Annapolis (Map, News) - If Crystal Palace USA wants to be considered a playoff contender, it can prove it tonight against the Western Mass Pioneers.

“They’re a team that we can beat,” said Crystal Palace co-coach Pete Medd “It’s basically a must-win game for us.”

Crystal Palace (4-5-5, 17 points) has a chance to move into a fifth-place tie in the United Soccer League Second Division with the Pioneers (5-4-5, 20 points) when the teams meet at 7:30 p.m. at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass.

Crystal Palace — coming off a 2-1 win over the Bermuda Hogges on Monday — is in sixth place with six games remaining. Crystal Palace is 11 points behind fourth-place Charlotte (9-6-1) and 12 points behind third-place Harrisburg (8-2-5).

In the teams’ last meeting on July 7 in Annapolis, Crystal Palace took 21 shots, but Pioneers’ forward Omar McFarlane scored the game’s only goal early in the second half to end Crystal Palace’s seven-game unbeaten streak.

“We’re going to play the same way we played them before,” Medd said. “Going back and watching the tape of that game, we played a very good game. We created opportunities. We did everything right except for the final pass. If we play like that again, lightning’s not going to strike twice. We’ve just got to put away our chances and defend.”

Gary Brooks scored two goals for Crystal Palace in its 2-1 win over Bermuda Monday, and goalkeeper Brian Rowland only needed to make three saves for his fifth victory in the last 10 games.

Crystal Palace needs every victory it can to prolong its season. Crystal Palace needs to jump past the Pioneers and the fourth-place Charlotte Eagles to secure one of four postseason positions.

Crystal Palace has two games remaining with third-place Harrisburg, but Medd isn’t looking past the Pioneers.

“It’d be a shame if we didn’t make the playoffs with the team that we have,” he said. “The boys know what’s at stake. We’re going up there to win.”

Comments from Examiner Readers

7:15 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 25, 2008 re: "A new look at Palace"

Examiner Reader said:
Not after the two more games they play they will be in playoffs and be promoted to EPL!!! GO PALACE!!!

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6:12 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 25, 2008 re: "A new look at Palace"

Examiner Reader said:
Crystal Palace isn't in the EPL. They are in the League Championship, which is one level below.

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