Royals lay down marker in title defense season

The Royals traveled north to face a talented side in Crown Villa FC, a club making their Select League debut against the Royals, and a team with title aspirations of their own. The match took place on a cold, overcast night in Kansas City, MO, at St. Pius X High School's field. An excellent venue that is appropriate for an opening weekend clash.

The match started at a quick pace as Woodland midfielder, Sean Thomson, latched onto a loose ball at the top of the Villa penalty box and fired his shot well over the bar. It would be an early warning sign of things to come.

Woodland fought to keep possession and make the ball work for them, while Villa seemed ready to accept that they would have to play on their preferred counterattack style. Villa had some impressive preseason results against some quality teams, whereas Woodland played only one friendly all preseason, electing to train in house instead.

This match featured more than one debutant--Royals head coach Will Bowler was making his debut leading the team, and seeking a first win. Woodland arrived at the match with a thin roster already, with exactly 20 players available out of the 29 on their roster. Illness, life emergency, and injury already keeping necessary players out of the lineup this early in the season can be deadly.

The deadlock would be broken in the 28', shortly after starting goalkeeper Naguib Nassir had to be subbed off due to a non-contact injury. He was replaced by Luke Heaton. More on him later. In the 28', Woodland won a free kick on the right side of the attacking third. Royals' newcomer, Federico Verlicchi, whipped a ball into the box that froze the keeper in place, and allowed Maguire Hardin, another new Royal, to head home the opener.

1-0

Celebrating Maguire Hardin's opening goal

The goal was barely able to finish being read by the stadium public address announcer before Verlicchi played an excellent pass into the path of Brett Jackson who brought it down handsomely with his chest, rounded the keeper, and tapped home to extend their lead. Woodland was beginning to turn the screw.

2-0

Four minutes later, Woodland winger Johnathan Young dribbled past the defence, cut past his man inside the box, and was chopped down by a sliding challenge. The Villa defence looked agaonizingly back at the cetre-ref, pleading for a respite, but it was not forthcoming as he pointed to the spot, signaling a penalty. Steeve Pouna calmly stepped up to the spot, and curled it home past the keeper.

3-0

Half-time

Crown Villa were not going to let themselves go out quietly on their league, and club, debut. They made some changes to the squad at halftime, shifted some personnel around, and began to play their style of game--using blistering pace up front, and well executed counter-atacks. Luke Heaton thrice was called into action--twice to stop one-vs-ones between himself, and the Villa strikers. Another time to leap at full stretch to deny an exquisitely struck free kick to maintain the Royals' 3-goal lead.

Villa continued to push for a glimmer of hope to get them back in the match, when Federico Verlicchi sealed the game, and his man of the match status, with a well taken half-volley off a cross from Jake Hilpertshauser. From there, they would ice the game.

4-0

3 points earned against a quality opponent in their own building.Woodland FC's next match is a thome against cross-town rivals Lenexa City FC in the first installment this season of the Tallgrass Derby. That match will take place on Friday, April 11th, at Charles J. Stump Memorial Park, Field #3, at 6:00pm. Hope to see you there!

To watch the match replay, be sure to head to our youtube channel!

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