All good things must come to an end, which is exactly what happened Friday night at the Student’s Activities Complex. The El Paso Patriot’s 2001 home unbeaten streak came to an end with a 1-0 loss to the San Diego Flash F.C. Jerome Watson’s goal in the 64th minute proved to be the only goal San Diego needed.
After Wednesday night’s victory over D3 Chico Rooks, the team was concerned with defense. They allowed 3 second half goals before escaping with a 4-3 victory in the US Open Cup. Unfortunately, on Friday night offense turned out to be the main concern. San Diego defender’s did not allow El Paso’s talented pair of Luis Macias and Mark Rowland to get near San Diego’s goal too much. The match started with both teams in a back and forth battle. Both teams came out playing physically. El Paso’s forwards and midfielders had trouble getting their passes to go through the San Diego defense. The first half of play did not produce many noteworthy moments other than the two yellow cards issued. For El Paso Paul Cabrera got one while Joey Martinez got it for San Diego. After a half in which El Paso was clearly ill-prepared for the match, the score was tied at 0-0.
At halftime, El Paso inserted Esmundo Rodriguez into the game in place of Paul Cabrera. The second half started much the same way the first one ended, with both teams struggling to score. With the hope that maybe El Paso could score, El Paso coach Alfredo Solares inserted Mugurel Dumitru in place of Luis Macias. San Diego also made a substitution as well when Miguel Suazo went in for Carlos Morales.
A lack of concentration cost El Paso what proved to be the game winner Jerome Watson scored an unassisted goal in the 63rd minute to give the San Diego a 1-0 lead. The Patriots lost the ball at midfield after a set play. The ball was recovered by Watson. He then went up the left side of the field, taking on El Paso’s Carlos Farias one on one. When Farias missed the slide tackle Watson went towards the goal and shot the ball in to the far post, easily beating Cesar Mata.
Up 1-0, San Diego put Carlos Calderson in for Joey Martinez in the 77th minute. Time was running out for El Paso, so it didn’t help that they were not getting closer to getting that tying goal. To help things out, El Paso sent in 19 year old Victor Mora in place of Mugurel Dumitru. San Diego made a pair of substitutions after that, in hopes of getting another goal. The last couple minutes, however saw El Paso on the offensive, frantically trying to score. It was not to be, however, as the final whistle was blown.
The loss dropped El Paso to 3-6-2, 3-1-2 at home in the A-League while the win improved San Diego to 6-5. Next up for El Paso is a 4th of July match against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at the SAC.
San Diego Flash F.C. 1 Jerome Watson, 64th
El Paso Patriots 0
El Paso Patriots
Cesar Mata
Carlos Martinez
Guillermo McFarlane
Michael Griego
Vicent Figueroa
Federico Juarez
Paul Cabrera Esmundo Rodriguez, halftime
Carlos Farias
Jose Lomeli
Luis Macias Mugurel Dimitru, 55th [Victor Mora, 78th]
Mark Rowland
San Diego Flash F.C.
Matt Hall
P.J. Brown
Adam Maurer
Brian O’Conell
Joey Martinez Carlos Calderson, 77th
Miquel Luna Nate Hethrington, 80th
Carlos Morales Miguel Suazo, 60th
Hugo Llamas
Jerome Watson
Avier Bustos Chugger Adair, 78th
Emmanuel Ayim
Cards
EP - Paul Cabrera
SD - Joey Martinez
SD - P.J. Brown
Attendance - 4,379
