Texoma Eliminated From Playoffs in Inaugural Season
1-0 defeat at Portland ends postseason hopes
Texoma’s Playoff Hopes
Texoma FC unfortunately suffered a devastating loss to Portland Hearts of Pine this past Saturday, 1-0. Effectively eliminating Texoma from playoff contention.
There are 4 games left for Texoma in their inaugural season. With this loss to Portland however, they fall to an overall record of 6W-8L-12D with a goal differential of -16. Even if Texoma secures victory in their remaining matches, the point gap is too large. Additionally, they would need to hope for a major stumble from the 8th-11th places, and win their upcoming matches by multiple goals to offset the differential. USL1 official standings currently has not listed Texoma as “eliminated from playoff contention”.
Match Review
First Half
Portland started the game in foul trouble with an almost immediate offside, yellow card, and multiple free kicks awarded for Texoma. Portland put up quite a few attempts at goal but to no avail.
Texoma goalkeeper Garcia, in the 12th minute lazily passed the ball in the back third, which the opposing offense was able to try to intercept. Garcia has made this mistake in multiple games. Texoma, and Garcia especially, should be more strategic about how they move the ball. Coach Forbes for Texoma would receive a yellow card in the 32nd minute.
It Is also unfortunately apparent that Texoma has a confidence problem. They are extremely hesitant to shoot, often shuffling feet before crucial and somewhat-covered shots that could lead to goals. As well, they seem to prefer setting up crosses or passing, instead of using the open space. Several times in this game, Texoma had no coverage around or inside the penalty box, and they did not take advantage of the open space. Instead, they chose to pass the ball into the middle and nothing came from it. Again, Texoma needs to be more strategic with their ball movement in the final third, and not so hesitant when looking to make an attempt at goal.
First half of would end 0-0. Both sides committed numerous fouls and were very aggressive, and it was not any cleaner in the second half.
Second Half
The second half was fairly eventful. Portland did use all 5 subs as allowed by USL (3 standard substitutions, and 2 more allowed in extra time). Texoma just stuck to the standard 3, all used in the second half.
The half was mostly deadlocked. A total of 5 bookings were shown in the second half. There were some questionable fouls, and the teams seemed to get more aggressive as time elapsed. Finally, in the 74th minute, Portland glides through Texoma’s defense facing no challenge. Making a splendid run down the field, Portland defender Messer takes a quick pass from midfielder Wright outside the box. With no hesitation, Messer took a strong shot at goal that gave Portland the 1-0 lead.
Texoma would fail too put up any worth while chances to equalize after, and the game would end 1-0. It was another story of Texoma’s poor defense, ball movement, and lack of offensive confidence.
