Sunday, November 21, 2010

Gotham Argo 4 - 4 BW G Cosmos
Bushwick Inlet Soccer field
Time: 2:00pm

----- match report by Matt Borchard

A Tale of Two Halves...

In a game that featured 7 Argos, 5 Silvers, about 10 groins and two flu viruses, Gotham Argo was able to wrestle away a point from BW G Cosmos Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn.


Argo began the game with some new faces on the field, but was able to move the ball
effortlessly and it appeared as though it was going to be an easy day. Argo was first on the board thanks to a hard strike and questionable goalkeeping (a theme for most of the day). Mohamed Tabrani collected a centering pass, beat his defender and laced one off the crossbar. On most days this shot collected by the keeper or cleared. However, the soccer god's had smiled upon Mohamed as his shot went down, ricocheting off the goalkeepers shin's and into the back of the net as the Cosmos goalie could do nothing but watch helplessly.

Argo 1-0 Cosmos


The cohesion on offense that the Silvers brought did not translate to the typical back four for Argo, as the Cosmos midfield and forwards seemed to have their way on the first half. A cross turned into a shot via the wind, a through ball that evaded Steve Haswell, Matt Borchard and keeper Isaac Garcia and found a Cosmos boot for a chip and poor marking on a centering pass leading to a one touch shot saw Argo down 3-1 in a span of about 25 minutes. Ending the half with more than a couple of players hobbling off, things seemed hopeless for Argo.


HALF TIME
Cosmos 3 - 1 Argo

The second half began much like the first ended with Cosmos putting in a fourth unanswered goal to put Argo in a three goal hole. However, Argo still had fight left in them and with a good clearance on a Cosmos scoring opportunity one could feel the tide turning.


Momo Diop, collected a pass at mid field and found a streaking Matt Astrella down the right side of the field. With a perfectly weighted pass, Matt A found himself one v one with the Cosmos goalkeeper. Composed and sure of his actions, Matt A was able to skillfully dribble the keeper and slot the ball in the back of the net. The keeper is rumored to be still searching for his jock strap.


Cosmos 4-2 Argo


Amazing what a goal can do. The defense puffed its chest and refused to be beat again. Heroic goalkeeping by Isaac and committed defending by the back four prevented multiple scoring chances from becoming goals. Seemingly infused with energy from this defending, the Argo offense woke up and began to pressure. A cross from center back turned forward, Matt Borchard, found a diving Matt Astrella on the back post, but was just wide. Minutes later a free kick was awarded to Argo just inside the penalty box. A quick discussion between Garrett Hauschild and Matt B seemingly resulted in a third goal; however the referee claimed to see off sides and called the goal back. This only incensed Argo and they continued to push. A few minutes later Matt A put a corner to the back post, finding Matt B's head, only to be denied by a Cosmos hand ball in the box. Garrett stepped up with a half a groin and buried the shot with his left foot.


Cosmos 4-3 Argo


With every minute that passed, Argo seemed to gain more energy and Cosmos lost the skill that had carried them to a 3-1 1st half lead. The Cosmos goalkeeper now completely bewildered, forgot where his penalty box had ended and walked out of it with the ball in hand. Free kick Argo. Garrett once again stepped up and buried a left footer around the wall just off the ground to the back post.


4-4 Tie (momentum clearly with Argo)


Now with blood in the water Argo gave everything they had the final ten minutes. The Cosmos goalkeeper once again offered a gift on a silver platter, as he inexcusably walked out of the box yet again with the ball, amazed at what the outcome would be. Free kick Argo. Garrett again stepped up to put the ball back post, however a slight gust of wind pushed the ball just over the cross bar. A little back and forth found the game to be stretched and with a few chances ending at mid field for Argo, it felt as though Cosmos regained their balance and were determined to score again, however Ryan Gemmell had a different idea, sacrificing his body to prevent a sure fifth Cosmos goal. Minutes later a clearance found Matt B on the left side of the field with one defender to beat. Around the defender he went and with the goalkeeper terribly out of position, Matt B volleyed the ball high over the keeper only to find the outside of the far post for a goal kick. Seconds later the final whistle blew.


Argo 4-4 Cosmos. Final.


Argo battled for 90 minutes never giving up. Pulling a point from the grip of a 4-1 blowout, Argo showed true grit this weekend. Thanks so much to Isaac Garcia, Mohamed Tabrani, Oscar Vazquez, Dan Clemente and Chris Toscano for coming out and helping a depleted Argo side.