FC Lynn soccer team enjoying success

In only its third season, the FC Lynn soccer team has compiled an enviable record of success.Playing in the Mass. State Soccer League, with its home games at Manning Field, FC Lynn won its second division championship in three seasons this year, going 12-4-2 in 2011 (the team was undefeated since June).The 20 players on the amateur-level team range in age from 17 to 29 years old. They include 17-year-old Lynn Classical High School star Salvador Castro.FC Lynn is affiliated with Mass. United, the National Premier Soccer League squad that also plays at Manning.”You could say we’re a farm team (for Mass. United),” FC Lynn owner/GM Jon Langlois said.Several weeks ago, FC Lynn capped its season with a 4-1 victory over the West Africans United team of Lowell to capture its championship.”It was a pretty dominant game,” Langlois said. “We pretty much controlled the ball with simple passes.”Head coach Eric Moreno of Lynn, in his first year coaching FC Lynn, guided the team to the title.FC Lynn holds tryouts every year, one indoors and one outdoors.”We tend to look at high school all-stars, college players and (players) with previous amateur status,” Langlois said. “We do take in an occasional high school player.”Past FC Lynn players with Lynn high school ties include Tony Rodriguez (Tech), who was on the roster last year but had to leave with an ACL injury. This year, the team has Castro, as well as former English player Clement Obarisiagbon, who is also on the Mass. United roster and who has been scouted by two professional clubs in Asia.As for Castro, Langlois said, “Salvador was very good. He’s small for this league, but he’s quick and has very good foot skills. He’s soccer-savvy. He knows where to put the ball. He works well with players like Clement and Kenroy Williams (of Jamaica and Lynn).”We’re a very strong team individually. We have a very strong bond.”Langlois said that the team’s home crowd also helps create camaraderie.”Our fan base has grown over the past three years,” he said. “Our games are filled with a high level of soccer. Some of the best players in New England play in this league. The crowds are pretty into it. Past players have come with drums and bullhorns.”Langlois has ties to the community himself. He is a 2003 graduate of English and a former Bulldogs starting goalie. He went to Dean College in Franklin but could not continue soccer due to an injury. He works for Fujifilm in Bedford.”Soccer is the love of my life except for my wife and kids,” he said.FC Lynn is now gearing up for the Amateur Cup and will play in the second round, in an away game next month.Rich Tenorio can be reached at [email protected].