Tats, Flowers and a Beautifully Played Draw Honor the Moms of Grandview SC

Whoever said that a tie is like kissing your sister never witnessed a beautiful tie like the one the Grandview Flames played on Sunday.

The well-played 2-2 draw versus Dublin United AC Milan warmed the hearts of all the mothers who came out on a Sunny but blustery Mother's Day at Darree Fields in Dublin. In tribute to the Flames' moms, the Little Red Men presented flowers (thanks Kim) to the ladies who bore them into this world and who have supported their aspiring soccer careers through wind, rain and cold. To really drive the point home, the Flames employed the time-honored method of maternal tribute: Tattoos (thanks Coach Gerdes).

There are rumors that if the Flames win the tournament a pact has been made to get permanent tats, which would feature the Human Torch, each respective member's nick name and the trademark phrase: "Flame On!"

It was sunny and about 58 degrees with a stiff wind out of the northwest at game time, creating a crosswind from the corner.

Indigo made the start in goal and had his work cut out for him, as Milan's passing game brought several early chances for the Dubliners, who scored first by following through on a deflection in the box to make it 1-0 Milan at minute 5.

The Flames came right back with several good chances of their own, including a nice through pass from Sam to Ben K who drilled a beautiful shot to the upper right corner that would have gone in if not for a clinical save by Milan's starting keeper, a talented boy also named Ben.

At the half, Jake went in at goal for the Flames, and Milan made a substitution of their own at keeper, a decision that arguably cost Milan the win.

Manny made his presence known with several dangerous carries into Milan territory that resulted in chances, including a nice cross to Wes who just missed on the header.

Wes finally put the Flames on the board with a curious over the back quasi-bicycle kick from within the box that was misjudged by the Milan keeper and helped by the wind. Tied 1-1 in minute 6 of the second half.

One  minute later, Wes followed that up to net the brace with a shot that was deflected off the loose-handed second string keeper for Milan to make it 2-1 Flames in minute 7 of the second half.

After Ben D threatened with several more quality shots on goal in creative combination with Sam (who was on fire this day), Milan's manager had seen enough and made yet another keeper substitution at about minute 14 in the half.

While the Grandview mom's smiled on their boys' magnificent display, lady luck turned a blind eye, and quality chances went unfulfilled for a long stretch.

Finally, a defensive miscue by the Flames gave Milan the break they had been patiently waiting for, and they capitalized with the decisive tying goal with about 6 minutes left to play.

The Flames now return home for two final matches in the regular season as thoughts begin to turn to the tournament.

Flame On!