Recap vs. SJ Latinos, July 30, 2007

It started out as a day like any other. But then when it came to game time, the Firecrackers only had 11 players at the field. At the end of the game, however, the Firecrackers only 10 players on the field and no substitutes!

The game was pretty even at the beginning, with the Latino (yes, Ronnie, it's ok to call them that in this instance, because it's their team name) players really surprising the Firecrackers. After a strenuous warm up of stand-in-a-circle-and-pass-the-ball (or none at all), the Firecrackers took a little while to warm up to the high-pressure they were facing. Admittedly, the Latinos did not look like much of a threat, but at least for the first 10 minutes, they pressured the Firecrackers.

Once warm, the Firecrackers took control of the play. The ball was controlled and passed through the midfield more than it has been in recent times. This really stressed out the Latinos and spread the play of the game wide.

At about the 21st minute, midfielder Gareth Williams took advantage of a corner kick, and played a nice ball across the face of the goal. Forward Sean Stonehouse leaped up into the air and had a clean header from about 6 yards out. There was no way the Latinos keeper could do anything to stop the ball from flying into the net. 1-0 Firecrackers.

The tempo of the game became markedly faster from that point on. Fouls on both sides of the ball started flying and tempers started rising. However, at about the 30th minute, the Latinos would suffer the first of many blows (both literally and figuratively).

Midfielder Brandon Stirm received the ball 10 yards over the midfield line and played a perfect through ball to forward David Ahlgren. From the left side of the goal, Ahlgren used the outside of his right foot to beat the keeper. The keeper had come out to meet the ball between the side of the 6-yard box and the 18-yard box. The ball took a nice bounce and made it just inside the goal. "I saw you watching the ball and then you turned away before I saw it go in. I was going to be mad if it hadn't!" said John Basanese about it, as he subbed in for Ahlgren.

Less than a minute later, Sean Stonehouse took a long ball off his chest and passed it immediately to Johnny. Johhny took a touch and fed Stonehouse, while making a diagonal run to the top of the 18-yard box. Stonehouse played a one-tough pass right back to Johnny who then took one step to set himself up, and another to rocket a shot past the Latino goalkeeper. 3-0, wham, bam, Firecrackers.

Then, with about 5 minutes remaining in the half, defender Will Race was called for a foul in the box, giving the Latinos a chance to bring the score to within two with a penalty kick. Goalie Travis guessed the wrong way, but no biggie. At least he didn't have a concussion this time!

The second half picked up right where the first ended: full of fire and plenty of crackers. The Firecrackers spread the ball wide and concentrated on passing. They kept control of the ball for a great amount of the time and did a great job of switching the field of play. Generally, the passes were on target, with some exceptions.

One of such exceptions led to the most controversial point of the game. The Firecrackers had just gained control of the ball in their own box, when sweeper Antonio Favela was elbowed in the back of the head. Not just any elbow in the run of play, but a specific, malicious elbow thrown to do bodily harm. John Basanese saw that, but unfortunately, the center referee did not. The sideline ref saw but unfortunately said nothing until after the game. John took the opportunity to "level" the playing field only seconds later. The player who had just dealt the elbow had the ball in the box. John, like a ram about to butt heads, tossed his shoulder into the player. The player went as limp as a squid on the beach. As he came to, the player must have heard something like, "that's what happens when you elbow our players..." The hysteria that ensued is what legends are made of. The ref immediately awarded a penalty kick, which was expected. As he fumbled for his cards, John was still fuming about the missed call, so according to Antonio, he came running over to get in between John and the ref. Somehow, in his haste, he bumped the ref with his chest. Physical contact with the ref is not allowed and he was ejected. As Antonio was leaving the pitch, the Firecrackers also substituted other players. But before they could finish, the ref then turned and allowed the penalty kick to proceed. Upset by this, Will Race then tried to explain to the ref that the Firecrackers weren't ready for the kick. The ref would have no part of it and gave Will his second yellow of the night.

So in a flash, the Firecracker's lead was cut to 1, and they now had to play a man down. Also the last person available for substitution, Brian Montejano, was hurt due to a nagging injury. Down a player with no subs in the Bowl is not a place you want to be.

The Firecrackers kept their wits about them and adjusted the lineup accordingly. Forward Ahlgren moved back to defense, as the Crackers prepared to bunker down. Then surprisingly, Donny Dequine was able to play a great pass to Sean Stonehouse who finished his second goal of the night. 4-2 Firecrackers!

The defense remained strong, albeit a patchwork of players. Along with Ahlgren, Touchet and Patton found themselves a bit out of place in the defense and did well to not allow any non-pk goals.

In the waning moments, the Firecrackers were able to play keep-away long enough to frustrate the Latinos and convince the ref that the game was over.

This was also Brandon Stirm's last game in Yellow for the Firecrackers this season. He's back off to college at APU to play soccer down there. We wish him the best of luck in his senior season!

sjfirecrackers.com man of the match, and co-captain for next game: Sean Stonehouse, for his 2 goals and 1 assist!

Firecrackers	3	1	4
SJ Latinos	1	1	2

Starting Lineup: Ahlgren, Stonehouse, Stirm, Williams, Montejano, Jo. Basanese, Patton, Touchet, Favela, Race, Bianchi

Substitutes: Jenkins, Dequine

Not Available: Hansen, Sturges, Ju. Basanese, Ruiz, Nelson, Fugate, Je. Basanese

Yellow Card: Jo. Basanese, Dequine, Race

Red Card: Favela ("pushing" the referee); Race (multiple fouls/dissent)

Scoring summary:

Stonehouse (Williams)
Ahlgren (Stirm)
Jo. Basanese (Stonehouse)
Stonehouse (Dequine)

Weather: 80 degrees, sunny

Location: Umberto Abrozino Park, formerly Watson Bowl

Umberto Abrozino (1921-2006)
For a short story on his life and how he affected soccer in the Bay Area, click HERE.