Western Mass Pioneers Defeat Long Island 2-0 and Move into Round of 32
Two assists from Israel Neto helped the Pioneers overcome the Rough Riders and advance into the Round of 32 up in Vermont at the weekend.
Tuesday night was a beautiful summer evening at the historic Lusitano Stadium, where the Western Mass Pioneers welcomed in the Long Island Rough Riders for an Eastern Conference First Round playoff match. After a heartbreaking stoppage time collapse that cost them the league title a week before against Vermont Green, the Pioneers made sure to get right to business on Tuesday, taking care of the Metropolitan Division runners-up in commanding style.
The Pioneers dominated the opening phase of play and eventually got the go-ahead goal in the 26th minute, when their attacking-minded Brazilian Israel Neto danced past his defender on the left wing and centered the ball to Mamadi Jiana, who smashed the ball into the back of the net.
“It was a good feeling to score in front of my hometown crowd,” said Jiana, who grew up in Western Massachusetts and likely played his final game at Lusitano Stadium Tuesday. This is the University of Albany winger’s third summer with the Pioneers.
Additionally, Jiana acknowledged his teammate Israel Neto, who set him up on the goal.
“He’s very important, you know, he’s a guy you always want on your side,” said Jiana. “He’s very skillful, very creative, so I’m glad to have him as my teammate.”
After surviving a late surge of momentum from the visitors in the closing stages of the first half, the Pioneers got back to work after the break, threatening the Rough Riders with savy skill and set pieces. In the 73rd minute, it was the Pioneers who were able to get the game’s second goal. Once again for Western Mass, it was Neto setting up the goal, this time with a beautifully placed chip to the back post where Santiago Gomez was all alone and easily able to make it 2-0.
From there it was smooth sailing for the Pioneers, who were able to take care of their 2-0 lead and see the game out, something they were not able to do last Friday against Vermont.
”We are happy for the result after what happened on Friday,” said Pioneers Head Coach Federico Molinari. “It’s very good to play at home and win. We’re confident now that we can go and compete over there (in Vermont).”
After Tuesday’s win, the Pioneers have now advanced into the round of 32. They will head up to Burlington, Vermont, where they are set to take on Metropolitan Division champions FC Motown II at 4:00 on Friday at Virtue Field.
“I think it's always good to have confidence when you go into these kinds of games,” said Mamadi Jiana when I asked him about his feelings ahead of Friday’s high-stakes clash with Motown. “It’s important, you know, to have the confidence to lift your team up and always be ready to win.”
Whoever wins Friday afternoon’s matchup will take on the winner of Friday’s nightcap at Virtue Field between Vermont Green and the Hudson Valley Hammers. That match is set to kick off at 7:30 PM.