OM RALLIED TO THUMP XCEL IN PREMIERSHIP ACTION

By  Ralph Calvin HICKEY-FREEMAN
Sports Writer

WEST JORDAN, UTAH (LNS) April 26, 2007——David “El Tanque” Chevez scored twice. Jimmy Cuadros rediscovered his scoring touch with his own brace. Jesse Day caused an own goal and Josh Kimball added one more to power OM in a convincing 6-1 win over Team Xcel in “Day Four” Premiership action.

Team Xcel started the game aggressively and dominated possession for the first 15 minutes. The Olympians appeared to be backpedaling, leaving too many open spaces for Xcel’s strikers to make dangerous plays.

Xcel draws first blood

In the 10th minute, an Xcel forward intercepted a weak clearance by Brian Dunseth near the edge of the penalty box and volleyed the ball into the net. Keeper Martin Martinez did not have time to react.

Taking command of the game

The Olympians did not lose their cool after that setback. They quickly regrouped behind the creative game of Nate Murphy and Matt Woolley who are developing a great partnership in the middle of the field.

A lively Jesse Day kept the pressure on the left flank, running tirelessly into the opponent’s defensive third and placing quality crosses into the penalty area. In the 23rd minute, El Tanque hooked up with one of them to tie the score on a spectacular header.

Two minutes later, Jesse took off from midfield, cut inside and put a strong ground shot in the area. As Jimmy Cuadros was fast approaching, an Xcel defender deflected the ball into his own net for an own goal.

In the 27th minute, Josh Kimball, operating wide right and equaling Jesse’s multiple raids dribbled past a defender and came close to scoring.

Jimmy Cuadros rising

In the 29th minute, the Olympians took complete control of midfield. With Judd Soderborg warming up on the sidelines and ready to come in for Jimmy, the Peruvian striker fired a point blank shot that gave the Olympians a commanding 3-1 lead.

Run Jesse, run

In the second half, Jesse went right back to work, running at the defense. In the 50th minute, he forced the keeper into a great save.

In the 65th minute, Matt crossed the ball from the left and El Tanque rose above the defenders to head in the fourth goal.

Ten minutes later, Louis Staley found Jimmy unmarked in the box and the forward added the fifth goal on a stylish shot.

Josh scored the last goal from a Jimmy pass at the 89th minute.

“We put in a good performance against a traditionally strong side. It is early in the season. I see fitness still as an issue with this squad. Jimmy’s tongue was hanging out of his mouth in the opening minutes. We have to be fitter to increase in power,” said OM manager Bel-Ami.
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MEN OF THE MATCH: Matt Woolley and Nate Murphy
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GOAL COUNTER

David Chevez, 7 goals
Justin Braun, 5 goals
Jimmy Cuadros, 3
Josh Kimball, 2 goals
Nate Murphy, 1 goal
Jesse Day, 1 goal
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STARTING LINE UP

Martin Martinez, Brian Dunseth, John McQuarrie, Jesse Day, Nate Murphy, Matt Woolley, Josh Kimball, Jimmy Cuadros, Todd Miller, David Chevez, Louis Staley.
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SUBSTITUTION[S]

Judd Soderborg

OM AND WESTMINSTER SHARE POINTS IN DRAW

By  Jessica LAKEWOOD
Sports Writer

WESTMINSTER COLLEGE, UTAH (LNS) April 23, 2007-- David “EL TANQUE” Chevez and left back Jeremy JONES scored vital goals to bring OM back from behind to salvage a point from a hotly contested game.

Despite the more than 100 degree heat on an artificial turf, the Olympians started the game well and created many chances early on but could not convert.

In the 9th minute, an animated Josh KIMBALL took a good shot to force the keeper into a full dive.

Barely two minutes later, Josh came close again but the keeper parried his shot.

In the 14th minute, Jimmy CUADROS again tested the keeper who deflected the ball out for a corner.

Westminster had a chance to take the lead when the referee awarded a penalty kick in the 17th minute, but the shot hit the bar and rebounded onto the field for the defense to clear out.

Out to show them somethin'

After the missed penalty kick, Westminster became more and more threatening. With right back John MCQUARRIE slowed down by injury, Chad GILBERT, a former OM player, started to create trouble for the defense with his speed.

He scored the first goal in the 30th minute after beating a couple of defenders and dribbling past keeper Martin MARTINEZ.

In the 34th minute, Gilbert took a point blank shot inside the penalty area after outpacing the defense and dribbling past Martin. Central defender Mike ROGERS recovered on time to clear the sure shot from the goal line.

In the 37th minute, Westminster doubled its lead on a Dave ROGERS' strike.

In the 41st minute, OM midfielder Nate MURPHY went to work and found El Tanque who right-footed the Olympians' first goal.

Rallying and controlling the game

The Olympians fought back in the second half and took control of the game from Westminster. With the defense more settled, Westminster's talismanic player Dave ROGERS found it difficult to run or create while OM defender Chris KIRKPATRICK gave a stellar performance in silencing Gilbert on the right flank.

Left back Jeremy scored the Olympians' tying goal in the 57th minute from a free kick that bounced off another player.

OM needs a few good men

Westminster won the ensuing penalty kicks to claim two points from the contest while OM settled for one point to keep first place [27 points] in the standings on goal difference since Bosnia USA was all but sure to lose to the Red Devils of Diablos.

Next Tuesday, Westminster will play Diablos for the chance to overtake the Red Devils while OM plays Lazio who tied Rush Elite this evening.

“We just have to finish our chances and everything will be all right. We need to start putting away the goals early on.”

“This side needs four new reliable players. We are decimated by injuries and hurting because of players not showing up to games. Many of our men are playing hurt. We barely managed to finish the game with only one functioning substitute. We were forced to play keeper Martin on the field to finish the game,” said concerned OM manager Bel-Ami de Montreux after the match.
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MEN OF THE MATCH:  ALL THE MEN ON THE FIELD ON BOTH SIDES FOR THEIR SACRIFICE AND PERFORMANCE IN SUCH HORRID WEATHER ON THE ARTIFICIAL TURF.
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LEADING SCORERS:

David Chevez, 15 goals
Justin Braun, 10 goals
Jimmy Cuadros, 9

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STARTING LINE UP

Martin Martinez, Jeremy Jones, John McQuarrie, Mike Rogers, Jesse Day, Nate Murphy, Matt Wooley, Judd Soderberg, Jimmy Cuadros, Todd Miller, Josh Kimball.

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SUBSTITUTIONS

Chris Kirkpatrick, David Chevez, Aaron Bruderer, Justin Braun

JUSTIN BRAUN LEADS OM TO 4-0 WIN OVER BOSNIA USA

By  Ralph Calvin HICKEY-FREEMAN
Sports Writer

RIVERSIDE PARK, UTAH (LNS) April 21, 2007——Justin Braun scored two goals Saturday evening to lead Olympique Montreux over an inspired Bosnia USA in Premiership action.

Justin scored in the 40th and 41st minute on remarkable solo efforts. The first goal came after the young midfielder received a long lateral pass from left back Louis Staley. He ran straight at Adis Alagic with blazing speed, left the big fullback on the seat of his pants and then sent a looping shot over the keeper into the net.

Barely one minute later, Super Justin ran through the middle of the Bosnian defense and let rip a powerful shot that the keeper fumbled into his net.

“I am enjoying myself playing on this team. My mates are top talents and they make life easier,” said the fearless youngster.

The confidence of keeper Martin Martinez

Smir Delilbasic came close to score for Bosnia USA in the 45th minute, but a vigilant Martin Martinez showed good reflexes keeping the ball out in extremis.

In the early minutes of the second half, Admir Softic did good work inside the box and again, Martin was called into a full parade to keep Admir from celebrating a sure goal.

El Tanque not to be denied

In the 68th minute, David “El Tanque” Chevez, benefited from a defensive error to score the third comfort goal. As the Bosnian keeper cleared the ball, it ricocheted off an OM player. The ball luckily fell to El Tanque who was working his way up field. When the referee did not call offside, the experienced striker rounded the keeper to put the ball in the empty net.

A few minutes later, Josh Kimball had a one on one with the keeper but was unable to score as the keeper deflected the shot over the corner line.

Jimmy Cuadros scored the fourth goal in the 73rd minute on a penalty kick after he was taken down from behind in the area.

Nate Murphy fitness champ

“We put in a good display this evening. Our midfield was solid with Matt Woolley and Nate Murphy in total control. Our defense was up to the task as well. I am worried about our fitness, however. Few of our guys can go a full 90 minutes. We need to run more at practice and we will. We need to run for at least 30 minutes if we are to keep up with the Lazios and Westminsters of this division, said forward thinking team manager Bel-Ami.

“Nate is our fittest player. He will be asked to take this soccer team into some boot camp drills.”

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MAN OF THE MATCH: Justin Braun
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GOAL COUNTER

David Chevez, 5 goals
Justin Braun, 5 goals
Nate Murphy, 1 goal
Josh Kimball, 1 goal
Jesse Day, 1 goal
Jimmy Cuadros, 1
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STARTING LINE UP

Martin Martinez, Chris Kirkpatrick, John McQuarrie, Jesse Day, Nate Murphy, Matt Wooley, Judd Soderborg, Jimmy Cuadros, Todd Miller, David Chevez. Justin Braun.
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SUBSTITUTIONS

Aaron Bruderer, Josh Kimball, Louis Staley, Mike Rogers
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OLYMPIAN NOTES

. ---Ironman Rick Johnson was at the game to help support his fellow Olympians. The powerful striker will undergo knee surgery in June. We need him back badly.

. ---It was also good to see Alija Hijaredic, now a fullback for Bosnia USA, but an Olympique Montreux hero. It seems like yesterday when, on October 21, 2001, at the same Riverside Park, Alija took the ball from midfield on an Alex Pogman pass, ran the right side of the field, crossed the ball into the penalty area for Bel-Ami to score on a diving header.

That goal sent the game into overtime as OM was losing 2-1 with only two minutes to play. Pogman scored in sudden death overtime and the Olympians won the Championship of the Liga Latinoamericana and its first major trophy as they defeated Aguas Calientes 3-1.

Alija played two seasons for OM, 2000-2001, and 2001-2002. The second year, he helped the side repeat as champion of the Primera Division of the Liga Latinoamericana. In the 2002 championship game, OM defeated Alemania 3-0.

For his many contributions to the side, Alija is an Olympique Montreux Hall of Famer.

KIMBALL POWERS OM TO 5-0 WIN OVER FC ODYSSEY WEB

By  Ralph Calvin Hickey-Freeman

Sports Writer

STORM MOUNTAIN PARK, UTAH (LNS) April 11, 2007——Josh Kimball netted the first goal to lead OM to a 5-0 win over FC Odyssey Web Wednesday night. David “El Tanque” Chevez scored two goals.  Justin Braun and Jesse Day each added a goal.

In the 8th minute, defensive midfielder Brian Dunseth, making his debut for OM, found Josh unmarked out wide on the left of midfield. The striker cut in and placed a laser sharp shot near post for the first goal.

Justin scored the second goal in the 20th minute after running past a couple of defenders. El Tanque picked up where he left off last week by scoring the third goal just two minutes later.

The in-form Tanque again found the net in the 58th minute after controlling a Nate Murphy service and misleading the keeper.

Winger Jesse Day scored the fifth goal in the 65th minute from a trademark left-footed volley.

Odyssey Web, playing a man down for the entire match, was dangerous in the final minutes, twice forcing OM keeper Aaron Bruderer into full dives to deflect on frame shots.

With this win, Aaron chalks up his first clean sheet of the season.

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MAN OF THE MATCH: Josh Kimball
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LEADING SCORERS:

David Chevez, 4 goals; Justin Braun, 3 goals; Nate Murphy, 1 goal; Josh Kimball, 1 goal; Jesse Day, 1 goal
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OLYMPIAN NOTES:

Former Real Salt Lake midfielder Brian Dunseth made his debut for the Olympians. The number 13 quickly made an impact and was instrumental in the first goal.
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STARTING LINE UP

Aaron Bruderer, Jeremy Jones, Chris Kirkpatrick, Brian Dunseth, John McQuarrie, Josh Kimball, Nate Murphy, Matt Wooley, Justin Braun, Todd Miller, David Chevez.
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SUBSTITUTIONS

Mike Rogers, Jimmy Cuadros, Louis Staley, Martin Martinez,
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NOT FEATURED:

Judd Soderborg  (day off), Antonio Salcedo (flu), Sergio Vasquez (knee), Rick Johnson (knee).