SD Flash Final Match: Video, Photos & Recap – Season ends 12-1-1

San Diego Flash Ends 2011 Season as Southwest Division Champions!
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Photo Credit: Jafferino Photography

By Stephen Prendergast
The end to a magical first season in the NPSL came on a rapidly cooling Saturday night in San Diego as SD Flash took on the defending 2010 champion Sacramento Gold in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Experience met heart on the pitch, and this time experience came out on top. In a hard-fought game that saw constant back-and-forth movement, the visitors managed to hand the Flash their first and only home loss of the season in front of a crowd of devoted fans.

SD Flash came out strong on the attack to begin the game, but Sacramento Gold refused to give way and soon turned the flow in their favor. Momentum swung from one side to the other until the 35th minute when Sacramento’s Oscar Sandoval fired a rocket into the corner beyond the reach of Flash goalie Justin Meyers. San Diego immediately went on the attack and scored the equalizer in the 42nd minute when team captain Nelson Pizarro took a feed on the right and beat the goalie. SD Flash continued to press, but the half ended in a 1-1 tie.

In the second half SD Flash started strong, but seemed to go flat after several close misses. Sacramento had several near misses as well as they kept up a strong press against the Flash defense. Several Sacramento attacks were blunted by offside calls, but more than once Justin Meyers was called on to punch a shot out as the visitors pushed for the lead. As the game progressed, tempers flared and several yellow cards where shown for violations on both sides. Finally, in the 76th minute, Sacramento’s Fernando Cabadas beat the defense and put a shot past Meyers for the lead and the final 2-1 score. SD Flash increased their attacks, but Sacramento Gold dropped back into a defensive shell, denying multiple attempts to even the score. “We went down a goal in the beginning which hurt us,” said Justin Meyers after the game. “Coming back from behind is difficult. Sacramento Gold did a good job and put the game away.” Head Coach Warren Barton agreed with Meyers’ observation, saying “We felt like we were good enough to win it, but great credit to Sacramento. They are defending champions and they knew how to win this game.”

After the game, Flash players and coaches reflected on the team’s first season in the NPSL, which saw the team go 12-1-1 on the field during the regular season and finish in first place in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. “The whole season overall was a learning experience,” said Assistant Coach Jerome Watson. “We have things to improve, but for the first year I thought we did very well.” Looking ahead to next year, Goal Keeper and ironman Justin Meyers talked about getting more players out and exposed to the level of play. Ladule LoSarah spoke for many on the team saying, “It was a lot of fun; we put a lot of effort into it from the beginning to the end. I almost can’t believe that it’s over.” Although disappointed in the results, Coach Warren Barton expressed his appreciation for both the players and the front office. “I couldn’t wish to have nicer people around,” he commented. “The players have been a credit. They’ve brought a lot of happiness and we’ve had a lot of fun.”

SD Flash CEO Clent Alexander was understandably disappointed in the results of the game, but upbeat about the team and its future. Discussing SD Flash’s decision to join the NPSL, Alexander said, “We’re very happy with the National Premiere Soccer League. We think it was the best place for us to play this year and in the future. In my opinion they’re the most solid league in the United States underneath Major League Soccer.” He went on to discuss the team’s season and its ups and downs. “It’s been a great ride. We started strong. We had some difficulties with the ineligible player, but that was just growing pains for us, learning how to deal with different administrative issues. At the end of the day our guys played well on the field and I’m very proud of what they accomplished.”

SD Flash has plans to remain involved in the local soccer community over the off season. Currently the team is working on possible “friendly” matches with other teams in both the San Diego and Tijuana regions.

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