Life Will Write the Words

So, I am crazy busy with different things this week and as a result, the match recap is both late and shorter than usual – sorry folks.

Anyways, here is your condensed report.

First Half FRS 0 – OC 2

Fresno came out in their Fuego Red and everyone went crazy – the GA section of Chukchansi was sold out and you could tell, but our elation soon turned to horror and sadness.

In the 4th minute, OCSC was given a free kick just outside the box. It was curled in to the dismay of the crowd and they took the lead. The team just fell apart. The first half was painful to watch, and in the 12th minute, OC scored again.

Fresno had a few chances, but nothing really tested their goalkeeper. Orange County looked like they were in another league, the way they outplayed us that first half. You could tell there was tension on the field but we managed to keep them from scoring for the rest of the half.

Notes:

Why was this half so terrible? Maybe it was the bye weeks getting to us, or maybe it was just not gelling as a team, but it was piss-poor for a home game.

Chavez was offside a lot. I doubt the linesman got them all wrong, more likely he needs to keep track of who the last defender is and stay behind them.

CJ Cochran has been very good this year, but he struggled in this half – specifically with the free kick which should have been an easy save – or at least something, he was closer to stopping.

Our play was poor, we had an all-around bad half.

Second Half – FRS 2 – OC 2

Two changes were made at the half. Chaney came on for Chavez and Moses came on for Alihodzic. The change in play seemed instantaneous. Suddenly we were dangerous and taking shots/creating chances.

Chaney tried a few different shots and got caught offside a lot before the first goal of the half. We spent a lot of time trying, and OC had another good chance but it was called offside.

Johnson came off for Ellis-Hayden in the ’67th and it was starting to feel like our chances were hopeless. I certainly didn’t feel like we had any chance of rescuing the game. There was some back and forth, OC was able to try some more shots, but they also received 3 yellow cards for different fouls – something they’d been angling for the entire game.

Then in the ’79th minute, our first goal came – it was late, and it was messy, but it went in. Jackson put a cross in from the right side of goal and Chaney managed to head it into the right corner of the goal past the goalkeeper.

OC then was working to slow down the game and play out the clock. It was a good strategy, except that Fresno was playing with renewed vigor. OC fouled us just outside the right side of their box and it was our captains time to shine. Caffa curled in the free-kick from the right side and we were tied in the 84th minute.

The rest of the game was a nail-biter. OC was no longer content to sit on their heels and they were trying desperately to score, but we managed to keep it out and came away with a draw.

Notes:

I don’t think it was just the subs that changed the flow if this game. I think Smith must have said something in the dressing room to light a fire under the players and get them to play better collectively.

OC weren’t able to score in the second half, and we managed to keep out a very well taken free kick in the last minute. It was a great show of mental strength to keep them from scoring.

Seth Moses got another red card. This seems to be a habit with him and it is something we need to look into changing in the coming games. I think he is better than Alihodzic, at least at the moment, but if he is missing games for suspensions I think his spot could be forfeit.

We pulled back to a draw – but it was disappointing to give up two goals so quickly in the game against an OC side that has been terrible away from home. Hopefully, our legs return for the away trip to SLC.

Player Ratings

Cochran – 5

Cochran made 4 saves and helped to keep us level, but he also let in two goals.

Cooper – 7

Cooper had a good game, he created a chance and made some important tackles and clearances.

Martin – 8

Martin was very strong defensively this game. He had a lot of tackles and interceptions. He also created a chance.

Del Campo – 7

Del Campo did well in defense, but not as well as some of the others. He did win a lot of duels and kept possession well.

Daly – 5

Daly also had a decent game. His duels percentage was high, but his defensive stats were not as strong. Loss of a point because his foul led to the freekick.

Alihodzic – 7

Despite my reservations about Alihodzic he had a very good game. He managed to win duels, had a high percentage of passes completed, and only conceded one foul.

Basuljevic – 5

Basuljevic had a quiet game. His passing percentage was high, but he didn’t do much offensively or defensively.

Johnson – 6

He had some shots and a chance created. He also had a strong percentage completion, but overall a quiet game.

Jackson – 7

Jackson was a fouling machine – but he did manage to create 3 chances and had the assist. He did not have a good passing completion, but that happens.

Caffa – 8 (MOTM)

Caffa did well this game. His attacking stats stand out esspecially, 3 chances created, some successful crosses, and the goal of course. He did lose the ball a lot, and his passing percentage was much lower this game than in previous games.

Chavez – 6

Tough game for Chavez. He was only on for a half, but he was offsides 4 times and only had 2 shots off target. His passing percentage was high so hopefully, he keeps that up.

Chaney – 7

Chaney kept his head on straight this game. He only made 5 passes in the entire half, but he did complete all of them. He also scored the first goal which is really important. He does need to start winning duels.

Moses – 5

Moses had an okay game. He made a lot of passes, but Alihodzic was doing that, his stats are actually worse and I don’t know if he made much of a difference. He lost a point because of the red at the death knell.

Ellis-Hayden – 5

Ellis-Hayden had a tough game. He only completed 3 passes in the 15 minutes he was on, no attacking stats and no defensive stats, but he did win two fouls and he won most of his duels.

Final Thoughts

This game should feel like we saved points, but knowing OC’s road record I still feel like we dropped points. We let in an easy goal, and we had to work hard to bring it back – which we were somewhat lucky to do (handball). Really a game to forget other than that we are still undefeated with 10 points from 6 games.

As a side note – I tweeted about OC being dirty players and their team retweeted it! That is the featured image.

#SomosZorros

Highlights