Coasting

The Louis Cure posted a 3-0 victory over Gold Coast to run the teams unbeaten streak to five games. The victory, the squads 13th, puts them atop the Major's Cup standings and also keeps alive the opportunity of setting a record for most BSL wins in a season (the Cure must win three out of its final four games to break the record). Underrated Chad Barrett continued his fine season with the opening goal, giving him man of the match honors, which was followed up by the streaking Robbie Findley's 4th of the season. Going into Sunday's games with a 2-0 lead, the game was still up for grabs when Brek Shea delivered a cultured (as FSC announcer Chris Sullivan described it) ball to put the Cure up 3-0. The Suns had no answer; Brian Ching and the rest of Gold Coast's big guns were held in check. Cure GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "We have been grinding out results of late. We are still not playing as well as we can, but we'd rather be peaking a few weeks from now anyway. Each week I see progress and that's what is important." The Cure will be back in action starting Wednesday, meeting Capital District, a team desperate for three points.

NEWS/NOTES
*The whole Cure team were delighted after finding out their comrades Gateway United picked up another three points, leaving them just two points out of a playoff spot. The two St. Louis clubs will meet up for the last match of the season, a match that will surely be a must win for the Saints. To quote an unidentified player, "this is lining up perfectly. Clinch the Show Me Cup and knock the Aints out of the playoffs at the same time. It doesn't get any better than this!"

*The Cure announced today they have waived Cornell Glen, who played the last two games of the season, and in his place signed Tony Tchani. While the Cure are still in search of depth up front, Tchani may be a valuable signing if Red Bull gets hot.

Honorable Mention

With its 3-3 tie against the NY Greeks, the St. Louis Cure collected the first trophy in its history. With five games still to play, the Cure have wrapped up the 2010 BSL Honors Trophy. GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "I'm speechless. Obviously, earning such a special award is thrilling, especially considering the quality competition we face week after week. It has been a dream season. We have set some lofty goals and we are going to work hard to achieve them. That being said, I have complete respect for all the other clubs; the playoffs and the Majors Cup (assuming we qualify) will be a huge challenge." Ironically, Lodes admitted he didn't even realize that the draw clinched the trophy. "I was so upset with myself after the draw with the Greeks. All I could think about was how I let the players down with my team selection; to put it simply, I blew it. Naturally when I was reminded we had won the trophy, it brightened my mood considerably." Lodes was referring to his decision to bench Patrick Nyarko. Had Nyarko started, the Cure would have earned another victory. "Sometimes you can over analyze things. I felt the Galaxy, with such a tough defense, would shut down Patrick. I learned a lesson; always put your best 9 on the field."

Cure Lineup, Game 15

Starters: Buddle, Findley, Glen, Barrett, Shea, Morales, Convey, Rogers, Nielsen (GK)

Subs: Espindola, Juninho, Richards

Reserves: Alvarez, Nyarko

Dog Days

The St. Louis Cure returned to training Monday, vowing to not let what happened during their last in-season break happen again. The Cure went into the World Cup break undefeated, cocky and knowing they would return to competition against the ownerless and last placed New York Greeks. The Cure obviously took the Greeks too lightly and were shutout, still their only defeat this season. With a second break in the BSL schedule, the Cure could have scheduled a friendly or two like most other BSL clubs, but instead GM/Coach Kirk Lodes gave the squad a week off. Now back to training, Lodes led an intense, physical and long training session. Lodes, "We have completed about 3/4 of the season. We have met our goals so far. We are determined to work harder than ever to finish up the season in solid form; we still expect to win the treble." There was a new face at practice, but it was not a DP--the Cure were one of the only teams to not sign an MLS import during the past few weeks. The player they picked up, former Monarch Cornell Glen, is expected to provide cover for the strikers, taking over the position that was abandoned after the release of Luis Angel Landin. Asked about the DP situation, Lodes had this to say: "Sure if the right guy came along we would make a move. That just hasn't happened yet. We are not going to overhaul the team just to sign a DP. We are the best team in the league. Why change something that is not broken?" The Cure kick off with...yes...the Greeks Saturday. Deja Vu?

Breking Down the Town

For the second time this year, Burud Town gave the St. Louis Cure all it could handle. And again, the Cure, not nearly as dominant as earlier in the year, did what they had to do to grasp the 3 points. Brek Shea was the hero and man of the match. Ryan Smith gave Burud an early 1-0 lead, and after Chad Barrett (who has been very consistent ever since the Cure acquired him) evened the score, Brek built up a lead all on his own with a goal and assist. Edson Buddle chipped in another goal; a late Pablo Hernandez assist wasn't enough to pull Burud even. GM/Coach Lodes, "I feel bad for the Stags. They were missing some key players. We were fortunate to meet them when we did. It could have been a much different result." The Cure announced after the game they will not play a friendly during the bye week. Lodes, "The guys are tired. I think that is part of the reason why we are not as sharp as we should be. They are going to get a week off--and they certainly deserve it." The Cure will return to action against the New York Greeks, amazingly the only team to defeat them all year. Revenge will be strong incentive.

Game 14 Preview/Lineup

After a robust workout today in hot and humid St. Louis, the Cure management announced the lineup for upcoming game 14. They face the Stags, and it's a pretty good time to meet Burud Town, as Brad Davis will not be available. Still, the Stags have a quality team; the Cure must try to stop Eddie Gaven. The Cure will be without two key players themselves: joint team assist leaders Bobby Convey and Patrick Nyarko will not play, nor will new signee Arturo Alvarez.

STARTERS: Findley, Buddle, Barrett, Shea, Morales, Rogers, Juninho, Richards, Nielsen (GK)

SUBS: Espindola, Torres, Convey

RESERVES: Nyarko, Alvarez

Robbieng the Union

Aided by a controversial Robbie Findley goal, the St. Louis Cure had Union S.C. singing the blues after a 3-1 defeat, widening the distance between the club in first place and the logjam of teams scrambling for the playoffs behind them. Man of the Match Findley buried home a PK, giving the Cure a 1-0 lead, despite very vocal objections by the Blues that Findley had dived. A Chad Barrett assist made it 2-0, but Union pulled one back with a Wondolowski assist. Later in the same game, Bobby Convey chipped in another assist, giving the Cure a 3-1 lead going into the crucial Sunday night finale. Brek Shea (on as a sub) could have cemented the Cure's lead, while Jacqua and Zakuani had a chance to give Union a shocking upset, but neither happened and the Cure walked away with the three points. GM/Coach Kirk Lodes "It was not pretty, but I praise the team for battling till the very end. Not every game is going to showcase fantastic football; winning is what matters most." Asked about Union's claim that Findley's goal was bogus and that the better team lost, Lodes simply responded "A goal is a goal. We all play by the same rules. As far as who is the better team, I'll just direct you towards the scoreboard and the league standings. That should settle the issue."

MAJORS CUP: The victory over Union also put the Cure in a first place tie in the Major's Cup. Lodes, "We are going for the treble. It is realistically in our reach."

ALVAREZ JOINS CURE: The talented but sometimes under performing Arturo Alvarez was signed by the Cure, who released Emilio Renteria to bring Alvarez in. Renteria had yet to play in a Cure match, but Lodes said Alvarez may be the last part of the puzzle for the Cure this season. "I was surprised Gateway let him go. You would think a team that is having such troubles scoring would let such a promising offensive weapon go. But, I rarely can understand Gateway's rational for doing some of the things they do. So be it."