Hollywood Kickers Outshoot San Diego, but Team Still Fires Blanks in 0-0 Tie

Despite controlling the ball for most of the game, the Hollywood Kickers settled for a 0-0 tie with the San Diego Nomads for the second time this season in a Western Soccer Alliance match Saturday at Birmingham High.

The Kickers were unable to capitalize on a 23-6 advantage in shots on goal, and their closest brush with an offense came when a San Diego defender almost headed the ball into his own goal 28 minutes into the match.

The Nomads appeared to take a 1-0 lead nine minutes later, but an off-sides call nullified a San Diego goal by Jose Luis Cuevas.

It was a frustrating night for both teams, and Kickers Coach Dieter Hochheimer pointed to his team’s missed opportunities as the biggest source of frustration.

“I think we should have scored one or two goals in the chances we had,” he said. “Both goalies did an excellent job and they’re probably the two best in the league.”

Recording the shutout for the Kickers was keeper Lorenzo Caccialanza, who was credited with three saves. His counterpart in the San Diego net, Jeff Duback, was much busier and finished the match with nine saves.

The Kickers, who entered the match with a five-point lead over the second-place Seattle Storm, held the Nomads to two shots on goal in the second half.

Saturday’s match drew a crowd of 828. The Kickers return to action next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Birmingham against the Los Angeles Heat.