Firecrackers Get First Win of Summer Season

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9 August 2005

 David Ahlgren

 Independiente is a new team, although it had old faces.  Players looked familiar to the Firecrackers, and the game play was also a familiar one.  Tough refs, and falling opponents.

 The play of the game opened up slowly for the Firecrackers, as it has in recent games.  Capitol Park is notorious for having patches of grass mixed in with the dirt, causing problems for the players to both control the ball down, as well as making it difficult to pass the ball.  For a good portion of the beginning of the game, both teams had a difficult time gaining any sort of advantage.

Devin shows us how fun elbows can be

 Because the play was sloppy, and there were only two ref’s,  watching the offside call was out of the question.  Because they (the ref's) were always out of position—the Independientes had several breakaways.  All the Firecracker defenders were quick enough to catch up, but stopper David Ahlgren was cautioned when he tugged on a forward’s arm as he began his breakaway.  Normally if the player is fouled near midfield no yellow card is given.  As a side note to this, Ahlgren was maimed in the box on a breakaway in the second half.  Two Independiente defenders made a honkey sandwich on wheat out of him, giving him a nice bruise up his shin, as he made a break in the box.  That same ref that called him for the trinket foul in the first half said of his no call, (sarcastically) “Come aaaaaaan, you bigger than them. Wha cho expec them to do?”  Same ref, every time.  No love for the Firecrackers.  The two Independiente’s did, however apologize for the bruise, in their own way.  “Sorry man—it was all I can do… you too fas’, you know?”  Yes, I know.  It was all you could do.  Firecrackers players were out-sprinting them all day long.

The scoring opened when what looked like 5 Independiente players were offside.  Our friend, the ref, disagreed and said that the one guy who actually got the ball was indeed onside.  He broke in behind the defense for a short breakaway, and beat Travis ‘The Great Wall’ Bianchi for the only time during the game.  Travis didn’t really stand a chance, and neither did the defense, but such is soccer.

 A few minutes later, the Firecrackers were fouled near the sideline, about 3 yards behind the midfield line.  Jeremy Basanese set the ball up and yelled for Stonehouse and Franco to make runs into the box.  With the wind at his back, he launched the ball on a journey into the record books.  Of the kick, he said, “As I was watching it, I got mad because there was no spin on it.  It wasn’t going to curve into the box.”  Everyone else standing near him on the sideline started to stand up as the ball took flight.  “Nice shot!” someone yelled.  “That has a chance!” said another.  And then it went through the goalies hands and into the back of the net.  The previous record for distance in a goal was set by his brother, John, when he scored two goals from a kickoff in the same game.  Both brothers were place kickers at VC high—perhaps that has something to do with it.

 Jeremy's goal sails in from behind the midfield line

  1-1 halftime.

 Sean Stonehouse started his scoring for the year with an absolutely blistering shot, about 6 yards outside the penalty box.  He took the ball, dribbled it up the sideline a little, then across the box.  Seriously, he about ripped the seams off.  The goalie made a nice dive for the ball, but by the time he was actually in the air, the ball had already bounced back out of the net.

Sean launches a rocket shot for a goal.

With about 15 minutes left in the game, Thomas Andalon was called for a handball inside the box.  Whether or not it should have been called is irrelevant, luckily, because the Firecrackers ‘keeper stuffed the Independiente attempt at a penalty kick.  Travis was able to get both legs on the ball, deflecting it away form the goal.  The ball was then cleared away by the defense.

Travis makes saving a PK look easy

Speaking of the defense, all four players back there played a great game.  The midfield played well, although they should be utilized more.  Too often, the forwards are given through balls into five defenders.  It would be great to control the midfield the way we could do it.

 I know that I have editorialized about people not showing up for the games, and we are doing better about giving notice now.  However, something else has crept into the Firecrackers’ psyche.  Lack of desire.  Understand, I am speaking in generalizations, since I know there are players out there who will sell their grandma up the river to be able to pass the ball around for 90 minutes.  We are playing well, but for the past 4 games, it has only been enough to get by.  It feels like we think we are too good for the games, and only show up to put on our show and go home.  There hasn’t been any great intensity since our game against Santa Clara.  I would like to light a fire under each and every one of you, but I don’t think that would solve it.  That intensity, that fire, needs to come from within.  I challenge each of you to consider yourself, to imagine what you can do to help the team.  I want to absolutely destroy the next team we play, but in order to do so, we need to play with a much greater intensity!  We have the potential to be right back in the championship, but we need a catalyst.  Take it upon yourself to ignite the powder keg!

 Go ‘Crackers!

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