The Seattle-based club is led by midfielder and playing-coach Nik Besagno, the first overall pick in the 2005 MLS draft after starring for the U.S. in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Besagno鈥檚 Crossfire team had two losses and a tie to start its United Soccer League Premier Development League season before upsetting the previously undefeated MLS-affiliate Portland Timbers U-23 in their last game.
鈥淣othing is for certain in this [Northwest] division,鈥� said Victoria Highlanders head coach Steve Simonson.
The Highlanders (3-1-1) face the Crossfire (1-2-1) tonight at 7:15 at Royal Athletic Park.
Besagno 鈥� the second-youngest MLS draft pick ever after Freddy Adu 鈥� is now 24. Although he didn鈥檛 live up to the pro hype with Real Salt Lake, the Washington state native is still a talent and will certainly be a handful for the Highlanders at this PDL level.
The rest of the Crossfire lineup consists mainly of collegiate players.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very much another NCAA contingent we鈥檙e up against,鈥� noted Simonson.
The Crossfire roster features several University of Washington Huskies, including Spencer Richey in goal and Andy Thoma, Nick James and Matthew Fischer on the back line with James Moberg in midfield.
鈥淭he Crossfire are a hard-working group that has only allowed three goals in four games. They took the Seattle Sounders [U-23] to 90 minutes before losing on a penalty kick,鈥� said Simonson.
The Highlanders have drawn well this season and Simonson expects his team to again get a lift tonight from the Royal Athletic Park faithful.
鈥淭he crowd has been great for us this season,鈥� he said.
But it鈥檚 a double-edged advantage.
鈥淚t puts a little bit of pressure on the guys because they don鈥檛 want to disappoint. They want the fans to go away happy with wins.鈥�
Meanwhile, Victoria has lost midfielder Matt Polster, who has received invites for pro trials with both the New England Revolution and Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS.
鈥淲e knew it was going to be a short-term thing but Matt was a real asset to the Highlanders while we had him,鈥� said Simonson, of the Las Vegas native Polster, a 2012-13 Missouri Valley Conference first-team all-star in the NCAA. 鈥淭his creates an opportunity for someone else to step up.鈥�
Action kicks off today at Royal Athletic with a Pacific Coast League women鈥檚 game at 4:30 p.m. featuring the Peninsula Co-op Highlanders (2-1-2) and TSS Academy (1-2-1).
