Cucuy Gets the SAC

Cucuy FC – San Antonio College 1:2 (0:0)

I wasn’t there to play this one, so I’ll give this report based on my assumptions of the events that transpired.

Cucuy was clearly the superior team as going into this game as SAC was 1-6 coming in, and Cucuy was 4-2-1.  We showed our dominance early as an unbelievable play was up by Huczek to Nick for maybe the best goal Cucuy has ever graced the field with.  A cross came in slightly above head height that everyone thought would pass right over the 18.  Not so!  Nick came in from left fullback in a full sprint where he did a jumping 180 bicycle kick that was hit so hard that it actually dislodged the net from the ground, but went off the inside of the right post and still wound up in the net.  Bravo Nick, Bravo!

Everyone was so stunned by this surreal display of offensive prowess that we all stood around high fiving and ass-slapping while the ref blew the whistle to resume play.  We were so preoccupied by reveling in the awesomeness of Nick’s goal that we didn’t even realize SAC had dribbled straight down the field and passed it into our net.  Oh well, 1:1, but well worth it.

We then scored 5 goals that were all disallowed for various reasons by the referee, some of which we’re pretty sure aren’t even actual fouls in soccer (i.e. “being Slovakian”, “not having long enough hair”, and “agreeing with the referee”).

With only a few minutes left, and the game in a dead lock tie, an unfortunate hand ball by Nate in our box gave the other team a PK.  Nate wasn’t actually playing in the game, he didn’t even show up to the game, except for a brief 30 seconds where he ran onto the field, picked up the ball, and threw it at the referee.  We all just kind of shrugged as none of us were really surprised, except that a PK was given, and SAC scored the winning goal.  The whistle blew shortly after the PK, thus closing out the most bizarre Sunday game Cucuy has ever played.

So what really happened? Well, Cucuy showed up short (surprisingly, as we should had 4 subs based on the prior-to-game head count). We managed to pick up an extra player, as he was conveniently standing around our team while gearing up, probably selling tacos or trying to steal our stuff while we were preoccupied with the match.  So, Karol pulled the safest play of the day and allowed ‘Gordo’ a chance to suit up with Cucuy. (not sure if he actually returned the jersey after the game…)
SAC possessed the ball in the midfield very well and gave our defense enough work to keep them occupied for the next two weeks. Our strategy was clear, sit back and counter attack as we knew we could not keep up with them for the whole 90 minutes. We held well, unfortunately, we could not take advantage of several good (some great) opportunities to score, as Javier’s shots hit the keeper in the chest time after time. With that, we felt somewhat short-changed at half time with 0:0, as SAC did not produce a clear goal scoring situation… yet.

In the second half, we grew more confident, but after a miscommunication on our left flank, a SAC winger presented a beautiful 45° pass to his teammate. Unmarked on the top of PK spot, he slotted it for 0:1.  Javier had to leave, as he had promised us only one half, and now it felt like we were down 2 guys (Gordo was not cutting it…).  We moved Steve up to striker, re-align our ranks, and remained patient. Trying to make the best of limited chances, Steve managed to pull a long pass down surrounded by two defenders, and sent a shot into the far side netting for 1:1.  Slightly relieved, and feeling that we have pocketed a point from this frustrating game, we were up for a surprise.  A long cross into our 18 seemed a non-threat as Kyle managed to collect those all year long, BUT Kyle slipped, and the shortest player on the field headed in the ball just over our keepers extended arm. Final 1:2.

-Hintz & Karol

Actual Goals: Steve 
Actual MVP: Schluni