Friday night was hardly a normal game in the PDL for the Tacoma Tide. The comeback victory was not the focus in Salem, OR. The attention, instead, all directed at Tide defender Stephen Mohn. In the 38th minute, Mohn went in for two 50-50 challenges. The first, Mohn won the slide tackle and the ball fell loose. Again Mohn challenged, and this time the injury came. The injury, a broken lower leg, was known immediately.
The game itself was a good one. At halftime, the Tide was clearly shaken by the injury. Coach, Fran O’Brien, said, " Seeing a guy have his leg broken is probably the toughest thing to see in the game, but we have to try and stay focused." The guys lost their focus just three minutes into the second half. A cross from the right side made it’s way to the back post where Niger native, Ayouba Moussa Issoufou headed the ball across the face of the goal. A streaking Stefan Ostergren beat out a Tide defender to head in the goal.
It was as if Tacoma was sick of taking body punches. The Tide had controlled the first half, totaling 9 shots to just 2 for Cascade. The possession turned more aggressive and things were rewarded in the 67th minute. Good combination from the Tide forward core set up a free kick from around 25 yards out. Ciaran O’Brien, in a week where David Beckham is dominated US soccer press, hit a free kick similar to that of the England star. O’Brien whipped the shot around the right of the wall and into the upper V. The Surge, who were on their heels all day, were now in big trouble.
The pace picked up to a frenzy. In the 70th minute, a shot low and hard to the far post was saved by GK, Jordan Jennings. Jennings’ throw turned into an attack on the other end as Chase Tangney fought to get through. Tangney’s poke on goal was saved as well. More shots came for the tide. In the 73rd minute, Spencer Schomaker, who scored a hat trick last time in Salem, guessed right on a back pass. Schomaker was one on one with the Cascade keeper. He chose to dribble around the keeper. Initially there was no contact, but when Schomaker tried again to dribble past the keeper from a wider angle, the keeper brought down the Tide forward and a Penalty Kick was awarded. It was certainly a close call, as the keeper appeared to make contact with both player and ball. The question was: in what order? O’Brien slotted home the kick, and the Tide held on till the end for a 2 - 1 win away from home.
The Tide return home tonight for the final home game of the season. Curtis High School, 7:00pm vs the Yakima Reds.
