This Saturday night in Bakersfield will be the most important match of this season. The Seals played very well in their last game against the Seahorses and not bad the day before against the Legends.

The Seals with one game in hand is essentially in striking distance of 2nd place. This sets up the Bakersfield match as the most critical match we have played to date. With the recent play of strikers Peter Lovell (2 goals v. the Legends) and Anthony Grillo (2 goals v. Seahorses) as well as the welcome return of Kellan Wilson and possibly Rawley Masaniai, the Seals should be well equipped to face a stubborn Bakersfield defense.

The Brigade are a tough club to figure out at the moment.  Overall, they are sporting a 3-2-7 record . . . yes, you read that right.  The Brigade have tied in seven games this season, and done so against some of the toughest teams in the Division, including the second place Legends (6-3-3) and the first place Fuego (8-3-2).

In June the Brigade went 2-2-2, defeating the Fusion by a score of 2-0, but then turned around one week later with a loss to the Rattlers, who currently hold a 2-7-2 record. 

Their stats don't indicate a defensive or offensive strength or weakness either.  This season they have allowed 12 goals against, while scoring 12.  Eight different players have scored for them this season - two players have two goals, and one has three.  Leonardo Munoz appears to be their most productive player in June, with both his goals and one assist coming in three separate games.

The Seals had a bye weekend at the end of June.  Sitting in fourth place (tied in points with the Fusion, but behind on goal differential) and within striking distance of the playoffs is a good place to be.  Resting up for 5 games in three weeks is equally useful.

"We've had a number of injuries here mid season, and this {past} weekend will help our players heal a bit" says Tom Simpson, Seals Head Coach, and General Manager.  "We have not been happy with some aspects of our game in June.  This is a league with some really good talent, and you see the parity when you look at the standings.  You can't make mistakes, or they'll cost you.  We've just had a few too many of them at the wrong time.  A play here or there, and the Seals are on top of the standings.  So, our final games will be the judge and jury for us this season.  I'm confident these guys can get the job done," added Simpson.

The Seals have 18 points from 11 games, and are just three points behind the LA Legends in second place, and eight back from the leaders, the Fresno Fuego.  Fresno has played 13 games to date.  The Legends lost to the Fuego 1-0 last Saturday (6/28), and come to play the Seals on Saturday, July 12th at USF Negoesco Stadium. 

Note: Our July 13th match against the Lancaster Rattlers has changed to 4:00pm at Chabot College in Hayward.

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