Sounders Reserves fall to Timbers Reserves 0-1

By

The Sounders FC Reserves took on the Portland Timbers Reserves in a heated rivalry match tonight. The thunderous Sounders faithful were cheering in full support as the game kicked off. It didn’t take long for the action to start. In the 6th minute a Timbers player ripped a shot to the far post but it was saved by a diving Marcus Hahnemann. The next bit of excitement came from a streaking sideline run by Leo Gonzales. Gonzales cut the ball back to the top of the box with a beautiful cross and it was met by a laser beam volley that went just inches wide of the post; the goalie would have had no chance. Each team had their opportunities, but nothing hit the back of the net. The defense was solid for both teams throughout resulting in a 0-0 score going into halftime.

[Show as slideshow]

The second half began and it took only two minutes before the first great opportunity on goal. The Sounders midfielder, Alex Caskey, found himself just inside the box with a half step of room when he attempted to volley it over the keeper. The Timbers keeper had an amazing save to tip it inches over the bar. There was another great opportunity on the resulting corner kick, but once again the ball could not find the net. The Sounders were dominating the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half and that led them to a number of corner kicks, but unfortunately no goals. The action slowed and Hahnemann had a few comfortable saves but there was nothing important to note until the 76th minute when Jordan Morris of the Sounders came dangerously close to making it 1-0. He was near the corner of the 18-yard box when he shot an absolute missile that hit side netting. 10 minutes later the Timbers fired in a corner kick that bounced around the box for a couple of seconds before finding Valencia’s right foot. He slotted it nicely into the far corner for a Timbers goal, putting them up 1-0. With only 4 minutes left, the Sounders pushed the pace and pressured the Timbers defensive line even more. In the 88th minute the Sounders had a shot that would have tied the game, but was saved brilliantly by the Timbers goalkeeper. Seconds later, the Sounders whipped in a corner kick that met the head of Lamar Neagle and then met the post with a loud crack. They came painfully close to tying the match, but that would end up being the last chance for the Sounders Reserves team. The final score of this tight, hard fought match was 1-0.

Game of the Week (3/10): Arsenal vs. Barclay Boys

By

Game of the Week, GOTW (03/14/13)
Barclay Boys vs. Arsenal – Wednesday Men’s C Upper Finals

This week’s Game of the Week saw Barclay Boys and Arsenal face off in the Men’s C Indoor Championship. The season had been hard fought for both these teams, adding buzz and excitement surrounding this game. Barclay Boys wasted no time in making their presence known, scoring within the first five minutes off a long-range effort. While appearing slightly rattled at first, Arsenal came back strong. A notable force for Arsenal in the first half was Oscar, who would go on to score a hat tirck before during the first half. Barclay boys would land one more in the back of the net, but Arsenal would quickly respond as Garcia knocked one in off an exceptional individual effort with 20 seconds remaining in the first half.

The second half opened with a quick series of passes and a brisk goal by Barclay Boys. Arsenal seemed a little fatigued, leaving too many holes at the back and the Barclay Boys took full advantage by scoring a couple of goals in quick succession. Both teams started to settle into the game again and find their rhythm with some great attacking play on both ends of the field. Oscar upped his goal count to 4 when e latched on to a pin point pass from Garcia to add to his goal tally. Barclay Boys piled on the pressure and controlled possession for the bulk of the second half, while Arsenal focused their efforts on defending their thin lead. Despite Arsenal’s best defending efforts, Barclay Boys were able to score two more goals, tying the game. There were a couple of anxious moments at the back for Arsenal in the last minute of the game as Barclay Boys continued to press, but Arsenal’s goalkeeper made a few magnificent stops to send the 8-8 tie into extra time.

Extra time saw both teams playing it safe, not wanting to push too many men forward for fear of leaving their defense exposed and susceptible to a counter attack. As a result, extra time ended with no new advancement, and the fate of the match would be determined on penalties. Three kicks were to separate victor from second best. Both teams had their first attempts saved, and both were able to convert their second. On the third round Arsenal found the back of the net while the Barclay Boys dribbled the ball right into the arms of the goalkeeper to secure the Championship for Arsenal.

SPSL powered by adidas: Championship Weekend Recap

By

Deportivo Italia [4] vs. Three Lions [1]

The top-ranked Three Lions squad came out strong in the first match of playoffs, dominating possession for the first 20 minutes. Despite the solid start, Deportivo Italia would score first, which seemed to shake up Three Lions’ team chemistry.  Despite the flow of the game being equal between opponents, Deportivo would head into halftime with a 2-0 lead, after scoring for a second time off a beautifully laced corner kick that was bent around the keeper.

Deportivo would start the second half with a goal off a lovely free kick from 20 yards out, and would continue to prove deadly on set pieces throughout the rest of the game. Three Lions were able to shift momentum a bit and put themselves back in the game after grabbing a goal off a well-placed corner kick, but match MVP, Jared Kenda, would put a comeback out of reach.

Kenda would contribute to two goals in relatively quick succession. The first came as he burned down the line, slotting the ball across the face of the goal to a teammate to go up 4-1, followed by Kenda beating out Lions keeper, Sean Snyder, with a shot from just inside the 18 to extend the Deportivo goal count to 5. Before the final whistle, Deportivo would find the back of the net twice more to advance the squad to the finals, topping the previously undefeated Three Lions squad 7-1.

 

Seattle Americans [2] vs. Washington Crane [3]

The first half of the second semifinal saw Seattle Americans and Washington Crane evenly matched in terms of possession and intensity.  No real scoring chances appeared for either team during the first 45 minutes, and the game entered halftime 0-0.

Early into the second half Washington Crane had their first real opportunity, breaking through the Seattle Americans defense. With an open net, Washington Crane’s attacker rang the shot off the post, keeping the score at nil. In the twentieth minute, Seattle Americans finally broke the barrier, with a magnificent strike by #20 from 28 yards out that put the squad up 1-0. After going down a goal, Washington Crane responded well and tied up the game off an unfortunate rebound by the Seattle Americans keeper.

With approximately 15 minutes left in the game, Andy Wolverton bent a left footed shot far post to take the lead for Seattle Americans. This 2-1 lead would stand and the Seattle Americans moved on to face Deportivo Italia in the Championship.

SPSL Finals – Seattle Americans vs Deportivo Italia

It didn’t take too long for the Seattle Americans get their game going. Like a well-oiled machine, their passing was crisp and precise and their presence domineering for large stretches of the first half. Fifteen minutes into the first half, Richie Evoy was the first to find the mark when he managed to poke in a scrappy goalmouth scramble. Evoy would bank hissecond goal of the game, and third for the team, when Steve Spencer delivered a beautiful cross to a wide-open Evoy who chested it down and slotted it into the bottom left hand corner.

As the half went on, Deportivo Italia seemed to find their stride and creep back into the game, displaying more touches, control and composure on the ball, and held possession well for the last five minutes. Despite the improvement in play, Deportivo were unable to convert, and the half ended with Seattle Americans leading 3-0.

The second half start off much like the first with the Seattle Americans back in control and Richie Evoy in the thick of the action. Evoy threatened to extend the lead when he teased the defense with a fantastic turn only to launch a shot wide of the goal. In the 54th minute, Evoy made good on the threat, logging a hat trick on the night. Despite the mounting deficit, Deportivo continued to press and eventually found the back of the net after an intricate series of passes within the eighteen yard box, which led up to a neatly placed goal in the far corner. However, hopes of a comeback were dashed when the Seattle Americans converted a penalty kick awarded on a foul inside the box.

The Seattle Americans took home the trophy after an eventual 6-1 victory over the defending champions, Deportivo Italia.

Game of the Week (3/3): LTFC vs. Sparkle FC

By

GOTW (3/5/13)
The GOTW comes from the indoor co-ed C league, featuring LTFC and Sparkle FC, ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively. This season is up for grabs and it has been a tight race between the top four teams, so this match was cut out to be an exciting one. After just a few minutes the action started when Jason Kenway dribbled from the halfway line and scored a skillful goal for Sparkle FC. His teammates put another two in the net soon after. Although LTFC were putting up a strong fight and making it difficult, Sparkle FC seemed to find the back of the net with every strike. Jason Kenway scored again right before the close of the second half to make it 4-0.
The second half opened up and the LTFC goalie, Calli Bergstrom, was tested as Sparkle FC attacked from every angle. She had over 10 saves in the second half alone. Sparkle FC continued to attack while LTFC began to find their rhythm and produce some great offense, making it an exciting match to watch. LTFC’s first and only goal came just around the 15-minute mark in the second half by way of Kyle Summers. He found himself on a break away and slotted it brilliantly past Sparkle FC’s keeper.
The game ended with an 8-1 win for Sparkle FC. However, LTFC can take pride in the fact that it was a hard fought game and much closer than the score suggests. Jason Kenway is named MVP of tonight’s match not only because of his hat trick, but because of the way he was able to facilitate the action on the field.
Sparkle FC will face off against Saints in the league championship next Tuesday. Saints upset the league front runner, Pain in the Grass, with a 4-1 win to advance.

Game of the Week (2/17): Big Al Brewing FC vs. 30 Seconds to Goal

By

In this week’s Game of the Week, Big Al Brewing FC squared off against Thirty Seconds to Goal in our Thursday Coed Outdoor league. Big Al Brewing FC carved out several chances during the match, but they were unable to convert any against their rivals. A goal in each half from Thirty Seconds to Goal was enough to separate the two sides in a 2-0 victory for the visitors. Check out this week’s Game of the Week!

Game of the Week (2/10): Vacca Patrol vs. OGs

By

In our most competitive Coed Indoor League at Starfire Sports, Vacca Patrol and OGs played out a thrilling match on Tuesday night. The first portion of the match was back and forth between the two sides, but as the game wore on OGs began to create some separation between their rivals Vacca Patrol. OGs took down the match 8-4. Check out the enthralling encounter in this week’s Game of the Week!