Secaucus FC 1-1 SC Portuguese - Game Report

Rutgers Alumni Field, Newark – Secaucus FC played the role of David this week against New Jersey soccer’s Goliath, Sport Club Portuguese, in a GSSL Semi Pro North game which would pit the Division’s newest member against a historic foe in the division’s game of the season.

Through the torrential downfalls, and despite a nearby fire in Newark, the game took place at Secaucus FC’s spring season home away from home, Rutgers-Newark’s Alumni Field. The last time these two teams met was the first game of the season back in September of 2008. Secaucus FC was embarking in their first match of a new high powered division sporting many new players who had been together for just a few weeks. Sport Club Portuguese were a team tightly knit featuring players of similar backgrounds who had grown up playing together, and had barely given up a point in league play over the past three seasons.

That first game would see manager Daniel Brown, in his first game in charge of the Blue and White, instruct his players to bunker in and just hold off wave upon wave of SCP attack. This time it was a different story altogether.

A lot has changed since September of 2008, maybe not much for SCP, but certainly for SFC. The Boys in Blue have carved out quite a reputation solidifying their second place spot in the GSSL Semi Pro North Division standings over the past few months, dispatching quality opponents such as NJ Strikers and Hackensack FC. This time, Daniel Brown knew he had nothing to worry about and instead of instructing his team to bunker in and just try to hold off waves of attack, he instilled confidence in his players and told them they were better than Sport Club and to attack the fabled club from Newark.

At first, things didn’t look so good as one of Secaucus’ more influential players, Boris Shabovta, turned up with a concussion, unable to feature. Furthermore, standout player Dustin Holbrook would start on the bench due to a nagging knee injury. The game started badly after SCP broke through SFC’s defense on a couple of occasions. Jeff East’s goal was threatened, but he was able to stand strong and keep the onion sack from bulging.

Somewhat against the run of play, Giuseppe Landolfo had an excellent opportunity to put Secaucus one up when he broke free from his marker and connected with a cross into the box. Unfortunately the ball went just over the crossbar.

Just as SFC started showing signs of life, twenty-two minutes in a questionable free kick was given just inches from the eighteen yard box right in front of the Secaucus goal. East set up a four-man wall, but despite his efforts, and an acrobatic attempt at a diving save, Sport Club’s player was able to finesse the ball into the top ninety.

Minutes later, perhaps as a make-up to SCP’s questionable free kick goal, the referee called for a free kick in the same spot on the other side of the field for Secaucus. SCP formed a six-man wall, and despite getting plenty of power behind it, SFC’s leading scorer Eugene Gormley put the ball over the crossbar.

Brown had seen enough and rejigged things to brilliant effect, bringing on Holbrook in the center of defense and pushing Gaston Haupert to his more familiar midfield role. Interestingly enough, from this moment on, Secaucus FC had the better of the play. Holbrook formed a reliable partnership with Thierno Cisse which prevented SCP from giving Jeff East any problems in goal. Steve Wallis and Andrew Errico consistently overlapped from their fullback positions improving SFC’s efficiency in possession while Eugene Gormley and Christian Acuna did well to hold up the ball and found themselves in some good spots to challenge SCP’s shakey defense. Gaston Haupert had what was probably his best game of the year holding up the middle of the field as well, both in defense and in midfield.

Another slight adjustment by Brown saw the return of Luis Martinez, who had been away from the team since November. Luis came into the game on the left side and immediately frazzled the slow backline of SCP. After only minutes in, Martinez was able to break free up the left flank, get the ball into Acuna’s feet who dribbled past his defender and powered in a tight angled 20 yard shot, past SCP’s talented keeper and into the near post.

The remainder of the game saw SCP hold off attack after attack from SFC. Jeff East was able to sit pretty in goal due to Dustin Holbrook’s masterful sweeping job at the back. The match ended at one-one, which was beneficial to Sport Club as they look to repeat as champions in the division. It is important to note, however, that SCP was not able to beat Secaucus FC who look to clinch their second place finish in the division with their final league match of the season against Icon FC White.

- May 04, 2009