by: Christian Hui
AMSG FC opened their 2025 UPSL season with a home win on Boswell Field, taking down the Santa Ana Winds 4-2. Jiro Uchida had a standout offensive performance, with two goals in the victory.
What Happened?
AMSG held possession shortly after kickoff and would have their first chance to score early in the match, capitalizing on a penalty kick opportunity. Making the trip to the line was Uriel Sanchez, who kissed the back netting for AMSG’s first point of the game.
Winds would not hold the ball for long, as the AMSG midfield would reclaim the possession. Russel Munier fired at the right iron, just shy of the goal. Munier recovered and made an assist to Jose Lopez, who connected for yet another point in the fifth minute, putting AMSG up 2-0.
AMSG continued to apply pressure on Winds, with a close-call crossbar shot from Lopez at nine minutes. Winds bit back with a shot on goal denied by AMSG keeper Dode.
A header from Chris Vega got the ball to Jiro Uchida in the 27th minute, seemingly in some traffic. Uchida got past three defenders with some fancy footwork and launched the ball into the back netting for his first and the team’s third goal of the match.
Lightning would strike twice, with Uchida finding himself in front of the keeper again. This time Uchida scored with an acrobatic bicycle kick in the 44th minute, stunning the Winds defense and putting AMSG up 4-0 at the half.
The Winds FC offense woke up in the early second half, with a breakaway and score in the 49th minute, putting the score at 4-1. Both teams made attempts on the goal, but they remained scoreless until the late game. Winds lined up a ball from 30′ that snuck between the goalposts, cutting the AMSG lead to two. The game was called shortly after, and AMSG emerged victorious behind a dominant first half.
What’s Next?
AMSG will be traveling to play Ocelot Academy at Colton High School on Sunday, March 9th. Ocelot Academy is coming off a 4-1 win against SoCal United. They will then return to their home turf to host Inland Empire. Tickets to the game can be purchased here.
Other News
AMSG Elite tied with FC United Kingdom 2-2 in the Raul Briones Cup Quarterfinals.