Postgame: Rebels SC top Nomads
27.04.2021
April 24, 2021
Rebels remain undefeated in the second week of the season after securing a 2-1 win over UPSL debutants Nomads on Saturday night at Mount Miguel High School.
A total effort from all players was needed in the wildest game in Rebels’ history. Despite losing center-back Edwing Zambrano to a red card in the first half and playmaker Pablo Vazquez to a second yellow in the second half, the Blue & White pushed on to find a later winner.
Midfielder Emmett Basaca scored an incredible solo goal after forcing the Nomads’ goalkeeper into a turnover and outside back Lloyd Alexander continued his goalscoring ways from last week when he converted a rebound into a late winner.
“It was an incredible performance from all the guys,” Rebels head coach Matt Emmert said. “You can already see how mentally strong this group has become and this was a really important win.”
DOMINANT START
A strong start on Saturday night saw Rebels create multiple good chances to score early in the first half. None were better than a quick counter started from goalkeeper Nathanael Linquist who threw the ball to David Achaerandio on the left touchline near the halfway line. Achaerandio controlled and curled a beautifully weighted through ball around the last defender and into the path of Marco Gutierrez’s run. Gutierrez's well-timed run saw him meet the ball in space near the top of the box, but his first time shot just skidded past the far post.
DOWN TO TEN
A series of collisions and potential fouls that went unpunished by the referee led to a boiling point when center-back Edwing Zambrano appeared to kick a Nomads player while getting back to his feet. A moment of tension between the two teams ensued with Nomads players wanting a red card for a dangerous foul and Rebels players expressing frustration to the officials for not stopping play on earlier contact. Play resumed a minute later, but with a straight red for Zambrano, leaving the Blue & White with ten players.
NOMADS TAKE THE LEAD
After ending the first half 0-0, the game remained deadlocked with Nomads playing conservatively and Rebels having difficulty generating attacks with ten men. However, in the 62nd minute, Nomads intercepted a pass into the midfield and were able to find a runner in behind the defense. Newcomer Julio Arreola, who was subbed in for winger Omar Omar in the first half following Zambrano’s expulsion, recovered and appeared to get the inside angle on the attacker to win the ball. Both players went to the ground and the official decided he had seen enough to award a penalty to Nomads. A well-taken penalty was placed just high enough to evade goalkeeper Nathanael Linquist’s outstretched hand and place Nomads in the driver’s seat with a goal added to their man advantage.
“EMMETT DOING EMMETT THINGS”
Emmett Basaca is well known to teammates for his barely believable work rate and contributions both defensive and offensive. Despite being nominally a defensive midfielder, he has shown a knack for making late runs to score goals at decisive moments. As Nomads slowed the tempo of the game and looked to manage their advantage, Basaca anticipated a back pass to the goalkeeper from twenty-five yards away. He capitalized on the slow pass, reaching the ball a step before the goalkeeper and poking it into space wide of the far post. He continued his sprint, narrowly beat a recovering defender to the ball, and laced it into the far corner to give ten-man Rebels the equalizer in the 70th minute.
REBELS SEE RED AGAIN
Attacker Pablo Vazquez entered the game for striker Marco Gutierrez early in the second half and nearly had an instant impact as his free-kick from twenty-five yards went over the wall and narrowly curled wide of the near post. However, after picking up a yellow for a late challenge earlier in the game, he would receive a second yellow in the 72nd minute for what appeared to be an arm thrown back that caught a Nomads player around the face.
UNLIKELY HERO SEALS VICTORY
Only five minutes after being reduced to nine men, a long goal kick was knocked down by striker David Achaerandio into the path of midfielder Marco Sanchez, who redirected the ball to Basaca. The ball would be tackled and popped loose for left-back Kyle Diaz to collect and race forward into the final third where he would eventually win a free-kick after enduring several potential fouls. With the ball set up thirty-five yards from goal on the left touchline, week one hero Erick Gonzalez curled a dipping ball into the near post. Achaerandio’s run was well-timed and he nearly connected with the pass, freezing the goalkeeper who was anticipating a shot. However, the ball skipped off the turf at the top of the six-yard box and bounced off the crossbar where outside back Lloyd Alexander found himself completely unmarked to tap in the eventual game-winner.
Through two games the team lead for top scorer is held by outside back Lloyd Alexander, who has scored in each of the first two contests. Alexander joined the team in the middle of the fall 2019 UPSL season where he initially spent time as a defensive midfielder. Returning now to his natural outside back spot, Alexander has been excellent on both sides of the ball, preventing attacks while contributing crosses and goals in the final third. His second goal of the season was the all-important game-winner to give nine-man Rebels a hard-fought win over Nomads and keep the team in the running for first place.
Source: Rebels Sc Staff
