Both the Vlora men’s premier and women’s division teams were busy last week with big battles at home as both teams continue to navigate their spring seasons.
Men’s team
Starting XI: Liam Johnson, JJ Bondo, Oscar Alvarez, Avery Larsson, Justin Martinez, Juan Lagares, Thomas Menna, Prince Akonkoh, Francisco Gomez, Simon Echeverry, Nico Gallegos
The Vlora men’s premier team played their eighth game of the season on June 3, hosting the Minnesota TwinStars in a 1-1 draw. The TwinStars made an immediate impression with their physicality and organized pressure, but Vlora were able to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute as Simon Echeverry sent a free kick into the box from around the halfway line. The ball found the head of JJ Bondo, who expertly placed an attempt on goal while under pressure from the goalkeeper to make it 1-0. This came after some close calls for attacking players like Thomas Menna.
Justin Martínez almost doubled Vlora’s lead, but the TwinStars defended his chance in-on-goal well. The visitors had a solid half and were down just 1-0 at halftime as Vlora looked to make more of their bright moments.
Both teams made changes at and soon-after halftime, with the TwinStars making offensive adjustments with the likes of Sidike Jabateh arriving on the pitch. Jabateh proved the difference maker, receiving a ball from James Brent into the box, turning, and slotting home a goal to make it 1-1 in the 60th minute. The goal robbed Vlora goalkeeper Liam Johnson of a clean sheet after a strong performance in goal.
Vlora made efforts to change things up, bringing in players like Adolay Hanns, Alan Molina, and David Riera, but they could not find a way through and the game ended at 1-1.
Women’s team
Starting XI: Claire Acker, Keira Olabode, Ingrid Leinke, Sienna Latta, Andrea Cuenca, Sam Poeschel, Marissa Wentland, Lizy Jaraczeski, Alexis Geary, Amelia Gregory, Lila Endo
Vlora’s UPSL women’s team hosted the NOSC blast on June 7, resulting in a tough 3-0 loss to adjust the team’s record to 2-1-2. The night featured bright moments for Vlora, but the blast found a strong vehicle for goals in the first half through nine corner kicks, three of which resulted in all of the night’s goals.
Vlora cleaned things up in the second half and found some chances to score, with Lila Endo providing one of the day’s best chances with a direct free kick near the top of the box that she was able to put on target. Vlora were short on attackers on the night due to illness and injury, but still managed to put together a competitive second half, holding more of the ball and forcing the blast to invest heavily in defending. It ended 3-0.
