Bella Vista FC

The game started off with a strong attack from BVB ending in an early shot on the race goal that was deflected out by former Via keeper, Victor Balta. That was our cue  to pick it up and the Racers started tightening their defense and feeding balls to the danger men in front, Paco and Nachmi. The first 20 minutes were pretty even with both teams going toe to toe. BVB had a much more active midfield but their attacks were firmly absorbed by the Race St. back line, anchored by Lance and Q. With about 15 minutes left in the first half, pesky Paco broke free on the left wing, broke the BVB defense and launched what looked like an arching cross. Was it a pass or a shot? Who knows, the result was that it came in at a steep angle and past the BVB goalie. Race was up by 1 and that is how the half ended.

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The second half started with both teams feeling the heat, although it seemed like BVB was pressing their attack more vigorously. On the Race side, our midfield started to find their legs and pushed into the BVB back field more often, rather than depending on the long ball. The extra effort paid off when a scrappy Irving Navarro dribbled into the BVB back line and squeaked a shot past Steph who was the BVB goalie of the moment. Race was now up 2 – 0 but this only seemed to prod the Drinkers into a binge of activity. The increased pressure finally put them on the board, capitalizing on a communication breakdown in the Race back line that allowed Jerry Braden to beat the backs for a shot/pass that was deflected by Victor into the waiting feet of BVB newcomer, Luca Segato. It was now a 2 - 1 game.

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The goal definitely energized the game, but it was Race St. that immediately turned that extra urgency into some fine futbol with Nachmi, Paco and Dave showing off some pretty passing in the BVB half of the field. On a fine service from another Race player (I forget who), former Vesuvian Dave Petit deftly controlled with his chest and volleyed a perfect shot into the back of the net. I true “Golazo”! Race was now up 3-1 and all we could do was pull our exhausted players into our half to fend off the coming storm we knew was going to come from a desperate BVB. The last 10 minutes of the game saw BVB throw everything at us, including the kitchen sink, dish washer, and toilet, but we held them off for the win.

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As you may know, team Race Street Café is under new management. After 3 seasons of leadership, Captain Condi has decided to be just a regular player and he now adds his impressive midfield skills to team BVB.  Condi was missing yesterday otherwise, BVB may have been much stronger.  Meanwhile, Race is now captained by former Race Defender Lance Geren, and the ever itinerant puma who comes off captaining the last place Via Bicycles from last season. Race Street is now an odd mix of former Racers (Q, Lance, Paco), a grab bag of other vets (Nachmi, Dave P, Tim, Sarah), and a healthy injection of new folks. This looked fine on paper, but how that would translate on the pitch was the main question on my mind going into our opening match on Sunday against BVB (the drinkers) captained by Steph and Scott H.  Looks like Race Street are title contenders and watch out Vesuvio, they have your number.

- Report by Juan

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