The Philadelphia Fury fall in final preseason friendly

On Saturday the Philadelphia Fury had their final friendly before they begin their season in the American Soccer League at Total Turf in Pitman, New Jersey. The Fury played against the Newark Ironbound Soul of the ASL. The friendly was three 30 minute periods. Philadelphia came out strong looking for the early goal. The defense looked intact for keeping the Soul at bay. A beginning 4-4-1-1 formation worked well for the team with striker Michel Okai getting numerous chances.

Ironbound was able to get on the board first when player #11 (sorry no roster with players names given) received a pass from over the top and slotted the pass in past Fury keeper Thorne Holder. Later on Ironbound got on the board again when player #7 shot a rocket passed Holder to make it 2-0.

Newark controlled the second period with the team playing up more than they did in the first. They continually went through the Fury defensive line and continued to pepper Holder with shots. One got through when Holder, who was trying to pass to one of his defenders, scuffed the ball and it spun right to player #9 of Newark who finished the chance to add to their lead. 

In the third The Fury had to fight again. Newark opened scoring early when player #7 slotted a close one past new Fury keeper Chase Clements. Both teams had players slowing down as many had played the whole game, and not much offense was being generated as defenses were getting tighter. Philadelphia finally got on the board when striker Michel tapped in one past the Ironbound keeper to make it 4-1, where it stayed that way till the end. 

While the score line may look glum, for Fury coach and team CEO Matt Driver it was still useful for finding what the team was looking for.  "We came out with two to three different formations to see where players are at, and (I'm) happy we did it." He said. "I wasn't worried about the score line. I received answers I was looking for." 

The Fury open the season this Saturday against the AC Crusaders. The Crusaders will kick off their ASL season August 23 at home against the Philadelphia Fury at Egg Harbor Township High School's Silver Eagle Stadium at 7pm. They will then have their home opener the next weekend on August 30 versus Icon FC at Washington Township High School.