THE USUAL SUSPECTS
By Scott Cunningham
Sports Writer
Sports Writer
Diablos displayed their stylish one touch game in the first half and caused a lot of problems for the Olympians’ defense although Mike ROGERS and his colleagues did not allow their crafty opponents to really threaten keeper Martin MARTINEZ.
The Olympians started with three forwards on top in a 3-3-4 attacking formation looking for early goals. However, the forwards were not on all cylinders.
In the 8th minute, striker Jake CAVANAUGH missed a golden opportunity.
In the 15th minute, Jimmy CUADROS’s shot sailed wide.
With a lot of room in the middle to roam, Diablos playmaker Alejandro “Guti” Gutierrez showed why he is one of Utah
But for his forwards running into OM ’s well-aligned backfield, Diablos could have cashed in on Guti’s great performance.
“We had to silence him in the second half. He was having too much of an impact on the game,” said OM manager Bel-Ami.
A complete midfield embargo
With the score still 1-0 at the restart, the Olympians reorganized their midfield in a way to slow down the Red Devils’ progress. Bel-Ami introduced defensive midfield destroyer Kenan POWELL to operate in front of the already strong defense. To support playmaker Nate MURPHY, the manager assigned super tough holding midfielder Jeremy JONES to shadow Guti.
The strategy paid off as Diablos just could not find time to weave their attractive and menacing passing.
The Olympians were executing. There was no room for Diablos to execute.
With corner backs Richard BINDRUP and John MACQUARRIE having an amazing game, Diablos’s usually potent counterattack did not work. The few times that their forwards came close to the box through the middle, Zach BURTON and Mike made sure to swat them away.
Becoming more and more frustrated with the stifling marking, Diablos abandoned its pretty game and started playing rough. John Macquarrie had to be carried off the field in the 85th minute. Three minutes later, Jorge ESTRADA kicked Jeremy in the chest while the later was on the ground.
In the 67th minute, Jake had another good look at goal, but the keeper parried his shot.
In the 80th minute, Diablos had its best chance at scoring when Ephrain Aguilar took a strong shot at Martin. But the RSL-trained keeper made it look easy.
The game ended at 1-0 and the Olympians claimed their third straight league championship.
The “GRINTA” or the will to win
“This was a difficult year for the organization. We basically lost half the team to direct competitors at various times throughout the year. We lost our starting right and left wingers, and critical midfielders. Players just got up and left a championship team for no reason in the middle of the season,” said Bel-Ami.
“In addition, we inherited an atrocious schedule and we had to deal with serious injuries. Jimmy had hernia surgery. Rick JOHNSON had anterior cruciate ligament surgery. David CHEVES had hand surgery. Sina Alipour’s nose was broken. Josh KIMBALL did not play for six weeks due to a foot injury. Ze MARCO is still injured. Todd MILLER played hurt all year long, a bad calf. Jeremy had a persistent ankle problem. Martin has a bad knee, but he still collected 5 straight shootouts and finishes the season as the league’s top keeper allowing in only nine goals all season.
“But we were blessed with a few new men who appreciated playing for Olympique Montreux because they love the team’s spirit and tradition. They integrated a new system at a difficult time in mid-season and they showed they had the GRINTA, the will to win. And they became champions. Call the roll:
Sina ALIPOUR, 2007 Utah
Mauricio BORBA, 2007 Utah
Richard BINDROP, 2007 Utah
Zach BURTON, 2007 Utah
Garrett LOSEE, 2007 Utah
Ze MARCO, 2007 Utah
Ricardo MARTINEZ , 2007 Utah
Kenan POWELL, 2007 Utah
“I thank them. I think all the players for showing strength of character.”
Indeed, the team went unbeaten the entire second half of the season, outscoring opponents 24 goals to one. The men played the game like true Olympians. They bended but never broke.
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