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It was a beautiful day for soccer at Uihlein Soccer Field in Milwaukee today where the Milwaukee Kickers hosted Madison United in the final of the Wisconsin Adult Soccer Association League championship. United had edged past undefeated Milwaukee Bavarian 1-0 and the Kickers sank the Croatian Eagles 3-0 in their respective semifinal games. It was an even game for the first 15 minutes with both teams attacking their opponents goal but with neither team taking control. That changed a minute later when the Kickers chipped a free-kick forward to Nick Walls who met the ball just inside the United penalty area and with a little header flicked it to the far post out of the reach on United keeper Jared Kuehl. Minutes later, United's Royston Ngwayah split the Kickers defense, made it to the goal-line but was unable to find a white shirt open to capitalize on a good opportunity. A few minutes later Henry Alyenero ran onto a nice through ball but the Kickers keeper just beat him to the ball. Twenty six minutes into the game and United were still looking for the equalizer. United's Derek Pitts found himself open at the top corner of the penalty box but his shot sailed just over the bar. The Milwaukee Kickers had their fair share of opportunities too. At 41 minutes the Kickers attacked down the left side and sent a lovely ball across the face of the United goal to two unmarked Kickers players. Quick action by Kuehl prevented a second goal and the Kickers had to settle for a corner. United were down 0-1 at the half. We are not sure what United Manager Raj Rajani said to his players at half time but it appeared to work! Six minutes into the second half, David Kommavang found himself with acres of space, 25 yards from the goal and enough time to place his shot into the right hand corner and out of the reach of the Kickers keeper. Two minutes later United took the lead for the first time in the game. Erol Goknur found some space on the right hand side and sent in a lovely cross that Royston Ngwayah managed to get his head to and send the ball into the far post for a 2-1 lead for United. How can something so good last so little time? Less than one minutes later Kickers Eric Marshall jumped on a mistake by the United defense and crashed the ball into the net with his left foot. Tied game 2-2. For most of the second half it was a back-and-forth affair although neither team created great opportunities. It was United however who kept their composure and played to their strengths. Hunter Martin had a brilliant game in the United defense, while Khalid "Johnny" Zafari, who had just been voted as the teams MVP for the spring season, continued to work hard in midfield. United attacked down the wings and blocked thing in front of their own goal. As the clock ticked down, it looked like overtime was coming. United again attacked down the left side from where Ngwayah sent in a floating cross deep into the Kickers penalty area where Rahman Aldachach managed to get his head to the ball... almost a "fade-away" header... but enough to send it back across the face of the goal and past the outstretched arms of the Kickers keeper and just inside the left post.
This was United's first season back in the Major Division since 1995 and their first Major Division title since 1990. More photo's will be added tomorrow. |
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