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!

Flames Keep Unbeaten Streak Alive on the Road with 1-1 Tie Versus Dublin United Force

The Flames on Sunday improved their performance against an old foe and remained unbeaten in the 2010 spring season with a 1-1 tie at Darree Fields versus Dublin United Force.

Every sentient being in the Flames universe entered the match fully aware that it was this same talented Dublin squad who drove a dagger in the hearts of the Flame Faithful last fall knocking the Red Men of Grandview out of the fall tourney.

This match started much better for the Flames as they dominated the early going, holding the ball well and keeping the Dubliners on their heels.

Ben K.  scored in minute 2 on an awkward combination with Dylan in the box. The early goal was his team-leading 5th of the season.* But after that the United tightened up, and while Flames created a half dozen more quality chances in the half, nothing came of them.

With less than a minute left in the first half, Dylan was fouled hard, and the referee ruled it just outside the box. There were murmurs from visiting fans for a PK. Wes took a brilliant free kick that nearly went in but went high.

The second half was a completely different story, as the Flames now headed up a slight grade and into a wind that appeared to pick up slightly.

High balls played out by the keeper Jake or the back defenders would bend back toward the Flames' side. Balls in from the United keeper would carry deep into Flames' territory.

Almost immediately the chances started coming for United, and the Flames dimmed.

In a strategic move, Manager Gerdes sent Ben D. down the right flank with orders to cross from the corner, and no less than four chances resulted, but all were without result.

Finally, Dublin United scored in the 33rd minute on a ball slotted through on the breakaway and a fine finish.

The 1-1 score would hold, as the Flames managed to stop several more quality chances and walk away with the draw.

Keeper Jake K's 1-goal allowed took him to a 1.88 goals against per game average on the season, as he has become a solid presence on the back line. In the last 3 games, he has allowed just 4 goals.
While it was the first game of spring 2010 that the Flames did not win, by preserving the tie, the Flames kept alive a combined indoor-outdoor unbeaten streak that, fittingly, began after the Flames' last loss, the fall outdoor tournament final versus Dublin United Force at Darree Fields.

There will be no rest as the Flames travel to Northside Church Field 1 Monday at 6 p.m. to face the WASA Eagles White.


*The 2010 goal scoring stats omit the results of one match, which was not recorded.