On a beautiful evening, over 300 fans watched the Maryland Red Devils historical first game vs. FC Reading Revolution at Cedar Lane Park in Columbia. The stalemate was due in part to good goalkeeping, solid defense and the newness of the season.
The game began with the two teams going at each other trying to immediately find a weakness in each other’s armor. The FC Reading Revolution offered a more direct style of play with long balls which tested the MD Red Devils’ defense. The MD Red Devils on the other hand did most of their attacking down the flanks, but the outside backs of FC Reading were very solid, allowing only balls to be easily collected by keeper Richard Hessler. FC Reading applied more pressure on MD Red Devils during the first half and two times they were close to opening the score, but two great saves by DAN LOUISIGNAU kept the game scoreless thru the first half. Both teams were clearly eager to score the first goal of the new season, and were looking for counter-attacking opportunities for most of the first half.
In the second half, the energy picked up. FC Reading continued to keep up the pressure, but the MD Red Devils center backs COREY ADAMS and SCOTT DEFRANCES were able to keep the FC Reading forwards away from the goal, and Big Dan Louisignau came up with another brilliant save to keep the game scoreless early on.
As the game heated up, a couple of small tussles began in the center part of the field as both teams wanted to take home the three points and fought relentlessly to do so.
With three substitutions in the 58th minute, and an adjustment in the MD Red Devils strategy, the team started to dominate and pressure the opponents. This paid off in the 82nd minute when the high pressure from MD Red Devils forward BRIAN DAVIS caused a FC Reading defender to lose control of the ball. CHRIS WILLIAMS stole the ball and with a rocket of a shot from outside the right-hand side of the penalty area, he left the Revolution Keeper no chance - 1:0 to the Red Devils.
In the last minutes of the game, FC Reading tried to get the goal back but well organized defensive play secured the result. Congratulations to all MD Red Devils players, coaches, managers, and Fans for the first historical WIN for the team.
Our next game is this Friday, May 21st at 6:30pm at Howard Community College vs. Pocono Snow.
