ECNL Boys TX: Albion Hurricanes B06/05 vs. BVBIA NTX B06/05
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Another week of action went by in the club season and teams from around the country got to the field looking for wins and to display good performances. Prep Soccer was again following the action, looking for the hidden gems…
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Continue ReadingAnother week of action went by in the club season and teams from around the country got to the field looking for wins and to display good performances. Prep Soccer was again following the action, looking for the hidden gems of the sport in the country.
On Saturday, October 28, I was at the Campbell Road Sports Park, in Houston, following the ECNL Boys Texas Conference duel between Albion Hurricanes FC ECNL B06/05 and BVBIA NTX ECNL B06/05 – click here to see the best photos of the match.
Albion Hurricanes FC ECNL B06/05 0 – 2 BVBIA NTX ECNL B06/05
The first half of the match was very physical, with attackers not getting a lot of space to make plays and most of the action concentrated in the midfield area. Both sides tried to score, but had their best opportunities in long-distance shots or set pieces, with little success.
BVB got a goal early in the second half, with Landon deLeeuw Landon deLeeuw D TX finding the back of the net after a corner kick, and that forced Albion to push forward looking for the equalizer. The team from Carrollton took advantage of the situation and created some chances in counter-attacks. In one of them, Adrian Garcia found Zacharie Simmons, who scored in a one-time finish and sealed their victory.
Top Performers
Normally a field player, deLeeuw stepped up to fill a need for BVB and played as a goalkeeper. He did a very good job, not only getting a clean sheet, but also making good stops when he was called upon. Although the team’s backline did an excellent job of keeping Albion away from the penalty box, deLeeuw was put to work in some long-distance shots and set pieces and responded well – he also made a big stop in a short-range finish in the second half. He also communicated very well with his teammates, keeping the defenders engaged and organized.
Adrian Garcia
Adrian Garcia
Garcia and fellow center back Aitor Scholl Aitor Scholl F TX had both a very solid game, shutting down most of Albion’s attempts and protecting deLeeuw from having to make too many saves. While his partner was more involved in physical duels, Garcia was excellent at reading and anticipating plays to win the ball back. He also did a good job in the air and took good care of the ball in possession. The center back played a big role in the team’s second goal, winning the ball back around the midfield line, driving it forward and feeding Zacherie Simmons with a perfectly-timed pass.
Devin Chandler
Devin Chandler
Playing as a defensive midfielder, Chandler was very active on both sides of the ball for BVB. He won several duels in the center of the field and helped shield the team’s backline with his physical play. Chandler was also tasked with defending Albion’s main playmaker Karson Baquero Karson Baquero M TX and did a very good job with it, forcing him to pass to the sides or back most of the time. He also connected good passes with his left foot and helped BVB create chances with long throw-ins.
DeLeeuw was very opportunistic to score BVB’s first goal in a key moment of the match, sending the ball to the back of the net after a confusing play following a corner kick. Before that, he had already created some good chances, playing on the right side of this team’s offense. A good dribbler and an intelligent player, he moved well off the ball and was very direct when in possession. DeLeeuw also worked hard defensively, tracking back and helping his team without the ball.
Zacharie Simmons
Zacharie Simmons
Simmons came off the bench for BVB and was able to make a strong impact in the game. Playing as an inverted winger on the right, the left-footed player had great success in 1v1 situations and did a good job of beating defenders off the dribble. He was also involved in both goals, taking the corner kick that resulted in the first one and scoring the second himself with a beautiful one-time finish in a counter-attack.
The center back led Albion’s backline and wasn’t at fault in any of the two goals conceded by the team. Elgstrom won most of the duels he was involved with, was nearly perfect in the air and used his physical tools to knock opponents off and take control of the ball. He was also extremely valuable in possession, playing a big role in the team’s buildup, be it with short, quick passes or attempting to play long out of the back.
Albion’s main creative player, Baquero was well-defended by BVB, but was still very involved in the game. He moved around the entire field to get on the ball, occasionally even coming next to the center backs, and always connected good passes. Baquero didn’t have many chances to find key passes in the final third, but always moved the ball well and quickly, finding teammates in good spots with his one-time passes and impressive vision.
Andres Riera
Andres Riera
Playing on the right side of Albion’s attack, Riera had good moments in the first half. He found some space to play there and displayed good quality to beat opponents off the dribble and either take the ball to the end line to make crosses or to bring it inside to attempt a finish. He couldn’t really create any dangerous chances with his moves, but challenged BVB’s backline in a stronger way than his teammates did. He returned to the field during the second half, but didn’t have the same energy and success.