After losing three of their four opening matches, FC Olympia’s men’s side finally got to the winning column of the current USL League Two season at the expense of a visiting United PDX FC in a slim 1-0 win at the South Sound Stadium last Wednesday, June 12.
Standing as the captain for the home side, Chad Sovde, who was on fire with a hat trick last week in a friendly versus Crossfire Premier, continued to pounce on the momentum of his fine form as he headed in the lone goal that decided the match deep in the second half, leading the pack to all three points secured at home.
It was a nip and tuck affair for both sides as the Artesians were determined to finally break their slump after back-to-back humiliations from defending champions Ballard FC and newcomers Midlakes United FC, while the visitors from Portland were on see-sawing form following a win and a loss from Midlakes.
Long balls prevailed in the contest as the physicality of the game prevailed from the two hungry sides in the first half, with tensions boiling from the two sides approaching a goalless halftime whistle.
The simmering tensions came to a roast in the second half as United PDX FC’s Ben Augee unnecessarily shoved Sovde in the face while on a set piece, resulting in a mini scuffle resulting to a red card for the United PDX player while the heated Artesian captain got away with the crime after only receiving a yellow despite lashing back at Augee.
With their opponents down a man by the 55th minute, the Artesians took the opportunity to take the man advantage, launching attacks through their front attack.
It took them a while, but the Artesians finally broke the goalless deadlock after 83 minutes. Andre Philibbosian from the midfield was left unchecked and launched a peach of a long chip shot to the box, which was then received by a jumping Chad Sovde heading past the goalkeeper and a marker as finally, the Artesians drew first blood.
As they learned from the defeat in Bellevue from the league rookies, they held the lead up to the final whistle, leading to their first win of the USL2 season finally after five matches. Goalkeeper Jack Ozburn had a field day in goal with six saves in the whole 90 from the Artesians keeper.
“We wanted to be more physical, more determined in the second half and finish our chances,” said Captain Chad Sovde regarding the second-half adjustments leading to their first win.
Despite the win, FC Olympia still sits at rock bottom of the Northwest Division, after four points in five matches and a goal difference of –7.
The lads will continue to push their winning form next week as they will face a visit from Salem-based Capital FC Atletico, who have a swinging five points in their first four matches this season, on June 19, Wednesday at the South Sound Stadium at 7:00 p.m. kickoff at North Thurston.
Meanwhile, USL W action will return to South Sound on June 14 as the unbeaten Artesians face their Capital FC counterparts at 7:00 p.m. kickoff.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here