DC United vs Red Bulls
(Major 12-13)
DC United ran into a buzz-saw yesterday on a muddy track that stalled out much of their own fleet-footed attack two weeks ago. From the start the Red Bulls showed why they are the only unbeaten team this year in the 12-13 Major Division.
The Bulls’ potent forecourt of Dash Liebermann, Lucas Deysine and Theo Munger put the screws to United in a 4-1 victory, fed continuously by a stingy defense and active midfield led by standout Alex Scheman. The continuous attacks by Winger Max Wissmann fed the centers Jake Rosenberg and Jason Polychronakos with dangerous crosses while Defender Joshua Lorberblatt, together with second half goalie Noam Saul denied United promising chances.
DC United’s front court of Louis Moreschi, Brian Alvarado and Nigel Epps had a number of good chances in the second half with some timely feeds and solid set-ups from middie captain Aidan Rogers and Henry Lilien. Moreschi and Alvarado combined for several rushes of more than 50 yards, but Moreschi could only put one in the goal, with one called back for a very close off-side call. Middie Ava Anderson turned in her finest game of the season with numerous stops and fine outlet passes. Defenders Jasmine Campise and Scarlett Perry also turned in one of their best efforts.
Rangers vs. Dundee (Minor 9)
The game between the Rangers and Dundee Oct. 31 was a real thriller. Dundee scored early off a squeaker into the corner of the goal and then slammed the door on a Ranger attack, which showed promise for the future. After the initial blow, the Rangers defense stiffened as Noah Goodman, James Turner and Chris Gushee withstood everything Dundee‘s offense could throw at them. Rangers goalies Jack McCabe and Jacob Cohen made some brilliant diving saves to keep the game close, but the Dundee shield would also remain unbroken as Olivia O‘Toole, Julian Memmo and Amber Pongrass fought hard for the Black & Gold.
Perhaps spurred by coach Jake Turner‘s halftime pep talk the Rangers were a different team in the second half. Mid-ielders, Brooke Kirwin, Kendall Chapman and Jack O‘Halloran went toe-to-toe with Dundee, continually feeding their strikers for repeated attacks.
With time winding down Dundee withstood a withering array of breakouts and chances by the Rangers. Ranger center-forward Noah Deguchteneere put on a clinic repeatedly dribbling through the defense, but wingers Chris Barker and Liam Doyle just couldn‘t put the ball home as Dundee‘s goalie made several fine saves to preserve the 1-nil win.
“What a game!” said referee Manny d‘Almeida.
BORDEAUX vs. Nice (Major 11)
Substitute coach Ashley Marable stepped in for John Griffin as their team, Bordeaux, faced off against Bob Potter’s Nice. Griffin’s son Elias was missing from the lineup as well, Sara Salitan was out with a sprained ankle; and with Luke Marable under the weather, Bordeaux had only 10 players at full strength.
James Carney was in goal for Bordeaux in the first half, masterfully handling a low shot from the left about 12 yards outside of the penalty box. Carney stretched out and tipped the ball around the goal post for a nice save, giving up a corner kick in the process. Both Max Kong and Mateo Flores played well in midfield, Anthony Miguez played right fullback, Lumia Nocito played left fullback, and Matt played fullback. Their traditional diamond defense helped keep Nice, including plays by the formidable offense of Balthazar Merrin, Gavin Zinzell, Truman Dunn, Graham Nelson and Will Pangburn, scoreless.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, visiting player Tyler Rohan took one for his old team when Zinzell booted a mud-covered ball in his left eye by mistake. Gavin was apologetic, but Rohan was out for the rest of the game. The first half ended 0-0, thanks to Judah Lang in goal for Nice, despite several offensive rushes by Dario Flores for Bordeaux.
In the second half, Dario scored first goal with a quick poke. Jared Beh continuously opened the field with his insightful passing, with Athena Karavasilis, Vidal Carrion and Lumia Nocito all playing stingy defense, holding Nice back from scoring. Nice, including players, tried to even the score at one. But Bordeaux’s Anthony Miguez came up with the second goal and teammate Issei the third, both opening their scoring accounts for the year.
Other Nice players made nice passes and worked hard on defense for their team, including Maisie Fisher, Alex Monticciolo, Mia Potter, Lulu Priddy, Auri Ribes, Kyra Russo, Julia Udell and Anna Van Patten, but Nice could not catch up to Bordeaux’s 3-0 lead against a recovered Marable in goal. Then James Carney made up for an earlier open goal miss, by lashing in the fourth goal for Bordeaux, further frustrating a team which has built a winning reputation in the past few years.
The final score was Bordeaux 4, Nice 0.
Lyon vs. Marseille (Major 11)
In earlier action, Liz Lamere’s Lyon team beat Brad Bodwell’s Marseille team 1-0, which made for the first win for Coach Lamere this season. Lucy Winokur scored the winning goal for Lyon with a low strong arc. Way to persevere, Lyon!
