WASHINGTON TOWSHIP, Mich -- Liquid Football (3-2-2) lost to Michigan Stars (6-1-1) 3-1 on a rainy Tuesday night at the Michigan Stars Sports Center outdoor field.
Liquid and the Stars finally found time to play their game after their original matchup was postponed. The game was scheduled at a time with massive implications for both teams.
It was a must-win game for Liquid to stay in the hunt for the title. If the Stars won, they would be one step closer to the title. The game was similar to last year's when Liquid and Stars played at University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods. It also had massive title race implications. Liquid won 2-1.
That was last year. In this year's matchup, Liquid started the game strong. They dominated possession and created many chances. The Stars’ back three couldn’t handle the attacking players for Liquid. Finally, Liquid broke the deadlock. Halfway through the first half, Wisam Muthana received the ball on the wing and played the perfect ball into Atou Dia, who was waiting in the box. He jumped, headed it down, and beat the keeper, making it 1-0 Liquid.
After halftime, the Stars made some tactical changes after their original game plan wasn’t working. They dominated the second half. Liquid had a few transition and counter-attack opportunities but could not convert them.
The Stars scored the equalizer In the 69’ minute when a Stars player found space on the wing to cross it into the box. The ball fell right to his teammate wide open at the back post, who tapped it in to make it 1-1.
A few minutes later, the Stars took the lead when a Stars attacker received the ball and juked a Liquid Football defender. He shot the ball from just outside the box, and it soared into the top corner of the near post of the goal, beating Liquid Football keeper Sean Nagar.
Later, in the 82’, the Stars played a perfectly timed through ball to an onrushing Stars attacker, which beat the Liquid offside trap, leading to a breakaway. The Stars attacker slotted it past the Liquid keeper to make it 3-1.
Liquid began pressuring the Stars, but it was too late. Time ran out on their game and their season. Since Liquid couldn’t beat the Stars, they mathematically can’t win the title. Liquid has three games left to play in the season: Futsal Factory, Inter Detroit, and Livonia City FC. All three games are to be played in a week.
Liquid’s next game is away against Futsal Factory Academy (2-5-2) at Dexter High School on Saturday, July 13 at 7 p.m.
Comments