STA KICKS OFF METRO SLATE, HOSTS N.J. ALLIANCE FC

Written By:  Charlie Corr
             East Region Contributor

For second-season WPSL side STA, the club feels it is in a much more advanced stage heading into its 2022 campaign. STA will find out for certain how much progress it has made when it hosts New Jersey Alliance FC on Wednesday, June 1, to kick off the Metropolitan Conference 2022 schedule at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, N.J.

“They look like a really strong roster this year,” Kelly Sims, STA head coach, said following the first full week of training. “We have a lot of returning players who are STA alumnae, as well as a few new faces that have been really good. I think they are going to buy in quickly, and it’s going to be a really fun summer season.”

STA had a respectable first WPSL season in 2021. After a slow start, STA won three of its final five matches en route to a 3-3-1 record. Within that five-match stretch was a 2-1 victory over Alliance FC on June 18, 2021.

A smooth transition this season, Kims said, has been the integration of the team. The heavy group of returnees has been integral heading into this second season, including some connections outside of the WPSL realm. STA returnees Zoe Tiger and Sofia Black, both WPSL All-Conference selections last season, will be playing alongside Indiana University teammate and STA newcomer Sydney Masur.

“She’s going to really make a difference in the way we play,” Sims said of Masur. “She’s the creative type of center midfielder that you need within the team.”

The collegiate talent will handle the brunt of the STA workload, but Sims noted the impact that the academy will play. Aoi Kataoka, for example, is from STA’s U-19 academy squad, and this season she will be with the WPSL group on a full-time basis in a defensive midfield role.

During a rigorous and compact season, Sims says that depth will be crucial toward improving from last season and vying for a top position in the Metro standings.

“Every position we have depth, and we have some current academy players that will have the opportunity to jump in and experience this level,” Sims said. “We’re ready to tackle the intense schedule, and looking from top to bottom, I definitely believe we are stronger than last year.”

Around the Metro Conference:
 

Dutch Lions FC, Brooklyn City FC Debut – The Metro’s two expansion sides will make their WPSL debuts this week. New York Dutch Lions FC hosts the New York Athletic Club on Friday, June 3 (5 p.m. ET), and Brooklyn City FC hosts Downtown United SC on Sunday, June 5 (7:30 p.m. ET). The WPSL newcomers will be challenged from the get-go with two incredibly well known organizations. NYAC is preparing for its 16th WPSL season, and Downtown United is coming off a 2021 season that featured an 8-0-0 record and Metro South Division crown.

Metro’s 2021 Elite Square Off – One of the biggest matches of the Metro’s opening week features visiting Downtown United and host SUSA FC (6 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 4). DUSC had a perfect Metro South campaign a year ago, while SUSA posted an impressive 7-0-0 mark to win the Metro North. In 2021, DUSC and SUSA were superb on both sides of the ball. Offensively, SUSA averaged 4.7 goals per match and DUSC averaged 4.4. Defensively, SUSA was one of the league’s top-5 clubs statistically, conceding only 0.4 goals per match. DUSC also conceded less than a goal per match (0.9) last season.