Both San Diego amateur league teams will be looking to begin a streak this weekend.
The San Diego Flash and San Diego Boca FC of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) are heading into their second matches of the week. Both teams are coming off convincing wins in their season openers last week.
San Diego Boca FC will host FC Hasental on Saturday night at Balboa Stadium in another Southwest Division match up. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Coach Eliseo "Papo" Santos' team is coming off a 2-1 win against rival Real San Jose in the season opener.
Boca FC should have a tough task against Hasental FC, a team from Thousand Oaks, just north of Los Angeles. It will be the first time the two teams face each other.
"We know Hasental FC is coming off a tough opening loss so they will be committed to winning this game," Santos said in a statement released by the team.
"We respect that, but won't back down. We need to play smart futbol and move the ball and play intense at the same time."
Hasental FC is coming off a 3-1 loss to the San Diego Flash at Westview High, home of the Flash.
It was a come-from-behind effort for the Flash in its first match as part of the NPSL.
The Flash will now play its first road game against the newest NPSL team, Hollywood United. Hollywood is coming off a 1-0 win against Santa Ana Winds FC. The match should help define which new team will make an early impact in the West Division standings.
The same can be said about Boca FC-Hasental.
It is early in the season calendar but this could be the time each team can make their presence felt by jumping out ahead. Boca FC is considered the most experienced squad out of the four teams mentioned here but don't tell that to the San Diego Flash players.
They know Hollywood United is a team with plenty of players with experience in the Pacific Developmental League.
Either way, both San Diego Clubs would like to end the weekend with a victory to set up a showdown between possible undefeated local teams.
Both clubs are slated to play for local bragging rights April 17 at Westview High.
Should be interesting.
Ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
