NON-PERFORMING OM MANAGES PK VICTORY OVER DIABLOS FC

BY  R. C. HICKEY-FREEMAN
SPORTS WRITER

RIVERSIDE PARK, UTAH (LNS) June 2, 2007--Playing what was billed a superclassico against Diablos FC, one of the best teams in the Premiership, OM barely managed to name a full roster. Manager Bel-Ami had to pull all the strings to tie the game in the final minutes of regulation and salvage a couple of points from the penalty shoot out phase.

“This was a big game against a big team and too many players were missing. Big players do not miss big games,” said Bel-Ami.

“I only had two reserves and then I lost two starters to ankle injuries early in the match while captain Todd MILLER was forced to play injured. How's that for frustration.”

Diablos was the best team by far

Diablos took control from the start, dominating the Olympians in all aspects of the game. With Alejandro “GUTI” Gutierez, Orlando “PONY EXPRESS” Matunara, El MARAN and Ivan “EL TERIBLE” Zarate showing their class in midfield for the Red Devils, the Olympians looked much too impressed with the quality of their opponents to develop their own game. The midfield committed unforced turnovers an amazing 80 percent of the time in the first half.

A moribund front line

Either it was too hot out there, a mere 90 degrees with zero humidity, or the forwards thought this was going to be another easy goalfest against a bottom of the table team.

Other than Justin BRAUN, the attacking players looked intimidated perhaps by the Red Devils spanking new red jerseys with black sleeves. The forwards created nothing and kept getting swatted away by an alert Diablos defense spearheaded by the impressive KALUCHA.

Since the lanes to goal were toll free, Red Devils' midfielders and forwards ran almost unimpeded toward goal. OM's defense, getting little effectiveness from the middle, stretched out and pushed back, managed to hold under scary circumstances, with left back Jeremy JONES doing an admirable job containing speedy winger Jorge ESTRADA and the versatile PONY EXPRESS.

In the 38th minute, PONY buried a free kick from the edge of the penalty area. Nothing keeper Aaron BRUDERER could do.

Reduced to ten men after right back John MCQUARRIE got red-carded, OM did not respond until late in the 85th minute, when it looked like Diablos manager Jerry and his talented crew were mere moments from bringing out the celebratory beer with their fans dancing in the stands.

The game then went to the dreaded penalty shots. Bruderer saved one to win points for the side.

“This display was far from OM's usual work ethics,” said unhappy OM alum Marcos Melendez.

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MAN OF THE MATCH: Jeremy JONES
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CANOCANIONERY RACE

David Chevez, 12 goals
Jimmy Cuadros, 9
Justin Braun, 9 goals