Despite missing several regulars Saturday night at the Santa Monica Airport, the ACFC over-30s squad took down Valhalla FC 3-2 with a combination of hard work and strong team play.
The squad seemed to like playing on the full size field again and made use of the extra space to play more of a passing game against the LA Premier League's second-place side. Backed by a strong defence, led by sweeper Miguel Lopez and stopper Peter Wasek, ACFC battled back and forth in the first half creating several chances. Keeper Ian Benyo was strong between the posts, took ownership of his box and distributed the ball well on the counterattack. Bryan Moore, on the right side fed several plays through the midfield after taking the ball off Valhalla strikers.
The midfield was well served by Brandon Cole and Greg Medzger, while Freddie DeLeon again created havoc for the Valhalla defenders with his speed.
The half time whistle saw the teams tied at 0-0. But ACFC's calm demeanor took a turn for the worse as the whistle for the start of the second half sounded, when Benyo turned his ankle as he entered the field in a fluke accident. About 10 minutes in, Benyo had to be replaced by central defender Wasek in goal, while Medzger slotted into the stopping role. Valhalla immediately pushed forward to test the new netminder and earned the first goal of the game off a cross from outside the box 15 minutes in. Wasek managed to get his fingertips to the ball and pushed it onto the post, but it deflected in.
Ironically instead of taking the goal to heart, ACFC went on a tear, racking up three straight goals in just over three minutes courtesy of Brad Miller and a brace from Jacob Tudela on 67, 68 and 70 minutes.
FC Valhalla managed to get one goal back about five minutes later on a three-man rush. But ACFC held on for the win, their second this season since joining the LAPL. Wasek, who was forced to make several saves in the dying minutes, was named MVP of the match by coach Billy Alarcon, and assistant coach Kirby Adams, who is currently recovering from an on-field injury.
The team's record now sits at two wins, two ties and a loss with four games remaining in the regular season. All previous game scores were inherited from the team ACFC replaced.
The squad next sees action Saturday, June 26 against FK Dinamo at Crossroads with a 7:30 PM kickoff.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
ACFC takes second straight draw
Playing old-time rivals Matador FC in a second game this week, the ACFC over-30s squad notched their second straight draw, coming back from a 3-1 second-half deficit to finish up 3-3.
ACFC started the match well, closing down the Matador strikers early and making several positive incursions into the opponents' goalmouth. In the later stages of the half the home side saw themselves up by a goal with David Woirhaye converting a Greg Medzger effort about 10 minutes from time.
The second half saw a minor breakdown in communication between the defence and midfield ... a predicament which resulted in three successive goals from a forward-pressing Matador.
But if ACFC's first three matches in the LA Premier League have shown anything, its that the squad has heart. The side gradually regained control of the ball -- and a large percentage of the overall possession. Forward checking saw recent acquisition Andrew MacDonald knock in a goal off a Dan Klein effort, after Klein took the ball up from the defensive area, combining a bit of individual ball skill with a large dose of determination.
About five minutes from the final whistle, MacDonald struck again, heading the ball past a sprawling Matador keeper off a long ball from Greg Medzger.
The team now has a record of one win, two ties and loss in their first four official LAPL outings.
ACFC next sees action June 19 against second-place FC Valhalla at the Santa Monica Airport field with a 7:30 pm kickoff time.
ACFC started the match well, closing down the Matador strikers early and making several positive incursions into the opponents' goalmouth. In the later stages of the half the home side saw themselves up by a goal with David Woirhaye converting a Greg Medzger effort about 10 minutes from time.
The second half saw a minor breakdown in communication between the defence and midfield ... a predicament which resulted in three successive goals from a forward-pressing Matador.
But if ACFC's first three matches in the LA Premier League have shown anything, its that the squad has heart. The side gradually regained control of the ball -- and a large percentage of the overall possession. Forward checking saw recent acquisition Andrew MacDonald knock in a goal off a Dan Klein effort, after Klein took the ball up from the defensive area, combining a bit of individual ball skill with a large dose of determination.
About five minutes from the final whistle, MacDonald struck again, heading the ball past a sprawling Matador keeper off a long ball from Greg Medzger.
The team now has a record of one win, two ties and loss in their first four official LAPL outings.
ACFC next sees action June 19 against second-place FC Valhalla at the Santa Monica Airport field with a 7:30 pm kickoff time.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Angel City fights for Celtic FC 2-2 draw
Celebrating a new sponsorship with Apache Rental Group and Coach Billy Alarcon's 29th birthday, the Angel City FC over-30s squad came ready to battle mid-table rivals Celtic FC Tuesday night at Crossroads.
And despite dropping an early 1-0 lead three minutes in off a quick break, the team put on an inspired showing throughout the match with crisp passing sequences through the forwards and a tighter defensive formation as the game went on. Freddie DeLeon had several opportunities in the box, using his deft touch and quick speed to outsmart the Celtic defenders.
The back line lost sweeper Kirby Adams midway through the half to an ankle turn while "Steamboat" was blocking a shot about 30 yards out. But Dan Klein stepped into the role nicely, keeping the defence centered. Keeper Peter Marlenga was again strong between the posts, fending off several airborne crosses through a crowd of large Celtic strikers.
David Woirhaye finally converted a Craig Blois play in the box at the 36-minute mark to tie the match 1-1 at the half, much to the joy of the large contingent of ACFC fans on hand to boost spirits, a group which included a quickly recovering Tom Bry.
The second half saw Celtic FC again take the lead with a shot at the 55-minute mark. But ACFC battled back with midfield standouts Matt Onheiber, Craig Blois, Ben Kull and Greg Medzger all containing counterattacks in the Celtic end.
ACFC lost a second defender to injury about 15-minutes in, when Blake Nickle was forced to retire with chest pains after a collision near the ACFC goal ... he has since been diagnosed with a cracked vertebrae and possibly three cracked ribs and is expected to be out for an undetermined period of time to recover.
The back line was then changed a second time to Leo Wallach, Brian Moore, Rahoul Ghose and Dan Klein.
The final minutes of the second half saw end-to-end action, with ACFC chances and serious saves made by Marlenga at the home end.
Ben O'Meara notched the tying goal off a David Woirhaye run at 85 minutes to earn the point. But either team could have taken the win.
ACFC next see action the Saturday at Crossroads against longtime rivals Matador FC with a 6 PM kickoff.
And despite dropping an early 1-0 lead three minutes in off a quick break, the team put on an inspired showing throughout the match with crisp passing sequences through the forwards and a tighter defensive formation as the game went on. Freddie DeLeon had several opportunities in the box, using his deft touch and quick speed to outsmart the Celtic defenders.
The back line lost sweeper Kirby Adams midway through the half to an ankle turn while "Steamboat" was blocking a shot about 30 yards out. But Dan Klein stepped into the role nicely, keeping the defence centered. Keeper Peter Marlenga was again strong between the posts, fending off several airborne crosses through a crowd of large Celtic strikers.
David Woirhaye finally converted a Craig Blois play in the box at the 36-minute mark to tie the match 1-1 at the half, much to the joy of the large contingent of ACFC fans on hand to boost spirits, a group which included a quickly recovering Tom Bry.
The second half saw Celtic FC again take the lead with a shot at the 55-minute mark. But ACFC battled back with midfield standouts Matt Onheiber, Craig Blois, Ben Kull and Greg Medzger all containing counterattacks in the Celtic end.
ACFC lost a second defender to injury about 15-minutes in, when Blake Nickle was forced to retire with chest pains after a collision near the ACFC goal ... he has since been diagnosed with a cracked vertebrae and possibly three cracked ribs and is expected to be out for an undetermined period of time to recover.
The back line was then changed a second time to Leo Wallach, Brian Moore, Rahoul Ghose and Dan Klein.
The final minutes of the second half saw end-to-end action, with ACFC chances and serious saves made by Marlenga at the home end.
Ben O'Meara notched the tying goal off a David Woirhaye run at 85 minutes to earn the point. But either team could have taken the win.
ACFC next see action the Saturday at Crossroads against longtime rivals Matador FC with a 6 PM kickoff.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Angel City sees silver twice in San Diego
Competing in the Men's Open and Men's B Divisions of the 2010 Kick for a Cure 6 v 6 Tourney in San Diego this past weekend, Angel City FC and ACFC both qualified for the Championship final but had to settle for silver for the second year running.
Angel City FC started slow Saturday racking up a 1-1 tie (Dan Klein) with TDAC Rovers and a tough 2-1 (Marius Sandvik) loss against the SD Storm Select. Sunday was do or die for the squad, which needed a win against Cortina FC for a chance to play in the Championship round. The match was close with Angel City finally breaking free in the second half to take a hard-fought 4-3 win off of goals from Ben Kull, Kirby Adams and David Woirhaye (the fourth was an own goal off a cross from the sidelines).
Coached by Billy Alarcon, Angel City met SD Storm Select for a second time in the final, going 2-2 through regular time and an OT period before moving on to the dreaded shoot-out tiebreaker, where the team was forced to settle for second ... again. Marius Sandvik and David Woirhaye struck for the home side during the match.
ACFC, in the Men's B Division, met less resistance on the Saturday, taking wins against FUBAR (which featured several younger teens) 5-0 (Marc Salomon; PK, Craig Blois (2), Marc Salomon, Mike Barthel), and a more competitive SBFC Managers 4-3, with a pair of goals from Mike Barthel and a single from Craig Blois in the second match, as well as a helpful own goal following a breakaway by Salomon.
Sunday saw ACFC face off against Pacific twice, once in regular play at 8 AM, and a second time in the finals. The early game saw a more disjointed side lose 4-0 to Pacific. But in the final ACFC finally took coach David Alarcon's words of wisdom to heart. The undermanned side stepped up with an injured Peter Wasek pitching in as goalie. Strong defence and a mobile midfield saw a much more competitive game where either side could have won. Pacific notched the lone goal mid-way through the first half, but ACFC pressed to the final whistle for the equalizer, generating several goal scoring opportunities. Lady luck did not shine down though.
All in all it was a great tourney and the club wants to thank the Kick for a Cure organizers for being such great hosts.
Special kudos to Peter Marlenga, who played seven matches between the posts for both squads, and to the Alarcon boyz for organizing and coaching the squads.
Angel City FC started slow Saturday racking up a 1-1 tie (Dan Klein) with TDAC Rovers and a tough 2-1 (Marius Sandvik) loss against the SD Storm Select. Sunday was do or die for the squad, which needed a win against Cortina FC for a chance to play in the Championship round. The match was close with Angel City finally breaking free in the second half to take a hard-fought 4-3 win off of goals from Ben Kull, Kirby Adams and David Woirhaye (the fourth was an own goal off a cross from the sidelines).
Coached by Billy Alarcon, Angel City met SD Storm Select for a second time in the final, going 2-2 through regular time and an OT period before moving on to the dreaded shoot-out tiebreaker, where the team was forced to settle for second ... again. Marius Sandvik and David Woirhaye struck for the home side during the match.
ACFC, in the Men's B Division, met less resistance on the Saturday, taking wins against FUBAR (which featured several younger teens) 5-0 (Marc Salomon; PK, Craig Blois (2), Marc Salomon, Mike Barthel), and a more competitive SBFC Managers 4-3, with a pair of goals from Mike Barthel and a single from Craig Blois in the second match, as well as a helpful own goal following a breakaway by Salomon.
Sunday saw ACFC face off against Pacific twice, once in regular play at 8 AM, and a second time in the finals. The early game saw a more disjointed side lose 4-0 to Pacific. But in the final ACFC finally took coach David Alarcon's words of wisdom to heart. The undermanned side stepped up with an injured Peter Wasek pitching in as goalie. Strong defence and a mobile midfield saw a much more competitive game where either side could have won. Pacific notched the lone goal mid-way through the first half, but ACFC pressed to the final whistle for the equalizer, generating several goal scoring opportunities. Lady luck did not shine down though.
All in all it was a great tourney and the club wants to thank the Kick for a Cure organizers for being such great hosts.
Special kudos to Peter Marlenga, who played seven matches between the posts for both squads, and to the Alarcon boyz for organizing and coaching the squads.
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