OLYMPIANS ON COURSE TO WIN THREE THROPHIES THIS SEASON

Daynes Challenge Cup, Utah Open Cup and League Title up for Grab

Pierre d'Estaim
Sports Writer

Holladay, UT (Sunday, Sept. 3)--With its place already booked for the Daynes Challenge Cup final on October 21, Olympique Montreux is on the right track to win, not two, but three trophies this season.

Latest information suggests that Park City, whom the Olympians defeated 3-0 last year to win the centennial game of the Daynes Challenge Cup may again be their challenger for Utah's oldest and most prestigious award.

Lazio, a team that does not feature in the cups races, has played all its league games on an accelerated schedule and leads in the standings by only one point according to the league's latest posting on its web site, www.utahsoccer.com.

League officials have yet to credit OM for a forfeit win over ZLC on August 5 when it was announced that ZLC could not make the fixture for lack of personnel and that the game would not be rescheduled. Likewise, the table does not yet count Park City's loss to Bosnia USA on August 19.

With Lazio gone, the remaining teams still must play six league games before the end of the season. If OM and its old nemesis Park City maintain their current form going down the stretch, it appears that the league title will be a dead heat between them.

The Snowmen defeated the Olympians 1-0 in the first part of the season to take the lead by two points. However, their dropping all three points to a resurgent Bosnia USA on August 19 should have them trailing the Olympians by one point.  In the meantime, OM has been in devastating form, winning all its league, Daynes and Utah Open Cup games.

The side will face Red Star at Riverside on August 7 for an Open Cup game. If successful, it will go on to play in the competition's quarterfinals on September 12. Semifinal games are set for September 14 and the final will be held on October 28, a week after the Daynes Challenge Cup final.

“Winning the treble would be a fitting tribute to our older players who have given so much to the side," said Bel-Ami, OM's manager. “We have had some crisis this season and lost some important players. But we are moving on.”

Indeed, in the past month, Arthur van Wagenen, his brother Hugh and Mike Polich left the team for various technical and personal reasons. The side released Kyle Copeland and Matt Smith and brought in reinforcement when it acquired former Real Salt Lake and Trinidad international Leslie Tiger Fitzpatrick for the remainder of the season.

OM also signed Mauricio Borba, a gifted Argentine striker and Brazilian attacking midfielder Everton do Prado. However, it could not to bring either Brian Alba or Brian Dunseth to shore up the defense. An important target, exciting left-winger Louis Staley had already committed to another organization.

Disclaimer: All representations in this article are those of the author. Please consult the league's web site, www.utahsoccer.com, or contact the league's president for accurate standing, scheduling information and league policy.