First Team
Another convincing win by the Kickers 1st team, playing solid defensively and tiring out an energetic Real Ole. Goals scored by Diego Reinero, Bryan Baracaldo, Gonzalo Trovato and FX Thiolliere. The Kickers also showed why they have not given up a goal in 3 games straight, with a solid backline of Khriswayne and newcomer Jake Moore playing center back, controlling the tempo since the kickoff. The final score could have easily been doubled was it not for a few shots of the post (Alexis Bustillo and FX) in addition to a very good Real Ole keeper and some extraordinary misses on our end. The team is coming together nicely and hope to take this momentum into first round of state cup.
Second Team
The Reserve team properly trounced a Real Ole. Despite them playing multiple trash-talking first team players that had not been rostered for the game in the second half, the biggest difficulty was getting to the field. Goals scored by Lukas Seebacher (assisted by Gio LoMonaco), Dennis Kachintsev (assisted by Jared Hirschowitz), Antonio (assisted by Rodolfo Domingos), a penalty scored by Almir that was won by Dennis, and finally Rodolfo scoring off of an Almir assist. Agus also scored off of a Rodolfo assist for a final score of 6-0. A solid if slightly uninspired performance as the team gears up for tougher challenges to come.
Over-30 Premier
With an abbreviated lineup, the Kickers O-30 Premier showed their quality against a 20-man squad from Hoboken FC. The Kickers generated good possession early, so it was only a matter of time before some quick passing sprung Ardian down the left flank who popped a shot by the keeper from a narrow angle for the 1-0 lead. A few minutes later—in a moment that has MKFC fans harkening back to the days of 2010—a long Nick Bill throw-in found the head of Lucas Shanks on the back post for the 2-0 lead. In the second half, the Kickers found themselves on their heels, finding it hard to get out of their own half against the wind. Luckily, Nick Bill was able to collect a ball on a long run and curl a shot over the keeper for the 3-0 lead. In the end, the Kickers three goals amounted to more than their two defensive mistakes, which gifted Hoboken FC two late goals. A missed PK in the last 5 minutes would have put the game away for good, but Kickers were able to survive a few more nervy minutes and held on for the 3-2 win.
Over-30 Legends
Kickers Legends made hard work out of beating SC Eintracht 4-3 on a night when it should have dominated and racked up a big goal difference. From the kickoff, it was clear that Legends' superior pace up front and control of the middle would provide a winning advantage as Wale scored twice in the first ten minutes, the first off a straight run through the Eintracht defense, and the second tapping in a DJ sky shot that came off the keeper into his attacking path. Eintracht pulled itself back into the game with a well taken shot from distance, but Joe then did the same at the other end with a beautifully struck full volley to keep the two goal lead. Eintracht again pegged a goal back with a well taken free kick at the top of the box to go into half time only a goal down at 3-2. In the second half, Kickers struggled to score against the well parked Eintracht bus and the catenaccio tactic worked well as they relied on their front two for the equalizer, and equalize they did when all three of Kickers' back line harried after their best striker, leaving open the other to receive a simple lateral for a finish. Facing the dropping of two points with only 10 minutes to go, Kickers pressed hard, won corner after corner, and finally, a back flicked header from Wale bounced off Kevin's head into the inside netting for the win.