By Jinseong Kim
AFC Ann Arbor had another back-to-back matchday on June 19 and 20 respectively, this time against Grand Rapids-based Midwest United. The men produced a huge 4-1 victory on a sunny Father’s Day encounter in Saline. The women, meanwhile, fell, 3-1, in Grand Rapids.
Men
As it has been throughout the season, the AFCAA men never hesitated to push forward to attack immediately. The outcome was an early lead from Luke Benford. The Canton native, who managed to start in line-up for the first time at home, received a chest pass from Jonas Bickus, another first-time starter in Saline. He then sprinted past multiple defenders and tipped over the goalie.
The clock read approximately 47 seconds at the time the ball crossed the line, which makes it not only the second earliest goal of the season but of the club's history. The earliest came in only about a month ago, on May 28, when Luana Grabias from the women's team netted an early lead against Indy Eleven in only 37 seconds.
AFCAA held the most possession after the first and tested the goalkeeper with a shot and free kick from Curt Calov, but it was Midwest who found the net next. In the 18th minute, Jonathan Stout danced around defenders on the far left wing, and aimed for the top right corner from the left edge of the box. The ball struck to where Jonathan Gomes couldn’t reach, a well-hit finish.
A one-all scoreline only lasted for twelve minutes thanks to an effort from Curt Calov, AFCAA’s designated free kick taker for the match. Following a foul on Daisuke Otsuka near the 28-yard mark, Calov and Moshtaba Al-Hasnawi stood around the ball for a kick. Calov was the one who put the foot on, and comfortably converted with his right-footed attempt.
Unlike the back-and-forth first half, the latter 45 minutes was total domination by The Mighty Oak, starting off with several promising early chances. Daisuke Otsuka almost found the back of the net in the 47th minute but his header went over the bar. In the 51st minute, the Japanese was on the verge of scoring the third again as he controlled the ball inside the six-yard box. But it was blocked and cleared by Midwest defense.
AFCAA finally extended the lead to three in the 66th minute from a great play by two substitutes, Sean Kerrigan and Yushi Nagao. Kerrigan earned a penalty on the left wing with his fantastic footwork. Nagao then stepped forward to finish the spot kick, comfortably converting to the top left corner.
The fourth came in a three-minute gap between the third, and it was Jonas Bickus, who assisted the initial goal from Luke Benford and would eventually be selected as the Man of the Match. Receiving a delivery from Luke Benford on the right end, Bickus, like his idol Zlatan Ibrahimovic, placed a brilliant header that would go on the back of the net.
After the fourth, the men controlled the rest of the game in the way they wanted. Outnumbering Midwest United in shots and possession, The Mighty Oak only allowed one shot in the second half and consistently tested Midwest United. The attacking-minded approach proved why the attack is often called the best defense.
Women
The AFCAA women didn’t start off as they planned in Grand Rapids. Midwest United went for several long range shots in early minutes which was a sign for their first in the 18th minute, as one of their long range efforts finally made its way home into The Mighty Oak’s net.
Midwest doubled their lead in the 62nd minute with a well-struck shot in front of the box. The host made it three-nil in the 73rd minute from a spot kick. Robertson got the direction right, but it slipped past her.
The last five minutes of the game was something that The Mighty Oak can smile about. It started off from Ann Arbor’s defensive end, as Kendall Robertson saved and collected another penalty conceded in the 88th minute. Approximately two minutes later, Camila Pescatore got a late goal from the penalty arc, receiving a well-fed pass from Chloe Ricketts who beat defenders on the left wing with a good run. It was Pescatore’s first goal for AFCAA, and Ricketts’s second assist of the season.
About AFC Ann Arbor
Association Football Club Ann Arbor (AFC Ann Arbor) was founded in 2014 and competes in USL2 (men’s) and USLW (women’s) national amateur leagues. We are a community-based club, focused on equity, justice, and anti-racism. We consider all of our stakeholders, including supporters, players, staff, and ownership to be part of the #AFCAAFamily. Come On You Mighty Oak!