Saturday’s 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifying first round match between local clubs Chula Vista FC and the Rebels Soccer Club was chock full of highlights — both positive and negative.
The positive: the match between the teams was exciting, intense and everything one could expect from a winner-take-all elimination contest.
The negative: the match was played in a city park without stadium lights and, when a 25-minute injury delay occurred, it pushed the ending of the match past sunset.
After two shortened five-minute overtime periods proved scoreless, the teams lined up for a kicks-from-the-penalty mark tiebreaker to determine which team advanced to the next qualifying round.
The KFM tiebreaker took place 35 minutes after sunset. It was virtually impossible for anyone standing on the sideline to make out which player was taking the spot kicks or follow the movement of the ball in the gloom.
The only way a spectator could tell if someone scored was to see if the twine at the back of the net bulged after each shot.
Neither of the goalkeepers made a stop and the final outcome was sealed when one of the Rebels players lifted his attempt over the crossbar.
All five Chula Vista FC shooters converted and the amateur men’s side won the game 5-3 in the KFM tiebreaker following the teams’ 2-2 overtime deadlock.
Alberto Diaz, a Bonita Vista High School alumnus, scored the deciding goal in the tiebreaker for Chula Vista FC.
“I just wanted to get (the shot) on frame — it was dark — and make the keeper make a save,” explained Diaz, who had put his team ahead, 2-1, just before halftime of regulation play. “It was pretty intense.”
Crazy might be a better word choice.
Match day
It did not take Chula Vista FC, the host team for the match at Terra Nova Park, very long to make a statement. The team, which placed runner-up in April’s Cal South Adult Cup Premier Division finals, took a 1-0 lead just 50 seconds into the game after Julio Martinez scored on a shot from outside the penalty arc.
However, just seven minutes later all proceedings came to a sudden halt as Rebels starting goalkeeper Oscar Brambila Ruelas went down while trying to make a save on an incoming Chula Vista FC attacker. His foot became stuck in the grass as he twisted. He suffered a broken leg.
Emergency medical technicians were called and arrived within 10 minutes to administer aid. Brambila Ruelas was carted off the field on a stretcher 15 minutes later while clapping his hands to show fans he was OK appreciative of their support.
According to Rebels general manager Jesus Acevedo, Brambila Ruelas suffered a fracture and dislocated ankle and had surgery on Sunday. Acevedo reported he is doing well
Vincent Acevedo took over guard duty for the Rebels in the net and was called on to make two point-blank saves to keep the match from getting out of hand early on.
The Rebels, playing their first season in the United Premier Soccer League, quickly regrouped and carried play for a good chunk of the first half. Pablo Vazquez Burguillo tied the game in the 22nd minute after flipping the ball past Chula Vista FC goalkeeper Mario Miranda following a pair of fortunate rebounds.
Diaz put the hosts ahead, 2-1, in the 41st minute on another shot from outside the box.
The teams exchanged scoring chances from there — with shots either hitting the crossbar or narrowly missing it — as play picked up in pace.
The Rebels tied the match, 2-2, on a low shot from about 22 yards out on a restart in the 62nd minute by Erick Gonzalez.
Either team could have won prior to the end of regulation.
Sunset occurred at 6:46 p.m. Regulation play ended at 6:55 p.m. as twilight began to descend on the field.
After a consultation call from U.S. Soccer, it was decided to play a shortened overtime period and, if necessary, utilize the KFM tiebreaker.
As twilight faded into night, it became increasingly difficult to follow the path of the ball. Neither team scored in the first five-minute OT period and neither team scored in the second OT period.
For the KFM tiebreaker, which took place after civil twilight had officially ended, fans tried to provide some illumination with their cell phones.
It was a surreal ending.
“I think our experience (in cup matches) helped us,” Diaz said. They were playing in their first Open Cup qualifying game.
“They came out a little pumped because of the injury, wanting to win for their buddy. We went a little cold for a while. They got the tying goal. We came on. It got a little sloppy. But I think the better team won.”
While Rebels coach Matt Emmert called it a “bummer” that the team’s Open Cup journey ended so soon, he lauded the effort of his team, which had to regroup for a UPSL match the following day at Southwestern College’s DeVore Stadium.
“We started playing over the summer and added some new players in August and have made a lot of progress since then,” Emmert said. “It’s always a big game against them.”
The Rebels dropped Sunday’s UPSL match, 1-0, to White Tigers FC. “Playing a game just over 24 hours later definitely had an impact,” the elder Acevedo said.
The Rebels (0-2 in UPSL matches) next play San Diego Pro Premier at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Lincoln High School before hosting PSC San Diego Oct. 6 at Southwestern College.
Chula Vista FC advances to the next stage of Open Cup qualifying against Academia SC on Oct. 19 at 3:15 p.m. at Terra Nova Park.
Academia SC defeated PV United, 4-1, at Lady of the Assumption Park in Turlock on Sunday.
REBELS SOCCER CLUB
2019 UPSL SCHEDULE
September
28: Rebels vs. San Diego Pro Premier, 5 p.m. at Lincoln High School
October
6: Rebels vs. PSC San Diego, 6 p.m. at Southwestern College
13: Rebels vs. Santos FC, 6 p.m. at Southwestern College
19: Rebels vs. San Diego Pro Premier Academy, 7 p.m. at Lincoln High School
27: Rebels vs. San Diego Internacional FC, 6 p.m. at Southwestern College
November
3: Bye
10: Rebels vs. White Tigers FC. 4 p.m. at Ramona High School
17: Rebels vs. San Diego Pro Premier, 6 p.m. at Southwestern College
24: Rebels vs. PSC San Diego, 6 p.m. at Southwestern College
30: Rebels vs. Santos FC, 8 p.m. at Lincoln High School
December
8: Rebels vs. San Diego Pro Premier Academy, 6 p.m. at Southwestern College
