Cyclones set to kick off season Saturday

Author: Nour Alzahran

The Sudbury Cyclones are back in action after a long hiatus, and they're gearing up for an exciting return to the soccer scene. This Saturday marks their first game since the 1980s, and there's a mix of nerves and excitement as they prepare to take on FC London.

"The majority of the team actually has League 1 background," noted 19-year-old striker/attacker Jaiden Santo, just completing his second year with the Voyageurs after making his way up north from Brampton. "We know what to expect, especially with the level of play. We don’t know much about the (specific) teams that we will be playing, so adjusting quickly will be a bit of a challenge."

The team is made up of players from all walks of life, each bringing their own unique skills and experiences to the field. For Santo and goalkeeper Lucas Cidade, it's all about finding their groove as a team. With players coming from different backgrounds, there's a bit of a learning curve as they try to mesh together on the field.

"It’s kind of weird with the majority of our team being built from all different teams," keeper Lucas Cidade added. "We’re going to have to learn on the fly. We have five guys from Laurentian, so we have our chemistry built there, but the problem is linking to the other teams."

Despite the challenges, there's a sense of determination among the players. They know that building chemistry takes time, but they're committed to giving it their all. For Santo, who's no stranger to finding the back of the net, the goal is clear: "I’m here to score goals," he stressed. "I just have an attacking mindset. I’m a forward at heart."

Cidade, on the other hand, knows the importance of a solid defense. "We want to play more conservatively in the first game," noted the native of North York, who transferred from Nipissing to Laurentian in the summer of 2022. "As a keeper, you’re not really out of your box much (with that style of game), you’re not dealing with the ball as much."

It's all about finding the right balance between attacking and defending, especially in their early games. There's a buzz of excitement surrounding the team as they gear up for their first game.

"Going into the first game, I know that we want to focus a little more defensively," Santo said. "But we’re also an attacking mindset team and during the season, we can slowly escalate our team to be that offensive threat."

Fans are eager to see the Cyclones back in action, and the players can hardly wait to hit the field. It's a new chapter for the team, and everyone is ready to see what the future holds.