SMOKEY POINT, WA—The Snohomish County FC Steelheads drew 1-1 with Federal Way FC on Sunday April 25 at Dick Cardinal Stadium in a match that featured a little bit of everything: Penalty kick saves and misses, yellow cards, a red card, an ‘Olympico’ goal directly from a corner kick, and more.
The visitors took an early lead when a cross found a header in the 5th minute of play. For a second straight home match the Fish were trailing in the first half and struggling to find momentum. Federal Way was winning the match and the overall play.
It could have been worse before it got better. Federal Way were awarded a penalty kick in the 37th minute. SnoCo FC goalkeeper Dorian Lair came up big with the save, only to see the officials confer and decide to do a retake because they believed Lair did not have at least one foot on the goal line when the shot was taken. The retake was scooted wide and the score remained 1-0.
The Fish got their chance to level the match right before halftime. A handball call put Rio Alcorta at the spot. He missed for the first time in WWPL play by sailing his shot too high above the right corner of the goal.
SnoCo FC lost defender John Troka to a second yellow card (red) in the second half, putting even more pressure on their defense, which was already missing starter Garret Robinson to a hamstring pull.
Like they did last week against Kirkland, the Steelheads came alive in the second half. Fabian Panduro tied the match 1-1 with an “Olympico,” a corner kick that went in without being touched by another player. Federal Way’s goalkeeper was too deep and the ball crossed the line. The corner kick had been set up by a blistering shot from Randy Galvan that was parried away.
Dorian Lair was named Lair Athletic Company Steelhead of the Match for his penalty kick save and for grabbing a series of high crosses that Federal Way put into the box in efforts to take advantage of the depleted Fish defense.
Panduro might well have scored a 10-man match winner for the Fish. His perfect finish on a break was called back by the AR in a very tight offside call.
SnoCo FC are now 1-0-2 on the WWPL season and drop to a 4th place tie with Federal Way.
Gala FC, the Official Second Team of SnoCo FC, made their debut in the WWPL 2 on Saturday April 24, dropping a 2-0 decision at Seattle Umoja FC.
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