This would be a weekend where we saw some familiar patterns emerge. Some good, plenty should have the managers of those respective clubs scratching their heads because things aren’t improving. So how did the weekend play out, let’s take a look.
San Antonio FC 0 Orange County SC 0: It would be a frustrating night of half chances for both San Antonio and Orange County, the visitors more than happy with leaving Toyota Field with a 0-0 draw.
After a disjointed opening couple of minutes, San Antonio would get the first chance of the evening. Kendall Burks would win the ball off an Orange County throw in and set up Luke Haakenson. Haakenson would put the ball into Juan Agudelo. Agudelo wasn’t in position to put anything on goal, but his header would set up Cameron Lacey from 20 yards out, Lacey just getting under the ball and putting it over the crossbar. Two minutes later Orange County would see Ashish Chattha picking out Kyle Scott. Scott would lay the ball off the Cameron Dunbar. With San Antonio daring him to shoot from 30 yards out Dunbar would, a poor effort going wide of the near post. Early on, it would appear both sides were going to give up the midfield to only defend the final third.
Orange County’s picked up the tempo in the final third and were nearly rewarded in the 13th minute. Brian Iloski would play the ball in midfield to Kyle Scott. Scott would play it into Thomas Amang, who would one touch it into the path of the onrushing Kyle Scott. Scott took too much time in settling the ball before shooting, allowing Trova Boni to get back to block his shot. If the shot was taken sooner, I’m not sure Sisniega could have covered the far post.
Off the restart from a Christian Sorto foul of Kevon Lambert that saw Sorto find the book, San Antonio FC would blow a golden opportunity inside the penalty area. Trova Boni would start the sequence forward to Shannon Gomez. Gomez’s pass would immediately put forward by Kevon Lambert to Jorge Hernandez. Hernandez saw Luke Haakenson trailing and instead of putting a cross into the mixer would lay his centering ball off to Haakenson. Haakenson couldn’t settle the ball and would sky it over the crossbar, his complaints about a touch falling on deaf ears because there was none. Had Haakenson settled the ball his shot finds the frame and it’s likely 1-0 to San Antonio.
Set pieces for Orange County would be a part of the next phase of play. Mitchell Taintor would see the book for his wraparound tackle of Brian Iloski in the 26th minute, the free kick headed out for a corner, one that would fail at the near post. On the half hour Trova Boni would concede a free kick on Cameron Dunbar, Iloski’s ball in easily cleared by Kendall Burks, the second phase ball cleared by Haakenson and recycled past the midfield line.
San Antonio would put their pace to use and put Orange County under pressure on 37 minutes. The Kevon Lambert throw in would find Jorge Hernandez, who would lay it off to Shannon Gomez. Gomez’s cross would go far post and headed down by Kameron Lacey. Lucas Silva would be first to the ball and fire near post, Duran Ferree already there to deny. Kyle Scott in the second phase of play would send the ball out for a corner kick, that would be cleared at the near post. That would be the last quality chance of the first half as going into the break San Antonio would rue the quality chances they didn’t capitalize on.
San Antonio would get the first good opportunity ten minutes into the second half. After a second hard tackle by Ashish Chattha, this time on Shannon Gomez, Jorge Hernandez would put the ball in he wanted on the far post to Mitchell Taintor. Taintor was there, but could only put the header right where Duran Ferree was positioned. Two minutes later, a Luke Haakenson long ball would find Shannon Gomez. His ball into the box would find Jorge Hernandez, who would turn and fire far post, but the shot was never close to finding the frame.
On the hour would come Orange County’s first opportunity of the half. Andrew Fox would play the ball to Christian Ashish Chattha, Chattha getting to the edge of the penalty area before laying off to Cameron Dunbar. Dunbar would continue his run and beat Trova Bonie and get to the where the D met the penalty area before shooting near post. Pablo Sisniega would get the ball out for a corner kick, the second phase easily cleared.
The 72nd minute would finally see Orange County play with pace once the ball would find their attacking third. Ethan Zubak would win the ball and midfield and find Brian Iloski on the run. Iloski would get to the edge of the D before laying the ball back off to Zubak, Zubak ultimately rushing the shot and putting right at Pablo Sisniega. Zubak had time to settle, instead the counter attack goes for naught. Five minute later San Antonio’s best chance of the night would go begging. Lambert would recycle the ball to Mitchell Taintor. Taintor would find Machop Chol unmarked six yards out and put the ball in. Chol would miss the ball, Duran Ferree having to punch it away as it ball looked to be sneaking in on the near post. The corner would go right to Ferree, the chance gone for the hosts.
An 83rd minute free kick header by Trova Boni would be easily handled by Duran Ferree, a night where set pieces chances for both sides weren’t very good.
It was obvious both sides had the same tactic going into this game, bypass the midfield and get the ball into the attacking third as quickly as possible. San Antonio were only sightly quicker in the final third, but it was enough to keep Orange County under consistent pressure. It also says it all for San Antonio that their best chance would again come in the final quarter hour, and would miss the intended target. This is what happens when you live by the late heroics. All it takes is one bad night at the office finishing wise and you’re scoring nothing. While San Antonio will be happy for their second clean sheet, they will be unhappy with their movement in the final third of the pitch.
I do wonder what happened if Orange County played with more urgency in the final third. They only went after San Antonio with pace once all night. The rest of their chances were from slow build up, allowing San Antonio to set their defensive structure. While Orange County stay unbeaten, they now have as many draws as they do wins. The other thing they will be worried about, the late bookings were definitely professional in nature, and they were cramping late. This was the first game of the season the Orange County legs were gone at the end of the match. Ultimately, Orange County worked their plan and picked up a point in the process.
Monterey Bay FC 3 Las Vegas Lights FC 1: Two first half goals were enough for Monterey Bay to hand Las Vegas Lights their first loss after three consecutive wins.
After the opening minutes being a midfield exchange between two similarly set up sides, it would be Monterey Bay who would take full advantage of their first true foray forward. The long ball would be played by Alejandro Lara into the corner, Money Doner the player to collect. Doner would spot Adrian Rebollar inside the box, Rebollar’s putting the cross far post. Chase Boone would connect on a shot, only for it to be blocked by Shawn Smart into the path of Tristian Trager. Trager would give Chase Boone a second chance to shoot, only Smart taking him down from behind preventing the shot. Without playing the ball the referee awarded the penalty. It was a foul Smart didn’t have to give up, the angle was already too tight for a shot, Raiko Azorarena having most of the available angles cut off. Alex Dixon would step up to the spot and connect, going his left, Azorarena diving right. The first proper attack yielded immediate results, Monterey Bay going in front after ten minutes.
Six minutes later the hosts would have a chance to double their lead. Mobi Fehr would intercept the pass out of the back and lay off to Alex Dixon on the edge of the attacking third. Dixon would play a 1-2 with Fehr before spotting Adrian Rebollar on the run. Thanks to some good defending by Emrah Kilmenta, Rebollar would have to cut the angle too tight to put a proper shot on target. Still, Reike Azorarena would have to put it out for a corner kick. The corner from Alex Dixon would be wasted, Alejandro Lara unable to redirect the ball toward goal. At the midway point of the first half, Monterey Bay would again intercept a ball Vegas would play out the back. This time Rebollar would find Boone on the edge of the penalty area. Boone would be unable to put his shot on target, going wide of the near post.
The few times Las Vegas got forward in the opening quarter of the game, their attacks would fizzle out on the edge of the attacking third. Monterey Bay was more concise in their passing and lines, essentially cancelling out anything Las Vegas did. It would take until the 26th minute for Las Vegas to break Monterey Bay down. Charlie Adams would lay the ball back to midfield, only for the ball to immediately come back to Jean-Claude Ngando. Ngando’s through ball would end up finding Shawn Smart on the edge of the 18, Smart’s centering ball to Valentin Noel skied into the stands behind the goal. Noel simply rushed the shot, Smart unwise to lay it off when he was 1 v 1 with Sisha.
The shot would produce one positive result for Las Vegas, sustained possession. Monterey Bay for the first time in the match would set their 4-5-1 defensive shape and force Las Vegas to break it down. They would be unsuccessful in this, Monterey Bay able to deal with the pressure without any amount of fuss. Any time Vegas would try to attack with pace, Valentin Noel would be without help and would have to slow down play.
Monterey Bay would double the lead in the last minute of the first half. Carlos Guzman would take the throw-in and end up getting it right back. Guzman would spot Tristian Trager and flick the ball forward. Trager would collect, chip the ball over Emrah Klimenta and put his shot towards the far post with the ball on the way down. Arozarena was leaning to the near post, unable to get his weight shifted in time to make the save. It was a brilliant ball forward, even more brilliant chip and clinical finish to make it 2-0 Monterey Bay.
Immediately off the restart Las Vegas would restore the one goal deficit. The ball would be played from the midfield long to Gaoussou Samake, Samake beating Money Doner to the ball and just putting a touch towards goal. With Sisha already off his line, the ball would promptly find the back of the net. It was a poor goal for Monterey Bay to concede so quickly after going 2-0 up, Las Vegas putting their pace to use to pull one back going into halftime.
Las Vegas Lights would open the second half the better side, the decision made at halftime to go with a higher line paying off. It would take five minutes for any end product to result, a Shawn Smart cross to Gaoussou Samake shot right at Antony Sisha. Two minutes later Antony Sisha would be forced to put Valentin Noel’s effort at the near post out for a corner kick, Jean-Claude Ngando finding Noel unmarked from 20 yards out. The corner kick was going toward Fabian Garcia, Carlos Guzman making the timely intervention to prevent the free header. Through the opening ten minutes of the second half Monterey Bay was firmly on the back foot, Las Vegas inching closer towards an equalizer.
The 55th minute would see Emrah Klimenta enter the book for a challenge on Mobi Fehr after Fehr picked Klimenta’s pocket. That would prove critical later.
On the hour Monterey Bay would finally break the high line and get their first chance of the second half. Chase Boone would play the ball long down the left hand touchline into the path of Tristian Trager. Trager would get behind Klimenta, but ending up too close to Arozarena on his shot on goal. Trager would attempt a follow-up that came back to him but that would be cleared by Michael Nigro. On the other end, Valentin Noel would turn both Money Doner and Kai Greene before firing from 22 yards out, his shot going wide of the near post.
Monterey Bay would finish the game off as a contest with sixteen minutes to play, aided by a dumb decision from Emrah Klimenta. Mobi Fehr would win the second ball in the midfield circle, his header finding Miguel Guerrero. Guerrero would spot Chase Boone wide open on the left and send the ball his way. Boone would end up taking on Fabien Garcia all the way to the end line before playing the ball back. The ball would eventually be recycled to Miguel Guerrero, his pass sent to the end line towards Carlos Guzman. With Michael Nigro and Emrah Klimenta covering Tristian Trager at the near post, Guzman was able to keep the ball in play with a centering ball right into the path of an unmarked Michael Gonzalez. His shot would cover the ground Raiko Arozarena already covered central to make it 3-1, a great team goal for Monterey Bay in a half not much had gone right in. For Gonzalez it would be his first professional goal.
After the goal was scored, Emrah Kilmenta would be sent off for arguing the ball Carlos Guzman played in was across the end line, the referee immediately showing a second yellow card for dissent, Las Vegas forced to play the last 15 minutes on 10 players.
Antony Sisha would be called into action with 10 minutes to play, Shawn Smart putting an effort on goal requiring a diving save. Smart’s initial touch pulled him away from goal allowing Sisha to get over to the near post to collect. An 86th minute corner by Miguel Guerrero into the path of Chase Boone was only an unknown intervention from Valentin Noel away from making the scoreline 4-1. The second corner in succession would be punched away by Arozarena on the edge of the six.
In a game where two teams play very similarly you could tell the team who has played it before and the side that is still learning it. Monterey Bay was quicker with their passes, blocking their lanes and were well deserving of the lead going into halftime. While they were on the backfoot for most of the second half, Frank Yallop got the changes right and were rewarded with the two goal win. This is going to be a side that frustrates everyone that plays them this season, the pieces are starting to gel together much quicker than I anticipated. To have this performance with Walmer Martinez serving the first of a four game suspension for his stupidity against Oakland Roots is also an unexpected bonus. This team has the pieces and these banked points right now are going to pay dividends come the end of the season.
If I’m the Las Vegas Lights manager, I’m looking at every one of my players and simply giving them one message: we will get there. The Lights got a glimpse in the mirror of what they could be on the pitch. They were too timid in the first half and paid the price for it. Once Las Vegas played with the higher line they did everything but score. In a tough Western Conference, they are going to have many of these lessons throughout the season, the goal for Dennis Sanchez is to keep the spirits up with this team that is playing hard and still learning.
Elsewhere in the USL Championship
Loudoun United FC 2 Memphis 901 FC 1: A 69th minute Drew Skundrich goal would complete the comeback for Loudoun United as they would snap their two game winless streak 2-1, Memphis 901 FC now extending their pointless streak to four.
Memphis 901 FC would hit the front fourteen minutes in, a set piece opportunity 20 yards from goal after Jacob Erlandson would foul Zach Duncan. Bruno Lapa and Samuel Careaga would stand over the ball, Careaga the one to move towards the ball first. Lapa didn’t move as Careaga would strike the ball over the wall central. Hugo Fauroux was a step too close to the far post to do anything with the shot, the ball finding the back of the net. Ten minutes later, sustained pressure would see Samuel Careaga go just wide of the far post, Hugo Fauroux did have the shot covered.
Loudoun United should have been level on 34 minutes. A poor header by Carson Vom Steeg fell right into the path of Zach Ryan, who would get the ball to Abdellatif Aboukoura. Aboukoura was wanting to shoot first time on the volley, but Christiano Francois got in his path to prevent the effort. Aboukoura would ultimately put his shot on frame, but right in the path of Tyler Deric, the follow up effort blocked. Eight minutes later Loudoun United would equalize. Loudoun would ultimately win the ball off a Memphis 901 FC throw at midfield and recycle the ball. The ball would work its way back across the pitch to Christiano Francois. Francois would spot the overlapping Kwame Awuah and play the pass. Awuah would beat Alvaro Quezada before getting to the end line. The centering ball by Awuah to Zach Ryan would get past Tyler Deric on the near post, Ryan beating Marlon to the touch of the ball to finish into effectively an empty net. The way Memphis lost the ball off their own throw made this goal even harder to swallow, the game level going into halftime.
Memphis 901 FC should have paid off their high press five minutes into the second half. Dylan Borczak would win the ball off Florian Valot, the ball falling right to the feet of Samuel Careaga. Careaga would be unmarked getting to the edge of the D before shooting wide of the near post. This time Hugo Fauroux was scrambling to get back, had the ball been on frame Memphis 901 FC would have been in front.
Loudoun United would win it in the 69th minute. Carson Vom Steeg would concede back to back corners, the second corner seeing Loudoun United find paydirt. Florian Valot would put the ball in towards the penalty spot. Drew Skundrich would make the run from the top of the penalty area to have head the ball in on the far post unmarked from 12 yards out. Tyler Deric was unable to see the ball through traffic as it found the back of the net. It was poor defending all around for Memphis to allow someone a free run and header.
Memphis would get their best chance to equalize eleven minutes from the ninety. Luiz Fernando would get the ball on the left hand touchline and make a solo run to the edge of the penalty area. His centering ball found Noe Meza in the perfect position to fire on goal, the shot skied over the crossbar.
Indy Eleven 2 Charleston Battery 4: Two second half goals would be enough for Charleston Battery to stay unbeaten as they would go on the road to defeat Indy Eleven 4-2.
Charleston would hit the front in the 19th minute. Off Adam Grinwis’s restart from a Jack Blake save Emilio Ycaza would win the ball in the midfield and play it off to Nick Markanich. Aeden Stanley gave Markanich too much respect as the space was enough for Markanich would play a centering ball back to Ycaza. Yzaca would split Max Schneider and Tyler Gibson to finish over the outstretched arm of Yannik Oettl. Indy Eleven’s defensive structure shut down for Charleston to take the lead.
Eight minutes later Indy Eleven would be level. After Augustine Williams shot was blocked by Mark Segbers, Jack Blake would see an effort blocked. The second phase of play would be started by Tyler Gibson to Max Schneider. Schneider would play a 1-2 with Callum Chapman-Page before getting forward and finding Tega Ikoba. Ikoba would make Graham Smith commit one way before going the other and firing far post. Adam Girnwis was unable to get down to make the save and just as soon as Charleston Battery were in front Indy Eleven were level.
Immediately off the restart Aedan Stanley would win the ball back before playing the ball central. The ball would be worked to Max Schneider before Schneider spotted Stanley unmarked on the edge of the penalty area. Mark Segbers would get back but wouldn’t be able to defend the cross Stanley put in on the far post. Sebastian Guenzatti was unmarked at the far post, Nathan dos Santos completely losing the two men on the far post. With Adam Grinwis scrambling back to the far post it was an easy finish for Guenzatti. Poor play off the restart allowed Indy Eleven to take the lead.
Indy Eleven would not make it to halftime in front, Charleston leveling in the second minute of first half stoppage time. Nicholas Markanich would track down his own poor touch, take advantage of the space the Indy Eleven defenders gave him and shoot far post before Max Schneider could track back to defend. Yannik Oettl had no chance to make the save as the ball went in. It was a great individual effort by Markanich, a reminder to the rest of the league to not give him that much space.
Indy Eleven should have been back in front in the 71st minute. Off a free kick whipped in by Sebastian Guenzatti, Callum Chapman-Page was unable to put the finish on the right side of the net. Four minutes later Charleston Battery would be back in front. Aaron Molloy’s set piece magic would strike again off a corner kick, the ball headed towards the far post by Graham Smith right into the path of Macauley King. The ball would bounce off King’s knee and chest before looping into the net, Yannik Oettl unable to do anything as he was on the near post.
While Indy Eleven would continue to shoot at Adam Grinwis to no effect, Charleston would ultimately put the game away four minutes from the ninety. Emilio Ycaza would collect the ball in the midfield and put the ball into Matt Myers. Myers would get past Callum Chapman-Page to collect the ball, then beat Chapman Page a second time before firing past Yannik Oettl, who was caught between two minds in coming out to defend or staying on his line. The goal was a microcosm of Indy Eleven’s defending the last two weeks as it allowed Charleston Battery to continue piling in the goals.
Rhode Island FC 0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 0: It would be a frustrating night in Rhode Island both Rhode Island FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC played out their second straight 0-0 draw on a night where each team only saw their keeper tested once.
It would take until the midway point of the first half before anyone would have a shot of consequence on target. Rhode Island would ping the ball down the left before Albert Dikwa centered to Noah Fuson, his shot blocked. The ball would roll back to Mark Ybarra and fire first time on goal, the shot too close to Eric Dick to make the save. First half stoppage time would see Noah Fuson pass deflected ultimately into the path of Mark Doyle, his shot weakly rolling in the path of the Riverhounds keeper.
Pittsburgh would finally test Jackson Lee in the final quarter hour of the match. It would also be the best effort by either side of the night. Daniel Griffin would play the ball to Junior Etou, Etou to Babacar Diene. Diene would center the ball to Edward Kizza, Kizza’s effort saved into the path of Jackson Lee. Lee’s touch would wall right in the path of Emmanuel Johnson who had to think he had a rebound goal. Jackson Lee had other plans, getting just enough on the ball to put it out for a corner kick. Edward Kizza would have one last chance in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time, an effort cleared off the line as it was going wide of the far post.
El Paso Locomotive FC 2 Oakland Roots SC 3: Two goals in four minutes at the start of the second half were enough for Oakland Roots to give El Paso Locomotive a feeling of de ja vu, El Paso Locomotive blowing a second straight 2-1 lead and turning it into a 3-2 defeat.
El Paso would hit the front after 13 minutes. Francisco Nevarez would put in a perfect corner kick that would cause chaos. It would fall to Justin Dhillon, who was unable to get a shot off cleanly. However, the block would fall right to Amando Moreno. Moreno would go away from goal to get space between himself and Irakoze Donasiyano before shooting on goal. The shot would end up deflecting off Guillermo Diaz and redirect past Paul Blanchette. Moreno’s smarts to move away from goal was the difference in El Paso Locomotive going 1-0 in front.
Oakland Roots would find themselves level just after the half hour. Trayvon Reid would intercept the ball in midfield and go on the run inside the penalty area. Reid would spot Ilya Alekseev running in from the midfield and ping a pass for Alekseev to shoot first time, the shot tipped over by Jahmail Waite for a corner. Off the corner kick Lucas Stauffer would foul Bryan Tamacas in a dangerous crossing free kick position. Naill Logue would make the run near post, and would meet the ball in by Guilermo Diaz to put the finish in the back of the net. Logue would get the jump on Noah Dollenmayer, who was too late to react, allowing Logue to get the final touch on the cross.
Three minutes from first half stoppage time El Paso would retake the lead. El Paso possession would work down the left. Lucas Stauffer and Tony Alfaro would play a 1-2 before Stauffer would find Amando Moreno. Moreno would move the ball back to Stauffer, opening up the Oakland defensive line for Stauffer to find Justin Dhillon inside the penalty area. Irakoza Donasiyano would fail to realize Dhillon’s first touch was poor and he had help in defending Dhillon and simply clipped him down. Sure, Dhillon went to ground a little easy, but it was still a penalty nonetheless. Dhillon would go down the middle to make it 2-1, Paul Blanchette going to Dhillon’s left.
Oakland Roots would signal their intent they weren’t going to go away lightly in first half stoppage time. The ball would be sent cross field by Daniel Gomez to Jeciel Cedeno. Cedeno would lay off to Guillermo Diaz who would put the ball in far post to Ilya Aleskseev. Had Aleskseev finished the run he finishes at the far post. Instead, he simply stuck his foot out and would see the shot go wide.
That intent would be paid off two minutes into the second half. Johnny Rodriguez would collect Gagi Margvelashvilli’s ball forward. With El Paso’s back line tracking back to the edge of the 18 yard box, and Eric Calvillo deciding that giving Rodriguez space to shoot from 30 was his choice, Rodriguez would blast the ball from 30 yards out. Jahmail Waite was in a position to make the save, but dove way too late. It was a brilliant goal from Rodriguez, who used El Paso’s defensive lines against them to equalize.
Four minutes later Oakland Roots would be in front. Oakland Roots would play a long ball out the back from Gagi Margvelashvilli in the direction of Guillermo Diaz. Diaz would head in the direction of Johnny Rodriguez. Jahmail Waite would charge off his line and go through Rodriguez to get the ball, an easy penalty for the referee to give. Rodriguez was in no position to collect the ball and settle, Waite more worried about collecting the ball than how he got to it. Johnny Rodriguez would follow Dhillon’s path down the middle, Jahmail Waite would follow Paul Blanchette’s path to Rodriguez’s left, and just like that Oakland Roots, without two key pieces of their starting eleven, were 3-2 in front.
El Paso’s best effort would come eleven minutes from the ninety, and it was a weak effort from Joaquin Rivas from 20 yards right at Paul Blanchette. The result would see Oakland Roots pick up their second win of the season after three different losses, condemning El Paso Locomotive to their fourth straight loss.
Sacramento Republic FC 1 FC Tulsa 1: Despite being on 10 players for 74 minutes and a goal down, Patrick Seagrist’s equalizer midway through the second half was enough for FC Tulsa to escape Sacramento with a 1-1 draw where the Republic will wonder how they dropped two points.
Sacramento thought they had taken the lead after eleven minutes. Lee Desmond would escape the tackle of Edwin Laszo and work the ball out wide to Jack Gurr. Gurr, with plenty of space, spotted Trevor Amann between the two center backs and put the cross in. Amann got in front of Rashid Tetteh to head on frame, only to put it over the crossbar. While Roggeveen looked to have it covered it was a poor header from a normally accurate Amann.
Five minutes later FC Tulsa would be down to 10. Edwin Laszo would recklessly go through Rodrigo Lopez after Lopez had already played the ball. The referee immediately stopped play to show Laszo the yellow card. In the aftermath of the initial booking, and ensuing melee, Laszo would shove Lee Desmond to the ground. While Desmond made a meal out of claiming he was hit in the face (he was not), the time it took for the referee to show Laszo the second yellow card was under a second. The first tackle was a borderline red card offense, Laszo doing something stupid in the melee afterwards gave the referee more than enough justification to send him off.
Joey Roggeveen was called into action midway though the first half, a Rodrigo Lopez corner headed on frame by Conor Donovan, the Tulsa keeper punching it clear. The 33rd minute would see Sacramento Republic hit the front. Off a throw in Nick Ross would spot Luiz Rodrigues. Rodrigues would spot Rodrigo Lopez in plenty of space, Alexis Souahy four yards off Lopez. Lopez would have time to settle and pick out the angle far post, the slow roller deflecting off Souahy and in. It was a fortunate bounce as Roggeveen had the initial shot covered, he couldn’t get over in time to handle the deflection.
Trevor Amann should have burned a header off a corner kick in the 44th minute. Conor Donovan would use his own noggin to win a second phase ball off the initial corner, the ball recycled to Jack Gurr. Gurr would spot Amann in front of Tetteh again and put the cross in. This effort at least was closer the shot skimming off the top of the net, two first half golden chances gone begging from Amann.
Eight minutes into the second half, it would be Russell Cicerone’s turn to miss a gifted effort. Trevor Amann would take the long ball and split the two defenders. Amann never had the angle to shoot on frame, but spotted Cicerone central. The centering ball allowed Cicerone to settle and turn before going near post. With Joey Roggeveen diving late had the shot found the right side of the post it’s game over. Instead, the shot would go a foot wide, a third golden chance for Sacramento gone begging.
The Sacramento Republic missed chances would finally be punished in the 64th minute. The ball would be played out the back to Diogo Pacheco, who would immediately play it onto Milo Yosef. Yosef would go on a 30 yard individual run before shooting on target, his effort blocked. The ball would roll to Arthur Rogers, his long-distance effort caught Vitiello leaning far post as the ball went near. This forced Vitiello to palm the ball out for a corner kick. The resulting corner kick would bend to Diogo Pacheco, his shot whiffed. The ball would end up hitting off the set foot of Pacheco and roll right into the path of Patrick Seagrist. Seagrist would beat Nick Ross to the ball and shoot far post first time. Vitiello’s minute would get worse as he would be screened until it was too late for him to make the save, only diving as the ball was rolling past him.
Neither side would have a shot of consequence the rest of the night and despite the Sacramento Republic chances, they would have to settle for two dropped points.
Phoenix Rising FC 1 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 0: It would be a night where Phoenix Rising huffed and puffed against Colorado Springs Switchbacks. The hosts would finally find the back of the net in the final twenty minutes to keep Colorado Springs Switchback FC pointless.
Despite the first half peppering on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks goal, everything was easy in the opening half hour for Christian Herrera to handle. Colorado Springs would get the lone shot on target in the 35th minute, Quenzi Huerman picking the pocket of Mohamed Traore before centering towards Juan Tejada. The ball would be behind Tejada, but he would be able to get a touch that would set up Yosuke Hanya to shoot on target. The shot would be right into the path of Rocco Rios Novo to make an easy save.
Phoenix Rising were unlucky to not be ahead three minutes from halftime. Dariusz Formella would win the ball in the midfield and ping the ball to Remi Cabral. Cabral would turn Wahab Ackwei and put a long-distance effort on goal from 35 yards out before Matt Mahoney could get back to defend. The ball had Christian Herrera beaten, only for the ball to slice late, pinging off the far post and out for a goal kick.
The shots at Christian Ferrera would continue for Phoenix Rising in the second half. Finally, in the 71st minute Phoenix Rising would get the breakthrough. After Matt Mahoney blocked Panos Armenakas’s effort out for a corner kick, Armenakas would put the ball in towards Dariusz Formella. Formella’s shot would be blocked by Wahab Ackwei, but right in the path of John Stenberg. With Duke Lacroix assisting the initial blocked shot, Stenberg would have a clear path on goal as Christian Herrera was already down for the Formella effort. The ball would be blasted far post away from the help on the near post, Phoenix Rising finally in front.
Remy Cabral should have double the lead in second half stoppage time, but let his run get too deep allowing Christian Herrera to cut off any angle on goal. It was a night Colorado Springs would forget, a team known for getting forward only having four total shots, only one on target.
North Carolina FC 1 Birmingham Legion FC 1: Enzo Martinez would cancel out a second minute Rodrigo da Costa penalty as Birmingham Legion would go into Cary and draw North Carolina FC 1-1.
North Carolina would come in hot and be awarded an opening minute penalty. Off a free kick, the ball would be worked across the pitch to Ezra Armstrong, a give and go played with Louis Perez. Armstrong would put a centering ball in, Matt Van Oekel unable to collect. Rafael Mentzingen would be first to the ball, Van Oekel taking Mentzingen down trying to collect his own mess. To start with Matt Van Oekel should have held onto the initial ball in. When he lost the ball, it was only a matter of when the penalty would be awarded. Rodrigo da Costa would step up and beat Van Oekel to the right, Van Oekel unable to get over in time. Two minutes in and after their first attack North Carolina FC was in front.
Nine minutes North Carolina should have been two goals to the good. Michael Maldonado would play the ball to Louis Perez, Perez getting past Mujeeb Murana before putting the cross in. Collin Martin could have headed the ball anywhere he wanted, and headed it far post, right in the path of the Birmingham keeper who would deny the effort, the danger cleared. Two minutes later Tyler Pasher would put a long ball in right into the path of Prosper Kasim, Kamin getting behind the defense. With Jake McGuire giving up the far post Kasim would put his shot on that post, the angle just a little too tight to find the back of the net.
At the midway point of the first half Birmingham Legion would be level. Ezra Armstrong’s ball would be intercepted and played back to Matt Van Oekel. Van Oekel would play the ball long to Stefano Pinho, who would head the ball to Enzo Martinez. Martinez would find Prosper Kasim, Kasim playing the diagonal ball back to Pinho. Pinho would collect, find that Enzo Martinez had beaten Adrian Pelayo and center the ball. Martinez from there did the rest, upper far post where Jake McGuire could do nothing but admire Martinez’s handiwork. The counter attack worked dividends in leveling the match.
The second half would be the sound of fury signifying absolutely nothing. Outside a Garrett McLaughlin free kick he slipped on, allowing Matt Van Oekel to easily catch the ball, there was nothing of note to speak about. The game would devolve into a box-to-box quagmire, neither side being able to break the other down.
USL League One Roundup
One Knoxville SC 0 Union Omaha 1: A Steevan dos Santos golazo 20 minutes from time was enough to make it 2 wins from 2 for Union Omaha while knocking One Knoxville from the unbeaten 1-0.
One Knoxville would be the first to test the keeper 17 minutes into the contest. On a second phase ball, Rodolfo Castro Jr would lay off to Kempes Tekiela on the edge of the penalty area. While three Union Omaha defenders would try to block the lane, they left enough width in their attempted wall for Tekiela to put his effort far post. The shot was a good one, Rashid Nuhu forced to parry the ball out for a corner. Four minutes later it would be Castro Jr again pulling the strings in the attack to Tekiela, who would lay off to Callum Johnson this time. Johnson’s effort from 23 would end just wide of the far post, Nuhu diving late to the effort.
On the half hour Union Omaha nearly pay for poor play out of the back. Pedro Dolabella’s pass into midfield was easily intercepted by Sivert Haugli, immediately looking to pounce on the counter. Haugli would quickly find Rodolfo Castro Jr who would shoot from 30 first time, Nuhu strong to the task and a possible counter attack wasted.
Union Omaha’s lone shot on goal on the night would come in the 70th minute, and it wouldn’t disappoint. A poor Sean Lewis goal kick started it all, right to where Blake Malone was positioned. Malone would head it right into the path of Steevan dos Santos. Dos Santos would wait for the first bounce, settle with his chest and on the second bounce put his volley on goal at the far post. Lewis was caught flat footed as the ball would fly by before he could make any attempted dive. The chest down by dos Santos would get Jordan Skelton to track back, the feet of Callum Johnson defending added the urgency dos Santos needed to put effort on goal with the second bounce. It was a goal out of absolutely nothing, a game heading for a scoreless draw gone in the blink of an eye.
The night would get worse for One Knoxville, Jalen Crisler sent off six minutes from the ninety for flinging his forearm into the face of Josue Gomez, the referee wasting no time to bring out the red card. From here, Union Omaha would treat offense as their best defense. While Union Omaha wasn’t able to find a second, they successfully were able to see the game out.
Charlotte Independence 1 Greenville Triumph SC 0: Despite dominating the first half, Greenville Triumph would leave Charlotte unbeaten no more as Juan Obregon Jr’s goal six minutes into the second half would be enough for Charlotte Independence to make it two on the bounce in defeating Greenville Triumph SC 1-0.
Despite Greenville being on top for most of the first half, it would be Charlotte Independence that would be first to force the keeper into meaningful action. A long ball by Austin Pack would see a 1-2 game of head tennis between Trevor Mbuyu and Luis Alvarez. Mbuyu would ultimately head onto the path of Juan Obregon Jr, who got away from two defenders and shoot across his body far post. Gunther Rankenburg was already in position, parrying the ball out for a corner.
The 12th minute would see Greenville Triumph awarded a penalty kick. Ben Zakowski would pick the ball up on the edge of the penalty area and trail in. Zakowski’s centering ball was directly in the path of Anton Sorenson, who put an arm out to stop the ball. Even with the short distance the ball traveled, the fact Sorenson’s arm was raised is the only reason the referee pointed to the spot. Lyam MacKinnon would take the short run up, telegraphing exactly where he was kicking it all the way. Austin Pack didn’t have to move much to make the save, one of the poorer penalty kicks one will see.
Fifteen minutes later, Pack would stand tall again. From a quick counter attack, Zion Scarlett would chase the ball down towards the end line. Instead of centering to Leonardo Castro, Scarlett would find the trailing Ben Zakowski on the edge of the penalty and put his pass in Zakowski’s direction. Zakowski was able to get past Bachir Ndiaye before putting his effort on goal, the time it took Zakowski to beat Ndiaye allowed Austin Pack to eliminate the angle and easily save the Zakowski shot.
Charlotte Independence would strike six minutes into the second half. On a second phase ball won by Bachir Ndiaye on the edge of the Charlotte attacking third the ball would end up at the feet of Juan Obregon Jr. Obregon Jr would lay it off to Joel Johnson, who would settle the ball before putting a centering ball back into the path of Obregon Jr. It would be an easy finish for Juan Obregon Jr, who split Jamie Smith and Brandon Fricke to head the ball at the near post. With Gunther Rankenburg leaning far post, it turned into a simple finish. It was the reward Charlotte Independence deserved for their strong start to the second half.
Greenville Triumph’s best effort to equalize would come 18 minutes from the ninety. Hayden Anderson would have freedom down the left side of the pitch before putting his cross into the path of Leonardo Castro. Castro was given plenty of space by Hugh Roberts to pick his target on goal. Instead, Castro would ultimately rush the header and put it well over the crossbar.
Forward Madison FC 2 Richmond Kickers 2: Substitute Agustin Davila would make an immediate impact as his goal four minutes after coming on in the second half would be enough for Forward Madison to keep their unbeaten start to the season in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Richmond Kickers in the Henny Derby.
Richmond would be unfortunate to not be ahead sixteen minutes in. It would be a second phase ball won by Nil Vinyals. Vilnays had enough time on the ball to allow Derek Gebhard to get back onside before the pass was played. Gebhard had plenty of space to collect and turn before shooting at the far post, only a deflection from Michael Chilaka preventing the opener.
Twelve minutes later Forward Madison would be in front. Off a throwing by Dakota Barnathan, the ball would be headed to Derek Gebhard by Devin Boyce. Gebhard would run across the edge of the penalty area before beating Maximilano Schenfeld, continuing the run to the edge of the six before trying a tight angle shot far post. The effort was well timed as Dakota Barnathan was unable to get back in time to cut off the angle Gebhard had on goal. The ball would travel under Pablo Jara before finding the twine, a great effort by Barnhard to put the hosts in front.
Richmond Kickers would break out their inner Queen to level in the seventh minute of first half stoppage time. The ball would be kept alive by Chandler O’Dwyer, John Murphy unable to get into position to clear for Forward Madision. O’Dwyer’s ball would be played to Zacarias Moran who played an immediate touch to Maximilano Schenfeld. The first touch would get Schenfeld enough space away from Mitchell Osmond to hit a perfect bicycle kick far post, Bernd Schipmann a mere spectator as he was on the near post when the ball was struck from 8 yards. The work rate from Richmond here was commendable just to keep the ball in play on the end line and recycle the ball. On the balance of play 1-1 was the fair scoreline going into the half.
Midway through the second half Richmond Kickers would hit the front on the counter attack. After some quick passes down the right, the ball would make its way to Arthur Bousa on the midfield stripe. Bousa would spring Adrian Billhardt on the run, and run he would. The individual run by Billhardt would get him past Michael Chilaka, to the edge of the penalty area before he would shoot far post. Bernd Schipmann was too close to the near post which allowed the ball to quickly pass him by and into the back of the net. It was a counter attacking goal in eight touches, Forward Madison too late in getting back to defend.
The triple change from Forward Madison would pay off in the 72nd minute. Wolfgang Prentice would play the ball down the left. Prentice would be Simon Fitch first before putting his cross in before James Vaughan could get back to defend. Agustin Davila would meet the ball on the edge of the six yard box in front of Griffin Garnett and head it far post, Pablo Jara too close to the near post to make his diving effort worthwhile.
Forward Madison would end the match on 10 players as Timmy Mehl would be sent off for his second bookable offense. Mehl’s foul on Maximilano Schenfeld was worth a booking on its own, his kicking the ball away in anger the icing on the cake for the referee putting out the second yellow card. Richmond would have their best chance to win it in the third minute of second half stoppage time, Ryan Sierakowski unable to get Joao Gomiero’s cross down, the header over the crossbar.
Central Valley Fuego FC 2 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 4: A Ropapa Mensah hat trick would prove decisive as Chattanooga would pick up their first win of the season 4-2, Central Valley now pointless in four straight games.
The opening minute was a warning sign for how the night was going to go. Carlos Avilez’s restart would be mishit right into the path of Stefan Lukic. Lukic was likely in shock at getting the ball, but he still was able to settle and shoot near post, only missing it by a foot. Before the quarter hour Chattanooga would be in front. The ball would be played out the back to Omar Hernandez. Hernandez would turn Zahir Vasquez before getting the ball forward. Thanks to poor camera decisions we have no clue how the ball got to Ropapa Mensah, who had beaten Mouhamed Dabo, but Mensah would shoot as Carlos Avilez was charging off his line into the empty net. It was just poor defending from Central Valley to give Chattanooga Red Wolves the lead.
Chattanooga would double their advantage 4 minutes later. The long ball would be played to Ropapa Mensah, who would take advantage of the double team and backheel the ball back to Lucas Coutinho. Coutinho would fire first time from the edge of the D right over Alivez and in under the crossbar. There was nothing fancy about this goal, a counter attack in four touches of the ball. Before Central Valley’s kit could get soaked from the rain, they were already 2-0 behind.
Ropapa Mensah could have made it three just before the half hour. Jamil Roberts would spot Mensah on the Chattanooga side of the midfield line and ping the pass to him. While Central Valley was asking for offside, Mensah would take off on the run, beating two defenders before firing from 25 yards, the far post the only thing that denied Mensah a first half brace.
Central Valley would finally work themselves into the game and pull one back 5 minutes from halftime. The ball would be played out wide to Omar Lemus. Lemus would spot Zahir Vazquez making the run near post and put the cross in, the initial shot saved by TJ Bush. The rebound would fall right back to Vazquez, an easy finish into an empty net as Leo Folla wasn’t interested in defending the sequence at all. Folla ended up overrunning the play, allowing Vazquez the empty net finish.
Vazquez would get another double chance three minutes later, the first saved by the onrushing TJ Bush, the follow-up into the side netting. Central Valley would get a chance to equalize again with the last touch of the first half, a corner kick sent in by Jose Carrera-Garcia right into the path of Deshawon Nembhard. Nembhard couldn’t get the header closer to the far post, allowing TJ Bush to get his arm out to deny the chance.
Ropapa Mensah would get his brace midway through the second half. Stefan Lukic would play the ball in midfield, his first touch got past Deshawon Nembhard before going on the run. Mensah would make the diagonal run to split Emmanuel Gomez and Omar Lemus and Lukic would time the pass to perfection. Mensah would take the shot first time far post, past Avilez and into the back of the net. The poor defending would continue for Central Valley, Chattanooga Red Wolves regaining their two goal advantage.
Despite this, Central Valley would make the last ten minutes interesting. Nembhard would play the ball forward to Emmanuel Gomez. Gomez would collect the ball before pushing the ball wide to Askanov Apollon. Apollon would settle the ball before crossing to the center of the six yard box. The ball would miss Ruelas, but fall right into the path of Qudus Lawal, the shot beating TJ Bush to the far post. The back three for Chattanooga Red Wolves completely lost Lawal, who ended up with a simple finish.
Central Valley would hand the game to Chattanooga Red Wolves to start second half stoppage time. Mayele Malongo would collect the ball in the midfield and spot Chevone Marsh running down the middle of the park. The pass from Malongo allowed Marsh to beat Ashkanov Apollon, Apollon putting a shove into Marsh inside the box, the referee having a clear line of sight to point to the spot. Ropapa Mensah would step up to the spot and go down the middle, Carlos Avilez going to Mensah’s right.
Lexington SC 2 Spokane Velocity FC 2:Luis Gil would level the match 3 minutes after Azaad Liadi had put Lexington in front as Lexington SC and Spokane Velocity would split the points in 2-2 draw.
Spokane would start the brighter of the two teams and be in front inside of 20 minutes. After Christian Young conceded a corner kick, Luis Gil would play the ball in and unmarked header on the edge of the six back toward the near post by Ahmed Longmire. Everyone collapsed inside the six yard box, allowing Longmire to have the unmarked header.
The lead would only last for seven minutes. The pass out the back by Collin Fernandez would be intercepted by Tate Robertson. Lexington would play three quick passes: Robertson to Cameron Lancaster, Lancaster to Abel Caputo, Caputo to Yannick Yankam. Yankam would split Marcelo Lage and Derek Waldeck before seeing Carlos Valdez was cheating too far to the near post and went far post with his effort. The quick passes split the Spokane defense wide open as they would be made to pay for their poor play out the back, Lexington level on 26 minutes.
Lexington would complete the comeback eight minutes later. Christian Young would play the ball out of midfield to the already sprinting Azaad Liadi. Liadi was already past Marcelo Lage, cut inside to get past Ahmed Longmire before going under the keeper into the back of the net. It was a great individual run by Liadi, the pass from Young setting him off to the races. Longmire looked hesitant to put a foot in to challenge Liadi and I can’t say I don’t blame him.
The lead would last for only three minutes before Spokane Velocity equalized. Off another corner kick, the second phase would be worked to Collin Fernandez. Fernandez would recycle the ball to Jack Denton, Denton would set up Luis Gil 45 yards from goal. Gil would get past Azaad Liadi and fire on goal from 36 yards out. The ball would bounce right in front of Ahmal Knight before going right between Knight’s hands and into the net, a turf aided long distance dedication answered.
Ariel Mbumba would come on to start the second half and nearly assisted in putting Spokane back in front, his centering ball just out of the reach of Luis Gil, his touch going wide of the far post. Midway through the second half a Derek Waldeck corner kick would again find Ahmed Longmire, his headed deflected off Marcelo Lage and cleared. Nico Brown would get Lexington’s best chance of the second half a minute before second half stoppage time, his shot easily saved by Carlos Valdez from 25 yards out.
Spokane would get the last chance of the game in the eighth minute of second half stoppage time. Camron Miller would play the ball wide to Derek Waldeck. Waldeck was given enough space to put his cross into the path of Pierre Reddy, his header tipped over the bar by Ahmal Knight. The save would ensure the game would end honors even.
Weekend Observations and Random Musings
1: Fair play to USL for getting ahead of any potential US Open Cup conflicts and moving the May 7th meeting between Miami FC and Memphis 901 FC to August 14th. I understand when the schedule was released they were likely not expecting to be in the US Open Cup so soon, but to find a date both sides could agree on before a conflict could arise is just smart business.
2: It’s been a good week for New Mexico United, both on and off the pitch. The good news on the pitch is Cristian Nava, former New Mexico United academy product, is available for team selection in their upcoming US Open Cup match against Lubbock Matadors. This will be the first time he’s available for selection since injuring his ACL last preseason.
The good news off the pitch is their stadium plan passed the next phase of the red tape when the Albuquerque Environmental Planning Commission approved the clubs plan for a multipurpose soccer preferred stadium (see what I did there). The plan was modified from the original agreement, mostly to placate the complaints from citizens in the region, received unanimous approval from AEPC.
Fair play to New Mexico United for giving Nava all the time he needed to ensure he returns to full fitness. This is how you bring a young player along after a serious injury. Furthermore, New Mexico United deserves credit for hearing the rational concerns from their hopefully soon to be neighbors (there are some who will never see reason) and made reasonable adjustments in compromise to make this stadium work. There’s still work to be done before the first shovel full of dirt is dug out of the ground but the progress into the new lab looks to be making substantial progress.
3: Goal of the week part one: Steevan dos Santos golazo to knock One Knoxville from the unbeaten.
3a: Goal of the week part two: Maximilano Schenfeld just really wanted to ride his bike where he liked.
3b: I wish more teams would find a way to get these kind of on touchline angles out on their social media (this one of the Forward Madison equalizer). They just look cool.
4: Stick a fork in El Paso Locomotive, they’re done. While they were fortunate to not be level 2-2 at halftime against Oakland Roots, who were missing a critical piece of their midfield, to give up 2 goals in 4 minutes to start the second half in almost the same manner they blew it late at New Mexico United is almost unforgivable. It really does have that impression it is only a matter of when this El Paso team implodes. It might already be happening.
5: Indy Eleven, 10 goals allowed in the last three games. That is a defensive problem. Sure two of those three games were against Louisville City and Charleston Battery, but performances like those make it very difficult to take your chances at either making the playoffs, or going deep in those playoffs.
6: Very odd indeed that no one from FC Tulsa would get within the vicinity of Edwin Laszo to save him from himself after the initial yellow card. I just thought that was automatic nowadays. Before you ask Alexis Souahy and Boubacar Diallo were more interested in chatting it up with the referee and Arthur Rogers was more interested in mixing it up with the Sacramento Republic players. None of them thought for one second to get Laszo out of the situation as he was already skating on thin ice with the referee.
7: One loss in their last 36 home games for San Antonio FC. That should be impressive enough, if not for the fact of the 35 results, 16 of them are draws. Don’t get me wrong, getting results is a good thing, but too many draws are getting in the way of this clubs potential.
8: Dear USL, it’s pretty poor that when promoting the next round of the USL Open Cup you completely ignored promoting the USL sides who weren’t playing against each other. You know damn well come the next round you’ll be promoting your sides against MLS competition. Show some class and promote the other leagues. Besides, all your doing is not giving any respect to those USL teams who are playing against them.
9: I’m starting to wonder when James Chambers will be sacked in Colorado Springs. I just see no positive redeeming qualities in how the Switchbacks play. To make matters worse, Phoenix Rising schooled them in their own game. If the performances were getting better I’d say give it time, but the performances have gotten progressively worse.
10: I am impressed with the grit FC Tulsa have shown the last two matches. Their never quit attitude is one a few teams in the USL probably need to learn how to attain.
A note about next week: not to give too much away but this upcoming week sees a milestone I’ve had countless ‘professionals’ tell me I’d never see. It’s also one that has been heavy on my mind the last couple of years as I’ve been working on my mental health. I say all that to say I will be unavailable next week as I take some time to reflect. I’ll leave you with this: words matter. Their impact can linger for years, even more so when coming from a place of authoritative power. Don’t be afraid to reach out sooner rather than later to true professionals to process the negative thoughts in your head. It might take time to find one your comfortable talking to but it will leave you in a much better place.
Thanks much, Jonathan. Take good care this coming week and bounce back stronger, please!
p.s. still waiting for the Memphis turnaround. Along with Colorado and El Paso, these are all cherished USL sides for whose fan bases deserves happiness.....