RECAP: STORM FC 1, KRAZE UNITED 0

Heading into the weekend, Kraze United coach Joe Avallone told his team their mission was simple: “We are taking each game one half at a time.”

Unfortunately, Friday night, the Kraze lost 1-0 to Storm FC.

“We fought all the way to the end,” Avallone said. “We just need to find that little extra in the box and put the ball away.”

From the onset, the game was tight and physical with both teams shown several yellow cards.

But it was a miscue in the box by the Kraze (2-3-2) that allowed Sergio Lujan to score the game’s only goal in the 49th minute.

“We need to find our way, a good team finds a way to win,” Kraze forward Kevin Rockwell told his teammates following the game. “We have to want it more.”

The Kraze had a chance to score late in the first half when midfielder Charlie Dennis was taken down in the box by Storm goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi. The keeper came up big, diving to his left to stop the penalty kick.

Despite the loss, Avallone told his team following the game they played and did everything to win.

“I just can’t put my finger on it,” he said.

The game was the first of two in a three-day span for the Kraze, who travel to South Florida to take on Sunshine Conference leaders Miami United Sunday in Hialeah at 7 pm.

“We want take care of one at a time. It’s tough right now, but we have three new players in the lineup,” Avallone continued.

Miami United is led by Lorenzo Luz Rodriguez and Ingacio Calcagno.

“Those two players seem to be scoring a lot of their goals,” Avallone said. “They have more of a philosophy of using senior players on the team. That pays off playing against younger players, especially in a shorter – 10 game – season. We are going to go down, compete and see what happens.”

Miami has been averaging just under three goals a game. Miami United dropped a 5-0 road game to the Miami Fusion, a team the Kraze played to a 1-all draw on June 4.

“Bottom line is in this league, anybody can beat anybody, but depends if they are ready to play,” Avallone concluded. “I think we are capable of beating any team, but you have to put 90 minutes together and we have done that enough this year.”

The Kraze host their final home game of the season July 2nd against Weston. Game time is set for 6 pm. The Kraze finish the season on July 6th against the Tampa Bay Rowdies II. Game is at Al Lange Stadium at 7 pm.