Run for cover!
An earthquake is rumbling though the Mid Atlantic Division, or so it may have felt last Saturday, June 18, as Jersey Express continued its seismic soccer to register an 11-1 shaking of Brooklyn Knights, and send tremors through the PDL.
The nestled nature of the Maspeth, NY Met Oval on a warm, late Spring evening was the perfect setting for the visitors’ feat, as goals and assists rumbled upon their hapless hosts. It’s the biggest win in the history of the 4-year old franchise; upending the flattening they inflicted on the three-time divisional champions two weeks ago when half a dozen unanswered goals were scored. The result sums up a 17 to 1 tally from their two games.
Jersey is shying away from ‘huffing and puffing’ over their showing. However, its protagonists in the drubbing drama were forwards Kadeem Dacres (2) and Joe Ovenseri (2); midfielders Ansger Otto (2), Abdou Coulibaly (1), Will Stamatis (1) and Joe Niouki (1), with captain Jerrod Laventure also scoring one to make the task too big to chronicle, thus the précis.
It is logical, though, that Jersey is buoyed by the achievement, but not over-elated nor cocky, according to their head coach George Vichniakov. “I don’t want to talk about the results and the points and all that stuff, I am more concerned in the picture of the game and how the guys played. We really get going when we play the game the way that we plan.” 
Though not a shutout, the match came very close to emphasizing Jersey’s 2011 record of goalless sweats by their rivals. It’s only the second time they were scored on around six shutouts - 4 at home and 2 on the road. “It’s not like Brooklyn didn’t play well or they were missing plays, we were much, much better team and all the things we worked on before eventually started to work out. Our players just executed on the field, you know.”
“The guys played a good game. They worked hard and they enjoyed the game, same time.” Vichniakov said, opining that soccer is a game where creativity adds to the enjoyment. “I thought they worked as a team and they really had a good time on the field,” he said, observing the good communication between players. “Tactically they did good stuff and you saw some beautiful plays like some fancy stuff, if I could express it like this. But, I was very happy with the game.”
Vichniakov had praise for the ‘triangle of trouble’ to rivals – a trio of Africa-born players - Lebo Pila (South Africa), Coulibaly (Ivory Coast) and Niouki (Senegal). “Lebo and Niouki … They understand their jobs and they communicate, now. They cover each other and that’s what I’m really happy with, and Coulibaly is a classy addition. Every goal was good to watch.”
Incidentally, two of the players are in Vichniakov players’ honors for the game. Coulibaly was named the Game MVP, while Niouki was selected as Midfielder of the Game. They were joined by Laventure as Defender of the Game and Ovenseri who got the nod for the forwards.
“With every team, every game, we work much better together in many positions. Players understanding their roles in what they really should do in the formation,” Vichniakov said talking about his set-ups. “It’s new for some players and they were taking time to adjust.” This ‘goal-per-player’ performance is proof of the team’s fine-tuning, and also ratchets up Jersey’s goal aggregate to a stunning league leading: 29 GF to 4 GA from 8 games. More importantly, it gives them 21 out of a possible 24 points at the half mark with seven wins.
“In the beginning of the season, we didn’t play bad really, the only problem was finishing,” the head coach noted after the big win. “If you remember the game with Ocean City, we scored in the last seconds, and then against Jersey (Rangers), we did that again.” The coaching staff, he said, spent the last two weeks concentrating on converting the chances created. “If it were organization of the attack then that would be a real problem, but when we creating chances that means we’re doing things right, it’s just finishing and we work hard and eventually last game we capitalize on our chances.”
The goal glut by the fleet-footed fellas ends the first half of their regular season on a gargantuan note, and is an ominous memo to their rivals. Word is out about the Express and their huge appetite for scoring as they start the second part of their season at home against divisional nemesis, Reading United AC.
Thursday’s (June 23rd) game with the recently dethroned divisional leaders is eagerly awaited, and Vichniakov is resolute on sustaining Jersey’s home-win streak. “We have a few days between the games and we’ll recover and build from the last game.
Tuesday and Wednesday we’ll work on some tactics stuff and prepare for this game against Reading,” he said without a hint of any specific gameday strategy.
Not only does the astute instructor wants turn back the challenges of rivals, he also wants to ensure the team performs as planned. “For the remaining games I expect the team continuing to improve in some areas and to play good soccer, that’s really what I want on my team. Points is important! … Wins! … That is important, but being good in the game that’s what I want to see on this team, and the wins and points will come.”
Jersey’s only loss this season came away to Long Island Rough Riders amidst a few logistical snafus. However, Vichniakov said since that time work was done to prevent recurrences, and he thanked players and support personnel for the efforts, particularly for this game. “I want to specially thank Gali Maimon, our general manager. He really concentrate on the preparation for the game and that’s the result we are seeing, you know.”
Now, that’s what you call teamwork in effect. Teamwork that will be ‘read’ on the Richter scale to the Pennsylvania club as a stark reminder that Unity Is Strength. Go Express!
