USL Game Report
Sunday, January 28, 2012
BRADENTON, Fla. – Honors ended even in the final scrimmage of the USL PRO Combine presented by Umbro at IMG Academies on Sunday morning, with Team Neo and Team Veloce finishing with a 2-2 tie as Jared Kukura and Jesus Cortes found the net for Neo and Mark Markovic and Emmanuel Elomobor scored for Veloce.
Neo had the opening opportunity, Eric Goldberg breaking into the penalty area only to have his shot smothered by Veloce goalkeeper Joe Marino, but it was Veloce that took the lead as Markovic finished off a good move 15 minutes in.
Neo quickly got back on even terms, though, as a corner from the right was headed down and came to Kukura, who flicked in a nice finish from 12 yards out three minutes later. Neo continued to carry the play for most of the remainder of the half, Eli Garner and Goldberg both having chances denied in quick succession before Marino made an excellent save from Brad Rose as he drove a shot headed to the left corner from 15 yards. Kukura also had another chance from a corner, but his flicked header went over the crossbar.
Neo’s strong form continued in the second half, and Cortes gave them the lead 10 minutes into the second half. After Garner drifted across the penalty area from left to right, he laid the ball off to Cortes, who rifled a low shot into the left corner of the net.
Sean Coleman had a good chance to find an equalizer for Veloce, stealing possession in the Neo end before shooting wide of the right post, before Drew Russell had a chance to add to Neo’s lead from a corner, his header going just over the crossbar.
Veloce tied the game with 15 minutes to go as Coleman again created an opportunity in the Neo end. After his low shot from the edge of the penalty area was only parried, Elomobor reacted quickly to turn in the rebound from the right side, 10 yards out.
Garner had a late chance to steal the win for Neo, turning his defender well just inside the Veloce half before breaking on goal, but goalkeeper Robert Mueller came off his line well and turned his shot away. The save allowed Veloce to finish the weekend undefeated, taking two wins and a draw in their three scrimmages.