In a commanding display of football, Shock City faced Lakeland United at Skyway Park on the evening of 19th September 2024. The match, kick-starting at 7:00 PM, concluded with a decisive scoreline of 4-1 in favour of the home side, showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical superiority.
Shock City adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation that allowed them to dominate both the midfield and the attacking third. The back line consisted of two central defenders, Daniel Lopez and Alex Lewis, flanked by right defender Jason Perez and left defender Bruce Metzger. This defensive quartet aimed to provide a solid foundation while supporting the midfield duo of Sebastian Gacharna and Esteban Ramirez, who were tasked with both breaking up opposition plays and initiating attacks. Ahead of them, Alejandro Carballea and Erik Espinoza operated as right and left attacking midfielders respectively, providing width and creativity, while Max Moon played centrally behind the lone striker, David Swedura, who was the focal point of their offensive play.
The substitutes for Shock City included Hector Fuentes, Alexis Astorga, David Perez, Noah Stahl, and Fabian D'Farnesio, who would later play crucial roles as the match unfolded.
The opening goal arrived in the 15th minute, courtesy of David Swedura, who expertly headed home a long pass from Daniel Lopez, giving Shock City an early lead. This goal set the tone for the match, as Shock City showcased their attacking intent.
However, Lakeland United responded just before half-time, pulling one back in the 42nd minute with a well-placed shot from inside the box, equalising the score at 1-1. This moment provided a glimmer of hope for the visitors, but the momentum remained with Shock City as they went into the break.
The second half saw immediate changes as Hector Fuentes replaced Bruce Metzger, reinforcing the defence. A crucial moment unfolded in the 55th minute when Max Moon struck a magnificent screamer, finishing off a long pass from Alejandro Carballea to restore Shock City's lead at 2-1.
The match took a contentious turn in the 64th minute when Alejandro Carballea received a yellow card for a foul, a precursor to his later dismissal. Shortly thereafter, Shock City made their next substitution, bringing on David Perez for Max Moon, before Noah Stahl entered the fray, replacing Carballea in the 66th minute.
As the match progressed, the tension heightened, culminating in the 85th minute when Carballea received a second yellow card, leading to his dismissal from the game. Despite being down to ten men, Shock City remained resolute and focused on expanding their lead.
In the 89th minute, Noah Stahl capitalised on a swift team move and netted Shock City's third goal with a precise short pass assist from David Swedura. The goal not only showcased the team’s resilience but also added to the scoreboard in emphatic fashion.
As the match approached its conclusion, Erik Espinoza was awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute, which he coolly converted to seal the match at 4-1. This final goal was a fitting end to a dominant performance by Shock City.
With the victory, Shock City delivered an emphatic message of their intent in the league, while Lakeland United will be left to ponder their defensive frailties. Max Moon was duly recognised as the standout performer of the match, contributing significantly to Shock City's offensive capabilities.
