FC DENVER: PREMIER v PARS/AMERICA 5.16.2010
Vitor battles for possession
Premier Game Review by: Ben Jackson – Pictures by: Destiny Fernandez
It was a sunny afternoon at Dicks Sporting Goods Park that saw a top of the table FC Denver Premier Team take on the fourth place challengers Pars/America. A win for Pars would catapult them up to a deadlock with FCD for first in the standings. Denver was missing more than a couple of players due to injury and work obligations but carried on with a nearly full side thanks to some noteworthy call-ups from their United team.
The game got under way and it didn’t take long to see that Denver was going to dictate most of the action. They maintained a majority of the possession throughout the first half, only having to put off a few small spurts from America. An FC Denver fan base of 20 or so (including but not limited to United players) was clearly frustrated, as the great ball movement and possession was not rewarded with a goal due to the dismal finishing efforts up front.
Kyle watches his through ball
The second half brought more intensity from Denver as they began to put a great deal of pressure on the opposing defense. This however, did little to deter the fans chattering about their team’s lack of ability to find the back of the net. With the offense struggling, the Denver defense tightened up and did a great job keeping Pars/America’s offense quiet. The Denver backline consistently maintained possession after winning the ball. They continued to work things forward into the attack, focusing on exploiting the wings. This brought a good deal of space and time to the Denver midfield, which was finally able to break through the opposing back line after what can only be referred to by the fans, as an eternity.
Roy Tewell, playing extremely confident all day, took it upon himself to win the game for FC Denver. After receiving a ball out of the back, Roy made a run down the left touchline, beating the first defender in space with his speed. He closed in towards the corner of the box and took on an oncoming defender towards the goal line. With the keeper making the decision to come out and cut the angle down Tewell made a lighting quick assessment of the situation and came to the conclusion that the team’s best chance of scoring would be a soft chip over the approaching keeper. He wasted no time in calmly slipping the ball past the outstretched hands of Denver’s gloved foe and gave Denver the lead.
Juan shows no mercy
After Denver went up 1-0 the result never seemed much in doubt as Pars/America did little to threaten the one goal cushion. 15 minutes later the center official called full time and ended a frustrating match. FCD earned a victory but never quite played to their full potential.
From the fans perspective it could have been much more entertaining had Denver put away just a few more of the many opportunities in front of goal. Hats off goes to the Denver defense for winning the shut out against a team that had produced 7 goals in their last 3 matches.
This moves FC Denver Premier to 5-1-1 and keeps them on top for another week.
Man of the Match: Roy Tewell
Roy receives the award for his work rate and confidence on the ball which not only produced the lone goal of the match, but pestered a stingy Pars/America defense all day long.