NW National Dynamo vs. Eastside FC Red

U-14 Boys

WPS Soccer covered the game this afternoon on a bright sunny day. Both teams seemed to have a fairly good warm-up and both seemed ready for their big match-up. The winner would have the chance to play Crossfire who had won 4-1 against Highline Heat earlier in the day.

As the game began, it seemed to have a very intense feel to it. Both teams moving quickly as the ball was knocked around the pitch. Eastside played the ball forward and won themselves a cornerkick right away about a minute into the game.

One of Eastsides defenders Jordan Con went up to take the corner. Jordan sent a beautiful corner far post and Race Sciabica got up in the middle of a crowd and headed it home to the stunned Dynamo crowd.

Just like that Eastside was on the board with a 1-0 lead. It seemed to take a bit of air out of Dynamo for a brief second. They did however have a nice chance not long after the goal, when Manix Alverez of Dynamo got loose up front and hit a shot far post. A diving Brian Schwartz made a good save on the well placed shot. The Dynamo corner was dangerous after the save, but Eastside cleared it out.

It was only about 10 minutes in when Eastside struck again. On a longer ball hit over the top, John Piela ran it down with only the keeper to beat. The Dynamo keeper however got down and blocked the attempt, only to have the "Man of the Match" Race Sciabica chase it down and fire it into the open net for a 2-0 Eastside lead.

A bit later Eastside got another free kick that was sent in by Jordan Con, that again Race Sciabica got up for and headed on goal. Sciabica seemed to be everywhere when balls were served in or played forward.

After a Dynamo player received a caution around the 25 minute mark. Eastside played the free kick in and won a corner. Jordan Con played it in, Dynamo cleared it out right to Con. Con sent it right back in and Sciabica again got up and put another header on goal.

The final 10 minutes of the 1st half may have been Dynamos best chances on goal. With Manix Alvarez taking a few shots and serving some great diagonal balls into players. Dynamo also had Devin Mendiola get free into the box on the dribble and get a nice shot off.

As the half closed though, it truly felt like the game was over. it wasn't that Dynamo was playing bad, it just seemed in the 1st half when Eastside had chances they finished them. Dynamo seemed to not have their typical energy that I've known them to have. They seemed down and beaten, and the hole was probably deeper than they expect.

The entire second half seemed fairly even, with no one having too many great chances. Although, I felt like Eastside had one great chance in the second half on a break away, that just went wide from the foot of John Piela.

To be honest it didn't matter, because Eastside made a statement in the first 10 minutes of the game and it was over.

I will say, I've seen both of these teams play before and I felt like Eastside did a good job of taking Dynamo out of their game. The early goals made it difficult for the Dynamo boys to settle into their passing game. They seemed to get sucked into the style Eastside was playing on this day. I give the Eastside team credit, you got the job done. I will also say for all of the dirty play a few of you have talked about, it was pretty clean today and nothing I felt was ever dirty or out of line play. Even the one caution was suspect.

The game ended 2-0 and Eastside not only earned the victory on this day, but deserved it.

Best of Luck in the Semis
Was nice to see a few forum junkies...VMS, nice to meet you. Eddy, although I didn't formally meet you, a friend pointed you out. Oh and I saw a few others, that I won't name. Was good to see all of you.

WPS Soccer wanted to make sure and point out what an awesome game one particular player had today. Race Sciabica was exceptional today, scoring both goals for Eastside and almost scoring a few others. Man of the Match...... Race Sciabica, you showed what it takes to be a champion today. I walked away very impressed with your work rate and your desire.