FCD Fall 2019 Gameweek 8 Recap

CPL Premier Division:

Premier vs FC Atlas Colorado (3-0)
•Recap: Premier Needed a win to stay in the playoff race. We came to the field with 12 guys ready to warm up a half-hour before the game. 3 Minutes before the supposed game time our opponents finally arrived allowing us to start the game 15 minutes late. From the onset of the game, we pushed the pace. We got an early goal from Andres on a nice cross from Jake. We continued to keep possession and pressure Atlas which led to many chances. We got our second midway through the first half on a finish from Jake. Late in the first half, Troy got on the board with a nice shot from outside the box. With about 3 minutes left in the half, some unnecessary things happened which led to a few reds, some missed reds, and a lot of chatter. The ref called the half early and the Atlas coach decided he had enough and gave up for his team. So we won!
•Goals: Andres, Jake, Troy
•MVP: Ryan Bernhardt

Colorado Super League:

United vs GAM United (1-1)
•Recap: United drew 1-1 with a quality GAM side that are currently sitting one place ahead of United going into the weekend. A depleted United started the game off well, creating chances and breaking up many of GAM’s lethal counter-attacks. In the 31st minute, United got on the board first when a ball fell to the feet of Villiani off of a botched clearance, who put it in the back of the net (with the help of a massive deflection).
The second half quickly became a much more open game and choppy game. There were chances on both ends of the field that weren’t converted until a GAM winger made an 80 yard run with the ball on a counter-attack and calmly slotted it home to equalize the game. United had a couple more chances to win the game, with the best coming on the last kick of the game when United was awarded a free kick 40 yards out from goal. A great ball was sent into the back post, and only a slight touch from a GAM player kept the ball from falling on the head of a waiting United player.
•Goals: Villiani
•MVP: Morgan Newby

CPL Elite Division:

U23 vs Union Jerez Elite (1-4)
•Recap: It was a very tough day for us yesterday, no excuses...with the players that we had available to compete, we just weren't good enough on the day to get a result. Hats off to Gerardo Tenorio and Kevin Arellano for sacrificing their field time to play in the net for us. Also, a big shout out to captain Carlos Martinez for constantly doing whatever is needed for the team and filling in on the backline as one of our CB's, and sacrificing his skillsets in the midfield.
It was very much a back and forth match for the first 40 minutes, it's very fair to say that some of the calls and noncalls for offsides, definitely dictated the outcome of the match, and we'll just leave it at that. Leaving us down 3-1 at the break...we scored a great goal, with a great give and go between Osvaldo Luna and Evan Wolfson, who finished one of ours off, and another one of our goals by Luis Ferros getting called back. The game never really returned back in our favor in the second half, with so many yellow cards given out to both teams, that I lost count...including one ejection from their team in the process.
At the end of the day, the U23's as a whole, need to have a serious gut check. We're not the team that we need to consistently be to put ourselves into contention for a playoff spot, and that begins with Coach Morgan and me (Peter Bunting). It is a brand new team and there's much to sort out with very little time in which to do it in, but that's no excuse. Definitely not the performance that we were hoping for and we'll regroup this week and training and put it all on it the pitch one more time to see what we can finish the season off with!
•Goals: Wolfson
•MVP: Carlos Martinez

Masters vs Victoria Kickers (4-2)
•Recap: A businesslike performance for the Elite Division leaders this week. Playing in Golden in front of a raucous crowd of five. Masters capably swept aside Kickers by a score of 4-2. Masters were short a few pieces but started the game on the front foot. The first goal came after only 5 minutes. After some nifty team build-up, Evan Greenwald put back his own rebound with a nice right-footed shot into the near post upper corner. Fun fact, Greenwald moonlights as a spokesperson for Bic razor blades and shave gel. Masters didn't have to wait long for the second goal as five minutes later we would score again. Again, after some very nice buildup in midfield, Carlos Regalado who was put in behind the defense crossed to Brandon Best, who does what he does best, and made a 70-yard box to box run which culminated in an impressive diving header. Masters up 2-nil.
The game looked like it could turn into a runaway but Kickers caught Masters napping and nicked a goal back after 25 minutes. Berrien Chidsey would double Masters lead again as he headed home a corner from Derek Moore at the back post. Moore who by a large margin leads the team in assists and age has to be Masters MVP for the season. He gets my vote anyway but I digress.
Kickers managed to narrow the gap again in 40th minute and at halftime, it was 3-2. The second half started with Kickers looking spry and out for the tying goal. Matt Burford was called on to make several fine saves on some set pieces. However, the defense stabilized. The defense was led by Chris Varnado, Ray 'Just for Men' Kerzner, David Kirschling and a new guy named Jason. Either way, the defense stiffened and Kickers never really had any decent chances after the 65th minute. In the 75th minute Varnado, dare we say 'quietly' snuck in at the back post and headed home a set-piece cross from Moore. Masters up 4-2. Masters control their own destiny in their quest to finally win the division. It has been a good season up to this point but some tougher competition awaits.
•Goals: Greenwald, Best, Chidsey, Varnado
•MVP: Moore

CPL Over 30 Division:

Legends (BYE)
•Recap: N/A
•Goals: N/A
•MVP: N/A

CPL Women’s League:

FC Denver vs FC Boulder: (1-1)
•Recap: A different battle ensued Sunday morning when the official sounded the whistle that commenced the match against FC Boulder. FCD took advantage of the adrenaline inspired by the desire to show FC Boulder that we weren't the same team they faced during week 1. Within the first 4 minutes, simple one-touch passing attack started by full-back Katie Marcheso, leading up to Juliana Grover and converted into a goal by Victoria Slattery placed FC Denver ahead, and set the tone for the first half. As both teams were searching for their groove, the frigid cold wind relentlessly interfered with simple passing and ball control. Despite the circumstances, both teams tenaciously showed their desire to win.
FC Denver center-backs Hannah Ueckert and captain Erin Hamrick stood fearlessly against every challenge. Beth Plenti played both full-back and center-midfield positions flawlessly. Katie Marcheso's alertness made it possible for consistent interceptions of long balls to the left side, making that side almost impenetrable. Our midfielders pounced on every mistake FC Boulder made and quickly transitioned into attacks. There were opportunities to score for both sides, but lady luck, mother nature, and exceptional goalkeeping from Marla Crum proved to be difficult obstacles for 85 minutes of the match. Minute 89 sealed our fate when an FC Boulder player took a shot which was deflected into the goal, tying the match. The game ended at a draw, 1-1.
Player of the Match, without a doubt, this match would have had a different result if it hadn't been for our goalkeeper, Marla Crum. She was unable to face FC Boulder at the season opener due to dislocating her pinky during warm-ups. When Marla stepped onto the field this past Sunday, she brought with her weeks of hard work, dedication, and hunger to show her abilities. Marla came up big with four major saves in the first half and countless in the second. Although FC Boulder managed to sneak one in, I have no doubt in my mind Marla would have blocked it if it hadn't been for the deflection. Marla is an energizing spirit on and off the field and a motivation to the rest of us. Marla concludes the regular season with double-digit saves, only letting up 4 goals all season, the lowest in the Women's Division of the Colorado Premier League.
FC Denver concludes the 2019 Fall Season, 5-1-1, and leader of the Women's Division regular season!
•Goals: Slattery
•MVP: Marla Crum

Evan KiesowOctober 21, 2019