It will be up to the FVSL’s All-Star teams to protect home turf this Saturday as they welcome the Vancouver Island Soccer League’s best to Trasolini Tuf in Port Moody. The FVSL travelled to the Victoria last year and captured both All-Star trophies (though one may have ended up remaining on the Island for reasons that can only be speculated…) Surely the VISL will be looking to return the favour in this seasons showcase and pack the hardware back on the ferry with them.
First up, at 1pm, will be the Masters game. The FVSL triumphed 2-1 last January thanks to goals by Dave Morris and Bob Atwal from Temple United FC A. This season, Temple will be represented by Ravi Mehan and Sunny Ghag who will look to replicate the fine form their teammates showed last time out. Of course Masters Premier leading goal scorer Kevan Guall from North Delta SC A will be looking to carry his prolific form onto the All-Star in representing the league, as will the man chasing him in the Golden Boot race, Jeff Rogers, who will be representing Port Moody Rangers. Also earning a call up to bolster the FVSL’s attacking capacity is the FVSL’s overall leading goal scorer, Brian Scrivens. Scrivens has been named to the side despite plying his trade in Masters Division 1 for the league leading Fraser Valley Players when he has scored an incredibly impressive 22 goals in only 12 games. Also getting the nod from Division 1 is Chilliwack Rapids midfielders Cam Willmets whose stellar play has seen him singles out on four occasions so far this year as his team’s man of the match.
Backstopping the team will be the stalwart duo of Matt Clayton, from Delta United, and Ian Johnston of North Delta. The keepers have a combined seven clean sheets between them so far this season and will look to ensure the team remains in safe hands at the back. A solid defense including, among others, Bevan Footman, from Surrey United SC A, Trevor Rosencrans, from PMO Rangers, and Sheldin Maistry, from Delta United will look to keep the VISL Masters leading goal scorer, Stuart Barker, and his cohorts at bay. The coaching staff is highlighted by the colourful John Collins, of Surrey United, who himself is named as an All-Star; no word yet on if he will be tapping himself as part of the starting eleven! A full list of the Masters All-Stars can be found here: http://www.fraservalleysoccer.com/pdfs/allstars_masters_2019.pdf
At 3pm, following the Masters match, the main event between the FVSL and VISL Open All-Stars will get underway. Last season saw the FVSL boys pull off an exciting comeback when they rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win on penalties. The fight back came courtesy of goals from Burnaby Firefighter’s Tyler Rosenlund and Coastal FC’s Mark Baldisimo, both of whom are back as part of this season’s squad and will be looking to avoid putting themselves in a similar situation this year. This team will have plenty of goal scoring punch with all three of the Umbro Premier League’s leading scorers named in to the roster. Langley United’s Connor Hildbrant, Coastal’s Jake Starheim and Port Moody Gunner’s Graeme Meers have combined for 42 goals so far this season and will be hoping to showcase their fire power in helping the FVSL to a win. There is plenty of strength to boast in the midfield as well as it will be anchored by two of the UPL’s leading MVP candidates in Mark Talisuna, from Port Moody , and Dave Adams from Surrey United Firefighters.
In the pipes, Abbotsford United’s Mike Haladin and his league leading five clean sheets will share duties with perennial All-Star keeper Andrew Hicks from Langley. Haladin has been particularly impressive this season in leading Abby to strong first half that sees the Eastern Valley team in the hunt for a Provincial Cup berth as well as still not entirely out of the UPL title discussion. Haladin is joined by teammate Colton O’Neill, who earned the nod ahead of brother Connor, and will operate in the backline along with Chilliwack’s rock at the back, Tyler Epp. Both men are not afraid to get forward either a will surely be keen for a chance to play a decisive role at both end of the pitch! The team will be managed by UPL Champions, Coastal FC, staff members Corrado Lenzi and Nour Fathy who will hope to add further hardware to their personal trophy cases as well as ensure the FVSL defends its title. A full list of the Open All-Stars can be found here: http://www.fraservalleysoccer.com/pdfs/allstars_open_2019.pdf
FVSL All-Stars vs. VISL All-Stars goes Saturday January 12 at Trasolini Turf; kickoffs are at 1pm & 3pm
Got a player whose performance you think deserves a mention? Was your team part of an epic game worth highlighting? Do you have some cool pictures of your team in action?
Send NEWS to media@fraservalleysoccer.com
And for more information on the FVSL go to fraservalleysoccer.com