Match Recap
The Biggest Win in Pulse's Short History Comes Against Top Seeded Chattanooga
By Dante Furco
Opponent: Chattanooga FC
Final Score: 3-0
Match Date: August 14, 2022
Despite dropping the first three matches of the season against Chattanooga FC, the Pulse went into the match with the winning mindset in hopes to spark a late season push to the playoffs.
Prior to Sunday night's match against Chattanooga FC, the Pulse were coming off an Independent Cup win over Braveheart SC. In that match, the Pulse saw goals from Kaleb Jackson, Stephen MacDonald, Alec McKinley and Shaun Russell.
Rocking their yellow jerseys in sundays match, the Pulse came out firing. The Pulse were able to score on a goal from Kaleb Jackson within the first 3 minutes. Kaleb Jackson, on a one on two, was able to head a ball ahead of himself, to create space from the defender on a breakaway, where he was able to put a shot on goal which was deflected off a defender and into the back of the net. This put the Pulse up 1-0 early.
Minutes later, the Pulse found themselves with another opportunity to score. Credit to a great ball up the middle to Bruno Rendon, the Pulse were on a two on one, with only the goalie in front of them. With momentum towards the goal, Rendon was pulled down from behind with no opportunity to score. This led to a Chattanooga red card and 80+ minutes to play with a man down.
With a man down, the Pulse were hoping to add to their 1-0 lead but were unable to do so in the first haldf. In the final 10 minutes of the half, Chattanooga had a different energy. With momentum on their side they were driving down field with a force. FC continued to dominate possession in the final minutes but unable to put any shots on goals. The Pulse went into halftime up by 1.
The second half began slow with multiple yellow cards being issued to both teams. The Pulse were able to get shots on goal, but nothing into the back of the net. This was until the 79th minute of play, where Kaleb Jackson continued to add to his growing season goal number, putting his second ball in goal on the day. While his goals in the Independent Cup do not count in the league leaders, category, this was his second straight game with a 2-goal brace. The Pulse then lead 2-0.
In the late minutes of Sunday's match against Chattanooga FC, the Pulse saw an injury to their goalkeeper Macklin Robinson. Robinson was carried off the field by his teamattes and it is unsure at this time of the extent of his injury. While Macklin did not finish the match, him and Daniel Gagliardi would go on the finish with a clean sheet.
In the 92nd minute of play, the Pulse added one more goal onto their total. Following an agressive push from a Chattanooga defender on Kaio DaSilva, Stephen MacDonald was able to run his way into the Chattanooga box without being contested. He then weaved his way through defenders and score a goal as time was expiring. This is back to back matches for MacDonald with a goal.
The Pulse take down Chattanooga by a final score of 3-0.
The Pulse will take on Flower City Union on Saturday August 20th, at 6PM ET. The Pulse are currently 3-0 in the Thruway Derby and look to finish the season with a clean sweep of the new rivalry.
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Pulse, Bobcats Draw: Ends In Scoreless Tie
By Noah Schwartz
Opponent: Maryland Bobcats FC
Final Score: 0-0
Match Date: June 4, 2022
Despite numerous chances for both sides, neither the Syracuse Pulse or Maryland Bobcats FC were able to get on the board on Saturday night, as the two teams finished their match in a scoreless tie from Lazer Stadium.
The teams combined to take 29 shots, including 18 of them on goal, but neither side was able to convert at any point throughout the match as the goaltenders stood tall. Christian Caulker, Maryland’s 33 year old netminder, made 10 saves, while Daniel Gagliardi totaled 8 for Syracuse. Gagliardi, a Miami, Florida native, played his first ever game for the Pulse on Saturday and made quite the first impression.
Defense was also a major theme as both teams struggled to generate consistent offense. Syracuse and Maryland’s backline units were disruptive and consistently took the ball away or deflected passes in the attacking zone.
The closest either side got to scoring was in the 29th minute, when Syracuse’s Kaio DaSilva was called offside after putting a shot beyond the reach of Caulker following a precise pass from Evan Waldrep. The Pulse also missed an opportunity in the 56th minute, when Molley Karpeh shot at a mostly open net but missed his attempt slightly to the right.
Offensively, Darwin Espinal led the way for the Bobcats, as he totaled 5 shots on goal, including one final chance in the 90th minute that would have given Maryland the lead just before the final whistle. For the Pulse, Jakob Popkin and Kaleb Jackson each took 3 shots on net, while Juan Louis attempted 2.
The Pulse will be in action next on Saturday when they face Chattanooga FC on the road at 7:30 p.m. The Bobcats are off for two whole weeks until June 18, when they will face the Michigan Stars FC.
Game Notes:
- Syracuse’s Mason Moyers and Maryland’s David Mason both received yellow cards in the second half.
- The Bobcats are 3-3-3 on the season and haven’t won in any of their previous five games.
- Saturday marked the fourth time Syracuse has been shut out this year, and it was the second straight game that the Pulse were held scoreless.
The Pulse Fall to Valley United FC at Home, Able To Avoid Severe Thunderstorms
Opponent: Valley United FC
Final Score 0-2
Match Date & Time: June 1st, 2022
Written By: Noah Schwartz
Alex Tejera’s goal in the 52nd minute wound up being the difference on Wednesday, as Valley United FC defeated the Syracuse Pulse by a final of 2-0 from Lazer Stadium. This was the team’s first victory of the season and also marked its *first win* in the National Independent Soccer Association.
Both teams went scoreless for the entirety of the first half, but Valley United was able to control possession for most of the first 45 minutes. Syracuse kept the game tied, but the Pulse were only able to muster one shot on goal prior to halftime.
In the second half, Valley United was able to capitalize twice in the first 23 minutes. Tejera scored 7 minutes in on an assist from David Diosa, which was then followed by Luis Gil’s goal in the 68th minute. Both shots went past Pulse goalie Macklin Robinson, who finished with 5 saves.
Syracuse applied more offensive pressure late in the game and tried to stage a rally, but Samuel Howard made 3 saves in the second half to keep Valley United in front. The Pulse’s final chance came with three minutes to play when Molly Karpeh pushed a header past Howard, but the goal was called off due to an offsides penalty.
Valley United improves to 1-6-1 with the victory, and Syracuse now sits at 2-4-1. Both teams return to action on Saturday with Valley United set to play on the road against Flower City Union, while the Pulse will host the Maryland Bobcats FC.
Game Notes:
- Two Syracuse players, Minaje Kwak and Michael Kafari, were both given yellow cards in the second half.
- Wednesday was the third time this year that the Syracuse Pulse were shut out.
(*Prior Wins this season were stripped due to league violations*)
