Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Bermuda Hogges FC, 5:30pm kickoff at Poly/Western High School  

 
August 2, 2008                                                                   

Bermuda crestBaltimore MD - Crystal Palace FC USA takes on the Bermuda Hogges twice at home in a four day span beginning on Sunday evening to close out their regular season’s home schedule. With the top two spots now out of reach, Palace still plan to finish strong and will be looking for nine points in their final three matches in hopes of a third place finish. Cleveland currently sit in that third spot, four points ahead of Palace but having played one game more. If Palace are to climb into third, they will have to rely on Cleveland failing to win both of their remaining fixtures, including a trip to league-leading Charlotte.

Although the two Bermuda fixtures are both at home, each kicks off in a different venue. The game on Sunday August 3rd takes place at Baltimore Poly/Western High School at 5:30pm, anchoring the 4th annual Mayor’s Cup soccer tournament at the Baltimore International Festival. The August 6th encounter will be in the familiar surroundings of UMBC Stadium and will be Palace’s final home game of the regular season.

Bermuda lie in 9th place in the standings and will be playing their second game in as many nights after losing 4-2 in Harrisburg on Saturday. Hogges striker and Bermudian National Team Captain John Barry Nusum was sent off in the Harrisburg match and so will miss Sunday’s game in Baltimore.

Palace welcome back Shintaro Harada on Sunday evening after his suspension for yellow card accumulation forced him to miss Thursday’s thrilling 3-2 win over local rivals Real Maryland. But top scorer Gary Brooks will still be unavailable as he completes his three-game suspension - he’ll be available for selection for Wednesday’s match. As announced earlier, Alex Ughiovhe’s injury will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Tickets for all upcoming home games can be purchased here.