Wooooooooooo boy. We ducking did it. It’s been a few days, and I’m still not sure it seems very real. I’ve been thinking about what to write since I got home on Saturday night and there is honestly nothing else besides that goal that matter from this game. So instead of a normal Data Dump, let’s just break down that goal.
1) Was that the most Elma play of the year or what?
I can’t have been alone when I wondered why Tyler David was coming off the bench in the 89′. It’s absolutely nothing against Tyler, rather the entire concept of a like for like defensive midfielder swap at that point of that game was…interesting. But in the highlight there is TD, with his only touch of the game, winning the ball back and passing it straight to Elma.
It’s hard to put into words just how much intangible benefit Elma brings to the field. Don’t forget Elma played a vital role in the build up to our first goal, passing to EVD and drawing the defenders away from Evan. But this play topped that one for sure.
Elma takes a few touches and ends up on the ground. He then spins around, without getting up and perfectly places the ball into the path of a streaking Devin Boyce in the box.
2) The cross from Boyce was good enough.
A few fun facts about Devin. One, this is his second game winning assist of the season, and Evan Conway scored both of them. Two, on our goal of the year, he started that attack by winning the ball off of a throw-in and making a perfect pass to Elma even though he got absolutely clobbered.
The pass here is maybe not the best pass Devin has ever attempted but it was good enough. And even more impressive when you considered he hits it first time without ever controlling the ball. One of my favorite parts of the ESPN+ video is that JP Scearce looks like he is trying to do his best ‘Hand of God’ impression to bring down the cross.
Now, the alternative angle from field level view (thanks Alec Carstens) whatever JP does with his hands looks a lot less suspicious.
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3) Mr. Clutch confirmation.
Although I haven’t confirmed this, I can only assume Evan read last week’s Data Dump and said to himself “time to put an end to this conversation.” Hard to get more clutch (in the regular season) than scoring in stoppage time to go the final. This is Evan’s 5th game winner of the six goals he has scored for Union Omaha. (Fun fact, if the ref in the Ft Lauderdale game calls that handball instead of ignoring it, it could be six for six for Evan.) All game Evan looked the most likely to score on the pitch, hitting the woodwork early on, flashing a shot just wide in the second half. The patience needed to watch the ball bounce several times, get in position, and finish was superb. It might not win any beauty contests, but as a fan this goal will be forever memorable as it goes to live next to this one in my mind.
I’m watching my team in the final on Friday, what about you?
Who Gives A Hoot? 