California Odyssey SC Defeats FC Arizona 1-0

By California Odyssey SC

A battle in the Central Valley took place this weekend.  California Odyssey SC has started the month of June very hot and would be hosting undefeated FC Arizona. 

The game kicked off with both teams trying to get a feel for the game and daring each other to thread passes and break passing lines without getting beat over the top or overcommitting defensively on 1v1 battles.  A lot of respect was shown towards each other. 

The first opportunity at goal came from FC Arizona in a counter attack, and goalkeeper Eddie Veliz made a key save to keep the game at 0-0. 

After 20 minutes of play and few exchanges from both teams, California Odyssey would take control of possession, chances, and moments.  Not as big as the moment FC Arizona goalkeeper Derek Hatcher had in the first half when Odyssey’s Alexis Rodriguez laid a ball inside the box for Ryan Da Rocha on a strike right at goal, but was denied by Hatcher to keep the game scoreless going into halftime. 

The three names would come up again 10 minutes into the second half as Eric Velarde found Rodriguez out wide and touched the ball away from the defender for a cross into the box.  Da Rocha was at the end of this play and touched it past the goalkeeper to put California Odyssey up 1-0 in the game. 

The final clear opportunity comes with 15 minutes remaining in the game as Velarde found Leonardo Marquez in open space.  He cut back a defender and found himself in front of the goal is denied by Hatcher. 

FC Arizona would then push numbers higher up the field, but Odyssey would not allow any further opportunities in the game.  Odyssey would emerge with the 1-0 lead, giving FC Arizona their first defeat of the season.

California Odyssey SC remains hot in the month of June with two wins, scoring five goals and allowing zero goals in the past two weeks.  California Odyssey hosts another very good team next weekend in Las Vegas Legends FC; the winner will take control of second place in the Southwest Conference.

Photo Provided by California Odyssey SC