Birmingham Has Run of Field

The growing boys’ soccer rivalry between Birmingham High and El Camino Real places a premium on home-field advantage, for the schools’ playing facilities are markedly different.

At El Camino Real, the Conquistadores play on a narrow, barren football field and have used their physical style to post a 21-game unbeaten streak in Northwest Valley Conference play.

But at Birmingham, where the Braves posted a 1-0 victory Thursday, games are played on a wide, flat field covered in grass. It is a luxury for a City Section team and a decided edge for the host Patriots.

Birmingham (3-1, 3-1 in conference play) exploited that edge throughout the game, building a slight advantage in play with quick-touch passing and striking for a goal by Jaime Gomez with nine minutes to play.

El Camino Real (3-1, 3-1) rarely threatened and dropped into a tie for the conference lead with the Patriots.

“We’re able to open up more here and play the through balls like we’re accustomed to doing,” midfielder Tony Ortega of Birmingham said. “When we play on a smaller field we have to adjust.”

Birmingham, ranked No. 4 in the region in The Times’ regional poll, actually had to make adjustments Thursday, even on its home field.

Starting goalkeeper John Wall left the game with what Coach Jose Freire of Birmingham said was a broken nose in the 30th minute and stopper Mike Erush missed a significant portion of the second half because of a lingering case of bronchitis.

Late in the game, sweeper Mike Seliga of Birmingham was hobbled when he aggravated a groin strain. Despite these hindrances, the Patriots pulled out the victory when Bobby Pouya passed to Gomez, who beat defender Chris Johnstone down the left sideline and slid a five-yard shot past goalkeeper Karl Mayr to the far post.

After the final whistle, Birmingham upped the ante of the teams’ Feb. 1 rematch at El Camino Real by gathering at midfield in a bouncing, shouting cluster.

“My guys were upset about that but we have to learn that you can still get better from games, even when you lose,” said Coach David Hussey of El Camino Real, which is ranked No. 3 by The Times. “We made some mistakes but the next time will be different.”