The Edmonton District Soccer Association kicks off league play next week at the Riel Park turf field for three St. Albert Impact men’s teams.
On Monday in division 1A at 8:45 p.m. the Impact 2 play AC Milan 2. Last year the Impact 2 (7-1-5) finished second in league play and in the EDSA tier II first division provincial playdown qualifier final lost 2-1 to the Ital-Canadians.
At the tier II provincials, the Impact 2 replaced Ital as the second EDSA rep in the four-team draw and was awarded silver after going 1-1-1.
Wednesday in division 1B at 8:30 p.m. the Impact 1 tackle Polonia. The Impact 1 (9-2-3) placed second in their division and in the tier II provincial playdown semifinals lost 1-0 to the Impact 2.
Thursday in premier at 8:15 p.m. the Impact Rangers battle AS Roma. The Rangers (5-3-8) ended last season in the B pool after going 3-2-6 in the round robin fixtures for seventh place, one spot short of advancing into the A pool.
The 31st year for the St. Albert Men’s Soccer League is tentatively scheduled to start May 15.
There are eight teams this year, one more than in 2010. Returning teams include playoff champion Arsenal, pennant-winning Chester City (10-2), St. Albert United, St. Albert City and Crossfire.
Newcomers are CSKA Blues FC, AC Young Boys and GSE.
Not back are the Decepticons because of low enrolment and Strike Force, who will play in the tier 4 Virk division in the Edmonton District Soccer Association.
In last year’s final Arsenal defeated United 2-0 for their first playoff cup in team history. Arsenal finished 8-6-3 overall after placing fourth in league play at 4-5-3.
At tier IV provincials United and Chester represented SAMSL as the top two finishers in the regular season. Both teams went 0-2 with line-ups of 13 players each. Chester was outscored 9-1 and United gave up nine goals without scoring once.
If everything goes according to plan, the St. Albert Women’s Soccer League is back on the pitch May 15.
Division one features Mavericks 09 (17-1), last year’s pennant winners, plus the Storm, Morinville Ladies, Lady Titans, Goal Diggers, Gini’s, Fury, Kickers Rev and the top two teams in division two last year: Cosmos FC (10-2-2) and St. Albert FC (9-3-2).
Division two consists of the Devils, Tsunami, Falcons, SA Force, Mavericks 95, Pink Ladies, Snipe and Lady Killers.
Last year Mavericks 09 qualified for tier IV provincials as the division one leaders. In the bronze medal game they lost 1-0 to The Original Joes Crew from Grande Prairie. The fourth-place result was the best finish by a SAWSL team since 2005 when Morinville won bronze.
