Baltimore MD - On one hand, the Western Mass Pioneers will probably be glad to face a different team this weekend, having already played Richmond and Real Maryland twice apiece this season. On the other hand, their new opponent is the only team in the league with a 100% record, Crystal Palace.  The Baltimore side has yet to concede a goal, winning by a lone penalty ctrike in Bermuda last time out, while the Pioneers have scored a goal in three of their last four outings, but have only allowed two goals against during that same period.

Palace will be keen to maintain their perfect record and hope that Charlotte slips up at Richmond, allowing them to leapfrog the North Carolina team and go top of the league. Last season, it was honors even as each side won at the other’s stadium by a score of 1-0. All this should add up to an intriguing battle in Ludlow on Saturday night.

As for the Palace line-up, only Alex Ughiovhe will be missing from the squad that travels to Massachusetts on Friday. The midfielder has suffered a recurrence of a knee injury but will hope to be ready in time for next weekend’s top of the table clash with Charlotte. Palace’s top goal scorer, Gary Brooks will be looking to regain his scoring touch after failing to find the back of the net for the first time this season in Bermuda last weekend. Once again, the managers will have to choose between two top goalkeepers, Matt Nelson and Brian Rowland, who between them have kept the Palace goal-line intact in all four fixtures so far this season, a streak that extends to six if you include the final two games of last season.