Franklin, OH (AP) - The Dayton-Cincinnati Megalopoli shook off the cobwebs to defeat a pesky FC Barcelona squad in this season's opening indoor soccer game at Kingdom Sports Recreation. The final score, 10-5, might lead you to believe that this game wasn't that tight, but as anyone from the near capacity crowd in attendance will tell you, DCM needed to give everything they had to pull this one out.
The team returns many familiar faces, in addition to the continuing influx of young talent that made them so successful last year. "You win a league title for one reason - to defend it," said team co-captain Mark McDonald. "We knew that to win this year, we would need to rely on youthful legs more than ever." This can be seen not only through the growth of the young stars who joined the team last year, but with a couple rookies who are brand new to the squad. Ervin "Chocolate Thunder" Perviz, the heralded Bosnian import, was suiting up for the first time with the team last night, as well as local product Chris Bills, and each made significant impacts on the game.
Right from the opening kickoff, you could tell FC Barcelona had a thing or two to prove. They looked to show the defending champion Megalopoli that this year would be different. Going away from the beautiful game that FC Barcelona is traditionally known for playing, the team came out displaying a physical style that knocked DCM onto their heels. Despite a back and forth game, no goals were scored for nearly 8 minutes - a near eternity in indoor soccer. During this time, all-league goaltender John Pallant showed why he's so important to the team, and why he earned Kingdom Sports Adult Men's League Pre-Season Defensive Player of the Year honors. He continually stopped short-range shots, giving his field players some time to find their stride. Clearly the physical play was getting to the Megalopoli, and frustrations were rising. That's when Phil Johnson subbed in, immediately making his mark on the game by fouling a Barcelona player before getting even a single touch on the ball. Johnson aimed to show the Barcelona players that his team wouldn't be pushed around, and the early message was sent. Finally, a dazzling display of footwork from last year's league Rookie of the Year, Justin Davisson, ended with a simple finish past the fat Barcelona goal keeper. Davisson is going to be relied upon heavily to create scoring opportunities this year, and he certainly seemed fit to the task.
DCM scored again a few minutes later on a long range shot from McDonald, much to the delight of his biggest supporter, John Pallant. After giving up a goal to Barcelona, JD added another to make the score 3-1. It appeared that, seemingly as always, everything would fall in place for the Megalopoli. However, Barcelona stormed back with back to back goals to knot the score at 3 at the midway point of the game. Crowds that had gathered in Catalonia, Spain, cheered as their heroes had tied the score against the might Megalopoli. "I'll tell you, when FCB tied the score, it had us all wondering if this could be the year we lose a game," said defensive stalwart and 10 time all-league performer, Dan Kimble, who is also the team's inspirational leader. "We've got a target on our backs every game. Still, I've been to war with these guys so many times. There's no one you'd want in your bunker more than an Eddie Marrinan, or a "Chocolate Thunder," or a "Kyle." These guys just know how to win."
DCM took control of the tight game from there, after Ben Sicnolf recorded his first goal of the season to put the team up 4-3. The contest stayed close for most of the way, but the Megalopoli pulled it out, as Kimble had predicted. And, just like Kimble pointed out, the team relied heavily on the play of Kyle, Eddie Marrinan, and Phil Johnson in the middle. The two way players made the difference in this game, continually gathered possession of the ball in the back and got it to the feet of their forwards. The highlight of the night may have come from Chris Bills' goal on his debut with the team. With his team clinging to a two goal lead, Bills received the ball at the midfield, and raced down to the offensive third. With Kyle and Sicnolf flanking him on either side, he paused the with the ball and coolly assessed the best method for attack. Working a give-and-go with Kyle in the corner, Bills scored an impressive first tally. "I'll admit it - I was a little nervous being out there with some of these guys. It's only natural when you're playing with living legends like Mark McDonald and Eddied Marrinan to hang back and let them take the reigns. But, I just went for it on that goal - it worked out," said Bills, grinning from ear to ear. "I know that we have a lot to accomplish this year as a team, but I'm going to let this feeling soak in for a while."
Game Notes...Zach Hensler missed the season opener due to undisclosed vagina issues...The team will be off next week, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, and will return Thursday, December 2, to take on Bargo's FC.
Frank Z Chevrolet Game Ball Recipient: John Pallant - Pallant is the epitome of the "Last Line of Defense, First Line of Offense," descriptor for a goal keeper. Pallant continually made save after save, tending the net, then unleashed his patented long range throws to offensive players, which is literally DCM's best offense. He is also one of the more vocal players on the team, continually imploring Davisson, McDonald and Kyle to "SHOOT THE BALL!" Something tells us with way he's playing, he may be the league's first ever recipient of back-to-back goalkeeper of the year awards.
Individual Goal Tallies
Sicnolf - 6
Davisson - 2
McDonald - 1
Bills - 1
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