ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Derby is set for Thursday, and local soccer teams are gearing up for the battle. News10NBC is featuring each team ahead of the match, starting with the Flower City Union.
The Flower City Union leads the National Premier Soccer League’s Great Lakes Division halfway through the season. A win this week could propel their season forward.
“We just got some ballers,” Ryan Fitzgerald said.
The team has scored a conference-high 18 goals in six games.
Head Coach Jordan Sullivan emphasized the importance of learning from the team’s lone draw from this past Sunday. “At the end of the day, we can reassess where we could have done a little bit better, adjust, and then make sure that we don’t make those same mistakes again on Thursday,” Sullivan said.
Despite a draw against Cleveland on Sunday, the Union remains unbeaten with 16 points, leading the NPSL’s Great Lakes Division. A win on Thursday against second-place RNYFC is crucial for securing a home advantage in the playoffs.
“We’re at a place now where we can certainly see it. I think Thursday’s going to be a defining game,” Bamford said.
The Union previously defeated RNYFC with a last-minute goal earlier this season. “Getting the goal in the last minute. You know, we’re close to the victory, which is what we work for,” Rodrigo De Almeida, who scored the game-winner said on the June 1 win.
So Thursday’s game is about bragging rights and defending their record. “It’s going to be a dogfight again,” Sullivan said.
But also about getting closer to home turf for the postseason. Nick Rippe highlighted the importance of playing at home. “I mean it’s huge. Honestly, the fans this year have been unbelievable,” Rippe said.
“So far we’re undefeated. That’s something that’s very hard to do,” De Almeida said. “So the win would be amazing.”
The match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the RNYFC Soccer Complex. RNY’s feature will air on News10NBC at 11 on Wednesday.
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Unbeaten Union: Flower City looks to stay hot against RNYFC WHEC.com.
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