On Saturday, December 14th, Apple Valley Storm overpowered Autobahn SC 4-0 in the UPSL D1 promotional playoffs final.
Pre-game
This matchup is the first encounter between both teams. Apple Valley has had a perfect regular season; they won all 12 of their games, 10 being shutouts, and have a goal difference of +44 (allowing only 3 goals). Their top goal scorer is Jett P. Casarez, with 9 in the season. They also finished top of the SoCal East division by 10 points.
For Autobahn, the visitors are on a W-L-L-W-W form. They have a goal difference of +26 and finished first in their division, SoCal North, by one point. Dominic Valdivia and Markus Raad are tied for top goal scorer with 7 goals each.
Match Recap
On a cold, breezy night at Victor Valley College in front of more than 200 spectators, the promotional finals kick-off. From the start, the hosts kicked off with a lot of intensity, speed, and possession. Meanwhile, Autobahn reacted to match that energy and played the ball in the air.
Apple Valley’s game plan benefited them early with a goal in the 5th minute after a scramble in the box, and the player slots it to the right. 1-0 to the hosts.
Autobahn was now struggling more with slow reactions to their passes, allowing interceptions and playing out of the back to regroup and think. Later in the game, the team started clicking with superb lob passes forward and got to AV’s final third, but they couldn’t get one in.
Meanwhile, the hosts continued their game plan without blunder; they moved forward from the dispossession of Autobahn and made individual efforts to beat the opposition 1v1.
Drama ensues in the 30th as the coach of Autobahn gets a yellow card for arguing with the referee over a call, which was a long lecture session, according to the fans. The match continues as the game is back and forth between both teams, with some yellow cards for both sides.
The tug of war breaks in the 43′ when the Apple Valley player takes a shot from outside the box and goes over the keeper and into the net. The fans reacted with shock and gasped as it didn’t seem to go in, but the hosts led the game 2-0 before halftime.
Halftime starts, and AP builds up play from the back. It takes time before planning an attack, but it struggles to connect passes. Autobahn also struggles to connect.
In the 63′, the boys in red get a third goal from a low cross from the right that finds the lone man in the box, and he taps it home. In response, Autobahn keeps its intensity and sticks to its game plan.
It didn’t last as they looked tired toward the 70th as the hosts dis-possessed Autobahn by tackling the ball away with a high success rate.
The cherry on top of the Apple Valley sundae came in the 84′ with the fourth goal when a great individual effort by the winger who knocked down a defender, out-dribbled another, and slotted it in the net on the left side. It was a goal worthy of fireworks as the home fans stood and applauded.
The final whistle would blow, and AP Storm won dominantly, 4-0. Jett Casarez gets 1 goal, Luis Roque gets 1, and Damien Espinoza gets 2.
Postgame
With the result, Apple Valley Storm seamlessly won the promotional finals. They earned the opportunity to compete in the premier division the following season should the team decide to do so.