FC DELCO's Under-18 Academy Squad Prevail Over Potomac SC
GERMANTOWN (Mar. 2, 2008) — Potomac SC and FC DELCO kicked-off round two of US Soccer’s National Development League under sunny winter skies yesterday at the vast recreational complex known as the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown , MD. The Under-18 game pitted last year’s national finalist FC DELCO against the up and coming Potomac SC. Early in the contest DELCO exerted steady pressure on Potomac receiving several offside calls as they look to unlock the opposition’s defense. Potomac looked content to sit back in the early going and attempt to hit on the counter. The game materially changed in the 10th minute when DELCO midfielder, Jeff Bowen, received a yellow card for a professional foul as Potomac looked to exploit DELCO’s aggressiveness on a clear counter-attacking opportunity. From this moment on, Potomac equalized the action and the game settled down with both teams creating their respective opportunities.
Early action saw DELCO probing the right side of Potomac ’s defense with little to no success. Potomac ’s right back, Austin Phillips, had a tremendous game and was extremely effective in neutralizing the DELCO attack. DELCO had much greater success exploiting Potomac down their right flank with wide players Dave Cassanelli and Andrew Dodds combining on several occasions. Potomac ’s coach, Bryan Davis, made the tactical adjustment to move Phillips to their left side to shore up his defense to great effect. DELCO’s high-pressure defense paid off in the 25th minute when Potomac ’s Phillips intercepted a DELCO through ball in their defensive third and was immediately pressured by David Cassanelli who was able to gain possession in the area. Cassanelli appeared to be tripped in the box while negatively passing to Matthew Margiotta but the official, playing advantage, allowed play to continue. Margiotta one-timed the ball with a hard, low shot that was deflected off of a Potomac center back and into the goal. The Potomac’s keeper, Samuel Kerman-Schloss, appeared to have the initial shot covered but had no chance on the deflection as he was caught going the wrong way.
Potomac seemed a little unsettled after the goal and DELCO was able to create another quality opportunity off some nice combination work between Andrew Dodds, Bowen and Mariotta that was broken up at the last minute by some alert goal keeping by Kerman-Schloss. Potomac soon righted the ship and started creating some opportunities of their own. Particularly dangerous was Potomac ’s Michael Hocker who was causing difficulties down the right side. Within a short period of time, Hocker was able to gain the end line on DELCO and get off several quality crosses. Again alert goalkeeping, this time by DELCO’s Tres Heffron, made the difference. While Potomac had few shots on goal, in the latter part of the first half, Hocker and Luis Rivera posed several problems for the DELCO midfield as they had the majority of the possession.
The second half picked up right where the first left off with both sides going back and forth in a highly spirited campaign. The only substitution was DELCO keeper Kevin McMullen in for Tres Heffron. Potomac had several free kick opportunities in DELCO territory and repeatedly flighted inviting balls into the box which were bravely handled by DELCO’s McMullen. Potomac , pressing for the equalizer, saw great play and industry from Andy Streilein, Hocker and Phillips who continued to ask questions of well-organized DELCO back line led by the central defensive pair of Mark Fetrow and Kevin Strunk.
The game broke wide open in the 64th minute when DELCO substitution Nikhil Gregg intercepted a square ball across the middle and burst forward on a penetrating run to the top of the Potomac area. At the last moment Gregg slid the ball to his right to an on-rushing Margiotta who’s one-time finish beat Kerman-Schloss to the far post putting DELCO up 2-nil. DELCO now appeared to sit back and invite pressure from Potomac content with their lead. This strategy appeared ill-advised as Potomac began to apply intense pressure on DELCO earning several corner opportunities.
In the 70th minute, on a corner set piece, DELCO’s defense finally broke down. Potomac’s Streilein flighted a searching ball to the spot which DELCO failed to clear that ultimately found the back of the net by Potomac ’s Ifiok Akpandak. With a renewed sense of confidence, Potomac continued their pressure on DELCO who sometimes appeared a little disorganized leaving some gaps for Potomac to exploit. In the 85th minute Potomac ’s Streilein caught DELCO on the counter and found himself in a footrace with DELCO’s Fetrow. Just outside the area DELCO’s Dodds was adjudged to have fouled Streilein denying a clear scoring opportunity. Dodds was immediately shown red and DELCO was forced to play the remaining time a man down. Oddly enough, after dealing with the immediate danger of the free kick opportunity, DELCO’s defense reorganized on leadership from their back line and saw the result out to the final whistle.
At the conclusion of the game, Bryan Davis, coach of Potomac SC commented, "The boys finally tonight realized their true identity.. In the first half we saw the last gasp of our identity as a U17 squad. In the 2nd half we finally found our voice as a U18 Academy Team. I greatly anticipate our next game to keep that vibe going.” Coach Alan Mezger of FC DELCO added, “This was a great contest by two high-level teams; it’s what the Academy is all about.”
