The USVISF Men’s Premier League heats up as we quickly approach the Big 4 championships.
On Sunday evening, St. Croix’s number one-ranked CAPA refused to come off the gas against last-place Prankton SC, securing a flashy 14-1 victory. The action continued on St. Thomas, where Raymix FC held Massey SA to a 1-1 draw to secure second place in their division.
Prankton vs CAPA was a short story, ending in a 14-1 defeat for the winless team at Bethlehem Soccer Complex on St. Croix. Prankton’s lone goal was scored in the 12th minute by Kiran Thomas, an answer to the 8th-minute score by CAPA’s Ramesses Moore McGuinnes. Threvon Thrope and Rakeem Joseph tag-teamed Prankton goalkeeper Andre Thomas, each with first-half hat tricks.
Not satisfied with a 7-1 lead, Joseph opened the second half with an eighth goal. Jamol Yorke followed suit nine minutes later, floating in CAPA’s ninth goal. Moore McGuinnes found the back of the net again, followed by Thorpe, Hasani Edgar Evans, and Davion Bell. Two yellow cards on each side hardly slowed the momentum as CAPA continued their unrelenting front. A last-minute goal by Thorpe sealed the team’s showy 14-1 win.
At Ivanna Eudora Kean High School field on St. Thomas, Raymix FC and Massey SA saw a heated contest that resulted in a 1-1 draw. Bendy Omilus scored Raymix’s only goal in the 27th minute. Each side’s defense fought hard to hold the first half to 1-0, with one yellow card on each side and two last-minute substitutions for Raymix.
The second half was even more gritty as Massey SA grappled for a spot-on the scoreboard. Three quick substitutions resulted in a 68th-minute goal by Jonathan Joseph to tie the game 1-1. As the competition stiffened, tempers flared among players, coaches, and officials. Massey’s Patrice Regala added a red card to his first-half yellow card. Hacheton Sima and Captain Caleb Tarvenier received yellow cards as well. Raymix striker Wood Pierre received the last yellow card of the game, which ended tied at 1-1.
CAPA’s weekend victory helped them break away from Helenites SC, their toughest competitors this season. While CAPA has already solidified their spot in the Big 4, Helenites can steal first place in the St. Croix division by winning their next two games against Rovers SC and CAPA. Last season’s dominant Rovers have maintained a quiet third-place ranking and must win the next two games to have a shot at this season’s championships.
Raymix’s draw against Massey was all the young team needed to punch their ticket to the Big 4. Fans eagerly await their Sept. 7 match against New Vibes SC, the only team to overcome them this season. St. Thomas powerhouse New Vibes has held the number one spot all season and will return to the Big 4.
This upcoming Sunday, Aug. 31, Helenites SC will face off with Rovers SC at Bethlehem Soccer Complex on St. Croix at 4 p.m. LRVI FC and New Vibes SC will battle it out at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St. Thomas at 6 p.m.
St. Croix Source
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