyment and enthusiasm of playing the game of soccer. While winning certainly helps, the real spark for any successful team must come in training. After winter and spring intramurals, Giordano and his staff, which includes first-year assistant Mike Wambold and assistant Tim McNally, feel confident that the tone is already being set.
"I really saw a lot of positive things in the winter and spring," Giordano said. "Our players realize they have an opportunity to build the program into one of which they can be proud. There is great excitement and energy surrounding the team right now heading into this season.”
Without question, second year player JJ Natale (Norristown Area High school) will provide the necessary leadership on and off the field. "JJ is not only a vocal leader, but he also leads by example," Giordano said. "He has done everything asked of him and is usually the first one at training and the last to leave. But I don't think we can rely on just a one leader. We need to have a group that embraces a variety of leadership roles that will make this team better."
The team leadership will blend with a solid core of returning players who will also help bring along a young group of freshmen. Along with Natale, Ali Ali (Norristown Area High school), Phil Martin (Abington), Eric Laflamme (Upper Moreland High school), Nick Igbokwe (Evangel Seminary (Nigeria)) and Miguel Cortes (Springfield) will all play a critical role in the team’s success.
"We're going to be quite a young team," said Giordano. "Because of that, we have to integrate our freshmen into our system quickly, and make sure they feel comfortable with our tactical approach."
Preseason will provide two intense weeks of training and preparation for the season. While all players worked on fitness and conditioning in the off season, the preseason training will be a continuation of that but with also with a large focus on tactical improvement.
"We are going to surprise a lot of people this year," Giordano said. "We're going to try some new things and establish a brand of soccer that will become a successful tradition at Montgomery County Community College."
The schedule will be one that challenges the Mustangs right out of the gate. Three teams on the schedule are ranked in the preseason top-25.
FORWARDS
A glance at the Mustangs’ attacking players begin with second year forward Nick Igbokwe (Evangel Seminary (Nigeria)), who had an injury last year that caused him to miss most of the season. “Nick is a very skillful player with a huge work rate, we are really going to look to him as a target in the final third of the field,” Giordano said.
"We have a variety of players who can attack," Giordano said. "I feel like we have a very deep and talented group of attacking players, so we're going to be very dangerous in and around the box."
A few first year players that are expected to make an impact up front are Joel Obiri-Asare (St. Augustines Senior High (Ghana)), Andrew Klein (North Penn High school), Corey Signore (Souderton Area High school), Elijah Jegede (Mar-Yola College (Nigeria)) and Mike Vorhees.
MIDFIELDERS
The Mustangs have a very talented group and great depth in the midfield. At the top of the list are JJ Natale and Ali Ali, second year players who bring significant leadership and skill to the group. Ali is a great distributor in the midfield while Natale's versatility in the attack can allow him to move to forward in the attacking third.
Another returning player with experience is sophomore Miguel Cortes (Springfield), who has great technical ability and a very high level of fitness. Other players expected to play a role in our midfield are new comers, Kastriot Fazliu (Plymouth Whitemarsh High school), Musa Ahamed (Souderton Area High school), Diego Salinas (Norristown Area High school), Nick Peachy (Souderton Area High school),Colin Tracey and Frank Kobryn.
"Our team’s biggest strength is our depth in the midfield," Giordano said. "All of our players in the midfield are very talented, which is exciting because for us our level of play does not change when we make substitutions. We have some very technical, creative and consistent players in those positions."
DEFENDERS
The Mustangs’ defense consists of a mix of returnees and new comers that will provide critical experience and organization in the backfield. Among them is second year player Phil Martin (Abington), who in the absence of goalkeeping in 2010, had step up and play that position for the season. In addition, another returner expected to make an impact is Eric Laflamme (Upper Moreland High school).
"I think Phil has learned a lot about how to operate a back line from playing keeper last season," Giordano said. "Eric had a good season last year and has come in this year more fit and much improved. I have high expectations for him this year."
The Mustangs will have a steady flow of newcomers that will see time on the back line; Mike Ghallagher (North Penn High school), Joe Mitsch (Abington High school), Kenny Ng, Brian Maguire (Bishop Mcdevitt High school) and Mustafa Mohammed (Upper Merion High school). Each will be counted on to integrate into the defense and provide depth to the defensive backfield.
GOALKEEPERS
In 2010 the Mustangs did not have a single goalkeeper, and had to sub in a number of field players to play the position. The 2011 Mustangs welcome two new freshman goalkeepers Edgar Ojeda (Souderton Area High school) and Dario Verdin (Springford High School).
"I feel confident in both of them," Giordano said. "The only worry I have is experience, but they will gain that quickly. I am more then confident they will be able to step in and perform well for us."
A familiar face that served one season an assistant and is also an adjunct faculty in the Exercise Science and Wellness department, Giordano is set to put his own mark on the program. He inherits a hungry mix of veteran players and an infusion of youthful talent in a freshman recruiting class.
"The program is shifting gears," Giordano said. "Our coaching staff is going to be different, our tactics are going to be different and our energy is going to be different. I am very excited about the direction of our program."
Undoubtedly, rising to the top of the ultra-tough Region 19 will be a challenging process; but, that will remain the goal of the program that deserves to be at the top. The coaching staff plans on revamping the overall style of play, showcasing more attacking skills and creativity up front, while relying on tenacious play on defense.
Among the primary goals that will not show up on any tactical plans is the desire to draw out the enjoyment and enthusiasm of playing the game of soccer. While winning certainly helps, the real spark for any successful team must come in training. After winter and spring intramurals, Giordano and his staff, which includes first-year assistant Mike Wambold and assistant Tim McNally, feel confident that the tone is already being set.
"I really saw a lot of positive things in the winter and spring," Giordano said. "Our players realize they have an opportunity to build the program into one of which they can be proud. There is great excitement and energy surrounding the team right now heading into this season.”
Without question, second year player JJ Natale (Norristown Area High school) will provide the necessary leadership on and off the field. "JJ is not only a vocal leader, but he also leads by example," Giordano said. "He has done everything asked of him and is usually the first one at training and the last to leave. But I don't think we can rely on just a one leader. We need to have a group that embraces a variety of leadership roles that will make this team better."
The team leadership will blend with a solid core of returning players who will also help bring along a young group of freshmen. Along with Natale, Ali Ali (Norristown Area High school), Phil Martin (Abington), Eric Laflamme (Upper Moreland High school), Nick Igbokwe (Evangel Seminary (Nigeria)) and Miguel Cortes (Springfield) will all play a critical role in the team’s success.
"We're going to be quite a young team," said Giordano. "Because of that, we have to integrate our freshmen into our system quickly, and make sure they feel comfortable with our tactical approach."
Preseason will provide two intense weeks of training and preparation for the season. While all players worked on fitness and conditioning in the off season, the preseason training will be a continuation of that but with also with a large focus on tactical improvement.
"We are going to surprise a lot of people this year," Giordano said. "We're going to try some new things and establish a brand of soccer that will become a successful tradition at Montgomery County Community College."
The schedule will be one that challenges the Mustangs right out of the gate. Three teams on the schedule are ranked in the preseason top-25.
FORWARDS
A glance at the Mustangs’ attacking players begin with second year forward Nick Igbokwe (Evangel Seminary (Nigeria)), who had an injury last year that caused him to miss most of the season. “Nick is a very skillful player with a huge work rate, we are really going to look to him as a target in the final third of the field,” Giordano said.
"We have a variety of players who can attack," Giordano said. "I feel like we have a very deep and talented group of attacking players, so we're going to be very dangerous in and around the box."
A few first year players that are expected to make an impact up front are Joel Obiri-Asare (St. Augustines Senior High (Ghana)), Andrew Klein (North Penn High school), Corey Signore (Souderton Area High school), Elijah Jegede (Mar-Yola College (Nigeria)) and Mike Vorhees.
MIDFIELDERS
The Mustangs have a very talented group and great depth in the midfield. At the top of the list are JJ Natale and Ali Ali, second year players who bring significant leadership and skill to the group. Ali is a great distributor in the midfield while Natale's versatility in the attack can allow him to move to forward in the attacking third.
Another returning player with experience is sophomore Miguel Cortes (Springfield), who has great technical ability and a very high level of fitness. Other players expected to play a role in our midfield are new comers, Kastriot Fazliu (Plymouth Whitemarsh High school), Musa Ahamed (Souderton Area High school), Diego Salinas (Norristown Area High school), Nick Peachy (Souderton Area High school),Colin Tracey and Frank Kobryn.
"Our team’s biggest strength is our depth in the midfield," Giordano said. "All of our players in the midfield are very talented, which is exciting because for us our level of play does not change when we make substitutions. We have some very technical, creative and consistent players in those positions."
DEFENDERS
The Mustangs’ defense consists of a mix of returnees and new comers that will provide critical experience and organization in the backfield. Among them is second year player Phil Martin (Abington), who in the absence of goalkeeping in 2010, had step up and play that position for the season. In addition, another returner expected to make an impact is Eric Laflamme (Upper Moreland High school).
"I think Phil has learned a lot about how to operate a back line from playing keeper last season," Giordano said. "Eric had a good season last year and has come in this year more fit and much improved. I have high expectations for him this year."
The Mustangs will have a steady flow of newcomers that will see time on the back line; Mike Ghallagher (North Penn High school), Joe Mitsch (Abington High school), Kenny Ng, Brian Maguire (Bishop Mcdevitt High school) and Mustafa Mohammed (Upper Merion High school). Each will be counted on to integrate into the defense and provide depth to the defensive backfield.
GOALKEEPERS
In 2010 the Mustangs did not have a single goalkeeper, and had to sub in a number of field players to play the position. The 2011 Mustangs welcome two new freshman goalkeepers Edgar Ojeda (Souderton Area High school) and Dario Verdin (Springford High School).
"I feel confident in both of them," Giordano said. "The only worry I have is experience, but they will gain that quickly. I am more then confident they will be able to step in and perform well for us."