First Team
The first team got their first win of the season, beating Zum Schneider 3-0 on Sunday night at Randall's Island. Both teams traded scoring opportunities throughout the first half, each breaking through the opposing back line on multiple occasions. It wasn't until late in the first half when a well-shaped ball from Bryan Baracaldo found the head of Lucas Shanks and put the Kickers up 1-0. In the second half, the Kickers maintained much of the possession, and the tireless work of Brian Morris as the lone striker up top finally paid off when he controlled another through ball from Bryan Baracaldo with his head and slotted home the Kickers second goal. The back line kept the tiring Kickers organized and Bernie Sheary made a few key saves to keep Zum Schneider off the board. A late break gave the Kickers one last chance, and Diego Reinero was on the back post to slot home the third and final goal to secure all three points.
Second Team
The Kickers second team gave up a 1-0 lead and took away only a point from Zum Schneider reserves. The goal was scored by Gio LoMonaco and assisted by Dennis Kachintsev.
Over-30 Premier
The Kickers Over-30 Premier got on the board first in the 5th minute when Tim Peterson's cross hit Nick Bill in the head and opened the scoring. In the 20th minute, a cross from Khouri Mullings was neatly finished off on a smooth header by Seamus Kelly. The Freedoms would break down the wings and slip one through the Kickers normally-impenetrable defense to bring the score to 2-1. Khouri would restore the Kickers 2-goal lead in the 35th minute with a solo shot.
The Freedoms would continue to press and test GK Mike FitzGerald and the Kickers defense for the better part of the 2nd half, but the Defense (MVP) held their ground and Fitzgerald made a few key saves to preserve the lead. Alex Petrovic would finish off another Khouri Mullings shot in the 75th minute, and Stu Kaiser would head home Nick Bill's long throw-in the 80th minute for the final goal for the 5-1 win, in a game that was much more closely contested than the score might indicate.
Kickers Over-30 Legends
It was mid-summer hot, with temperatures topping at 87 degrees, and sun blazing. Barnstonworth Vets, the home team, showed up late and the Kickers Legends could have won with a forfeit, but sportingly chose to play the game, despite the other team not even having their jerseys until half time. The defense of Dave, Jesse, Jon and Eddie (plus Christian) had to cope with the twisting and turnings of Paul Cowler, who was, in the end, easily contained. The Kickers Legends dominated from the start, with John and DJ controlling the centre, Scott and Christian, and then Yadh and Fred on the wings, and Joe and Gilad up top. Although often dominating against a slower opponent, the Kickers often gave up the ball unnecessarily, the slick passing of the first game a distant memory. Eventually, a Gilad cross found DJ unmarked for a simple header to take the lead. In the second half, some brilliant play put DJ in the box one-on-one with the keeper, who finished to give the Kickers some much-needed cushion. The game ended 2-0 to Kickers, placing them atop the table, with Doxa dropping points.