Elm City Express cap dream season with title Elm City wins NPSL championship in its inaugural season

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NEW HAVEN >> In January, when it was officially announced that New Haven was going to be home of semi-professional team Elm City Express and would compete in the National Premier Soccer League, team owner Zack Henry and coach Ted Haley were convinced their team would be successful, competitive and most of all exciting for fans.

The Elm City Express’ inaugural season in the NPSL certainly validated those strong statements from eight months ago.

On Saturday, Tavoy Morgan of Bridgeport and Quenton Swift scored two goals each to lead Elm City Express to a 5-0 win over Midland-Odessa FC in the NPSL Championship game at Yale University’s Reese Stadium in front of a crowd of 3,112.

Henry and Haley said getting a professional soccer team to New Haven was a two-year process. Getting local support from New Haven officials and the strategic location between New York City and Boston, Massachusetts were driving forces in getting a team in New Haven.

The hard work and planning paid off and Haley, a former standout soccer player for Foran High in Milford and a 1991 Register All-Area Boys Soccer MVP, couldn’t be more thrilled with his team’s national championship.

“It’s a real joy to be able to win this championship at home,” Haley said. “To bring this to our fans makes us all proud. The fans have been great to us all year. We felt we could do this from the start with the support of Zack Henry (team owner), the entire management team, the support of the city.

Tavoy Morgan of the Elm City Express, right, is congratulated by teammate Shaquille Saunchez after scoring the first goal against the Midland-Odessa FC in Saturday’s NPSL championship game in New Haven. Tavoy Morgan of the Elm City Express, right, is congratulated by teammate Shaquille Saunchez after scoring the first goal against the Midland-Odessa FC in Saturday’s NPSL championship game in New Haven. Photo: Peter Hvizdak/Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Peter Hvizdak/Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 62 Caption Close Elm City Express cap dream season with title 1 / 62 Back to Gallery

“This is a testament to all the hard work our players put into this. We didn’t walk through it, we were just better. Midland-Odessa is a good team and we had to play some of our best football today. I can’t say enough about Tavoy Morgan who scored some great goals for us in the first half.”

In the first half, the Elm City Express controlled possession and its constant pressure took its toll on Midland-Odessa FC goalie Jorge Medina.

After a pair of solid scoring chances, Morgan sent the Elm City fans to their feet when he gave the Express a 1-0 lead at 25:50.

The pressure continued and Morgan took advantage of a defensive breakdown near the left post. He one-timed a shot into the net for a 2-0 lead in the 44th minute.

“This championship means a lot to us,” Morgan said. “This is what it’s all about. It’s amazing to be champs, it’s great for everyone, for our fans, the management, the city and our players.

“We came into this, win or lose, to play hard and get them (Midland-Odessa) worn down. We did that. In that first half I told our guys to get me the ball and I would score. They did a great job getting me the ball.”

In the second half, Elm City Express continued to dominate possession and added an insurance goal in the 75th minute. With a breakaway on the right wing, Swift scored to give Elm City Express a 3-0 lead. Daniel Oliveira added a goal in the 79th minute and Swift added another in the 89th minute for the 5-0 final.

The best chance for Midland Odessa FC to score came in the 49th minute when it had a restart just outside the top of the box. Isaac Sanchez took the restart but the shot sailed over the net

“I’m so proud of our guys,” Haley said. “We’re going to enjoy this.”