Rival managers John Aloisi and Kevin Muscat have their teams primed for the A-Leagues season opener on Friday night.Melbourne Victory return to the scene of their finals elimination last year to face Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium in the hotly-anticipated match.On paper, its a titanic rivalry.The two most successful clubs in A-League history.Either side of Victorys 2014-15 title, it was the Roar who eliminated them from finals.Victory have a history of nabbing talent from Queensland too; Ange Postecoglou, Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses and now James Donachie.But theres less animosity in this fixture than one might expect.Berisha is still respected internally by the Roar, while Muscat and Aloisi share a great friendship.It was at Victory where Aloisi sheltered after his tumultuous spell as Melbourne Heart coach.And its why both sides are confident they know how the other will play.Theyre probably the best counter-attacking team, Aloisi said.Theyll press you hard for the first 15-20 minutes ... well play to the final whistle so were confident we can create opportunities.Muscat was similarly complimentary of his opposite number.Johnnys recruited well - and pretty similarly to ourselves, theyve got a certain philosophy they adhere to, Muscat said.With a reference to Victorys painful finals knock-out of last season - when they led with five minutes to go before shipping two late goals - Muscat suggested there was unfinished business to attend to.Our mantra of not taking a backward step, really having a go at teams and trying to dominate, it wont change, he said.If we perform to the same level that we did in our last game there I have no doubt in my mind that we will win.Both sides will miss key players.Dimi Petratos rolled his ankle in a pre-season friendly, while new Spanish winger Manuel Arana is still four weeks away from a Roar debut according to Aloisi.Victory will miss Marco Rojas on international duty with New Zealand.But both coaches hailed the return to fitness of key figures.Roar defender Luke DeVere is a big chance to play his first A-League match since April 2015 - a home loss to Victory - after overcoming thigh and knee injuries, while Victory are delighted with Carl Valeris return after brain-related inflammation issues sidelined him for much of last season.Aloisi summed up the mood well ahead of the season opener.When its a long offseason you just cant wait for the first game, he said.We know its gong to be a good game, entertaining and the boys are ready.Confidently, Muscat agreed.A lots been said by all of us in the buildup, he said.Everyone says its the best pre-season weve ever had, its the fittest weve ever been.All that means nothing ... Id rather let you be the judge on Friday night. Tony Gonzalez Chiefs Jersey .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Khalen Saunders Youth Jersey . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. http://www.thechiefsshoponline.com/Youth-khalen-saunders-chiefs-jersey/ . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Harrison Butker Youth Jersey . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Larry Johnson Womens Jersey . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. NEW YORK -- Pleased with the progress made during the New York Islanders first season in Brooklyn, Brett Yormark is looking forward to the teams second year at Barclays Center.I thought we ended the year in a much better place than we started, said Brett Yormark, the Chief Executive Office for Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, which oversees business operations and marketing for the Barclays Center. When you look back at those playoff games they were some of the most dramatic moments weve had here.Pointing to the improvements the team made with game presentation, including the hiring of a hockey-centric group to take over game days, Yormark said the atmosphere during the Islanders run to the Eastern Conference semifinals -- and their first postseason series victory since 1993 -- showed hockey has arrived in Brooklyn.However, Yormark wouldnt comment on reports the Islanders were already considering leaving for a new arena either near Citi Field, home to baseballs New York Mets, or Belmont Park.I cant speak to that, Yormark said Monday in a Q&A with media before the teams preseason opener against the Philadelphia Flyers. All I can speak to is that collectively our team here at Barclays Center will do everything we can to provide the fans and the players with a first-class experience. And thats what Im focused on.The Islanders moved to the Brooklyn arena -- home to the NBAs Brooklyn Nets since 2012 -- last year after spending the franchises first 43 seasons at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. The deal with Barclays Center on a 25-year lease was announced in 2012 after a failed attempt to secure public financing for a new arena on Long Island and zoning approval was rejected for a privately funded development plan that would have included renovations to the ColiseumNewsday reported earlier this month the lease has an opt-out clause with a January 2017 deadline for either side to terminate the deal..dddddddddddd The Islanders could do it effective the end of the third season, and either side could do it for after the fourth season.I dont have a crystal ball, Yormark said. I cant tell you what the future holds. But I can tell you adamantly that were committed to providing a great season for everyone involved.To that end, Yormark said arena management conducted focus groups with fans in Brooklyn and on Long Island, asking what they liked and what they wanted to see improved.One of the top complaints was about transportation on the Long Island Rail Road after games. Fans were displeased with the service during the season, but noted it had improved for the playoffs, and Yormark said the LIRR had agreed to maintain the additional schedule of trains after games this season.Among other topics Yormark addressed:- Fans can expect to see more Islanders branding and signage around the arena, so they can feel this is their home. He also said there will be more equal availability of Islanders and Nets merchandising at the arenas retail stores.- With fans desire for more weekend games, Yormark noted there were 18 games scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays this season, an increase from last year. Its something we need to look at and see where we can make more improvements for next year, he said.- The teams ticket base had grown, with a marked increase in Manhattan residents who grew up in Long Island. He said the Long Island base had stabilized, while acknowledging some full-season ticket holders had chosen to trade down to partial plans.Weve addressed everything fans had their hands raised about, Yormark said. Im sure there will be more during the course of the season. Well remain flexible like we were last year. Well continue to learn and where we can get better, we will. ' ' '