Despite Strong Efforts, Coffee Leaves Bad Taste in Bears' Mouths

Eventually something was going to have to give.  Eventually, one of these clubs was going to make a mistake.  Eventually, someone was going to give up a goal.  Unfortunately, Club Bad News Bears did.

On one of the coolest nights this season, Club Bad News Bears and Pluma Mountain Coffee met for the second time this season at Houston Amateur Sports Park with a lot at stake.  The prize:  first place.  Both clubs were tied before the game at 10 points a piece.  The last time these two met, the match ended in a tie, leaving both clubs to look back at opportunities that created shots that could have been goals.

Before the game, it was learned that Coach Oscar would be out with a torn ACL.  He is now out for at least the next three months.  Albert, Rachel, Vu and Kristy were also out before the game.

The Bears found themselves matched pretty equally throughout the opening minutes of the first half.  A nice cross by Juan Sanchez to Sophie Ammar was interrupted only by Pluma Mountain Coffee's goalie.  A second attempt just minutes later ended in the same result.  Like the last meeting, the Bears were finding no breaks against Coffee's goalkeeping.

In the 18th minute, however, Pluma Mountain Coffee would break the scoring drought and land a shot in the far corner of the net, set up by a fresh Bears defense that entered the game just minutes before.

"What can you say about that?"  asked Chris Sanchez, "It was a great shot and we just weren't there to stop it."

Not to let one goal affect them, the Bears began to adjust defensively and hold off future attacks by Pluma Mountain Coffee.  Unfortunately, the Bears offense was still puzzled on how to get a shot passed their goal keeper.  The Bears tallied six shots on goal by the end of the first half, and no goals to show for it.

In the 39th minute, the Bears would allow a second goal, putting them behind 2-0 in a crucial game.

At halftime, Coach Oscar rallied his troops.

"It's not over.  We've been here before."

The second half opened up with a little more promise for the Bears, but another hole in the defense found Coffee's third goal of the night in the 50th minute, putting them up 3-0 with no hope in sight for the Bears to catch up.

Minutes would seem like seconds as the second half approached its end, and the Bears continued to make good passes to the middle, but every shot was found in the goalie's hands.  The Bears were not out yet, and needed to make some clutch plays to stay in this game. 

Hanniel Malagon would fortunately get a goal through in the 73rd minute after a Soso corner, narrowing the deficit to 3-1.  Minutes later, Juan Sanchez took the ball towards the net, but was tackled from behind in the box with no call by the ref, which would have set up a penalty kick, keeping the Bears chances alive.

The final whistle blew and the Bears were left with a result that did not clearly reflect their efforts.

"Nothing to be ashamed about," stated Oscar Aviles.  "We played well against a tough team."

Ashley Castaldo added some positive reinforcement after the game.

"At least we didn't get shut out!"

Club Bad News Bears (3-1-1) vs. Pluma Mountain Coffee (3-1-1)

July 24, 2011 -- Houston Amateur Sports Park

Scoring Summary:

1st Half:  Pluma Mountain Coffee- 2     Club Bad News Bears - 0
2nd Half:  Pluma Mountain Coffee - 1     Club Bad News Bears - 1
Total:  Pluma Mountain Coffee - 3         Club Bad News Bears - 1

Misconduct Summary: None

Attendance:  10

Weather:  Partly cloudy and 88 degrees

All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial