Week 9 - The OC Comes to Texas

Battle Host Red Hot Expansion Side Orange County

Fresh off of a complete performance that saw the Alamo City Battle Soccer Club put up a season high 7 points, the club now faces what many feel are truly the hottest club in the BSL so far this season.  The league has had a history of expansion sides starting off red hot.  The Orange County Zodiacs are doing their part to continue that trend.  They've put up the most points this season which translates into them also having the best average points per match.  While they've struggled to put up points the last two weeks that doesn't fool Alamo City.  The Battle are very cautious about that and are trying to avoid being suckered into a trap game, if you could have that against a club sitting in the standings as Orange County are.

Complacency has plagued Alamo City in the past and team captain Thierry Henry is hoping that he, and the club, have learned and are ready to capitalize on the current hot streak.  "This game changes overnight.  When you are in form you have to try and make it last as long as you can.  You can very easily go to the opposite end and be cold for a long time.  I did it before, and this club has done it before.  Right now, we're in form and we're going to try and carry that as long as we can.  We're gaining points and we're also getting more of our players in form.  We need to get as much from it as we can."

As Henry stated, the club is finding form across the lineup.  Last week two newly acquired players provided the difference in the match as Olmes Garcia and Brandon Barklage both got on the score sheet.  It was a nice addition especially given that the "Big 3" all did their job by netting points.  Jimmy Nielsen also continued his fantastic start to the season.  If the Battle can continue the play they've had thus far there should be reason to smile come Monday morning.

WEEK 9 LINEUP VS Orange County:


Daigo Kobayashi  
Kenny Cooper    
Giles Barnes    
Andy Driver    
Michel
Brandon McDonald
Brandon Barklage
Thierry Henry    
Maicon Santos  
Olmes Garcia  

Jimmy Nielsen    

Eric Hassli  
Kleberson  
Clint Irwin      

Obafemi Martins