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CUFC defeat Prince George 12-1

On the face it, it was another easy victory for Calgary United. But the truth of it is Calgary were forced to work hard and maintain the pace of the game against an inexperienced, and just plain young, Prince George outfit. Add to this the fact that Calgary are playing some irresistible football lately and their goalies constantly look unbeatable and the story becomes a little clearer.

United were forced to make 4 changes to the lineup that defeated Edmonton last weekend, with Mike Ortega, Andre Duberry and Nic Zuniga stepping down with injuries to be replaced by Calvin Campbell, Matt Deeprose and 18 year old Kevin Torres . Coach Troye Flannery also elected to rest the league’s best goalie Marcel Galaszkiewicz and play back-up Todd Spycher.

The result was never in doubt. Calgary lead 4-0 after the first quarter. But Prince George lead by fabled player/coach Sipho Sibiya, did not wilt and withdraw into a defensive shell. They continued to play with a man high, stretching the field of play and contributing to a fully entertaining game. Midfield maestro Nic Reyes dictated the game for Calgary; his deft flicks and tricks opened up the Prince George defense and awed another good crowd at the Subway Soccer Centre. He tallied two goals and two assists for his efforts. Calvin Campbell did his chances of retaining a starting spot on the team no harm with 2 goals and 2 assists capping off a determined and powerful display. But the biggest cheer of the afternoon came when Kevin Torres, one of CUFC’s U21 squad, forged forward and rapped one past the Prince George keeper in the fourth quarter, to crown his CUFC debut with a goal.

Todd Spycher had an excellent game. Prince George created chances but Spycher was up to the challenge pulling off several spectacular diving saves and brave blocks. For the second home game in a row United came close to the revered PASL clean sheet but fell just short, late in the game.

CUFC are now top of the CMISL with 14 points, 2 points ahead of Saskatoon, who play two home games against Winnipeg on the Family Day weekend. On form Saskatoon should win both games which would put them two points ahead of Calgary. The Accelerators visit Calgary on February 20; a game that then would become a must win for United as they fight to earn a spot in the North American final in San Diego in March.

Calgary squeaks by Edmonton 7-6

It had to be one of the best Arena Soccer games ever played. Calgary narrowly defeated arch –rival the Edmonton Drillers 7-6 on Saturday night, away at the Edmonton South Soccer Centre.

It looked like it might be a cruise for United early on when they went into an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter with goals from Nic Reyes, Patrick Kelly and Nic Zuniga. But they really knew in the back of their minds that Edmonton would never lie down and capitulate. The Drillers brought the score back to 3-1. No big deal, Calgary promptly made it 4-1 with a goal from Mark Slade. And there was no real cause for concern when the Drillers pulled back another one to make it 4-2 at the half.

Keep on doing what you’re doing, right? But those Edmonton boys don’t give up.

4-3! The tension started to build, Calgary passes started to go astray, precision and composure became an overwhelming effort. 4-4!! Come on boys , get it together! Finally Calgary started to press again, willed on by a sizeable travelling contingent of supporters. Cordick, from Jesic, 5-4. Nice. 6-4, Kooy, unchallenged through the middle. No need to panic right?

Wrong. Two excellent Driller finishes tied it up,6-6, with just a couple of minutes left. Edmonton had done this to Calgary before…this wasn’t unfamiliar territory, but it had never ended well. Last minute comeback victories and overtime golden goal victories were a constant feature of Edmonton’s 6 game winning streak against United last year. The time ticked by. We’re going to overtime or maybe even PKs!

Gut wrench time.

18 seconds left, Zuniga picks the ball up on the left of Edmonton’s box, shapes to shoot but slides it to the right to Reyes, who very coolly lays it back to Zuniga, who in turn rams it past Edmonton goalie, Tristan Ilko. Yes! Yes! Yeeeess! Half the crowd erupts, half deflates. Still 18 seconds to kill and you never can tell……. but United holds on and claims the victory.

Fantastic game. A great advertisement for the sport. Fully enjoyed by all, even the losing fans. (I have a hunch more by the travelling faithful though.)

With the win Calgary draws level with Saskatoon on top of the CMISL with 12 points and practically eliminates Edmonton from CMISL Championship contention. The Drillers with a record of 3-4 , have 6 points with 5 games remaining, 2 of which are away to California and San Diego. Even if the Drillers get maximum points that will give them 16 points. As the tie-break is record against each other, Calgary only needs to get 4 points from it’s last five games to beat out Edmonton.

The main rival now becomes Saskatoon….and that’s a whole other story!

Calgary United defeated the Texas Outlaws 14-1 on Sunday afternoon

Lead by four goals from top scorer Kyle Yamada, CUFC coasted past a lack lustre Texas side. Calgary also enjoyed standout performances from fit again Nic Reyes(3 goals and 3 assists) and Mark Slade(one goal and 4 assists). The Outlaws ,clearly jaded by the long trip north of the border, faced a barrage of 39 shots, 25 of which goalie Adam Jachelson stopped, often in spectacular fashion.

United moved the ball quickly and efficiently in front of another good crowd, and had their finishing been sharper the score could have been even more lopsided. Texas had few chances; Calgary goalie Marcel Galaszkiewicz only faced 9 shots. With just 5 minutes left the stopper, on track for a rare PASL/CMISL clean sheet, had his dream thwarted when Texas’ Jared Lee scored off a feed from Casey Topletz.

Despite the win Calgary remains second in the CMISL two points behind Saskatoon, who surprisingly took eight points from Denver on the weekend from two double-headers. Calgary now must go to Edmonton on Saturday and attempt to repeat the win they gained against the Drillers at home, two weeks ago. A defeat would put real pressure on United who would then have to beat Prince George on February 7th to draw level with the Accelerators.

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