Going into yesterdays match with FC Palo Alto, SSFAC knew they would be a little shorthanded. It would require some players moving into other positions to compensate. The team needed to come together, respond with a big effort and play a relentless 90 minute game. Well, ask and you shall receive....as South City took the challenge and turned it into an exciting 4-0 win. FC Palo Alto came at them hard in the opening 10 minutes of the game, locking them into their own end of the pitch while getting off some chances at goal. One opportunity was turned away when Ever Alvarez's diving header cleared a ball from going into an open net. That seemed to wake the team up as they then started to regain control of the match. The defense withstood the early charge from FC as Alvarez, Scott Ellis, Harry Andreades & Howard Choy began to settle the game down and build the transition out of back. Choy filled in at outside back and did a fabulous job of containing his man as well as starting the counter attack with solid passes to the midfield. Jim Burke moved up to the midfield to play alongside captain Bobby Quinlan, and the pair did a great job of stabilizing the play and setting the pace for the team to play at. Ryan Wiegmann & Andrew Pantano brought their speed game to the midfield wings and provided chances for Antony Reyes & Fabio Marques up front. The battle continued scoreless until just before the halftime whistle. Damian Hites, who entered the match playing in the midfield, collected a foul from a dangerous play just outside the area. Hites was outstanding in his play working hard for every ball and matching up with his opponents physical style of play. Quinlan then set the ball in motion from the free kick & Leandro Monteiro, who had just entered the game a short time earlier, slotted a perfect shot to the left side netting to give SSF a 1-0 halftime lead. During the halftime get together, Quinlan talked about the way FC was pressing and trying to offset South City's advances. A few adjustments were made and the team came out hard looking to finish the job and get a much needed victory. As the game continued, Jonathan Wong's dominating speed, persistant challenges for every ball, & knack for being in the right place at the right time helped create the much needed second goal. Bobby Quinlan picked up the ball and came foward into the attack. He gave a perfectly placed ball to Wong who completely beat his man. Wong then delivered a square ball to an on rushing Andrew Pantano, who beat his defender and slotted home a beautiful ball past the keeper who was bearing down on him. Shortly thereafter, Pantano was taken down in the area for a penalty which was calmly finished by Antony Reyes to give SSF a 3-0 cushion. The final tally came four minutes later when a punted ball from goalkeeper Abner Ramos found Fabio Marques in alone on the keeper. His initial shot was saved, but Marques buried the rebound to end the scoring this day. The defense, which was again superb earned the teams 4th shutout of the season. Ramos had another huge day in goal coming up big when needed. The result was big, but what was more satisfying was the way the team achieved the win. Everyone contributed, everyone worked hard for every ball, and it was obvious to see that the players work ethic was not going to let them down on this day. From the forward line attempts, to the midfield's controlled play, to the blue collar in your face defense, this was South City's day and nothing was going to deny them the win. It was a total team victory that had the footprints of their captain all over it.
Going into yesterdays match with FC Palo Alto, SSFAC knew they would be a little shorthanded. It would require some players moving into other positions to compensate. The team needed to come together, respond with a big effort and play a relentless 90 minute game. Well, ask and you shall receive....as South City took the challenge and turned it into an exciting 4-0 win. FC Palo Alto came at them hard in the opening 10 minutes of the game, locking them into their own end of the pitch while getting off some chances at goal. One opportunity was turned away when Ever Alvarez's diving header cleared a ball from going into an open net. That seemed to wake the team up as they then started to regain control of the match. The defense withstood the early charge from FC as Alvarez, Scott Ellis, Harry Andreades & Howard Choy began to settle the game down and build the transition out of back. Choy filled in at outside back and did a fabulous job of containing his man as well as starting the counter attack with solid passes to the midfield. Jim Burke moved up to the midfield to play alongside captain Bobby Quinlan, and the pair did a great job of stabilizing the play and setting the pace for the team to play at. Ryan Wiegmann & Andrew Pantano brought their speed game to the midfield wings and provided chances for Antony Reyes & Fabio Marques up front. The battle continued scoreless until just before the halftime whistle. Damian Hites, who entered the match playing in the midfield, collected a foul from a dangerous play just outside the area. Hites was outstanding in his play working hard for every ball and matching up with his opponents physical style of play. Quinlan then set the ball in motion from the free kick & Leandro Monteiro, who had just entered the game a short time earlier, slotted a perfect shot to the left side netting to give SSF a 1-0 halftime lead. During the halftime get together, Quinlan talked about the way FC was pressing and trying to offset South City's advances. A few adjustments were made and the team came out hard looking to finish the job and get a much needed victory. As the game continued, Jonathan Wong's dominating speed, persistant challenges for every ball, & knack for being in the right place at the right time helped create the much needed second goal. Bobby Quinlan picked up the ball and came foward into the attack. He gave a perfectly placed ball to Wong who completely beat his man. Wong then delivered a square ball to an on rushing Andrew Pantano, who beat his defender and slotted home a beautiful ball past the keeper who was bearing down on him. Shortly thereafter, Pantano was taken down in the area for a penalty which was calmly finished by Antony Reyes to give SSF a 3-0 cushion. The final tally came four minutes later when a punted ball from goalkeeper Abner Ramos found Fabio Marques in alone on the keeper. His initial shot was saved, but Marques buried the rebound to end the scoring this day. The defense, which was again superb earned the teams 4th shutout of the season. Ramos had another huge day in goal coming up big when needed. The result was big, but what was more satisfying was the way the team achieved the win. Everyone contributed, everyone worked hard for every ball, and it was obvious to see that the players work ethic was not going to let them down on this day. From the forward line attempts, to the midfield's controlled play, to the blue collar in your face defense, this was South City's day and nothing was going to deny them the win. It was a total team victory that had the footprints of their captain all over it.