"My boss played soccer in college, so he'll ask me daily how the team is doing. He sees our schedule online and says, 'You have a game today; don't work so hard!' He's coming to the [Open Cup] game, too," says Smolyn.
Baker smiles and adds: "I took the next day off."
"I don't think anyone's expecting us to go out there and win, but at the same time, if we can go out there and do everything we're capable of, it should be a good game,” says Smolyn with his own smile. “We have to be fearless; we have to match them and give them a good game."
Good Pressure Pushes VE On
Baker, used to playing in front of small numbers as most amateurs are, is excited about the crowd noise too. "I hate playing with a crowd that doesn't put pressure on me. Pressure is important to me,” he insists. “If you don't feel pressure, it means that you don't care enough about something.
“If there's no pressure, there's nothing to play for."
Oldfield, a man of many hats, is relaxed about the match but also excited about the exposure for his club.
“It's a lot of work for something you will most likely not win. You are not going to mow through three MLS [Major League Soccer] teams, but it is exposure,” he says. “Qualifying is so challenging. We qualified, and the reward is that we get this game. I'd like to make it competitive, give them a good game, and hope they make mistakes.
“Anything can happen. My goal is to get them [Charlotte Independence players and staff] here,” Oldfield goes on, always the welcoming club man. “We want to get them back [to the club, the beer hall], put out a spread, and let them see the place. I want to let them know that we have been here since 1931 and that we have this family club.
“They’ll think that's pretty cool.”
They should; because it is. Vereinigung Erzgeburg is a club built on the back of generations who love the game and look out for each other. They are ready to show the pros from Charlotte, the other contenders on the biggest day in this club’s recent history, that they deserve to be there.
David Einhorn is a soccer writer and reporter for TheCup.us. You can reach him on twitter @awaydavesoccer.
