Matchweek 7 Review: OLé Survive a Thriller, Colorado Send a Statement

by NFPL

MATCHWEEK 7 REVIEW:
Grand Rapids OLé Survive a Thriller in Chicago
Colorado Futsal Academy Send a Statement at Home

Cadence SFC 11-13 Grand Rapids OLé

Cadence SFC squared off at home against division leaders Grand Rapids OLé, hoping for a better result than their season-opening demolition at the hands of Detroit Imperial Futsal.

The Chicago-based futsal club got a significantly better performance, but remain winless after losing a tight affair 11-13.

Grand Rapids OLé started out hot, scoring their first goal just over a minute and a half into the game as Gabe Villagomez fired through a crowd of players past the goalie in a sign of what was to come for the OLé youngster.

The visitors would jump out to a 4-0 lead with some excellent finishing from Villagomez and some careless giveaways from Cadence SFC while flying the goalkeeper, punished from long range into empty nets by Grand Rapids players. The Cadence response would eventually arrive, although it not in earnest until the second half. Geraldo Almeida opened the scoring for the home side, pirouetting through OLé defenders and squeaking the ball past the goalkeeper to bring the score to 4-1.

OLé's response was emphatic, opening up a 7-1 lead as Villagomez snagged a first-half hat trick, supported by goals from Aaron Gomez and Jair Real.

Edrick Padilla would lead the scoring for Cadence, picking up 2 before the two teams went into halftime, with Cadence trailing 8-3.

The second half brought a much more evenly-matched game as the half-time adjustments from Cadence paid off. Grand Rapids OLé scored twice early to go up 11-4 with about 12 minutes to go and it looked like they would stroll through the rest of the game. Kyle Harms started the comeback for Cadence, wide open at the back post for a simple tap-in.

A great strike from goalkeeper Juan Guerra snipped the lead to 3 goals and the body language, energy, and momentum looked like it had truly swung from the visitors to the hosts. A penalty for Cadence was saved but put away by Padilla to bring the deficit to 2, but an immediate response came from OLé to restore their 3-goal advantage as goalkeeper Frankie Mendoza found Villagomez alone at the back post for a demoralizing goal to Cadence.

Another goal for Cadence, and another for OLé as the two teams went back and forth into the final minutes. A penalty, expertly dispatched by Villagomez with 2 minutes to play signaled the end of the rally for Cadence, although they would sneak one more in the final minute to make the final scoreline.

A great response to a lackluster opening half, Cadence can take some pride from their performance into their Matchweek 8 rematch against Detroit Imperial and hopefully provide another close game in Chicago. For Grand Rapids, the view from the top looks good after a tight win on the road.

Colorado Futsal Academy 10-3 Santa Fe Gloom

Colorado Futsal Academy hosted Santa Fe Gloom in Matchweek 7 in a rematch of The Gloom's Matchweek 3 NFPL debut victory in Santa Fe, a game in which they won handily 8-4.

From the opening whistle, Colorado Futsal Academy dictated the pace of the game. Buoyed by a packed gym, they opened up a 5-1 lead at the halftime break.

Despite a better second half, The Gloom couldn't mount a meaningful comeback and Colorado Futsal Academy won their first game of the season 10-3. Santa Fe, despite sitting on top of the table, are looking at a 2-game losing streak. They'll have time to regroup as their next match isn't until February 3rd in what will be a tough matchup at BRUSA FC.

On the other hand, Colorado Futsal Academy will hit the road on February 3rd looking to pick up crucial points against New Mexico Flagship.

The Southwestern Conference remains a tight battle, with just 3 points separating first from second and 3 points separating third from fourth.

A LOOK AT THE TABLE AFTER MATCHWEEK 7:

Grand Rapids OLé solidified their position at the top of the Midwest, while Colorado's victory proved the Southwest is anybody's to take right now!

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