Irons Fail to Deliver in Crucial Showdown

The Ironmen (13-14) dropped a crucial home matchup to the defending MISL champions, the Philadelphia Kixx (12-15), last Thursday night at the Prudential Center. The loss allows the Kixx to cut the Irons’ hold on the sixth and final playoff spot to just one game.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Kixx opened up the second stanza with two straight goals. The first came 3:00 into the quarter when Ptah Myers found the twine for a two-point tally. A completely unmarked Tony Donatelli was able to add another two points to the Kixx’s lead just 1:20 later. Stefan Stokic got Jersey on the score sheet minutes later when he converted a rebound off the boards into a two-pointer. Frederico Moojen followed suit a few moments later off a free kick to even the score at four-apiece. However, Philadelphia capped off the scoring in the quarter when Don D’Ambra broke free from his marker and earned his first goal of the contest.

Philadelphia went up 8-4 in the third, but Irons’ forward Dan Antoniuk closed the gap with a two-pointer about four minutes into the fourth frame. However, it was Kixx defender Pat Morris who scored the pivotal goal of the match when he blasted a three-pointer at 6:58 into the quarter to make the score 11-6. Moojen and Antoniuk each added their second two-pointers of the game with six attackers on the field for Jersey in the waning minutes of the game. But the Kixx were able to seal the Irons’ fate with two three-point open net goals to end the scoring at 17-10.

Irons (13-13) vs Kixx (11-15) Pre-Game

The Irons (13-13) take on the Philadelphia Kixx (11-15) 7:30pm tonight, home at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. With New Jersey currently sitting in the last playoff spot and Philly only 2 games behind them, this becomes a crucial late-season game for both teams.

Now here is your reminder. This game was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 22, but no worries. Your tickets are still being honored. It’s also Sports Bottle Night, so come on down and get your free one.

Back to the pregame notes:

If the Irons can pull off a win, which we all believe they can, it would be his 150th career regular season win. You hear that Irons? Make it happen.


The Kixx have beaten the Ironmen twice this season. That being said it will not be an easy game. If I have my calculations correct over here… an Iron win tonight, and another win or Kixx loss secures New Jersey a playoff birth.

That’s all for now. We’ll be back with a timelier post-game wrap-up.

Another Tardy Weekend Update

On Saturday, March 15, 2008 the Irons found themselves back at the Rock, and defeated the Chicago Storm 10-9. A definite big win with the playoff battle in full swing. Tiguinho scored the game winner, and acquired the obvious LocalFe26 MVP of the day award.

A day later and a quick plane ride, the Irons dropped a game against the Milwaukee Wave in a heart breaking, crushing defeat. 22-6. I don’t even like to think about it. This leaves New Jersey in the final playoff spot with a tough battle with Philadelphia on Thursday.

So that’s the weekend update. One up. One down. Bring on Philly.

Irons Dig Themselves Deeper

7-6 sounds like a midseason record, but it’s not. It was the score of Saturday night’s Ironmen (12-12) loss to the California Cougars (9-15) in Stockton, CA. Needing a win, the Irons dropped the ball. We know these teams aren’t too fond of each other from the rare Thursday matinee that happened at The Rock a few weeks back, and it showed through the knocks that were being tossed around.

Elfvin started in goal for the Irons saving 12 shots. Dan Antoniuk also spent some time in net stopping three, while Elfvin sat in the box for a handball. I wonder (without doing the research) where Meola was.

Dan Antoniuk - Photo by Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
Antoniuk hit the twine twice, but he would not be the hero of the night. California’s Enrique Tovar would bury a three point goal in the forth quarter, giving the Cougars a 7-6 win. Their first in five. In a rare occurrence both head coaches, Omid Namazi and Bernie Lilavois, suited up for their respective injury hit teams.

Where does this leave the Irons? (Attempting to keep this clean) It leaves them in the last playoff spot, with some big games coming up. Will there be a hero who steps up and gets the Ironmen the clutch wins? Once again (to use a phrase I overuse), we’ll just have to wait and see.

New Blood - Scheer and Stamenkovic

On March 4, 2008, the Ironmen announced the acquisition of California Cougar veteran midfielder Craig Scheer for future considerations. If one new player wasn’t enough, the club also came to terms with forward Nebojsa Stamenkovic.

Scheer playing for Cougars

Scheer started his career with the Blast during the 01-02 campaign, collecting 96 points on 44 goals and 23 assists throughout his career. Head Coach Namazi stated, “Craig is a very experienced and versatile player; with our current injury situation, a player like him could fill a variety of roles for our team."

Stamenkovic, on the other hand, brings more Serbian flair to the team, having started his career with the Red Star Belgrade reserve team. In 2001 he made his way to the Milwaukee Rampage of the A League. Having grown up in Baltimore, his father Stan, was one of the indoor greats during the 80’s. Namazi stated, “[Nebo] knows the system, and I think he can come and fit in right away.”

Let’s hope so. The injuries have been a huge problem for the Irons this year. After spending the beginning of the season at the head of the pack, they have currently spiraled into a battle at the bottom of the table. Hopefully, the new blood will be just what the Irons need. All we can do is wait and see.

Irons Catch Beat Down From Monterrey, 28-12

The Ironmen were pounded by Monterrey 28-12 in an important mid-table matchup on Thursday night in Arena Monterrey. The loss drops New Jersey to 12-11 and allows La Raza (13-11) to overtake them for fifth place in the overall MISL standings. The sixth place Irons now occupy the final playoff spot with Philadelphia 2.5 games behind.

Here are a few more game notes:

* New Jersey conceded an eye-popping 20 straight points before finally getting on the board in the second quarter.

* Jersey keeper Tony Meola did not play due to the flu.

* Monterrey's Byron Alvarez tallied four goals for a total of nine points.

* Frederico Moojen and Dan Antoniuk each registered two goals for the Ironmen.

Irons Drub Sharks 27-5

The Ironmen (12-10) picked up their second win in consecutive games by handing the lowly Orlando Sharks (3-21) a 27-5 thrashing on Sunday evening at the Prudential Center. The win allowed New Jersey to maintain their edge over Monterrey for fifth place in the standings.

The Irons set the tone by scoring early and often in the first fifteen minutes of the match. New Jersey forward Shuan David opened up the scoring just 16 seconds after kickoff when he darted by two Sharks’ defenders along the boards and beat keeper Antonio Iriarte low to the far post for a two-point tally. Lazo Alavanja and Dan Antoniuk quickly followed suit with two-pointers of their own at 3:03 and 6:00 into the quarter.

Orlando pulled Iriarte in favor of rookie Paul Nagy after David tallied his second two-pointer of the opening frame. Alavanja concluded the first quarter scoring spree by adding a second goal of his own to bring the score to 10-0.

Irons’ Defender Donny Gray netted his first goal of the season off an Omid Namazi feed in the second quarter. The match was the first time head coach Namazi saw action as a player since the 2005-2006 MISL season.

Shaun David completed his hat trick with a three-point blast 9:56 into the second stanza. Ibrahim Kante, Fredrico Moojen and John Krause each added goals of their own with Namazi picking up his second assist of the match in the third quarter. However, Miki Djerisillo nailed a three-pointer off a free kick at the end of the frame to end New Jersey’s bid to earn the third clean sheet in the league this season.

Damien Pottinger added one more goal for Orlando in the fourth, but New Jersey capped off the scoring with Moojen and Antoniuk tallies late in the quarter.

The Irons' next game will be a crucial road matchup against Monterrey on Thursday night.

Pregame: Ironmen (11-10) vs Orlando Sharks (3-20)

Better late than never. Even though this pregame report is still getting posted... pregame. It has definitely been a long night, so please bear with me, my early morning typos and grammar.

At 4:00pm, today Sunday March 2nd, the Sharks travel up to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey to take on the Irons. This is the forth and final game between these two teams, and the Irons have walked away victorious in all previous meetings. The injury report for this game is long, so you'll find it hidden all the way at the bottom of this post.

What concerns me is that this game should be an easy win for the Irons, that is, if they play with the same intensity as they did against the Cougars on Feb 21st. The problem is the five game mid season skid, which really hurt the Ironmen, and put them in the middle of a battle royale for playoff spots. This is not a game to be taken lightly, and at this point of the season they all matter.

On a more positive note. The Ironmen have another Cosmo as their honorary captain for this game. No it's not Pele, that was the home opener. The honorary captain for today is none other than Bogie.

That's right, Vladislav Bogicevic will be there for the pregame ceremony and kickoff. For those too young to remember, Bogie is a member of the American National Soccer Hall of Fame. Famous for his Red Star Belgrade days, he also had 23 caps with the Yugoslavia National Team. Bogie became a Cosmo in 1978, and lead the league in assists three times. He is the all time assist leader for the NASL, and is second on the all time points list. That's right folks. He is a big deal.

The Ironmen will also be saluting Soccer Moms. Throughout the game soccer moms will be rewarded with gift certificates and prizes, as well as naming the first ever NJ Ironmen Soccer Mom of the Year. In relation to soccer mom day, a portion of the ticket revenue will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foundation for breast cancer research.

So basically... if you haven't made it out to a game yet. Today might be the day to do it.

After the game will be the inaugural Girls High School Senior All-star Game presented by NJSoccer.org. If that didn't make the day busy enough. Throw in a routine from the Wallington High School Varsity Cheerleaders.

I think that's pretty much everything that's going on. And now for your game day injury report...

New Jersey Ironmen
Rachid Didouh - Ankle (IR)
Matt Maher - Abdomen (IR)
Kevin Sloan - Toe (Out)
Juninho da Silva - Ankle (Out)
Goran Vasic - Tibia (Out)

Orlando Sharks
Felipe Lawall - Hernia (Out)
Connally Edozien - Hernia (Out)
Eric Vasquez - Foot (Out)
Ainsley Romany - Groin (Doubtful)
Xavier Delgado - Heel/Hamstring (Questionable)
Simba Harris - Hamstring (Questionable)
Shawn Boney - Hip Flexor (Probable)
Paul Nagy - Knee (Probable)