American Soccer Club NY v NY Shockers
Another NY opponent for ASC, this time under crystal clear skies and a bright moon. As expected, the crowd is dotted with local soccer personalities, past players now heads of industry, still coaching, some involved with the home team.
Kenny Gomez with a headed go on goal in the 3rd minute off a crossing ball by Alberto Nieto, just high. Shockers in on goal but a toe poke goes to the ASC GK Kenny Cordova. A shot by Okine sails high and wide, they had worked the ball around and up the wing. A minute later at 18' it hits Andrew Watson after crossing the goal line, goal Shockers. This opening salvo came off a steal and shot by Okine, it was in the area near the center of the goal and he made no mistake, striking it true. Now a corner by Maxon for the visitors, he goes through the top of the area and headed out by Scarano. Hard foul on Kajatazi, he is up again at midfield. The high arcing cross by ASC picked out of the air by Shannon. Nieto down the line to Acosta who squares it to Kolbe and it is lost to the defense. ASC get a corner on the ball in by Alberto Nieto. Gomez heads it off the cross Alberto Nieto, saved by Shannon, a great look for ASC. McFarlane with a hard foul and a few others are pointed out by the center. Klobe from inside the area looks far post, puts it just a bit further. Espinal with a shot at 34', a looping ball, just over the bar. Adamek feeds Espinal and his shot is very high. The ball in by Mejia deflected out for a corner, headed clear. Kolbe holds it, plays the ball forward gets it back for a shot looking lower 90, covered well by Shannon. McFarlane with a foul from behind and out comes the caution in extra time. Watson with the long drive into the area headed partially clear, back in and that is the first half.
At the half it has been a very even game, neither team getting many quality chances on goal or establishing themselves.
A back and forth affair for most of the game, Here at the 75' ASC has been getting on goal one went in, offside and another few have been knocking on the door, Shannon standing on his head is the only thing not allowing ASC to get ahead. Espinal from just in front of the circle, fed Gomez, his shot off the leg of Shannon for a corner. Morandi with a blast at 83', lots of movement on the ball and it is parried away by Shannon. Corner, ASC taken to the far post grabbed by the GK. Across the goal mouth by Nieto. American Soccer Club looking to get forward but just a bit too much on a ball to Morandi. At 88' Hernandez for Kajtazi of the Shockers. Last time out, American Soccer Club NY was getting forward again and again, never finding the back of the net in the waning moments and extra time. Wagner with a headed go on goal, saved by Shannon, his shot went right at the GK. Jorge Nieto targeted but the ball across the field was over his head, the defender did have it skim off his head for a corner right at full time. We are in extra time, as the clock hits 91' minutes, goal, American Soccer Club, Wagner, the goal getter, assisted by Wilson. From the corner flag to Wagner at the top of the 6, taken first time to the lower right corner. The home crowd has been waiting on this for the last 20 minutes or so and made themselves known, showing their loud and proud appreciation. Full time 1-1.
The newcomers to the local soccer scene and NPSL, American Soccer Club have their first points of this early season. Wagner in just over 10' with his pair of shots and a goal, has been named the Life Vac Player of the game. Though short in time he was just one shot short of the top players for his team and of course his goal puts him over the top in consideration for the honor. It was a very competitive game as was the first for American Soccer Club.