SUFC Team News #17 – Carson, CA
By Dan Minkoff
On the final regular season weekend in the UPSL Premier SoCal North division, Shoreline United FC faced a crucial showdown against SoCal United. Under the lights at Dignity Health Sports Park, the air thickened with anticipation — and quite literally, with fog that rolled in during the second half, shrouding the field in an eerie blanket that made the game almost unplayable for the final few minutes.
Determined to seize a shot at a top six finish and a coveted playoff spot, Shoreline United needed a victory and hope for results in two of three other games to go its way. Shoreline did its part, getting two goals from Martin Velazquez and another from James Obleda to secure a 3-1 win. The team improved to 4-1-5 with 13 points.
Unfortunately, LAFC and AMSG also finished on 13 points with a superior goal difference to Shoreline to take fifth and sixth place, respectively.
“Our goal from the beginning of the year was to stay up [in the Premier division], because we knew the roster was going to be different week in and week out,” said coach Eddie Soto. “So, our goal was to stay in Premier and we did that and the fact that we had the possibility to get in the playoffs, you know, it’s a bonus.”
Shoreline United showed once again that it’s capable of beating any team when all starters are available. SoCal United finished 5-2-3 with 17 points to capture fourth place, although it spent several weeks either tied for first or in second.
“Yeah, it’s completely different when all of our guys are here,” Soto said. “It’s entertaining, right? When everybody’s here, and we have the guys that compete, and they’ve proven it every time they’ve come, they’ve won and they’ve played well and defended well, created a lot of opportunities, scored great goals. It’s fun to watch. It’s fun to coach. I’m sure it’s fun to play.”
One of the team’s most dependable has been Velasquez, who opened the scoring in the 11th minute with one of those great goals Soto described. Zane Baumgardt worked his way down the left side and crossed to Velasquez on the right of the penalty area. He shifted the ball to his favored left foot and curled in a golazo into the upper left corner.
“It was a team effort,” Velasquez said. “It was a good build out from the back. Fortunately, I got the ball right in the area, did my thing, and good thing ended up in goal.”
SoCal United equalized in the 34th minute when striker Chuka Aruh bullied his way past the defense and slotted home. Shoreline retook the lead, 2-1, when Sebastian Rus made the pass of the game through four defenders to spring Obleda, who beat the goalkeeper 1-on-1.
“It’s a good feeling to have everybody show up, because, when you don’t have all your people, obviously it’s tougher,” said Velasquez, who scored a penalty kick in the 58th minute to complete the scoring. “When you have the whole squad, it’s easier to play the game and enjoy it.”
The good vibes from the win were tempered as news of other league results filtered through. Santa Ana Winds FC lost, giving Shoreline one of its two needed results. The other results sealed Shoreline’s fate, however, when LAFC Academy defeated last-place Independiente Los Angeles FC while AMSG FC tied undefeated first place Coachella Football Club.
The dense fog remained as players left the field, the team’s spirit dampened but not broken. Shoreline United’s first year in UPSL Premier was challenging, but the promise of the next season is on the horizon. Shoreline United FC will be back representing Long Beach, stronger and more determined than ever.
Vamos Shoreline! #ForTheLBC
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