State Cup Round 1 - 10/14 Game Recaps

First Team

In the first round of the State Cup, the Kickers team faced a familiar opponent, Panatha USA, whom they beat 8-0 a few weeks earlier in league play. Despite Panatha USA fielding a roster that hadn't just played an entire reserve match, the added energy was only enough to muster a few goals, which was no match for the Kickers nine. From the start, the game was never really in question. Though the Kickers were sloppy all over the field, they were able to connect on the few times they settled the ball down, passing through the Panatha USA defense with ease, and scoring four goals in the first half. The second half was more of the same, with even more space on the field giving way to five more goals—one blinding half volley from JamesZ—as the game became more and more out of reach. Final score 9-3.

Second Team

The Kickers Reserves flexed their potential might in a game against a team they had lost to in the opening game of the season. In the opening minutes Chris Smith scored into the bottom corner with a very un-English balletic pirouette to create space right before the finish. From there, barring a few lapses, it was all Kickers. MVP Antonio Ruiz got the double, the first being a curling shot right into the upper left corner and the second a tidy finish to wrap up the scoring. The best chance the opposing NY Ukrainians was was of the Kickers on doing, with Tommy Fitzpatrick getting into a tangle with an opponent in the box. The ensuing penalty kick rolled listlessly into the grateful arms of Connor Maines.

Over-30 Premier

For the second year in a row, the Kickers Premier come up short in PKs in the 1st Round of the State Cup. This time, it was to the Long Island Gaels (away) in Valley Stream. In spite of the rare occasion of playing on a grass field, the Kickers still looked the better side for most of game. In the 20th minute Khouri Mullings’ header was slotted home by Seamus Kelly. Less than five minutes later, the Gaels would push the ball forward down the right side of the Kicker defense and cross would find a striker unmarked with time at the top of the box who smashed home the equalizer.

Both teams enjoyed opportunities in the second half, with the Kickers best chance coming in the 50th minute, a cross from Marko found Seamus in the penalty area but the Gaels keeper (who had the game of his life) would push the header away to keep the score even.

In PKs the Kicker curse continued as we missed 3-4 opportunities. The Gaels would score three, and that's the way it ended.

Over-30 Legends

The Legends could not shake their own State Cup curse of going out in the first round. Despite dominating possession and Manhattan Celtics Masters' half of the field, Legends just could not get a shot on target. Masters on the other hand scored with every shot they managed to muster, scoring two in the first half and two in the second. Wale Bakare did pull one back for Legends from the spot. 1-4 final score.