15 Jul PROS fall to FC Arizona
SAN DIEGO – Calif. The Albion SC PROS lost to FC Arizona 3-1 in the NPSL West Region Quarterfinals on July 14 in Mesa, Arizona.
FC Arizona put pressure in front of goal from the start and in the fourth minute, David Alton found the back of the net for an early goal.
Four minutes later, PROS Tre Hayes had a shot on goal that went just beyond the post.
Arizona answered two minutes later with their second goal of the night by Mo Salama, giving Arizona a 2-0 lead.
In minute 20, the PROS bounced back with a goal off a corner kick. Veteran defender Frankie Sanfilippo had the goal and Luan Oliveira with the assist. The PROS climbed back to down by one point.
After Sanfilippo’s goal, the pressure in front of goal began to relax and the game spread out as the PROS were able get in striking distance several times.
A long ball to an FC Arizona attacker on the left side of the field in minute 34 forced keeper Jean Antoine out of goal with Nicklaw in hot pursuit. Nicklaw and Antoine reached the ball at the same time, but a sliding kick by Antoine sent the ball into the stands. Arizona answered the strong defensive showing by Antoine with a goal less than a minute later. Cesar Mexia scored off a well-placed ball by David Alton, giving FC Arizona a lead 3-1.
Neither team would score another goal and instead the physicality of the match rose continued to rise. In the 80th minute, tensions broke and players began to get physical in front of the PROS goal. Two red cards were given to FC Arizona. The PROS also received one red and one yellow card for their participation in the altercation.
Once regulation ended, officials added nine minutes of stoppage time, but FC Arizona would still walk away with the win 3-1, ending the PROS 10 game unbeaten streak.