Alabama Classic: RCU v Pumas Tomorrow Night

This Saturday's Alabama Classic (derby for you anglophiles, classico for you latinophiles) between Rocket City United (6 points from 4 games) and Pumas FC (6 points from 3 games) of Birmingham is a must win for both teams. RCU picked up their first victory of the season 5:2 in the away fixture of this match-up with a solid second half performance that saw RCU roar out to a five goal lead before Pumas netted two consolation goals. Coach Greg Petersen does not expect this game to follow that script as both teams are much improved since that evening in early May.

Petersen discuss the loss to Atlanta and the upcoming Alabama Classic

RCU is coming off a disappointing 0:2 road defeat to Atlanta FC where injuries and other personnel issues didn't help matters. Team Manager Chris Shaffer described the road trip as a "long day in hell" where nothing worked out for the boys in red, white, and black. RCU will look to sure up their defense with the return of central back, Norbert Webley, who was nursing a hamstring injury picked up early in the Chattanooga FC match.

Shaffer discusses the Alabamba Classic and describes what went wrong in Atlanta

Pumas has added a few dangerous players who have helped them to join the four-way crowd at the top of the Southeast Region table. During that time, Pumas is leading the NPSL Southeast Division in scoring, averaging 4 goals a game. After trailing 2:1 at the half against Saturn FC, Pumas struck 6 times in a victory that Saturn FC described as "worst humiliation ever in Saturn history".

The kickoff for tomorrow night's match and all remaining RCU home matches has been moved back to 7:30PM to accomodate the spectators who would be staring directly into the setting sun while sitting in the John Hunt Soccer Stadium's West Stand.