Closer Look at the Final Four

Rocket City United flies to Madison, WI tomorrow for their first appearance in the NPSL Final Four. Coach Greg Petersen doesn't know much about the RCU opponents, but expects success if RCU play their brand of soccer.

RCU coach discusses the semifinal opponent and the mentality of the team

RCU's opponent in the semifinal of the NPSL Final Four, Erie Admirals SC, was established in 1995 and has an extensive youth system. In their first season in the NPSL, Ireland native John Melody has coached the team to an undefeated regular season record of 9-0-1 in the Keystone Conference of the Northeast Region. The Admirals beat the Atlantic Conference's Boston Aztec 2:0 for the birth in the Final Four.

RCU's semifinal opponent Erie Admirals FC

The other semifinal features the West Region's Sonoma County Sol versus the Midwest Region's St Paul Twinstars.

Sonoma County Sol celebrates on of thier 42 goals

The Sonoma County Sol are the favorites to win the NPSL Final Four after qualifying for thier third consective appearence (fourth overall) after an undefeated season of 9-0-3. The attack first mentality of the Sol led them to the highest goals scored with 42 (3.5 per game) in the NPSL. RCU coach Greg Petersen is well aware of the style with which the Sol plays since the Sol's coach, Ben Ziemer, was a colleague of Petersen's at the Ajax School for Excellence. The Sol have also enjoyed tournament success this year by making it to the second round of the US Open Cup and the semifinals of the USASA Open Cup.

St Paul Twin Stars coach Youssef Darbaki holds the Midwest Region Championship Trophy

The St Paul Twin Stars battled their way to the NPSL Semifinals with a 5-2-1 record and hold the stingiest defense in the Midwest Region with 7 goals allowed. Coaching the team is Liberian Youssef Darbaki who may soon be doing double duty as coach of St Paul and the National Team coach of the troubled African nation.

I'll be making the trip up to Madison, WI to perform my broadcasting duties. So, I'll try to post anything interesting I may encounter.