Persberichten

Season 2 has reached the halfway mark and league II.4 has been very competitive up to this point.

Last season's 2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams currently sit in 6th, 7th, and 8th. This includes the Boilermakers who are currently in 7th place.

The Boilermakers started the season very slowly, going 2-1-2 in the first 5 games of the season. However, over the last 9 games they have been able to use noname teams to climb in the standings, going 7-2-0 in that span. The current steak has brought them from 12th to 7th in the league standings.

The Boilemakers have the talent to make a serious run towards the top of the standings in the second half of the season. They lead the league in goal differential, goals for, and overall team strength. They are also tied for the fewest goals allowed with 2 other strong contenders. The main reason for their low placement in the standings has been their less than stellar road play. They have only been able to take away a 3-4-4 record on the road so far this season, good enough for 12th in the league.

Key games in the second half of the season include a game 29 matchup on the road against Safado FC, and 3 home matches against HC Apex, Crash Test Dummies, and the Huggy Bears in a 4 game stretch between games 32 and 35. The Crash Test Dummies currently lead the league with 51 points, with the other 3 teams tied with 47 points. It is worth mentioning that the Boilermakers have outscored opponents 32-0 at home this season, a streak of shutouts that will surely end before the end of the season.

Two Boilermakers are currently members on the season long all-league team. They are Right Midfielder Max Mark and Goalie Erik Cheney. Boilermaker fans will remember that these two players came from the same pull at the end of season 1. Both players should receive strong looks for the US national team when international play begins.

Mark is currently 3rd in the league with 15 goals. Other top scorers for the Boilermakers include LF Gerald Walker (8), CF Irving Hogan (6), RF Sandy Bragg (6) and CM Rick Downs (4). Last season's top scorer, Charles Seay, has only scored twice this season after tying for the league lead this season. This is most likely a result of Mark taking over penalty and free kick duties.

The Boilermakers have survived their first National Cup match of the season a 2-0 win over a manager with 1 log-in. The next round pits them against FC Joplin of III.8, in a match they will not take for granted after being knocked out of the tournament by a noname team last season.

All together, 12 teams from II.4 are still in the chase for the National Cup title, including the defending National Cup champions, the Huggy Bears, and a surprising run by Team noname 30394.

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