Finally, game-day has arrived. After weeks of hard work and practice, and no games for a solid month, the ATTACK rose to the occasion on Saturday.
It was a cool morning as the fog bore down on the pitch like a wild animal stalking it's prey. Gently, and peacefully it crept...until the excitement of the opening whistle was almost too much to bare. Teamwork, passion, and aggressiveness were immediately on display as no-doubt, blue skies were soon to follow.
And it didn't take long before the hours on the practice field began to pay dividends. Only minutes into the action, the ATTACK were the first to strike. Some nice passing from several players had Madrinas SC on their heels early. Great pressure from Car-Car created a turnover and La Pulga efficiently put the ATTACK on top 1-0. A definitive statement that the lads had come to play. Despite plenty of action, and a wealth of possession, the ATTACK slipped into the locker room at half-time with a slim, one-goal lead.
The 2nd half was more friendly to the red-shirts than the 1st, as they finished off Madrinas SC with 3 more tallies to walk away with a 4-0 shutout victory. A wonderful effort from 3 different goalies allowed the ATTACK to record their first clean-sheet of the season, and the first loss for the 2nd place Madrinas SC. All-in-all, the clean sheet by Rocket, Car-Car, and BT is notable, but so is the fact that the ATTACK have only relinquished 6 goals in 4 total games on the year. A good indication of a solid back line, and total team effort in support. Another good showing from the back-two today, of Raz and Drew. Continually, they were able to keep the opponents wide and thwarted every attempt, frustrating Madrinas SC again, and again.
When not tending to the 12'x6' frame, Rocket was also solid in defense of his territory, and consistently pushed the ball back up the field into dangerous spaces.
Car-Car had the lone "helper" on the goal by Pulga, as well as tending the nets.
BT was able to pressure the opponents defense, and score a goal himself, besides tidying things up in his box. His unselfishness was on display in the 2nd half, as well, when he had a HUGE shot block as the only man in the wall facing a dangerous free kick chance for Madrinas.
All 4 wingers showed poise and positioning, as well as tenacity. Diego was strong on his wing, against Goliath-like opposition, and was very nearly able to convert several crosses into the box into chances. Jamez forced several key saves from the opposing goalie, with consistent runs to the corner, spreading the defense like peanut butter on toast. Pulga had a goal and was able to find acres of space, repeatedly to help ease any pressure the opposition tried to mount. Tufan was no-doubt the man of the match, though. Playing wing and sliding more centrally, as needed, he controlled the pace of the game, and his tenaciousness was too much for the team in white today. He was able to find the back of the net twice. Both of which were world-class finishes. His celebrations were world-class as well.
Ari was kept off the scoresheet today, but not for lack of effort. He too, was a thorn in the side of the opposition, and very nearly capitalized on a free kick from just outside the box.
Coach Hollywood should rest easy tonight. A solid showing from every "man" on the pitch led to a dominant effort over a highly touted opponent. It looks as though this past month of practices has been a "blessing in disguise". A blessing he will surely be thankful for, as the weeks ahead hold another scheduling challenge, and two more weeks of practice until the team is back in action.
As my father might say, "BLUE SKIES".
Jazz