FIRE Reserves Win On New Field

The CFR opened their schedule at the new Lemont HS complex with a 2-0 victory over a 10 man Indiana Invader side. The visitors dominated territorially early in the first half, but could not create a goal scoring chance. The CFR were dealt a major blow in the 16th minute when 2002 PDL Defender Of The Year Denny Clanton landed heavily on his back and was forced to leave the match. The defense was reorganized by dropping defensive mid Kevin Wickart, a center back at St. Louis Univ., into the back 4.

The turning point in the match came during a duel for the ball in the CFR end between the Invaders' Oscar Lopez and CFR center back Khaled El-Ahmed. Lopez thought a foul should have been called when El-Ahmed outfought him for the ball. As El-Ahmed dribbled upfield, Lopez viciously chopped him down from behind, and the referee wasted no time in sending him off. El-Ahmed tried to continue, but had to come off a moment later with what appeared to be an ankle, or achilles injury.

Down two starting center backs, right side defender Kyle Tanner joined Wickart in the center of the CFR defense, and the half closed out uneventfully. The CFR couldn't make the extra man count until the 56th minute when a nice buildup of short passes along the left found Tighe Dombrowski all alone in the middle of the box. The U-W Milwaukee midfielder then finished smartly with the right foot to the far post for the decisive tally.

Indiana saw less and less of the ball and any attacks were snuffed in the midfield by the improvised, Wickart led defense. U Of Portland product Tanner killed off the match in the 83rd minute with a brilliant back header off a direct free kick. A member of last week's PDL Team Of The Week, Tanner has scored three headed goals in his last two matches. CFR keeper Matt Pickens earned the shutout with a quiet night between the posts, and Wickart, who seemed to be everywhere and did everything, was the easy choice for MOTM. Da'san Robinson, Clanton's U Of Dayton teammate, played well at left back.

 

Now that the expository part is over, it's time for some editorial comments. With few exceptions, this edition of the CFR is lazy compared to the two previous teams. It would be easy to say the overall talent level is down, but that isn't true. Last season Ricardo Clark's services were an anomaly, but skillful players from the first two seasons like Hamid, Lee Paul, and Tim Regan were also the hardest working players on the field as well.

This sloth is especially evident in the attacking half of the field. Last night's frontrunners Grabavoy and Sutton, accomplished players at major college programs, looked like they thought the rest of the team was there to play for them. They also were quite willing to let the opponent's defense do what they wanted with the ball, even after the CFR went up a man. The central midfield was equally ineffective winning and holding the ball until second half substitutions, and the effect of the extra man turned the tide. Fortunately, in Clanton, El-Ahmed, and Wickart the CFR have three defenders who, as last night's match illustrated, are virtually interchangable with similar size and big time skill.

Finally, the Lemont HS complex has a few rough edges, but is a pleasant place to watch a match. Bare spots in the new pitch were repaired well enough with sodding, though the ball stopped dead a few times in the high grass (or flowering clover). Players shouldn't give up on balls rolling toward one corner, which is sloped down to the center of the field from the corner flag. The best part of the field is it's full size 80x120 yds. Mow the turf shorter, and it's a perfect place to play.

The aluminum stand is typically set back like HS stadiums are and seats about 2k (400+ showed up last night). The bathroom facilities are good and there is a nice concession area in the corner with tables and benches with a view of the field. The only downer was the kids who bought mini-balls couldn't kick them around on the nice grassy areas on either side of the stand due to a Garcia like Lemont HS official.

The best story of the night? A motorist driving by late in the first half noticed the lights on and drove through the lot to check out what was happening. He then bought a ticket to watch the rest of the match. If the FIRE-CFR match comes off, this will be a real nice place to watch it.