So what do you know, here we are at Memorial Day already, it seems like it happens faster and faster every year, hell it seems like just last week we were watching the Giants win the Super Bowl. Anyways the last week of May can only mean one thing and that is another season of the return of The Morristown 1776 AFC to meaningful matches in the Morris County Senior Soccer Association (MCSSA).
So a lot has changed from the club's inaugural campaign last summer, for one the club now has a non-playing manager in place, Claudio Cristao. For that matter the club has a complete coaching staff with Ryan Vinton serving as assistant manager. The Continentals have also been holding training sessions since the beginning of March which gives them a two and a half month head start on last year. The roster currently has 24 names on it which should add a lot of depth to the squad in this unlimited substitution league. The off-field issues have been cared to much more carefully than the chaotic two weeks from club creation to first league game last season.
As for the players, last seasons captain and goalkeeper Ryan Vinton underwent knee surgery from a training injury and will miss the whole season, he will serve as assistant manager during his injury. In his absence they have recruited former Morristown High keeper Mark Basso to play in the net.
The back line has changed greatly as well, returning is Ryan Deighan who last season played a outside back but this year will slide to the center and captain the team, the only other returning member of the backline is Tyquan Griffin who again will split time between outside and centerback. Gone is Scott DeMarco, last year a starting centerback who left with his brother Brian DeMarco, center midfield to start Hanover Lions a club the Continentals match up with June 4th. Also not returning to the D for the MCSSA squad in Charlie Hyre, centerback who should return for the fall GSSL squad. Danny Tomblin, Leftback will be on holiday for the extent of the season.
New to the defense are Thane Stimson who comes from playing high school soccer in Connecticut to pair up with Deighan at centerback. Shawn Campbell, Tavish Zauser Mannes and Ryan Krozser will also see time on the backline.
In Cristao's new 4-1-2-2-1 formation the defensive midfield position is critical hence last years co-leading scorer and striker Rodrigo Correa has slid back to solidify and D and launch attacks to the forwards.
The midfield has a mix of new and old faces, David Chase, last seasons player of the year should see so time in the midfield based on his avalibility but his presense is key to the holding ability of the midfield, partered with Correa they could be an unstoppable force coming forward. Carlos Antunes returns to the club and will see time in central mid as well as being the number two keeper.
Dan Clayton is a new presence at the club and should split time between center mid and a winger position. Brother Alex and Daniel Barbosa will see time at the same spots. Former East Florham United players and brothers Russell and Dylan Bauer will see time at center mid and wing respectfully. 17 year old Louie Catizone will bring his cross country running to the midfield as well
Aaron Hyndman is a name that should bring some star power and goals to the wing position, his ball skills are among the best on the club. Brady McDonald brings his 3goals from last season back to the front line and will see time at both striker and wing. Peter Luthi who spent most of his time last year in the midfield will move up to the lone striker role and play his physical brand in the front. Juan Erazo who played uptop with Correa last season will return to the club from a trip to Columbia in mid June and see time back on the frontline.
The club looks promising for the season and should certainly improve upon last season.
