Firecrackers: A Season Remembered

After losing the second consecutive game to start the season, continuing from the loss in the Spring Championship, the Firecrackers went on an 8 game unbeaten tear. We beat every team we played, at least once, with the exception of Mundialito, whom we tied the second go around. That lossless streak bested last seasons 6 game unbeaten streak, where we had two losses at the beginning. We showed great improvement in a league that also showed improvement. All the teams got better, and so did we.

The Firecrackers were formed from the Kairos by keeping any returning players, then scrambling to pick up a slough of new players. The name was chosen in order to reminisce the glory days of soccer when playing was strictly for fun. John Basanese and myself played on our first soccer team together when we were five year old. Our team name then was the Firecrackers, and our colors were reversible orange and yellow jerseys.

When the Spring season started this year we had a full lineup, and then added a couple more quality players at the start of the Summer league. We also had a few decent fields. Then Watson Park was deemed unsanitary and we couldn't play there anymore, although we could still play on the bow, even though the rest of the park was closed. The Firecrackers strive to continue the quality of the Kairos, who won the championship a couple times. Facing much stiffer competition from every team and biased refs, that task has been a little more difficult. On the whole, the Firecrackers are a quality bunch of lads.

Usually in this space, I have a lot to report of the goings on of the game. The offence usually scores, the defense usually allows one or two, and the refs are all biased. Unfortunately, the only thing that happened is the Firecrackers got outplayed on Monday. It's a terrible pill to swallow, but it's better than knowing that you blew the game.

The "refs" gave us the normal lecture at the beginning of the game about not talking to him, and as a whole, the Firecrackers did an excellent job. Unfortunately, the ref still decided that we were belligerent and passed out yellow cards like Halloween candy. I would however, NEVER let any kids near that man. Let's just say he has certain "biases" and leave it at that.

At about the 15 minute mark, the Agaves had a fortunate opportunity and made the most of it. The Firecrackers tried to clear the ball from the 18-yard box, but it was deflected and ended up just inside. "Bald Bull 2" (as he has become known) hit the ball on a half-volley and ripped a perfect shot to the near post upper v. The Firecrackers were stunned a little and had to play catch up for the rest of the game. The Firecrackers did have one opportunity to equalize near the end when Thomas Andalon played a very nice through ball to Dave Ahlgren, just outside the box. The ball bounced higher than expected, so I changed from trying to take a shot to crossing it back to Thomas. It ended up being neither and went harmlessly out of bounds.

I could go into a million reasons as to why the 'Crackers weren't able to put a goal away or why the game might not have come out the way we wanted, but instead I'd like to congratulate everyone. We all played our hearts out. Not a single player can be blamed.

I had a lot of fun out there this year and I hope you all did too. Instead of focusing on a game recap, I thought I'd try to encapsulate the season and the year with some fun stats. They go far to show how well we work as a team!

Photographs of the game can be found HERE. Thanks again, to John Basanese, Sr. for taking the time all season to take and edit our photos.

sjfirecrackers.com man of the match, and co-captain of the next regular season game, as chosen by elected captain, Antonio Favela: Will Race

Firecrackers	0	0	0
La Soledad	1	0	1

Starting Lineup: Je. Basanese, Andalon, Touchet, S. Basanese, Benevento, Fugate, Patton, Sturges, Race, Nelson, Favela, Bianchi