Photo courtesy Nolan Bair / CASA Soccer League
The CASA Soccer League is the Delaware Valley’s largest amateur soccer league.
As part of our coverage of local soccer, we’ll be featuring match reports from games played in CASA’s top six divisions. This week’s reports cover the games played last weekend, the third matchday of CASA’s recently begun fall season.
Thanks to CASA’s president, Nolan Bair, and his writing team across all divisions for compiling the match reports and to PSP’s Paul Catrino Jr. for coordinating.
Reporting: Charlie Shea
Vidas United 0 – 1 Philadelphia Corinthians FC
Philadelphia Corinthians FC go two wins on the trot, taking home a 1-0 victory against Vidas United over the weekend. Corinthian’s #8 AJ Bishop scored in a Man of the Match performance and his finishing ended up being the difference.
“We put away our best chance. On another day, the result could have been different” said Corinthian’s skipper Sam Vale. “Good teams find a way to win and I have a good team.” It was a chippy game throughout, with 5 yellow cards shown, but Vidas captain Nolan Bair had no complaints about the result: “I think overall it was fair. Corinthians were a strong side but we let ourselves down with a lack of creativity and drive on the day.”
A cloud was cast on the day in the form of a hamstring injury to Vidas winger Eman Adeleye, who may be sidelined for the rest of the season. Corinthians turn their gaze towards Stoney United, while Vidas look forward to a fixture with FC SouthHouse.
Vidas United: Yellow Cards – Godbole, DeLeo
Corinthians: Goal – Bishop / Yellow Cards – Pingatore, Kane, Street
FC Misconduct 5 – 2 FC Tigre
FC Misconduct won a comprehensive 5-2 against FT Tigre over the weekend with Ryan Finley scoring a hat-trick in a MOTM performance. “They were just better than us all over the field,” said Tigre captain Connor Widerman. Misconduct go 2nd in the table with a game in hand, looking forward to a game against Icarus FC next week. Meanwhile, FC Tigre target top of the table South Philly United.
FC Misconduct: Goals – Hurff, Fink, Finley (3)
FC Tigre: Goals – Reichert, Fountain
Stoney United 6 – 1 Philadephia Heritage SC
Stoney United cruised to a 6-1 victory over Philadelphia Heritage SC, pulling away in the second-half with a strong performance. “Second half we were well organized and they had trouble breaking our press. We were clinical when they turned it over,” said Stoney captain Evan Carabelli. Matt Casaletto and Alex Martyn scored two goals and piece, while Akpo Omene and Gavin Coutts ran the Stoney United midfield.
Heritage captain Ryan Pereus acknowledged both the good and bad of the result: “1st 60 minutes was our best play so far. Consistent and intentional… They went up 1-2 at 60th minute and we collapsed mentally and then physically”. Stoney United look next week towards a surging Philadelphia Corinthians FC, while Heritage turn towards YTP FC.
Stoney: Goals – Casaletto (2), Martyn (2), Moris, Robey
PHSC: Goal – Derry
YTP FC 1 – 4 South Philly United
South Philly United won 4-1 over YTP FC in a good clean game, highlighted by a 4 goal performance from South Philly striker Turgut Kilicoglu. The game was 2-1 at the half, but South Philly pulled away during the back-half. “We had no subs and our guys just died,” said YTP captain Giancarlo Granese. YTP FC will play Philadelphia Heritage SC next week, while South Philly will play FC Tigre.
YTP: Goal – Teal
SPU: Goals – Kilicoglu (4)
Hunting Park United 5 – 0 Rum Ham FC
Hunting Park United got their first win of the season on Saturday morning, beating Rum Ham FC 5-0 in the pouring rain. HPU players Edison and Ciani each scored a brace, while Steve Bien-Aime scored one. Edison was given the Man of the Match honors for his brilliant play. Hunting Park will next play Cracovia while Rum Ham FC will play Glenside Celtic Rovers.
HPU: Goals – Edison (2), Ciani (2), Bien-Aime
Renob CF 1 – 0 Loose Cannons FC
Renob CF brought their record to 2-1 on the season, winning a close game against Loose Cannons FC. Nick Drozd scored the only goal within the first 5 minutes of the game while Renob were playing down a man thanks to a late-arrival no less. The team hung on to the lead for the rest of the game and grinded out a result. “Our keeper, Tyler Blair, stood on his head again and made some ridiculous saves”, said captain Brandon Rodriguez.
Loose Cannons had an off-day across the board, taking their first loss of the season; “Lots of chances on both sides we just couldn’t put one away,” said captain JP Hash. Both teams sit even on 6pts. Renob CF look to beat Bobert Munich next while Loose Cannons will play Philly Striker Team Jamaica.
Renob: Goal – Drozd
Cracovia 4 – 7 FC Bobert Munich
FC Bobert Munich won an 11 goal thriller vs Cracovia, taking home a 7-4 win. Bobert Munich’s Sam Decencio was MOTM with a hat-trick, which included 2 directly from frree kicks. “He changed the game – easily man of the match,” said Munich captain Chris Galvin. “It was such a small field this week. Once we started playing direct at them… it just worked in the last 20 minutes.”
Cracovia captain Eryk Tylek was disappointed with the result. “We couldn’t possess the ball at the end of the game and we let in 5 goals in the last 20 minutes.” It was a story of defensive lapses for Cracovia, whose record drops to 1-2 while FCBM climbs to 2-1. Cracovia looks to play Hunting Park, while FCBM will play the strong Renob CF.
Cracovia: Goals – Miller, Tylek (2), Hoppes
FCBM: Goals – Reiger, Weir, Wilkinson, Decencio (3), Decenti
Philly Striker Team Jamaica 7 – 1 Bluestars FC
It was a tale of two halves in Philly Striker Team Jamaica vs Bluestars FC over the weekend. 1-1 at the half, Philly Striker Team scored 6 unanswered 2nd half goals to run away with the game. “[They] overwhelmed us with counters on every turnover, catching us out with pace,” said Bluestars captain Aaron Bartels. Philly Striker’s #8 Stevens was MOTM and scored a worldy goal for his team’s first. “It was an incredible dipping, swerving shot from well outside the box. One of the best strikes I’ve seen in CASA,” said Bartels.
Alwin Morgan scored a hat-trick for Philly Striker Team Jamaica as well. Bluestars slip to 0-3 with their next game against Barenjager SC, while PSTJ get their first win of the season and look to continue their success against Loose Cannons FC.
PSTJ: Goals – Stevens (2), Morgan (3), Ballia, Sawyer / Yellow Cards: Longbird, Burneoo
BFC: Goals – Tuazama / Yellow Cards: Blazic
SMK 8 – 1 Barenjager SC
In another lopsided result, SMK smashed Barenjager SC 8-1. “It was probably our best performance of the year, we moved the ball around really well and were creating tons of chances the whole game,” said SMK captain Matt Muench. In a coordinated team effort, SMK had 7 different goalscorers over the course of the game.
Barenjager captain Ryan Prinz was blunt: “Would like to shout out old age and credit their youth”. For SMK, the result takes them to top of the table. According to Muench, promotion is this season’s goal. “[Last season] we lost our last 3 games of the season to end up staying in Segunda. We’re expecting to finish much stronger this time around.” SMK play 3-0 Drexel Shaft next week in a clash of top sides while Barenjager will clash with Bluestars FC.
SMK: Goals – Claus, Crosby, Hagerty, McBride, Owen, Weick (2), Lieg
Barenjager: Goal – Keller
Glenside Celtic Rovers 3 – 4 Drexel Shaft
Drexel Shaft grinded out a come from behind victory against Glenside Celtic Rovers, coming back from 0-2 down to win 4-3. Drexel Shaft’s #8 Brandon Esker was MOTM scoring twice. “This game was going to be a battle from the start,” said Drexel captain Evan Gibbs. Going down 0-2 didn’t phase them, “There wasn’t a doubt in our mind we wouldn’t put at least a few away before the final whistle.”
For Glenside, it was a case of 2-0 being the most dangerous lead. “[Drexel] finished the half stronger and started the second half brighter… We eventually pulled one back (for 4-3)… but just couldn’t get a goal to equalize.” Glenside will look to get back to winning ways next week against Rum Ham FC, while Drexel Shaft will take on SMK in a battle of undefeated teams. “It’ll be a great matchup and we are looking forward to it.”
GCR: Goals – McNally (2), Fleishman
DS: Goals – Anderson, Esker (2), Gibbs
Reporting: Romeo Julmiste
Sports Club Corinthians 2 – 1 Lost FC.
SC Corinthians were without six of their regular starters but were still able to have decent chemistry and maintain control of the game. An early corner was headed in with a well-timed leap by defender Brian Groot. All goals in the game were scored in the first half as Corinthians made it 2-0 from a low pullback cross by Hayden Phillips expertly dispatched by Reginaldo. Lost FC made it 2-1 before the half off a Corinthians defensive error but could not muster anymore in attack throughout the course of the second half. SC Corinthians being the new kids on the block find themselves one point out of the last playoff spot early on and will fight for that spot in Week 4 against the current occupants of fifth place, Berber United.
Mark Wahlberg’s Cousins FC 0 – 0 Oaklyn United.
One of the few games played across the bridge in New Jersey, Oaklyn United were well and truly “at home” in this game. Unfortunately, that advantage was not enough for them to find the breakthrough against Mark Wahlberg’s Cousins, the foes that knocked them out of the preseason Kicking Out Transphobia tournament in late August. The Lions and the Cousins take a share of the spoils, with OUFC still occupying their current playoff spot in 4th place and MWC FC out of the cellar but not out of the drop zone in 9th place.
Upper Darby FC 3 – 0 Rowan Club Soccer.
In the early afternoon game, the battle between perennial Tercera division juggernauts Upper Darby FC and league newcomers Rowan Club Soccer went about the way most people thought it would. UDFC continue a perfect start to the season in week three with a clean sheet and goals by Ibrahim Steven, Favor Weah, and captain Alpha Kanu. Rowan Club Soccer have the unfortunate distinction of being the only team in the division without a point and go into week 4 in an early relegation battle with fellow basement dwellers, Mark Wahlberg’s Cousins. UDFC have a tough task in Week 4 as they face fellow playoff occupants Brothers of the Gourd as the Brothers look to leap frog Upper Darby in the table. UDFC sit in 2nd and BoTG in 3rd.
Rose Tree Gunners FC 3 – 2 Berber United.
The last game on the docket between Rose Tree Gunners FC and Berber United was filled with a lot of drama with RTG FC coming out with all three points by the score of 3-2. The Gunners opened the scoring a minute before the half off a corner kick from Sam Brown which was nicely put away by George Charlambidis. In the 55th minute Berber United equalized but could not hold the tie for too long as seven minutes later in the 62nd minute RTG took the lead again through Trevor Babin from a Steve Finore assist.
Sam Brown was not finished pulling the strings as he got another assist in the game setting up Brit Haseltine in the 70th minute. Ten minutes later Berber United scored to make it 3-2 but did not have enough to overcome their opponents in red and white. RTG FC stay undefeated in a game mired by a lot of bickering and yellow cards on both sides, and sit at the top of the table as the fresh faces in Tercera make the case that they are the team to beat. Berber United have a target on their backs as they occupy the coveted last playoff spot. As they go into week 4 they will face the team directly behind them in sixth, SC Corinthians.
Brothers of the Gourd 1 – 1 Rebels.
Rebels gain their first points of the season in the early morning game with a draw to avoid suffering 3 straight losses. They sit right above the drop zone in 8th place going into Week 4 to face the team that sits right above them in the standings, Lost FC.
Devon SC 5 – 0 UCFC.
Coming off of a game in which they were shut out and dominated the previous week, DSC flipped the script and returned the favor by ripping apart UCFC. Forward Stephen Switucha absolutely dominated the game for the Thoroughbreds with a hattrick and two assists. With their first win of the season, Devon SC find themselves right above the relegation zone in eighth place while UCFC find themselves propping up the rest of the division in tenth. UCFC have suffered 3 straight losses and have scored only one goal. DSC will want to keep the momentum going but face a hard battle in week 4 as they take on the current division leaders, Vidas FC. UCFC will look to get their first points in week 4 as they face a Club Sandwich side that sits right outside of the playoff spots in sixth place.
Fishtown FC 3 – 3 FC Burlington.
The brunchtime matchup between the Trouts of Fishtown and the Dogs (Schnauzers) of Burlington was a hotly contested affair from start to finish. FCB opened the scoring in the 20th minute by Nixon Soglo off a mazy solo run and cool finish. 10 minutes later, the Green and Black equalized and used the push from the equalizer to get another goal 12 minutes later to make it 2-1. A few minutes afterwards FCB made it 2-2 from another goal by Nixon to see the game go into the half level.
More back and forth between these two squads as Burlington finally took the lead in the 73rd minute on a penalty kick dispatched by none other than Mr. Soglo to complete his hattrick. Not to be outdone, Fishtown were able to draw a free kick with seven minutes to go in the game which was subsequently arrowed top corner by Eddison Gulama. FFC captain Sean Parno stated that it was a good match between both sides and that “we look forward to the rematch in early November.” If it is anything like this game was on Saturday, the rest of the league should be keeping their eyes on this matchup as well. Both teams occupy the playoff spots with FCB in 3rd going into week 4 and FFC in 5th.
Vidas FC 3 – 0 Philly Falcons.
In the early afternoon game, Vidas FC easily handled the Philly Falcons with a hattrick hero performance by attacker Carlos Ceron. Vidas also held their own on the defensive end by maintaining the clean sheet, their second shut out in a row. Vidas certainly want to keep their momentum going into week 4 as they are in a three way tie for 1st place in points with Sunbears FC and FC Burlington. Vidas face 8th place Devon SC. Right below DSC in 9th place, Philly Falcons will look to secure their first points of the season as for the second straight game they face another KOT cup opponent in Fishtown FC.
Club Sandwich 0 – 3 Sunbears FC.
In the last Cuarto game of the day, Sunbears took a serious bite out of their opponents as they put three goals past Club Sandwich while also holding onto their clean sheet. Sunbears have now had two straight multi-game shut outs and are making an early push for promotion. Sunbears find themselves behind division leaders Vidas by just one goal scored. They look to build on their rampant goal scoring and solid defending going into week 4 as they face the red and black of University City FC. Club Sandwich who sit in sixth place will look to bounce back as they face the team at the foot of the table, UCFC.
Reporting: Michael McKinney
New Wave FC 1-0 Philadelphia Spartans
Philadelphia Spartans looked fresh and ready to get back to their winning ways after taking a hard to defend 2-6 loss last week against Drexel Hill Elite FC. In what would end up being a battle for midfield control, Philadelphia Spartans and New Wave FC tried to maintain possession with the use of short and precise passing. Both teams showed the ability to move forward and track back to help with the counter attack when needed. New Wave FC continued to impress with their backline. Spartans did get their chance to take the lead when they were awarded a PK but a great save by New Wave FC’s Endres kept the score 0-0. In a game that saw both teams struggle to break down the others defense, New Wave FC’s #7 Guerin broke through and ended the stalemate putting in the game winner with a cheeky chip that caught the Spartans flat footed off a quick restart. Another win and another clean sheet for New Wave FC has them holding onto 2nd place in the standings. The 2nd loss in a row for the Philadelphia Spartans drops them into 6th place.
New Wave: Goal – Guerin
Drexel Hill Elite FC 6 – 4 Illyrians
Goals… Lots of goals. That was the expectation going into the week 3 match up for a high scoring Drexel Hill Elite FC club looking to extend their win streak against mid table Illyrians. While Drexel Hill was coming off another high scoring win last week (6-2 win over the Spartans) Illyrians remaining unbeaten after their week 2 match ended in a 3-3 draw against Portugoal.
Drexel Hill continued to display their ability to punish defenses with their quick ball movement and fluid movements off the ball. Illyrians did their best to keep up with Drexel Hill as both teams traded transitional goals in the first half. Just before the half time whistle blows, Illyrians get a goal and a much needed boost in confidence heading into the 2nd half against a very determined Drexel Hill team. With Drexel Hill clinging to a 4-3 lead midway through the 2nd half, Illyrians suffer an own goal just as the momentum began to shift in their favor giving Drexel Hill back a 2 goal lead.
Frustrated but not giving up, Illyrians string together some passes in a promising counter only to have Drexel Hill pounce on a loose ball and transition with numbers towards Illyrians defensive end. Tempers would flare in the 85 minute as both teams run to and gather around the spot of a hard foul inside the box of Drexel Hill Elite FC. Bonz would step up to take the PK awarded to Illyrians for the hard foul in the box and easily convert for their 4th goal with a well struck shot that gave Drexel Hill’s keeper no chance of making a save.
Drexel Hill Elite FC escapes what could have been their first loss of the season with the 6-4 victory and retains its hold on 1st place in the division while Illyrians take over 5th place.
Drexil Hill: Goals – Bility (2), Teye (2), Wright, Own Goal / Yellow Cards: Akoi
Illyrians: Goals – Mecag, Pajollari (2), Bonz
Philly Skyliners FC 5 – 2 Inter Phila
Philly Skyliners open up the scoring early in the first half and take full advantage of the high line of Inter Phila leading to a great goal by #9 Oppong. (Remember teams – when playing a high line defensively, be sure that your wingbacks are quick enough to keep up with counter attacks.) Inter Phila would watch 2 more breakaways in a span of 10 minutes and if not for great goalkeeping and a bit of luck would have saw 2 more goals go in for the Skyliners. A bad clearance from Inter would result in a 2nd goal for the Philly Skyliners just before the 20th minute. It was A quick run to the corner flag from # 11 Nepal who’s awareness picked out #12 McAvinue for a easy poachers finish in front of goal. A cross into the box found both the thigh of #10 Shahi and the back of the net to put Skyliners ahead 3-0. A few minutes later Philly Skyliners striker #17 Shirazi would go down in the box for what was viewed by many as a very soft foul. PK awarded and converted by Shirazi putting the Skyliners up 4-0 with just over 20 minutes left to play.
Not to be pushed around, Inter pulls one back right off the restart with a quick run down the left side then straight through the heart of the defense for their first goal of the match by #10 Apet. The Skyliners keeper would find himself picking the ball out of the back of his net for a 2nd time just 5 minutes later from a rocket of a side volley shot from #7 Bagrym that made it 4-2. In the final moments Inter would concede another penalty to #17 Shirazi as the Skyliners striker was brought down in the box for a second time, albeit this time it was a far more believable foul. Looking to get a PK brace for his team, Shirazi stepped up to the spot but failed to convert. Philly Skyliners FC move into 4th place with the 5-2 victory over a very disjointed Inter Phila team that finds themselves winless and at the bottom of the standings in 10th place.
Inter Philly: Goals – Apet, Bagrym
Philly Skyline: Goals – Oppong, McAvinue, Shahi, Shirazi
Portugoal 0 – 0 Oaklyn United Academy
The last match up of the day found the ever so scrappy Portugoal squad on edge after their week 2 draw against Illyrians. Portugoal seemed primed and ready to take on a undefeated and very good defensively shaped Oaklyn United Academy team. OUA came into the match feeling confident after leaving Inter Phila running on fumes in their week 2 match up that netted them 3 points, their first clean sheet and 5 goals to add to the ever important goal differential stat column. Goal differential during a 3 way tie for first place should always be on the mind of the defense.
OUA and Portugoal found themselves trading chances shortly after the second-half kick off. Neither team were able to capitalize on their respective chances and found themselves scoreless as the final whistle blew to end a highly competitive match. The defense first mentality helped OUA remain undefeated and claim 3rd place while the still winless Portugoal took the draw and headed down to 7th place in the standings.
Rapid Daybreak FC 3 – 1 FC Ladder 15
The first half began and FC Ladder 15 looked to build out from the back to spread the ball around but RDFC would counter with man marking and good positioning in the midfield and final third. Ladder 15 made multiple tactical changes while trying to find an answer for RDFC and their quick give and go pace and play down the wings. Once the light rain turned into a heavy down pour Rapid Daybreak were able to adapt to the now slick playing surface unlike FC Ladder who struggled moving the ball and were losing possession nearly as often as their footing.
Poor footing aside, FC Ladder did manage to get one by the RDFC keeper to spoil the clean sheet via a pretty decent goal from Maldonado but would fall to RDFC in the end. The win slots Rapid Daybreak FC into 2nd place as they remain unbeaten and sends the still winless FC Ladder 15 down to 8th place in the standings
FC Lader 15: Goal – Maldonado
Rapid Daybreak FC: Goals – Ashiotes, Petrov (2) / Yellow Cards: Abuawada
Rapid Nightfall FC 5 – 1 BTC FC
BTC FC start the game off with a quick counter that started with a long range throw from 25+ yards that led to a corner kick. BTC would benefit from that with a goal from #5 Lowen. BTC playing fast paced box-to-box style play with only 1 available sub did not seem like a good game plan and slowly those tired legs would present themselves. Rapid Nightfall tied it up with a beautiful transition goal from #00 Jimmy Fogel just before the half hour mark. BTC continued to press and get chances that were mostly due to the long throws from their CAM #15. Even with his free kick like throw ins, BTC failed to convert on more than a few chances in front of goal.
Multiple chances but poorly taken shots from both teams saw RNFC and BTC start the 2nd half tied 1-1. Tired legs clearly a issue along with sloppy give aways in their defensive end led to a go ahead goal for Rapid Nightfall. Besides playing with just one available bench player, BTC FC were missing their 2 main starting strikers and their presence was clearly missed as multiple chances were either blown or never taken cleanly. RNFC high press and midfield work earned them another 3 goals with their last one to put the game away coming from #19 Alex Andres and his low grass cutting shot from an impossible angle along the touch line from right outside the 18yard box that just barely snuck in the far post with less than 8 minutes remaining. RNFC get their first win of the season with a solid 5-1 victory over BTC FC that moves them up into 6th Place and the loss keeps BTC FC near the bottom of the standings.
Rapid Nightfall FC: Goals – Alarnad, Fogel, O Conner, Garcia, Andres
FC BTC: Goal – Lowen
FC Delta 8 – 0 Still Processing FC
It didn’t take long for the goals to come as FC Delta jumped out to a early lead just 10 minutes in. The next 35 minutes would see a dominant performance from FC Delta that left Still Processing FC shaking their heads as they allowed 3 more goals just before halftime. With some tough talk at halftime and defensive adjustments, Still Processing FC headed into the start of the 2nd half looking to clamp down and stop the bleeding. Unfortunately for them FC Delta had other plans entirely. The division leaders would continue working a defense that could barely catch their breath, let alone man mark during FC Delta’s midfield transitions.
A hat trick from Issabre and a brace from Kar that included a beautiful curling upper 90 shot from outside the box would see FC Delta put 8 in the back of the net and secure their spot in 1st place with the 8-0 win. The loss is the 2nd in as many weeks for a Still Processing FC team that drops to 7th place in the division.
Delta: Goals – Issabre (3), Kar (2), Amato, A. Johnson, Spencer
Boys Do Cry 6 – 1 Chaminoux
BDC opened up the scoring in the 20th minute by who else but last weeks playmaker Steve Tice. BDC’s vet put a head on a beautifully served cross from just outside the box to put BDC up 1-0 against a Chaminoux team who started the match with just 9 players. A change in start time and location caused a player availability issue for Chaminoux who still managed to fight their way through the first half and bring it level 1-1 just before halftime. The second half would find BDC pull away as the final 30 minutes saw Steve Tice complete a hat trick, suffer a hand injury but stay in the game, a nice goal from outside the edge of the 18 by Eider Carmona and a poachers brace for Taha Rohan.
The final 6-1 score line would see Boys Do Cry come away with their second straight win and move into 3rd place while the 10 man Chaminoux was left exhausted and looking up at the rest of the division from the 10th place.
BDC: Goals – Tice (3), Carmona, Rohan (2)
Chaminoux: Goal – Mystery Man
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