SEATTLE, Wash. — Despite going down a man in the first half, West Seattle Junction FC was able to hold on for their second goalless draw and clean sheet of the week, as the Blues picked up another hard fought point at home against the Tacoma Stars. Considering the struggles that the club has faced over the past few weeks, these recent results are more meaningful than fans may realize, and they show how players have stepped up to execute a game plan. Now, with six games remaining, Junction FC looks poised to continue their current run of form with their sights set on a mid table finish.
Tacoma started the game on the front foot in the opening minutes, but as the hosts settled into the contest, their press made things difficult for the Stars in possession. Niclas Isensee and Junction’s backline, anchored by captain Jake Larson and Connor O’Keefe, did well when called upon throughout the early stages of the first half, with the best chance of the afternoon for either side coming in the 17th minute. Cameron Yriondo found Damoni Mckenna on the right wing, who drove inside and found Alex Mejia, but his first-time effort went just wide of the post.
Just two minutes later, Tacoma looked poised to break the deadlock had it not been for a goalsaving tackle from O’Keefe, whose sliding effort was enough to tackle away the ball from Tacoma’s Idin Fakhri. Again just two minutes later it was Junction with a scoring opportunity, as Joschi Schelb was quickly closed down in the opposition’s box before he was able to get a shot off following a deflected cross from Jacen Stein.
The defining moment of the game came in the 39th minute, when West Seattle’s Jack Maguire was brandished a straight red card for a foul on Zack Robertson. The ensuing free kick was a tame effort that was easily collected by Isensee, with the hosts forced into focusing on game management with a second 45 still to play.
Nothing seemed to go the way of the hosts as the game continued in the second half, in what proved to be a frustrating afternoon at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex. The Blues had a chance on goal through Richard Conces in the opening minutes of the half following a deflected shot from Mejia, with the midfielder firing his shot high and wide.
Tacoma looked lost going forward and seemed to not be as mentally dominant considering their numerical advantage. Gaps continued to open up for Junction to play in, with Larson finding Schelb, who drove through the Stars’ backline before dragging his shot just wide of the post in the 56th minute.
Momentum stayed with the hosts throughout the remaining minutes of the half, with Leon Tezuka and Stephen Saladin nearly finding the game winner with a pair of chances in the 91st and 92nd minutes, with the hosts ultimately having to settle for a point at home.
Up next for West Seattle is their second matchup against a nationally-ranked opponent in as many weeks, as they take on Snohomish United FC at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 26th. Tickets are available for purchase HERE, with fans also able to stream Thursday night’s contest on SportsEngine Play.
