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."

Game 13 Preview/Lineup

The St. Louis Cure will try to keep their foot on the accelerator for their Week 13 match with Union S.C. A victory will edge them ever closer to the prestigious Honors Cup. A win will also move the team ever closer to the record for most wins in a season (15). Both are now within the Cure's grasp. They must build upon last weeks victory to beat a very strong and hot Union club. GM/Coach Lodes, "We are treating this game like a playoff game. That's how crucial it is to us." The Cure are relatively healthy, but Patrick Nyarko suffered a concussion last week and will not be available.

LINEUP
Starters: Buddle, Findley, Espindola, Barrett, Morales, Rogers, Convey, Juninho, Nielsen (GK)

Bench: Shea, Torres, Richards

Reserves: Nyarko, Renteria

More Morales! Juninho is a Cure

The St. Louis Cure returned to their winning ways with a workman like effort against Gold Coast. GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "I challenged the players before the game. Questioned their commitment and desire to win. Their response showed me a lot." The return of Edson Buddle didn't hurt the Cure's cause, but it was Man of the Match winner Javier Morales who was the real star. The Cure went down early to a Brian Ching goal, but the Salt Lake trio gave them a lead they would not relinquish. Fabian Espindola (probably lucky to not be sent off) scored, then Morales, who had been in fine form yet could not seem to score, chipped in with two assists. Even Robbie Findley, who didn't make it off the bench, added a goal--while it didn't count in the official box score, it may be a sign that the struggling striker is coming around. The 3-1 lead was far from safe. The Cure got a yellow card during the first game of the week and another would have meant a point for the Suns. But the team showed discipline, something they have been excellent at all year. The Suns made it 3-2 going into Buddle's game. He could either finish them off or (if was to be booked) cost the team 2 points. As usual, though, Buddle scored a fine goal; Edson has scored 8 goals in his 8 matches this year. GM/Coach Lodes, "I ripped into the lads a bit before the game. But I needed them to understand how important it was. We are going against probably the second best team in the league next week and we needed to restore our confidence." Additionally, the Cure made a roster move, dropping Luis Landin and signing Brazilian Juninho. Lodes, "Juninho has been on our radar for a while. The goal he scored Sunday sealed the deal. Landin is a fine player and he had some great efforts for us, but I just can't rely on him because of injuries and the fact that he probably won't start with Ching back in form."

Game 12 Preview/Lineup

GM/Coach Kirk Lodes remembers the Cure's first encounter with Gold Coast. "No matter how many we scored, they just kept coming." So Lodes said he believes that in Week 12's match with the Suns, everyone will need to contribute. "We are going into the game with an attitude that we must score 5 to even have a chance. We know what we are up against." This may be the most important match yet for the St. Louis Cure. After being humiliated (and shutout) last week, will the league leaders rebound? Will Buddle and Findley's return inspire a return to form? Was last week just a midseason hiccup or a sign of a more serious problem?

STARTING LINEUP
Barrett, Espindola, Buddle, Nyarko, Shea, Morales, Rogers, Convey, Nielsen (GK)
SUBS
Findley, Renteria, Torres
RESERVES
Landin, Richards