Mississippi Brilla Juniors
2012 Club Tryout Schedule

After a fairly uneventful first half, Ocala’s Carlos Araujo, in a brilliant individual effort, tied Brilla’s defense in knots and then smashed a shot into the roof of the Brilla net in the 54th minute. Having secured a goal, Ocala was content to let Brilla bring the game to them and cleared every Brilla attempt.

Brilla Head Coach Dave Dixon was disappointed with the result.

“Obviously, we didn’t get off to the start we wanted,” said Dixon. “The first game is always tricky because the players are trying to figure each other out after only a few days of training. Ocala had already played and won a game, and it showed in the way they played tonight. They deserved the win. They outplayed us.”

The win put Ocala on top of the standings in the Southeast Division, having already secured a 4-2 victory over the VSI Tampa Flames.

Brilla will hope to bounce back when they go to South Florida next week to take on the VSI Tampa Flames and IMG Bradenton Academics. Before those two league matches, however, Mississippi must travel to Conyers, GA for a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup first round match to face the Georgia Revolution of the NPSL on Tuesday, May 15.

The ultimate goal of every Premier Development League team is to lift the championship trophy at the end of the season. Mississippi Brilla FC has inched closer to that goal in each of its first five seasons in the league.
 
Mississippi finished its first two years in the league (2007-2008) with winning records, but narrowly missed the playoffs in each of those seasons. The following three seasons (2009-2011) were filled with much more success as the team captured the Southeast Division title and earned a playoff spot each year. Last year’s squad finished with a 13-3-2 record, while recording its first playoff victory. Unfortunately, the season ended in a heartbreaking loss to the Laredo Heat in a penalty kick shootout.
 
“The last two seasons have ended in a really cruel way for our team,” said Head Coach Dave Dixon. “Fluke plays and shootouts are tough to swallow, but we have vowed to come out even stronger in 2012.”
 
As always, Mississippi Brilla FC enters the 2012 season with high expectations. Although a number of the key components from last year’s successful team have moved on to the professional ranks, the team expects to compete for a PDL championship again this season.
 
“I would be lying if I didn’t say that we expect to be in the hunt for the PDL championship each year,” said Executive Director Rusty Bryant. “Our coaches, Dave Dixon and Todd Eason, always recruit the best players and they are always prepared to battle.”
 
Mississippi’s battle for the PDL championship begins on Saturday, May 12 against newcomer Ocala Stampede (1-0). Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm at Harper Davis Stadium on the campus of Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. General admission tickets are $5 at the gate, and all Mom’s accompanied by a child will receive free admission to Saturday’s game in honor of Mother’s Day weekend.
 
“We are excited about kicking off another season of minor league soccer in Mississippi,” said Scott Taylor, Vice President of Operations. “It will be great to honor Mom’s by offering free admission, and we are also excited to provide the first fans with a 2012 schedule poster.”

Mississippi Brilla FC, in conjunction with usllive.com has launched BrillaTV. Here you can find all of the latest highlights, features, and interviews from your favorite Premier Development League soccer franchise.

Click on BrillaTV to check it out.