U17 Boys: FC Golden State 5, Real So Cal White 2

Maybe to say that it was no contest would be somewhat harsh, but in this case, it was reality. Real So Cal Boys White, one of the top club teams in the country, fell to FC Golden State in U17 Boys play by a 5-2 score. The match was part of the opening weekend of the CSL Premier League.

“The boys played well and played smart, our goals came from five different people,” said FC Golden State Head Coach Louie Bilowitz. “We may not be the most athletic teams, but we have a great a system that everybody has a role in. And it’s hard to play against.”

A well-established defense helped Golden State throughout the match. Its center backs were able to clear any and all crosses while breaking up attacks on the ground. It didn’t help that well-timed runs by the forwards allowed them to take advantage of a lackluster Real So Cal defense that seemed to go into this match underestimating its opponent.  

It started very early in the match. With few minutes in from the opening whistle, Gold State’s left back, Henry Herrill, was at the end of a low header after a loose ball inside the 18-yard box.

Real So Cal made the game interesting a few minutes later after midfielder Manvir Manak took advantage of a defensive mistake and slid the ball underneath Golden State’s goalkeeper Alex Wozniak for the 1-1 tie.

If there would be any indication how Bilowitz boys’ would deal with the pressure, it wouldn’t take long to see, as Sage Smith found the ball at the end of his diagonal run. Alone against Real So Cal’s goalkeeper, Cody Thompson, he slammed the ball into the back of the net for the 2-1 lead, which Golden State would never relinquish.

“I told them if Real So Cal scores a goal, instead of panicking, just shrug your shoulders and go out and score another goal,” said Bilowitz. “They weren’t nervous but relaxed, so when Real So Cal scored a goal like I warned them, they just went ahead and continued playing.”

Right before the half, Golden State continued taking advantage of the gaps in the Real So Cal defense. Central midfielder Jared Stephens doubled Golden State’s lead, finding the top corner and eventual game-winner.

Credit has to be given to this first year premier squad and Coach Bilowitz, who were able to dismantle Real So Cal’s defense with their strategic offensive attack.

“We try to play a system very much like Spain or Barcelona plays,” explained Bilowits. “Where there are a lot of shorts passes and a lot of diagonals, which we work so much on.”

And it continued in the second half.

But first Real So Cal tried to make a game of it after forward Richard Martinez slotted in a rebound from inside the 6-yard box. Wozniak wasn’t able to hold on to the ball after a soft shot, and it landed in front of Martinez for the easy goal.

With only a goal deficit, Real So Cal started to be patient with the ball. Realizing it couldn’t go down the middle, it starting attacking through the wings, trying to create opportunities to tie.

“We switched one forward out and put him as a second defensive midfielder to clog the middle, since Real So Cal was penetrating,” said Bilowitz. “Since we had a lead, we were able to play with that and it worked for us.”

And Real So Cal’s patience eventually was its own demise, as Golden State found the back of the net once again, midfielder Jaehoon Jung’s shot went past a diving Thompson for the 4-2 lead.

Jordan Tinjaca iced the game in style for Golden State as he followed his breakaway by juking the keeper out of position, and scoring on an empty net.

The 5-2 win was an ideal way to start the Coast Soccer League for Golden State FC as they try to hold their own on the premier ranks against many other formidable opponents.

Bilowitz concluded, “We are still trying to believe that we are a good team. I have a lot faith in this team, and we’re getting there. It’s just going to take a little time.”

So Cal Blue Draluck (blue) vs. West Coast FC

U16 Girls: So Cal Blue Draluck  2, West Coast FC 0

An amazing goal by Isabella Hernandez in the second half was the highlight of So Cal Blue’s 2-0 win over West Coast FC.

Hernandez drove along the right sideline against her defender and into the inside edge of the 18-yard box. From a few yards off the end line, she chipped the ball over the West Coast FC goalkeeper into the opposite corner for the incredible game-winner.

Anan Cruz doubled the tally with a low free kick from 20-yards out that slipped through the hands of the goalkeeper for the final 2-0 lead.