Metro vs. Rapids- June 6th

Saturday June 6th 2009

We arose today at 8:30 a.m. to eat breakfast. They served the finest bagels, muffins, and sausages. The younger team had to go back down at 9:45 to eat a second breakfast because they would not be able to eat again until after their game at 1:00 p.m. The younger team had departed for the Dicks Sporting Good Park at around 11:20 am. The drive was about 50 minutes giving us time to think about the battle that was to come against the Colorado Rapids. We arrived at the park around 12:15 and everyone was ready to play. Our warm up was very crisp and sharp so we believed that we were going to perform. The pitch was amazing, probably the best we have ever played on. The game started very fast and direct, giving us time to get used to the beautiful field. After a good 20 minutes of battling our defense miss communicated causing a slow roller into the net for the Rapids. Shortly after they scored, our ball control was much better and we created many opportunities. Suddenly about 10 minutes after the Rapids goal, yours truly sent the ball to the corner for Nelson to send a magnificent cross to Billy Donavon who headed the ball into the penalty area where Cerna the Burner buried the ball into the back of the net. After our goal, it lifted us to play much better as a team. At half time Blake and Dale gave us a nice speech that made us want to come out and battle even harder and with more intensity. In the second half, the Rapids created a good give and go that gave them the lead 2 1. About 15 minutes later Josh took a nice free kick and Zach Forbes screened the keeper and the ball, went straight into the net from about half field. The rest of the game was back and forth for both teams. In the end we tied 2-2, but a well fought battle. The second game between the older teams was pretty one sided during the first half. We had numerous chances to finish, but opted not to in order to make the game more exciting. Eventually, Seth Rudolph decided to finish an opportunity that came from a long ball served by Joe Bettger who magically served the ball from a standing position with the outside of his left peg. Seth chipped the goalie with extreme class. At half time Dale told us that we would have to battle in order to win the game. Substitutions came on for the Rapids so it changed the game a little. The game in the second half was much different than the first. We found ourselves with our backs against the wall for the first part of the half, and after that it was back and forth. It was not until late in the game that we received another brilliant goal. We started a counter off a Rapids corner kick. Alex Koch cleared the ball from the near post service directly to Seth who in turn played a 60 yard diagonal ball for Jared Tejada. Coach Decker said it best when he said Jared’s first touch was that of Dennis Bergkamp’s, the famous Dutch international. Jared then finished the play with a shot that found the upper right hand corner. The game ended with the score of 2-0, a good win for the 90’s. After the game we came back to the hotel for pasta, salad, and U.S. soccer. The U.S. defeated Honduras with a score of 2-1 making it a beautiful day. We fell asleep right at curfew as always