Pioneers Wrap Up Road Trip
Get ready to host the Champions
Experience
The
Western Mass Pioneers just finished the last game in a three game road trip,
which saw the team playing three games in seven days.
On
Sunday June 11, Western Mass traveled to GPS Portland Phoenix in Maine. The
Pioneers gave up a penalty in the 4’ but were able to convert a penalty of
their own in the 30’, which was coolly made by Carlos Ruiz. Play settled down in the second half until
the sneaky midfielder Pierre Villez scored in the 89’ to seal the Pioneers win.
On
Wednesday, June 15 Western Mass tied FC Boston Bolts. The Pioneers gave up an early penalty kick,
but roared back to action behind a Chae Brangman goal. Western Mass dominated the Bolts for
stretches, but the game ended 1-1.
On
Sunday, June 17, the Pioneers headed to City Park to play the Westchester
Flames. A scoreless first half turned
into a 4-0 rout in the second half when Alex Wrona scored a beautiful free kick
22 yards out in the 58’. Pierre Villez
scored three minutes with an assist by Edu Zurita. Mike Goncalves scored a cracker in the 84’
and Evan Burokas finishes with a goal in the 89’ with a Chris Roswess assist.
The
Pioneers finally return home on Wednesday, June 21, when the Champions
Experience visits Lusitano Stadium.
Rafinha and Douglas Costa from German powerhouse Bayern Munich and the
Brazilian National Team will host a clinic, stage a meet and great, and play on
the field against the Pioneers!
The Champions Experience will host a clinic at Lusitano Stadium on June 21,
from 5:15-6:45. Young soccer players
ages 8 to 18 will have a unique opportunity to learn from Rafinha and Douglas
Costa along with their longtime training staff.
These players will also share stories and demonstrate their techniques
that allow them to compete at the highest level. Each player will also receive a Nike camp
t-shirt and a sports bag.
From 6:45 to 7:15 there will be a meet and greet session with Rafinha and
Douglas Costa. Bring your camera and
your favorite jersey for them to sign!
At 7:30, Rafinha and Douglas Costa will suit up for the Champions Experience
Stars soccer team and face the Western Mass Pioneers in an exhibition
game.
The Champions Experience Stars’ team is shaping up to be formidable, with
many familiar faces and Pioneers legends signing up.
The Stars will be lead by Rafinha.
Rafinha plays right back for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. He is a skilled defender with good passing
skills, quick pace, agility and a strong shot.
He has played for Bayern Munich 136 times since 2011 and has made four
appearances with the Brazilian National Team.
Rafinha has won the Bundesliga title five times with Bayern Munich, and
won the UEFA Champions League in 2012-13 along with the FIFA Club World Cup in
2013.
Alongside Rafinha will be Bayern Munich teammate Douglas Costa. Costa is a winger and is known for his
dribbling skills, speed and crossing ability. He played for Bayern Munich 50 times since 2015
and has made 21 appearances with the Brazilian National Team. Costa has won the Bundesliga twice. He is
also rumored to be transferring to Juventus F.C. in Turin, Italy.
The Stars will be coached by legendary Pioneers coach Leszek Wrona. Wrona coached the Pioneers from 1998-2000,
2004-2006, and 2008-2010. As Pioneers
head coach, Wrona won the USL D-3 Pro League championship, and lost in the USL
Second Division Championship game in 2005.
The Champions Experience Stars will be captained by Everson Maciel. Maciel played for the Pioneers from 2004-2008
and achieved many accolades. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 he made the All League
First Team, and the All League Second Team in 2007. In 2010 he was named #9 on the USL Second
Division Top 15 of the Decade.
Luke Perry is also suiting up for the Stars.
Perry is the head coach of the men’s soccer team at American
International College. Perry has played
three seasons for AC Connecticut and also for the Western Mass Professional Soccer
Club.
Enigmatic striker Alencar Junior is returning to Lusitano Stadium. Junior played two seasons for the Pioneers,
scoring 19 goals in 17 games. He also
made the 2014 PDL All-Eastern Conference.
Stalwart defender Jay Willis is playing for the Stars. Willis is men’s soccer head coach at
Worcester State University and assistant coach for the Pioneers. He has played over ten seasons with the
Pioneers and made the 2007 USL Second Division All League First Team.
Jayme and Joey Kapinos both have extensive soccer experience playing for the
Pioneers and other soccer teams. Currently they both play for the Ontario Fury
in the Major Arena Soccer League.
Also suiting up is Julien Myers.
Myers is a men’s soccer assistant coach at AIC. He played at Southern Connecticut
State University and has a career in the Professional indoor circuit.
Technical and skills expert Danny Gildea the Soccer Assassin and more will
be playing for the Stars.
Tickets for all three of these events are available
now. Please visit http://ChampionsExperience.com to
register for the clinic, purchase tickets for the meet and greet, and reserve
your spot for the CE Stars vs. Pioneers game.
Space is extremely limited, it is recommended to book your spot today. Please note that Pioneers flex tickets and
season passes are NOT valid for this game. Please purchase this special ticket
at the link above or at the gate.