St Louis v SKC
This game brings a number of connections, Vermes of NJ, facing a past Red Bull Coach in Cornel, ex NYCFC player let go by KC in Shelton facing 2 past Red Bulls in Stroud & Parker who I have seen play since his days at SJU. Melia of Islip in goal for KC, with an asst. coach in Savic the leading goal getter for my last team, the pr guy at St. Louis being out of Red Bulls..
The home side absorbs a bit of pressure then holds the ball maybe 20 passes as they bring it up field and then work it back to the GK? Entering their offensive third, they lose it. A small player runs into the 6’ 200+ rock solid Parker and Vermes also a big man is calling for a foul? A battle of the same year draftees, Parker and ex-NYCFC player Shelton will see each other during this game. One Stroud just played for RBNY, his brother is suited up for St. Louis. KC gets it in the area, play it across the area and lose it. A very late whistle for KC. KC again in the area is not pulling the trigger? This time they give up a goal kick. KC with a deep throw in, it goes out against them after, Kinda punches the ball to the floor not agreeing with the call, is carded at 15’. Thrice now, into the area no shot on goal for KC? St. Louis literally held up by KC gets a DFK how KC debates this is beyond me. Melia of Islip on LI in goal sets his wall. Shot on a full volley in the rain Melia gets to it but unable to hold it and it is cleaned up by his back line. Kinda way wide on a DFK from 30 yards. Hard foul by SKC and St. Louis has a DFK. Not called a PK but the player lands in the area after a great save by the GK at 36’ the rain is falling sideway as Walter lands in the area, the foul was beyond It, still a close in DFK for St. Louis a just 23 yards out but to the left of goal. Looking lower corner, Lubin goes just wide, claiming ii was touched by the GK, the camera from behind show a correct call by the ref, though the placement of the ball was suspect to me. Indebe from far away puts one in a 27’, he went side netting from the top of the 18, but far wide of the net. The home team right back with a corner. Of course fellow St John’s soccer alum Tim Parker tucks it away at 29’. Off the body of a SKC player he sends it home with his lethal left. Hicksville beats Islip. Shelton called for a foul happy St Louis beats the defender with a scoop move and it goes end line winning a corner. Walter, creates some separation in the score line. SKC again at 39’ Kinda finds the back of the net. As ever, a VA check is going on as it may have hit the arm of Shelton, the ruling is goal, he beats a few, keeps some space and let the ball rip so well shot. Stroud sends one through the 6 for Klauss who leaves his feet but cannot reach it. Jackson carded for a late hit as the ball was well gone.
SKC just need to keep at it while St. Louis needs to open it up a bit, get shots off and not allow another. Simple right?
The second half began a minute in off a camera high off a corner, it was fixed with 30 seconds of going live. Kinda tripped at 20 yards out, near the touchline. Indebe beats a player another slips in the area but it’s cleared away by St. Louis. Melia skies to bring in a slow arcing ball. SKC with a jail break and Salloi through traffic stopped by the GK. The ball in for Pulido is off the mark, goal kick St. Louis. Klauss into the 6, grabbed out of the air by Melia. Salloi sends one in, deflected high but covered by the ‘keeper. Klauss on a lead from the ‘keeper gets forward but it stalls. Stroud carded for a tackle. St. Louis subs Jackson and Makanich for Hiebert and Adendrien. Corner for KC a 60’. Kinda flicked on by Pulido and Salloi knocks it home. Stroud tripped up, the ball never touched and the player contests the call? Parker brings Salloi to the floor as he gets tripped up, luckily no carded, a DK a bit closer than a corner. The kick parried over the goal for a corner from the other side, both taken by Kinda, Rosero put it on goal Parker with the chest trap and clearance saves the goal. Niwinski wrestles Shelton to the floor the kick into the area finds Shelton with a half chance and out. Shelton fouled and a card to St. Louis as the ball is kicked away. St. Louis with a 72’ corner gets a rise out of the crowd, the talking heads say there is plenty time left for the home side? Klauss with a great rip as he gets some space with a quick turn and forces Melia to ground. Kinda & Lowen are out at 74’. At 78’ anther yellow as Blom called as he gets up and did not foul the player who stays down. A distant shot put in on Melia, he gets it, no issue off the wet surface. Pulido gives way to Espinoza at 86’. Espinoza suffers a hard foul and has some choice words as the player is carded at 88’. DFK for Klauss from 40 yards off his head and saved by the GK well done on both sides, Klauss again and it goes high.
Back to KC goes this series, KC will make adjustments for more offense without a doubt. St. Louis has a smaller hill to climb than past years would have had it with the goals not counting, win or tie, the decision will be made same day with the game going to PK’s. They must find a solution for the leaky defense and their all but non existent offense, the inability to beat Melia, no easy task.