street footie Football Club went into the third round of play of the Maryland SoccerPlex Men’s Open, top of the league, and faced off against third-place team LOS SHUMITOS. Both teams looked to battle it out under the lights as it was essential to secure the three points to keep them in contention for the title race.
It would be a memorable night for street footies as the club spotted their all-black away kit for the first time in the club’s history. With harsh conditions in the forecast, players from both sides noticeably wore undergarments foretelling a slow and tame match. Not much could be predicted in the way of the starting lineup as street footie would host several new faces despite coming into the game from a successful week.
Player of the Week
Kedir Meteke picked up the man of the match award on street footie’s first away match of the season. Meteke scored 4 goals and assisted another in a 6-3 rout against LOS SHUMITOS.
A frantic start to the game, as cold legs were uttered in most mouths early on, as a series of loose passes would result in turnovers that plagued the match. A misplaced pass would allow the home side their first opportunity to kick the game into motion. However, it was a relief for the visiting side as LOS SHUMITOS couldn’t capitalize on a corner simulation that landed the ball into the keeper’s gloves. street footie immediately retaliated on the right-wing with a change from a ball slotted into the box. Still, it could only slightly fly over the crossbar.
A few missed opportunities followed, with the game looking like it would begin to settle. Visiting side street footies were the first to break the silence when Ramirez made a splendid dribbling run down the left flank before finding skipper Mwanza in the box, who would play a sublime back hill flick to free player of the week Meteke to open his account for the season.
A free-kick just outside the box got awarded to the home side soon after the restart. The LOS SHUMITOS forward hit the ball with vigor and finesse to the goal’s bottom right, forcing street footies goalkeeper Rostran to stretch his gloves. The game carried on with both teams trying to gain command of possession as the pressure of a one-nill lead fell on both teams’ shoulders.
Soon after, cries of discontent surrounded the field; as they got louder, the referee brandished a yellow card to Ramirez. A penalty kick got awarded to LOS SHUMITOS. Calm as you would like, the home side’s number ten walked up to the spot, slotted the ball in the bottom right corner, and gave Rostran no chance.
Instant retaliation from the visiting side, managing to land an attack, rewarded them with two corners. The second, without doubt, is the most significant of the two, as the previous week’s player of the week whipped in a cross met in the box by Shechter to put street footie back in the lead. The advantage looked fragile as Rostran made two more saves before the first half’s conclusion. street footie headed into the break on top with the score standing at 1 – 2.
