Birmingham Unable to Cash In, Plays 0-0 Tie With Kennedy
In a break from the norm, Birmingham High charges admission to watch its boys’ soccer team play home games.
“It’s worth it; we’ve got the No. 1 team,” reasoned an administrator Thursday, referring to the Patriots’ position atop The Times’ regional rankings.
Maybe the haul can be used to buy the Patriots some goals, for despite pummeling Kennedy on Thursday, the teams tied, 0-0, in a Northwest Valley Conference game at Birmingham.
Birmingham (7-0-3, 7-0-3 in conference), which has produced two scoreless ties and a 1-0 victory in its last four games, held a 19-1 shot advantage and had the Golden Cougars (4-9-6, 1-6-3) under siege virtually the entire game.
Kennedy, led by goalkeeper Mario Merino and sweeper Jose Zuniga, withstood the pressure. Merino made five saves and excelled by cutting off crosses from the corners and forcing shots wide with his positioning.
“They have some tremendously skilled players but today we played from the bottom of our hearts,” said Fred Singer, Kennedy’s coach.
Singer alternated screams and pleas to get his players to remain in the center of the field, leaving Birmingham the choice of attacking from the distant flanks or dribbling into traffic.
“We held our [position] very well, even when they were moving the ball all around the outside of our [penalty area],” said Singer, who sent out a formation with four defenders, five midfielders and one forward.
Singer, in his 20th season at Kennedy, might have done his best coaching job this season. Two senior goalkeepers transferred before the season and the team has a limited offense, yet has remained competitive.
“They played a good defensive game,” said Mike Erush, the Patriot stopper. “We tried everything but they played with so many in the back.”
If Birmingham is to be considered a serious City Section title contender, it must not only find a way to score but to play without bickering.
“We have to talk about that and if the captains don’t, I will,” Erush said. “If things don’t go right we all start arguing.”
Birmingham travels to play second-place El Camino Real (13-4-2, 8-1-1) on Monday. The Patriots defeated the Conquistadores, 1-0, earlier this season.