Results: Firsts 4/18/10 vs Croatia (H)

Barnstonworth Rovers 0 N.Y. Croatia 1

The Rovers 5 game winning streak ended with the same 1-0 scoreline in reverse. It cost the Rovers the top spot in the division. Nothing before or during the first 80 minutes of the match hinted that this upset was in the cards.
The Firsts dominated from kick off, and should have opened the score early on when Pugli connected with a Jordi cross inside the six. Andy found Pugli again in the box minutes later but the finish went awry.
In the 25th minute the game changed. Jordi broke through the Croatian defense and was tackled by the goalkeeper on the top of the D and as he tried to round him. Obvious straight red and a direct free kick for the Rovers.
Croatia continued with a Reserve keeper and 10 men. Somehow the Rovers could not capitalize, highlighting their recent finishing woes. They dominated 90% of the possession as Croatia retreated with 9 players in their own half, often 8 sitting in their 18een, but they could not fashion a breakthrough. Andy hit the post when Pugli's finish went past the far upright. And Colin's direct free came close but went over the bar. But the Rovers never really tested the back up keeper. They got stuck trying to play short balls in the Croatian final third and could not draw out the disciplined Croatian defenders.
With 10 minutes to go, and with Rover frustration clearly growing, the unthinkable happened. A clearance found the back of the sole Croatian in the Rovers' half, and it fell to another midfielder in the centre circle. He raced through 3 Rovers and hit a thunder to the near upper 90. Rovers stunned at 0-1. Croatia had scored without ever having 2 players in the Rover half !
The urgency upped, but Rovers could not reverse their fate.

Team: Ben Kartzman, Mark Kushemba, John Salvucci, Andy Abramovits, Ajene Green, George Tagaris, Colin Marshall, Scot Waddell, Pat Brown, Jordan Chirico, Stephen Pugliese Subs (all played) Alan Alcade, Vidar Ekehaug, Randi Lee, Joe Germanese, Dave Borchard