New England Mutiny News Release - GAME NOTES: 2012 HOME OPENER

GAME NOTES: 2012 HOME OPENER

New England Mutiny vs. New York Fury (WPSL Elite)
DATE & TIME: Saturday, May 12, 2012 (7:00 PM)
VENUE: East Longmeadow H.S. (E. Longmeadow, MA)
ADDRESS: 180 Maple Street, E. Longmeadow MA 01028

NEXT HOME GAME
New England Mutiny vs. Chesapeake Charge (WPSL Elite)
DATE & TIME: Saturday, May 19, 2012 (7:00 PM)
VENUE: East Longmeadow H.S. (E. Longmeadow, MA)
ADDRESS: 180 Maple Street, E. Longmeadow MA 01028

WPSL ELITE LEAGUE
On February 9, 2012, the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL), a national amateur women's soccer league with over 70 teams throughout the nation, announced the formation of WPSL Elite. The semi-professional league was formed in the wake of the suspension of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), with eight (8) league teams including former WPS teams and the region's top WPSL teams playing the highest level of women's soccer in the United States. The New England Mutiny, one of the oldest members of the WPSL & a charter franchise of the East Conference, accepted an invitation to become one of the franchises in the newly formed league. The Mutiny joined three (3) former Women's Professional Soccer teams (Western New York Flash, Boston Breakers and the Chicago Red Stars) and the ASA Chesapeake Charge and F.C. Indiana as the charter teams. In March, another WPSL team in the New York Fury and the newly-formed Philadelphia Fever would also join the league to round out the eight-team lineup. "We are honored to be selected to participate in the league and it shows tremendous faith in the soccer culture here in Western Massachusetts," said Mutiny owner Joe Ferrara. "This will be a monumental task and it will take the effort of the entire community to make it a success."

RILEY AND THE MUTINY
There are two members of the 2012 New England Mutiny who have recent ties to New York Fury Head Coach Paul Riley. Forward Carrie Patterson and defender/forward Toni Pressley were both drafted by Riley's Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) team - the Philadelphia Independence. Patterson was selected in the Fifth Round (40th pick overall) of the 2010 WPS Draft by the Independence before being traded to Atlanta Beat. However, Patterson would rejoin Philadelphia for the 2010 season. "I met with Paul Riley about Carrie and he told me it was a no-brainer," said Ferrara. "After I talked to Carrie on the phone for ten minutes and I knew why. We have struggled to find a consistent goal scorer the last few seasons, so to get one from WPS fills a big void." Pressley was selected with the final pick in the Second Round (13th pick overall) by the Independence in the 2012 Draft after the conclusion of her successful four-year career at Florida State University. "We expect [Pressley] to be a major part of our backline this summer, but don't be surprised to see her pop up and score a few goals, too," said Mutiny Director of Player Personnel Brendan Faherty. Patterson is available for the Mutiny this weekend, while Pressley was called up to U.S. U-23 National Team training camp in Carson, CA (May 13-20).

RILEY VERSUS THE MUTINY
WPS suspended operations for the 2012 season in late January, and since that time Paul Riley has been busy with his WPS SuperGroup training program and with preparations for the WPSL Elite season. As can already be inferred, Riley and the New England Mutiny do have a long history with one another, as the New York Fury mentor used to be the head coach for the Long Island Fury - who still compete in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Riley was a two-time WPSL Coach of the Year, leading his Long Island team to two National Championships in 2006 & 2009. The last time the Mutiny would face a Paul Riley "Fury" side was in the 2009 season, when New England lost all three encounters to the WPSL Champions: 2-0 (away, 5/30/09 @ Adelphi University); 1-0 (home, 6/20/09 @ Enfield H.S.); and 2-0 (away, 7/22 @ Adelphi University) in the WPSL East playoffs. The 2009 season was the last one in the first tenure for Mutiny Head Coach Tony Horta, who certainly has inspiration to reverse those results this season. Those three losses to the 2009 Fury are more than a quarter of Horta's 11 career losses as New England coach from the 2007-2009 seasons. In 2008, the Mutiny were on the victorious side as they defeated Riley's Fury by a 4-2 score on the road in the WPSL East playoffs. Horta would lead New England to the WPSL Championship in Sacramento, CA that season (the team's last appearance in the WPSL Championship) before falling to the Arizona Rush in the National Semifinal by a 2-1 score.

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IRISH EYES ARE SMILING
One of the new members of the 2012 New England Mutiny already has a long-time tie to one of the team's all-time great players: Erin O'Grady. Irish Women's National Team defender Ciara McCormack was a teammate of the Mutiny Hall Of Fame member when both played for the now-defunct Boston Renegades in 2001. O'Grady & McCormack would lead the Renegades - alongside former New England standout Rebekah Splaine - to the W-League Championship that season. Both players have strong regional roots as O'Grady was named to the Syracuse University Hall Of Fame in 2005 while McCormack was one of the first players from British Columbia to play NCAA soccer, competing for Yale University where she received the Yale Athletics Community Service Award as a senior in 2001. McCormack has since enjoyed a successful professional career, winning championships in Vancouver (2006) while being the first

Ciara McCormack will be counted upon for veteran leadership with the Mutiny this season.

and only Canadian player to medal in the UEFA Women's Cup Final after claiming silver with Fortuna Hjorring of Denmark's top-flight Elitedivisionen in 2003. O'Grady came to the New England Mutiny in 2004 and led the team to four (4) East Conference titles and two (2) WPSL National Final appearances (2004 & 2007). A little over ten years later, the circle is complete for both as O'Grady was a source that McCormack could rely on when it came to her choice to play for the Mutiny this season.

DIMARTINO FAMILY REUNION?
There was a distinct possibility that this weekend's New England home opener could have been a family reunion for Mutiny forward Vicki DiMartino. The Boston College star not only was a standout for Riley with his Albertson (club) & Long Island (WPSL) club teams, but her two older sisters Tina & Gina are currently rostered by the New York Fury as well. Vicki was recently called up to U.S. U-23 National Team training camp in Carson, CA (May 13-20) alongside her Mutiny teammate Toni Pressley. Both players will be in a Mutiny uniform for the team's Saturday, June 2nd home match vs. the Philadelphia Fever. Vicki was a 2009 All-WPSL First Team selection for Riley's LI Fury team. Tina - the oldest of the three sisters - was a Hermann Trophy Finalist at UCLA and has starred for the F.C. Gold Pride (3rd overall pick in 2009) and the Philadelphia Independence in WPS. Gina also played for the LI Fury during her college career at Boston College, and was part of the Philadelphia Independence for the past two years. All three have starred in the U.S. National team system from the U-18 to the U-23 and senior levels (Tina has three caps for the USWNT). The family reunion will have to wait for the rubber match of the season series, when the Mutiny travel to Hofstra University on Tuesday, July 3rd for a 7:00 PM kick-off against the host New York Fury.

KIA MCNEILL RETURNS "HOME"
The ball rolls on the pitch in both directions, and they will be a homecoming of sorts for one of the New York Fury players. Defender Kia McNeill started out her premier soccer career in a New England uniform, as she played for the Mutiny in the 2005 season. A freshman forward for Boston College in 2004, the Avon, Connecticut native was the reigning BIG EAST Rookie of the Year (joining former New England teammate Meghan Schnur as the second consecutive BIG EAST ROTY to sign with the Mutiny) and was one of four forwards selected to the NSCAA All-Northeast Region First Team. New England would reach the WPSL National Championship that they hosted at Agawam H.S. in 2005, but would lose to current WPSL Elite opponent F.C. Indiana in the National Semifinal. McNeill would go on to become an All-WPSL selection for Bay State Select in 2007. She played her first three seasons at B.C. as a forward, before moving to the back her senior year. After playing the 2008 season in Sweden with Kristianstad, McNeill started her WPS career with St. Louis Athletica in 2009. McNeill joined the Independence as a free agent after spending the 2010 season with the Atlanta Beat, immediately solidifying the team's back line and helping the club to a second straight WPS Championship Game appearance.

FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
The New England Mutiny were pleased to announce that Tony Horta was re-hired as Head Coach for their 2012 season competing in WPSL Elite. Horta returns to the New England bench after a two-year absence, when he guided the team for three seasons from 2007-2009. "[Tony] has been successful at every stop during his career, including leading the New England

Current NY Fury star Kia McNeill started her WPSL career with the Mutiny in 2005.

Mutiny to two straight WPSL National Championship appearances," said Mutiny General Manager Kristin Shaw, who worked under Horta as a player for the 2007 & 2008 seasons. Horta oversaw the most successful run in team history in the 2007 & 2008 seasons, when the team won 20 matches while losing only four & drawing three (overall record: 25-11-3). New England qualified for the WPSL National Championship in both those campaigns, losing to F.C. Indiana in the 2007 Final. Tony will be able to make up for that loss this summer, as FCI are also a part of the newly-formed WPSL Elite League. During his tenure, Horta was named the 2007 WPSL East Coach Of The Year and many of his Mutiny players reeled in the accolades. He coached five players who were named All-WPSL (Meghan Schnur, Stephanie Labbe, Erin O'Grady, Mary-Frances Monroe & Jenny Maurer) including the 2007 WPSL East Goalkeeper Of The Year in Labbe and the 2008 WPSL East Player Of The Year in Monroe. Chris Legates returns as his assistant coach as a "charter" Mutiny staff member, as he assisted than-New England Head Coach Austin Daniels in the team's first season in the WPSL in 2003. The team would reach the WPSL National Championship in its first season under their tutelage, losing to the California Storm by a 3-1 score in the National Semifinal.

U.S. NATIONAL TEAM COMMITMENTS
Both teams will have players missing from this weekend's match due to various U.S. National Team commitments. For the New York Fury, their top commitment for the 2012 season - Tobin Heath - is currently in U.S. Women's National Team training camp alongside the Mutiny's Kristen Mewis. Mewis will be available for the Mutiny after the conclusion of camp on May 25th and will be in uniform for the team's Saturday, June 2nd home match vs. the Philadelphia Fever. As previously stated, New England's Vicki DiMartino & Toni Pressley are away at U.S. U-23 National Team training camp. Cari Roccaro of the New York Fury has been called up to U.S. U-20 National Team training camp (May 13-20). The Mutiny's U.S. Soccer Young Athlete of the Year Finalist Morgan Andrews is away captaining the U.S. U-17 National Team at the 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Women's Championship, as the team is one win away from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup this fall. Andrews will make her Mutiny debut the weekend of May 19-20 when New England hosts the Chesapeake Charge (Sat., 5/19 @ ELHS, 7:00 PM kick-off) and travels to face the Philadelphia Fever (Sun., 5/20, 7:30 PM kick-off).

LATE ROSTER ADDITIONS
With college commitments & various national team training camps factoring in the preparation for the 2012 home opener, New England has added two players who are available for this Saturday's game vs. the New York Fury. Former Boston Aztec Breaker Reserve forward Taleen Dimirdjian and forward/midfielder Tiya Gallegos have been practicing with the team and could provide depth for Head Coach Tony Horta this weekend. Both players starred for Head Coach Nancy Feldman at Boston University, with Gallegos wrapping up her Terriers

Mutiny star Kristen Mewis will be training with the USWNT until May 25th.

career last fall with her third consecutive America East All-Conference Second Team selection. Dimirdjian graduated from B.U. in 2009, and since than has helped the now-defunct Breakers Reserves to the 2010 WPSL National Championship and 2011 WPSL East Conference title. "Gallegos is a tough competitor that will add depth to our attacking line," said Mutiny General Manager Kristin Shaw. "Taleen is another former B.U. Terrier who comes to the Mutiny with a solid knowledge of the game and a desire to compete. She brings experience and an incredible work ethic to the squad this year."

For more information on the New York Fury, visit their official website at http://www.nyfurysoccer.com.

ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND MUTINY
The New England Mutiny are a charter member of the WPSL East Conference, winning five East titles while reaching the WPSL National Final on two occasions. The Mutiny will compete in WPSL Elite in 2012, competing against the Boston Breakers, WNY Flash, New York Fury, Chicago Red Stars, F.C. Indiana, ASA Chesapeake and the Philadelphia Fever. For more information on the team, please visit http://www.MutinySoccer.com or send an e-mail to NewEnglandMutiny@aol.com. AAA (American Automobile Association) of Pioneer Valley is the Official Team Sponsor of the Mutiny. Visit their official website at http://www.pioneervalley.aaa.com to book special travel discounts, apply for an auto loan, receive auto insurance discounts and much, much more! You can also follow our team on Twitter and Facebook

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