Firecrackers Tie For the First Time This Season

6 August 2007

David Ahlgren     

It's not often that the Firecrackers are shut out of a game.  That happened 3 times in 2005--once in the Championship game, and then two more times in the Summer season, the last being in October 2005.  That's a span of 25 or so games!  This is also the first time the Firecrackers have played a scoreless draw.

The Firecrackers started out from the kickoff, and strung about 15 passes together, before midfielder John Basanese teed-off a rocket shot that hit just outside the goal frame.  Both teams were frustrated in the first half as neither could mount much offense.

Then the sprinklers turned on.  This has happened before, but luckily, they remained only on the outer perimeter of the field and did not affect the play too much.  The wet thick grass did turn out to be confusing at points, as it would keep the ball sliding through the water, and then suddenly stop when the ground became dry again.

The sprinklers couldn't dampen the speed of play, though, as both teams went after each other.  Towards the end of the first half, the Corrientes took their one and really only shot on goal.  As it was heading towards the back of the net, GK Travis Bianchi made a stupendous dive and knocked the ball out of bounds.

As the second half started, fouls continued to be missed by the two referees.  Midfielder Jeremy Basanese was trucked near the Firecracker sideline.  A few moments later, he fouled a Cabo'an and as he leaned over to help him up, one of the other players from their team came over and pushed him.  After mumbling in gibberish (consisting of garbled English and Mexican profanity) he flipped off the fouler's brother, John Basanese, using his midget hands.  John would later point out that this apex of humanity of a person had only size 4 cleats on.  He did not have a comeback, other than to look scared.

The Firecrackers had a couple of chances, including a shot that the goalie had to dive on a second time.  It appeared he was in the goal at the time he grabbed it, but the ever-keen-eyed referee Trung ruled, "I could no see! I could no see!"

Minutes later, as a cross came over the goalie's head, Donny Fugate headed the ball back towards the goal, and Ronnie Jenkins had an opportunity to put the ball away, but it just wasn't in the cards.

The news wasn't all bad, though.  The Firecrackers were able to have a stalwart defensive night, and recorded their 3rd shutout of the year.

This was a good mid-season wake-up call!  Let's come out hungry next week!

Photos of the game are located HERE. Special thanks again to John Basanese, Sr.!!

www.sjfirecrackers.com