It was a match that lived up to its billing....the upstart SSFAC team vs the Majors Division defending champion, Santa Clara Sporting. South City entered the match with an unbeaten streak of 8 games, while Sporting had only one loss on their record that had come a few weeks ago. Sporting struck first in the 12th minute when a cross was played in front of the South City goal and slotted home for a 1-0 lead. The game seemed to settle down at that point from the opening moments when both teams were trying to find their rhythm. In the 23rd minute, Sporting's Suad Arnautovic was sent off for violent conduct and reduced their team to 10 men. The game then became more intense as SSF tried to find the equalizer and Sporting looked to put the game away. South City's defense stepped up to the challenge as great efforts were turned in by Paul Pavich, Robert Rustia, Jack Orr, Ali Ibrahim, and goal keeper Adrian Monroy. SSF's midfield was under pressure all game as Sporting matched the boys runs with attacks of their own. Bobby Quinlan, Gareth Lea, Shane Kutaka, Pedro Crispin, and Leo Monteiro all did their best to push the club forward with great runs and pinpoint passes, as they supported the forwards in the transition game. Blair Smith, Adam Dhanens, Alex Jackson & Josh Trommler did their best to hit the net, but found little room to operate within the 18 yard area as Sporting's defense tightened up on them. In the end, as South City put on an extreme push to tie the match, replacing a defender with another attacker, Sporting found the clinching goal in the 90th minute on a breakaway to close the game off. SSFAC ends the first round of league play with a 7-1-1 record, having established themselves as a solid contender for the Majors Division title. The team will need to repeat their 1st round efforts if they wish to stay near the top of the table as some of the other division foes appeared to have found their stride after a slow start. Round two which begins in January after the winter break, will find the team facing key games against the likes of Shaheen, Harmonie, PCC, Gordon Biersch, and of course Santa Clara Sporting. The club now takes some time off for the Thanksgiving Holiday, but will resume training next week and prepare for the first Round of the PSL Abronzino Cup when they face Club Sport Maritimo on December 15th at Burlingame High
It was a match that lived up to its billing....the upstart SSFAC team vs the Majors Division defending champion, Santa Clara Sporting. South City entered the match with an unbeaten streak of 8 games, while Sporting had only one loss on their record that had come a few weeks ago. Sporting struck first in the 12th minute when a cross was played in front of the South City goal and slotted home for a 1-0 lead. The game seemed to settle down at that point from the opening moments when both teams were trying to find their rhythm. In the 23rd minute, Sporting's Suad Arnautovic was sent off for violent conduct and reduced their team to 10 men. The game then became more intense as SSF tried to find the equalizer and Sporting looked to put the game away. South City's defense stepped up to the challenge as great efforts were turned in by Paul Pavich, Robert Rustia, Jack Orr, Ali Ibrahim, and goal keeper Adrian Monroy. SSF's midfield was under pressure all game as Sporting matched the boys runs with attacks of their own. Bobby Quinlan, Gareth Lea, Shane Kutaka, Pedro Crispin, and Leo Monteiro all did their best to push the club forward with great runs and pinpoint passes, as they supported the forwards in the transition game. Blair Smith, Adam Dhanens, Alex Jackson & Josh Trommler did their best to hit the net, but found little room to operate within the 18 yard area as Sporting's defense tightened up on them. In the end, as South City put on an extreme push to tie the match, replacing a defender with another attacker, Sporting found the clinching goal in the 90th minute on a breakaway to close the game off. SSFAC ends the first round of league play with a 7-1-1 record, having established themselves as a solid contender for the Majors Division title. The team will need to repeat their 1st round efforts if they wish to stay near the top of the table as some of the other division foes appeared to have found their stride after a slow start. Round two which begins in January after the winter break, will find the team facing key games against the likes of Shaheen, Harmonie, PCC, Gordon Biersch, and of course Santa Clara Sporting. The club now takes some time off for the Thanksgiving Holiday, but will resume training next week and prepare for the first Round of the PSL Abronzino Cup when they face Club Sport Maritimo on December 15th at Burlingame High