FCD Fall 2019 Gameweek 10 Recap - CPL Fall Playoffs

Premier vs FC Boulder Harpos.

Colorado Premier League Premier Division Semi-Final:

Premier vs FC Boulder Harpos (1-4)
•Recap: FC Denver Premier lost the Fall 2019 Colorado Premier League Semifinal 4-1 to FC Boulder Harpos. The game was a tight contest throughout until the FC Denver boys legs wore out around the 80th-minute mark and FCB Harpos put away a couple of late goals.
Both teams started quick with FC Denver getting two great scoring opportunities in the first five minutes but the FCB Harpos GK was made impressive saves on both. FCB Harpos was the first to score on a header off of a cross in the 8th minute. Our FC Denver men were working to settle into their formation and responsibilities in the early part of the game. FCB Harpos got a second goal off an individual dribbling performance in around the 32-minute mark sending us into halftime down 2-0.
FC Denver came out with much more resolve in the second half with tougher midfield play and more attacking thrust. This paid off in a 56th-minute goal by Andres Delgado. Now down 2-1, the game was back on and was battled largely in midfield, with FC Denver occasionally getting forward for crosses looking to equalize, but not finding an oncoming attacker. After a couple of half-chances to tie the game up around the 70th and 75th minutes, the FC Denver squad wore out and FCB Harpos finished 2 chances in the last 10 minutes to put the game out of reach.
Making the playoffs was a strong feat with the up and down nature of this season. We gave our all to make it a tight game for the second half but didn't have enough in the end to get the result. Off-season starts now so we can get back on top for 2020!
•Goals: Delgado
•MVP: Andres Delgado. Not only was he the goalscorer but he worked tirelessly, as he always does, offensively and defensively on the flank. Honorable mention(s) go to Keegan Lape for his flexibility, hard work, and spark off the bench, and to Brian Sheehan, who broke his hand in the first 15 minutes and stayed on-field and battled through the injury a majority of the 2nd half.

Colorado Premier League Elite Division Semi-Final:

Masters vs Union Jerez Elite (1-4)
•Recap: FC Denver Masters fought valiantly in an end-to-end Elite Division semi-final match against a young and talented Union Jerez II side, as the match ended 1-1 in regulation. The breaks did not go Masters' way in overtime, as they lost 4-1, falling in the semi-finals in their quest for promotion for the third straight season.
Masters started the match on the front foot as they used the slope and wind to their advantage at Dove Valley. In the 15th minute, Nic Wilson won a tackle in the attacking third and fed the ball to Kane Lawson, who then connected a pass to a streaking Grahame Fitz who finished nicely underneath the keeper to give Masters the early 1-0 lead. The rest of the first half was back and forth, as the Master’s defense did a nice job of cutting out through balls or drawing the Union Jerez attackers offside. Unfortunately, in the final minutes of the first half, Union Jerez was able to get behind the defense and finish into the open net that Chris Varnado was nearly able to clear off the line.
The match went into half 1-1 and each team looked for ways to create better chances in the 2nd half. Masters did well to cope with going up the slope and into the wind the 2nd half and each team created chances that were largely snuffed out by Matt Burford and the Union Jerez keeper. Ray Kerzner, Andy Fleckenstein, Simon Logan, Carlos Regalado, David Kirschling, and Varnado did well to keep the fast and talented Union Jerez attackers contained. The sides would head into the end of regulation tied 1-1.
Masters decided to go up the slope in the first half of overtime to continue to kill off the match and go for it in the 2nd overtime. However, despite creating a handful of chances in the first five minutes, Union Jerez were finally able to stay onside on a counterattack as their striker got free from Kerzner to finish under Burford in the 95th minute. With plenty of time remaining, Masters put together its best-attacking sequences of the game the next 8 minutes, with Ryan Moschel just missing the upper corner from a few yards out and Grahame Fitz having a shot well-saved by the keeper. With moments to go in the first overtime, another lapse on the counterattack saw Union Jerez put the game out of reach with a third goal. Masters continue to press in the 2nd overtime, with a couple more near misses. Union Jerez capped the scoring with another counterattack to complete the scoreline at 4-1.
Masters should be very proud of their undefeated regular season and not let the last 25 minutes of a match that could have gone either way in regulation define their season. The core of the team continues to age well past 35, but new additions and their teamwork and tactical understanding should allow for another strong attempt at promotion in the 2020 season.
•Goals: Fitz
•MVP: Brandon Sawada put in another energetic and inspiring performance on the right-wing to conclude a great season where his play led by example.

Colorado Premier League Over 30 Division Semi-Final:

Legends vs Azteca 5280 OG (3-4)
•Recap: Legends started postseason play after a month-long hiatus. Our opponent was Azteca FC OG who Legends did not see in regular-season play.
Azteca showed up for the game only 5 minutes beforehand. Legends knew they would be disorganized and not ready to play. However, Legends could not capitalize as our long hiatus left us rusty. The game was back and forth in the first half, with each team having chances. Legends controlled most of the play with Azteca threatening on the counter-attack. Halftime saw the score at 0-0.
Azteca got on the score sheet first by intercepting a ball in the middle and getting an odd-man rush. However, Legends answered right back when Leo broke through the defense to equalize. Azteca got another goal with a good finish to beat Mo. Leo answered again for Legends by somehow sneaking the ball past the keeper from the end line. The game ended tied 2-2. We are headed to OT.
Azteca got on the score during the first. With a freekick that went through the whole box right to an opposing player. Legends changed formation to push the game and received a free-kick just outside the 18. Brady beat the wall and the keeper’s near side to equalize again. Azteca scored again and Legends ran out of time to answer. The game ended with a score of 4-3 in favor of Azteca.
•Goals: Brady, Leo
•MVP: Leo