LEAGUE MATCH, WEEK 3:
Terrapin FC 3: Myles 14, Athousakis 83, Gonzales 84
Greenpoint United 2: Esperon 31, Baumgardt-Wellander 47
FRIENDLY, WEEK 4:
Greenpoint United 5: Boldewijn 44, Zhu 60, Bassoricci 61, Esperon 66, Cueva 79
Sassefras 0
BROOKLYN, New York – A topsy-turvy week for Greenpoint United started with a heartbreaking late loss in league play, but ended with the largest victory over a non-bot opponent in club history. Amidst Fourth of July fireworks in New York City, a crowd of just over 1100 watched Greenpoint United defeat Dutch-side Sassefras comprehensively, 5-0. This helped slightly wash the bad taste out of the fan’s mouths after Sunday night’s 3-2 loss to Terrapin F.C. in Los Angeles.
Greenpoint went into their league match against Terrapin as heavy underdogs against a side that has been in Series V.254 for now 14 consecutive seasons, having won it once in season 43. The league table told a slightly different story, as Terrapin entered the match on the back of a surprising defeat to Bluesters last week.
Santos Mateus left injured in the 8th minute. He should be available at the weekend.
The Growlers attempted to sit back defensively and keep Terrapin off the scoresheet, but they found themselves behind the eight ball as early as eight minutes into the match when defender Rui Rodrigo Santos Mateus twisted his ankle and had to be replaced. 33 year old Viktor Uharcek came on to replace Santos at left back.
Terrapin drew first blood in the 14th minute, making it look like it could be a long day at the office for the visiting Growlers, as Duncan Myles fired a shot past new goalkeeper Bruce Watts. In the 20th, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, giving Terrapin a chance to double their lead, but Yann Copin misfired, and put his spot kick wide of the top corner.
With new life, Greenpoint started to come into the game. A minute after Copin’s missed penalty, Jacobo Esperon nearly brought Greenpoint level on the counterattack, but his volley from twelve yards out flew over the bar. Ten minutes after his miss, Esperon did indeed bring Greenpoint level, firing a shot from the left side past the goalkeeper, to make it 1-1 at halftime.
Two minutes after the restart, Greenpoint took a shock lead, as Jack Baumgardt-Wellander headed in an unstoppable shot from a Mahavir Sharma cross. For the next 36 minutes, the visiting side defended for their lives, but with seven minutes to play, Terrapin were level again, after a Yiannis Athousakis volley. One minute later, Terrapin had the lead, catching the Greenpoint defenders off guard as Reg Gonzales fired a low shot past Watts.
Greenpoint had been seven minutes away from a famous victory, but they left Los Angeles with nothing.
“Devastating,” said manager Zorro Cat in his post-game presser. “Defeat from the jaws of victory. We fought hard, but when they got the goal back to make it 2-2, we just shut off and came away with nothing. It’s a hard way to learn that lesson, but you’ve got to play 90 minutes.”
Last night, Greenpoint celebrated the national holiday with their largest ever win against a non-bot opponent, beating Amsterdam-based Sassefras 5-0. The Growlers had five different players score goals, including Gyde Boldewijn, Philip Zhu, Anthony Bassoricci, Jacobo Esperon, and Jesus Cueva.
Greenpoint now sits 7th in V.254 and host 8th place Real Clinton F.C. at Monitor Park on Sunday night.
“It’s must win,” said the manager about the upcoming match. “I think if we drop points in this one, at home, then we’re staring relegation in the face.”
