By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Staff
LA Blue Goose FC dropped a controversial 3-1 match Saturday to league-leading Texas United at Parish Episcopal School’s Gloria Snyder Stadium in Farmers Branch, Texas.
The Blue Goose took a 1-0 lead into the final five minutes of the game and were playing a man down when United intentionally fouled keeper Brett Ekperouh while he had possession of the ball. The foul was serious enough that Ekperouh required assistance from a trainer.
Shortly afterwards, United took advantage of the injury and tied the game 1-1 with a goal.
The next attack involved more contact with Ekperouh — which required more treatment from the trainer and Ekperouh needing to come out of the game. However, the center referee declared Blue Goose had used their three substitute windows and the keeper must remain in the game.
United would take a lead 2-1 on a corner kick that was headed past an immobile Ekperouh.
Following the go-ahead goal, a Blue Goose defender began putting on the keeper gear to relieve Ekperouh, which would have put the visitors down two players. The fourth referee, realizing Blue Goose did in fact have a substitute window, allowed back-up keeper Shae Wirt to come in and finish the game.
Blue Goose played out the game under protest and intend on appealing their loss to the league.
Texas United added a late goal for a 3-1 final.
The game started out with United controlling possession and had a couple shots at goal, but nothing dangerous. In the 10th minute, Blue Goose was on the counter when Yuri Schlingmann passed the ball to a charging Nico TheBerge, who beat the keeper and put Blue Goose up 1-0.
The flow of the game stayed the same until the 25th minute, when Blue Goose defender Gerardo Martinez went into a tackle near midfield. The center referee deemed it dangerous play and pulled a straight red card, which includes an ejection. Blue Goose played the rest of the game a man down. At this point the referee had already given a yellow card to players from both teams. He added three more yellow cards to players throughout the game.
Despite being a man down, Blue Goose had two great chances at adding to their lead, but the United keeper stepped up with two big saves. Ekperouh added two more strong saves to finish the half with four.
The second half saw United pushing hard into the Blue Goose defense. The Blue Goose’s defense would not yield, and when they did, Ekperouh came up big with four game saving stops.
Blue Goose held Texas United, the top team in the league, scoreless for 85 minutes.
Earlier in the week, Blue Goose defeated the Little Rock Rangers 3-0 on Wednesday in Little Rock. Blue Goose got goals from TheBerge, Schlingmann and Johan Arevalo. Marco Izurieta and Martinez were credited with assists. It was the most dominate game the team has played this season. They put together solid defense, good possession and were able to finish opportunities.
Blue Goose finally comes home this week with games Tuesday and Thursday against LA Parish, then Saturday with a rematch with LA Krewe. All games are at Centenary College at 7 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Little Rock Rangers