Firecrackers Battle for Win

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-This one is hilarious!-

13 September 2005

 Facing a game with no substitutes can be a scary experience.  Luckily for the Firecrackers, players showed up at opportune times and there were 3 substitutes available at game time.

 There was also two “referees”, however I prefer to view one as a ref, and the other as a crazed super-villain, out to inflict pain on the Firecrackers.  Or at least allow other teams to hack away at us.  The ref, like the ref from the last game, hid cowardly behind the “I didda see nossing,” phrase.  No, of course he didda.  Hesa besta friends witha Jar-Jar Binks.  Apparently, they have their own language in Crazytown.

 Refs aside, the Firecrackers had a slow start.  It wasn’t for not trying, though.  Players worked hard to win the ball out of the air, defended well, and looked to get forward.  The breakdown seemed to always come with the passing.  Either a pass didn’t make it to the intended recipient, or it would get lofted deep into the Agave defense.

 The offense was able to create a couple opportunities, with shots and headers narrowly missing the crossbar.  Chances were there including a cross by midfielder Sean Basanese, but luck wasn’t on the ‘Cracker’s side in the first half.

 Ronnie Jenkins started playing without his shinguards, and the ref made him put them on before play continued.  One of the good-humored Agaves said, “C’mon.  He no no who’s he’s playing?  [then he gestured two fists hitting together] He crazy!”

 The Firecracker defense played a solid first half.  There might have only been two or three shots in the first half, and if I remember correctly, Travis didn’t have to make any of his trademarked diving saves that would make Kasey Keller jealous.  It is so nice to have a defense that you can count on.

 In the second half, the Firecrackers came out all fired up.  Extra efforts were made to win the ball in the air.  Passes up to the offence were directed off to the sides, so that the ball could be crossed in.

 These adjustments proved to be key.  With about 20 minutes remaining,  Thomas Andalon received a pass from Franco Benevento off a corner kick.  He was able to dodge a defender and cross a brilliant ball to the back of the goal mouth.  Forward David Ahlgren, who had decided he would be first to the ball, before it was even kicked, headed it into the net for the first goal of the game.  Antonio Favela had the first opportunity to head the ball, but he had this to say during a phone interview, “I’m glad [Dave was] there.  I had two guys pulling on my jersey, and I couldn’t jump at all.  It went right over my head!”

 This causes a renewed effort by the Agave’s.  Initially, in the second half, it felt like they were resigned to accepting a tie, but with the goal against them, the worked much harder and pressed the ‘Cracker defense much more.  Travis was forced to come out and defend against potential breakaways, and defenders had to throw themselves in front of shots.  Forwards were even called back to help defend against free kicks.

 With only a few minutes remaining, the Firecrackers had a throw-in about ten yards outside the 18-yard box.  Chris Lucas, seeing that the Agave defense was still recovering back down the field, threw the ball in to Thomas Andalon.  Thomas alertly noted that the Agave keeper was way off his line and lofted a ball over his head.  The ball bounced gently on the ground and into the net.

 The Agave’s never gave up.  They kept pressing for the remainder of the game, coming close on a couple occasions.  And despite some injuries they inflicted on the ‘Crackers (including two sets of cleat marks on the author of this article’s leg), the Agave’s came over and congratulated us on the win.  They were genuine, and said that they liked playing games against us.  They were proud of the way they scored 3 goals in the waning minutes of our last meeting, but acknowledged that the Firecrackers are a good team.  Aside from losing to El Mundialito, we were their first loss.

 That gives them two losses and a tie, while we have two ties and a loss.  Unless El Mundialito was upset by one of the other teams, that likely puts us in second place.  The two teams we have left on the regular season schedule are Monarchos and La Soledad.  We beat both teams, but by only one point each time.  It should be viewed as the playoffs for us from here on out.  A loss could prevent post-season play, while winning out can almost guarantee a spot in the playoffs.  With the setup this year, it’s not the top four teams, it’s the top two of the six from each bracket.  We HAVE to win out.

 Great job on the win.  See all of you next Monday!

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