Despite being a young team, 樱桃视频FC is off to a solid start. After two games as the newest club in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League, the team of players aged 18 and older is tied for fourth place in the 10-team Division 2 "B."
They tied Shaheen FC 2-2 on opening day and once again faced a tie on their home opener, at Brennan Park Saturday (Sept. 15).樱桃视频FC booted out consistent offensive pressure throughout their first game on home turf, but was only able to even a 1-nil deficit in the final minutes to earn a second consecutive draw.Striker Russ Joel slid to the left post, squeaking in a crossing pass from teammate Chris Golaiy before the Cleo's FC keeper could react.
"It was close," said Joel. "I had about an inch left to go."
The goal was well deserved, as the second half was played mainly in the Cleo's end. A series of offside calls halted a number of 樱桃视频drives, prompting frustrated shouts from charging strikers. Coach Rudy Venekamp says he will stick with two players in the front, four at midfield and another four in the backfield for this Saturday's (Sept. 23) away game against Kosova SC.
Since 樱桃视频FC is a newcomer to the league this year, it will take time for the players to mesh.
"Our movement is right, we just have to capitalize. And we had the chances, it will just take a while for the guys to click. They're all new to each other," said Venekamp.
According to Venekamp, 樱桃视频had a VMSL club from the 1950s to the '80s, but the team folded because it lacked enough players. The team now consists of men aged 18 and up from 樱桃视频and Vancouver who either played high school or local league soccer last year. "It takes a lot of dedication, especially because of the away games," he said.
The next home game is 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29 at Brennan Park, where they face the division leading Point Grey Rangers. The Rangers are undefeated, having shut out their previous two opponents from scoring.
