The season started back with a bang last Saturday as Saint Louis FC ended the long winter USL layoff with three games in a week on their longest road trip of the season. New adventures in the Western Conference this season took STLFC to Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy UT. It was quite the heart breaker as Real Monarchs scored in the final moments to secure all three points. Dale Schilly’s team looked good in the opening sequences of the game until a freak issue with Monarch Omar Holness saw him collapse on the field away from play. The game was suspended for nearly 30 minutes as an ambulance was brought onto the field, and it looked like Saint Louis lost their mojo after the break in play and allowed Monarchs a foothold into the game.
There was no rest for the team as they had to immediately travel to southern California for a midweek match up with Los Angeles Galaxy 2. Jack McBean scored a brace as “Los Dos” secured an easy 3-0 victory.
Looking to revive the road trip, the game against reigning regular western conference season winner Orange County Blues promised things weren’t going to be any easier. It certainly seemed that way as the Blues took the lead after 25 minutes. Cometh the hour, cometh the Kiwi however. On the 33rd minute Drew Connor was fouled 35 yards from the OC goal and James Musa scortched a laser beam into the Blues net. Musa, usually a center back had been moved up to defensive midfield and he made the most of his new license to roam further forward.
In the second half, Ryan Thompson made an excellent penalty save to keep things level for STL, then moments later hobbled off with a hamstring strain, leaving Mark Pais to continue in goal.
As the game wore on it was Saint Louis who sniffed all three points and they duly arrived courtesy of Vince Cicciarelli. He scored a brace in the final 5 minutes of the contest, after a melee in the box which squeaked under the keeper and then a one on one breakaway after being put through by Mike Ambersley.
“In a game where the other team is trying to play big ball and press their line high to get second balls, there’s a lot of space for Vince to run in and that was the tactic tonight.” said Head Coach Dale Schilly. ” That’s what Vince brings – big body, hard work and the ability to score on breaks.”
The relief of a first win was huge going into another tough away game against Oklahoma City Energy on Saturday. This will round out the 4 game road stand before Saint Louis finally play Tulsa on April 16th at their home opener.
After his two goals this week, Cicciarelli secured USL player of the week, with goalkeeper Ryan Thompson given an honorable mention for his penalty save heroics.
The draw for the Lamar Hunt Open Cup was made Wednesday morning, Saint Louis FC learned they will host the winner of the AFC Cleveland (Cleveland OH) v GPSMaine (Portland, ME) in the second round of the prestigious tournament. NASL teams will enter in the third round and MLS teams will be drawn in the fourth round.
