EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – During the first half of Monday night’s match, the United States women’s national team provided a masterclass in attacking. They cycled through various lessons: attacking through forwards, wingers and midfielders. When to play direct and when to be patient. How to shoot, … [Read more...]
USWNT routs Mexico in first Send-Off Series game before Olympics
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – The United States women’s national team boasted a certain swagger when attacking Mexico on Thursday night. There were flicks and backheels. Give-and-go's and combinations. Teasing crosses and audacious long-range efforts. They succeeded through wide areas, down the middle and … [Read more...]
Buck brothers: Joe, Noel chase pro dreams with New England Revolution
Editor's note: This story appears on the cover of New England Soccer Journal's May/June 2021 magazine. Noel Buck then signed with Revolution II on June 22. In many ways, Joe Buck (Arlington, Mass.) and Noel Buck (Arlington, Mass.) are your typical soccer-crazy brothers. They kick the ball around in … [Read more...]
Nicolas Firmino finds new beginnings at Union Omaha
Nicolas Firmino (Somerville, Mass.) cushions the ball with his chest and rifles it towards goal. Standing outside the box, his effort ricochets off the left post, bouncing into the back of the net. He runs to the corner with his teammates, celebrating the equalizing goal against Greenville Triumph … [Read more...]
What makes UConn midfielder Emma Zaccagnini a “little general”
You might pass over Emma Zaccagnini (Watertown, Conn.) when you first spot her on the pitch. At just 5-foot-3, she’s an undersized, mild-mannered midfielder who doesn’t jump off the page physically. But don’t let her fool you. “The hesitation is you look at her and see this little girl,” Matt … [Read more...]
Aviza sisters reunite at St. John’s: “We can turn some heads”
It’s been over four years since they last shared a competitive field, but a sister reunion is forthcoming at St. John’s University. Last week, Shannon Aviza (Medway, Mass.) announced that she’s transferring to the Red Storm for a graduate season in 2021-22, teaming up with Isabelle Aviza (Medway, … [Read more...]
NEPSAC products Noah Abrams, Nicky Downs reunite at Loudoun United
It didn’t require much convincing for Noah Abrams, a goalkeeper from England, to commit to Berkshire. After meeting with then-head coach Jon Moodey and star player Jack Harrison in Central Park in 2014 to discuss the soccer program, the message was clear: there wasn’t a better situation to prepare … [Read more...]
Lasting legacy: Denise Lyons retires after 35 years at Keene State
When she first made the trek to southwest New Hampshire, Denise Lyons wasn’t sure what she was getting herself into. Raised in Limerick, Ireland, Lyons headed to Keene State College on a full-ride scholarship in 1985, though she’d never seen the school prior to her freshman fall. Decades later, … [Read more...]
USL Championship: Top 10 New Englanders to watch for in 2021
The 2021 USL Championship season is here, with teams split into four divisions for a 32-game regular season. Sixteen clubs will make the playoffs, concluding with a final that’s scheduled for Nov. 28. Plenty of New England natives color the league, which sits directly below MLS in the domestic … [Read more...]
MLS: Your New England guide to 2021 season rosters
After a four-month offseason, Major League Soccer begins its 26th season on April 16. Austin FC will make its MLS debut as an expansion side, growing the league to 27 teams. The league’s complexion is also continuing to change, with an ever-increasing flow of international players funneling onto MLS … [Read more...]
Aztec SC shows resilience amid tragedy: “They really rallied together”
As families trickled onto Aztec SC’s weekly Zoom session last May, the atmosphere was rather abnormal. It was a Thursday, nearly a week after the club emailed families with a tragic announcement. The week before, Sarah Duval (Andover, Mass.), a member of the 2009 Girls Red team, was diagnosed with … [Read more...]
Insider: Bryant downs Sacred Heart in Northeast Conference-opening win
It took until the 109th minute, but Bryant found a game-winner against Sacred Heart in Tuesday’s Northeast Conference contest, winning 1-0 in double overtime. With the seconds ticking away, Bryant (1-1) midfielder Amanda Spitaleri embarked on a piercing run before launching a shot at Sacred Heart … [Read more...]
