Soccer News: UPSL Game Recap
Valley United and FC Santa Clarita met at Heritage Christian High School on Saturday afternoon with first-place United on a two match unbeaten streak and last-place FC riding a two match losing streak.
Both streaks continued, as Valley United (2-0-1; 4 points) made easy work of FC Santa Clarita (0-3-0; 0 points) cruising to a 2-0 victory, remaining on top of the Northwest Conference on the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) league standings.
Despite losing their speedy star striker the week before United thoroughly out-possessed FC and was in control of the match from the start. They would find their opener in the 9th minute after Simon Deeley received a pass through the shambolic defense from Saragon Barkawi, then Deeley turned the ball into a rocket off his boot that zoomed past the keeper before anything could be done.
United maintained control through out the first half earning some corner kicks they were unable to convert. However the defense made Casey Phillips second shutout of the season a lot easier than the first as FC was unable to mount any offense to the strong defense played by United.
After Phillips made a great save in the second half, FC became unraveled earning a yellow card during the 65th for taking down a United player in the box. FC then had a shot slide just over the top bar then followed it up getting another yellow card for a dangerous play in the 77th minute.
As FC tried to make the match a brawl United keep a level head adding the final goal of the game in the 88th minute that seem only to infuriate FC more as they started a skirmish in the 90th minute as their frustration boiled over. After some pushing and shoving to the soundtrack of a heated exchange between the players FC was issued a yellow card for unsporting behavior.
Winning this home match was the perfect start to United playing their next two matches in the friendly confines of their home field Heritage Christian High School next welcoming So Cal Real (0-0-0; 0 points) Saturday, May 30, kickoff set for 5:00 p.m. PST.
Source: Malik Basurto
