Virginia Beach Piranhas are confident they can take a bite out of Real Maryland Monarchs FC when the two clash on Saturday
May 1, 2012
Virginia Beach, Virginia - Content with his current roster of new talent and veterans as well as an arsenal of seasoned futballers coming off a professional indoor season, Piranhas head coach Cesar Rizzo feels confident opening the season on Saturday.
"Expectations are higher this year," Rizzo said. He says the team is more prepared and talented than ever before.
His players have responded to his optimism as has General Manager Jim Gooley, claiming that this year’s team may be “one of the fastest and most effective teams” the men’s Piranhas have ever put on the
pitch.
Tennant McVea agrees. “Coach Rizzo has put together a strong squad." He continued by saying that the youth on the team has brought an eagerness to do well that motivates rookie players and veterans alike. “The entire team plans to play hard and go as far as we can.”
Already looking ahead to the playoffs, fans can expect a new, “hungry” Piranhas team taking the pitch. The team plans to deliver competitive matches at the Sportsplex as well as on the road with a “solid, defensive-minded team, with a strong but creative attack,” according to rookie forward Wes Hendrix.
The road to the championship may not be an easy one, beginning the season with a match-up against the Maryland Monarchs FC, who finished third last season in the South Atlantic division. Tyler Benham, a third year veteran goalkeeper for the Piranhas, says the team will be ready with competitive plays on the pitch and under the direction of talented coaches on the sidelines.
“Maryland has a good pool of players,” said Benham. “It should be a pretty competitive match on Saturday, very exciting to watch.”
Hired in January, the Monarchs are approaching their 2012 season of “promise” under the coaching expertise of Silvino Gonzalo.
Coach Gonzalo brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Monarch’s leadership position. He has coached many teams to National prominence over the past 25 years. Coach Gonzalo was instrumental in getting Real Maryland FC off the ground in 2008 as the first Head Coach of the Club’s top team that participated in the USL’s Second Division.
“This is another step for the Monarchs,” says General Manager David Noyes. “Real Maryland feels Coach Gonzalo will continue to build upon what has been created in a short amount of time.”
With the Monarchs making the move to the USL Premier Development League (PDL) in 2010, both teams have a lot at stake to prove their position within this league and will leave it all out on the pitch at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex this Saturday, May 5 at 7 p.m.
For more information on the Virginia Beach Piranhas, including sponsorships, internships, tickets, or volunteer opportunities, please visit www.vbpiranhas.com. 
