SEARCHING FOR FIRST - The Rattlers play San Francisco tonight and, if they end up on the winning side, will be in first place in the PDL for the first time in their brief history.

MOLLY HAUXWELL/Valley Press

Rattlers play host to San Fran tonight

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Friday, May 9, 2008.

By ERIC BACA
Valley Press Staff Writer

LANCASTER - While the Rattlers were enthusiastic about their play against the Bakersfield Brigade May 3, the 2-2 tie did little to quench their hunger for an early-season victory.

Today, though, the Rattlers (0-0-1) will have their second chance to accomplish that in the first of back-to-back games at Knight High School against the first-place San Francisco Seals. A victory for the Rattlers would mean, even for one night, they would sit atop the Premier Development League standings for the first time in their short history.

"We just want to wake up Saturday morning in first place, then we'll deal with Saturday's game," Rattlers coach Costa Skouras said.

The Seals (1-0-1) opened up the season with a 3-2 victory over the Fresno Fuego before a 90-minute draw May 3 with the San Jose Frogs, the team the Rattlers will face Saturday. Skouras knows that early-season wins mean momentum and less unnecessary pressure during the remaining 15 games.

The Seals are armed with PDL player of the week Kellan Wilson, who, against the Frogs scored two goals and one assist. Skouras, though, said he has made no changes to his defensive scheme to attack Wilson. More than their individual players, Skouras acknowledges the history of San Francisco, which officially became the Seals in 1996.

"They've made a big name for themselves in the PDL and USL," he said. "They've done very well. Mr. (Tom) Simpson has done a great job there year after year and has put out a lot of winning teams."

Both Skouras and Rattlers general manager Gary Brunner are delighted in the recent roster additions of Jose Rojo, who received international clearance, and Hyro Martinez. The added depth raises the Rattlers' roster count to 22, creating a number of possibilities.

"Both teams match up very evenly," Skouras said. "They're not playing two games and going back. They're playing one game and going home. They want to win. (Today) is going to be the hardest game of our season."

If the May 3 opener against the Brigade proved anything, it's that the Rattlers have several weapons and innate scorers. Aside from Miguel Ibarra, D.J. Vigil and Benjamin Corrodi, the Rattlers' defenders are more than capable of getting in the mix early and often.

Both of the Rattlers' goals were scored by defenders. One of those goals came from Brandon Howell, whose efforts - a header off a corner kick - earned him a spot on the 11-man PDL team of the week.

Individual accolades aside, the Rattlers know that they're still playing for a reputation, another chance to prove that the Valley can produce dynamic, American soccer.

ebaca@avpress.com