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Published on 07/06/1998 All articles from this issue

With playoff spot clinched, Ambassadors now seek title

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

With a playoff berth already in the bag, the Silicon Valley Ambassadors have now set their sights on the league title.

The Peninsula-based minor league team needs to win three of its final five games to wrap-up the Premier Development Soccer League's Pacific Division.

"It's important to clinch the division so we can secure home-field advantage in the playoffs," coach Joe Silveira said.

By claiming the title, the Ambassadors would host the first two rounds of next month's divisional playoffs.

The first-place Ambassadors (10-1 division, 14-2 overall) can go a long way in making that happen with two wins this weekend.

The Ambassadors entertain the Northern Arizona Prospectors Friday (8 p.m.) and the Southern California Chivas Sunday (2 p.m.) Both games will be played at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.

Even though the Ambassadors are a combined 4-0 against these two teams this season, Silveira isn't taking them lightly.

"They won't be easy games," Silveira said. "I expect both teams to give us a battle."

The Ambassadors beat the Chivas 3-1 last Sunday in Southern California.

The Ambassadors jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Ralph Robertson and Los Altos resident Kris Menzel. But shortly after intermission, the Chivas cut that advantage in half.

Then Ambassadors midfielder Eduardo Martinez put the game out of reach with a goal in the closing minutes.

"The game was probably closer than it should have been." Silveira said. "We had chances to put the game away earlier and we didn't capitalize on them."

A day earlier, the Ambassadors pulled out a 2-1 win against the host San Gabriel Highlanders.

"That was a big game for us since the Highlanders are in second place," Silveira said. "It was almost like two wins because we get points (in the standings) and they don't."

The Ambassadors beat San Gabriel on two goals by Mugurel Dumitru. The forward from Romania now has seven goals on the season, which is second only to teammate Aman Kebreab (9).

For game tickets and more information, call the Ambassadors at 579-3529.