FCD Fall 2019 Gameweek 5 Recap

FC Denver United Squad

CPL Premier Division:

Premier vs El Azul (POSTPONED)
•Recap:
•MVP(s):

Colorado Super League:

United vs Indios (3-0)
•Recap: United faced a solid Indios FC side on a windy day at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. For most of the first half of the game, United couldn't create much going forwards as Indios's high press combined with some sloppy touches and decisions from United limited the amount of quality chances that were created. After adjustments were made at halftime, United came out much stronger in the second half and was able to beat the high press effectively. United was able to create a couple of good chances early on in the second half, but it wasn't until the 60th minute that the deadlock was broken. Veillette made an instant impact off the bench, scoring less than a minute after being subbed on. From there the game opened up and Pantaleon scored a great goal off the volley after Chavez beat two players and put a great ball into the box. The game was put to beat with about ten minutes left after Pantaleon scored his second of the game, With a cheeky chip over the keeper.
•Goals: Veillette, Pantaleon (2)
•MVP: Pantaleon

CPL Elite Division:

U23 vs Real Colorado (2-0)
•Recap: The 23's managed to eek out a 2-0 victory in spite of the windy conditions, Real only having 7 field players, and themselves somewhat getting in their own way throughout the match. There was a clear path to victory that took the boys a while to finally discover and consistently expose, which was switching the point with increased speed of play = limited touches on the ball, get it high and/or wide early and play the quick 1-2's to penetrate and get in behind. The continuous imbalance of their defense finally put us on the front foot creating many chances consistently the entire second half.
Our first tally came off a clever little chip over the first line of defense from Alex Firth on a free-kick, which Luis Ferros slotted home with a very skilled and clinical aerial side volley to the far corners side netting. The second goal came shortly thereafter, also from Alex Firth to Luis Ferros, to put things out of reach for a very depleted Real side.
Alex took to heart what we asked during the halftime break, and was the key difference-maker for us on the attack going forward in the second half and was total nightmare for their backline to deal with. So it goes without saying that he was our key Man of the Match, as we also, had to give it Luis Ferros, for his determination and poise in the goal-scoring phase to net those two home.
•Goals: Ferrors (2)
•MVP: Ferrors

Masters vs FC Inter Denver (4-1)
•Recap: Masters defeated FC Inter 4-1 to avenge its spring playoff loss and control its own destiny to secure the #1 seed for the fall promotion play-offs. The first half was quite even, as Masters struggled to keep possession into the 25 mph winds. Kane Lawson came closest mid-way thru the first half with a header of the post. However, it would be FC Inter taking the lead into halftime off a 35th minute shot from the right side that found the upper left corner. With the wind behind its back in the 2nd half, Masters came out pressing and created a handful of chances with FC Inter content to waste time at every opportunity and sit in deep. In the 65th minute, the game would change as Ray Kerzner poked in a Derek Moore corner kick to equalize. Minutes later, another corner kick saw Brandon Sawada meg the keeper from short distance to take the lead. FC Inter became frustrated as the game state has changed on a dime. In the 80th minute, FC Inter had a thru ball that Matt Burford came out to the top of the box and handled well as the forward struck him cleats up. A melee ensued, as an FC Inter player threw a punch and both sides had to be restrained, resulting in a red card for FC Inter. Once play finally resumed, an FC Inter player threw an elbow at Ryan Moschel, receiving his second yellow card to reduce the side to 9-men. Masters would take advantage, with Stephen Noone breaking the backline from his own half and calmly rounding the keeper on the right side to finish into the open net. Nic Wilson would add a 4th goal on a counter in the 88th minute where he chipped the keeper from the right side of the box. Kerzner, Moschel, Chris Varnado, and Evan Greenwald held down the backline to get the team safely to the final whistle. Masters moves to 3-0-0 and is now in 2nd place, one point back, with two games in hand over FC Inter.
•Goals: Kerzner, Sawada, Noone, Wilson
•MVP: Ray Kerzner, great leadership on the backline and a clutch goal to turn the match in the 2nd half.

CPL Over 30 Division:

Legends vs Azteca 5280 OG (FORFEIT)
•Recap: Legends earn an easy 3 points
•Goals:
•MVP:

CPL Women’s League:

FC Denver vs Colorado Rovers: (0-1)
•Recap: FC Denver Women’s Team had a neck to neck battle against Rovers on Sunday. We were possessing the ball for most of the game, and Rovers were attempting to capitalize on errors. Sophia Centi, Sara Schmidt, and Beth Plentl held the midfield and were successful in moving the ball around. Due to the high winds, we were forced to connect passes to feet, instead of our normal direct attacks. This was certainly a different match up since our last game against Rovers.
Ultimately, Rovers scored a goal at the 33rd minute which would be the lone goal of the match. FC Denver shut down any further opportunities with Lidia Battaglia and Katie Marcheso playing a phenomenal game in the full-back position, and captain Erin Hamrick and Hanna Ueckert directed the defense in the right places and eliminated opportunities of attack. Marla Crum had a whopping 9 saves all game.
FC Denver forwards Nicole Perez, Jackie Sandoval, Frankie Cervantes, and Reigna Banks fought hard to get the ball through the defense and past the keeper. Tori Slattery had a resilient 90-minute performance in the forward and midfield positions.
•Goals: N/A
•MVP: Sophia Centi for her joga bonito footwork and controlling our possession. Sophia quickly jumped into transitions, recuperating the ball, and distributing accurately. She played a spectacular consistent 90-minute game.