Crew Dismantles Unbeaten United Blue 4-1

“Great moments are born from great opportunity. That’s what you have here tonight, boys. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight.” – Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks in ‘Miracle’

When the final whistle blew, the boys and coaches on the Crew sideline jumped and stormed the field to join their ecstatic teammates who were already there. The team that had hung with Juventus and lost, the team that hung with the Falcons and lost, the team that hung with the Fire and lost, was the first and only team to beat Vancouver United Blue this season.

This wasn’t a game for stats. There was only one that was important and that was the final score, 4-1. It was a championship-caliber win that was earned in pouring rain by 13 hard-working boys. It was a win earned one diving muddy save after another by Nick. It was a win earned one tackle at a time by a stout defensive rotation of Austin, Luke, Miguel, and Ryan Aton. It was a win earned by the quickness of Andrew and Bryce. It was a win earned by the tenacity of Michael, Colton, and Ryan Wessel. It was a win earned by Justin’s unselfish passing. It was a win earned by Jonathan’s foot and Grayden’s head.

The Crew pounded United Blue one goal at a time and never relinquished the lead. The pressure that the Crew applied was so relentless that United Blue players became frustrated at their inability to dispense with the Crew like it had all other challengers.

The Crew ended their season in 4th place with a respectable 6 wins and 4 losses (2 to first place Juventus). Counting summer tournaments and friendlies, the Crew have 16 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, including 2 semi-final appearances and 1 championship tournament run.

Preparations for the Commissioner’s Cup will begin next week but for one timeless day, the Crew played to their potential and demonstrated what the parents knew all along. This team is something special and capable of great things. Given a great opportunity the Crew delivered a great moment.

Falcons Prey on Injured Crew

Injuries kept the Crew from fielding their best team but they played admirably well in a 2-1 loss to the Falcons. The Crew missed Bryce’s speed on attack as he was out with a sprained ankle and Andrew was keeper of the woodwork in place of Nick who was out with a knee injury. Andrew was forced to make his first save just 2 minutes after the opening whistle. Play was back and forth with shots by Colton and Justin that bracketed another Falcon attempt. The Falcons scored in the 18th minute to take a 1-nil lead. Ryan W drilled a ball hard off the post five minutes later. The Falcons broke through for one more shot that was saved by Andrew just before half.

The Falcons opened the second half with a quick goal to jump out to a 2-nil lead. Justin squeezed off a shot in the 32nd minute that forced the Falcon keeper to make a save. Jonathan shot just over the crossbar in the 37th minute and Grayden rang one off the post in the 38th minute. After the near misses the Crew finally scored when Grayden finished off a untied shoe cross from Jonathan in the 43rd minute. The Falcons had a scoring attempt in the 44th minute that went wide left. The action continued furiously for the final ten where both teams missed over the crossbar.

The game really could have had a different result with so many near misses but shots were unlucky and the Crew lost in a 2-1 final. The Crew are 2-2-0 on the season and tied for fourth in Division 5.

2008 WSYSA Division 5 – Game 4