RJ Castro

May 10, 2009

BA Ambassadors 1 - Real San Jose 0

The night was set for firsts as the Bay Area Ambassadors visited Real San Jose at Yerba Buena High School for the first match up of the season.  Both teams came in with identical results from their previous matches and were both undefeated before last nights match up.  The night of firsts saw the first for Local Soccer Scene as Vern Glenn, Jeff Carlise and myself prepared for the tape-delayed broadcast of the match between the two Bay Area teams.  First coach Paul McCallion sat down with Jeff Carlisle and Vern Glenn to give insight on what to expect from his team along with background info on the team from Co-Founder Tony Igwe. Matt Amaral former Real San Jose player spoke to Glenn and Carlisle about the importance for more Local Soccer teams giving a chance for players like himself to compete within a good environment.  Ambassadors Goal Keeper former Chabot and San Jose Frogs player Sergio Valle spoke to me about being fortunate enough to play for two good organizations such as the Frogs and Ambassadors.  The night was set for a great match up between two teams that have known each other prior to the NPSL in coach Nick Arellano and Paul McCallion former rival community college coaches.

"It is frustrating to say the least," said Manager Nick Arellano. "But we are a very good team and we will bounce back. I think we just need to be a little more decisive in our final touches to goal and we will be fine. Defensively, I couldn't be more pleased."

On Saturday RSJ loss their 2009 opener to the Bay Area Ambassadors. The first half saw the Ambassadors have more of the ball and RSJ have the better scoring chances. Confusion over missing player passed forced RSJ to open the second half playing a man down. As the situation dragged on with the referees not allowing the substitution the Ambassadors took full advantage and scored the only goal of the match.

"Ultimately I have to take full responsibility for the passes that were locked in our team room. I still don't agree with the 4^th Official not allowing the substitution or a small issue like a pass being late. The substitution could have been made and the pass given once we got it. All the players were checked in by the referees prior to the match starting any way," said Arellano. With the damage done RSJ came roaring back only to see scoring chances go wasted or stopped by the Ambassador keeper who had nine save on the evening.

The following day in Sonoma RSJ started five different players than the night before and once again saw clear chances missed. Ferid Celosmunovic intercepted an errant pass in the Sol defense and went unchallenged toward the Sol goal. With only the keeper to beat Celosmunivic sent the ball flying over the cross bar. Somona got a goal on a well hit shot that pinged off the post and in. It was that kind of day for RSJ as a penalty kick opportunity was wasted in first half injury time.

RSJ made five substitutions at halftime in an effort to keep fresh legs on the field. That backfired as the Sol went right down the field and scored. Finally for RSJ the weekend scoring drought ended a few minutes later when Abel Atlaw setup Ricardo Moran to score from a few yards out.

RSJ continued to press forward but to no avail. The quality needed to score was just not there on the day. Finally with all but one RSJ defender pressing forward the Sol scored to make the score a frustrating 3-1.

"This is a tough league and we can expect to be punished for making mistakes of any kind. Part of it is luck. That said, teams make their luck in this game and we to just play with a little more confidence in front of the opposing goal. That will come and when it does we will very very hard to beat," said Arellano.

On the positive side the defense, led by Jesus Araujo, continued to played very well. Let's hope the guys in front of the other goal can get it together soon.

RSJ returns to NPSL action this Saturday night (May 16) with a home game verses the Salinas County Samba. Kick at Paz Rocha Coliseum on the campus of Yerba Buena High School is set for 7:30pm.