GOLD FALLS TO AGUILUCHOS IN GOAL FEST
Cuevas’ two goals not enough to salvage draw
A back-and-forth goal scoring bonanza did not go the way of Sacramento Gold FC, who fell to CDA Aguiluchos USA 4-3 at Burrell Field in San Leandro Sunday.
Daniel Cuevas tallied two goals for Sacramento, while Ivan Gutierrez also netted one for the Gold. CDA’s four goals game from four different scorers — Matheus Freire, Jesus Maldonado, Jesus Morales, and Simon Rawnsley.
Going into the contest, a high-scoring affair was definitely in the cards. This was the seventh game between Sacramento and CDA since 2015. Each of the previous six had featured a minimum of four goals, and three of the past four games had seen at least seven goals scored. Those four games had especially been turned up to 11 in the second half, with 21 of those 28 goals coming in the final 45 minutes. Sunday’s matchup would not disappoint.
In fact, the scoring began only three minutes into the contest thanks to Cuevas. But the visitors’ lead was brief. Freire jumped on a loose ball on top of the box and fired it into the top left corner, making it 1-1 less than five minutes into the game.
A third goal seemed inevitable, and it came in the 19th minute, courtesy of Maldonado, who managed to chip the ball past a sliding goalkeeper and into the Gold net. Despite plenty of chances and end-to-end action by both teams, the fourth didn’t come until just before halftime, when Ivan Gutierrez made things all square heading into halftime.
It didn’t stay tied long into the second half. Getting the ball deep into Gold territory, Aguiluchos sent a cross into the left of the box. The ball was swung back across to the right side, where Rawnsley was waiting. Rawnsley slotted it by Sacramento goalkeeper Philip Bru to make it 3-2 in the 50th minute.
Morales’ goal – the fourth for the hosts – seemingly put the game out of reach in the 68th minute. However, Cuevas’ second goal of the afternoon cut the lead to 4-3 (and made this contest the fourth of five matchups between the two teams to see at least seven goals scored) with ten minutes to play.
As the Gold pressed for another tying goal, tempers began to get heated, with players from both squads receiving yellow cards near the end of the match. However, despite several opportunities, Sacramento was unable to snatch a point at the death.
With the loss, Sacramento drops to 1-2-0 at the quarter mark of the season. The Aguiluchos, meanwhile, continue their unbeaten run to start the year, sitting on top of the Golden Gate Conference standings with nine points.
Sacramento Gold FC will look to rebound by returning to the friendly confines of Capital Christian High School. There, they will play host to the East Bay FC Stompers on Saturday, April 15. The same day, CDA will travel to face the Sonoma County Sol, with the winner remaining in first place in the conference. Both contests will begin at 7 p.m.
