It started out pouring in Ypsilanti but the evening ended in sun and smiles for AFC as they saw off a 2-0 victory over the only other unbeaten team in the Great Lakes Division, Grand Rapids FC. AFC buried their two best chances showing off the clinical ability they need while also holding their fifth clean sheet of the NPSL season, meaning they are yet to allow a goal in the league.
What Happened:
The match really was a tale of two portions: ten minutes in the first half where AFC were outstanding in the attack, and the rest of the game where they showcased their solidity throughout the pitch. From first kick to just shortly before the first Ann Arbor goal, conditions were very harsh as the rain poured down on the natural grass surface at Eastern Michigan University's field. Grand Rapids' chances were handled by the AFC defense and Ann Arbor had, in turn, hit a stride with AZ Liadi missing just barely wide of the mark at the 18th minute. This was just a prelude. Four minutes later, Serge Gamwanya would spray a pass out to Stephen Turnbull who took two long yet controlled touches and found Michael Shaikly's head with a cross. Then, just minutes later, it was Shaikly's turn to produce for a teammate. He sent a ball through for Jordan Montoya who, in a one-on-one, sent a screamer into the upper-right corner on the net. In under ten minutes the Mighty Oak had changed control of the match from a relatively 50/50 affair to up by two goals at the half.
The second half was a bit different. The two goal cushion allowed them to settle back a bit. The battle was still fierce in the midfield, but now it was Grand Rapids getting the better chances. In the 55th, their first very clear-cut scoring opportunity was off a corner kick that couldn't get properly cleared. The ball fell to Cam Cavanaugh but he could only muster a poke at it, but forced a solid Mike Novotny save. This would be a bit of a theme. Five minutes later, Novotny made a great save on Matt Whelen's bolt of a shot, but could only parry away. This fell very kindly for Anthony Bowie, but he instead struck the left post hard. Joseph Okumu eventually cleared away, crisis averted. Again, in the 66th, AFC gave the ball away leading to a free run for GRFC, but Novotny was there out of his net to get a hand up to it. The final ten minutes of the match brought more nervy moments off free kicks, but header-after-header were cleared by Okumu and partner Jack Cawley. Or, if they fell to a Grand Rapids man, they went usually over the bar. The defense was sturdy, and it held on for the 2-0 final.
How Did This Happen:
It's easy to focus on the ten minutes where Ann Arbor struck lightning twice, but the score was made possible by the back four and the keeper. Okumu and Cawley played together for the first time in the league and while there some shaky moments may have been expected, they were far and few as the two almost immediately clicked. Powerful headed clearances by both men frequently saved the Mighty Oak from trouble and corners were cleared with absolute authority. It gives your goalie confidence when you have a strong line, but sometimes the keeper has to clean up messes. Novotny was always there for his outfield teammates. The misplayed pass in the 66th? No problem. Okumu is gone around in the 73rd by a nice bit of skill? Novotny's there to kill the chance. He has been, without question, the best keeper of the Great Lakes Division and if he keeps up this play, you have to start discussing if he's one of the best in the entire NPSL.
The two men who connected on the first goal both had a great evening as well. Stephen Turnbull was absolutely dominant on the right flank and his assist was a prelude of better things throughout the match. He got around his man going forward with regularity and played a nice game defensively. His assist was a thing of beauty, but of course his cross needed someone's head. Shaikly has been quietly consistent for the Mighty Oak and it's really starting to come out lately. He offers an attacking threat going forward and can defend going back. His ball through to Montoya was exceptional and his positioning was stellar for the goal. He received AFC Ann Arbor man of the match, and he's deserved it after his fantastic showing.
With Farkas and Braem away and Rylah and Ramirez out, perhaps some fans were worried that the form shown in the earliest part of the season would not hold up. This game, against strong competition in Grand Rapids, should provide a bit of alleviation to those worries. The depth of this team is strong with players like AZ, Montoya, Cawley, and Turnbull all having great showings and none of whom started on the first NPSL game of the season. Of course, with regulars like Marc Ybarra, who was rather quiet today but solid, Kyle Breitmeyer, Okumu, and Novotny remaining as mainstays in the eleven, the team will not long for quality while some of their regular starters are unavailable. It goes without saying that Eric Rudland has done an unbelievable job in recruiting men to play in Ann Arbor, and that should be apparent over the next three games.
What's Next:
A busy ten day span has only just begun. The Mighty Oak will now travel to FC Columbus on Sunday (for a 3 PM kick-off) for a meeting with the Great Lakes' expansion team. This will mark the end of the first set of fixtures in the league (meaning AFC Ann Arbor have played everyone team once) but the matches continue next weekend with Milwaukee Torrent at home next Friday, and Detroit City FC away next Sunday. Eyes should be on Detroit City's matches as the meeting on June 10th has potential to decide first-place in the division, but both teams must travel to Columbus and AFC must take care of Milwaukee before this sort of speculation can seep into either side's mind. June is set to be a very exciting month. This is just the start.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets for more coverage, live-tweets, and posting every single article when I upload it. Also a special thanks to those I met today in the AFCAA family at today's game, it was my pleasure!
What Happened:
The match really was a tale of two portions: ten minutes in the first half where AFC were outstanding in the attack, and the rest of the game where they showcased their solidity throughout the pitch. From first kick to just shortly before the first Ann Arbor goal, conditions were very harsh as the rain poured down on the natural grass surface at Eastern Michigan University's field. Grand Rapids' chances were handled by the AFC defense and Ann Arbor had, in turn, hit a stride with AZ Liadi missing just barely wide of the mark at the 18th minute. This was just a prelude. Four minutes later, Serge Gamwanya would spray a pass out to Stephen Turnbull who took two long yet controlled touches and found Michael Shaikly's head with a cross. Then, just minutes later, it was Shaikly's turn to produce for a teammate. He sent a ball through for Jordan Montoya who, in a one-on-one, sent a screamer into the upper-right corner on the net. In under ten minutes the Mighty Oak had changed control of the match from a relatively 50/50 affair to up by two goals at the half.
The second half was a bit different. The two goal cushion allowed them to settle back a bit. The battle was still fierce in the midfield, but now it was Grand Rapids getting the better chances. In the 55th, their first very clear-cut scoring opportunity was off a corner kick that couldn't get properly cleared. The ball fell to Cam Cavanaugh but he could only muster a poke at it, but forced a solid Mike Novotny save. This would be a bit of a theme. Five minutes later, Novotny made a great save on Matt Whelen's bolt of a shot, but could only parry away. This fell very kindly for Anthony Bowie, but he instead struck the left post hard. Joseph Okumu eventually cleared away, crisis averted. Again, in the 66th, AFC gave the ball away leading to a free run for GRFC, but Novotny was there out of his net to get a hand up to it. The final ten minutes of the match brought more nervy moments off free kicks, but header-after-header were cleared by Okumu and partner Jack Cawley. Or, if they fell to a Grand Rapids man, they went usually over the bar. The defense was sturdy, and it held on for the 2-0 final.
How Did This Happen:
It's easy to focus on the ten minutes where Ann Arbor struck lightning twice, but the score was made possible by the back four and the keeper. Okumu and Cawley played together for the first time in the league and while there some shaky moments may have been expected, they were far and few as the two almost immediately clicked. Powerful headed clearances by both men frequently saved the Mighty Oak from trouble and corners were cleared with absolute authority. It gives your goalie confidence when you have a strong line, but sometimes the keeper has to clean up messes. Novotny was always there for his outfield teammates. The misplayed pass in the 66th? No problem. Okumu is gone around in the 73rd by a nice bit of skill? Novotny's there to kill the chance. He has been, without question, the best keeper of the Great Lakes Division and if he keeps up this play, you have to start discussing if he's one of the best in the entire NPSL.
The two men who connected on the first goal both had a great evening as well. Stephen Turnbull was absolutely dominant on the right flank and his assist was a prelude of better things throughout the match. He got around his man going forward with regularity and played a nice game defensively. His assist was a thing of beauty, but of course his cross needed someone's head. Shaikly has been quietly consistent for the Mighty Oak and it's really starting to come out lately. He offers an attacking threat going forward and can defend going back. His ball through to Montoya was exceptional and his positioning was stellar for the goal. He received AFC Ann Arbor man of the match, and he's deserved it after his fantastic showing.
With Farkas and Braem away and Rylah and Ramirez out, perhaps some fans were worried that the form shown in the earliest part of the season would not hold up. This game, against strong competition in Grand Rapids, should provide a bit of alleviation to those worries. The depth of this team is strong with players like AZ, Montoya, Cawley, and Turnbull all having great showings and none of whom started on the first NPSL game of the season. Of course, with regulars like Marc Ybarra, who was rather quiet today but solid, Kyle Breitmeyer, Okumu, and Novotny remaining as mainstays in the eleven, the team will not long for quality while some of their regular starters are unavailable. It goes without saying that Eric Rudland has done an unbelievable job in recruiting men to play in Ann Arbor, and that should be apparent over the next three games.
What's Next:
A busy ten day span has only just begun. The Mighty Oak will now travel to FC Columbus on Sunday (for a 3 PM kick-off) for a meeting with the Great Lakes' expansion team. This will mark the end of the first set of fixtures in the league (meaning AFC Ann Arbor have played everyone team once) but the matches continue next weekend with Milwaukee Torrent at home next Friday, and Detroit City FC away next Sunday. Eyes should be on Detroit City's matches as the meeting on June 10th has potential to decide first-place in the division, but both teams must travel to Columbus and AFC must take care of Milwaukee before this sort of speculation can seep into either side's mind. June is set to be a very exciting month. This is just the start.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets for more coverage, live-tweets, and posting every single article when I upload it. Also a special thanks to those I met today in the AFCAA family at today's game, it was my pleasure!
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