bigapplesoccer.com

Photo by Linda Cuttone/SportsVue Images

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- In the Premier Development League, it’s never too early to play a critical match and that was the case for both the Brooklyn Knights and the Westchester Flames when they took to the rain-soaked turf at Aviator Complex Friday night.

The match was not only the PDL opener for both clubs, but also doubled as a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifier, which gave it even more importance.

Jeff Matteo knows something about playing in big games and the veteran midfielder scored the lone goal on a first-half free kick to lead the Knights to a 1-0 win against the Flames.

Matteo, a former St. John’s University standout who also had stints with the MetroStars and the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, scored on one of his patented free kicks from just outside the box in the 23rd minute for the lone goal the Knights would need.

Goalkeeper Chris Antonino made sure Matteo’s goal held up, making several key saves to earn the clean sheet for the Knights, who have high expectations after losing in the national semifinals on penalty kicks a year ago.

The Knights return to Aviator Tuesday night for another critical double fixture against the Long Island Rough Riders.