Boys soccer: Scouting the MSL Cup
Scouting the 38th MSL Cup
Fremd (13-5-1) vs. Wheeling (12-5-4).When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Wheeling High School
Fremd background: This is the league-high 13th MSL Cup appearance in program history for the Vikings, who, if they win, would tie crosstown rival Palatine for the most overall championships in conference history. The last time Fremd was here came in 2010, when the Vikings beat host Elk Grove 3-1 on a frigid night to end a 17-year title drought. In 1993, the Vikings won the league trophy under Gerardo Pagnani, who later that year led his team to a second-place finish at the state tournament. Pagnani has been a longtime assistant to current coach Steve Keller.
Wheeling background: The Wildcats' return engagement to the MSL Cup might have been the biggest surprise in the league this season, after last year's championship club and 3A state runner-up lost several high-profile stars, including all-area co-captain Jose Garcia and all-state defender Nathan Laude. Wheeling won the first league championship match played, then called the MSL Soccer Bowl, in 1977, then did not appear in another until 1995, when it lost in OT to Schaumburg.
Fremd scouting reportCoach: Steve Keller (17th year, 218-125-61)
Main characters: Zach Schoffstall (Sr, MF-F, 5g, 13a), Tomas Peleckas (Sr, D), Ben Borst (Sr, MF-D), Ben Poder (Sr, F, 7g), Danny Burton (Sr, D), Will Lefevre (Sr, GK, 4.5 shutouts, 1.07), Luke Schoffstall (So, F-MF, 7g), Jacob Cuthbert (Sr, MF-D)
Season recap: The Vikings were almost two teams this season - one which struggled early, and one that went on an 11-1-1 tear after that.
"It took us awhile to have our roles defined, and where each of us would play, and what formation. But once we did, we've improved each time out," said Fremd captain Zach Schoffstall, who along with Danny Burton is a three-year varsity veteran.
Coach Keller, who carefully has devised winning blend of training and recovery time versus actual matches, has his club face top opposition in the early going, including a stop at the Best of the West, before settling into conference play the rest of the way. The result? It's a near perfect 9-1-1 record to place the Vikings atop the MSL table with 28 points after they outscored their opponents 27-9.
"Our seniors have done a great job of including the juniors, sophomores and freshmen, everyone feels like they are a part of the team, and it's a deep roster which, on any given day, will have different guys stepping up and making an impact," said Keller.
The Vikings play through Schoffstall and Poder, which frequently forces the opponent into decisions it would rather not make. Keller says the younger Schoffstall, Luke, has become one of more skillful players on the roster, whether up top or in the middle of the park.
Fremd's solidarity along the back is defined by a group led by Tomas Peleckas, Ben Borst, Burton, who have led the effort to minimize chances in front of reliable goalkeeper Will Lefevre.
The Vikings will look for chances on the counter and on dead-ball opportunites with the best of them, which makes up for the lack of a double-digit goal scorer on its roster.
Fremd's fans can take heart in an MSL season-opening 3-1 victory over Wheeling, but Keller is quick to dismiss that result, from way back in early September.
"They caused us a lot of problems in both 1v1 and tactically, as a team. They had more of the play, and were the more dangerous team, even though we came away with the win. We need to be sharp, play sound defense, and play to our potential in order to be successful."
Wheeling scouting reportCoach: Ed Uhrik (11th year, 102-115-13).
Main characters: Francisco Arellano (Sr, D, 6g), Frankie Estrada (Sr, MF, 5g, 8a), Fabian Acosta (Sr, F, 6g), Jose Garcia (Sr, MF), Jose Castillo (So, GK, 5.0 shutouts, 1.29), Victor Gomez (Sr, D), Allen Mancilla (Jr, MF-D, 7g).
Season recap: The first quarter of the season was a grueling one for the Wildcats, who played four matches in one week before lifting the trophy at the Titan Invite, then another four more in a single week later, at the high-profile Northside College Showcase hosted by New Trier.
"We were exhausted after those first two weeks, and it showed in the way we played afterward," said Uhrik. "I am not sure we ever really recovered from the start of our season, but Kevin (Lennon) and Leo (Elizalde) and myself are so proud of how the guys pulled themselves together at the end to get back into this game."
The Wildcats went 6-0 in their last six MSL contests, earning them 18 points. During that finishing spurt, they outscored their opponents 13-2.
Allen Mancilla hit three game-winners during that time, while a stingy defense recorded three consecutive shutouts to close things out.
"Our defense has been the difference, and that's all because of Arellano," said Lennon, Uhrik's long-time assistant, who once starred for coach Willie Filian at Palatine. "Francisco reads the game so well, plus he makes it look so easy back there, and because of that he's made everyone around him so much better."
Lennon points out Arellano's transformation into an elite defender is even more amazing when considering that the Cats' captain struggled with the language during his first year with the club.
"Francisco spoke no English at all when he came to us two years ago," Lennon said. "(Now) he's a great communicator, and leader as well."
The Wildcats are also fortunate to have Jose Castillo, new on the scene in goal. The sophomore has proved hie is quite capable of the spectacular, while showing little fear when working in a crowd.
On the other side of the ball, the Wildcats are not the same high-powered strike-force from a year ago after suffering heavy graduation losses. Uhrik and his staff moved a first-class defender from a year ago, Fabian Acosta, to be the impact player up top, which formed a terrific one-two attacking punch with the clever and elusive Frankie Estrada in the middle.
"It's been a group which has had its ups and downs, especially early on when we played so many quality opponents, but they have worked hard, and really come together," said Uhrik. "We'll have to be at our best with Fremd because they will put a lot of pressure on, work hard, counter really well, and are dangerous on throws and set pieces."
- Mike Garofola