AFC Ann Arbor finally conceded an NPSL goal, and for a little while there were sweaty palms and frayed nerves. But the Mighty Oak bounced back and reclaimed the lead in a match that finished 2-1 in their favor--and one that will surely go down as one of the most exciting of the season as well, as the first half of the NPSL season draws to 50% completion for Ann Arbor.
What Happened:
Ann Arbor started the game almost immediately on the front foot and were near-instantly rewarded by this. Jack Cawley, in the 12th, hit post with a lovely left-footed strike on a free kick, but it couldn't get cleared and AFC earned a second free kick. This one was taken to a more successful result as a couple blocks led to an opportunity for Jordan Montoya on the outskirts of the box who set himself up for a goal on a shot that seemed to be almost in slow motion. The Mighty Oak were off their marks well, and this continued on for a bit. Marc Ybarra would later send in a high looping cross into the box that fell well for Montoya again, but the 6'6" frame of FC Columbus' keeper, Clay Musgrave, allowed him to jump high and make the stop there.
The pressure continued onwards: AZ Liadi set up a nice ball in the middle of the box for Serge Gamwanya, but he couldn't do enough to get a proper kick at the ball. But eventually, the AFC issue of needless fouls near the 50-yard line on the (American) football field caught up to them as a yellow-card worthy Cawley challenge set up the free kick that ended the AFC Ann Arbor shutout streak. Kevin Blackwood, the Columbus defensive midfielder, set in a lovely ball that found a target in German center-back Vladimir Bagaew. Novotny did extremely well to even get a hand to the shot, but the ball found the net regardless. The game was level 1-1, where it stayed to the half despite some nice build-up play by AFC that ultimately couldn't find a target.
The second half brought questions. Could AFC respond to conceding a goal in a lively manner? Would the defense be able to hold up against a Columbus side that was showing pressure? Could a man in blue find the composure to finish that game-winning shot? Ann Arbor first started on the attack, with an Odhiambo header going wide and another hard Montoya shot saved. Then it was their turn to defend. Ezra Armstrong of Columbus made a nice move and took the ball all the way himself. He had a man open to center to, but he went for the glory, and instead let Mike Novotny have it as he made a great save. On the ensuing corner, Novotny again played hero. Bagaew's head found the ball and directed it to the empty net. Surely it's 2-1 to Columbus. No! Novotny again makes a save, even better than the last, as he fully dove and got a left hand to the shot to avert it away from the net.
Just five minutes later, Ann Arbor found it's tiebreaker. A long-shot seemed to be deflected off the post and a diving Musgrave was out of position. The ball found its way to Ybarra and the Michigan Wolverine drilled the ball into the top of the net with serious composure. Questions were answered emphatically. But the next half hour was a pressure-packed ride. Columbus was shaken for a few minutes after the goal, but responded well through an Armstrong long shot going just wide. Ezra would get the best chances, as he hit another long shot wide, and there would also be a penalty shout on Breno for an alleged infringement on Camara, but it was waved off and no one looked too displeased. Regardless of the near chances, AFC held on and saw the remainder of the game out winning the match by a final score of 2-1.
How Did This Happen:
The big story of this match is, of course, AFC Ann Arbor's shutout streak to open the season ending at a whopping 488 NPSL minutes. It seems fitting that it took a brilliant free kick, an unsaveable shot, and a fantastic effort anyways from Novotny, to break the streak. With that all said, this also seemed most like the match that an NPSL opponent would perhaps find an open field breakthrough. Ezra Armstrong, at just 19, showcased outstanding technical skill and speed on the field. The entire front three of Patrick Singbah and Damani Camara were very good, but Joseph Okumu and Jack Cawley remained strong on defense and Novotny had maybe his best match of the season, which is saying something. Without question, Novotny is my man of the match. AFC Ann Arbor may have lost this bout if he wasn't in net. Yet again, he was stupendous.
Additionally, out of all the matches, this is the one that the most learning can be taken from I believe. You had a case of speedy wingers often getting the better of your usually-solid full-backs and a team who had the ability seemingly to counter-attack at will. This sort of match will surely allow the team's mastermind, coach Eric Rudland, to assess what could be done to limit these scenarios from happening. One thing I noted was that late in the game, near the 70-minute mark or so, Ann Arbor seemed too eager to make something out of nothing. FC Columbus was giving them all the possession they wanted at about half-pitch and they were passing coolly. Then, a player would attempt to move it from A-to-C instead of A-to-B-to-C and Columbus would intercept and start the counter-attack. It is the patented way of the Mighty Oak to play: on the front foot and attacking with their high line, but they will have to learn that sometimes deflating the game and taking the air out of it with that one goal lead is the best way to go.
The midfield deserves copious praise for their efforts today, especially the goal-scorer Ybarra who tackled well and provided a composed finish. I really liked the alternating attacks by Montoya and Gamwanya through the midfield and on the wing as well; Gamwanya really provided a nice shift in the center of the park and deserved to get a reward for the work that he did that could go unnoticed. Chris Odhiambo played the central striker role, his first time getting the run out at that position, and did rather well. I thought this was a nice move by coach Rudland, it is clear that Odhiambo has many tricks in his toolbox, but needs to develop a more consistent finish his play, whether that's a crucial final pass or a hard shot on target. With Farkas and Rylah out, though, the added game time will give him meaningful experience to develop these tools as well.
What's Next:
Now that AFC have seen everyone once, I think a standings-check is in order:
1. AFC Ann Arbor: 16 points, six matches
2. Detroit City FC: 9 points, four matches
3. Milwaukee Torrent: 9 points, eight matches
4. Kalamazoo FC: 8 points, five matches
5. Grand Rapids FC: 7 points, four matches
6. FC Columbus: 4 points, four matches
7. FC Indiana: 0 points, seven matches
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are kicking off literally as I type this in an important match, and today Milwaukee halted Indiana from finding its first point with a late-winner on the road.
Things that stand out to me are that as the middle-tier teams begin to play for the second time against each other, like Columbus and Kalamazoo, you're going to see either, a, Ann Arbor and Detroit peeling away from the pack, or b, on of the three teams pretty firmly midtable (I'd place money on this team being Grand Rapids) joining the race and creating some tension in the race. It's still a bit too early to project where the season will go, but with the KZFC/GRFC game tonight, AFC/DCFC next weekend, and the return leg of KZFC/GRFC also next weekend, we have some interesting scenarios that could play out.
Ann Arbor return to Skyline to take on the Milwaukee Torrent on June 8th at 7 PM before traveling to Keyworth for the important away match with Detroit City. Once this week ends, we see a bit of a settle-down in the season, but the excitement is only just beginning.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets to discuss AFC Ann Arbor with me, or Michigan basketball and Liverpool FC, the other two sports I cover.
What Happened:
Ann Arbor started the game almost immediately on the front foot and were near-instantly rewarded by this. Jack Cawley, in the 12th, hit post with a lovely left-footed strike on a free kick, but it couldn't get cleared and AFC earned a second free kick. This one was taken to a more successful result as a couple blocks led to an opportunity for Jordan Montoya on the outskirts of the box who set himself up for a goal on a shot that seemed to be almost in slow motion. The Mighty Oak were off their marks well, and this continued on for a bit. Marc Ybarra would later send in a high looping cross into the box that fell well for Montoya again, but the 6'6" frame of FC Columbus' keeper, Clay Musgrave, allowed him to jump high and make the stop there.
The pressure continued onwards: AZ Liadi set up a nice ball in the middle of the box for Serge Gamwanya, but he couldn't do enough to get a proper kick at the ball. But eventually, the AFC issue of needless fouls near the 50-yard line on the (American) football field caught up to them as a yellow-card worthy Cawley challenge set up the free kick that ended the AFC Ann Arbor shutout streak. Kevin Blackwood, the Columbus defensive midfielder, set in a lovely ball that found a target in German center-back Vladimir Bagaew. Novotny did extremely well to even get a hand to the shot, but the ball found the net regardless. The game was level 1-1, where it stayed to the half despite some nice build-up play by AFC that ultimately couldn't find a target.
The second half brought questions. Could AFC respond to conceding a goal in a lively manner? Would the defense be able to hold up against a Columbus side that was showing pressure? Could a man in blue find the composure to finish that game-winning shot? Ann Arbor first started on the attack, with an Odhiambo header going wide and another hard Montoya shot saved. Then it was their turn to defend. Ezra Armstrong of Columbus made a nice move and took the ball all the way himself. He had a man open to center to, but he went for the glory, and instead let Mike Novotny have it as he made a great save. On the ensuing corner, Novotny again played hero. Bagaew's head found the ball and directed it to the empty net. Surely it's 2-1 to Columbus. No! Novotny again makes a save, even better than the last, as he fully dove and got a left hand to the shot to avert it away from the net.
Just five minutes later, Ann Arbor found it's tiebreaker. A long-shot seemed to be deflected off the post and a diving Musgrave was out of position. The ball found its way to Ybarra and the Michigan Wolverine drilled the ball into the top of the net with serious composure. Questions were answered emphatically. But the next half hour was a pressure-packed ride. Columbus was shaken for a few minutes after the goal, but responded well through an Armstrong long shot going just wide. Ezra would get the best chances, as he hit another long shot wide, and there would also be a penalty shout on Breno for an alleged infringement on Camara, but it was waved off and no one looked too displeased. Regardless of the near chances, AFC held on and saw the remainder of the game out winning the match by a final score of 2-1.
How Did This Happen:
The big story of this match is, of course, AFC Ann Arbor's shutout streak to open the season ending at a whopping 488 NPSL minutes. It seems fitting that it took a brilliant free kick, an unsaveable shot, and a fantastic effort anyways from Novotny, to break the streak. With that all said, this also seemed most like the match that an NPSL opponent would perhaps find an open field breakthrough. Ezra Armstrong, at just 19, showcased outstanding technical skill and speed on the field. The entire front three of Patrick Singbah and Damani Camara were very good, but Joseph Okumu and Jack Cawley remained strong on defense and Novotny had maybe his best match of the season, which is saying something. Without question, Novotny is my man of the match. AFC Ann Arbor may have lost this bout if he wasn't in net. Yet again, he was stupendous.
Additionally, out of all the matches, this is the one that the most learning can be taken from I believe. You had a case of speedy wingers often getting the better of your usually-solid full-backs and a team who had the ability seemingly to counter-attack at will. This sort of match will surely allow the team's mastermind, coach Eric Rudland, to assess what could be done to limit these scenarios from happening. One thing I noted was that late in the game, near the 70-minute mark or so, Ann Arbor seemed too eager to make something out of nothing. FC Columbus was giving them all the possession they wanted at about half-pitch and they were passing coolly. Then, a player would attempt to move it from A-to-C instead of A-to-B-to-C and Columbus would intercept and start the counter-attack. It is the patented way of the Mighty Oak to play: on the front foot and attacking with their high line, but they will have to learn that sometimes deflating the game and taking the air out of it with that one goal lead is the best way to go.
The midfield deserves copious praise for their efforts today, especially the goal-scorer Ybarra who tackled well and provided a composed finish. I really liked the alternating attacks by Montoya and Gamwanya through the midfield and on the wing as well; Gamwanya really provided a nice shift in the center of the park and deserved to get a reward for the work that he did that could go unnoticed. Chris Odhiambo played the central striker role, his first time getting the run out at that position, and did rather well. I thought this was a nice move by coach Rudland, it is clear that Odhiambo has many tricks in his toolbox, but needs to develop a more consistent finish his play, whether that's a crucial final pass or a hard shot on target. With Farkas and Rylah out, though, the added game time will give him meaningful experience to develop these tools as well.
What's Next:
Now that AFC have seen everyone once, I think a standings-check is in order:
1. AFC Ann Arbor: 16 points, six matches
2. Detroit City FC: 9 points, four matches
3. Milwaukee Torrent: 9 points, eight matches
4. Kalamazoo FC: 8 points, five matches
5. Grand Rapids FC: 7 points, four matches
6. FC Columbus: 4 points, four matches
7. FC Indiana: 0 points, seven matches
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are kicking off literally as I type this in an important match, and today Milwaukee halted Indiana from finding its first point with a late-winner on the road.
Things that stand out to me are that as the middle-tier teams begin to play for the second time against each other, like Columbus and Kalamazoo, you're going to see either, a, Ann Arbor and Detroit peeling away from the pack, or b, on of the three teams pretty firmly midtable (I'd place money on this team being Grand Rapids) joining the race and creating some tension in the race. It's still a bit too early to project where the season will go, but with the KZFC/GRFC game tonight, AFC/DCFC next weekend, and the return leg of KZFC/GRFC also next weekend, we have some interesting scenarios that could play out.
Ann Arbor return to Skyline to take on the Milwaukee Torrent on June 8th at 7 PM before traveling to Keyworth for the important away match with Detroit City. Once this week ends, we see a bit of a settle-down in the season, but the excitement is only just beginning.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets to discuss AFC Ann Arbor with me, or Michigan basketball and Liverpool FC, the other two sports I cover.
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