Alliance look to build
Soccer squad brings game downtown
By KIRK PENTON, Winnipeg Sun The Winnipeg Alliance will hit the MTS Centre floor on Saturday afternoon riding a two-game winning streak.While that may not seem like a big deal, it is when it’s the first two-game winning streak in the team’s four-year history. The Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League squad, coming off a pair of victories against the Prince George Fury last weekend, will host the Professional Arena Soccer League’s Ohio Vortex in a double-header on Saturday at the downtown arena. The first game goes at 2 o’clock, with the second slated for 4 p.m. The Alliance normally plays at the Seven Oaks Soccer-Plex, but it is taking its game downtown in an attempt to gain a new legion of fans. Owner Tony Pesce reported more than 2,500 tickets had been sold as of Friday afternoon. “I’m hoping to get 3,000,” Pesce said. “It depends what happens on the walkup. Our goal was 3,000, so we’re pretty excited about that. That’ll put us in good shape. ”The Alliance made its debut with a double-header at MTS Centre in April 2007 that attracted a crowd of 7,700. Pesce said more than 2,000 tickets were given away and that local youth soccer teams gobbled up another 3,500 — something they are not doing this time around. Earlier this week Pesce turned to his local business contacts, who ponied up more than $7,000 towards tickets for children’s groups throughout the city. Pesce is also hoping the casual sports fan will check out the fast-paced game. “That’s the biggest thing,” he said. “We want to make people aware of the product. We’re excited about it. We’re running a pro franchise. We have the right people on board. I’m getting good buzz from the people, the fans. ”The Alliance are tied for fourth in the five-team CMISL with a 3-5 record. Only the first-place squad will advance to the post-season, which consists of a playoff against the top squad from the PASL. The CMISL is playing an abbreviated interlocking schedule with the PASL this season. The Alliance visited the Vortex in early January and lost 13-8, but Winnipeg’s roster has changed significantly since Pesce purchased the club. “Ohio’s got a good team, and we’ve restructured, and the guys have some chemistry,” Pesce said. “It’s going to be very entertaining. ”Kenny Sacramento leads the Alliance with seven goals and four assists in eight games. Jordan Goetting is next with seven goals and three helpers in six matches. Indoor soccer games usually consist of four 15-minute periods, but they are cut down to two 20-minute halves when teams play a double-header.. |
