Written by: Brian Tanner

After their first loss of 2010 last week, the FC Denver Masters team looked to bounce back against the Denver Revolution in an early morning affair. Even with kickoff at 9am, the Masters showed up ready to play and started strong – stringing passes across the field. The Revolution appeared to wake up and controlled play for a while as well. The game moved up and down the field with neither team taking advantage of some golden scoring opportunities. Shane ripped a shot outside the box just wide of the far post and Dennis had another golden opportunity that wasn’t to be.

With chances to score for FC Denver, it was the Revolution who broke through with a critical goal just before half. A Revolution player escaped on a long pass down the left hand side and slotted one past the keeper for a 1-0 lead as halftime neared.

FC Denver came out strong the second half and pushed to score an equalizer in the first 10 minutes of the half. However, the Denver Revolution held strong and turned away Masters advances. After awhile, the Masters’ exertion to score took a physical toll and the team dropped deep into their half of the field with fatigue. The Revolution controlled play for a good chunk of the 2nd half, but couldn’t capitalize with the FC Denver Masters team defending strong. The Masters had a few more chances to score towards the end of the game but it wasn’t meant to be. Final score: Denver Revolution 1 – FC Denver Masters 0.

Next week, FC Denver Masters look to get back on track and find their scoring groove when they take on the Littleton Kickers at 1:00pm on Field #24 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

MOTM:

Scott Surber made some brilliant saves and kept the Masters team in the match. One save in the first half was highlight reel, with Scott making a diving, flying upper-90 save on a shot that surely looked in. Scott was solid throughout the match and has been a welcome addition to the 2010 team.

Marco DelPiccolo in transition

Written by: Luke Elbin

Photos by: Destiny Fernandez

Last Sunday FC Denver United tried to bounce back from two disappointing results in a match against defending CASL champion, Guadalajara. The game was played at Dick’s park on another hot fall Sunday afternoon. United were looking to add another quality result to their efforts this season by upsetting a strong and skillful Guadalajara side.

The match got off to a dramatic start, when in the first ten minutes, a foul was called on United in near the edge of their penalty box. Guadalajara could not capitalize on their pk attempt as Ian Campbell made a great save under pressure. Unfortunately, a player from each team entered the box prior to the attempt, and the kick was taken a second time. This attempt would be a successful one. Guadalajara had earned a 1-0 lead.

Ian Campbell makes a leaping stop on the first PK!

United tried to regroup, and began to connect passes and get forward. However, Guadalajara’s counter attacks proved to be dangerous and shortly after their first goal, they took a 2-0 lead on a United own goal at the back post. FC Denver found themselves in an unenviable position, down early to the top team in the league.

Guadalajara’s style of play and competent finishing caused United problems all game long. By halftime, they had a accrued a 4-0 lead. FC Denver had plenty to improve on in the second half. They were aided by an early red card on Guadalajara. Being a man up allowed United to get more numbers forward. Chris Honeker would take advantage, sliding home a nice finish after his teammates moved the ball efficiently around the box and found him open on the opponent’s six yard line.

After an error in the first half, Wardell Dupuy, found redemption in a successful penalty attempt. He calmly slid home his pk to the left side netting, giving United a positive lift in an otherwise rough game. Guadalajara were deadly around the net and scored 7 goals in clinical fashion. United took their knocks, and pressed on finishing the match playing some solid futbol. A 7-2 final score hurt, but this is a team still getting grounded playing against some of the top competition in the state.

Matt Martinez in open space

Look for United to bounce back against a team they know well. They will be playing FC Denver Premiere in a interclub match at Dick’s Soccer Park this Sunday at 1. The game will be played on field 19. Please come out and support Denver’s best amateur club as it will be sure to be a festive and entertaining afternoon.

Coaches MOTM: On a day we we came out on the wrong end of a lopsided scoreline, it’s difficult to pick out a singular man of the match for this game. This week’s man of the match is Luke Elbin, more for his leadership and intensity off the field than play on. Luke came into the game nursing a noticeably pulled quad, but was not going to miss the game. He pushed as hard as he could and had to end up coming out for a good portion of the second half. Where he worked to quell some rising tensions on the sideline. He also offered several times to get back on the field despite his ailment because he wanted to get on the field to help his teammates. That is the character of a champion.

Luke Elbin in action