American Soccer League Returns with all 3 NE Teams in Action

American Soccer League actions gets back underway this weekend. Going into the spring campaign after launching last August, the ASL will only have seven of its original eight teams. Ironbound Soul SC was suspended from the league due to a breach of rules involving ineligible players.

Despite the slight contraction, all three New England teams will be returning for the spring season. On Saturday, Western Mass Pro Soccer travel to play Rhode Island Oceaneers while Mass United FC hosts Evergreen Diplomats.

Western Mass was a dominant force in the fall campaign of the ASL's 2014-15 inaugural season, ending with an undefeated 6-0-4. A majority of that successful team will be returning to the field for WM Pro Soccer in 2015 and Federico Molinari retains his role as head coach of the team that will look to solidify its position at the top of the ASL

Goalkeepers:
Warren Gross, Joe Kapinos

Defenders:
Jayme Kapinos, Jay Willis (c), Pat Boucher, Trey Jasenski, Jesse Pereira, Francesco D'Agostino

Midfielders:
Evan Burokas, Maximiliano Vieira, Daniel Fabian, Luke Perry, Mike Matera, Patrick Ryan

Forwards:
James Beeston, Eddie Bogle, Matt Mitchell, Chris Roswess

Despite the impressive record, Western Mass was unable to beat intrastate rivals Mass United FC over two encounters in the fall. Though Mass United carried a winless record of 0-7-3 over the fall campaign, the team will look at its early home-and-home series with Western Mass to light a fire for the rest rest of the spring season. The two Massachusetts teams play in Lynn on April 18 before playing May 2 in Ludlow.

The third New England team in the ASL, the Rhode Island Oceaneers, have added a significant amount of talent to their squad. While Revolution academy coach Jasir Charris put together an amateur team of mostly young local players for the fall season, the Oceaneers have added to former MLS players ahead of the spring kick-off.

The additions of Andrew Sousa, who was signed by the Revolution in 2011 out of Providence College, and Ryan Maduro, who played for the New York Red Bulls in 2012 after finishing his own career with the Friars, makes the Oceaneers a good bet to finish better than their fall record of 2-3-3.

Western Mass Pro Soccer with travel to Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Massachusetts, to take on the Rhode Island Oceaneers at 7PM while father north Mass United FC play host to Evergreen Diplomats at 7PM.