Set piece takes Addison Trail past Leyden
No. 21 Blazers post 1-0 road win over rival
By Patrick Z. McGavin
NORTHLAKE — The set piece is soccer’s treasure chest, an intricate and overlapping series of actions that can unlock gold.
That’s the glorified version.
In reality, set pieces are messy and unpredictable, subject to weird bounces and random acts. It is also the most collaborative of arts, a weaving of players, motion and time.
“We put in so much work during practice,” Addison Trail kicking specialist Brian Teran said. “We practice a lot on set pieces, and we know with all the big players we have, somebody’s going to get a head on the ball.”
Teran’s length, accuracy and touch created all manner of difficulties for Leyden. His corner and free kicks established a high cumulative pressure that finally broke the Eagles’ down late in the first half.
Forward Peter Savinos smashed home a rebound in the 38th minute originating from a Teran free kick that gave the Blazers, ranked 21st in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, the 1-0 victory in West Suburban Conference Gold Division play Tuesday night.
Teran’s ball came from the right edge from about 40 yards. The send found the head of midfielder Sebastian Alicea, who drilled the first ball off the near post.
“I always try to look for my big players, and they can get a head on the ball,” Teran said.
“We trust each other. When we receive the ball, we know there is going to be somebody to check in for the ball. We all have that intensity, that strength and that potential.”
Savinos was ideally positioned for the rebound.
“I just try to be in the middle,” Savinos said. “That’s where most of the goals are going to be. I just wanted to be in position to get the shot or the rebound.
“We had a lot of guys rushing in. We practiced it all the time, and it paid off in the game.”
Teran earned the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match distinction for his superb two-way play. He was also part of a disruptive, fast and chaotic backline that posted their fourth shutout.
The Blazers (7-1-0, 2-0-0) have permitted just three goals on the season.
The two rivals are separated by just seven miles. Leyden coach Mark Valintis was a star player at Addison Trail.
The latest iteration of their series added to the Eagles’ season-long narrative, competitive and intense play and a tough result to live with.
“A ball that bounces a different way on a set piece, we clear it, and the game is zero-zero; and we are still in it,” Valentis said.
“Instead, it bounced their way, and they got to it. That’s the difference in the game. That is how our season has gone. I will give them credit. The first half, I thought they were the better team. They took it to us. They put us under pressure and the ball was in our end most of the time.”
In their last meeting during the abbreviated spring season, Leyden won 4-1.
During the spring the Eagles finished 7-4-0, losing only to Morton in the Gold Division. Addison Trail had, by its lofty standards, a down season. The Blazers went 6-5-2 and lost their last two games by an aggregate of 10-1.
“I think our roles are reversed,” Valintis said. “In the spring, I had a senior-laden team with a lot of guys who were in their third year on the varsity. The kids knew exactly what they needed to do, because they had been doing it for three years.
“Now I’m coming in with a lot of new or young guys to varsity, and Ryan (Dini) is coming back with 17 seniors who know the system. It shows. They play very well together as a team, and they know where each other’s at.”
Joey Dionne started at keeper for Addison Trail; Mateo Gomez played the second half.
The Blazers’ midfield is dynamite with Alicea, Alex Sandoval and Nico Parente.
“We have a lot of contributors on our offense,” Dini said. “Our team is so close, and our seniors have been through a lot of games together. Sebastian and Nico solidify our midfield.
“We are able to do our dynamic runs with our fullbacks, and that’s why we have been really good with set pieces and scored a lot of goals.”
Another physical two-way talent, midfielder Matthew Sobus, provides a dangerous touch to the Blazers. He has a quarterback’s arm with his throws.
His ability to get the ball into the box from either edge is a remarkable weapon to have.
“I thought we did a pretty good job of not allowing them opportunities in the run of play,” Valintis said. “As the half wore on, with the corner kicks, the long throws, the free kick they scored on, we gave them too many opportunities.
“Nine times out of nine we cleared it. That 10th time they got us.”
Leyden (2-7-0, 0-2-0) has some intriguing weapons of its own. Midfielder Pablo Mancha and forward Javier Solis created some dangerous opportunities.
Midfielder Oscar Flores and forward Ulices Leyva also effectively established pressure that yielded some corner kicks and free kicks for the Eagles.
Flores had a strong opportunity in the second half on a free kick that sailed over the top of the bar. The Eagles are just missing the last part of their combinations.
“It seemed to be a night of one too many dribbles or we should have passed one touch sooner,” Valintis said. “Our first touch was a little off. Then when we did have an opportunity for a cross or a shot, it never seemed that we were in balance to make that final piece.
“That’s the difference with us putting them under pressure and really forcing them to defend.”
Addison Trail’s speed and ability to dictate tempo continuously forced the Eagles to react to their style rather than influence the shape and movement of the game.
Savinos said the team committed to a renewed focus and building team chemistry following the disappointing spring season.
“We put in a lot of hard work during the summer,” he said. “Now we come every day and play hard and play together. We’re a family, and that catapults us going forward.
“You also see that in the way we are playing defense. Our whole backline and our goalies are strong kids. They pressure everything. They are physical. We have a lot of trust back there, and they trust each other.”
Starting lineups
Addison Trail
GK: Joey Dionne
D: Uriel Bibiano
D: David Peters
D: Luca Fisher
D: Brian Teran
MF: Emilio Macias
MF: Alex Sandoval
MF: Sebastian Alicea
MF: Nico Parente
F: Matias Aguilar
F: Christian Alcaraz
Leyden
GK: Kai Kopera
D: Ariel Diaz
D: Avi Flores
D: Yadier De La Cruz
D: Javier Alvarez
MF: Fabian Rodriguez
MF: Oscar Flores
MF: Pablo Mancha
F: Alvin Santos
F: Ulices Leyva
F: Javier Solis
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Brian Teran, sr., D, Addison Trail
Scoring summary
First half
Addison Trail—Peter Savinos (Sebastian Alicea), 38th minute
Second half
No scoring
No. 21 Blazers post 1-0 road win over rival
By Patrick Z. McGavin
NORTHLAKE — The set piece is soccer’s treasure chest, an intricate and overlapping series of actions that can unlock gold.
That’s the glorified version.
In reality, set pieces are messy and unpredictable, subject to weird bounces and random acts. It is also the most collaborative of arts, a weaving of players, motion and time.
“We put in so much work during practice,” Addison Trail kicking specialist Brian Teran said. “We practice a lot on set pieces, and we know with all the big players we have, somebody’s going to get a head on the ball.”
Teran’s length, accuracy and touch created all manner of difficulties for Leyden. His corner and free kicks established a high cumulative pressure that finally broke the Eagles’ down late in the first half.
Forward Peter Savinos smashed home a rebound in the 38th minute originating from a Teran free kick that gave the Blazers, ranked 21st in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, the 1-0 victory in West Suburban Conference Gold Division play Tuesday night.
Teran’s ball came from the right edge from about 40 yards. The send found the head of midfielder Sebastian Alicea, who drilled the first ball off the near post.
“I always try to look for my big players, and they can get a head on the ball,” Teran said.
“We trust each other. When we receive the ball, we know there is going to be somebody to check in for the ball. We all have that intensity, that strength and that potential.”
Savinos was ideally positioned for the rebound.
“I just try to be in the middle,” Savinos said. “That’s where most of the goals are going to be. I just wanted to be in position to get the shot or the rebound.
“We had a lot of guys rushing in. We practiced it all the time, and it paid off in the game.”
Teran earned the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match distinction for his superb two-way play. He was also part of a disruptive, fast and chaotic backline that posted their fourth shutout.
The Blazers (7-1-0, 2-0-0) have permitted just three goals on the season.
The two rivals are separated by just seven miles. Leyden coach Mark Valintis was a star player at Addison Trail.
The latest iteration of their series added to the Eagles’ season-long narrative, competitive and intense play and a tough result to live with.
“A ball that bounces a different way on a set piece, we clear it, and the game is zero-zero; and we are still in it,” Valentis said.
“Instead, it bounced their way, and they got to it. That’s the difference in the game. That is how our season has gone. I will give them credit. The first half, I thought they were the better team. They took it to us. They put us under pressure and the ball was in our end most of the time.”
In their last meeting during the abbreviated spring season, Leyden won 4-1.
During the spring the Eagles finished 7-4-0, losing only to Morton in the Gold Division. Addison Trail had, by its lofty standards, a down season. The Blazers went 6-5-2 and lost their last two games by an aggregate of 10-1.
“I think our roles are reversed,” Valintis said. “In the spring, I had a senior-laden team with a lot of guys who were in their third year on the varsity. The kids knew exactly what they needed to do, because they had been doing it for three years.
“Now I’m coming in with a lot of new or young guys to varsity, and Ryan (Dini) is coming back with 17 seniors who know the system. It shows. They play very well together as a team, and they know where each other’s at.”
Joey Dionne started at keeper for Addison Trail; Mateo Gomez played the second half.
The Blazers’ midfield is dynamite with Alicea, Alex Sandoval and Nico Parente.
“We have a lot of contributors on our offense,” Dini said. “Our team is so close, and our seniors have been through a lot of games together. Sebastian and Nico solidify our midfield.
“We are able to do our dynamic runs with our fullbacks, and that’s why we have been really good with set pieces and scored a lot of goals.”
Another physical two-way talent, midfielder Matthew Sobus, provides a dangerous touch to the Blazers. He has a quarterback’s arm with his throws.
His ability to get the ball into the box from either edge is a remarkable weapon to have.
“I thought we did a pretty good job of not allowing them opportunities in the run of play,” Valintis said. “As the half wore on, with the corner kicks, the long throws, the free kick they scored on, we gave them too many opportunities.
“Nine times out of nine we cleared it. That 10th time they got us.”
Leyden (2-7-0, 0-2-0) has some intriguing weapons of its own. Midfielder Pablo Mancha and forward Javier Solis created some dangerous opportunities.
Midfielder Oscar Flores and forward Ulices Leyva also effectively established pressure that yielded some corner kicks and free kicks for the Eagles.
Flores had a strong opportunity in the second half on a free kick that sailed over the top of the bar. The Eagles are just missing the last part of their combinations.
“It seemed to be a night of one too many dribbles or we should have passed one touch sooner,” Valintis said. “Our first touch was a little off. Then when we did have an opportunity for a cross or a shot, it never seemed that we were in balance to make that final piece.
“That’s the difference with us putting them under pressure and really forcing them to defend.”
Addison Trail’s speed and ability to dictate tempo continuously forced the Eagles to react to their style rather than influence the shape and movement of the game.
Savinos said the team committed to a renewed focus and building team chemistry following the disappointing spring season.
“We put in a lot of hard work during the summer,” he said. “Now we come every day and play hard and play together. We’re a family, and that catapults us going forward.
“You also see that in the way we are playing defense. Our whole backline and our goalies are strong kids. They pressure everything. They are physical. We have a lot of trust back there, and they trust each other.”
Starting lineups
Addison Trail
GK: Joey Dionne
D: Uriel Bibiano
D: David Peters
D: Luca Fisher
D: Brian Teran
MF: Emilio Macias
MF: Alex Sandoval
MF: Sebastian Alicea
MF: Nico Parente
F: Matias Aguilar
F: Christian Alcaraz
Leyden
GK: Kai Kopera
D: Ariel Diaz
D: Avi Flores
D: Yadier De La Cruz
D: Javier Alvarez
MF: Fabian Rodriguez
MF: Oscar Flores
MF: Pablo Mancha
F: Alvin Santos
F: Ulices Leyva
F: Javier Solis
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Brian Teran, sr., D, Addison Trail
Scoring summary
First half
Addison Trail—Peter Savinos (Sebastian Alicea), 38th minute
Second half
No scoring