Boston City FC kicks off the club’s home schedule with what is sure to be a thrilling clash with rival Hartford City FC, considering last weekend’s goal-fest between the two teams.
The National Premier Soccer League action gets underway at 7pm at Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere, with both sides believing they can claim three points having shared the spoils and six goals in a roller coaster meeting last Saturday in Hartford that resulted in a 3-3 draw. Boston City trailed three times but bounced back resolutely through a pair of goals from striker Jhonata Batista and one from Rigoberto Jimenez.
Season tickets for seven NPSL home matches and one special event are now available at www.BostonCityFC.com and can be purchased at the venue on game day, with prices frozen for the fourth straight season. Single match tickets are also available on the gate, priced $12.
Young soccer enthusiasts from Revere will enjoy the match as they serve as ball kids and player escorts and watch from the stands on Saturday, as Boston City FC continues to engage with the local community.
This Saturday’s match marks a series of new beginnings for Boston City as the club enters its fourth season with a new coach, a new venue, a new and diverse group of players and a new approach to the campaign.
“You can definitely see a change of attitude and dynamic in how we play and that’s encouraging,” said coach Michael Bustamante. “I’m pleased that the boys are trying what I ask them to do. We’ll make some adjustments before we play Hartford on Saturday and we have some players to add to the squad who weren’t available last week, who will make us stronger.”
The Lions have Boston University defenders Peter Borboh Kargbo and Zion Balogun available to bolster a back line that defended resolutely to repel wave after wave of Hartford City pressure last week. Forward John Dumbuya could be available to add to the dual attacking threat of Batista and Jimenez.
Saturday’s match facts:
Boston City FC (0-0-1) vs. Hartford City FC (0-0-1)
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Kickoff 7pm
Harry Della Russo Stadium
Park Avenue, Revere, MA
Boston City FC head coach Michael Bustamante (first season)
Hartford City FC head coach Nick Balistierri (first season)
Boston City FC vs. Hartford City FC match notes: This is theopening2019 home match for Boston City… the Lions’ opening home record is 0-2-1… Boston City FC and Hartford City FC have met five times previously with Boston City edging the series 2-1-2… the teams met last week with Jhonata Batista (2) and Rigoberto Jimenez on target for the Lions, while Luke Alvaro, Miguel Carneiro and Tyler Carlos scored for the Colts… Batista moved to second on the all-time club goal scorers list with 11, one ahead of Homero Morais (10) and trailing Isaac Addai (17) by six goals… Jimenez scored his second career goal for the Lions, both having come against Hartford City… seven Boston City players made their debuts last week: Jeremy Pachter, Willian Bonora Santana, Charlton Muhlauri, Tommaso D’Agostino, Samuel Deossa, Mateus Araujo and Keith Dixon… Boston City and Hartford City met once in 2018 with goals from Rigoberto Jimenez and Isaac Addai earning a 2-0 win… Goalkeeper Jake Wagmeister made his Lions debut in that win… In 2017, the Colts knocked the Lions out of the NPSL playoffs with a 2-1 victory… During the 2018 regular season, Boston City won 3-1 at home on the back of an Isaac Addai hat-trick and drew 3-3 away with goals from Addai, Gabriel De Souza and Kevin Herrera… that draw is the only time the sides have met in Hartford with the other three matches played in Boston… former Lions defender and occasional striker Filipe Dutra, who played 734 minutes in 10 matches for Boston City in 2017, scoring 2 goals, is now with the Colts… Boston City have played once before at Harry Della Russo Stadium, losing a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match 2-1 to GPS Omens on May 17, 2017… only Jhonata Batista and Jonathan Argueta remain from the players who participated in that match, when Batista was Boston City’s goal scorer.