Full Replay available on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZpl1BWcekg
ATX Blues won the first UPSL Playoff Game in club history Friday night. Played at the Town and Country Fields on Friday night. The game went to extra time and was still tied at the final whistle and went to penalties where ATX Blues survived 10 rounds of kicks to win 12-11.
Game Summary
ATX Blue went down 1-0 early in the match before a great individual effort from Rahul Kuthiala won a ball in the attacking third and was drug down from behind for a straight red card from 210FC's center midfielder. Rahul scored on the ensuing free kick to level at 1-1 and 210 played down a man from the 30 minute mark.
In the second half, the Blues struggled to break down the 210FC Defense as the game turned physical. The blues defense had a breakdown and a controversial non-call on a foul against Nolan Loftin led to a deflection and a goal for 210FC who tooke a 2-1 lead with 10 minutes left.
But, the Blues battled back a second time and in stoppage time won a late corner. Jack Cox made a brilliant run into the middle of the 6 yard box and connected on a header to level 2-2 just before full time. Ending regularion at 2-2, the game went to extra time and once again 210 FC was able to find a goal in the first 15 minutes of extra time to go up 3-2 and then Nick Pickerill was shown a second yellow for dissent and the Blues went down to 10 men as well.
With just 4 minutes left - 116 minutes into the match - Rahul Kuthiala once again rose to hero level and had a moment of brilliance with a strike from 30 yards out that hit the top corner of the net to draw the game level 3-3.
The last 4 minutes were fast and furious with both teams getting a great chance to score but neither able to secure the win and the game finished level and went into penalties.
The Blues kick first, 210FC going second. The first 5 players from both teams were successful before both teams missed. Then both teams made their next 3. Both teams were down a man so at that point the keepers switched roles and became penalty kickers instead of penalty takers. Zach Shaddock for ATX Blues went first and burried a shot top left. The 210FC Keeper went second and Zach Shaddock came up big with a kick save and the Blues WIN 3-3 (12-11).
It was an incredible game, with a huge atmosphere from the home Blues Crowd - who also were watching the USMNT World Cup match that was played at the same time. A crazy night, with a crazy finish and so much fun for the familes at Town and Country!
Coming Up
The ATX Blues Premier team will now play SAFC in San Antonio next week.
ATX blues II will be in action on Sunday Jun 14 against Stellar.
🏅 4 Man of the Match Honors: Rahul Kuthiala (3G), Zach Shaddock (GK, 1G), Jack Cox (2G), Rohan Chintakindi (1G)
ATX Blue FC | UPSL Premier
