New Haven
Americans vs. Milford Tuesday SC
Five-goal
Americans open a winner; take Division II lead
New
Haven, CT (April 23) –
Gil Hokayma recorded a hat-trick and Tony Cartiera scored twice as New Haven ran
out 5-2 winners at home to open the 2005 SASL Division II campaign.
The three new signings, Tony
Cartiera, Fabio Armellino and Joe Oakes, proved themselves well as the Americans
looked very offensive minded from the start of their clash with Milford Tuesday
SC. With strong defense and fluid midfield play the Americans pinned Milford in
their own half for long stretches.
Down 2 – 0, Milford found life
on a 35 yard dead ball situation. The long floated kick found the back of the
New Haven net due to a defensive miscue. Outside of that, the Americans looked a
very capable unit.
Perhaps it is
too early to tell if this group can rival or better the start of last years
team… However, if the rise in goal production is any indication, this could be a
magical season.
Greenwich Pumas
vs. New Haven Americans
High Flying
Americans go away; beat Pumas 5-1.
Greenwich, Ct (August 21)
–
Tony Cartiera’s hat trick was followed by
solo scores from Gil Hokayma and Louis
Telesford, as the New Haven Americans pulled away scoring three unanswered
second half goals to beat Greenwich.
The dominant and creative work of the first
half of this contest saw Greenwich counter and capitalize with a quick reaction
in the New Haven box to draw within a goal at 2-1.
The fact that New Haven held better
possession, run of play and chances was not lost as this game that looked secure
now was up for grabs.
The continued concerted effort and some
minor adjustments from New Haven saw them effectively put the game away 15
minutes into the second half when Tony Cartiera put New Haven 3-1 up.
Game Notes:
Striker Tony Ifill continues his strong play and came close on three
opportunities to further advance the score. Furthermore, bench players also
continued their strong play to closeout this important match.
TCH
Guilford SC vs.
New Haven Americans
Camara,
Zuniga, Miranda and Carteria inspire fight back; Americans continue their
confident start of second half campaign with 6 – 2 route.
Guilford, CT
(August 28, 2005) –
“This will not be the same team we beat
three weeks ago” was the cry from Americans manager Mike Armellino. We are now
at their home and they will come at us very, very hard; so don’t lose focus!
Truer words have never
been spoken… today we came up against a well organized and resurgent Guilford
team. From the first whistle, the tone was set as Guilford flooded forward and
played quick, neat soccer. There aggressive style paid dividends as they opened
the scoring after just 10 minutes.
New Haven struck back
with a well executed corner as Paul Camara headed in to tie the score at 1 all
after the ball was kept alive in the Guilford box.
Guilford again seized the
lead at 2 – 1 after a defensive miscue saw a backside run executed to
perfection. It became apparent that Guilford would use every set peace to push
an advantage as they were seeking to kill off this game early.
As is the case with two
teams that know each other well, tempers flared and a rash of cards were given.
In total the game saw eight or more yellows and two reds. When the dust settled,
New Haven managed their emotions better and pulled away in the second half
securing a 6 – 2 victory.
Game Notes:
It is this player’s observation that the center official perhaps called this
game too tightly. In the end two teams battling in a midseason classic saw the
opening efforts scuttled due to accumulation of cautions. I hope Guilford
continues to play with the skill and intensity of the first half of this game.
Good luck with the rest of the season.
TCH
New Haven
Americans vs. North Haven SC
Ifill show
the way; Americans continue to mount points as they share the spoils.
New
Haven, CT (September 18, 2005)
– As the season continues life at
the top is difficult. Week in and
week out you have to work twice as hard to keep your
place. It’s not so much the effort but the team
focus. That’s what’s important, team focus and
staying the course.
In a gritty display North
Haven reserve keeper did just enough to hold a 1 - 1 score sheet as the two
teams played to a draw.
New Haven started the
game promising as they dominated the opening twenty minutes and created the
better opportunities. Unfortunately that opening spell did not produce a score,
though the Americans did come close. As the game continued North Haven found
their rhythm and held firm.
Early in the second half
New Haven broke through when striker Tony Ifill converted a goal in the six yard
box that can only be described as guts and hustle. A true energy plug on this
day, Ifill capitalized on his hard work with a just goal.
Late in the second half
North Haven equalized through a quick counter that caught the Americans back
line scrambling to drop and cover.
From then on each side
cancelled the others advance.
Game Notes:
These two teams are in the thick of the promotion race. Marshall Quinn made
three outstanding saves to hold the score line and as stated earlier, Tony Ifill
has continued to step his effort up in a bit to close out the season in style.
Lastly, Ernesto C. had a superb game anchoring the defense. The return of
Captain Peter Marshall and Paul Camara should give this team the added push to
overcome this week’s opponent.
Next up: Colchester at Home 9/25/05.
TCH
New Haven
Americans vs. Colchester FC
Demolition
Man Ifill; Americans roll at home 6 – 0).
New
Haven, CT (September 25, 2005)
– Forward Tony Ifill continued his
stellar play as he recorded two goals and went inches wide on a third. The
return of Captain Peter Marshall and Paul Camara saw the Americans defense
steadied as they found top gear and put in a command performance.
Perhaps the memory of last years humbling at
home to Colchester vividly remained in the minds of the New Haven players. What
ever it was, the Americans were rock solid on defense, dynamic in midfield and
lethal in attack.
The 6 goals scored was the sixth time this
season the Americans have tallied five or more goals in a game.
Notes:
Tony Cartieras’ two goal burst continues his impressive scoring total and solo
strikes by Captain Peter Marshall and Wayne Thomas rounded off an impressive
offensive tally from the Americans.
TCH
Waterbury Cabo
Verde vs. New Haven Americans
Cartiera’s
Show; Americans take scoring knack on the road.
Waterbury, CT (October 2, 2005)
– A hat trick by Tony Cartiera helped pace the New Haven Americans as they
overcame a slow start in Waterbury.
Playing a
spirited Cabo Verde team, the Americans netted a quick goal – (Louis Telesford
from Hugo Miranda). After that early strike however, the Cabo Verde keeper
pulled off a string of impressive saves in the first half to keep the game
within reach at 2 – 0 Americans.
Halftime
proved to be the calm before the storm. After some minor adjustments, the
Americans erupted for four goals in a masterful display of offensive soccer. Two
additional strikes by Tony Cartiera, as well as solo efforts by Ernesto Cartiera
and Paul Camara round out all scorers.
Sticking to
a one game at a time philosophy has allowed the Americans to keep their heads
grounded in the task at hand. If the Americans can continue their strong
defensive effort, that was evident in this game, teams will be hard pressed to
take points off of this outfit.
Note:
The Americans are back in action Sunday, October 9 at home against the Hamden
Hawks.
TCH
New Haven
Americans vs. Hamden Hawks FC
T & T its
Dynamite! Americans secure at home 3 – 0.
New
Haven, CT (October 9, 2005)
– Forward Tony Ifill continued his
stellar play as he was the recipient of a beautifully lofted cross from Tony
Cartiera. On a wet, windy, sloppy day the Americans controlled an important home
fixture to run out 3 – 0 winners.
In fact, the score line should have been
greater but for poor finishing by the Americans.
What was impressive about this game was the
defensive effort by the Americans. Hamden came to this game with a side a bit
different than the one the Americans saw off 2 – 1 earlier in the campaign. Up
against a more possession oriented and attack minded Hawks team, New Haven had
to quickly assess these new threats, neutralize them and work a positive game
plan. The answers on this day were Tony Cartiera and the work rate of the
Americans midfield and defense.
With two defensive starters unavailable, the
makeshift defensive unit of Ernesto Cartiera, Fabio Armellino (the good one),
and the usual suspects of Johnny Riga, Gerry Schaivo didn’t miss a beat. Their
tight marking allowed Tony Cartiera to use his speed and mobility to exploit
Hamden’s flanks. The result of which gave the Americans added time and space,
which was used to provided accurate service into the box all afternoon. This
compact and fluid scheme became contagious as the defense fed the midfield;
midfield fed the forwards and Hamden buckled under the pressure to become a one
dimensional team.
Great effort, better win, let’s keep it
going!
Note:
The Americans look forward to the return of Captain Peter Marshall and central
defender Joe Oakes for the all important clash with Newington on October 16th.
TCH
North Branford
FC vs. New Haven Americans
Americans
fall on the road as North Branford ends the Americans eleven-game unbeaten
Division II streak 2 – 0).
Northford, CT (October 23, 2005)
– On a muddy yielding field in Northford, the Americans could not find their
finishing shoes as they dropped a 2 – 0 result to third place North Branford.
With the win, North Branford FC has a chance to challenge for promotion as the
top three are separated by three points; though the first place Americans still
have a game in hand.
It was unfortunate that points
were dropped; however, many New Haven players were sub par on the day. Though
missing a few starters, the Americans have a deep bench and should have done
better than the 2 – 0 final score. Mental lapses, lacking energy and sloppy
marking cost the team dearly as an early goal by North Branford had the
Americans chasing the game. If not for the defensive efforts of defender Gerry
Schiavo, Keeper Marshall Quinn, and some poor finishing by North Branford, the
score line could have been far worse than 1 – 0 at the half.
After a talking to at the
halftime, the Americans emerged to play better overall soccer. With better man
marking, energy and ball distribution, the Americans fought to get back into
this game. Unfortunately the increased effort did not product the needed goal.
Even the arrival of Alvaro Zuniga early in the second half lent more skill and
guile to the New Haven team but did not product that deadly final ball.
Well… That streak is over and
I applaud North Branford on their game. Well done. As for the Americans, we must
prepare for our next outing against Greenwich at home. In this contest I believe
the Americans will raise to the cause and roar back to life.
Player of the game: Gerry
Schaivo – unbelievable effort for the cause.
TCH
