Moments in time
by Paul O'Donnell
As fans of soccer come to realize there are often single moments during a match which contribute to the outcome out of all proportion to the rest of the 90 minutes. There are often plays which turn the game in favor of one side over their opponents. Sometimes those plays, those individual moments of brilliance, are soon forgotten and their contribution to the outcome pass into the ether.
Fans will say "only IF" and shake their heads in disbelief or lose their sanity in rapture depending on which side they stand. David Beckham's wonderous free kicks at such moments in time have made him an icon around the world. Bobby Thompson's home run or Paul Caliguri's 'shot heard round the world' that put the US into the World Cup are others. As we speak the world waits for Bobby Bonds to have one such moment.
Barons fans present on Sunday night saw one of them right before their eyes. While surely not as significant as a Beckham winning free kick this one made a contribution to the outcome of the match with the Piranhas and went a long way to preserving their victory over the Barons as well as their unbeaten season.
40th minute: the Piranhas add to their lead with a goal from Josh Nolz making it 2-0.
Forty-second minute; a Kyle Evans through ball springs Carmichael free after he beats his defender in a headlong sprint to the edge of the 18. Piranhas keeper Evan Newton reacts instinctively and arrives at the edge of the box nearly simultaneously with Carmichael, slides and holds the ball to prevent the chance for the Barons to pull one back just before the break.
What may have gone unnoticed by some was that Newton was dangerously close to handling the ball outside the area (an automatic red card offense). As it turned out he preserved the lead with his quick reaction and fine play to deny the chance at goal. His play also put off any lift to the Barons such a score may have injected into the game. Newton's play denied a shift in momentum the Barons needed at that stage.
In any soccer match at any level there are those moments when the side that makes it count more often than not goes on to win the game. There are often only one or two such moments in a given match and the team that makes the play wins on the day. Did you watch the Beckham love-fest? Two of those moments fell to the Galaxy and they did not take full advantage of either of them: Kyle Martino's diving header missed wide, and Juan Pablo Angel's free header sailed high over the bar. The Galaxy lost the match which they may actually have won if those moments went their way.
Maybe's and what ifs aside, Newton's fine play really was one of those moments that made a difference, a real difference in the outcome.
For more of those moments don't miss the PDL Eastern Conference Playoffs opening on Friday, July 27 at Carey Stadium. While none of those moments to come will make the world news you'll see it happen live in Ocean City.
