Featured image: Vlora starting XI against Rochester, including (front row:) Sohail Ebrahimi, Vasco Bernades, Hugo Perez, Ignacio Gonzalez, Ciro Ottado, and Easton Hoch, (back row:) Deq Jama, Rodolfo Batisti, Oscar Alvarez, Ibrahima Ndaw, Juan Montoya.
Men’s Premier
May 3rd, 2025 | UPSL | Rochester, MN
Vlora went two for two last weekend, winning their first road game of the UPSL Premier Division spring season with a 5-0 demolition of Rochester FC. The day also marked the first game of the Midwest-West Conference to not feature Vlora, as 18×26 hosted the TwinStars in a 4-0 victory. Other games last weekend included a 6-1 win for St. Croix Legends over Granite City and a 2-2 draw between FC Minneapolis and Superior City.
Vlora’s win had several protagonists. Easton Hoch built on his strong debut with a goal and two assists in the win over Rochester, meaning he now has three and two for the season. Ibrah Ndaw, Ciro Ottado, and Rodolfo Batisti each scored their first goals of the season, with an own goal also going Vlora’s way. Batisti did so in his debut for Vlora. Vasco Bernades also made his debut for the club after missing out on a chance to face former-club FC Minneapolis last week and added an assist as well. Goalkeeper Juan Montoya made his club and season debut, earning his first clean sheet of the spring.
Vlora have a busy week ahead, playing a midweek game on May 6 against the Minnesota Blizzard (in Eagan) in the National Amateur Cup, before hosting 18×26 Academy at Bob Pates Stadium on May 11.
Around Vlora
The Vlora U19’s, also called Vlora III made their competitive debut for the season on Sunday, traveling to Eau Claire, WI to face Union Des Bateaux. The third team played a solid game and had their share of chances, but eventually lost 1-0 to the hosts. The U19’s next game will be on Saturday, May 10, when they host Shakopee 2 in search of their first win of the season.
Vlora II, the U21 side, will also play next week. They open play on Sunday, May 11, hosting FC Minneapolis at Bob Pates Stadium at 1:00 p.m. central time.
Finally, the Vlora Women’s team will also debut this coming week, playing the NOSC Blast in both teams’ season openers on Sunday, May 11. The team will then make their home debut against the TwinStars on Sunday, May 18.
