Antonio Favela

On October 3rd, 2005 a tired and disappointed Firecrackers team walked off the field at Butcher Park after losing a heartbreaking playoff game against Deporto Agave. A few players began to think ahead as to how they could improve the team in order to accomplish the one thing that has eluded their grasp. A San Jose City Championship.

The message was clear: put together a team of the best 18 players that could get them back to championship form. Team meetings and preseason practices were quickly arranged. Players took it upon themselves to run and train in anticipation of winning a spot on the squad. As April approached the roster was set and the team was ready to go with one goal in mind. Make it back to the Championship game and win!

So here we find ourselves at the opening round of the playoffs. After a season of early high hopes, tough injuries, lineup shortages, weddings and questionable vacations the team managed to finish in second place with a 6-2-1 record. Our season started off very well with resounding victories over opponents. But as the season progressed the team began to feel the toll taken of injuries and the normal scheduling conflicts of summer. After a rough stretch of disappointing losses and ties we were able to cap off the regular set of games with a super lopsided win of 11-0.

Would being back to our winning ways give us momentum into our first round playoff match against La Soledad or would the rust of a two week break make us vulnerable to elimination? The simple answer to that question was Firecrackers 3, La Soledad 0!!!

Having only 12 players for most of the match was all we needed. Playing on the unfavorable and unforgiving grass of Capitol Park our team would have to be at ready for anything. After a delayed start due to the ref's inability to find La Soledad's captain the game was on. Both squads were intent on getting on the scoreboard early. The play became very physical and penalties were being called few and far between. Both sidelines had a good number of fans cheering on their respective teams. Although La Soledad's group outnumbered the Firecrackers their cheers could not push their team's effort to score.

Trying to throw off La Soledad's offensive strategy we played a 3 back set instead of our normal 4. This was employed in order to squeeze the play towards the center leaving one man back to sweep out any long through balls. Towards the beginning of the match we were having trouble because of the many players they were pushing forward. But with help from the midfield and strategic marking the momentum shifted our way and opened up some exciting action.

As a ball was swung to the left side Dave "The Lionfoot" Ahlgren nailed the goal of the year. Standing around the edge of the box with his back turned to the goal Dave unleashed a laser off a bicycle kick into the back of the net. No doubts or questions about that one, just a thing of beauty! With our continued pace and counter attacks a second opportunity opened up. After the ball was played left to right across the goal a sprinting Paul Touchet barreled ahead and without hesitation one timed a hard shot in the upper net for the second goal of the game. As the halftime whistle blew the Firecrackers were ahead and in control.

Wary of the poor (to be expected) officiating and La Soledad's dirty tactics we took the field for the second half knowing not to let down and to watch out for cheap fouls. True to form La Soledad took numerous cheap shots on our players as we would try to gain possession of the ball. Not helping the matter were the sarcastic cheers from their sideline after every misplay or call against us. But not succumbing to the pressure or our own tempers we put in the third and final goal to take a commanding lead. La Soledad seem to concede victory when their best player and scoring threat switched positions from Forward to Defense.

 As the final whistle blew it was 3-0 and on to the Finals.

My congratulations to the entire team on a well fought and played game. Travis played great coming out aggressively on loose balls and blocking shots on goal. It sure looks like he's back to health. Again Dave nailed that brilliant shot which changed the game completely. The midfield did very well transitioning back to cover the extra players on their attack. But the outstanding performance that stood out in my mind came from Paul Touchet. He seemed to win every challenge with his aggressive play. He didn't back down from any challenge and he did not give up if he got beat on a ball. His aggressive approach and non-hesitation to shoot gave us the goal that put the game away. This was by far his best game of the year. Paul you were our man of the match!

This is what we've been talking about all year. Getting to the finals and winning the championship. Hopefully with a full squad, the much nicer Watson Bowl field and a throng of cheering fans we'll close this final chapter.

Antonio