Florence and the Machine: Singing Her Heart Out

Spring Training At Coachella: Can M.L.S. Cash In On Its Preseason?

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Dan Perkin and Scott Bissmeyer, work buddies on vacation, sat on metal bleachers watching the Portland Timbers play the San Jose Earthquakes in the first of four preseason Major League Soccer games that day.

They had spent $125 each on V.I.P. Day passes, which included food, drink and access to tents to keep cool. Self-described "M.L.S. Road trippers," they have visited numerous M.L.S. Stadiums, and have watched teams in Tucson, Ariz., where as many as 11 clubs came together for preseason training in the past.

But this year, with 12 M.L.S. Teams — along with two from the United Soccer League and four from the National Women's Soccer League — gathered at a 1,000-acre property outside Palm Springs, Calif., for preseason training, Mr. Perkin and Mr. Bissmeyer decided to check it out.

"Compared to Tucson, they put on a nice operation here," Mr. Perkin said of the site, the Empire Polo Club, best known as the annual site of the Coachella Music Festival. "If you're going to drive six hours, we might as well treat ourselves."

Late Goal In Regulation Helps Ontario To 2-1 Overtime Win Over Coachella Valley

Coachella Valley defenseman Ville Ottavainen (36) celebrates his goal with the bench during the third period of their game at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds came within 55 seconds of a shutout victory over rivals the Ontario Reign on Friday night, but the Reign scored in the final minute of regulation and again in the final minute of overtime to take a 2-1 win over Coachella Valley in Ontario.

The late goals spoiled what had been a stellar performance by Firebirds goalie Chris Drieger, who was looking for his fifth shutout of the season. Instead, Ontario's Sam Fagemo scored his 24th goal of the year from the left circle to tie the game at 1-1.

In overtime, Jacob Moverare of Ontario scored with just 57 seconds left in the five-minute extra period to end the game and give Ontario a 4-2 advantage over the Firebirds in their six meetings this season.

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Drieger had 31 saves in regulation, but was matched by Ontario's Aaron Dell with 32 saves in regulation. Dell faced just one shot on goal in overtime, while Drieger faced two shots.

The Firebirds' only score of the night came after the teams had played to a 0-0 tie after two periods. At the 2:56 mark of the third period, Coachella Valley's Ville Ottavainen fired a shot from just outside the right circle that beat Dell. It was Ottavainen's sixth goal of the season off an assist by Luke Henman.

In overtime, Moverare took a pass from behind the net from T.J. Tynan and quickly unleashed a shot from in front of the net that beat Drieger.

The Coachella Valley overtime loss, coupled with Tucson's 3-2 loss to Bakersfield Friday night, extended the Firebirds' lead in the Pacific Division at six points. Coachella Valley has 67 points on a record of 30-13-5-2.

The Firebirds' next game will be at home Wednesday when they host the San Jose Barracuda.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Chris Drieger's strong game in net for Firebirds spoiled by two late Ontario goals

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