Congratulations, Firecrackers!

Monday's game did not start out that way though. I admit, I dreamt about the game ever since we won our semi-final match last week. Then the game day email went out. Going in, I knew we’d be short 3 players, but as the day went on, more players dropped like flies. From injuries, to last minute trips to players falling completely off the face of the earth, a very limited (in number only) team took the pitch at Watson Bowl.

With many fans watching on, the temperatures soared well above 100 degrees. The Mundialito fans were gathered by some picnic tables in the South end of the field, while the Firecracker Loyals were in the shade near midfield. Everyone was ready for a good game.

Play began with Ken’s whistle, and immediately the tempo was high. Both teams put high pressure on the ball and passed around well. The Firecrackers had a real advantage early with their size and skill. Mundialito, however, were able to pass around almost at will at times. They also had many subs, which in the long run would be helpful to them.

Within the first 20 minutes, 2 yellow cards were issued for a tussle near midfield. A Mundialito player tackled Brian Montejano from behind and then kept his legs tangled. As he struggled to free himself, Ken ran over and carded both players, telling them to calm down. Whether or not the cards were appropriate doesn’t matter. It really set the tempo of the game and calmed many players down, knowing that a card would be issued

The run of play was controlled very well through the midfield. With two of the Basanese boys on the outside and Donny and Brian in the middle, the ball was distributed well. The defense also stifled any attempts that Mundialito had, and those were few and far between. Paul and Garret had an enormous task ahead of them, playing in the heat against arguably the best offense in the league. Newcomer Jeff Coggan provided a sense of calm as defensive mid, and Antonio kept the pressure on with his speed.

Donny Dequine passed the ball back to Antonio. Tone heard Johnny’s call for the through ball up top, and he hit it first time over the defenders head to an onrushing Johnny. With the keeper out at the top of the 18 yard box, JB wisely hit it first time over the keeper. “I saw it go over the ‘keeper and head toward the net, but with all those bumps I had nightmares of the ball bouncing off to the side,” he said. The ball stayed true and landed the Firecrackers their first lead in the Finals. 1-0 good guys.

Soon after, Brian Montejano was fouled again near midfield. Some people say the Mundialito player spit at him, others say that player cussed at the referee, but whatever the case, he found himself with a red card and a place on the sidelines. Mundialito now were a man down for the rest of the game, and left facing an enormous task if they were to somehow regain the lead.

At halftime, as the players were enjoying orange slices and Gatorade, Justin Basanese made the comment, “Hey guys, I’m open all the time. I think that either they aren’t marking me, or they’re to short for me to see.” Other tactics were discussed, such as having the forwards keep the pressure up on the Mundialito defense, winning 50/50 balls in the air, but everyone knew what was needed to really gain the advantage. Travis explained it best, “We just need another goal. Keep taking shots up there!”

About 15 minutes into the second half, the defense passes the ball up to a checking JB. Johnny spun and played a first time through ball over the defenders to Jimmy Coggan who was making a diagonal run behind the Mundialito backline. Jimmy took the ball and expertly beat the keeper, who was out way near midfield. He ran a footrace with a defender who was trying to recover, before toeboning the ball into an open net. 2-0 'Crackers.

Interestingly, Mundialito wouldn’t give up. They stayed with their game plan, and kept the pressure on the Firecracker defense. Their #10 really pressed Paul Touchet, but Paul gave him nothing. Same with Garret when he tried the other side—nothing doing. What hurt Mundialito was their transition. They were so worried about scoring a goal that Firecrackers forwards often found themselves all alone, or at least with a numbers advantage. With about 20 minutes left, Jimmy Coggan received the ball outside the 18-yard box and took on two defenders. With his great dribbling skills, he managed to draw all three of the defenders back to him. When the time was right, he passed it to an open David Ahlgren at the back door of the goal. “I took the worst touch off the pass that I could have. It went away from my foot, towards the outside of the goal. Luckily, it beat the goalie!” With the keeper and all defenders beat, Dave hit an easy impossible angle shot with his left foot into the goal. ‘Crackers 3, Mundialito 0.

The fourth goal came from Josh Patton, who has really taken to scoring in the Finals. In the Firecrackers Saturday’s finals, Patton had two goals! This time he was on the receiving end of a brilliant string of passes. I can’t recall who all passed the ball, but the Firecrackers must have had a string of 9 or so passes all around the Mundialito goal box, and many of them were one touch. “Will somebody just score?!!” yelled a gregarious John Basanese. That was Patton’s cue. He lit a laser to the near post, and the goalie never had a chance. 4-0 crackers.

Travis Bianchi had a great game in goal. He came out at several points to stifle Mundialito’s attempt to shoot at near range. At one point, he made a outstretched save, parallel to the ground. When he is playing in goal, the Firecrackers are undefeated this year, conveniently also when Johnny is at the games. John would like to point out that the Firecrackers never lost a game that he attended, either.

The Mundialitos managed to score two goals in the last 15 minutes. “I’d be mad if they scored on some easy shots, but one hit the post, and the other hit side net. There was nothing anyone could do about those,” said Travis.

Near the end of the game, the comment was heard, “Wow, which is the team that’s playing a man down? I’m sure you guys [the Firecrackers] would have more energy if it was 2-1.” It was true, too. Being up by 4 goals with only minutes left in the finals you tend to lighten up. That coupled with the fact we were Riberied out. Every single player had played to the best of his ability. Many players played the entire game in the scorching heat, and we were just plain tired.

As a side note, John Basanese sported his new shoes that he ordered from overseas. “You can only get these in Europe,” he said, as he changed out of them at halftime.

Photographs of the game can be seen HERE. Thanks again to John Basanese, sr, for the amazing pictures!

sjfirecrackers.com man of the match, and co-captain for the first game of next season, as chosen by elected captain, Antonio Favela: TBD

Firecrackers	1	3	4
Mundialito	0	2	2

Starting Lineup: Ahlgren, Jo. Basanese, Je. Basanese, Ju. Basanese, Dequine, Montejano, Ruiz, Je. Coggan, Touchet, Favela, Bianchi