AMSG FC’s home opener featured a USL Academy game against CV Fuego 2 and a USL 2 game against Arizona Arsenal.
What Happened?
USL Academy
USL A faced a slightly younger but experienced side in CV Fuego 2, and early on Fuego made it clear that it wouldn’t be an easy game. Although the first half possession stats largely favored AMSG, the half ended 0-0.
Coming into the second half, AMSG moved the ball with more purpose and direction, eventually breaking the deadlock with an Armin Tehrani goal in the 63rd minute. The match ended 1-0 to AMSG Academy, who celebrated their first ever match (and win!) with some delicious chicken Alfredo from Carolina’s Italian Restaurant.
USL 2
Shortly after the USL Academy game was the much-anticipated USL 2 match.
In similar fashion to the Academy, the USL 2 side dominated the game early on, enjoying a huge majority of possession and creating a number of chances until the 39th minute, when left back Anthony Morales received a pass 25 yards from goal and thundered it into the top right corner.
Arizona Arsenal survived for the rest of the half and both teams went into their locker rooms with much to talk about — AMSG needed to finish more of their chances; Arsenal needed a miracle to turn the game on its head.
Coming into the second half, the game seemed a more even matchup. Unlike the first half where AMSG seemed to be the clear favorites, the second half saw this advantage being negated.
AMSG struggled to dominate possession like before and found themselves on the back foot on several different occasions, when goalkeeper Miguel Hernandez was forced to make some big saves to protect their lead.
Arizona Arsenal started to find their feet and began to create some good opportunities for their front three.
This constant pressure on AMSG’s backline culminated in a 68th minute breakaway for the Arizona Arsenal striker, who was brought down from behind by AMSG midfielder Martin Garcia. Garcia was shown a red and AMSG was left with an uphill battle for the next 22 minutes.
Arizona Arsenal began mounting the pressure right away and quickly got their reward in the 70th minute with a back post cross and finish.
Despite going down a man and losing their first half dominance, AMSG FC never gave up or lost focus. Instead of sitting back and trying to tie, they continued flying, sending players up, looking to go forward as much as possible. And while they created some very good goal-scoring opportunities, none ended up in the back of the net and the game ended in a tie.
Full Time Score: AMSG FC 1-1 Arizona Arsenal
How We Lined Up:
AMSG FC XI (from left to right): Rohan Mceligot, Josh Lucas, Miguel Hernandez, Owen Zarnick, Reece Kilpin, Martin Garcia, Alpha Sowe, Jose Olmos, Nicky Dunbar, Sebastian Nava, Anthony Morales
Subs: Hasan Alsakati, Jack Flanagan, Russel Munier, Robert Kaemmerer, Quentin Hornung, Nicklaus Sullivan, Jaylinn Mitchell
What’s Next?
Although this wasn’t the result they hoped for, AMSG showed their character and had a lot to be proud of.
Outside of the scoreline, close to 100 fans showed up. They got to enjoy fun games like cornhole and spikeball, as well as delicious food trucks serving shaved ice and tacos.
Overall it was a great way to open AMSG’s USL League 2 home campaign against an experienced side, and all eyes turn to their next game away at Socal Eagles.
Join us for our next home game (and double header!) on June 8th, here at Westminster High School. Academy kicks off against OCSC II at 4 pm while USL 2 kicks off against FC Tucson at 7 pm.