RIFC head to Mount Vernon, New York to take on USL League One side Westchester SC in the first group match of the Jägermeister Cup. What is this new cup competition? Check out my blog from back in December when this was officially announced. Or if you don’t want to give me a click, just check out this quick video:

With there being 4 games in the group stage, RIFC drew matchups with Westchester SC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds away from home, and Hartford Athletic and Portland Hearts of Pine at home. And with only the winner of each group guaranteed to go through, these group stage matchups become extremely important. So as we head into this competition, let’s look ahead at what to watch out for from both sides.

Our boys in amber and blue come into this game off of a disastrous meeting with Detroit City FC in the league. The less said about that game the better. The only thing of note to mention is that Frank Nodarse is available for this game, as his suspension for his red card in Detroit will be served in the next league game, the home opener against San Antonio. This is actually not great news, as I would rather have had Frank available for the home opener (and not just because I’m supposed to be handing out the Man of the Match paddle). The home opener should be the more difficult match on paper and we could have afforded to be without Frank for this one. In any event, he is available and this is what I think the lineup might look like:

This is nearly the same lineup that was put out last weekend in Detroit. The only difference is Jackson Lee gets the start in goal. With this being a cup match against lower league opposition, I would normally be inclined to say there will be more rotation. However, given the fact that this first round of games is essentially taking the place of the league games this weekend, I don’t think there will be much rotation if any. You also have to take into account the injuries that RIFC have, with two notable players on the injury report last week being Albert Dikwa and Marc Ybarra. I just feel that this is a game you can start strong and hopefully have a lead to protect in the 2nd half. At that point, you can bring on the likes of Amos Shapiro-Thompson, Joe Brito, Taimu Okiyoshi, Rio Hope-Gund, etc…

When it comes to what kind of performance we should see out there, I expect a strong one. RIFC started out last game with a strong 11 that we were all excited to see, only for it to last all of 6 minutes before going a man down. I think this game is the perfect opportunity to run it back and put basically that same 11 out there. I actually wouldn’t be that surprised to see Koke Vegas in goal to make it the exact same 11. That position is really a toss up but I chose Jackson Lee as I think giving him both cup competitions is the way to go.

This is the last chance to get some positive momentum heading into the home opener on May 3rd. I’m really hoping this is the game where we finally see a full 90 minute performance. I think that will make everyone feel better, from the players to the staff and all of us.

Westchester head into this game coming off of what probably was the game of the week across both leagues last weekend, a 4-4 draw with Richmond Kickers. Both teams traded goals all game, with Westchester coming back from being down 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 before finally taking a 4-3 lead 7 minutes into stoppage time. That only lasted 2 minutes as Richmond got an equalizer with virtually the last kick of the ball.

As for the rest of their season, Westchester have 5 points in 4 games in the league, with a win, two draws and one loss. They won in each of the first two rounds of the US Open Cup, both against amateur sides, before losing in the 3rd round to Detroit City FC. I think this start is typical of a new team trying to get their footing. We all saw it last year with RIFC and Portland Hearts of Pine are off to a similar start in their inaugural season this year as well.

Westchester have a few players to watch out for, including a few familiar names:

• Samory and Noah Powder (DF/MF)
  • Brothers who are both big contributors. Samory often starts at LB, despite being listed as a Forward on the team website. Noah starts ahead of him as a wide midfielder on either side. Noah leads the team with 3 assists to go with 1 goal. Samory has 1 goal and 1 assist
• Conor McGlynn (MF)
  • Former RIFC player. Has found himself in the middle of the park as well as at CB. 2 goals so far this season
• Prince Saydee (FW)
  • Not a regular starter, but like McGlynn, a former RIFC player.
• Juan Carlos Obregon (FW)
  • Leads the team in goals with 5 in all competitions (3 of them PKs). Easily the most dangerous player on the team. Arguably best player on the field last season for Charlotte Independence when they beat RIFC in the Open Cup
• Honorable mention: Kurowskybob Fertil-Pierre (DF)
  • USL all-name first team

The thing that jumps out to me the most about Westchester SC is that they can score goals. The team has 13 goals in 7 games in all competitions this season. And even if you take out their 2 matches against amateur sides in the Open Cup, they’ve still scored 9 goals across 5 games. RIFC on the other hand, have scored 7 goals in 6 games this year so far.

I’m going with 3-1 RIFC here. Westchester are capable of getting goals and I think Obregon is probably the guy to get one. But they’re also not great defensively and I think RIFC can exploit that if we come out with a strong 11. And I think that we will. This is a tournament that we should be taking seriously and the timing of the game with it being the last one before our home opener makes it even more important to get some good momentum going.

I will be at the game in Mount Vernon, along with plenty of other RIFC supporters. This away trip will serve as another reminder of how far (not just distance-wise) fans will go for this team. I expect a loud and raucous atmosphere from our section and we can hopefully spread that enthusiasm around the stadium. I can’t wait to head up on Sunday and have a great time with the rest of the travelling fans. Until then, UP THE TIDE!