PDL Game Report
Friday, July 11, 2014
LOS ANGELES -- The LA Misioneros clinched a place in the postseason as they took a 1-0 victory against the OC Pateadores Blues on Friday night at George Carver Stadium. Chris Smith had the only goal of the game as the Misioneros ended the regular season and set up a playoff opener against Mountain Division champion FC Tucson in Las Vegas next Saturday.
“We came out to win, and nothing less tonight,” said Misioneros head coach Cruz Hernandez. With the win, the Misioneros finished second in the Southwest Division, a point behind the Ventura County Fusion, who also claimed victory on Friday night in their final game of the regular season to win the division title.
“We had a great run this regular season, a couple stumbles along the way, but we have fought adversity and are now one step closer to the 2014 PDL Playoffs,” said Misioneros general manager Daniel Collazo. “We couldn’t have done this without the help of all the players and coaches, including coach Ever [Morataya] and Eric [Garcia], they initiated the season well, we are now just finishing it.”
The Misioneros pressured the Blues high in their field early in the game, and created a pair of opportunities. The only goal, and winning goal for the Misioneros, came early in the 16th minute when midfielder Alex Mendoza places in a great solid pass to Smith, who finished the play with a blast past the Blues goalkeeper Jake McGuire to make it 1-0.
The Misioneros would remain on the front foot in the attacking third as they placed five other shots on target, three of these shot all coming from the young striker Kyrian Nwabueze.
Orange County had a late chance to equalize when they were awarded a free kick just outside the top of the penalty area. The shot rebounded off the crossbar, as the Misioneros held on for all three points and a place in the postseason.
The Misioneros have met their opening opponent in the playoffs, FC Tucson, in previous seasons. Tucson was part of the Southwest Division in its first two seasons, but this year became part of the newly-created Mountain Division. The Misioneros have never taken victory against Tucson, with an 0-1-3 record all-time.
“We are aware of our opponent, but we are confident that with the enormous amount of talent we carry, we will battle our way into playoffs,” said Collazo.
The Misioneros will take on FC Tucson this upcoming Saturday, July 19th at the UNLV soccer stadium, while the Fusion will face Mountain Division runner-up the BYU Cougars in the day's other game. Kickoff is yet to be scheduled, with the two winners set to move on to the Western Conference Championship where they will face the Northwest Division champion Kitsap Pumas, and one of the Vancouver Whitecaps U-23 or Victoria Highlanders FC.