OLYMPIQUE MONTREUX FACES INTERNATIONAL TEST THIS SATURDAY

Cottonwood, Utah. September 23. Olympique Montreux's credentials as a contender for a place in the Daynes Cup next month will be tested when the team hosts perennial powerhouse International FC on Saturday at the West Jordan Soccer Complex.

(Kick off 3:00 PM)

Inter has practically maintained a monopoly, if not total supremacy, on the league's top flight for more than a decade. In fact, Utah Soccer Association's annals report Inter has won all known titles throughout the late 1980s, the 1990s and is still winning.

Newly promoted OM has made a solid start of the season banging in 25 goals in five games, including a forfeited win. The side is three points behind Inter but has scored seven more goals and conceded only five, two less than Inter.

After last week's surprising loss to nine men Utah Mix, OM must quickly regroup and play smarter if it is to outwit an Inter currently in first place and unbeaten.

Last Saturday against the Mix, OM created many chances, but left plenty go begging, which is why the players will need to fully concentrate and play up to their potentials.

The game is not just a classic pitting many former teammates against each other, but the outcome may determine the group winner and participant in the Daynes Cup on October 29.

“We had a good practice today and I like the players' approach to the game. I know we will be a different team than the one that self-destruct last week,” said Bel-Ami de Montreux, OM's manager. “We have to be ready. You cannot underestimate International's pedigree. They pack a big resume. We are the new kids on the bloc,” the manager conceded.

Top Scorers. -

Going into Saturday's derby, OM features the league's top two marksmen in Sergio Vasquez and last week's hero Chad Gilbert who is better known as Chad Goal-bert. Both men's goal counters are running neck and neck with eight goals apiece.

“Those two are natural born scorers. They will be marked tightly, but we have so many weapons in our arsenal. Tracy McGuire and Jake Cavanaugh are sharpshooters. Do not forget Jesse Day will run you ragged on the left and punish you if you blank. The man is a predator. Our midfielders can score, as well as our defenders occasionally,” de Montreux said.

Indeed, emotions will run high on Saturday. Many soccer fans have been waiting for this game and by the look of things, they will not be disappointed.