The Red Wolves traveled to Fresno, California Saturday night to take on Central Valley Fuego FC in the second match of the season between the two clubs. The first match of the season saw a 2-2 draw at CHI Memorial Stadium, and Obleda’s side traveled to the Golden State looking for much needed momentum to get back on the right track.
The match kicked off with both sides flying to the ball early looking to build momentum early
on, with neither side able to find their way through the opposition backline to break the
deadlock. The Red Wolves were the first to offer up a big chance in the 11th minute, when Aaron
Lombardi found Rey Ortiz who took a good strike from outside the box, but his effort was saved.
Lombardi would offer up a long-distance strike in the 14th minute which would just go wide,
followed by a strike outside the box from Rafa Mentzingen that would go just wide in the 21st
minute.
The first half would see a short break for a hydration break due to the heat in the 33rd minute,
and Central Valley would see two yellow cards inside the last six minutes of the first half.
However, neither side was able to break the deadlock and the score would remain 0-0 heading
into halftime in Fresno.
The Red Wolves would come out firing to start the half and Juan Galindrez would see a chance
in the 46th minute thanks to a headed pass from Rafa but his effort would go wide to the left of
the goal. Villyan Bijev would see two chances for Fuego in the 52nd minute but could convert
neither as the Red Wolves kept up an intensive defensive pressure. Obleda’s side would once
again get a chance through Juan in the 58th minute set up by Rafa, but the effort would once
again be saved by Antman in goal.
The Red Wolves would introduce Moe Espinoza and Andres Hernández in the 70th minute
following two massive saves from Carlos Avilez minutes earlier as they looked to recapture the
momentum in the match. Only four minutes later it looked as if the Red Wolves had taken the
lead when Jimmie Villalobos fired at goal from the center of the box, but his effort was just
wide.
After knocking on the door for a large part of the second half, Obleda’s side finally found a
much-deserved opening goal. The Red Wolves won a free kick in a dangerous position just
outside the box, and in the 81st minute Moe Espinoza would fire into the near post’s top corner
past Antman to put the Red Wolves ahead.
Jorge Páez would come on in the 93rd minute as the Red Wolves continued the front foot, and
his introduction would look a stroke of genius only moments later. Juan would start the fast
break from the opposition half, play it into Páez who played it back to Juan in a beautiful
one-two move with Galigol finishing with authority to put the Red Wolves up 2-0.
It was a huge three points for the Red Wolves who found their winning ways and their clinical
finishing once again at an important time. Timmy Mehl played a full 90 minutes and earned a
clean sheet as well in his first game with the Red Wolves following his loan move from Tampa
Bay Rowdies.
The Red Wolves next match will be at CHI Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, June 22nd as
Obleda and company welcome the Charlotte Independence.