FC Olympia’s rebuilding men’s squad struggled to a relatively slow start in their 2024 campaign in the USL League Two (USL2) as they dropped their league opener against Tacoma Stars FC, 4-1, last Friday, May 24, at Tacoma, before settling for a barnburner draw with Lane United FC, 1-1 in their opening home fixture last Sunday, May 26.
The pair of quickfire results brings FC Olympia temporarily to seventh spot in the Northwest Division with one point in two games with –3 GD as of writing.
They will then face a big task this week, with a visit from inter-state rivals and last year's USL2 champions Ballard FC in this season’s first Battle of the Sound at the South Sound Stadium on May 29, Wednesday night, at 7:00 p.m. kickoff, before taking a breather to challenge a winless Midlakes United FC this Sunday, June 2, at Bellevue before the Fourth of July break.
It could be remembered that the Artesians, despite losing three of four matches vs Ballard last year, were the only team in the country to beat the 2023 national champs in a shock 3-2 thriller at their home at the Interbay Stadium last June 23, 2023.
The revamped Artesians were slapped with harsh reality in this season’s opener as they succumbed to league newcomers Tacoma Stars FC to a 4-1 defeat at the Bellarmine Memorial Stadium Friday night.
Forward Lennard Fock gave the first and lone goal for FC Olympia in the opening game defeat while goalkeeper Jackson Ozburn was busy between the gates allowing four goals in while producing six saves.
It’s not the ideal result for Seattle Sounders legend and debutant head coach Jason Dunn as he found his men two goals down in the first 26 minutes, with goals from Orlando Erazo and Tyler John. The Artesians tried to spark the comeback with their quick counter attacks but were held trailing two at halftime.
The hosts sealed the result with their third goal early in the second half before the Seattle University striker Lennard Fock got the goal for FC Olympia with a strike at the top right far post to make it 3-1 in the 65th minute. Tacoma eventually ended the match 4-1 with a consolation in the 77th.
It was no love lost for then Artesians coach Liviu Bird, who is now the assistant coach for the Tacoma Stars, as his new team got all three points in the league opener.
Willing to make a quick turnaround from the humbling season opener defeat, the Artesians held Eugene, Oregon side Lane United FC to a 1-1 draw at the South Sound Stadium Sunday afternoon.
In a much more eventful second game for FC Olympia, starting goalkeeper Jackson Ozburn saved a crucial penalty before Lennard Fock puts the goal in for the hosts in an action-packed first half, before holding on for the draw to finally get their first point of the season.
At 22 minutes of game time, Ede Gramberg of Lane United FC fished the penalty call after stumbling past FC Olympia’s left back Nicolas Wiskel in the box. But the six-foot-three University of Washington goalie Jackson Ozburn made himself big as he saved the penalty, predicting the left side shot from Sergi Solans Ormo to swing the momentum in favor to the Artesians.
“Jackson had some incredible moments,” said USL2 Artesians Head Coach Dunn. “His save on the penalty kick gave us a spark.”
Yoshiki Irazagi of Lane United FC then scored first in the 29tth minute after a quick transition play, but moments later, FC Olympia forward TJ Knight delivered a monster throw for Lennard Fock to flick it in with a header to equalize for the hosts in the 36th minute. Both teams held to the stalemate despite sparks in the attack in the second half from Nico Wiskel.
“I thought we played much better defensively than our first game against Tacoma,” said Dunn when asked on his thoughts on the match. “We were a lot more disciplined in our shape. Offensively we created a ton of chances and looked dangerous on our set pieces.”
In the post match interview, an emotional Jason Dunn recounted memories in his high school alma mater as he returned to the North Thurston High School grounds now as a coach.
“There were a lot of memories that were brought up walking onto the field,” said Dunn on his return to South Sound Stadium.
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