RCU Falls In Preseason Opener

Tonight, Rocket City United gave up a first half counter attack goal to fall to Martin Methodist College 1:0 in the first preseason match of the year held at Point Mallard Park in Decatur.

RCU 0:1 MMC from Ryan Harbaugh on Vimeo.

RCU took the field with an eleven that will look vastly different from the squad that is expected to suit up for the first team on May 22nd. Neither team seemed interested in threatening the opponents goal until MMC worked some nice passes together in the 40th minute and discovered themselves up by a goal when a looping header from eleven yards found the back of the net. RCU responded with pressure that resulted in substitute forward Daniel Perry smacking a shot over the head of the MMC keeper only to rebound off the crossbar. When a MMC defender failed to clear, Brandon Sanford lifted his shot inches high from close range and the half ended with MMC up by a goal.

Armstrong on MMC preseason friendly from Ryan Harbaugh on Vimeo.

As the teams tired in the second half, the game opened up and the teams traded misses. RCU squandered several terrific crosses from left back Daniel Segewitz, including a four yard header nodded wide by returning center back Steve Van Horn. The story of the match was lack of finishing, perhaps due to rust and fatigue, and the MMC goalkeeper earned the shutout without having to make a save. Despite this, RCU coach Desmond Armstrong was happy with the play of the team, especially the play of former Alabama A&M center back Samadu Matumba who looked very comfortable marshaling the backline.

Segewitz on MMC preseason friendly from Ryan Harbaugh on Vimeo.

In other RCU news, the club will field a full reserve squad that will play 8-10 matches including matches against the other NPSL Southeast Region teams. Reserve games will be held 3 hours prior to each first team match throughout the season.