Alabama Classic: RCU thumps Pumas FC

Three second half goals by super sub, Freddy Okello, insured that Rocket City United would defeat their I-65 rival Pumas FC of Birmingham 4:1 in the second Alabama Classic match of the season. Perhaps more importantly, the victory sees RCU (3-0-2, 9 points) as the lone team at the top of the NPSL Southeast Region table.

The teams prepare to take the field in the Alabama Classic

RCU got off to a quick start. In the 7th minute, Birmingham native Michael Biggs rode off several challenges to send a ball into the area for Rafa Barbosa who struck the shot soundly to beat Pumas goalkeeper DelosSantos. Barbosa would turn provider in the second half.

After taking the field for Jesus Delgado shortly before halftime, Okello recieved a nice pass from Paul Willoughby and coolly finished from 15 yards. Not long after, it was Barbosa who set up Okello. Freddy's shot beat DelosSanos but bounded off of the left upright. However, Okello was the first to react as he charged through to tap the rebound into the empty net. Okello completed his hat trick by toe-poking another sweet feed from Barbosa past DelosSantos.

Pumas was not to be shut out as they pressured Tyler Early's goal in the final twenty minutes. After a goal mouth scrum, Paolo Vasquez was on hand to lift a shot over Early's shoulder. However, that would be all that Pumas FC could muster, and RCU took the season series with a victory at home to match the 5:2 May 9th victory in Birmingham.

A full match report can be found here.

RCU Reserves (in black) work to get a shot on the Pumas goal

Prior to the first team match, the RCU reserves fell to the Pumas reserves 0:3. Jeffrey Preston was the hero of that match which could have been much worse if not for the many acrobatic saves from Preston.