After a total of two A-League games in their history, the Calgary Storm
already felt they had a score to settle. Nearly three weeks ago, the El Paso Patriots
slammed the new Calgary A-League side 4-0 in their debut. The Storm looked for some
payback in their match on Thursday night at Foothills Park. The fiercely contested
battle ended with neither team reaching the scoresheet.
The first half began in a similar manner to the Storm’s last game
against Minnesota. Calgary started slowly, but keeper Jamie Glasnovic’s solid play inspired
the club to push forward. Midfielder Kurt Bosch had a couple of chances close to half
time that did not connect.
The second frame saw both clubs have chances. At about the one hour
mark, Patriot forward Matthew Stewart forced Glasnovic to make a solid save. Abarca
couldn’t bury the rebound either. In the 67th minute, Storm striker Chris Lemire had
a chance but couldn’t get the ball past keeper Jesse Llamas. Steffen Holdt and Eric
Munoz also were unable to put the resulting rebounds in the net..
There was some definite drama near the end of regulation time. Holdt
had a shot from the top of the box but put the ball wide left. With virtually no time
left, the Patriots had a glorious opportunity. Dominic Schell took a shot that may have hit the
post. The ball was rolling towards the goal line where Glasnovic collided with
Guillermo McFarlane, who was rushing in for the winning touch. Somehow Glasnovic’s desperate
attempt was successful and the game went to extra time.
In the first half of extra time the best chance came from Storm midfielder Damir Jesic,
who headed a Felix Napuri cross over the bar.
The second half of overtime was dominated by the Storm. In the early
moments of this final period, it appeared that Steffen Holdt volleyed a shot into the
bottom left corner of the net. However, he actually hit the netting on the outside, much to
the disappointment of the remaining Storm faithful. In the 116th minute, Storm defender
Brian Newmarch, who just subbed on for the injured Felix Napuri, put a dangerous header
on goal with his first touch, but this game was destined to be a tie. The final score
was Calgary 0 El Paso 0.
Both teams can take some satisfaction out of this draw. The Storm likely sees this as a sign their game is improving and will surely help their confidence.
Meanwhile, the Patriots earned a point in a tough road game. However, they are a
beaten up club that played for nearly two hours and have two more games on the weekend.
Bodies were flying throughout the game. Storm captain Mark McKenna and
substitute Felix Napuri both left the pitch because of injury. El Paso forward
Matthew Stewart spent the last few minutes of the match on the sidelines with what
appeared to be an ankle injury. He was not substituted because the Patriots had nobody to
replace him. Three El Paso players had trouble with immigration authorities and were not
allowed to play, leaving them with only one substitute. The lone spare was Cesar Sosa,
who already came in the first extra period.
A hardy group of 1050 fans attended the match which started under sunny
skies and a temperature of 7 C (45 F) at kickoff which probably fell to about 3 C
(37 F) by the end of the game. The pitch seemed to be in reasonably good shape considering
over a foot of snow fell in a freak storm between Sunday and Monday.
The next game for the Storm is on May 18 at 2pm MDT when the Milwaukee
Rampage come to town. El Paso continues their road trip in Seattle against the
Sounders on Saturday afternoon.
Thanks to Mark Christie, who filled me in on happenings in the first
half, which I missed because of other commitments.
Lineups:
Calgary: Glasnovic, Munoz, DeSilva, Pavicic, Ledgerwood, Bosch (Slade
101), Heidler (Zuniga 78), Holdt, Jesic, McKenna (Napuri 91, Newmarch 110), Lemire
El Paso: Llamas, Martinez, McFarlane, Juarez, Millet, Lomeli, Abarca
(Sosa 96), Cabrera, Waldrum, Stewart, Schell
Cautions:
Calgary: Jesic (14th), Munoz (63rd), Bosch (96th)
El Paso: Cabrera (76th)
STORM WARNINGS:
Goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld is slated to return to the Storm after he participates in Canada’s friendly with Switzerland on May 15. He may be available in
time for the home tilt against the Milwaukee Rampage on the 18th. He’s expected to return
to England for the beginning of Tottenham Hotspurs’ preseason training on July 12.
In Hirschfeld’s absence, the unheralded Jamie Glasnovic has picked up the slack between
the posts. Glasnovic, 34, was a surprise starter in the home opener and has turned in two
clean sheets in as many games. Unlike most of the Storm players, he wasn’t with the club
last season. A veteran of the area soccer scene, last year he was backup for the Ottawa
Wizards in the semi-pro Canadian Premier Soccer League, which is based mostly in
Ontario. The Wizards have stated they’d like to move up to the A-League someday.
They have more talent than the average semi-pro club. Last year’s first choice keeper,
Richard Goddard, is currently on loan to the A-League’s Charlotte Eagles.
Storm home games are broadcast on Shine FM 88.9. Unfortunately, the station does not
broadcast over the Internet.
