Cucuy Over Atletico Otra Vez

Cucuy FC : Atletico Peru 2:0 (0:0)

You always know you’re in for a good game when you’re scheduled to play Atletico Peru and this Sunday did not disappoint.  There was a constant 25 mph wind in one direction all game, which we took the first half after winning the coin toss.

Things were not going our way in the first 15 minutes.  We couldn’t seem to connect passes or take a decent first touch in our offensive half of the field, and on top of that Atletico had significant possession in and around our penalty box.  Diligent defending prevented the score from slipping to 1 or 2 in favor of Peru early in the game.  The Cucuy defense did a great job of making sure everyone was covering a man on these plays and the result was Peru not being able to find a look at net despite stringing several passes together in our box.  Kyle came up huge on one particular save where Orange Feet had a complete open shot from the left side, but Kyle cut down the angle and reacted quickly enough to make the save.  The pressure alleviated about 20 minutes into the game and the play was no longer only in our half.  From that point on we had some promising opportunities on Atletico’s net, but couldn’t convert.  The first half ended scoreless.

There was a little concern starting the second half with the strong wind now in our faces, but it actually seemed to help our game.  We moved the ball around on the ground, and our midfield/forwards found that first touch that we were lacking in the first half.  We spent the first 10 minutes of the half in Peru’s box, forcing their defense to make passes under pressure and winning 50-50 balls in the midfield.  Regardless of the consistent pressure, we still didn’t have a goal to show for it.  Finally, about 20 minutes into the second half, Scott K. received a ball down the right and beat two defenders around the outside.  Approaching the baseline, he was able to find Hintz who was running square to him with a quick ground pass and one touch into the near side of the net.  We had a lot more opportunities in the second half, but we couldn’t get the shots off early enough, and most of them were blocked.  Approaching the end of the game, Peru was playing with increased urgency.  Things were getting chippy, harder fouls were being committed, and the ref was not calling anything in our favor.  In the final 5 minutes, Todd played a high cross in from the right that should have been collected by the Peru keeper.  However, it slipped through his hands and dropped right to Steve’s feet, who was a few feet away from the net, and he tapped it in easily to crush any hope that Peru had at tying the game.
-Hintz

Goals:  Hintz, Steve
MVP:  Schluny