Cure Ready To Kick Off

In a little over one hour, the St. Louis Cure will begin their inaugral BSL season. Coach/GM Kirk Lodes was reserved but optimistic when interviewed just hours before the first kick. "The players are ready. They've put in the work and if they relax and play like they are capable, the result will come." The Cure's first opponent is as tough as they come. C.D. Gunners is stocked with offensive threats, and they will bring the game to the Cure, starting 6 strikers. Lodes will apparently look to counter attack on the heavily favored Gunners, as he will field a more balanced look of four midfielders and four forwards. There are no huge surprises from the lineup Lodes will field, but there were some interesting issues that were resolved. Patrick Nyarko beat out Emilio Renteria for the last forward starting position. Fabian Espindola, Nyarko and Renteria staged a fierce competition during preseason for a starting position. While Espindola secure his spot with a goal during a preseason scrimmage, the battle between Nyarko and Renteria lasted until the final preaseason practice. Renteria will be the first eligible substitute available for the Cure. The other surprise was the addition of 18 year old Roger Torres to the substitutes bench. The young midfielder beat out Rodney Wallace for the final position on the gameday roster. St. Louisan Taylor Twellman will be unavailable as he continues rehabilitation from a concussion suffered last year.