Reifer has high expectation for Emerging Players in Super50
Taylor missed, but Flemmings’ calm nerves put Rising through to semis
Veteran Reggae Boy Jermaine Taylor missed a crucial penalty in a nervejangling shootout as Phoenix Rising FC narrowly avoided a massive upset at the hands of Austin Bold, to advance to the Western Conference semi-finals in the United Soccer League last weekend.
Entering the quarter-final contest at Casino Arizona Field as heavy favourites after dominating the regular season to finish top of the conference, Rising found themselves frustrated for 120 minutes, and forced into the lottery of a shoot-out.
Another Jamaican Junior Flemmings held his nerve to convert the first spot kick for Rising and level at 1-1 after Kris Tyrpak had put Bold ahead.
Rising went ahead when Thomas de Villardi was saved in the second round but parity was restored after Reggae Boy Kevon Lambert’s weak, low shot was easily saved in the fourth round by goalkeeper Diego Restrepo going to his left.
Both teams then traded penalties – with another Jamaican Jason Johnson netting for Rising in the sixth round – until the ninth round when captain Taylor’s shot
Head coach Floyd Reifer says he has high expectations of West Indies Emerging Players, as they prepare to do battle in the Regional Super50 starting next week.
The development squad will play in Group B staged in Trinidad and will be up against last year’s losing finalists Guyana Jaguars, Windward Islands Volcanoes, visiting side United States, and hosts Red Force in the November 6 to December 1 campaign.
“I expect to see some good performances from the players. It’s a very young side that we have put together. There is a lot of talent in the squad, so I am eager and looking forward to working with the players,” said Reifer.
“I want to see them put their energies into the tournament and winning a few games, but for me, it’s about developing the talent that is there and making sure that at the end of the tournament there is some form of improvement, individually and as a team.”
The squad comprises the likes of Barbadian fast-bowling all-rounder, Justin Greaves, who has taken 46 wickets from down the middle was blocked by Zac Lubin, leaving AJ Cochran to smash in the winning shot.
The game was not one of many chances but striker Adam Jahn perhaps had the best opportunity when he headed across the crossbar for Rising in the 16th minute.
And Flemmings also came close just after the half-hour mark when his 18yard volley was cleared off the line by defenders.
In the stoppage time during the first period of extra time, Lambert forced a brilliant close range, reflex save out of Restrepo.
Rising will now take on Real Monarchs SLC in Friday’s first semi-final, after their opponents clobbered 10-man Orange County SC 6-2 in Utah.
Reggae Boy Michael Seaton scored in injury time at the end for Orange County.
In downtown Nashville, Bermudian winger Zeiko Lewis scored again but the 35th-minute penalty was in vain as Charlestown Battery went down 3-1 to hosts Nashville SC. 22 first-class matches at an average of 25, and has already scored a first-class hundred.
He will be joined by leg-spinning allrounder Yannic Cariah, already with three first-class hundreds and 50 wickets in 59 matches, while left-arm seamer Dominic Drakes, also from Barbados, and Under-19 World Cup star Kimani Melius, has been included.
Reifer said while he was familiar with some of the players, he would use the tournament to quickly acquaint himself with the abilities of the entire unit.
“I have worked with some of the players previously. Some of them, yes, I am not too familiar with them, but we have a few days before the competition starts and when we go through the matches, I will quickly learn as I think I have a good eye for talent,” he explained.
“Getting to know the players will be quite easy for me, in terms of identifying the talent on the field, but off the field. I will try to spend a lot of time with the players and have a lot of conversations to get to know them quickly as possible.”
He added: “We also have a few players in the squad that will be preparing for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 South Africa, so they will be looking to have a good outing in the tournament.
“We have some young players in the squad in the fast bowling department, so the bowling attack looks promising. In terms of the batting, I have not seen many of the players previously, but I am ready and willing to work with them and see what they have to offer.”
Reifer arrives in the new position, having overseen the West Indies men’s side for the last four months, and believes he has much to offer the developing players.
“I have learned a lot over the last few months and I am willing to impart all of the knowledge I have to the players and developing their games, and making sure that as a team, we will build and play well during the competition,” he stressed.