Middletown expected to learn on Thursday if it hosts boys’ soccer final four

The verdict is expected to come on Thursday: Section 9 and Middletown High School learns if it will host the 2010 and 2011 state boys’ soccer final four.
Pete Ferguson, Section 9’s boys’ soccer co-chairman with Tony Martelli, remains confident Middletown will win the big-time bid. They made their play for Section 9 to host the event on Nov. 20 in Oneonta on the weekend of the state semifinals.
Ferguson said that if another section doesn’t make a bid at a state meeting in Albany on Thursday, the final four will likely be coming to Middletown. Section 2 (Albany area) and Section 5 (Rochester) could also make bids for the final four.
But Ferguson thinks at least Albany might be out. The boys’ soccer state semifinals and finals have been held at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta for the last nine seasons. However, with the museum closing in September due to financial problems, the biggest games of the year will be moved.
Games would be played at Middletown’s FIFA-approved Faller Field on turf, a new grass field next to Faller and at Twin Towers Middle School. Ferguson, Martelli and enterprising Middletown athletic director David Coates have already began planning the potential of hosting the event, talking to local hotels about housing players, coaches and fans, while rounding up volunteers.
Good luck, Middletown.
We will report back with the winning bid on Thursday.