May 17, 2008
The San Jose Frogs defeated the Ventura County Fusion Saturday evening 2 – 1 in a match flowing in yellow and red cards. The evening was not a triumphant Bay area return home for Gilroy native, Alfonso Motagalvan, who is captaining the Fusion squad, and who received a second yellow card (red card) in the 86th minute of the match.
The temperature was 78 degrees at the 7:26PM game time, and there was a certain indefinable difference which was palpable from the outset of the match. The game of football is sometimes strewn with very subtle variations. You may not see it, but you can feel it. From the start, the match lacked flow and a definable character. Some things however were noticeable. The air was warm. The Frogs moved the team seating to the East side of the field; opposite of the configuration for the home opener with the Seals. The match began in low gear. Neither team was outwardly energetic, accurate, or consistent.
For the first eight minutes, the play took place primarily in the center of the field with the Frogs repeatedly gaining possession after a Fusion player was either dispossessed or made a bad pass in close quarters. However, the Frogs were also not consistent. They made several efforts at moving the ball up-field but were thwarted by a solid defense and rushed passes which did not hit the mark. Nelson “Nellie” Diaz, the Frogs striker had his back literally against the 6’4”, 200 lb wall of Brad Rusin, the Fusion fullback, who during the college season plays for UCLA. No ball was going to go through this seemingly impenetrable hulk. In the 9th minute the Frogs worked the ball in the air to Nellie, who made a quick turn to the right side of the field, found some space, and positioned a low shot into the back of the Fusion net. When you cannot go through, you go around.
Possession alternated back and forth between the teams, however the demeanor changed. Suddenly the game developed a personality. Play became more physical. The Fusion defense sent subtle messages to the Frogs midfielders. Play never was “chippy”, dirty, or overtly violent. But the Fusion players kept the forearms tense on contact, and finished with that little extra something that let the Frogs know that they were on the field and they meant business. This was punctuated in the 25th minute when Stefan Clemens, the Frogs center midfielder, made a quick break-away toward the Fusion goal, racing for a free ball. Though the ball was gathered in by the keeper, the keeper was judged to have gone out of his way to make contact and knock Stefan on his backside. The keeper received a yellow card for the message sent. Play continued through the remainder of the half in similar fashion. The Fusion made one of their few shots on goal from the center of the field, 20 meters out in traffic, in the 44th minute. The ball was engulfed by the Frog keeper. The half ended with the Frogs leading 1 -0 and in control of the game.
Play commenced in the second half with the Fusion coming out more active and accurate. Their play was much quicker than any time during the first half. The Fusion midfielders made crisp on-target passes in the lanes toward goal. This quickness appeared to catch the Frogs off balance, and the Frogs mounted no serious attack during the first four minutes of second-half play. All activity was occurring in the Frogs defensive third of the field. In the 50th minute, the Fusion passed a ball into the center of the box. A Frog defenseman was called for the foul as the Fusion player had his feet taken out from under him. Fusion midfielder, Lee Stevens placed the PK on the ground into the low left corner of the Frogs’ net. The score was now tied 1 -1. Through the 65th minute, the Fusion maintained more possession and took control of the tempo of the match. They were successfully putting together multiple passes in the box.
However, the tide quickly changed as a Frog counter attack was mounted by a long-ball to Nelson Diaz. Nellie passed beautifully to Savio Carrijo, who made space for a well placed shot into the Fusion net. As play continued in its physical style, more yellow cards were distributed to both teams. In the 74th minute Jose Munoz of the Frogs took a bad tackle on the right ankle as a Fusion defender went for the ball while the Frogs were on the offensive. In the 78th minute another yellow card was hoisted on a Fusion defender as Frog sweeper, Hugo Sousa, brought the ball across the midfield line and was tackled from behind. This was the Fusion player’s second yellow (red) so he was sent off the field. The Frogs began stretching the field and opening up play. As the 86th minute passed, Alfonso Motagalvan received his second yellow card (red) and as was sent off. Play ended with only nine Fusion players on the field at the end of the four minutes of stoppage time. It was a satisfying, but not pretty, 2 – 1 win for the Frogs. The Fusion take their first loss of the season after tying tough Bakersfield and San Fernando teams.
10onRichter
Lineups:
San Jose Frogs: Sergio Valle - Stefan K. Clemens, Hugo Sousa, Dan Oka, Gavin Wenyon - Mariano Y. Arrua, Nelson Diaz (Michael Lawler, 81st), Eric Espinoza (Savio Carrijo, 56th), David Frank - Jose Munoz (Juan Gonzalez, 83rd), Ignacio Finlay (Richardo Dorrego, 54th)
Ventura County Fusion: Frank Logan - Joe Buppert, Armando Guerrero, Brad Rusin, Lee Stevens - Ricardo Alcarz (Jean Alexandre, 77th), Jason Leopoldo, Felix Montagalvan, Anton Peterlin (Dillon Barna, 41st) - Jaime Ambritz, Christian Hagop (Sergio Garcia, 61s)
Officials:Andres Pfefferuorn, Said Ravanfar, Tony Vertongen, Steve Krow-Lucal .
Goals:
SJF: Nelson Diaz (9th, Assist: Sergio Valle), Savio Carrijo (72nd, Assist: Nelson Diaz)
VCF: Lee Stevens (PK, 50th)
Cautions:
SJF: Jose Munoz (76th)
VCF: Felix Montasalvan (9th), Frank Logan (25th), Dillon Barna (74th) Felix Montasalvan (86th)
Ejections:
VCF: Jaime Ambriz (78th), Felix Montasalvan (2nd yellow card, 86th)
