Shake-Up Puts Zodiac on Winning Track
Orange County Zodiac Coach Mike Gartlan shook up his lineup and his team responded by shaking off a two-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over U.S. Pro Select Thursday night at Mission Viejo High.
Midfielder Brad Wilson scored his third game-winning goal in the 65th minute on an indirect kick from 30 yards out that found the left corner of the net before Select goalkeeper Mark Simposon could react. With the victory before a crowd of about 300, Orange County (12-8) regained the top spot in the Pacific Division of the A-League, one point ahead of San Diego.
Gartlan sent a message that he wasn’t happy with his team’s effort in a 3-0 road loss Sunday to San Francisco Bay by benching leading scorer Eddie Soto and goalkeeper Mike Littman in favor of forward Steve Patterson and Dan Abdalla, who was starting only his second game.
Patterson scored the Zodiac’s first goal in the 11th minute on a rebound of a shot by P.J. Polowski. Abdalla had four saves, two on close-range shots by Select forward Jason Boyce, a former Corona del Mar player on loan from Colorado.
“I think Mike was trying to shake things up and get some guys thinking again,” Abdalla said. “This just shows that nobody’s job is safe. Everybody has to put in the effort.”
Gartlan acknowledged that there might be dissension on his team, but wasn’t immediately concerned.
“We needed a win,” Gartlan said. “Some people are upset, but the way we are losing is unacceptable.”
Abdalla said the Zodiac played one of its worst games of the season Sunday.
“You could sense some things were going to happen after that game,” he said. “But you could see the team raise its level tonight. This was a talented team we played. These guys are the future of American soccer.”
The U.S. Pro Select (7-13) includes top young American players--selected by the MLS and U.S. Soccer--and players on loan from MLS teams. Former Zodiac Jose Vasquez, on loan from the Galaxy, entered the game in the second half and he made his presence felt in the 75th minute with a rough takedown of forward Gustavo Leal. Vasquez was given a yellow card.
