CRU 3 – Austin Blues 1

For the second week in a row, Cameron Road United put in another stellar team effort to come back from an early goal and rock Austin Blues with three unanswered goals. After a game like that, when you’re drenched in sweat and the legs are burning because you played close to 90 minutes, you just have to admire your teammates grit and determination to get the job done. 

The Austin Blues empire spans several divisions and for the summer they have plenty of players to choose from. The lineup they put out there yesterday had plenty of their D1 squad on the pitch and they provided a formidable opponent. Nevertheless, we controlled the early stages of the first half, several times getting close to the box with some dynamic forward runs. In typical CRU style though, we went down to an early goal as one of the Blues’s better forward players drove in an impressive shot from 20 yards out. 

Not to worry though, as we continued to attack and press for the equalizer. An errand pass got away from a Blues defender and I chased it down deep in their corner and switched the ball to the opposite side of the field where Steve was calling for it. I think I over hit the cross, but Ciro gathered it up at the top left hand of the box and fired in a beautiful shot into the top right corner and we were back on level terms. It was a great hardworking goal. 

We weren’t done though, because we had several other opportunities before the half ended. Ryan Willis, sporting some new McKinna-style black and neon cleats, hit the crossbar with a wicked shot and also just missed a tap in as the ball just rolled past him in the 6-yard box. However, we ended up going into the second half tied at 1-1. 

We tried to pile on the pressure early in the second half. Bob started controlling the center of midfield with Ciro and Billy out wide, and Steve was a constant threat, always harassing the defender with the ball and making great runs in the box. We got the second goal from more hard work, I think I ended up heading down a ball to Steve in the box who proceeded to take on 2 or 3 defenders and the keeper who came out to gather the ball to poke the ball in the net under protests from the Blues that they were mistreated by Steve’s tenacity. He’s like a shark in the water though, and when he smells goal, he’s gonna finish. 

Although the Blues came back and the second half was actually pretty even, we still continued to put pressure on them. Hell, you know things are going good when we play the ball around and back to Big John who came forward and he hits a great 30 yard shot that just misses. 

Just like last week, our D was solid and Jay was back to making his usual 1.5 outstanding saves per game. Beard or no beard, Cuyler is to be feared holding down the center and Crosley did an outstanding job shutting down one of the Blue’s best offensive players. 

To seal the victory, we got another hustle goal from Bob. Latching onto a loose ball just pass the half line, Bob (in a rare moment of not trying to dribble past everyone) simply bull rushed the keeper who was coming out way off his line, got to the ball just as the keeper did, continued his run through the keeper, and just got enough on his shot to bulge the back of the old onion bag. Brilliant. 

We probably should have scored at least one more goal in the second half, we had plenty of good chances and I remember one play in particular that started off in the middle of the field, we played it out wide, the cross came in, there we several headers and shots and eventually it was cleared off the line by a defender. I think 75% of the team touched the ball on that play… crazy.

Anyway, it ended up 3-1 and everyone was happy with a total team effort and a really good win. No Man of the Match today, this one goes to the team.