SSFAC closed out their 2011-12 PSL season with a 2-0 victory over FC Palo Alto, their 8th win in their last 10 games. With the victory, South City assured themselves of a second place finish in the Premier Division. They still have a slim chance to finish on top of the Division, but would need for PASC to only earn 1 point in their 3 remaining fixtures which seems unrealistic given their record thus far. The match started out as a tense battle for both sides as FCPA was looking to make up some ground on SSF. The game turned in South City's favor in the 19th minute when Blair Smith nailed another set piece with a free kick goal from about 22 yards out. It was his 5th such goal this year, and came at an important moment in the match,as all 4 of the previous ones had. SSF then took complete control of the match at that point. They controlled the middle of the pitch and the defense was again superb. FCPA only managed 4 shots in the 2nd half, 3 of them coming in stoppage time. Goalkeeper Abner Ramos had 3 outstanding saves in the game 2 of them coming while the result was still up for grabs. Ramos & the defense earned their 6th shutout of the season. Ever Alvarez, Scott Ellis, Jim Burke, Harry Andreades, & Ian Preikschat were as solid in the back as they have been all season as they shutout the team chasing them in the standings for the 2nd time this year. Their performance coupled with the dominating play of midfielders Leandro Monteiro, Damain Hites, Ryan Wiegmann, Andrew Pantano, & Blair Smith gave FCPA nothing they could build on as they constantly won the ball and roared up the pitch putting extreme pressure on the FC defense. The captain, midfielder Bobby Quinlan was in a word...brilliant. He was all over the pitch, working hard, distributing to teammates, winning balls in the air as well as on the ground, and making life miserable for any FCPA player who was around him. His pace seemed to be at a different level then everyone on the pitch. He went by players as if they were standing still, and his runs created numerous chances for his teammates while raining havoc on the FCPA defense. He led by example and was not about to let this game slip away from SSF. In the meantime, Antony Reyes was doing his own damage up front as he made himself available for passes from the midfielders and wings, turning them into shots on goal or dumping them off to others with a flick of his head or a touch pass to an oncoming runner. Fabio Marques used his vision to set up others with some beautifully timed passes as well as leaving a few FC players standing in place as he weaved his way around them heading towards goal. South City put the game away in the 70th minute when Blair Smith's pass found Omar Perez-Diaz pushing up the wing. Perez-Diaz got to the ball and blew past his defender as he turned in towards the goal from about 15 yards out, sent a beautiful ball past the outstretched keeper to the left side netting to give SSF a 2 goal lead.
"Omar's goal was special", said Coach Mike. "It not only put the game out of reach, but showed his terrific individual talent as a player who can make the difficult chance look so easy. He has done it every time we've needed it this season and tonite was no exception. The kid's got game." South City finished the season with their best win total since 2005 and also claimed their highest finish in the Premier division since being promoted in 2006.
"I am so proud of what this team has accomplished," stated Coach Mike. "From the incredible technical preparation of assistant Coach Daniele Capoferri, to the conditioning efforts of Coach Jay Griffin, this team was ready to take on every challenge all season long. The players did everything asked of them, and gave us 100% everytime they stepped on the field for training or on match day. They played every match for each other, and for the club. Team always came first. Win or lose, they are a class act all the way, and every Coach should be as fortunate as I am to have a group like this around him. They are special and they showed that all year."
The team now takes a 3 month break to rest and then will get back together in July to begin preparations for a new season. In the weeks to come, this site will have stories about individual players and a review of the season just concluded. The team would also like to thank it's sponsors...Swiss Dental Design, Di Napoli Ristorante & Pizzeria, & Rico Vending Company for their great support throughout the season. Till July of 2012...thanks from SSFAC.
SSFAC closed out their 2011-12 PSL season with a 2-0 victory over FC Palo Alto, their 8th win in their last 10 games. With the victory, South City assured themselves of a second place finish in the Premier Division. They still have a slim chance to finish on top of the Division, but would need for PASC to only earn 1 point in their 3 remaining fixtures which seems unrealistic given their record thus far. The match started out as a tense battle for both sides as FCPA was looking to make up some ground on SSF. The game turned in South City's favor in the 19th minute when Blair Smith nailed another set piece with a free kick goal from about 22 yards out. It was his 5th such goal this year, and came at an important moment in the match,as all 4 of the previous ones had. SSF then took complete control of the match at that point. They controlled the middle of the pitch and the defense was again superb. FCPA only managed 4 shots in the 2nd half, 3 of them coming in stoppage time. Goalkeeper Abner Ramos had 3 outstanding saves in the game 2 of them coming while the result was still up for grabs. Ramos & the defense earned their 6th shutout of the season. Ever Alvarez, Scott Ellis, Jim Burke, Harry Andreades, & Ian Preikschat were as solid in the back as they have been all season as they shutout the team chasing them in the standings for the 2nd time this year. Their performance coupled with the dominating play of midfielders Leandro Monteiro, Damain Hites, Ryan Wiegmann, Andrew Pantano, & Blair Smith gave FCPA nothing they could build on as they constantly won the ball and roared up the pitch putting extreme pressure on the FC defense. The captain, midfielder Bobby Quinlan was in a word...brilliant. He was all over the pitch, working hard, distributing to teammates, winning balls in the air as well as on the ground, and making life miserable for any FCPA player who was around him. His pace seemed to be at a different level then everyone on the pitch. He went by players as if they were standing still, and his runs created numerous chances for his teammates while raining havoc on the FCPA defense. He led by example and was not about to let this game slip away from SSF. In the meantime, Antony Reyes was doing his own damage up front as he made himself available for passes from the midfielders and wings, turning them into shots on goal or dumping them off to others with a flick of his head or a touch pass to an oncoming runner. Fabio Marques used his vision to set up others with some beautifully timed passes as well as leaving a few FC players standing in place as he weaved his way around them heading towards goal. South City put the game away in the 70th minute when Blair Smith's pass found Omar Perez-Diaz pushing up the wing. Perez-Diaz got to the ball and blew past his defender as he turned in towards the goal from about 15 yards out, sent a beautiful ball past the outstretched keeper to the left side netting to give SSF a 2 goal lead.
"Omar's goal was special", said Coach Mike. "It not only put the game out of reach, but showed his terrific individual talent as a player who can make the difficult chance look so easy. He has done it every time we've needed it this season and tonite was no exception. The kid's got game." South City finished the season with their best win total since 2005 and also claimed their highest finish in the Premier division since being promoted in 2006.
"I am so proud of what this team has accomplished," stated Coach Mike. "From the incredible technical preparation of assistant Coach Daniele Capoferri, to the conditioning efforts of Coach Jay Griffin, this team was ready to take on every challenge all season long. The players did everything asked of them, and gave us 100% everytime they stepped on the field for training or on match day. They played every match for each other, and for the club. Team always came first. Win or lose, they are a class act all the way, and every Coach should be as fortunate as I am to have a group like this around him. They are special and they showed that all year."
The team now takes a 3 month break to rest and then will get back together in July to begin preparations for a new season. In the weeks to come, this site will have stories about individual players and a review of the season just concluded. The team would also like to thank it's sponsors...Swiss Dental Design, Di Napoli Ristorante & Pizzeria, & Rico Vending Company for their great support throughout the season. Till July of 2012...thanks from SSFAC.