TULSA -  Side FC 92 made history Monday as they won their third championship trophy in a year's time, claiming the UPSL Premier Division Central Conference Championship, with a 3-1 extra time victory over Rayados Irving FC.  

The match featured national team players, former MLS and USL professionals, and an abundance of WSA homegrown talent.   Marcel Joseph, who entered as the super sub in the 2nd half, was just returning from national team duty at the Gold Cup with the Bahamas, Chris Taylor, formerly of Portland Timbers, Matt Rogers who formerly played in the USL, along with a star-studded cast from Rayados Irving FC, took the field in Tulsa for a great pro-am fixture.  

Side FC found a lot of the ball in the first half hour of the match, which they have become accostomed to.  However, the first chances were not capitlized upon, and Rayados proved it would be a worthy competitor in what slowly transformed into a midfield battle.  Chris Taylor and Matt Rogers anchored a backline from Centerback and the duo seemed in control much of the regulation and into the extra time.  The former MLS (Taylor) and USL (Rogers) combo, who both coach for WSA Soccer's Academy program, were defensive organizers, and managed much of the build out phase possession for Side FC. 

Taylor had 2 key passes in regulation time which went unfinished and were a possible foreshadowing for things to come. 

The second half would become more of a midfield battle, with few chances.  The best chance for Side FC 92 came in the 67th minute when forward Marcel Joseph was slipped in by John Woodhead.  The Rayados goalkeeper snuffed out a save, and it was moments later in the 70th minute that Rayados capitlized on a turnover in midfield to find the net and take a 1-0 lead. 

Side FC 92 was able to mount decent pressure in the stanza after the final hydration break following the goal, and several times Brad Bennions found himself skinning a defender and finding dangerous positions.  Bennions had a terrfic weekend at the 11 position challenging wingbacks often with his quick change of pace.   It would take a clever volleyed finish in the 84th minute from Joseph off a service from left back Rogelio Jurado, to level the score and bring The Side back to life from the dying moments of the match.   As Joseph leveled the match at 1-1 it appeared the momentum had clearly swung toward The Side. 

The opening 7 minutes of the first extra time period found a long period of pressure from Side FC 92, earning 3 corner kicks, and multiple chances, before Joseph would net his second goal of the day to give Side FC 92 the game winning goal at the 98th minute.  As foreshadowed with earlier key passes, Taylor unlocked the Rayados defense from Centerback with a peach of a ball off his left boot into the channel finding Ruben Torres, who centered for Joseph who buried the chance. 

As the teams went to the final hydration break between extra times, the match seemed to indicate it would be a matter of seeing things out for The Side as attrition related to 2 games in 3 days in hot conditions became a large factor.  There was one close call managed by goalkeeper Valin Bodie and Matt Rogers a couple minutes into the overtime, and from there Side FC 92 seemed to regain control of a match they had controled the better part of the day.  

After another series of corner kicks were earned, it was the clever ingenuity of substitute Matthew Cuellar, WSA 99 alumni, that prevailed.  Cuellar used one of the corner kicks on a short corner design to sneakily get himself into the box and then was brought down earning the penalty kick.  Cuellar was given the chance to add the insurance goal, and he did just that, taking the penalty and breathing easier after the goalkeeper got hands to it, but it slipped in to all but seal the deal for The Side's Championship. 

Cuellar (23) receiving congratulations from Joseph (9) after the pen that brought the score to 3-1.

Marcos Moreno and Luke Jeffus were once again midfield juggernauts for The Side (former WSA 00/01 boys players), while Alex Garcia (WSA 00/01) added suppport from his role in the midfield triangle.  This trio helped bring home a National Title for WSA in 2019 at the youth club level. Rayados Irving FC was a formidable and quality opponent and played respectable football for the 120 minutes.  It was a classic UPSL fixture and a great display of pro-am soccer played by several up-and-coming players, such as Erik Villalobos who came on a substitute during the critical extra time minutes.  Villalobos who is just 15 plays for WSA 2005 Boys who he recently helped guide to the National Elite 8.  The display over the weekend is a reminder that the pipeline of talent at The Side is deep and vast.  

The Championship marks the third piece of hardware earned by Side FC 92 for the young franchise in just over a year since it's inception.  In 2020 Side FC 92 ran away with the UPSL Division 1 Championship to earn promotion in 2021 to the Premier Division.   The team wrapped up the Premier Division Regular Season Championship last week with back to back wins.   The result today evened things up with Rayados, the only club in the U.S. going into today's match to own a winning record over Side FC 92 (in 2 previous meetings Rayados had won and drawn with Side FC).  Importantly today's win also secured trophy #3 for the young franchise! 

Acting Head Coach Corie Frazer was elated, stating, "Yes!! This is a great feeling!".   Side FC 92 Head Coach, Alex McLaurin missed the final stages of the season as he leads the tour to Italy and Spain for Side FC 92.  Several of our regular first team members are training, and on trial, and also representing our community well overseas.  As of Friday that team was unbeaten in their 3 weeks of Euopean play so far.  Coach Alex and the boys had turned in to watch the livestream today from afar.  

It's history making day for Side FC 92! 

GAME STATS:

• 70' Goal Rayados Irving FC 
• 84' Goal Side FC 92 - Goal Marcel Joseph, Assist Rogelio Jurado 
• 97' Goal Side FC 92 - Goal Marcel Jospeh, Assist Ruben Torres 
• 117' Goal Side FC 92 - Goal Mattew Cuellar (PK) 
• Valin Bodie - 6 Saves 
• Man of Match - Marcel Joseph

Congratulations to the players and the staff.  Thank you to all of the supporters.  And we have at least, one more game, one more time.... 

SIDE FC 92 EARNS SPOT IN UPSL NATIONAL TOURNAMENT!

SIDE FC 92 POSING WITH THE 2021 REGULAR SEASON TROPHY & LEAGUE CUP TROPHY