Joga Bonito.
It’s an expression commonly used in ftbol to describe “The Beautiful Game.”
The game being soccer, of course.
There was no better way to describe the natural flow through precise passing and textbook play by the top-ranked Monrovia boys soccer team Wednesday.
Through unmatched speed, agility and execution on the long ball and short pass, the Wildcats proved their worth in a 2-1 win over No. 4 La Caada in Rio Hondo League action.
The game seemed to flow from the beginning for Monrovia (13-0-3, 2-0), which penetrated on each scoring opportunity until the Wildcats finally capitalized, largely in part to senior midfielder Eduardo Ulloa, who slipped past his defender and attempted a shot from 18 yards out that went into the corner of the net to put Monrovia on top early, 1-0.
Like gaining field position in football, the same can be said of ftbol, where developing a string of passes in the final third of the field can create momentum.
That’s precisely the problem the Spartans (11-3-3, 1-1) encountered in a game in which they couldn’t answer Monrovia’s push up front nor create opportunities offensively.
La Caada had two scoring opportunities in the first half and capitalized on its first, after Alex Duvoisin’s direct free kick connected with Brian Blumenfeld’s header from 14 yards out to tie the score at 1.
But that’s as close as the Spartans got despite a frantic effort late in the second half that kept the Wildcats’ defenders on their heels.
“We’re playing like we’re a man down,” senior captain midfielder Turner Ward said.
But it was La Caada that was playing a man down after Blumenfeld’s yellow card was followed by a red, and automatic ejection, for continually talking back to the referee.
The Spartans could have used his speed up front when La Caada pushed for a goal.
Danny Thompson’s shot from 16 yards out was deflected before Arash Mahboubi connected on a header that sailed over the crossbar.
“I would say our passing was really poor,” La Caada coach Jordan Jones said. “All of our first touches were over our head.
“Our first touch is most important, and they just didn’t take care of that.”
The lone weakness for Monrovia is its lack of physical play, but Monrovia more than compensates for it with everything else.
Junior Omar Ramirez and sophomore Mario Gomez were a nearly unstoppable tandem for the Wildcats. They created space through impressive footwork and an ability to anticipate plays.
Ulloa put Monrovia back on top after eluding two Spartans defenders on the wing and sailing a shot over diving goalkeeper Jack Hale into the far corner of the net to make it 2-1.
Mathias Ibaez and Allen Gaitan worked well for the Wildcats too. Ibaez sent a short pass to Gaitan, who slipped through a defensive gap and past two Spartans defenders to attempt a shot from outside the penalty area before meeting the charging goalkeeper.
“Our passing game is tremendous as far as high school teams goes,” Monrovia coach Mike Williams said.
“We’re executing well in the last side of the field, we’re combining well, getting crosses off, and our shots are dead on.”
That Monrovia recorded the win against La Caada without senior defender Juan Branchini spoke volumes. Branchini, one of the team’s best defenders, was suspended for one game after receiving two yellow cards in a game last week.
“Monrovia played well and came out ready,” Jones added. “I thought we were a little soft and not ready play.”
Jones said Monrovia is consistent, and he rated the Wildcats in the top three opponents played thus far.
“They definitely deserved the win,” he said, “and I give them that. They worked hard.”
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485
