Real Relief

Another substandard performance had the St. Louis Cure reeling during its derby match against the Gateway Aints. Late in the match, the Cure were even being shutout by its bitter rival! Thankfully, Gateway was playing just as bad; for awhile the chance of a scoreless draw seemed quite possible. Then, Man of the Match winner Fabian Espindola, came to the rescue. His goal broke the deadlock; the Cure came very close to extending its lead as Espindola and Javier Morales set up a goal for RSL, but the official scorer did not credit the duo with assists. During the late game, that issue was resolved when the Cure's hottest player, Chad Barrett, scored and Bobby Convey offered another assist. Cure coach/GM Lodes, "Anytime we meet Gateway, its going to be a war. They push, shove, kick, elbow, punch and any other illegal tactics they can think of. The game was not the prettiest, but we will take it. Now we desperately want to finish the first half of the season undefeated. It would be quite an achievement."

Game 9 Lineup

STARTERS: Barrett, Landin, Espindola, Rogers, Nyarko, Richards, Morales, Convey, Nielsen (GK)
SUBS: 1. Shea 2. Renteria 3. Torres
RESERVES: Buddle, Findley

Game 9 Preview: Aint Nothin' To Worry About

A driving rainstorm ends a Cure practice prematurely. As the players sprint off the field, someone shouts "this is going to be us tomorrow. We are going to storm the Saints. They will drown." That seems to be the attitude of the whole squad. Supreme confidence as they prepare for the second leg of the Show Me Cup. Not surprising, coming from a team that is undefeated. Still, a reporter reminds them, Gateway did steal two points last time around. Coach/GM Kirk Lodes, "I believe our players gave the Aints too much respect during the first match. You have to remember we were the new guys in the league. Gateway were established and had a strong history; we were playing just our fourth match. Naturally, the guys played tentatively. Not this time around. The fellows have settled in and are anxious to attack and have no mercy. I expect to see our team play the best match of the year; goal scoring records could be shattered. The Aints will be so ashamed they won't want to show their face around St. Louis again."

Cure Re-sign Renteria

Two goals in two games. Cure coach Kirk Lodes says "I told you so!" Former Cure player Emilio Renteria has been resigned after finally getting some playing time for Columbus. Lodes, "We were as patient as we could be. We coveted Emilio's talent. But when the Crew refused to play him, we were forced to let him go. I'm glad they have come to their senses. Why they continue to star Lenhart over Renteria is beyond me." To make room for Renteria, the Cure reluctantly let go of young prospect Nelson Gonzalez.

Reserves Rally Cure to Another Win

Each week, a new storyline pops up for the St. Louis Cure. When meeting Montgomery County, the Cure's short-handed squad relied on many players who have spent most of their time this year on the bench. Would the reserves lead them to victory? Yes, yes, yes. The Cure only had the nine starters available for the match against the Monarchs, but that was all they needed. Chad Barrett gave the Cure a lead with a strong header; former Gateway striker Luis Landin offered up two sweet assists. Fabian Espindola, returning from injury, finished off the Cure scoring giving the team a commanding lead in the standings. Cure coach Kirk Lodes, "A great win, but we now must plan on getting over the jinx that is Gateway United. After that, we will be shooting for a new BSL record for wins in a season. We have a lot to play for."

Game 8 Preview & Lineup: The Sleeping Giant

In game 8, the Cure meets a team that may have switched their momentum. First, they broke a long losing streak. Second, they made the signing of the summer nabbing Thierry Henry. They will obviously come into the match pumped with a new sense of confidence. The key to the match, though, could be the Cure--and its missing players. The list of Cure names that won't be available is a daunting one for GM/Coach Kirk Lodes. Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley, Robbie Rogers, Roger Torres and Patrick Nyarko will be absent from the gameday roster. Lodes, "I prefer to think of it as an opportunity. Some players who haven't gotten playing time will get their chance this week. I expect them to be ready."

Cure Lineup
Starters: Nielsen (GK), Morales, Convey, Richards, Gonzalez, Shea, Espindola, Landin, Barrett
Subs: Nyarko, Torres, Findley
Scratch: Rogers, Buddle

Game 7 M.O.T.M.: Monkey Off of the Back

The struggling Robbie Findley picked a perfect time to score his first goal of the season. Preparing to head off to USMNT camp, Findley scored just minutes into the RSL/Houston game. The goal was enough to give the Cure their 6th victory of the season; it was also a super way to give Findley some confidence going into the National Team World Cup Camp. Findley is still a longshot to make the US team. But, form is critical. Like teammate Edson Buddle, if Findley gets hot while in camp, Bob Bradley may take him along to South Africa.

Far from Spectacular

The St. Louis Cure improved their record to a brilliant 6-0-1 with a far from impressive win against Union SC. Things started out fine; the Cure duo of Robbie Findley and Javier Morales helped the Cure sprint to a 3-0 lead Thursday. Then, for the most part, the Cure went silent. Except for a Patrick Nyarko assist, the Cure were shutout on Saturday. Fortunately, the Blues offense was just as inept. GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "I told the team after Thursday to not get complacent. They didn't listen. A win is a win and we will take the three points, but I demand improvement." The Cure World Cup trio of Robbie Rogers, Robbie Findley and Edson Buddle now head off the US training camp while the rest of the Cure will look to improve on their lackluster performance.

Game 7 Preview & Lineup: Singing the Blues

The 2010 BSL season has been dominated by the St. Louis Cure. I don't think anyone would disagree with that statement. Another thing few people would dismiss is the one team that seems capable of challenging the Cure for the title is Union Southern California. That makes the Game 7 match of the Cure versus the Blues huge...for both teams. For the Cure, a win could widen their lead and give them some breathing space, something that will be very important in the coming weeks (the Cure loses Edson Buddle, Robbie Rogers and Robbie Findley to the US national team next week). For the Blues, a win would move them just a point behind the Cure. This match will have a "playoff" feel for sure. Cure GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "looking up and down Union's lineup shows a deep team with loads of talent. We need to stop DeRosario and score against Ricketts, that goes without saying. But we must focus on creating chances ourselves. We have proved this year that if we play to are potential, no team can beat us."
Starting Lineup: Nielsen (GK), Convey, Torres, Morales, Rogers, Richards, Buddle, Findley, Nyarko
Substitutes: Barrett, Shea, Espindola
Scratched: Landin, Gonzalez

Game 6 M.O.T.M: A New Hero

Each week, it seems like the St. Louis Cure need someone to step up. And each week, it seems like someone new shows up to show the way to victory. Saturday, it was Chad Barrett. Grabbed as insurance off the waiver list, Barrett's role was to add depth to the forward line. But when substituted in Saturday, Barrett scored twice, leading the Cure to a big win over Burud Town. Barrett's performance was so impressive that he seems to be putting pressure on regular Cure starters (for instance, Robbie Findley, the number one draft choice has yet to hit the net this season). Don't be surprised if you soon see Barrett in the starting nine.

Cure Survive Thriller

Last week, St. Louis Cure GM/Coach Kirk Lodes was quoted saying "We are an attacking team. We score on you and if you can't keep up, you lose." Never has that been more true than in the Cure's week 6 contest, when the Cure outlasted the Stags to win 8-5, improving their record to 5-0-1. The Cure were slow starters this week, being shutout on Wednesday's portion of the schedule; they were behind 1-0 thanks to a Adam Christman assist. A Marko Perovic red card did give them a chance to put on Chad Barrett for his Cure debut. During Saturday's early games, the Cure built up a lead. Edson Buddle and Javier Morales put them ahead with an assist apiece, but the real star was Barrett, scoring twice to make it a fabulous start in a Cure uniform. Burud's Eddie Gaven and the Cure's Robbie Rogers traded goals, giving the Cure what seemed would be a impenetrable lead at 5-2. Bobby Convey then had a hat trick of assists, adding what it seemed would be insurance points. Instead, they wound up being the game winners, as Burud fought back and made the final score 8-5 thanks to points by Brian Mullan and Brad Davis. Lodes summarized his feelings, "Ultimately, the game came down to substitutes and team selection. We got two huge goals off the bench by Barrett, while the Stags left points off the field. A little luck never hurts. We've had some fortunate moments, but those thing tend to even out over a season. Words can't express how happy I am with squads performance so far this season." Lodes was alluding to the Stags Kai Kamara, Kheli Dube and Joey Gjersten, all unused subs. Had they been on the field, the result may have been quite different.

Game 6 Preview: Stags Party

What is that object hanging over the St. Louis Cure players heads? It's a bullseye. As they continue to defeat BSL opponents, their rivals focus all their energy on stopping them. GM/Coach Kirk Lodes: "Each week we face extra pressure. That's what happens when you are top of the table. We just focus on doing what we do best. We are an attacking team. We will score on you and if you can't keep up, then you will lose." No major lineup or formation changes are planned for the Week 6 matchup with Burud Town. The only concern will be the health of a few key players. Fabian Espindola was unavailable last week, Javier Morales did not play because of strep throat and Luis Landin was substituted after a rash challenge. Lodes is monitoring the condition of the three players; Robbie Rogers, Brek Shea and Chad Barrett are all candidates to take their places in the starting nine. As for the Stags, Lodes says the key will be to limit the production of Brad Davis, the KC duo Ryan Smith and Kei Kamara and the New England duo of Marko Perovic and Zach Schilawski. Match 6 begins tomorrow at 6 PM (Central Time).

Game 5 M.O.T.M.: Sir Edson

I'm out of adjectives. I'm out of things to say. Edson Buddle is just carrying this team on his shoulders. And it doesn't appear he will be stopped anytime soon. So, allow me to shift the subject. I've discussed this issue before and presented my side. Now, I will just say this: If Edson Buddle does not travel with the USMNT to South Africa, I'll personally crack Bob Bradley over his bald head. There. I've said it and I will say no more.

NEWS AND NOTES
The Cure have chosen Jimmy Nielsen as their number one, so they decided to release the season opening starting GK Matt Pickens. In his place, the team has resigned young FC Dallas prospect Brek Shea. GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "You can never have enough depth. Brek adds another attacking option off our bench. We never wanted to let him go and are glad we were able to get him back."

Landin on Their Feet

After a poor game against rivals Gateway last week, the questions were asked. "Were the Cure just a fad?" "Are the Cure for real?" "Have teams found their weakness?" "Was the great start just a mirage?" Ask no more. The Cure responded last night with their best game of the year, downing a game Gold Coast team 7-4. The Cure grabbed two new players last week, and both contributed mightily to the win. New midfielder Dane Richards started the scoring with an assist, while the controversial signee Luis Landin offered a goal and assist in his first match with the Cure. Gold Coast fought back thanks to Dominic Oduro; Patrick Nyarko's assist made the score 4-2, but the Suns added two points to make the score 4-4 going into the night games. Then, it was Edson Buddle time. His game winning assist occurred within a minute, he added insurance with two more goals to add to his league leading total of nine. The Cure savored their big win, but Coach/GM Kirk Lodes cautioned them to not get carried away: "Last week was a big wake up call. The Suns tested us mightily, but we rose to the occasion. We will get to work Monday, for Wednesday brings a new match and new challenges."

Game 5 Lineup: Into the Fire

Wasting no time, St. Louis Cure GM/Coach Kirk Lodes will lineup two debutantes going into its match with Gold Coast. Free Agent Luis Angel Landin gets an immediate chance to salvage his MLS career with a starting spot, while former New York Greek Dane Richards will take over a winger spot in midfield. As usual, the team will be captained by Javier Morales, although fitness concerns still plague him. And also as expected, the Cure forward line will be led by Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley and Patrick Nyarko. Robbie Rogers, last week a healthy scratch, gets a chance to jump out of the doghouse after being listed as the number one sub. Fabian Espindola is this week's injury casuality and will not be in the lineup.

The complete lineup:
Buddle, Findley, Nyarko, Landin, Morales, Torres, Convey, Richards, Nielsen (GK)

Subs: Rogers, Barrett, Gonzalez

Scratched: Espindola, Pickens