The Chicago Fire Premier and the Michigan Bucks kicked off their 2006 campaigns with wins on Wednesday. The two teams, competing in the Central Conference -- arguably the PDL’s most competitive conference -- took their first step toward qualifying for the U.S. Open Cup.
In their home opener, the Bucks dismantled the Ft. Wayne Fever 4-1. The home side outshot the visitors 15-2 and University of Toledo product Kenny Uzoigwe scored a hat trick in the second half. It was the fatal second qualifying loss for the Fever which eliminates them from the Open Cup. Michigan will look to add to their Open Cup legacy when they hit the road this weekend to take on the West Michigan Edge on Saturday.
The Fire Premier needed a late goal to sneak past the Edge 1-0 in their season opener on Wednesday. Chicago also dominated the run of play, outshooting the Edge 15-5, but weren’t able to score the winner until the 86th minute.
In other PDL action, the Southern California Seahorses helped potentially complicate the Western Conference qualification process with a 3-0 road win over the previously unbeaten Orange County Blue Star. The Seahorses got two second half goals from former Seattle Sounder Josh Hansen and a late goal from Cristian Ruse.
