June 4th- Travel and Rush Matches

Thursday, June 4- Written by Addison Eck and Rico Frazier

We started the day very early because we had to arrive at the airport at 4:30 a.m. After arriving at the airport half asleep, we managed to get our bags checked in without any complications. Some of the players decided to get bagels, which were absolutely delicious (especially the butter bagel). Because we were flying Southwest, we had the privilege of picking our own seats, which was nice. Also, we received snacks and drinks. The flight took two hours and we arrived in Denver around 9ish (mountain time). After picking up the vans, we drove a little awhile until we found a nice breakfast place. The place was very filling and offered a wide variety of foods. After eating, we drove to the hotel. The hotel is very extravagant and the rooms are very spacious. Most of the players hit the sack right when they arrived in the rooms. The nap was very worthwhile and lasted around two hours. We woke up from our naps and headed to subway for a light snack before we headed out for the fields. After Subway we headed out to the fields. First, we arrived at the older teams field. The field was very nice and looked perfect. On the other hand, the younger team got stuck with a lower quality field. The field was very bumpy and had many potholes. Both of the teams played at the same time. Lets take a look at the younger team’s game first. The younger team played the Colorado Rush, who is second to last in the division. We knew that we had a great shot at winning. Right off the get-go, we forced their defenders under pressure. This pressure eventually led to a handball in the box, which Travis “The Mighty Mouse” Hoguet converted the penalty kick into the side netting. This made the game 1-0, Metro’s lead. With free kick after free kick, we finally put one in. Sam Carenza hit a scoop free kick, in which Zach (Gus) Forbes flicked the ball into the net. This made the game 2-0. After another penalty kick was called, the Rush team went berserk and the Rush goalie decided to charge at the referee, only to be restrained by one of his players. On the ensuing penalty kick, Catarino Jose hit the ball wide of the post. The game remained 2-0 at halftime. During our halftime speech from Coach Decker, we were all distracted by “Mr. Frenchy” (the other teams coach) and his jiberish screaming at his players. According to Frenchy, they were wasting his time and were not giving enough effort. Second half came around and all of the Rush players came out with newly rejuvenated energy. This energy consisted of hacking many of our players, which led to a very fiery and intense game. Around 15 minutes, the Rush was awarded a free kick after Addison Eck underestimated his strength and knocked a kid to the ground around half field. The ensuing free kick, Kent “Swedish model” Kobernus let the ball slip through his hands. This made the game 2-1. Around 20 minutes left, Jared “Darth Vader” Ray used the dark sided force to lift the ball over the keeper and into the side netting. This made the game 3-1. After this goal the other team got fired up and one of their players slide tackled Josh Shorts, which resulted in a red card. However one of their players overreacted and had some choice words for the referee (he also received a red card). The game ended as is, 3-1 win for Metro. As the day went on the 18’s group warmed up not saying a word “ which is different for our team” but it was a hard and intense warm-up. The first half started and the game was equal through out the first half. The Colorado “rush” had most of the ball but we had most of the pressure on top of the ball, which brought the game to a faster and controlling game. The Colorado first goal was a non-pressured ball and an opened man. After the first goal the team started to go down hill. The energy of the team wasn’t there. The second half start the score 1-0 Colorado rush. The Rush kept the ball most of the time as our team chased. They were no big danger attacking our goal. Kenny played a good ball to the corner Rico. As he chased down the ball between three players he lost it as the Colorado rush played a long 45 yard ball up top for a 3 on 1. The Rush took over the game 2-0 as we try to fight back. The game ended up the final 2-0 as the Colorado rush remained in first place.