Gold’s Open Cup campaign ends with road loss
Sacramento Gold FC’s 2016 U.S. Open Cup campaign came to an end Wednesday with a 2-0 loss to La Máquina at Westminster High School.
After a scoreless first half, Edwin Borboa broke the deadlock with a nifty turn and shot in the 69th minute. After receiving a pass on the right side of the box, Borboa turned towards goal and got space from his defender. Borboa then launched a curling ball, which went by the outstretched arms of Sacramento goalkeeper John Connolly and into the left of the net for a 1-0 lead.
The home squad doubled its lead nine minutes later after a bit of sustained pressure. It was Borboa again creating the chance, sending a ball into the box after a crafty bit of play. Jose Perez ran and met the ball in midair, smashing it into the net to make it the final count of 2-0.
La Máquina nearly started the scoring in the first minute of the game after Jorge Pineda stole the ball from the Gold defense and ran towards goal. However, Connolly was able to stop Pineda’s shot.
Seven minutes later, Borboa got his first chance of the night when he was played through by Rodolfo Godinez. Borboa launched a shot which forced a quick reflex save from Connolly.
The Gold’s first good opportunity came in the 19th minute when Cesar Sosa chipped the ball into the box, where Manolo Piña was waiting. Piña trapped the ball, turned, and fired a shot at goal. However, La Máquina goalkeeper Luis Sosa was able to stop the shot.
The hosts almost put it in during the 26th minute off a corner kick. Pineda got the ball in the center of the box, turned, and shot. However, his close-range shot sailed over the bar.
After holding off the La Máquina attack for the rest of the half, Sacramento began the second half with some possession of their own. It culminated in the Gold’s two best chances of the game. In the 68th minute, Sosa met a short corner kick with a powerful shot at goal. However, his last name counterpart was able to drop and stop the shot.
Six minutes later, Alex Bettencourt launched a long cross from the right side to Jose Martinez, who was making a run into the box on the left. Martinez was able to get a head in the box, but the ball went wide left.
But then, Borboa began to take over. After nearly missing a turnaround shot in the 66th minute, Borboa got another good chance two minutes later following a Gold turnover. Borboa launched a shot at the right of goal, but Connolly was able to make the save. However, La Máquina would steal the ball shortly after and get the ball to Borboa, who converted.
Though the Gold attack was not able to produce another good opportunity to score, the defense was able to prevent it from becoming a wider margin. In the 74th minute, Pineda fired a shot which bounced off the right post. Alejandro Velazquez pounced on the rebound, but Zach Ulrich was able to deflect it out for a corner kick.
In the 89th minute Borboa sent a through ball to Rosendo Perez, who ran free along the left side. Connolly came out to meet him and was able to deflect the shot away.
Sacramento won’t have long to rest up. The Gold will now travel home and return to NPSL action, with a home game against OSA FC set up for Friday, May 20th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm at Capital Christian High School.
