Despite a dreary Friday and Saturday, Sunday lived up to its moniker and the division race crystalized as the full slate of Major 10 games took place heading into the final month of the season.
Valencia vs. Athletico
In the morning opener, divison contender Valencia dominated Athletico throughout a 4-1 romp featuring the high-scoring Matthieu Bialosky, Zach Trachtenberg and Taro Nakagawa. Leah Anthony, Michal Banks, Sammy Davis and Dylan Pryor stood out for Athletico. Roberta Samuel in midfield and Noah Kahan in goal were also standouts for Valencia.
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
Geoff Arens’ Real Madrid showed supporters why they are truly back in the division race by destroying heretofore competitive Barcelona. Madrid led from start to finish in a game that was never a contest.
Center-forward Mattie Wheldon made up for time lost to an early season injury by striking early, slipping in a quickie in the fifth minute of play. High-scorer Jake Jiler followed with a nifty score off a deflection. Minutes later it was Wheldon again, this time from the top of the key on another rebound. Even the second string offense was unstoppable on this day as Bundes League Valkyrie Roxana Zerres and the indomitable Austin Sansone showed their fire, each tallying two. Eve Grassfield, Anthony O’Donnell, Hunter Wolf, Chloe Lombardi and captain Aidan Rogers refused to quit for Barcelona.
With its devastating front line and airtight defense now fully intact after early year absences by many of its stars, Real Madrid looks unstoppable after a 7 – 0 win.
Villareal vs. Espanyol
Villareal thrilled supporters with an eye-opening win over stalwart Espanyol. Starting goaltender Alec Tullock, moving to forward in the final minute, took a steal 40 yards for the only score of the game, shocking the crowd. Elliot Loving, Chun Schlesinger-Fried, Alex Hirsch and Anya Dombrowski starred for Espanyol in a 1 – 0 win. Mikayla Toffler, Marcus and Merryl Chan, and Tatiana Marku were strong for Villareal.
Sevilla vs. Mallorca
League high-scorer Dario Flores had his chances, but with several key players missing from the midfield, Mallorca did not have enough to get past a relentless captain Kai Glick and challenge the division leader. Undefeated Sevilla was simply not to be denied on this sunny afternoon as Downtown Soccer League All Star Najee Hall tallied a beauty from the corner to open the scoring. Striker Gigi Raskin pocketed her first of the year and speedster Jacob Cook found net to ice the game 3 – 0 for Sevilla.
Greta Keating, Otis Hatfield and Delia Costello shined for Mallorca. Charlie Spencer, Rhiannon Hall and Alex Hall again stood out for the victors. With Sevilla and Valencia leading the league in wins, this Sunday’s showdown between Sevilla and Real Madrid may decide which deserves to face off for the crown.
