US Open Cup Match vs. Lionside FC
September 23, 2018
The Southern California Trojans Fútbol Club began its unofficial start to the 2018-2019 season looking to become the first collegiate team to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Drawing Lionside FC in the opening round of qualification, the Trojans new they had a tough match ahead of them as they would be facing the Fall 2017 undefeated champions of the UPSL, which includes a roster of former professional soccer players, and Division I college athletes.
Yet TFC was optimistic about the match, its hopes buoyed by the group of highly talented players which were added over the summer. A full 80% of the squad’s starting lineup (9 out of the starting 11) were new to the Southern California side. Coach Sanjay Sujanthakumar and VP of Soccer Ops Luis Ortiz worked hard to make sure the Trojans had the best crop of talent available to move the team forward in the Open Cup, and this new group of players were ready to prove their merits.
Knowing that they were the underdogs, though, the game plan was to sit back, absorb pressure, and score from quick, decisive counter attacks. This game plan was being tested for most the first half, as the back line of Trojans FC had been beaten by a few over-the-top through balls to menacing stiker Kevin Geddes, only to be saved by the reflexes of keeper Brian Ortiz. However, despite numerous shots on target, Lionside FC, did not score a goal until the 37th minute, where an unfortunate slip by a Trojan center back gave the opposing forward just enough time and space to control the incoming pass with the top of his knee and strike the ball into the back of the net. With that strike, Lionside FC went up 1 - 0, which remained the score going into halftime.
Down but not out, SC Trojans FC put up more of a fight in the second half, winning more possession, and even putting some pressure on the Lionside FC defense. The biggest chance came after some decent buildup play down the right-hand side led to a driven cross right to left winger Wyatt Kleinberg who volleyed the ball right past the left post. By the 70’, momentum started to build for Trojans FC, as their opponents began to slow down in the midfield, a sign of the exhausting effects of the match. It really looked like SC were going to make an impact on the score line, as there were three corner kicks and two shots within the span of the next ten minutes, but unfortunately, no goal materialized.
Then, after a few offensive substitutions by Coach Sanjay Sunjanthakumar seemed to be unlocking the defense, the hearts of TFC fans everywhere were broken as Lionside FC put away another goal in the 85’ minute after a brilliant breakaway run by Lionside FC #22 setup Kevin Geddes for his second of the night.
The final minutes of the game were tense, with Trojans FC desperately trying to grab a goal as Lionside FC held possession and saw the game out. The final score remained Lionside FC 2, Trojans FC 0.
Though the Trojans lost this match, there are many positives to take away from the night, and we look forward to our upcoming games SoCal Premier League, considering how the team looked performing against a semi-professional side.
We hope to make the US Open Cup an annual tradition, and still seek to become the first collegiate side to ever qualify, next year.
Fight On!
Watch the unedited footage of the full game here (2nd Half commentary by Pantelis Paliouras): https://mycujoo.tv/video/us-soccer-federation?hid=525972&id=25921