AFC Ann Arbor Defeats FC Indiana in Final Game of the Week
The Mighty Oak of AFC Ann Arbor finished their NPSL regular season with a tremendous offensive output, as they put in nine goals to blow by FC Indiana 9-0. They end the season with 31 goals, second in the conference to Detroit City FC’s 36. They also finish as the only team in the Midwest to allow single-digit goals with just four allowed.
Play started fast in the first minute as AFC Ann Arbor captain Jack Cawley looked to thread a long pass onto the feet of Chris Odhiambo, but the Kenyan forward was offside.
The first booking of the night came from FC Indiana’s Felix Dawson as he slid from behind on Azaad Liadi in the seventh minute. The ensuing free kick from Cawley swerved to the right of the net.
The first goal scored on the night was by the midfielder Caio in the 10th minute. The Brazilian found a loose ball about 10 yards from the box, and sent a low pass towards the box to Jordan Montoya. Montoya promptly fired a ball back into space and Caio quickly ran into the box, latched on to the ball, and pushed it to the left corner.
In the 19th minute, Ann Arbor added a second goal via a corner. Serge Gamwanya sent in a corner kick that found Cawley’s forehead and was thundered down past the keeper to make it 2-0.
FC Indiana tried to get some attacking pressure going in the 38th with a stream of threaded passes but the final pass was scooped up by keeper Nick Barry.
Ann Arbor would add a third in the most stunning fashion. Liadi received a ball on the left side, and cut towards the net, dancing between three defenders before finding himself in the box with the keeper. He slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0 in the 40th minute.
Halftime was a welcome sight for FC Indiana, but two minutes after the second half started, Ann Arbor added another goal. Odhiambo received a ball at the top of the box and sent a sharp pass to a sprinting Liadi who tapped the ball into the back of the net. Five minutes later, Liadi had a chance for a hat trick, but his shot deep in the box went straight up.
In the 61st, Jordan Montoya sent a ball to Odhaimbo, who pivoted in the box to find right back Stephen Turnbull who had come up the field in attack. Turnbull one-timed the ball into the back of the net from outside the box to make it 5-0.
Soon after, Liadi found Montoya in the box, and Montoya’s header was glanced in to make it 6-0.
A penalty was called on FC Indiana in the 84th, and after a short conversation, recent substitute and leading goal scorer Yuri Farkas stepped up to take a penalty and converted it after a stutter step to make it 7-0.
Two minutes later, left back Jake Rosen skipped down the left side of the field to the touchline. Instead of passing the ball back in, he danced down the touchline before firing a hard shot right at the goalkeeper’s hands. The ball rebounded off and into the net to make it 8-0.
Finally, one minute later, FC Indiana tried to clear a late ball out of their half, but their pass was intercepted and then volleyed home by Montoya to make it 9-0.
With the result, AFC Ann Arbor finishes with four goals allowed all season, tied with Loredo Heat SC for least goals allowed. They also solidified their spot in the NPSL Midwest playoffs, finishing second behind Minneapolis City FC, but ensuring that they will have a bye week for the first round of playoffs.
Contributor: Fletcher Sharpe/NPSL.com
Photo Credit: Fletcher Sharpe/NPSL.com
