Sweet Revenge

26 June 2007

David Ahlgren     

In the 6 previous games that the Firecrackers have played La Soledad, our record against them is 3-2-1, with an average of 4 goals per game.  The last three times we have played them were a 1-4 loss last Spring, then a 3-0 win in the playoffs, and a 2-3 loss last summer. Needless to say, the Firecrackers needed to play tough to get a win from them.

La Soledad started the game quickly, even playing two men down as their players trickled in from the street.  They passed the ball around quickly and fairly accurately, seemingly catching the Firecrackers off-balance and attacking the net.  Once the initial dust settled the Firecrackers regained their composure.

Donny Fugate, playing center midfield ran down a ball that appeared to be heading out over the endline.  In a play reminiscent of the recent US-Canada Gold Cup game, Donny passed the ball across the net to an awaiting Donny Dequine, who put the ball away with ease.  Frantically, the La Soledadians urged the ref to disallow the goal because of an apparent offside.  The ref’s gathered together on the sideline to discuss the play, and ultimately, it was decided there was no offside because the pass was backwards.  1-0 Firecrackers, and things did not get better for La Soledad.

About 15 minutes later, forward David Ahlgren went up for a header in the La Soledad box and nearly had his head taken off by one of the defenders.  A penalty kick was called, and Donny stepped up again and passed it past the goalie for his 4^th goal in 4 games.

La Soledad did not give up, and before the half was over, they kept taking shots when they had a free opportunity.  “I thought, ‘there’s no way this guy’s going to shoot this’—he was like 10 yards out, and then he did,” said Travis of his amazing save.  Travis went vertical and made a completely reactionary save that he had no business doing.  It looked like a highlight from the EPL as he stuck his right had out to keep the ball from crossing the line.  Will Race was in the right place and cleared the ball away from danger.

After 40 minutes, 2-0 Firecrackers.

The second half was filled with more fanfare, as La Soledad seemed to play more urgently.  It was interesting to play a game where the other team was actually hurrying to get the ball as it went out of bounds, and were actually complaining when it took ‘too long’ to retrieve balls.  They continued to tackle hard, but the Firecrackers started playing smarter.  At one point there was a string of 6 1-touch passes starting in the midfield with Jeremy and continuing through Sean Stonehouse.  Minutes later, Stonehouse was mauled in the box as he tried to bring down a long pass.  Easy call for the ref, penalty kick.  Sean put it away and made the score 3-0 with 20 minutes to go.

The Soledad sideline stepped up their jeering of the referee.  Every time a penalty was called against them, they would yell their normal obscenities, along with “heyyy!  penaltee keeek!”  And, of course the two park drunks chimed in with unintelligible banter.  All the ingredients of a full-blown circus!

Sean added a second goal of the game after one such penalty.  It was a normal foul near the near sideline.  John Basanese slowed the game down, took his time and set up a near-perfect cross to the back door.  With 5 defenders prodding and poking the taller Firecrackers at the front post, this left Sean Stonehouse with only one person beating on him at the back door.  The ball came right to his head and he put it away nicely, essentially shutting the door on the Soledadians.

As expected, tempers started flaring and cheap shots started to be taken.  A scrum ensued after forward David Ahlgren was sucker-punched in the crotchal region.  One of the ‘Dadians was ejected, and Ahlgren was cautioned for his poor attempt at a dive.  “He punched me right in the [you can guess], and I didn’t go down.  So when he swung and missed the second time, I thought I’d go with it.”  Brandon Stirm was cautioned a few minutes later before the game re-started, as he asked the referee if he’d like Brandon to walk off the 10 yards for the free kick.

Eventually the whistle blew, and the game was in the books.  The ref, proud of the state license he’d recently acquired, and John had a little dialog at the end.  John agreed not to coach him during the game, and he agreed that John was right with what he’d said during the game.  See?  Player and referee can get along J

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