BROOKLYN, NY – The club’s first team (0-0) will begin their season against the Hammers of Evergreen (0-0) on Saturday evening, May 11 at the Evergreen Sportsplex. Kick-off will start at 7:00pm. This will be the second time in three seasons that FA Euro will travel to Virginia to open their season. Last time coming in 2017, when the visiting team took down Evergreen in a two-nil shutout.
ALL TIME SERIES:
The first team leads the 2-1-1 all time throughout the previous three seasons that the two clubs have faced off against one another. The most recent outing came in the 2018 finale in Leesburg, where head coach Joe Balsamo called up numerous 2000’s players in effort to make their USL League Two debuts. Players included Dylan Scanley, Sory Konate, and Vincent Balsamo. FA Euro fell in the contest by a score of 4-1. Former first teamer Cheick Karembega scored the lone goal, which was assisted by Scanley. FA Euro begins play in Virginia for the second time in three seasons. Challenges? Executive Director Marco Balsamo shares his thoughts on the road schedule. “I always felt that the first three games are the most important in setting the stage for the season. It was our intent to get the long road trip over and done with as soon as possible. It’s a great way for the team to bond with each other, as several players have never played with one another previously. The schedule is non-stop and the away fixture allows us to build some chemistry off the field as we will get the opportunity to get to know each other a little better.”
NEW SEASON, NEW FACES, NEW HOME:
A transformation to the USL League Two roster has taken place for Joe Balsamo’s first team as only five players from the 2018 season will return as anchors for the newcomers. Sunatillo Khusanov, Conor McGlynn, Robi Sillah, Adam Marcu, Johan Mauritzson, Alexis Santa. Some of the newcomers to make their first team debut includes LIU Post’s Kyle Parrish, Bryant and Stratton’s (Syracuse) Babbacar Ceesay, 2000’s players Marcus Gabrielli, Nermin Buljubasic, and Caniscus’s Fillipo Tamburini. Executive Director Marco Balsamo and the administration feel good about the transition. “The entire staff firmly believes that, on paper at least, we have the strongest roster since our entry into the league. A big challenge is building team chemistry, in what usually takes months, it needs to be done within weeks. But the boys are disciplined and highly motivated, which makes everything a lot easier.”
The first team will also begin play at their third home in as many years when they make their long-awaited debut from Poly Prep Country Day School on Tuesday evening, May 14.
CONOR MCGLYNN MAKES USL WATCH LIST:
Midfielder and Siena College product Conor McGlynn was selected to the USL League Two “Top 100 Players to Watch” during the 2019 season. McGlynn, in his third season with the club, has been a vital acquisition for the first team. During the 2018 season, the MAAC conference product recorded a goal against Evergreen in both the home and away contests respectively. While with the Saints during the 2018 fall season, McGlynn started every contest for Siena and recorded a lone assist against Lafayette.
ANGELO ORLANDO RETURNS TO THE BENCH:
Former USL League Two head coach Angelo Orlando returns to the bench as Joe Balsamo’s assistant coach for the 2019 season. Executive Director Marco Balsamo had kind words for the new side-kick. “Angelo is always an example for players to aspire to. He’s lived the dream and played at the absolute highest levels of the sport. I feel that the players will see him as a benchmark and someone to learn and absorb as much information from. Angelo is also very familiar with the league and is the perfect coaching partner for my father.” Orlando’s last season as the head coach came during the 2016 season, when the club was in the “Northeast Division”.
UP NEXT:
The club’s first team makes their home debut at Poly Prep Country Day School on Tuesday evening, May 14, when Conor McGlynn, Adam Marcu, and Johan Mauritzson welcome the newest club to the Mid-Atlantic Division, “Cedar Stars Rush” for an 8:30 p.m. Kickoff. Admission is free.